Lord Nev

Was strangely ironic given how often he burns team mates usually...

Our midfield functions better, and we play better, seemingly when Viney's role is more of a mid/forward as opposed to a pure inside mid. We didn't seem to mix up our centre bounce group enough last night, didn't look like Pickett was in any of the bounces? Here's Viney's heat map from the game last night: Conversely, here's his heat map from when we beat Geelong early in the year:

Would have to be either his hitout form is up and down, the centre group aren't all in sync or oppositions have worked him out. Could be a bit of all of the above too. He looked back to vintage Max last week with the hitouts so not sure what's happened. Whatever it is though, just wish we'd stick with what is working for a bit longer in games.

Yeah and we lost May during the game, had Jetta and Jones in the team. Plus, who knows where that game will actually end up being played too.

We've already beaten the Dogs and Cats this year, Optus is hardly a fortress in 2021. I mean really, more chance we lose to Suns and Crows and win the other 3 if you're actually going by our season so far. Also, there's probably a lot of things you don't see happening...

Did it. Picked favourites, had us losing to Dogs and Cats, we finish 3rd. Babow.

Yep, been saying for a while now there should be heat on Stafford. Been at the club for nearly ten years, maybe time to move on. It's not just the goal kicking, but the forward structure too. Once again tonight everyone just standing in packs.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/teams/afl/coaches/greg-stafford

Not 100% sure, but think it's still Stafford.

IN: Melksham OUT: Viney or vandenBerg Need some skill in the team, that was extremely apparent tonight. Greg Stafford time to move on too IMO.

3rd or 4th game for the year where we got on a bit of a run with Jackson in the ruck, brought Gawn back in and it went the other way. This time it cost us the game.

Oliver complaining about an umpiring decision while the play is still going, Hawks goal. That's a microcosm of our attitude tonight.

Mate. Have a cuppa, you're gonna have a heart attack or something.

This has nothing to do with the umpires.

#FreeKickMelbourne

JUST KICK IT! (Just wanted to join in, hope I'm doing it right)

Have the same thoughts on vandenBerg's decision making and disposal, but tbh we're probably not losing much given Harmes' form lately in those areas. Also thought Sparrow would be ahead of him but he was icing up both his legs at the end of the Casey game, so maybe there were queries on him being sore? Or maybe Goody just loves vB (as we all know) given apparently Sparrow will be sub.

Could potentially also be that the coaches decided that's the best way to make the midfield mix work with Viney in there. We definitely seemed to have better cohesion in the Port game in that way. Not sure what it means for Harmes though, and a little concerned about our ball use forward out of the middle with vandenBerg in there, although to be fair it's not exactly been a strength of Harmes' also.

The talk is he'll tag Mitchell.

Has carried it for a few weeks now. 'Ear infection' is underselling it, he's needing an operation but is hoping to put it off til post-season.

Bit like last years Bluey...

Yep 100%, Lever's done that since day one, but have also noticed blokes like Gus, ANB, Kozzy, Trac and more all directing now and it's a massive part of why our zone works so well this year IMO. Gus in particular has really lifted with his onfield talk.

My biggest gripe about our leadership in previous year has been our lack of 'organizational leadership'. Gawn's a ripper bloke, Viney is heart and soul, TMac, ANB etc great trainers, but we didn't really have anyone leading the onfield talk and directing players/structure. For mine, one of the biggest things this year has been how amazing the entire team has been at this, lead by those some players and a few more.