Deemania since 56

By now, you should be aware that Geelong, Collingwood, Carlton and Essendon can do anything against the rules if it is to their advantage and moreso if it enables a quick, scoring return. I think that one as you describe is a non-decision once again that was purposefully ignored. Accountability?

After all of the complaints and concerns expressed so far this season on DL, it remains an enigma that had the MFC received a fairer shake from the umpires this year, converting disfavour into a capacity to lose games at the discretion of the White Brethren, so many times - and to lose games due to a lack of momentum on this unfair playing field - we would be: on top of the ladder at present in no danger of going very deep into September and when on a roll like that, being the Club of choice for the new recruits and free agent masters of the game

But the internal clocks of the players at that stage of the game (at least within the last 10 mins) echo: Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick and why not? The umpires delay the ball-ups until the MFC opposition are in place, the Geelong players delay frees and marks being taken as we go forward, and the Filth have radio-controlled tiny handpieces linked directly with the timekeeper with the siren button that indicate: 'Siren, now! Siren, now!' should they be ahead any time after 24 mins in the final quarter.

Balance? That is precisely what is missing!!!! So let's play better without the balancing acts of the unsure.

Great! Still would get a kick, too. Just imagine improving our backline with the return of Hibberd and Lever, then call upon Pert and Roos to re-plan and work through a backline development stronger than Fort Knox.

Whilst he is fit, more mobile and ready, it is about time Pedo came in! Roles await forward and back. Provides talls/big swaps in functions and he is a core focal plane for winning games. Next, we need to get Vanders back into the team. Wagner, as well, for multiple roles but replacing Lewis is a key role. Kent, as well, ASAP.

Selective attention from umpires under instructions is the cause of this malaise ... how many times has it occurred in the past five years? (I am unable to keep count of these outcomes this year, as it is.) Gus suffered Sat night, Hogan suffered Sat night, Harmes suffered Sat night, etc, etc, etc.

Recovery is the key for Jones, recovery from each stint of effort and a series of smaller stints. Lewis is in the same category, only worse off - it is an age thing, muscular and O2 tirednesses/lactic acid saturation. There is no place on the ground these days for recuperational resting; that is the difficulty. Played off an on the bench, the recovery can be achieved and thus, it is yet another factor in the strategic (and highly valuable) use of the bench for 'sudden impact' players. Without doubt, Jones is still one of these types of players and bloody effective, at that. Lewis is less impacting, less recoverable, as well and thus, less effective. My thoughts are that Jones needs to be the first cab in the rank for the weekly bench allocation. We must think of the bench in new ways, as well. It is not a 'sin bin' for lapsing players or those selected in the team after someone better is listed as onfield. It should be a place for the application of instant changes to the game - refreshed players with dynamic skills that may be well utilised at any given moment in a game. These categories of player value and bench utilisation really characterise Jones' latter years and football value. The 'reserves' on the bench are saturated with big picture, current images of the state of the game at any given point, assessing and measuring the performances of the team as a whole, additionally in specific positions/plays, and in the assessment of opponents' strengths and weaknesses onfield. In Army terms, I'd see Jones as the perfect assault pioneer flanking and impacting the state of the game at key points of application.

Probably would still win a kick or two, a few sore heads and a free kick!

Jack and Eric wouldn't think so....how else might they have come up with 'Sunshine of Your Love'?

The concept to which you elect to refer as a 'scapegoat' is an incorrect one. It is time-tested and is one that has proven to exist with OMac for nearly two years from those who appreciate certain qualities in backmen - particularly full backs and centrehalf backs. At present, he just does not have the abilities to be a consistent asset in this position and thus, his consistent selection to the position is a consistent handicap to our team demanding additional players better utilised elsewhere to protect the goalmouth; two assistants in every play to secure and rebound the ball effectively, consistently - and that is why Hibberd and Lever are currently so missed. Our two deep defenders pre-occupied with OMac's effectiveness are two players short of a full team bottle in a critical part of the field - demanding critical skills from each allocated player, not '...strength, skills and clearing..' supplements because one of the trio is underdone.

He might be able to drum up some speed.

