tiers

Spargo adds a new dimension - short clever kicks to advantage. A good team needs all types and he fits this role well. As does ANB when played correctly. Frost is filling in down back until he is freed up to become the weapon on the wing - big, strong, extremely fast, long (albeit erratic) kick and, when in space, can be damaging in a 6-6-6 world. Oliver needs a chill pill - not every possession has to be dynamic and instantaneous. Still learning how to pace his game but his ball winning skills are beyond stunning. Think of the double handed ball pick up at speed at the base of a pack spoiled by a hurried long kick around his body to no-one. Gawn and Preuss's domination of the ruck and our inability to take full advantage is a long standing problem. I suspect that our mids are being asked to tag at centre bounces (why were we always behind the druggies) and they are too slow to anticipate and respond to Gawn and Preuss elsewhere. Better coaching and perhaps a better game plan for ruck contests seems to be the answer.

When I see Oliver, Brayshaw, Viney, Jones et al getting possessions in the defensive goal square on a semi regular basis or , if not, then offering leads as an escape path for our backs, then we will have the basis of a stiffened and supported defence. I see them too often foward, not enough back. Two way running means goal square to goal square if necessary, not goal square to centre square.

I believe that he was selected to play for Casey. If he is fit enough to play for Casey then he is fit enough for AFL. Need a better reason for not being played.

I post this again in support of George On The Outer's (GOTO) incisive observation in the match review that we were a tall short and need an urgent rethink. If we recruited Bruiser to be a back stop only for when Maxie is not available, then we wasted a pick. If we recruited him to create an imbalance or mismatch, then it is time to invest in the choice. And for once, can we see a well thought out game plan that allows the forwards to have a real chance to be effective both as forwards and as the first line of defence. It's up to you Goody.

I wonder if the coaching panel were ready for the season start? There have been some strange selection and strategy moves made that have not helped our cause. So if the players are fit and ready to go, then its the coaches that must step up and lead.

I have been watching footy since the late 50s and cannot recall a demon using torpedos as first choice to kick in from a point. Maybe in wet conditions only but on a dry day the best kick ins were all with drop kicks. Tassie Johnson and Bernie Massey in the seniors and the masterful Phil Rhoden in the ressies for those of us who came a bit earlier. Rhoden was surely the only player in the history of the game to be considered for selection in the seniors for his kicking alone - he was that good with a drop kick. But not good enough to be selected for the seniors and played nearly all his career in the ressies. In the bad old days, watching Phil was the greatest pleasure we had. To use a true footy expression, he was the best exponent of the drop kick I ever saw.

Kicking a true torpedo punt requires great skill because the preparation in the hands, the ball drop and the kick have to be in perfect coordination requiring innate timing and execution. It is not as easy as and less forgiving than a drop punt, especially on the run. I would identify the most stylish and consistent kickers and try to develop their skill starting with short kicks and progressing over time to longer kicks. Use it sparingly as a surprise weapon. When the skill is mastered, low direct torpedos are an effective short or long pass because they cover the ground slightly faster. The downside is that their trajectory, especially at the end of their travel, can be more difficult to judge for marking.

As I have said before, he plays a different game. Multiple efforts, flat out attack on the ball, repeated exhibition of the quickest hands ever seen, perpetual motion. He might just be too good for his team mates. In time, they will learn to understand his plays better and will anticipate his delivery. 2020 Go dees

The new centre bounce rules are not a contributor to the problem. It happens throughout the game, not just after centre bounces, and will continue to happen. My best guess solution is to spread out to force more one-on-one contests and to kick quick and low into the forward line so the opposition do not have the time to set-up. This could allow our so-called "chaos" model to come into play where the pack arrives after the contest, not before, and we can play to our strengths. Better selections would not hurt either.

After the first game against Geelong in 2018, Goodwin lamented the fact that they had rebounded 49 times out of 64 entries into the forward line. Here we are, 12 months later, and the same toxic game plan is exposed. At times on Saturday I saw a ball kicked high and long into the forward line only for the defence to punch it away and the only player front and square was the opposition. I used to think that it was only because players were aiming for Jesse's head in the goal square. It now seems that the disease has spread to all players trying to position in the forward line. No good saying that they should be leading because most kicks are not well directed. I don't mind long (and quick) kicks into the forward line but we must find a way to hold the ball in. That's where we are struggling. A first gamer, a second gamer and the occasional mid passing through is not my idea of a structure that can hold the ball in. Time for a re-think on strategy and, most importantly, selection.

