Deefensive Language

Given that we'll be stuck at home for the big game, I'm not accepting a post-win celebration in isolation. A lift of restrictions enable Melburnians to have picnics with up to 5 vaccinated people (from 2 households) within 10km from home. With that in mind....where should we go on Sunday the 26th if the Dees break the drought? The obvious choice is either Gosch's Paddock or Casey Fields, so if they are within your 10km zone, I'm sure Melbourne supporters will be out in force there celebrating at their small picnics. For the rest of us, I've been playing around with a radius tool and have identified 18 other parks spaced out around the rest of Melbourne. So if you're in the Glen Waverley area, head to Jells Park. Live around Altona? A.B Shaw Park. This is not an official thing, but I'm going to distribute this map as widely as I can and if you think it's a good idea, please do the same. We deserve a chance to celebrate in a festive atmosphere where other local Melbourne supporters will know to head to. So bring your scarves, flags, footys, and bluetooth speakers blasting the Grand Old Flag to one of these parks, and hopefully you won't have to celebrate alone (until restrictions lift completely and the club organises a real event). That is...IF we win! (for those who say not to jinx it, it's time we back ourselves and at least plan for possible success) *Note: I am not advocating for rule-breaking behaviour in publishing this map. We can all enjoy our outdoor time socially distanced and in accordance with local laws.

The way I see it, we bolted too early, showed all our (limited) cards to the rest of the comp too early, and flew too close to the sun. We did it with a low-key arrogance that assumed we'd be contesting for the premiership and just needed to pass the time until September. Clearly, the good coaches have figured out that if you pressure us hard around the ball and man-up on our defenders we crumble. Clarko did it to us last week, and reflecting on how the Bulldogs misjudged us in Round 11 there was no chance we'd see a repeat of that. Salem rarely gets space and doesn't have the gut-busting drive to break through. Hunt has the confidence, but not the finesse (though he was OK tonight). Hibbo has forgotten how to create. And to highlight our inability to adjust our game to the conditions and situation, Goody started Harmes on Libba again, who fresh from a week of rest laughed in his face and got his hands dirty. In the first 10 minutes Daniel and Dale ran around on the half back line with freedom and cut us to pieces despite the slippery conditions. And just like in all previous years we couldn't address a critical need. Even when they lost Keath early and Richards in the last we were still unable to exploit that! It feels as if we are incredibly reactive and scramble our way around searching for scores. Kicking efficiency is just not to a professional standard. Other observations: - At the start of the game they were comparing Bont and Trac as the two best in the league. Bont gave us all the finger - that's how a leader leads and adjusts to pressure - Viney needs to be remade as a defensive forward (eg. shut down Daniel and put his body in to create when we're on the move). - Jackson is giving us nothing. His time will come but it's not 2021. Bring back Mitch Brown - I still feel like he can become a no frills Cam Pederson type - It's time to blood Bowey, Harmes back to VFL, and start rotating Salem between mid and halfback (like Crisp of Collingwood) to become a little less predictable. We've been SO lucky with injuries that it's masked the poor state of our best 22. Unfortunately I don't think we'll be gifted such a clean bill on health in future campaigns. So take action NOW!

Salem has been very average...barely put his body into that one. Looks like he doesn't want to be there

In: BBB, Melksham, Jones Out: Viney, Sparrow, Pickett Match Committee need to slap themselves in the face for not trying BBB against GWS in light of our forward line line issues, his recent form and our position on the ladder. Goodwin keeps saying we're still working on our forward line mix - by Round 16 a top 4 MUST have this. Geelong, Brisbane, Port all have this. Sparrow, Jordon, Harmes seem too similar - high tackle numbers and low game time. Trust Harmes to run out more of a game and give him a job (Wines). Melk also deserves more game time - at times this year he's played OK but barely gets any continuity on the ground. Needs a clear role in the middle that suits his skill set. I'd also be interested to see Salem get a few runs through the middle - could rotate with Melksham (who's played HB before), or even Brayshaw. Just a taste to see how they go as rebounders. I am going to cop it for this suggestion, but I'd like to see Jones get another midfield run in the vein of Boak. I know they have different skill sets, but Jones as a HF is just a waste of time, and his decision making in close is still sharp. Given our overreliance on Oliver and Petracca in the middle it could have impact in bursts. He only needs to play about 60%. Pickett out of form and needs to be managed. Opposition are really clued into his game style by now. Needs a chance to stop and refocus and come back with a more sustainable, less manic game. I'd also like to see Bowey get a run but now is not the time.

