Star of the 80s

We where lucky on Thursday that it was one of the better umpired games (except for the last 10 minutes when the Cats got a few cheap free kicks) I have seen in years. The umpires weren’t influenced by the lopsided Geelong crowd, which was pleasing to see.

Too many for my liking! Some of our players were taking backwards and sidewards steps when confronted by Geelong’s mature big bodied players.

You might be right that Goodwin hasn’t got the balls to make that many changes. But lets look at the facts: - We have won 2 of our last 6 games; - We played one good quarter of football in the games against Freo (2nd Qtr), Swans (1st Qtr), Coll (1st Qtr) and Geelong ok in first half. - Our forward has been ineffective... our mid field when put under a lot of pressure just bomb the ball forward and don’t/can’t look for options leading to lots of easy intercept marks - We have been too one dimensional playing the same old game plan from last year and the good sides have worked us out - Goodwin keeps playing the same “method” and “team” making very few changes during games - A number players are playing selfish football and looking after their own interests (I.e. Fritsch not passing the ball to Petracca and Langdon, etc and attempting to kick the goal himself instead of passing the ball himself) - this is why Fritsch needs to be dropped - Salem’s form since returning from injury has been sub standard - Spargo backing out of a contest when a Geelong player was coming straight at him in a pack that led to a Geelong goal - Sparrow jumping out of the way instead of continuing to chase his Geelong opponent that led to another Geelong goal - Goodwin talks about rewarding good form of players in the VFL. Now is the time to shake up this team and play guys who are playing well and with confidence at Casey. - Despite low possessions Kossie was one of better players against the Cats and was prepared to throw his weight around and kicked a much needed goal in the last qtr. Btw I have picked like for like players in my 7 changes who I think would been more energy to the team and are “team” first players. Enough said!!!

I had the pleasure of attending the game on Thursday night down at Geelong. I sat amongst the Geelong crowd in the Brownlow Stand. I had a group of guys sitting next to me who had flown over from WA to watch the game. One guy was a Freo supporter but was wearing a Dees cap and barracking for Melbourne as we are his second favourite team. Anyway...now for the changes: Out: Clarry (inj), Salem, Bowey, Spargo, Fritsch, Bedford and BBB (all omitted) In: Dunstan, Hunt, Rivers, Laurie, Weideman, van Rooyen and Brown

6. Viney - showed the way in Gawn’s absence. A terrific Captain’s game. 5.; Lever = his best game for the year. Back to being the intercept specialist 4. Jackson - stood up in Gawn’s absence 3. Petracca - his best game for awhile. Lots more energy. 2. Oliver - typical Ollie game always in the best! 1. Hibberd - was Charlie Cameron playing?

This might have been the game to change some things especially since our forward line has been so ineffective in the last 3 matches. I would have liked to have seen Hunt in the line up playing out of the goal square and would have dropped BBB. Without Gawn, we really had no other choice but to play Weideman as back up ruck.

Interesting the Dees had a great defence in 1956...only 354 points kicked against in the first 7 Rounds with a percentage of 153.4.

Melbourne v Stkilda VFL Park, Round 9 27th May 1972..Saints too good for Dees running out winners by 37 points.

Results from Round 9, 1975. The mighty Dees beating Fitzroy. My cousin, Gary Hardeman in the best players.

6. Brayshaw 5. Oliver 4. Viney 3. Jordan 2. Kozzie 1. Spargo

Jaded, we lost to the Western Bulldogs and GWS last season whom were both top 8 sides.

6. Oliver 5. Petracca 4. Lever 3. May 2. McDonald 1. Fritsch

6. Viney 5. Brayshaw 4. Kozzie 3. Petracca 2. Jordan 1. McDonald

6. Brayshaw 5. Langdon 4. Oliver 3. Petracca 2. May 1. Hunt Apologies to Viney, Harmes, Brown and Kozzie (great 1st Qtr)

Posted Saturday at 04:21 PM Fake news. Top of the Ponsford closed unfortunately. @binmanI owe you an apology! I think I need to go to Spec Savers!

GWS loss last season and the pre season game against the Blues! Hoping we never lose again!

6. Gawn 5. Petracca 4. Oliver 3. Viney 2. Bowey 1. Brayshaw Honourable mention to Bedford who played a good game.

Yes, all top decks are open today.

6. Oliver 5. May 4. Gawn 3. Brayshaw 2. Petty 1. Hunt Apologies to Bowey, Sparrow and Langdon.

Expected to be out for 12 weeks.

Apparently has a stress fracture in his foot.

6. May 5. Petracca 4. Gawn 3. Spargo 2. Viney 1. Pickett

If Shane Warne can have a Grand Stand named after him at the MCG... the Robbie Flower wing should be a permanent fixture at the G!

6. Gawn 5. May 4. Langdon 3. Jordan 2. Harmes 1. Jackson Could have given a vote to Brayshaw or Sparrow.