A third unique and innovative style? Yes. Play two big ruckman, set up mismatches (tall v short, fast v slow, one on one match ups) and attack the perceived weak links in the opposition. Oops, without runners how do we set this up as a dynamic model during the game? Smoke signals from the bench or cleverly crafted code messages on the sign boards? I know it will work but how do we implement it?

I concur completely. No matter what posters say, Jesse was a real talent who had too much pain and suffering heaped on him. Standing out for a year for being too young, losing another year to a back injury, losing his dad, facing his own illness, suffering a new injury and all by the age of 25. All in public and it was not fair. He kicked more than 2 goals a game and stood tall and won games as well. To those who maintain that his on field demeanour was not good enough I say it was - he used to express his disappointment with himself for all to see. I wish him all the best for the future and hope that he becomes the champion player he is destined to become (except against us of course). I will always applaud his successes. Someone should tell Niall to go and get ........! The club did its best for Jesse. Go Jesse.

I suspect that our best 22 over the last 40 years would surprise. It was not just the lack of talent that caused the misery, it was the timing. We rarely had the group of champions together injury free at the same time. Imagine if we had had outstanding talents such as Flower, Wells, Alves, Lyon, Schwarz, Jakovich, Stynes, Wilson, Healy, Smith, Fowler, Lovett B, Farmer, Neitz, Woewodin, Moore, Wight, Viney T, White, Johnstone, Tingay, Charles in the same era. I would put them up against any combination of 22 from any other team.

When Clarrie was drafted I looked at his draft video. Even then, at junior level, he displayed a level of skill with his handball that I had never seen before. At that moment, 50+ years of misery slowly started to slip away. Let's be patient and watch this superstar in the making evolve. For the moment at least, he is our's alone to enjoy. That will soon change and he will belong to the whole footy world.

No one should ever be compared to the incomparable Robbie who played his footy in a higher universe. Clarrie will end up in the pantheon at the next level down. Very rare space. Added the following from 2016 Best hands at MFC since Obst. Best vision, awareness and selection of disposal choices in close that I have ever seen at MFC. Most successful teams have high class distributors (think Sam Mitchell, Greg Williams, Michael Voss) whose touches propel their teams forward. If handled properly, Clarry will rightfully belong in this company. The FD's challenge will be to develop the receivers to complement his role and his skills.

We taught him everything he knows but I hope we did not teach him everything we know. Still a champion.

I like "Bruiser" as a nickname for Preuss so I will use it. Game plans for forward lines are often based on trying to create "imbalances" between direct opponents to obtain clear positional or team advantage for one team, even if only for short periods until the opposition responds. 206 cm tall Bruiser playing on anyone is going to be an imbalance. Will he demand the attention of the biggest/strongest defender thus relieving pressure on TMac and Weid or will he be manned by the second/third defender in the hope that he does not create havoc by his size and strength? Will he act as a decoy for TMac and Weid or will he play as a backstop in the goal square where his height and strength could be decisive in marking contests? How does the coach prevent all three contesting and spoiling each other? Given that he would ordinarily be one of three talls all requiring attention, it would be hard for defences to multi team him, or his teammates, in contests as used to happen to Jesse when he was one out. And from all accounts, he is a genuine ruckman/follower who might allow Maxie the time and space to be even more influential. Nice problem to have for us.

Incremental improvement will do.

Nathan Jones needs a new role. He has earned the right to be indulged a bit so long as he contributes and he is not keeping any one out. His best position is still inside mid to hold the ball in but he is being denied the role. Maybe others should be trained to play his outside role that is more natural for them. I see Harmes and Brayshaw with the right attributes. FD better think hard.

Peanuts, peanuts, shilling a bag, peanuts. He was at every game at the MCG. The old guy with his sack of pre packaged bags. Even to this day, whenever I say peanuts, this refrain comes back to me. And I never bought any.

