I'va Worn Smith

Guerra has been on the Board of Racing Victoria and has a close relationship with John Kanga, who is Chairman of the Melbourne Racing Club (Caulfield)

After Paul Guerra was announced as the new CEO, Garry Lyon, on 360, put up a graphic with 5 bullet points, which listed what Garry believed should be Guerra's priorities, upon taking the chair. One of those points was; "Stop the Leaks". Why would Garry believe this?

Some Perspective Please. After a dramatic week, the boys gave it a good shot and just fell short. I saw some strong positives come out of the game for us. The young blokes showed plenty. Jed needs to be given more chances and get the rhythm of the big time. Jai keeps showing really good signs. Langford is a star now, but will be elite. Tmac was so solid and perhaps Naughton would not have got 5, if Maysie or Lever were in. Disco was great in my opinion. We still see basic errors, but I am loving the run and dare. A lot to work on for the 'new coach', but in a very positive way.

Buckley was undermined by a very bitter Malthouse in their so-called succession plan. Malthouse was filthy as a result.

I have never subscribed to the 'sack the coach' mantra. That's always been the easy out for chronic disappointment. But after yesterday - and yes, most of us are actually shell shocked as a result - the entire coaching panel needs to be looked at and of course, that starts at the top (Goody). Goody is on the boundary, so I assume he has coaches upstairs, relaying messages to him, about what they see from their vantage point. Was that happening? I get it. The coaches can't kick the ball, slot goals, shut down players who begin to dominate, tackle and spoil. That is down to the players and the on-field leadership group. While the ultimate fatal blow was delivered courtesy of a brain fade on the 6,6,6 rule and the brilliance of Wanganeen-Millera, the rot was actually setting in around the 18 minute mark of the last quarter. Maybe I missed something, but I saw no strategic moves being made by the coaches box, to stop the bleeding. In those last crucial minutes, players who should have been on the ground, in the pivot and gathering the troops when it really mattered, were stuck on the bench. Of course, not the least of these was Kozzie. Yet again, the MFC have, by default, created another unwanted record to enter into the club's almanac. The noise from opposition supporters is that not only is the footy club weak, but our supporter base is fair weather and are happy to cop mediocrity. Well........I know were bloody well don't. That just doesn't cut it. We want vision, we want to see a plan, we want to know what the fix may be. No more 'love' fests. That said, we do not abuse, we do not threaten to microwave our membershipsd or not renew. We are not like that D/head who sent the social media threat about Goody. But we need and want something substantive, upon which we can hang our hats. Most of us have had more than a gut gull of motherhood and apple pie. Finally, it was the late, great Frank (Checker) Hughes who said to his players; “You are playing like a lot of flowers (fuschias as we were once called). Lift your heads and play like demons!”. It was that spirit that he engendered and Norm Smith inherited that saw us enter the most successful period ever. We are Demons. We are Red and Blue. We are loyal, we are staunch, we are Melbourne. Please MFC, give those qualities the due respect they deserve. Go Dees!!!!

Sometimes it is just not worth debating such serious issues, with those wedded to what they seem to be. Unlike alcohol, which yes, can be a familial curse, gambling goes way deeper in terms of corruption, which has already been proven and prosecuted. Yes, we are a sporting club, in a very competitive market, hoping like all clubs, we can attract and retain kids, who will end up being stalwarts. Kids do not need to be exposed to this curse.

We took the right stand. Took commitment and principle. I, for one, am proud of the club for doing so.

Trot out the tired old and hackneyed cliches. Gambling on pokies is insidious and destroys families. No if's or buts. When addiction takes hold, it becomes a sickness. There is no longer a 'choice'. It becomes a fight to beat the black dog. It can never be underestimated, just how tough that fight can be.

Sorry, but it's what I do for a job. Obviously I need to get another job. Check the stats and if you still think that you are right, please provide your source.

Under Howard the Net Overseas Migration (NOM) was higher then, under Howard and his immigration Minister, Phillip Ruddock, was higher than it is now in real terms. Overseas property investment largely caused the housing crisis.

Kicking for goal? Yes, certainly an issue. Lack of separation in the forward line? Yes, woeful. But for me the problem goes deeper than that. Basic skills are missing. Fumbling, missing targets by both hand and foot and conceding possession time and time again from the opposition's point kick ins. So often, we see the oppo going coast to coast from their backline, without one of our players touching the ball. Yet, when we kick in, it is mostly down the line to a pack and therefore virtually a 50/50 contest. We transition from defence to attack mostly under intense pressure, but don't return the favour going the other way. Yesterday, to me, Viney was clearly underdone, as a result of his hand injury, Clarrie still doesn't look fit to me and Trac looks unfit, or he either is carrying an injury or he's lost interest. When you have a core group of players who look out of sorts, then it becomes contagious among the younger blokes. May and Lever are not the focussed and reliable backs they were. Of course if any of this is true, then it begs the question; WHY? What is the root cause? I do not believe we are as bad as some of our results may suggest, but as supporters, we are entitled to question and expect answers, over and above motherhood statements.

Gawn. He can't keep carrying this side. Tried his guts out. Yes his kicking wasn't good, but even if half the side had his endeavour, we would have been much closer. 3 Words? Not Gawn's Fault.

As expected, the usual media trolls are bristling with their criticism of this deal. Too long; to expensive. Of course, they have no idea what clauses are contained within any contract. I suspect there will be a range of "get out" clauses written into it, both for the club and Kozzie. There are also other aspects that are involved with such contracts. 1. It increases the value of the currency, should a trade be on the table in the future. 2. The marketing value of this signing is immense, in terms of potential membership numbers, sponsorships and making the club more attractive for players who may see the MFC increasing its gravitas as a destination club. In business, this is commonly referred to as below the line marketing.

So why wasn't interference run for him. Windhager did a great job on Kozzie, but there needed to be a "screen" for Kozzie. The other thing is again, we give up so much possession from a point kick in. So often, St.Kilda went coast to coast, without a Melbourne player touching the footy. We looked flat today. No spark.

Just a word to the "blokes". It is not the way we usually roll, but be there for your mates, even when you think they're being D'heads. Sometimes the signs aren't always evident, but if they are mates, wrap your arms around them. Even if it is only metaphorically. A hug can sometimes be the best medicine there is. Go well everyone.