See bolded quote - you cover the bases and prevent momentum bursts and you win finals. It's going to be great for the boys to review all of those moments in detail when we stopped their run. Then replicate!

That Port Adelaide game Round 1 2019 is a big part of his story. He seems so chilled on the ground and would have to be one of the best leaders out there. Bont is also a good leader, but he got caught behind centre for too much of the game and didn't do enough to really lead by example (as Gawny does week in week out).

What are people's thoughts on managing Jordon through the season? He's been on limited minutes and even though he's been on the list a few years he's been going pretty hard for a first-year player. I'd be tempted to leave him out versus Collingwood (in place of Viney) for a two week break. Just need to make sure he's fit and ready come finals time. After the bye, you'd have to leave out Melksham no matter how well he plays in the next two weeks. On the Langdon issue, I would have said Baker (who's underrated around here), but really liking that Hunt idea. He was dangerous around goals in 2019 and the last part of 2020 and he knows the role. In defence in his place Lockhart deserves his chance. We need to find out if he's suited to that small defender role for a future without Nev and Hibberd.

The one word that came to mind last night was professional. Right from the first bounce it felt as if the boys were thinking: "we've got a job to do and we're gonna f****n nail it!" Our setup, running patterns and decision making was decisive and implemented with intensity. Harmes' efforts straight after the first bounce summed up his day and was a massive warning sign for Libba - he got completely left in the dust and never impacted. I'm loving his role in the centre...just wondering how you can have he, Clarry, Trac and Viney all in there together?? Oliver and Trac were superb. Trac especially in the first half where he helped set up the win, and Oliver has clearly stepped up a level. He now has more time, space and confidence to play on his (and the team's) terms. His kick to handball ratio is no different to previous years but the dump kicks are gone. And both his and Trac's handballs are really flat, fast and decisive - they help spread everyone out more than previously. The other thing that's obvious is how much time our core midfield group are spending on the ground compared to league averages. These guys are pushing 90% and over and rarely slow down. Compare that to Macrae, Bont, Libba, Smith's averages and it's clear that teams are going to struggle to go with us if this keeps up. Darren Burgess is a goddamm guru! ----- A few other observations: - Brayshaw superb with his defensive efforts and team focus. With he and Langdon keeping their width, it's allowing Trac and Oliver to stay corridor side (especially check Oliver's heatmap...always in dangerous areas). - Melk started well and doesn't deserve some of the flack he cops, but he barely spends any time on the ground. All year this has been a significant trend compared to previous years. Any idea what's up? - Loved Spargs' game. He's constantly running to the right spots, presents for marks as well as crumbs. They paid so much attention to Pickett early but that allowed Spargo to cause a bit of havoc in the first quarter and set up a few chances. Reminds me of Richmond's 2017 system. - On Pickett, he hasn't been as statistically strong the last few weeks but that just makes his effort levels rise even more. Doesn't seem to get frustrated and fade away like other youngish "buzz" players do when they're not having a great game. The stress levels and load on the Dogs defenders to watch him was so intense that it affected their rebound. For any defender, look away for a half second and when you turn back around it's like "where the f is he?" - Loved the fact that TMac kicked three but didn't have a hugely influential game. The full weight is off his shoulders and he looks mega fit. Weid barely saw it until that purple patch but you have to like that he made contest after contest and did his job for his teammates. - Lever is a gun and still young. And Rivers is learning to intercept from the best of them. With May (and Petty coming along now) I'm getting reminders of Scarlett/Milburn/Enright/Harley quality and cohesion (still a way to go for that comparison, but on the right track!) - I thought May played really well on Naughton, but Naughton actually played a decent game. He kept presenting and working hard for ball, but you could sense by the last quarter he had a look on his face as if to say "ffs I'm working my balls off and still can't master this defence". This guy is used to owning defences and if we can keep up this strangling effect that's finals winning quality. - In fact the Dogs really weren't that bad. Their effort was decent, especially in that third quarter where they tightened up and possessed more of the ball. Guys like Hunter, Smith, Macrae, Dale were industrious and linking up, but the pressure was just too intense. They had to work way too hard to get anyway and it wore them down. You don't often see teams keep pressing and bashing their heads against the wall without result. Normally they either break through or give up. So that overall is why Melbourne were so damn good last night. The system was just too good for a fit 9-1 team.

