BW511

I think this is the most glaring example of the club/coach/captain’s stubbornness I’ve ever seen. Grundy rendered Gawn almost useless from the very first bounce and we had absolutely nothing up our sleeve to rectify it.

Games like last night, highlight our lack of ruck/forward backup. Conditions probably suited JVR playing as a follower, in the Grundy mould, rather than Max being nullified all night but then we are robbing Peter, as they say. From those who’ve watched, are we likely to get some relief from Fullarton being in the side?

I think it’s more mental, we absolutely dominated the first 10 minutes and had nothing to show for it. If we don’t put scoreboard pressure on we crumble

My main concerns from last night; Grundy absolutely dominated Max, it was like the first contest threw Max out and he never recovered. Ordinary display from the captain to throw his toys in the fashion he did. Structure at stoppages was non existent. We always load up on one side and the opposition just walk it out the opposite one - it happens every bloody time. We have a bunch of small forwards that have no tricks other than being small. The first few contests of the third quarter (I think) had Blakey on Spargo and Rampe on Chandler - Blakey got them going time and time again. I can’t believe Lever gets so much praise for being so pathetic at defending. He’s a liability 1 on 1 and don’t get me started when he has ball in hand. The club keeps telling us culture is great but the players really seem to believe they are better than everyone, they play as if they should win every game and it’s only a matter of time before it clicks. Completely understand there is opposition doing what they can to disrupt us but our intensity and intent was so far off the boil. Could go on forever but those things were the most frustrating bits of a long list

Gee, Grundy torched Max More worryingly, we can’t even handball to a target 5m away and yet the lizard is taking running bounces all over the ground. This team has an incredible ability to suck the life out of me

Not so sure this type of incident has been a ‘football action’ for many years

This is absolutely exhibit A for the ban the bump movement. Only intention was to ‘make him earn it’ in the old fashioned sense. It’s such an antiquated and dangerous attitude. It will never happen but this is as good an example of a 10 week ban as you will see. I think you’ll have many friends on board the bump ban train over the course of this week @binman

I reckon Trac has Danger well covered for footskills as he occasionally can hit a ridiculously good field kick. What’s amazing, is that both are just that good at the things they do well, that it hasn’t impeded their ability to influence games. Trac will be regarded more highly in time because he kicks more goals but both are exceptional players with a major, fundamental flaw

Kolt being noted as one of our best three is a big boost. Seems to be a lot of focus on Windsor (rightfully so) at the moment so this is a timely reminder of his skillset

Completely understand that but Andy is very, very cautious of the club and what is discussed here. At this point I don’t consider him far removed from being an actual staff member

If everyone here is screaming out for better comms from our media dept (we know it gets read) how is it still such a low priority for the club? Arguably the best player in the league is rolling through this game after some challenges, it’s of huge interest. I’ve seen Andy say he’ll do it for free probably half a dozen times in 2024 Melbourne FC have a very special ability to ‘Melbourne’’ everything

Devastating for Gus. We’ve taken some hits over the last 6 months with all the issues, however this one will have a lasting effect on the team for 2024

Would like Howes in just to add a little more height for in play aerial contests across HBF-Wing

It takes a lot to go right to win a flag, so whilst there was some elements out of our control, who’s to say it doesn’t happen this year and next too. If we come out of this era with only one flag, I would barely consider it a success.

I think the best we can hope for is a fit and focussed Clarry in 2025. Think there’s been too much damage done this year and over the current preseason

I’m a year that ended with such frustration, I think both wingers will be under the microscope this preseason. We’ve got a few young guys pushing hard for game time and there will have to be changes to our method, meaning defensive running isn’t the sole focus for that position. Hunter and Langdon will be one of the more intriguing stories heading into the ‘24 season

For anyone interested in the TT numbers, the watches give an indication. My best guesses based on which way they set them up; Nibbler at 3:10/km through 500m Sparrow at 3:12/km through 1.02km Tommo at 3:07/km through 0.99km Good going when carrying the frames they do

Clarry’s ‘5kg overweight’ rig is nothing to be sneezed at

Hope your windscreen wipers are locked down 😂 @WalkingCivilWar

After the trade and draft period, I’d almost forgotten about the acquisition of McQualter. Will be interesting to see how it all unfolds over preseason and how much of a role he has. Has the potential be our most influential recruit in years

JVR looks absolutely primed

Now that he’s found some footskills, will Goody actually pick them? More seriously, what was the brief for this years draft period? Does he think the game has shifted from the bigger bulls and is speed the next hot thing?

I am fairly confident he will too. All of ANB, Chandler, Kozzie, Spargo, Sparrow, Billings and McAdam will want to have very, very good preseasons. Our forward half will be very dynamic if everyone is up and running

I think the Curtin stuff is all smoke and mirrors. Even if he ‘only’ turns into a 3rd intercepting defender it’s a more important role than people remember come draft time. We gave up plenty for Lever and he’s very stop start with ball, prone to bizarre brain fades and yet still highly regarded.

I must admit, I haven’t been that excited by him but when you factor in the highlights are from WAFL level, he seems pretty dynamic for a 17 year old at that level