Swooper1987

Yes, but it had to end. And now it has ended, time to move on and embrace the next pantheon of champions to wear the red and blue. There is so much to look forward to in 2026.

He'll become an all time great, and probably within the next two years. I think he'll also step up into a leadership role and become even more influential. By the end of his career he'll rank amongst the very best ever to have played for the club and maybe even the best of all time. Great thread!

A big part of Guerra's job is to sell hope. He does that well here. For the naysayers who think we are destined for a lot of pain in light of the loss of Oliver and Petracca, there are many examples of teams bouncing back into premiership contention very quickly after losing "stars". The most recent example being Collingwood who changes coach, ditched some established stars and lost a prelim by a point then won the flag the following year. A lot has to go right but I'm backing King to have a massive impact and Gawn, Viney, Lever and Steele to lead a culture reset.

Love this. He's a good citizen.

The best thing for Oliver and Melbourne. He's not been a force in the game since 2022, for a variety of reasons. This is his best chance to get back to somewhere near what he was. His first 150 games were amongst the best I've seen from any Melbourne player. His last 50 odd just poor to average. The reality is, he isn't what he was. The club needs to move forward. I'll always hold him in the highest regard for his 2016-2022 work. It ended how it probably should have two years ago, except that now we'll take a second or third rounder, instead of the first we would've got in 2023. All the best at the Giants, Clarry.

This absolutely. And we need to leverage that in our dealings. He also polled coaches votes in 10 games. That's a very good season in anyone's language. The media are doing their best to water down our bargaining position but the numbers don't back it up at all. Still one of the highest rated score involvement players in the competition.

Career scoring accuracy is 50%. So he was slightly below career this season at 47%.

An on-field coach. Two years is perfect. He'll be an asset and provided he stays injury free will find a way to kick 35 -40 a season. You can't have enough "good citizens". Does not necessarily help our scoring accuracy, though, going at only 47% this year.

Not like they were trying to hide it, that's for sure.

I'm sure there'll be a "Farewell Christian Petracca" thread in a few days but I'll get in early. Thanks for the memories, Tracc. You are in the top half dozen Melbourne players I've had the privilege of watching. You did it differently and between 2020 and halfway through 2024 you were probably in the top 10 players in the comp. Without you, Melbourne are still waiting for their first flag since 1964. I'll always hold your contribution to that magical season in the highest regard. Your relationship with the game is transactional and that's fine. Many better players than you, including Chris Judd, had the same relationship. It doesn't in any way dim your contribution. I have no doubt you gave your all for the club whilst you wore the jumper. That's all any supporter can ask. All the best for the next chapter.

He'll be ok. A bit like Jordan Lewis was. A solid first year, middling second and probably a mix of Casey and Melbourne games in his third. What he does offer is forward nous. Other than Melksham, that is something we've not had in many a long year.

Thanks to all involved in leading and managing this forum, undoubtedly the finest supporter forum in the AFL. Enjoy the cricket season (and the silly season)!

We need players. Straight trade for Cooper Simpson Aussie Rules Rookie Me CentralCooper Simpson Draft ProfileDandenong Stingrays co-captain Cooper Simpson is a clean and quick midfielder who hits the scoreboard and has noted leadership qualities.

The Fox Footy call was so much better than the tripe turned out by the host broadcaster. Lyon and Dunstall are genuine special comments guys and Hudson and Russell despite their known affiliation with Geelong provide an unbiased and ACCURATE call. If you have FOX or Kayo I'd suggest having a listen. As for Geelong - I hope they draw the same level of scrutiny regarding Cameron as Melbourne did with Petracca. Although not of the same severity, they knowingly played Cameron with a broken arm from late in the second quarter. Duty of Care?

Was lucky enough to know Robbie for a short time through his involvement in SEDA. He gave me this in 2009 for my 40th birthday. I recall telling him I wore his number as a kid on my MFC jumper back in the late 70's, early 80's. The most humble champion I ever met.

This 100%. There'd be nobody more qualified in the country than Ponissi to pass judgement on effective leadership in sport. Watson is a very astute operator. Always balanced and with vast experience dating back to Sheedy. Nothing wrong at all with the panel. And the process reached a pretty logical decision given Buckley's stance re Tasmania. It's a good appointment.

https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/video/1395431/rd21-king-post-match?videoId=1395431&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1691221097001

Remember him breaking Jeff White's face in the 2005 elim final.

Your point is valid. There is, however, a longer list of first time coaches who disappeared into the abyss. Here's some names from relatively recent times - Brisbane - Voss, Leppitsch Carlton - Brittain, Ratten, Bolton, Teague Essendon - Knights, Hird, Rutten North - Shaw, Noble (Laidley and Scott did make finals) Melbourne - Bailey, Neeld Gold Coast - McKenna, Dew St Kilda - Watters, Richardson West Coast - too early to tell on McQualter Fremantle - have gone both ways and the only really successful was Lyon who got them to a granny who was a second timer. Otherwise they've gone first timers throughout their history which is now 30 years without saluting. GWS have only had first timers since Sheedy and both Cameron and Kingsley have been relatively successful. Most of the rest have had good stability for a decent period - Geelong Thompson/Scott; Hawthorn Clarkson/Mitchell; Swans - Roos/Longmire/Cox It's easy to get it wrong with a first timer. Of the second or third timers currently - Voss - prelim Lyon - finals in first year then a reset Clarkson - nothing yet Brad Scott - nothing yet Hardwick - finals

I think they got it right this year, unlike last year. If you average Tracc and Pickett's votes per game, Koz beats him, but those three games missed cost him runner up. Tracc had a decent season. Pleased Bowey finished top 5 and Salem was consistent and pretty reliable. As for Max, he should have 5 of these (robbed in 2016 and 2024). What a champion he is.

Ghosty, do you know if they are streaming it tonight? Doesn't seem to be anything on the website or the app.

Didn't he already get it as premiership coach? If not he should have.

1 Max- ripped off last year, couldn't possibly lose this year 2 Tracc - a pretty consistent year - didn't miss a game, polled coaches votes in 10 games 3 Kozzy - deserved AA year 4 Bowey - slowed towards the end but strong start and good middle should see him finish high 5 Gets harder from here but Chin, Clarry, Disco, Melky, Salem all around about 5-10

Is this on tomorrow night (9/9)? I received an email from the club a while back but have heard nothing since. Usually they run a preview on the club website.

Sean Charles was quick