I'va Worn Smith

If Burgo is, indeed going, then we cannot thank him enough, for his contribution, to the list's fitness. However, our more recent lapses on game day, where we have incurred losses, have nothing to do with Burgo or his fitness regime. To me, it is for a number of other reasons, which can only be sheeted home to the coaching staff. Adelaide. The MFC were top of the ladder. It had seemed we had shown our credentials by beating other contenders, including the Bullies. Simply, we were not mentally prepared. Collingwood. Given it was Buckley's last game as coach, they were always going to come out, with fire in their bellies. We surely should have been acutely aware of that factor. On the other side of that coin, it was Neale Daniher's Queen's Birthday, Big Freeze game. A guy that coached Melbourne for over 10 years and while there were some down years, under Neale's stewardship, he gave us plenty of joy. We owe him. Simply, we were not mentally prepared. GWS. After some ordinary performances and some surprising losses, the Giants were still on the verge of the 8, when they played us last Saturday. Simply, we were not mentally prepared. Our midfield guns are now marked men. Their earlier from was stellar. They are hunted by the opposition now. It was perhaps, Clarrie's, Trac's and Viney's worst games for a while. Opposition coaches have worked out our previous use of the "corridor". Our coaching staff need to adapt. Simply, we were not mentally prepared. Kossie and Dogga are still quite young. To me Kozzie, in particular, looks tired and sore. Understanding the loss of his Mum, he still played some amazing games, following his return to Melbourne. Do these young fellas need a rest before the finals? It would also seem that most opposition teams have worked out of forward structure. T Mac has done an amazing job this year, given he was on the trade table last year. But he was never and is not a natural forward. Fritta is slight, not a tall key forward and gets knocked around. Recent history show us (see Ross Lyon), that you cannot win a grannie, if you do not put the required score on the board. A great defence - like we have now - is not enough to get to the pinnacle. We got BB and had the Weid on our list for a while, both recruited as key, tall forwards. My view now is, going into the home straight, we have to bite the bullet and persist with one or the other before the finals. My view is Big Ben Brown is the one, but if he is to be, he needs the space to lead into. My opinions only.

Was there actually a practice match?

Garbage??? If you aspire to being a premiership contender, losses such as this one are simply not acceptable. My reference to age and length of support of this club has nothing to do with me trying to take the higher ground here. Rather, it means I have seen it all over time and as such, I know what it takes to get to the top of the hill. Given the significance of the 'event', Neale Daniher's quest, his length of service with our club, his life membership with the MFC and the blood, sweat and tears he shed for us, I cannot think of a much greater incentive to get the job done. By any measure and under the circumstances, yesterday's performance was just not good enough, for a team that seeks to put its hand on the holy grail. I am not rubbishing this club and I never will. I am just calling a spade a spade.

Ohhhh please. Slitting my wrists? I suspect I have followed this footy team for a wee bit longer than you have. I am 65 years of age and was there in '64. 11-2 is sensational, but if you want to win a flag, today's effort was deplorable. That is all. Pure and simple.

By any measurement, that is no excuse for our performance today.

Gus has played a specific role this year and mostly, done it very well. I had so hoped that the Weed would break out this year, but it would seem, this will sadly not happen. Gus will be OK, but I hope, collectively, this team will understand that today's effort was nowhere near good enough. After the bye, we need to seriously come out and smack some [censored].

100% correct.

Maybe, but both sides played on it. One of those sides is a bottom 4 team. That was the team that won the game. Don't blame the bloody ground. We were very ordinary today.

In Goody's presser, I hope to hell he does not say we still have things to learn. I really hope he says that our performance today was totally unacceptable and no-one's position is guaranteed. Controlled anger can be a constructive emotion occasionally.

Head in my hands. Sad for Neale. If we needed anything to fire us up today, Neale's plight should have been enough. So they send Buckley out with a win? Given he is no longer their coach, WTF does that mean anyway? If our players could not adjust to that aberration, then they need to sit down and have a mid season chat. Pathetic really. Line in the sand from here. Start again, with a new focus guys... BTW, other than the draw, which doesn't count, I've tipped one winner this round. .

Sorry, it's OK, clearly it's after Big Smother. Geez I love TV these days.

Excuse my ignorance, but what time?

Blair Campbell, who began at Richmond with footy, was a fair cricketer as well. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&q=blair+campbell

No evidence of this, but I think the filth precipitated Buckley's departure, because they have intel that Teague is on the way out. As a result, Collingwood did not want to have to go into a bidding war for their preferred candidate as a replacement for Buckley - whoever that may be.

I think Buckley has gone out with class, but he remains a very wealthy man. Having given up his job, he is a long way from going hungry. That said, like a few on here, I am more than a little worried that the Pies will fire up for their game against us, given it's Buck's last game as Coach. If there is still room for the old fashioned rev up from coaches, I hope our staff remind the players, that this is Neale Daniher's game. A man who is going through the greatest battle in life, that anyone of us could possibly imagine. The game has taken on even more gravitas, since Neale began his health battle. The Big Freeze is a Daniher franchise, but as a life member of the MFC, Neale has decided, along with his family, to make this game the marquee for his cause. Buckley will be fine, but as Neale's mortality ebbs away, we owe him big time. So, the motivation on Monday should be all about Neale, not about Buckley's departure from a club that has been moribund for some time - and we all know how that feels. Let this footy club get it done for the Reverend. Go you mighty Demons.

A mate of mine's son is married to Neale's other daughter. Not only is Neale part of the fabric of the MFC, an inspiration to all, but he has a family, of which he can be rightfully proud. Bec's support of her father, while remaining focussed on the cause, leaves me awestruck.

Sorry Guys, but on game day, I will never come on to this site again. For 3/4's of this game, you would have thought we were getting spanked by 10 goals. Celebrate your Dees, but look at the positives please. BTW, I think we might be on the verge of something special. Enjoy the ride, but in future, I stay out of here on game day

Hands around your heart DOx. Let's do it for your mum tonight. We are an amazing family when we want to be. LET"S Do it DEES, For D'OX's Mum. Go Dees!!!!!!

Migrants usually follow AFL clubs, that most closely resemble the soccer teams they followed so passionately in their home countries. In times gone by, many Italians barracked for Collingwood, because of the colours replicating those of the Juventus. Similarly, the Greeks followed Norf, as their colours were very close to the Greek National colours. Same with Inter Milan and Essendon. As we keep getting better and spread our good news to the general community, the rest will follow. Today's new about Santa Teresa oval, will not only garner more indigenous followers, but more from the general community.

I love Joeboy's analysis, but I think it now needs to evolve. Previous analyses were when we were down, but with players potentially on the rise. Now, we are playing like a REAL team, minus the egos, as per the Age article.

I hope the AFL let us wear the indigenous jumper in another round. Probably next week would be appropriate.

I just love my footy club. Finally, I can say it with pride and real belief. Dad, I hope we can do it for you. If we do, I'll make sure the fridge is stocked with Abbotsford lager. By the way, can you please have a word with the big fella up there, to make sure he smiles upon us for the rest of the year and tell him to have a word to Norm and let him know it is ok to let go of the curse..... finally

I did. Which part of what I said is incorrect?

A bit like the COVIDsafe app that cost the taxpayer $17mil and traced very few?

All I can say is, if this virulent curse and the containment of it, is all down to the States, then I am not sure why, at the moment, we have a Federal Government. So much for the Constitution.