Deemania since 56

Yes, numbers at the contest; free-up the outside spaces for the opposition to clear. The number of times this season that we have seen this occur - with up to four Demon players on top of the player - who had the ball and tapped the ball out to space - all leaving their direct opponents. Worse still, Key Position Demons running into this melee to assist a static moment. Then Viney and Jones: grab the ball, stick it into your stomach, fall over onto the ball, wiggle your legs until there is a ball-up from the umpire. Two players out of the game for critical seconds. Sheet!

I was surprised, not by the effort but by the scoreline until the dying minutes. Some played well; others, very well; most, dog ordinary once again. Max, Fritta and Frosty were my best three - clearly. Other 'reliables' came, went and faded. However, I was pleased with the space-finding of some of our forwards - particularly early in the game. Viney tagged well, putting in his best game for the season, I'd reckon. Happy for Jordan to play a better game and utilise his disposal as the Ranga-Tangas are not a fast side. (We still need Jordan and his knowledge, his mentoring and his ability to transfer the message to others. He'd be a great Coach.) Thankfully, this season is over but its effects will be with us for some time. Patched-up players, and all.

Frosty did well and threatens the opportunities of many opponents.

Ain't it the truth? We comment of interpretation and advantage being mutually and simultaneously handed out to certain teams by the umpires, and being fully denied for other teams - as if the particular rules never existed. This was one of many related efforts to mar the game against North, today. It is all a sham - even though we received at least two such interpreted decisions in our favour - and both of these that I saw were not in front of our goals.

Salem's game has dropped a bit in the last few weeks with many turnovers of his own occurring. He is also not a strong backman, it seems his skills are more dangerous forward.

The north and south foundation for a whole team in 2020.

I feel the same, DOX, but sometimes - regularly in fact - I feel that I am asking too much.

Very interesting and valid concepts. Great examples from other sports, other forms of umpiring.

Nailed it. The changing rules now enable 'interpretations' to creep into game outcomes - as DL posters have stated to death about the performances of the green snot goblins. It leads to 'intentional' variance and advantage; the true tailoring of games, opening up games for the highest income stream potential.

Still, Dee3, we must try to think 'asset' rather than 'upgrade' - our grade is actually pretty low.

If Goodwin could see Ratten coming to the MFC, he'd shake in his boots about his own role, his widespread credibility and record. So, Goody put his finger in the pie and has thus seen and enabled an early firming-up of another (Richardson) whose pedigree is sure to be considered lower than his own at the present moment. Something 'Putinesque' about that strategy, don't you think? Just a thought....

It appears to be putting just another step in the stairwell, down near the bottom. As it is, Goodwin is still just one step above.

Given recent footballing history and the dearth of opportunities for some teams in comparison to others (and MFC does suffer in that dearth), including several other AFL-related issues that now seem endemic, it is not too ridiculous after the games this week to reconsider team mergers. The MFC, Footiscry and the Ranga-Tangers may well make such a solid merger with an emphasis on more lasting competitiveness and endeavour. It appears dead in the water as an item fait accompli, it is extremely unlikely, it is also very appealing to consider such a 3-way aggregation, just the same.

Big Max placed the writing of the wall this season very early - he'd obviously stewed over it time and again before his statement.

Footy can become that way, '...anyone who is fit...' gets a guernsey; sad really. I cannot remember (ever) feeling this way about a footy season - '...so this nightmare year is over...' If the MFC turns a corner with form and game readiness, I will renew membership after the 5th round of the 2020 fixture.

Get ready for a 10 goal loss, or more. The Kangas will murder us, for sure.

Development - sends shudders down the spine - so many young hopefuls and so little return.

Fairy Nuff. Some good points of view in your response.

Bluddoath!

Rather see Spargo in the team at CHBack than have OMac back in the team...anywhere at all!

Lewis' MFC experience (alongside his incredible career at Whoreform) places him in the perfect position (if he is interested) to immediately replace Goodwin - full stop. All of the wrongs of all possibilities have been witnessed, mulled upon, tolerated and manipulated to some extent on-field player-to-player, and at the training track, being loyally supportive of the Club, and humble yet professionally astute with mentoring/instructing despite his own physical ageing and recent shortcomings. His mind and his communication are ideal for the job of MFC Coach and who better to right the wrongs of 2019?

That is true, I still respect his opinion on team direction and actual circumstances. I'd give him the nod to replace Goodwin, if it were a possibility - he'd be a really good brain and must have heaps of insight either side of the fence.

As if our 2019 season didn't say anything?

Who would they be trying to fool?

Seems to ignore all the positive influences that nearly every other team in the AFL has utilised to improve successfully.