Laughing Goat

The title to this thread is 'The Year The Sky Fell' & I was just stating, that in my opinion, the coach & coaching staff were the main instigators in our horrible season that's all. Its a common belief that Goodwin was clearly out of his depth last season especially when the pressure was on to win games. He continually played his favorites when blooding younger talent may have been a better option & he struggled with the scrutiny of his game plan & rule changes. Aren't we allowed to pass comment? I feel for the players because I know they give absolutely everything & I hope your right.......with a full injury free list, I would expect a better finish this year.

Agree Chook, although more like a horror show than the year that wasn't..... Pressure sits firmly with the coach in 2020 rather than the players......although May apparently on $800k a year needs to get on the park & perform. Goodwins lack of accountability & lack of action, especially in the back half of the season was laughable. Performance early in the season will clearly dictate our path.

I'm with Ethan......can't see Jackson playing seniors for at least 2 years & although some say he can play forward, not sure hes going to tip Wiederman , T Mac, Petracca, Melksham, Hunt or a fit Vanders out of a spot. Throw in ANB & Goody's love child's Hannan & Spargo & the Dees just don't have the luxury & time to blood in 2020. Wins are a crucial for SG future. I will take that wager Matt.

I think for me Just getting May on the park injury free would be a positive outcome for season 2020. I remember one player a couple of years back saying he wanted to be remembered as a 'Hall of Famer'.....Not as a regular player for the MFC or a premiership player..... Maybe we as supporters too shouldn't get carried away with expectations but I hope your right Jak.

Good news.... & given he's had more opportunities than most other players, we shouldn't expect anything less from the player & the club.

The new appointment of Burgess is a good logical one, however, every team during pre-season likes to classify themselves as 'fit as'......This doesn't equate to a top 8 finish, but I hope it turns out that way. If the team lacks motivation after the past season then they are in a lot of trouble so like you, I believe they need to prove that the 2018 season finish wasn't a fluke. Time will tell Nosoupforme.....

I would like to think we make the 8 in 2020, but I don't think so. For me its more about the coach & game plan. We have the talent & we have all seen what we can do when injury free & all on the same page, however, last years horror show doesn't give me a great deal of confidence & lets face it, we all get a little bit over excited this time of year. We have some amazingly gifted players, but they have to all 'buy in' to the strategy & believe in it. That was clearly missing last year. Two things that are glaringly obvious for me for what its worth..... 1/ Lack of confidence/knowledge from our coaching staff last year to adjust to 666, injuries & game plan 2/ Lack of balance within the team. (too many slow, low disposal efficiency players that panic under pressure & not enough pace. (only 2 quick rated players) I hope I'm wrong & like every Melb supporter I wish nothing for a few early wins, but Goodwin is up against it & the first 11 games before the bye will determine his future.

Good post either way Wrecker..... For me however, there is still a question mark over Tomlinson. Sure based upon game time with GWS, size, skill level , physicality etc, he ticks the boxes......but as we've seen time & time again, different club - different game plan (if we have one this year), his role within the team, respect from coaches & players etc.....time will tell. He had elite players around him at GWS like Whitfield, Green, Coniglio, Taranto, Kelly, Z Williams, Kennedy & Hill, just to name a few & all of these players are quick which buys time & options. He may have to work a bit harder at Melbourne with our lack of speed. I know speed isn't everything but again, time will tell. I'd have AVB & Weid any day.

I think Wrecker is saying that Jones isn't in our best 22.....which is obvious if everyone is fit.

Sounds about right I guess.....one couldn't expect anything more flattering after last years horror show & the Neeld era. Can only go one way now really & interested to see how SG responds. Go Dees!

Most of these upgrades....really? Frost over Tomlinson any day for me......Tomlinson slowest bloke in the AFL & numbers underwhelming (Dees need pace) Frosty's trade still baffles me. Langdon I do like but one of the highest turnover players in the comp, so he will fit in nicely at the Dees. (Stretch was 77% efficiency) Lets see how that plays out. Jackson wont play for at least 2 years, but hey, we got time. I like Pickett & has some X factor, but glad to see the back of Lewis. Didn't give a rats tossbag about his team mates this year & so undisciplined. Pretty happy with himself...... Bennell has ability galore but risky & poor Corey Maynard could get his body right. Brown potentially better than Bull but age not on his side & at his 3rd club. Not a great draft in my opinion & cant understand why we didn't take Young, Stephens or Green. Goodwin gives me the impression that he rates our mid field & a mid field that couldn't cope with the 666 & was exposed & 'cut open' regularly this past season. Hope I'm wrong & happy to take a clip if proved wrong.

