Deemania since 56

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?

This match is really about run, given the Catty Puts' selections and the Dees' injuries to key players. We have to move, this game, and be prepared to move again and again to create an increased number of non-contested possessions. We must present as good runners all over the ground and get back to maintain attacking presence in our spine. Down at the cattery, we must be careful with our tackling and contested stuff as the umpires will cruel us as the [censored] fall forward, backward and loop MFC arms around their heads as 'high tackles'; these traits are the demonstration of masterful 'staging skills' that the Geelong fans in their droves expect - and raise umpire-sensitive awarenesses towards crowd decisions, not legitimate decisions. In all this gloom, a 'thinking' yet resolute side can beat the 'over-the-hill' gang provided that cool heads prevail. Dees by 30 pts if we play as a committed team.

The tallest bloke in the movies!

Yes, Prime Minister. ? It means, don't be too critical of the stance of others lest inadequacy in so doing be overtly exposed.

There are similarities, but only Rooney is in that class. Ricky was twice as good - great little rover with pace to burn and very nice around the goals. Still, Spargo has the elements to get to that level in the not too distant future. Spargo has not roved too often to Gawn whereas Jackson had Dwyer in the main and those two worked well.

Be assured that it (life) is not narrow. Identifying error assists in the interpretation but moreso the amelioration of the game so that we may all face an even playing environment wherein anomolies and repetitive inconsistencies are reduced for the benefit of the general public and the game itself. From that groundswell - already identified on this wonderful DL site - opinion and its description may also flourish under those benchmarks that we are pleased to apply as filters to our tools of interpretation, and ultimately our satisfaction with the spectacle. Each contributor is free to comment and contribute - within the bounds of good intent - their own ideas and to meet at the philosophical level on common grounds expressed in a myriad of ways for the mutual pursuits inherent in being a football supporter. As you dictate, you may find yourself accepting mediocrity within some 'big picture' focus which itself is a narrowed pathway and in turn, reap reduced involvement, compulsion in perspective and an increase in those observable deficiencies that stain the very environment in which the game is often marred or its elements and goodwill are reducible. Henceforth, enjoy your football but please do not take too many liberties with the enjoyment, perplexity and scrutiny of others in this great game.

A few answers to your questions have already been provided further on in this post. I agree with each of these answers - and some more! There is a situation that comes most recently to my mind having carefully watched the game last week against the Doggies within an assemblage of very keen footballing addicts who were astounded at umpiring decisions and interference with game flow across the first half of the match. If it were not for the umpires and the deliberately challenging and incorrect decisions made in the first and second quarters of the match last week at the MCG against the Fleabags, the Dees would have been around 9-10 goals ahead at the half-time break. It did not result in a loss, thankfully, as the switch was turned on by the magnificent three: Gawn, Oliver and Brayshaw. At any rate, such play fully negated the umpires' intents - particularly those of Razor Ray - where any umpiring disagreements with what the Dees were doing from the 6 minute mark of the third quarter to the last gasp of the final quarter would have been far too obvious to intercede - and to get a cop at the loot next week - anyway, they had already 'evened up' the game as much as they could! NB: Razor is the new Nurayev of the 'G - his graphically elaborate crouch, delayed two-arm swing and gracious footwork that points his bum to heaven (when calling a 'incorrect disposal') is a sight to behold. His decision-making is just as absurdly constructed.

Yep, MSF, but he does feature for some time in the ruck - as a relief, I guess - and that is when he, in cruise mode between contests - slinks to off-midline flanking areas, becomes a target for longer kicks and usually, takes these and plays on/handballs to good effect. He only needs to do this a couple of times a match and his morning toast once again has marmalade in abundance as the Catty Puts charge forward to goal, at which they are rather clever.

That expectation of Tyson's role is causing a headache. We should take the opposite view with Selwood. He goes to no-one; the Dees go to him and take him out of the game. He can be starved of the football and when desparate, his 'little free kick' tricks come into play; this is when we expose his antics and just thump him.

I am wondering who will cover Blicavs. Can murder sleepy backmen. Can pop up in the midfield for the occasional possibility. Rank him like Menzel; difficult to contain.

Pedo ... but everyone knows I would say that. He hurts people and puts them off their game. He takes on anyone and with ground support, turns adversity into winners. Just for one week in the backline; he didn't make it again, so it's goodnight from me and goodnight from him.