Deemania since 56

If Clarrie was one of the 'pretty boys' who gain so much media attention, he most probably would have already won a Brownlow. Everything (or very close to it) that Clarrie attempts comes off with flying colours and that is what sets him above so many of the Brownlow winners in the past coupla years. Then, his consistency at playing at this level so frequently against any opponents can be factored into our praise for his efforts, just like it had with Tulip.

That skill requirement is within easy reach of Kozzie, Chandler and JJ - mark my words - they can all do it at training with added speed and mongrel grunt to that of Spargy-pants, more penetration and will round the three off if tasked by Goodwin to so do in gametime. ANB is already doing it, kicking a conservative pop-up rack of goals, holding back the play cleverly for zone-ups and coverage of opponents team wide, and hitting the 150 games marque with smart intercepts.

Oh, never saw Hardeman? Frank Davis? Jetta? et al?

It is impossible to get this correct; the Mighty MFC has had some outstanding footballers yet poor teams more often than not. Three current players would possibly make it, yet even these three could well be debated: Gawn, Oliver and Petracca. Swooper and NSmith would vie for the best coach - but even that is too hard to split. Best of luck attempting to make the necessary calls - for me, it's impossible.

Ken Oath.

Carlton midfielders, across the game, were fed by and roved well to big Max. Reading the 'tap' is an art and Carlton - like other teams this year - picked the eyes of Max's dominant ruck work more times than our midfield brigade. It helped enormously across the game, getting in many first breaks to increase scoring opportunities for them. We have seen this before and there has to be a solution. When Grundy rucks, he taps it to his feet, almost; creating increased congestion and so frequently, results in another, immediate ball up until one team gets the break. Possibly, the only solution is to tap the pill into a larger radius from the tap point with varied but intended midfield runners to firstly screen (not block) opponents for others to snatch the ball for a clearance; or, employing better indicators to where the ball will be tapped outside the centre circle - and rehearsed at training. These were the left-hand, right-hand taps that Crackers used to great effect with his 'roving' division, making him one of our most effective tap ruckmen in past times. (OK, so he wasn't too flash in other areas of a ruckman's game), but he could put a tap down the throat or in the pathway of pre-determined, 'secret' scouts in his presence.

Yes, for those of us who watch many different team contests, not just those involving the MFC, the disparity between umpires and the anticipated excellence of umpire impartiality and rules applications is highly suspect, and has been for quite some time - at the point of obviating preference rather than the judicial application of sacrosanct, well-documented reason. No longer can umpires hide behind mere judgment variations; comparisons have become too noticeably different. Added to this is the clamour amongst the magistrates of the whistle to be seen as entertainers and popularity profiles - assisting key teams with the largest supporters or noise generation as a crowd in attendance, usually remaining instantly quite satisfied with the bang for the buck that they just received within and about the game from official sources. That happiness far outweighs any conceptualisation of reasonably fair play. Human error at this frequency does not contain permissible undersights or oversights. There are no checks and balances in operation - it is just allowed to happen. Thanks for coming!

Yes, don't really like this for Grundy, as well. But he is available and could do a temporary role in this regard - certainly to discourage opposition forward pushes in his 'zonal' area across differing forward pushes. It could also release May to come further up the ground - even Hibbo - for some more 'heavy' attack on the incoming [censored]. Bringing the ball to ground is another role for Grundy in such an array - as we have so many very good smaller clearance-types in that zone (thinking Hibbo, McVie, Ginger Meggs, Salem) plus an angry Viney providing further discouragement to opposition intent.

Good question. So far, it has not transferred into any behavioural observations and action from the umpires - yet remains clearly visible to all spectators at each game he plays. All one can assume is that the AFL has not responded to such enquiry.

In Harmes as a tagger and mongrel.

We must be concerned for Max's longer-term welfare after football. He receives more thuggery to the head than any other player in the League. The impression gained from the AFL in this regard is '...so what? He's so good, he deserves to be pummelled to keep the game even...'

Wonderful Captain's responsibility. The man has incredible leadership and foci.

