Deemania since 56

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.

AF, there is the fact that the midfield seldom 'defends' amid an opposition's forward presses. This has occurred so frequently for a very long time - our midfielders attempt to move somewhere 'closer to our own action' (but not far enough) into interesting but ineffective attacking positions where the only contribution is the long bomb - then scramble to 'get back to the midline (usually exhausted and requiring recovery time) leaving opposition midfield sentinels to play the 'hog the ball' game, acquiring and possessing the ball, the play and the execution of relaxed scoring in their forward line. Surely this is a coaching problem that we display far too often ... I think your assessment is spot on!

Generally agree now that the match is done. Goodwin is the main issue, the players still do not know exactly what their options for successful football might be and when they have good ideas, it is often too late to actually do anything about it. Meanwhile, Goodwin stares without communication into the void - time and again. Really sad circumstances.

Two of my favourite players in the past couple of years - guys who could perform well yet given little chance for one reason or the other to settle and make the ground that they were capable of - have been Kent and Frosty. Miss'em.

Dees, by 32 points. New-look forward line very impressive. Vanders and Tracc give the Catty Puts the nervous Nellies. Danger off the field for medical reasons. Carna Dees.

Ken Oath! It's on for us ... I see a leading, three-pronged deep forward line with lethal crumbers and trailing Geelong players.

Ratu won't last a whole game, Vanders can deal with him.

Makes good sense, provides potential benefits and skills, keeps those in the picture keen and somewhat responsible towards the Club. I'd retain Hunt - seldom played in his most valuable position under Goodwin - he's a forward on the run, leading, and we know he can kick 'em.