I hope Goodwin shows a video of the Lions Tigers game to the group as a perfect example of how to play. Incredible how they had so many playing to their role, and their pressure work was outstanding. Also, apart from the first quarter and a bit, watch how they got things done at the centre bounces. Big O made a few brilliant taps to advantage. Given that Goodwin always likes to reiterate that we are stoppage team I think there's some work to do

What's sad is the Dockers are playing just like Melbourne. Dropped marks, poor connection between mid and fwd line, inexperienced young forward (Henry v Pickett) giving it a go but no polish) You could tell by the second that they'd just fizzle out.

Halfway through the last Eddie said that, "only Melbourne could do this to their supporters" The guy annoys me but he was spot on there. Does anyone remember our 2019 game against the Bombers? Neither team had won yet, and despite early season promise Essendon were being knocked for how listless their first performances were. It turned into a goalfest, and we had enough drops in intensity to give them bursts of momentum that got them the points (and proved how poor 2019 would be for us). In some ways today was similar...Essendon are an average team but you can't deny their ability to turn it on all of a sudden with blistering run. McDonald Tipungwuti (MacT?) was cutting us up just centre of forward - I thought someone like Harmes would have done well tagging him in the last quarter. And Shiel was too hot for Viney (who wasn't his tackling best but surprisingly cleaned up his disposal efficiency). And the third quarter was most disappointing - who controlled the tempo but just seemed a bit aimless going forward. Weid and Fritsch need another big preseason to get their bodies solid and really refine their running patterns. Kossie was a bit better today and he'll definitely be a stronger tackling presence down there too. Was really impressed with Hunt - he doesn't need to be a high possession player, just a bit of confidence, team structure and a clearly defined role (which he had today). Love what Langdon has done this year - he constantly presents, and his influence is encourage others to think similarly. Even ANB got to better positions before he was injured. Brown is that essential link for us - cant believe he wasn't in the side earlier in the year (he really did crack in with effort with Essendon in his past few years there) And re Smith, I think we saw his last game today. Just makes you nervous every time the ball goes near him or his opponent.

One blank box on the Zoom fanzone...typical Melbourne! Some poor bugger has given up even though we're still in it

Petracca is going at 35%, Oliver not much better. May has 2nd most metres gained from the last line... Are they playing like their season is on the line?? (For the 3rd game in a row!)

Baker! Give him a contract next year...he's learning well from Langdon's example

Is there something negative about the culture in Freo that's turning some guys off? - Cam McCarthy seems to have a bit of bad blood - Sam Collins was barely used despite promising form and now killing it on the GC - Matt De Boer was mismanaged, delisted but remade at GWS - Rumour has it Crozier was keen for the Bulldogs trade

Loved the moment when he sprinted back to the goal line to contest a ball and cannonned into the point post. Great closing speed. Can he and Rivers play in the same team? I know they have different attributes, but in terms of experience level for the lead in to potential finals.

Agreed. I'd like to see Harmes and Salem rotate between wing and half forward with stints on the ball. Time to get some minutes into Rivers to see if he can free those two up with drive out of the backline. It was also Hibbo's 150th and his highlights reel was a sight to behold. Does he still have it in him to play a more attacking role with less direct responsibility for an opponent? It seems to me that he's being forced deeper and deeper.

With his recent 100 game celebration I just had at a look at his highlight reel. What strikes me is his attacking run and impact forward of centre. Where does he really sit right now? Where is his best position?

I thought Lever was good individually also, as was May on Dixon. But our system seems to depend on individual efforts rather than group cohesion. As in, when one of our talls goes up, how are the others positioning themselves to best put direct pressure on opposition forwards?

Our back six - Lever, May, OMac, Hibbo, Lockhart, Harmes had 4 tackles between them. Don't understand how that's possible from a backline in a professional highly paid sport?

Are they going to blame the 4 day break? This was line in the sand stuff

Kick after the siren touched. Pathetic. That's like a airball in a ball free throw

Yep..no idea

Jones says he feels like he can offer something to that "not many others at the club can at the moment" Fascinating... Is this an example of an old head questioning the heart of the young brigade?

Goodwin: "we need to come up with a strategy" So reactive...