My memories of 1964. They start at Glenferrie Oval in round 17. Hassa Mann kicked a goal from the boundary, we won by 4 points and we secured top spot. A loss would have placed us in real jeopardy. The following week we lost badly to the dogs but it did not affect first place. In those days, the finals were civilised. One final each week for four weeks. First semi, second semi, prelim and grand final. I had bought the cheapest standing room series tickets (yes, all four matches) in the open stand under the old scoreboard (now I believe at Manuka Oval - much more interesting but couldn't handle instant score reviews or obnoxious ads and interviews). Catters beat bombers in first semi then dees thrashed filth by 89 points in second semi. Filth beat catters by 4 points in a low scoring match in prelim. Then it was our turn. Not unexpectedly, after a 89 point flogging, we were deserved favourites. Torrid, hard contest all game and we were behind by 2 points at half time. 2.3 to 0.2 in the third gave us an 11 point lead at 3QT. Up until then the match had been an non momentous blur. Gabbo's run changed that. Ray Gabelich was a man mountain (listed as 6 foot 3 1/2 inches and 18 stone 10 pounds which translate to 192 cm and 120 kg) who, in those days, could take a whole season to get match fit because of his size and the slower pace of the game,. Until this day he had never run more than to the toilet but, when he gathered the ball and took off with no one between him and the goals, the ground shook. Step by step, crooked bounce by crooked bounce, he ran to the goal square and kicked a goal. Tony Anderson ran his guts out to reach him but was too late. I became a despondent, depressed, despairing demon and couldn't watch. I cannot recall watching Hassa miss but I came alive when i saw the ball sailing through the goals to where I was standing. Neil Crompton, the average rover who became a sensation in the back pocket, will live forever. We had reclaimed our rightful position as premiers and so the excitement and celebration was muted. If I had known what was to come, I might have celebrated harder. The following year, we won the first eight games straight (albeit some by small margins) until the day the world changed on Queen';s Birthday v sainters. Alan Jeans, their then coach, made the move of the century and swapped Bob Murray to FB and Verdun Howell to FF. They were on the road to success, we had tasted almost too much and we were thrashed by, I think, 63 points. We had started our long losing streak and didn't see finals again until 1987. This year's outcome is still to be revealed but I am heartened by the quality of the boys who represent our club. I believe that they are as good as any group we have had in 54 years and still have enormous potential. 2020 is the year when they should emerge as the beat. Fifty years later, I had the great thrill to attend a lunch at the Bentleigh Club to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the premiership. In attendance that day were 14 of the 20 premiership heroes. The team: Crompton Massey Johnson Davis Roet Anderson Adams Williams Dixon Vagg Jacobs Kenneally Lord Bourke Townsend McLean Emselle Goalkickers: Townsend 3 Lord 2 Bourke Mann CROMPTON 1 Scores: Q1 2.6.18 2.5.17 Q2 5.7.37 5.9.39 Q3 7.10.52 5.11.41 Q4 8.16.64 8.12.60 Go dees.

To MT64 - Steve Stevens was later Mayor of Moorabbin. Remember how goal umpires would always get it right without score reviews and conferences on the filed and were generally more mature, non athletic types.

He is a classic rover. Performs in bursts, runs hard low to the ground, picks up opportunistic possessions, smart footy brain under pressure and delivers well. Just because he doesn't rack up possessions doesn't mean he is not a revelation. Give him to McCartney for the summer and lets build his vision and skills. Strength and a tank can come later. Watch how Tracca seeks him out after the goal. Great leadership. He is fast becoming the "papa bear" of the forward line - the one who pats them on the head for good efforts.

How good was Weed when he took a long line of backward steps to mark near the boundary. Most players either turn around and mark it over their shoulder or trip/stumble getting back. His backward motion was safe and steady and he judged the drop of the ball perfectly. His marking skills such as judgement of the drop of the ball and timing for the leap are excellent and if left to develop over time his marking ability will become a weapon. He should also develop as a mobile ruckman who can do more than just negate. A candidate for the McCartney development school. Its been a long time since we had a follower (as they were once called) with strong marking and rucking ability to cruise around the ground and influence contests. He is potentially too valuable to be just a forward.

Should spend more time in cotton wool after games than is an ice bath. Reads the game well and has the ability to win the ball while on the move, push through packs and tackles and kick well on both sides. Complements the skills of Clarrie, Tracca and Viney. What a midfield group!