The poor form of Casey against Carlton was a revelation, to some extent, and not one from which a great deal of reliance can be extracted for the AFL team. For the AFL team the losses of Petty, Fritta and stability - including further complications in our backline - heralds impending 'game plan' handicaps against teams that have 'worked us out' so change, however subtle, is required once again. Tomlinson could be useful to this purpose as a cog in the gear chain. A couple of years ago, he was played on the wing opposite to Langers, using pace, finding space, attacking aerially, feeding the ball forward to midfield advances when opportunities (limited) presented or into the half-forwards and bringing the ball to the ground. The kick-outs from full back were one-sided all of the time, by-passing Tomlinson, and the true midfield where opposition teams luxuriated in the predictability of such 'set' intents were consistently under the coverage pump. These days, we make better use of the central corridor. Hopefully, that has increased the role of (Tomlinson's) the outer wing. Bearing in mind that Tomlinson's fitness is excellent, his height and mobility are valuable and his 'space finding' is most probably still very good, we could have an avenue of the double-edged sword in forward progress of the ball to our advantage - at the same time - still using Langers in his roles on the opposite side of the ground, far, wide and longitudinal. Our midfield, Clarrie, Tracca on occasion, Sparrow, a defensive forward-moving Rivers, and our elite smalls including Chandler moving forward and across into the forward line (our best current shot at goal), will always take some beating. The real benefit in my mind is that this may be a time to also release Lever fully into his intercept role - nearly always successful - by adding the 'available' Grundy to the backline mix to work in partnership under instruction from/with May, Hibbo and McVie/Salem, thus adding the needed height factor to the backline and in turn, providing Lever the release to play his best contribution to the annihilation of opposition forward pushes. Lever's intercepts are one of our greatest assets yet at the moment, he has no reliable passing targets - just a mix of opportunities and good luck. Tomlinson may well play a part in this process from the wing as a key, on-his-own target, additionally releasing Langers on the opposite wing to penetrate further forward more often, more dangerously and negated far less often. These are just thoughts, containing process gaps and obvious hurdles, but these may well assist to overcome some ball passage barriers that we are currently experiencing. It might also have some valuable 'mobile-releasing' functions for Gus, Spargo, ANB, JJ, Chandler and the unbeatable Kozzie.

Umpiring has never been worse.

Perfect choice! You'll feel inwardly strengthened for the game.

Risky travel so stay alert. I guess the disgusting aromas will keep you intuitive - but simultaneously, green around the gills. When the train doors opens at the station, you'll feel like your in heaven. Just like the last 60 seconds of the 4th quarter, to come.

My niggling sixth sense keeps telling me that after the win against Blue Goo tonight, we will rage in the finals to our sheer delight and this will be achieved by something up-the-sleeve that we so far have not considered ... as if we had a secret weapon or change under construction that is going to rip predictable opposition strategies to pieces. Hence, flying under the radar is potentially a wonderful thing.

... and we'll get some more, if it keeps up!

Agree with you MX. I also thin that the Melk will rise again, against the Blue Baggers, becoming mobile again looking for space and trick shot opportunities. It is his greatest, sunsetting career chance prior to finals (and a berth therein) so Kozzie and Chandler need to action some feeding to him to keep the scoreboard ticking over. I'd reckon (not overly optimistically) that we will knock the Carlscum man-for-man and teamwise across the board by at least 20 points.

Not sure if Fritta is going to be ready - it would be great if he is OK to resume - but winning the Premiership is also a matter of conditioned readiness and gameplan(s) - not H & A ideals. We have the talent, that is for sure; do we have the recipe for such success?

Yes, he is a part-time rucking alternative but can also be damaging up forward. That has diverse appeal, to me. Plus, he is agile, committed for the ball, relatively quick and evasive - thinking 'mobile forward' and 'dodger' - so, with great midfield feeders, he could be quite utilitarian for us.

That seems like the most intelligent solution, I feel. Known performers - each of them - given a freshening and some innovative mobility responsibilities. Clarry and Co. need some targets ...

I'd reckon that getting Smith to lead out from the forward line to opportunity is just a small tweak. He's mobile, fast and could be cunning in this role.

Yes, the Blues look ripe for the picking.

It was a good win, overcoming a challenge, sustaining a fight back, controlling a winning position and effort. Well done, boys.