Deemania since 56

Some great observations, JJC, particularly the bit about 'torps ... no turnovers...' and for decades, we watched the best footballers seldom mess up a torpedo. What is more, for high-leaping players the ball stuck in two hands of choice very well. The torp does travel when required; the drop punt - over shorter distances - is more accurate, of course. However, my own favourite (being a leftie) was the stab pass - unbeatable in all conditions for all purposes under 50m - the stab did take a little practice but with that, was also terribly reliable in the hands of those so weaned. Bill Barrott was the best I ever saw at that one.

In football, that is correct.

Well, what an education! Thank you.

It is a time-proven reality that the latitude continues to override what otherwise might be common sense. Perhaps it is a sign of core loyalty, the desperation of hopes and dreams, and somewhat accountable by recruiting moves where '...we did as well as we could in the selection of players...' That is football. We must simply continue to develop players, depth, longer-term readiness and learn, somehow, to accept levels of disappointment. I guess. Footy is a lottery in terms of outcomes.

Partiality and tokenism - of course, in hindsight, the umpire was wrong for this scenario.

Hibberd and Nev are always required to double-dip in their roles, covering too many flawed roles, too much ground under protection and too many opponents as the blessed one disappears into a mist of frowning, neo-Gothic splendour. This is far beyond support, this is carrying.

I guess you are just warming to the concepts of a pathetic backline emergency?

Pre-ordained outcome. Cheats and low-life.

Both are playing three defenders, each. 1. Jetta's role is to beat his own opponent (and a few of them further up the flanks) whilst amending the mistakes caused by OMac in the coverage of OMac's opponent. He then backs up against HIbberd's opponent if Hibberd is more proximal to OMac's opponent and Hibberd is caught leaving his opponent to so do. (Three opponents for Jetta due to error management and in clearance roles, sometimes more.) 2. Hibberd's role is to beat his own opponent and to create running clearance contests against a whole opposition defence, at times. Essentially, he can do this. He also is required to back up against Jetta's opponent - leaving his own temporarily - if Jetta is already engaged in leaving his direct opponent to back up the gaping cavity in defence left by OMac. (At least three opponents for HIbberd. Sometimes more in the clearance role.) Fair dinkum, just watch ....

Are you sure that is not already happening, this year? Ever since OMac got to the hat in secret and put glue on his named piece of paper.

That is exactly correct and has been reflected, many times, in recent years. When we were sharp and winning, we were surrounded by accolades of praise and when building up to that point, again there were more positive comments. Play poorly, deserve the crilticisms.

Very true, but I believe we understand at this point how we have failed and certain non-performers still get a guernsey week in, week out so the issue is still one of depth.

Honestly believe that the MFC are currently too far out fitness-wise to impact a running Essendrug team and too slow across a game to turn outcomes around (again, at the present moment). Added to those considerations, is the shortage of key players due to injuries and recoveries from injuries, leaving us a depleted line-up for at least the next few weeks. Umpiring. This too will work against the MFC as our opponents this week are a major AFL favourite - how else could they 'get away' with their recent history? A resurgent Essendon in tight matches (even if for only on week) will have pre-ordained umpiring instructions - their fan base that attends matches is worth far more money to the AFL than that of the MFC. The only hope is that our 3rd-best team at selection will have a mind-shift to come out raging and keen to appease the season so far - yet that is somewhat unlikely. If OMac plays, we can kiss at least 6-7 goals goodbye as leakages to their forwards.

Very good mantra for Petracca to follow - he CAN do it.

That is the key to Petracca's improvement and consistency - take him aside and show him the faults, toughen him up, make him seriously want the ball so that he can use it to the team's benefit, insist on peak fitness at all times, wipe the smile off his face by telling him he is not a very convincing show pony. As he walked off the field against the Cats, he had fake tears in his eyes - seemed to be more worried about his lack of commitment and image than he was about the team result that he may well have ameliorated to some significant degree. Not working hard enough, Christian, or often enough. You are currently far short of the Dusty Martin profile that you attempt unsuccessfully to emulate. Get real - footy is not blindly generous, for long.

Not sure that one could agree on this prescription for Baker's readiness. Surely it would be a matter of pulling up well first, after his injured hamstring is more reliable. JD recommends a baptism of fire - throw him into the side and see how he dog paddles; this, perhaps, makes sense - he has had a long time in the wings of tolerant waiting. Most reports on his Casey roles have been encouraging, as well. We need pace. He may be a great handballer if kicking is sloppy. He may click. Others, better known, have not clicked and many of us are tiring of their continued selection for no improvement.

This post is absolutely correct; add Stretch and some matching-Essendrug run (Spargo) and we will be set for our first win. Frosty to CHB and TMac to FBack. Get Fritta onto the fwd line to lead out, with Hunt doing the same. Warn Jones and Clarrie not to bomb.

Someone mould us another CHFwd like Neitz, the Ox, and while you're at it, we really need an agile tall utility who can ruck assist whilst running hard, all game. A Peter Moore-type. If these cannot be manufactured, I'd settle for a Greg Wells duplicate seeing that a Tulip cannot ever occur again.

A recipe for footballing disasters.

Yes, this is an area (and has been for some time) that needs attention and it is just a one-on-one adjustment but, to be effective - as Clarrie is a relatively long kick - once in one of those types of possessions and moving forward - the forwards need a plan to lead into space to receive. Not just one avenue/corridor will suffice, however. It must be at least two-pronged and thus drawing out a couple of opposition defenders 'on the chase'. Hunt, with speed, might be a very good start as one of these receivers, as could be Lockhart or the big Preuss - coz no-one is going to get in his way on purpose. It would also assist with Brayshaw's clearances and disposal quality; the latter has shown this skill on some occasions, and of course, Melksham has done this in deeper configurations in the forward line quite regularly, to a teammate in a better position. This adjustment to entries is absolutely critical; we all can count the number of times each game that such attacking possession with limited direct intention results in negative turn-overs. Good one, Dieter and Goodwin, get onto it this Thursday night! It may even become contagious, team-wide.

OUT: OMac, ANB, Weideman, Jones, Sparrow IN: Preuss, Keilty, Stretch, Spargo, Baker

It is an insulting embarrassment that the MFC are the team who cannot do any worse this season.

WAFTAM - Waste of F Time and Money. Sums up the past 12 months.

Very promising is Joel, rather than possessing '...a massive upside...' but we can all imagine that with him in the side how much stronger we may well have performed against both Port and the Cats. Preuss is needed as a prop and leading *straight line* forward whilst TMac is thrown back to fullback for a few weeks until May is fitter. Put May into the fwd line for a few runs, Petracca out on a wing and Hibberd on the other in a utility role to penetrate the forward entries. Drop OMac. Coaches, get to work and translate that thought into monosyllables that the players can understand.

We have taken one step forward and three steps backward in the last 12 months ... coaching, strategies and creative efforts!