Deemania since 56

It may be worth a try but he is a forward and can score, subject to the compliance of the rest of the team. I'd suspect that Brownie is a little too light for a backline role, but faster and keeps closer than OMac. The skillset seems quite reasonable.

Good sense and a great opportunity for all three to start really shining. Rivers still impresses me with some classy potential; Harmes does need to be freed to the midfield and penetrate into and amongst the forwards at a shallower level - mobility, body strength, some closing speed, head-up delivery, spoils well and can mark if it is known from whence the ball arriveth on most occasions. Useful.

That would not surprise me. Frosty went from a learning footballer to a reliable excitement machine on the backline, improving in skills and contribution on the median curve very nicely. He'd also chase down errant opposition forwards - gave them panic attacks that fluffed their kicks and handballs - enabling a Demon to take possession (if Frosty didn't at that spot on the ground). Whoreform knew it, inflating his opportunities to get him. The MFC hierarchy fell for it all.

Based upon what is on our list, this seems to be the best possible selection.

There is a lack of coaching communication, networking and collective think-tanks apparent; the coaches just do not seem to be together on strategies for game day, nor skills transfers for the players to articulate onfield in offensive, defensive and general plays. As for the selections, these have been hasty. Melksham needs some coaching cautions - his game has fully dropped away - where his appetite for gloriously kicking every goal dominates the benefits that as a team-player, he could otherwise bring to the fore, for all. He moves well, takes possession well but seldom lines up for a straight kick at goal and certainly, is the last player on the field to think or execute some form of football translation to a teammate in a 'better position' or one who is more likely to score in a particular circumstance. Lockhart at least had a big time run - gaining experience and attempting to play at that level - albeit not as well as desired but certainly, with considerable effort across the game. Smith beat Jack. Jack only had one goal despite looking very threatening as the Richmond pill went forward. Happy with Smith's efforts in strange territory but I wish that the coaches/selectors saw him for what he is: Smith is a forward - a good one, too - capable of much and yet Goodwin seldom gives him opportunities to put into practice those skills no matter how desperate the whole team is for a mobile forward with his attacking attributes. Jetta is needed, run and carry, bravely clear the deep defensive area and take on all comers. His disposal is usually controlled and reliable - and considered. His experience is legendary. OMac in the side would be a large step backwards. As he doesn't get to contests, his height is no advantage to the defensive line, particularly for marking and/or clearing in the danger zones. His support for May and Lever would be negligible as it would be some 30 meters from where the action might be. He is a lovely kick when he gets a free - or gets away from an opponent; however, the rarity of this opportunity largely counts for very little. Jones, in a sunset phase, still has much to offer in all parts of the ground. Used with judicious application from the bench, no-one clears the heavy going quite as well. He has terrific, tight mobility and very good burst-runs to space. He also appears to be conscious of the 'bomb' for which he was a key culprit - most kicks now characterise some careful passing criteria and, in front of goal or near goals, he can be lethal, these days. Surely it is acceptable for him to be afforded occasional 'rests' back to the bench to stoke the reserves for the next flurry?

Y'know, tiers, you are onto something ... his game has really improved and he sets the standard, so often in recent times. Some say he is better than Dusty ... and that is a big call ... but I could consider him improving further to achieve such a ranking.

By Jiminy, Petracca is a champion, now. Gawn is as well, but he needs to be assisted in his role to gain any potential longevity.

Since 1956 I have supported Melbourne. Had some very great moments, so doing. Before '56 I had stints of support for the Dons (my Dad played) and in '64, the Hawks coz Parkin did his teaching round as a student teacher within my classroom. Come finals time, I was back on the Demon bandwagon coz I had seen John Lord in person and Ronald Dale in the shops - and got to see the Dees regularly with family friends - all fanatics for the red 'n blue. Since '64, times were tough and successes were rare but there were moments and Demon teams that gave hope and awe. I can truly say that the MFC have had some of the greatest players to ever play the game. In 2020, rock bottom has been found and sadly in recent years, not for the first time. Before I leave this mortal coil, allow me to continue to dream of a premiership; in memory of the toil and work of our team 'greats' over the years, it is surely justified and overdue. By the way, let's also get a decent Coach?