Agree Poita.....unbelievable really. So unprofessional too & the sign of a coach that perhaps thinks he & his players are better than they actually are. To not make the appropriate changes & adjustments when things go pear shaped is something that all coaches learn even at junior level. I would have thought that when your being paid $800k per year, you are expected to know what your players can deliver on & off the field & in situations that demand change & adjustments. There comes a time during the season when 'the processes' are not right & need changing.....you'd hope the coaching staff have the knowledge to identify that they need to make those adjustments to have a better outcome. I wonder if Goodwin will stick to the processes when we are zip 3. Not up to it & these are just excuses.

Yep fair call DS but size , weight, aggression etc doesn't seem to be an issue at our club.....speed, poise & skill definately is an issue & highlighted by SG on numerous occassion's at the back end of 2019 season. I'm not sure who's spot Jackson takes in round 1 (I hope he proves me wrong) Stephens already dominated at SANFL which is clearly the second best competition outside of the AFL. Elite speed & endurance suggests that he's a midfielder, but your right with our coaches lofty opinions of our current midfield, no one drafted this year will break into that mix. Just for a comparison.....Dylan Stephens: 184cm & 73kg & Ed Langdon: 182cm & 78kg I'm not sure MFC have the time & luxury to develop a list'......especially after last years horror show & with Tomlinson, Langdon, Bennell, Brown & Vanders now available, I think Goodwin is suggesting results & results quickly.

No disrespect to Luke but I would have taken Young or Green any day. Big bodied defenders/midfielders & skillful at that, is an area we can obviously improve on. I cant help think that whilst this is an exciting time for any draftees, unfortunately Luke will be lucky to play any senior footy for 2 to 3 years. Good luck to him though...... Dylan Stephens rated as one of the best kicks, fast, amazing endurance, inside & outside player......obvious choice for a team that lacks pace & skill. I just don't get it.

Agree....Gawn alone.

yes....very good call

Ha ha.....what you don't know? The players who continually turned the ball over is no surprise & we all know who they were.....Just look at who plays in the mid-field. Payers with the ability to transition the ball in the back line, with speed, poise etc are few & far between......I guess Langdon will ad to that area, however, its been well documented that his disposal is poor. I think to first game v WCE will see if this area is still a concern for us.

Yes agree to some extent......gifting games not only to young players but many experienced players as well & this contributed to our demise last year. I can think of half a dozen experienced players who's form was putrid & Goodwin kept playing them.

Looking at the way the 666 has been injected into our game last year, then for me, I would be targeting players with speed & players that can transition the footy under pressure. One of our main issues last year, again only in my opinion, was the high turn over rate from our midfield & this also needs to be addressed as a priority.

You've lost the opportunity to blood a younger play with the needed AFL experience.....instead of banking your chips on a player/players at their 3rd club. pretty obvious I reckon.....

If we are trying to create a sustainable culture then we shouldn't be going for any players that have a checked past & especially players that are over 28. Youth..... Cut & dry for me.....not sure if that's right but we are not good enough to exercise the risk involved.....IMO

Mitch Brown....No, Harley Bennell....No, Sam Murray...No What the hell is going on? Are we really going after the right players......give me a break.

Hunt has to play back.....we would have the slowest back-line in the league if he doesn't. The first game v the West Coast, who have a dynamic f/w line, will certainly expose our pace if he doesn't play there. I like him as a forward too like most, however, it would seem we don't have that luxury......especially with Melb letting frost go!

Good call Pates.....He knows & acknowledges that he owes the club.

Yes I'm with you Deemania......He has so much to offer our club.....Lewis can kick & maybe he can impart some of his skill onto our midfield...... as well as his years of invaluable experience. My criticism of Lewis (& some others) was his continued selfish & undisciplined acts that we got so accustomed to seeing especially during the 2018/19 season & unfortunately these brain fades cost us dearly.....& just hope he is far more measured & calm as a coach & puts the club ahead of himself......Time will tell I guess. Congratulations on your appointment Jordon.......we are lucky to have ya mate!