Matsuo Basho

It sounds like you think you're smarter than all of these people combined. Which probably just means you're being deliberately controversial and contrarian to carve a reputation. You're analysis of Lewis is so one sided as to be comical. He was excellent in his first year at Melbourne (finished top 6 in the B&F), played a smattering of very good games last year before ultimately getting caught by Father Time. He was a big part of the reason our backline tightened up and looked more composed over 2017/18. No doubt he was only ever worth a two year deal but on-field was clearly not the only reason Goodwin brought him in to the fold for three seasons. I've seen far worse investments made by this club over the journey.

To clarify I take more of a ‘pound for pound’ view of this type of question. I focus on the talent level of the players in question and factor that in. It has not surprised me that TMac has come back to earth this season. I think his 2018 was an anomaly for a guy who is not a natural forward. That said he’s been awful no doubt. Petracca as a blue chip investment should be playing at a level 30% better than this at this stage of his career. Another season stuttering along like this and he’ll be trade bait.

You could raffle ‘most disappointing’ among a bunch of them. Petracca, McDonald, Brayshaw, Oscar, Weideman, feel like Steven May needs a special mention as well despite barely playing. An opinion was asked for. I gave mine.

Have been really please with the resurgence of Jayden Hunt. Quality player. Can't go past Petracca for most disappointing. No.2 draft pick in his fourth season averaging just 16 touches and barely a goal a game.

Clearly it's too big a risk to run with Weid and TMac again in 2019. The former may or may not come on and the latter may just have been a one season wonder in 2018. He is not a natural forward anyway. If we're serious about competing for the Cup next year priority number one must be a goal square gorilla who can bullock, straighten us up and kick 45+ in the process. The backline cavalry is set to return, the midfield quality is there, but with Hogan gone priority number one on the trade front is obvious. Free agency presents an interesting if ageing bunch. Levi Casboult, Ben Reid, Sam Day, Jarryd Roughead, Majak Daw, Justin Westhoff and Josh Kennedy (WC) are listed as as 2019 FA's. Would any of them offer something for a couple of seasons for an MFC priming itself for a flag tilt in 2020? And if so who'd be gettable do you think? I'm a fan of the left field option of having a crack at "The General" Jon Patton as some of you know. Huge risk versus reward option I know but the Hawks are keen and we should be able to trump them in terms of an offer to GWS given our ladder position. He wouldn't cost the Earth like some of the names people come up with like Jeremy Cameron and Ben Brown, although I would not be averse to us having a crack at the latter. And what about Esava Ratugolea as an option? Let's get creative Demonlanders and solve this pressing piece of the list puzzle.

Probably worth the investment on the balance of it although the drop off in speed, reflexes and form was probably quicker than the club would've hoped. I think Salem in particular has really benefited from his influence.

The game Preuss played against Sydney was better than anything either Weideman or TMac have produced all year. Must play against Collingwood on Monday.

He’s kicked a paltry 6g 5b in 7 games this year. 22g 14b over his 27 games so far. Going at well under a goal per game. How much more slack should we cut the guy without running out of rope?

That’s fine and I agree with you on BT but are you of the opinion Goodwin should under no circumstances tear paint of the walls in a general and if strategically required individually when a situation merits it? If our supporters feel that last quarter didn’t merit a hard-hitting response from Goodwin post-game, heaven help us. These professional footballers might be millennials but last time they checked I’m pretty sure they realised they’re also men.

Calm 100% of the time? Dear me. This is footy. Did you ever play? There will ALWAYS be a time and place in combative sport played between men for passion, inspiration, fire and brimstone. For calm leadership 100% of the time better seek out a desk job.

The real question is ... is Goodwin too empathetic? Did he strip paint off the walls and eviscerate a few egos in response to multiple players costing us the game in the forward 50? If not then we’ve got a real problem. I do worry and have worried from the start that our coach is too nice and buddy-buddy with the players. When things are on the up things are fine. But you need to keep a certain distance and be willing to burst bubbles. Not convinced he has yet shown the capacity to deliver this hard edge in his coaching.

Bump.

Two opposing forces engaging in combat. Close your eyes and really think DD. The metaphorical link will eventually crystallise and make sense.

19 of the past 29 premierships have been won by coaches who previously won premierships as players. 66%. Satyricon gave 2 examples, I countered with 12 Add David Parkin to the list.

Sheedy, Malthouse, Matthews, Blight, Worsfold, Thompson, C.Scott, Longmire, Hardwick Simpson. Hell chuck in R.D.Barassi while we’re at it. Cheers.

Really impressive skill set. Seems to have what a lot of quick players lack, a sidestep and a change of pace. Could be a beauty.

Metaphors can have a link to anything if you use them appropriately enough. That's why they're metaphors. Also, it's sentence with three e's.

A 'battle' is not exclusively defined as pertaining only to military conflict.

I don't know that good bloke factor is what a club needs sometimes (not that Mitchell isn't). But he does bring is a winning mindset, a winning resume and highline footballing IQ. He's also a natural leader. Some might not like him but everyone would respect him. Big difference when a guy like Mitchell eyeballs you with directions, someone who's fought in the trenches and been to the Summit of football four times.

I’d be going for Sam Mitchell. Next big thing in AFL coaching.

They've lost 39 of past 43 games which should balloon to about 48 from 55 by the end of this season. That alone should have them in the conversation for a discretionary PP. The drafting stuff up just hammers it home. Clubs stuff up trades and picks. It's part of the reason the ones that do it a lot stay at the bottom of the ladder. Carlton are a reasonably big club with a restless supporter base and some heavy powerbrokers. Odds on here Gillon will step in and hand them pick 1.

If you're a forward then at some point you have to kick goals. Spargo has one in five appearances this year. Hit the scoreboard or hit the bricks.

WINNER?

He’s a good assistant with a schoolteaching background. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have fresh ideas - it just didn’t translate into the top job. He’s not a leader of men into battle. He’s a cuddler. A 2IC. Good cop to the bad cop.

They should call in Garry Lyon to handpick their next coach.