Trying to find some catharsis this morning, something to take away the feelings of despair at what was so promising, so poorly executed and so dismally, transfixedly underwhelming despite being the better team for majority of the game. Geelong had a Plan B and it worked, straight off. Team selection was a bitter realisation - based on availability or non-availability of our key players (those with intent); however, the selections so made were again unwise. Our strong players were used to fill gaps created by core injuries and recovering guns. We assumed that the Lewis/Vince experience level was a framework upon which dependency could call. Wrong again. We anticipated this loss during the last quarter when a leading score was not protected and where this lead diminished by the minute into a surrender. Our coach was notable for his inaction. Our players were notable for their exhaustion and confused efforts. Another multiple series of lessons to be reviewed and learned have been approaching for weeks. For me, it is time to put footballing support to other endeavours until this Club can earn my attention. Are we all in this situation? Very little light shines as optimism in our 2018 attempts.

More than a 'huge mistake', it was a fatal omission.

Most definitely but the AFL- Geelong FC nexus is too close to allow that to occur. Hawkins is worth ten thousand gate entries to the AFL during the finals. That's 10,000 x $70.00 = $700,000 conservatively as GA tickets.

Just another example of his limited thought, once again, each week. Get Roos back, or Lewis as senior coach. Dump Goodwin who has destroyed effective Defence, interrupted one of the most attacking forward lines in the League with 'midfield madness' and left the crumbs to be picked up by Gawn, Clarrie and now Gus. The arsenal still exists in experienced and talented footballers around the Club and who cares if an individual continuously states that these players are not KP whatevers? They have a go and put in for a win. Team selections are the next issue on the agenda ... keep Goodwin out of the process. Almost across the board, our players require a revision of coaching methods and strategies - almost needing individual guidance for what to do on the field - exceptions are terrific but there are only a handful who meet what can be regarded as a normal benchmark of performance and execution.

the game style doesn't work. MIdfield elements do work but not all. As for the Offence and Defence - forget it!

VERY correct!

Agree quite strongly, two nice rebounds from OMac set the game up. This is obvious, surely? It gave us some new hope not seen in other games this year - or last year, for that matter. Then, he lost it, totally. Hibberd, Viney and Speed were great losses tonight. Pedo should have been a back pocket tonight, changing at CHF - supporting both OMac and Hogan, Gawn and Spargo and Jeffy. ANB was off with the pixies and the deadly momentum wasters (Vince and Lewis) could seriously think of how they could be paying the MFC back for all of their limited contributions. Harmes, Gus, Oliver and Fritsch worked hard. OMac undid all of their hard work.

Not likely if we have OMac on Buddy Franklin.

Fairly simple, isn't it? TMac is our only hope down there deep in the backline. Again, yes, again, and once more: Pedo has a heart and it is still beating - perhaps stronger than ever over the past two years. He is needed in the forward line, he is needed in defence. Omac needs to be dropped - he just does not stay where he might be needed and if he did, he would make a mess of it, somehow. One or two early good things achieved provide a licence for him to drift away and look stupid, no matter who the opposition happen do be in any game. In reality, he cannot pull the skin off a custard. JKH was always going to be a risk and should not have been in the side tonight. Same for Vince and Lewis, despite some reasonable cameos in uncongested moments - these are short-lived. Spargo was a bright light lacking protection and pathways but he gets better each game. The rest of the team were acceptable, some very good but totally exploited by the malingerers and the hangers-on. When can we get Hogan to lead into space? When can we chop Goodwin for a coach who knows how to shift gears?

Goodwin has the arsenal, he is a stubborn and dangerous coach. Pathetic coaching effort and team selection. I feel very sorry for those guys in the red&blue who worked hard, effectively and continuously yet let down by the coach and his big ideas. He can regard himself as warned.

Frost should have been there all night with OMAC DOWN AT THE POST OFFICE.

Can OMac please have a rest in the Casey team now? Disgraceful.

Had a strange dream last night - that I put down to a few late Taviskars before bed - but a news flash was pulsating. My dream took me to the laptop where I logged into the AFL site. The alleged news was: Oscar McD was a late withdrawal! Pedo comes in at fullback on Hawkins - time blurred - Hawkins kept goalless. Frosty starred at CHB. Hogan kicked 6. TMac kicked 5. Demons by 60 pts and Geelong out of the 8 - never to return in 2018. How's them for ripe apples?