Neil Crompton

So is Queen Jaded. Nice to have you back.

Excellent win today - a great response to last week. And think how much better we will be when Lever, Fritsch and Sparrow don’t have shockers like they did today.

Hi Picket, how did Sestan go please? And where would you place him in the pecking order at present, and into the future?

Thanks WCW, I like this thread. I'm absolutely positive of all of the following: - that we win the flag this year - that the DA will win the best cheer squad award this year - that Maynard is a [censored] - that Eddie is a [censored] -that BT is a Richard , with a capital D. - that Robbo needs to sign off - that Gus Brayshaw earned and deserved a better way to end his career, and for that, once again, Maynard is an absolute [censored]

These pies fans must go to a different Centrelink than most people if they can afford $90 tickets.

He might be rich in “learnings” but it seems to me Goody is [censored] at “rememberings”.

You are sounding more and more like Jaded No More. It’s scary.

Pies too ugly to be viewed in 4K

I thought the rule change this year that allows ruckmen to use a straight arm fend-off at center bounces would be perfect for Max. So why didn’t he use it when Grundy was charging him at the centre bounces? He appeared to just meekly accept Grundy’s actions. I think he has now, by his inaction, just shown to every other opposition ruckman how to counter Gawn. Unless he finds a way to counter this action, I think he is doomed to be monstered every week at the centre bounces.

I’m going to say that I don’t believe that getting a good key forward would make much difference to our current woes - not without massive changes to the way we play the game and to our skill set. Firstly, we don’t have a forward coach who can effectively teach leading patterns, and proper forward skills - either that or our players are too dumb to follow instructions. (I have never seen a forward line as stagnant and crowded as ours often is - or as many players flying for a mark at any one time, - or so few players roving the packs for the inevitable spills). Secondly, we don’t seem to have the skills in our midfield to hit leading targets, even if our forwards did offer leads, nor the nous to move the ball quickly forward so that the opposition don’t have the time to flood our forward line. Fix these issues first, then we might find that our current forwards might actually be all we need. Until we do, a new key forward would simply be a waste of money. We had a great forward recently in Jessie Hogan, and we wasted his ability with our our game plan (or lack there of) and our inability to hit his leads. I think it all boils down to coaching - and, on evidence so far, we are failing badly at this.

How good was that goal from Hogan!

Great to hear the crowd booing Maynard - you [censored]

Hogan looking great!

That animal Maynard showing his true colours again. Smacked Cadman in the face disguised as a spoil attempt. Love someone to hurt him, and badly.

Thanks SWYL, but I also have some bad news. Our premiership window will close after this year. Selfishly, my daughter has decided that this birth will be her last!

I think the game will end up being a draw, with Schache kicking a goal from a very tight angle in the last few seconds to tie the scores.

If you are interested in”expert” opinions, then I’ll happily give you mine: Dees for premiers this year! And I’ll tell you why: My first grandchild was born in 2021, exactly one week after our grand final win. Quite apart from the fact that it’s time for another - and my poor grandson has never ever seen a Melbourne grand final win - my daughter is going to be delivering our second grandchild this year! So if you were looking for confirmation of our success this year, now you have it.

Sounds like she’s got my daughters condition. She’s probably pregnant.

It doesn't seem to worry them Bluey - which i guess is all that matters - and their results have been pretty good over a long period of time now, so it obviously works.

....except ours?

...the one after 9.09....

I have a feeling that Clarry's absence is not just form or fitness related, and as such i think he will come back when Max and the team say he can return to the ones.

Totally agree with you EH, and thank you for your astute comment. ANB’s positives certainly do outweigh his negatives, not just on the field, but also off it as well. My comment was a response to both hardtack and fr—ap, who were looking for explanations as to why ANB doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. I simply offered my explanation as to why he doesn’t, and, as you say, why he continually “attracts forensic comments about his skills”. The sign of a really good player is that they perform and excel while they are under pressure. He hasn’t reached that stage, yet. However, he is certainly in my best 22. (NC’s possession and final kick in ‘64 was certainly under accuse pressure given the situation and luckily he came through).

If Salem players the whole year in the middle, he’ll go close to winning the Brownlow!

I’ve recently praised ANB for the way he has improved his skills and, as a result, the great season he had last year. When ANB is pressuring a player, he is great, however, when ANB is under pressure, too often he fumbles or gives a poor disposal and the forward flow is haltered or we turnover the ball as a result. This happens too often to just be an occasional occurrence, and as such, until he can consistently improve this area of his play he will continue to not receive the recognition he should by the demon faithful.