Wodjathefirst

Hope the adjustment to the game plan is along the lines of taking the game on- aggressive one on one, fast direct footy, through the corridor whenever possible. Take risks, don’t become predictable. Hope the team backs themselves in. We must become the hunters. As someone said in an earlier post, we will know which side turns up in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Fake news!

Agree, Go West Coast (this weekend only)

I think a lot of people are being a bit harsh on Hawscum. I sincerely hope they pick up a few absolute gems in the next few years…… and then also hope that they choose to move onto other teams that have better prospects as soon as they can.

Appreciate that physical fitness of players is carefully planned, measured and monitored for optimal performance. There would be many metrics to look at. How much attention is given to the ‘muscle’ between the ears? No matter how fit, if a player or players aren’t in the right head place this surely would affect their / team performance. Is this also somehow measured, monitored and managed?

I am concerned also. The only upside being that if he doesn’t come up, we have JVR as a potential back up. We must get more proactive in taking controlled risk and utilise our depth. Three guarantees in life- taxes, death and footy injuries. Blood and give our depth some experience now…. will most likely need them later on in the season and in the finals campaign.

Sadly, agree.

My understanding is that the AFL wanted two teams in the Rugby states so that each weekend there is an actual game that takes place in the cities (taking the assumption that Gold Coast is almost a suburb of Brisbane) Same logic can also apply to SA and WA. I used to wonder why GWS was say not established / relocated to Canberra. (which I still think would make sense to me). But on the other hand if / when a team is established in Tasmania, this would be in conflict with strategy of ‘a game every week’! In other words, I have no idea🙃

Go Wiggles!!! Never thought I’d say that . Hang on, I was wrong. I recall barracking hard for them in the GF a few years ago when they played Collingwood.

Not in any way making this an excuse for our loss, we got done like a dinner (and the final 12 minutes was simply one team switched on, the other off- exactly what happened in the WA lightening delayed game). The ground was ‘cricket season hard’ and produced a different sort of bounce for the ball. It was particularly noticeable in tight contested play and Brisbane handled it well and we appeared very clumsy (even taking into account humidity and heat). I presume Brisbane train at a facility that has a less hard surface and a more typical bounce. My question was going to be why couldn’t we adapt like Brisbane did but I think I’ve just answered my question. We just had an off night on so many different levels. Fingers crossed it was just a one off.

Interesting how some Melbourne players get targeted for poor form more than others. In my opinion pretty much most players had a shocker the other night. Have no idea who the ins and outs will be this coming week. I just want a ‘champion team’ (as opposed to ‘individual champions’) with the right mindset turning up this time round and play a fast attacking style of footy.

I tend to categorise the teams as ‘contenders’,’serious contenders’ and ‘the rest’, and yes, they can chop and change week to week. That’s footy. Sadly, Collingwood is currently in my mind a serious contender. I hope I am proven wrong in weeks to come.

Good seeing Jackson doing as well with Fremantle in the first two games as he did with us for most of 2022.

Three words, okay MAX IS BACK!

And as much as I love big Maxxy, when he thinks he is ready to go, I’d delay him returning for another week or two…. to play it safe

Don’t give a flying eff anymore about last night’s result- Big Max will be back this year!!!!

Would love to see him back on board by the time we play Freo at the G

Let me say this up front ~ I was wrong Let me repeat- I was wrong And I feel absolutely fantastic about it!

I can handle six weeks

Cox is an absolute mongrel

I saw ‘Gawndy the Great replied’ flash up on the bottom of my screen and for a microsecond I got excited!

As Petracca said in the post game interview (talking about the last 12 minutes) words to the effect ‘we had nothing to lose, didn’t give an eff, took on the game’ That is the formula for 2023 (unfortunately the Ferals are very good at it). The team no matter who is playing going forward, need to play like that, take the game on, play fast footy, back themselves in.

Last night was a shocker on so many levels. It was not us. Must park it and move on. We want the real Melbourne to step up and play with spirit next week. Take the game on! We need our supporter base to rock up next week and back our boys in. This could be a season defining game.

I’m afraid you might be right and I oh so hope that I am wrong with my thinking. If it is the worst case scenario I hope Max draws on the fighting spirit of Jim Stynes, does his time recuperating and comes back bigger and stronger than ever next year. Opportunity for Schache to step up alongside Grundy? As I said earlier…… I hope I am so wrong about Max

Another consolation prize. They didn’t score 100 points for the game.