old55

Kelly, Merrett, Billings, Sheed all of interest.

I think we need a leader in each part of the ground. Finding one in the forward line isn't easy unless it's Ben Brown.

"matey" - oh that's nice! Keen for you to quote any gratuitous off-topic optimism that I've posted ...

As many have posted - the coach has to train and select the "right" players, but once the game starts it's mostly up to the selected players to deliver the result. I think we've lacked on-field in game leadership over the years. Jones and Viney seem to be introverts and focus on their own game rather than directing the traffic - sure they may think they "lead by example" but it's not enough. I think the sometimes maligned Jordan Lewis probably gave us a lot in this area - I note we were 12-7 in 2017 and 16-8 in 2018 when he played. I think his contribution may have been undervalued in those years - including by me - because he wasn't the player he once was and didn't always go. Now I think the backline is well placed with May and Lever. I think Max is a respected and very capable leader at providing team social cohesion but I'm not confident about his ability to be the general in the midfield and direct traffic. Petracca and Oliver are tremendous players but are they going to co-ordinate the action? I think probably Brayshaw is the man most likely in this area to have the required qualities - hopefully with full length games he can return to his best position as part of the midfield rotation and be in a position to direct. I think part of the FD love for AVB are his leadership attributes but can he command a best 22 spot on output? Melksham was the leader of a very inexperienced forward line in 2020 (as evidenced by his role as stand-in team captain) and that's possibly why he retained his position despite some very ordinary form. For all his playing limitations ANB is possibly the man most likely to have the personality and intelligence lead in this area, but again can he command a best 22 spot on output? Maybe Ben Brown can bring a major contribution down there. Until these on field leaders emerge and direct I think we will continue to struggle with consistency.

@Lucifer's Hero said she might go out and try to peer through the cyclone wire fence. That would be great if she can ...

There's clear value to me in the training reports particularly for example: Who's in the rehab group - Brayshaw and Oliver both had off season operations - what's their status? Who is training with which area backs, mids, fwds - e.g. Harmes, Petty, Melksham, TMac? Who of the young players looks to have had a big off-season and could therefore be capable of significant improvement Who of the recruits is showing something in match simulation and may press for a game - we haven't been shy to select 1st year players in the past

Thanks for the update. Maybe you can post a mood update every hour so we can stay fully informed on where you're at?

AFAIK Petty is in full training with defenders #19 = Fraser Rosman

You said minimum 4-2 to have any chance of making finals. I don't think that's correct and I've explained why. I agree we must make finals but Goodwin won't be sacked if we're 3-3.

Richmond and Geelong played in the GF and St.Kilda finished 5th and we're playing them away. 4-2 will be on target for top 4 and 5-1 will be on track for GF. 3-3 is on par for finals.

My response is not exactly what the OP is asking for but it's worth noting that we've got a block of 20 - 22yo who will have been on the list for at least 3 years and it's reasonable to expect that some of them will establish as regular AFL players: https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tp-melbourne-demons?year=2021&sby=15 Baker, Petty, Spargo, Chandler, Nietschke, Bedford, Bradtke, Sparrow, Jordon These in addition to 2020 recruits who I expect to all make a significant contribution: Jackson, Pickett, Rivers And this year's recruits who will will get an opportunity if they can show something: Bowey, Laurie, Rosman There's 15 players that Mark Williams will be working to develop.

I think relocating the 2 WA teams to SA (where the quarantine requirements have been less stringent) and the 2 NSW teams to Queensland (where the infection rates have been low) would cut down the variables considerably. I recognise it's very hard on those 4 teams but IMO it's the least disruptive / most effective measure that could be taken.

And clearly the meaning of the quote is inaccurate.

Well to be honest I don't think you, @old dee or I are qualified to understand what a modern AFL gameplan involves. Maybe you are? Surely Richmond has a well defined and successful one and you can explain it to me. I think this may be what @skills32 is pointing to in the OP

Surely you've watched Richmond vs MFC in recent years and saw them in the Grand Final? I'm keen to understand from you what their premiership winning game plan entails?

Can you please explain Richmond's game plan for example?

Yeah well recent whinging was about TMac and Harmes who were blitzing when signed to long contracts that no-one here complained about at the time. If they'd only signed for 1 or 2 years there would have benn plenty more whinging. "Baby bear contracts"

Without knowing the numbers it would be very difficult to recall the playing list.

MFC fans: "Our player contracts are too long" "Our player contracts are too short"

Oldest 20 B Tomlinson May Lockhart HB Hibberd M.Brown Salem C Langdon Petracca Harmes R Gawn Brayshaw Viney HF AVB TMac ANB F Melksham B.Brown Hunt I Jones Jetta versus Youngest 21: B Smith Petty Hore HB Nietschke Lever Rivers C Baker Oliver Rosman R Jackson Sparrow Jordon HF Fritsch Weid Spargo F Pickett Bradtke Bedford I Chandler Bowey Laurie

Don't be selfish now Kenty

Party-time for the Saints might be over: Play twice: Richmond, Geelong, Port Adelaide, West Coast, Sydney Play once away: Brisbane, GWS, Gold Coast Play a home game vs Adelaide in Cairns

If he has re-discovered some mobility it could work well, he's had the aerobic fitness in the past. When we're in attack, if Max is down the line on the Langdon wing, TMac's size and marking ability on the other wing prevents an outlet there and deters the switch. When we're coming out of defence, similarly - Max down the line on the Langdon wing or TMac down the other line provide separate avenues to marking targets or aerial contest killers. This was the hope I had for Tomlinson last year but it didn't work out.

Invited to train on with Carlton - it's not over until it's over ...