When Picket learns to grab the ball in space he's going to be a knockout forward. Teach him to lead, teach him to get that room to run and kick. Allow him to break lines for the big and unexpected grab - he has anti-gravity attributes. He should take snaps at goal 4-6 times per game, and should be fed by his teammates.

6: petracca 5: hibberd 4: gawn 3: hannan 2: fritsch 1: salem Fully agree with this.

His turnover likelihood is now immense, coupled with the assured slow-down of play and possession, then turnovers, demonstrated by Viney. Salem's game does not help, either.

Definitely too valuable to exclude, but a kick up the bum is necessary for 'time and again' long bombs rushed the the Hope Fairy. Clarry has lost his cool this year, so far. Needs a transfer to a wing / flank position to get his mojo back and to better sight the game. An opportunity to two-way run and carry would also be useful.

Good summation of what would be very nice to expect. The gloss is almost off this season for the Dees; let's use what is left and whoever is available to cement good practices, improved skills and thinking/decisions, better teamwork and a realisation of how these factors translate to being 'winning scores'. I am happy to now regard this season as an exercise (yet another) in across-the-field improvement when stuck in a scenario of 'no-one has a clue' management and deployment.

He is Mr Versatile for us; tend to agree with you, though, that he is a better outside player as a strong link to our game. He has a quick mind and seizes opportunities rather well, particularly goalward.

That is almost Forward Play 101 in its simplicity - totally necessary and one way to improve the investments.

Melk is too hungry to kick the improbable himself. His passing is so very often characterised by kicking the ball outside-in, around a mythical corner and lower than the distance (improbable for that kind of pass) demands. He really does not seek players leading to space - either outside to the flanks or those moving in the midline with a distanced defender. He really could work on his kicking - it was once far better than he has recently displayed (almost a great ball passer when he first joined the Dees).

Picket does say it every week and what happens? We get flogged, unnecessarily. These premonitions ring true, week in, week out.

Almost deliberate hamstringing of our scoring potentials. As an aside, did you see Dean Kent and Max King play great footy (all game) for the Saints last night, against Carlscum?

Optimist ....

No more 'cracks' given; he has to 'earn' a crack and continue 'playing well' in the next 'cracks' to come. Then he'll be 'crackerjack'.

We are losing games Thursday nights, for sure. Such nights are preceded by seven days and six nights of total confusion, absolutely no responsibilities and unresolved basic issues and skills that question the smarts of our Coach. It's not the players, it's the instructions and preparation that they have been obeying.

Saw this review and see this occur weekly. Players do seem to be statistically fixated - another kick to nowhere is better than allowing a teammate to effect a good passage of team play, and this seems to dominate the play methods of our team. Jones/Viney/Hibberd/Clarry seem to be the biggest offenders but in reality it is across the team, regardless of the number of possessions earned.

Rather simple, isn't it? We all seem to know; Goodwin and now, FD Company, seem to ignore these apt qualities of our players. De-stabilisation of the team is occurring, with players like Lever, Hibberd, Salem, Melksham, Tomlinson and perhaps a few others contributing to this disarray. Again, it is a coaching issue and for the life of us all, affects our performances. Out of slot, out of kilter, out of time.

At this very moment, Brown looks the most ready.

Absolutely valuable player left sitting on the Goodwin bench. Brayshaw has worked hard to get back into the game - and Goodwin swings him here and there, and to the bench as our 'rescue' man. Within the shallow waters of Goodwin's mediocre gametime inspiration, he just passes the buck on the game situation to one or two players to resolve such circumstances. Gus is one who usually produces - and unexpectedly, at times. Great asset for the MFC.