Skuit

When he was lining up after the siren against Geelong in 2018, I went and locked myself in the bathroom and cupped my ears (the flying Billy Stretch shot against North in Tasmania was even worse, I flew off my couch, ran down the hall, out the front door, and half way down the street). Last night I calmly watched as he slotted it through, and reacted with a grin alone (until the exuberant celebration of the boys). That stuff had destiny written all over it. Never ever in doubt - you could even see it on Max's face.

My favourite thing was athletic Jackson getting all those plaudits throughout the week, with Max throughout most of the year happy to take a small back seat to our young ruck prince. Final quarter of the season with a minor premiership on the line, and big Max goes into hold my beer mode, collecting three clearances and running through the centre as if he's a link-up mid.

There have been various tactics used this year in an attempt to negate the influence of Lever and May, but I thought early on against Brisbane that Fagan's was the best - with Brisbane's attacking thrusts going to around the 60m mark initially and then a quick chip in. We overran them (and it's great that we have another opponent that we have successfully fought back against before), but it was effective and I wonder if they will attempt it again. The interesting factor - I had forgotten that that game was played at the SCG. Brisbane is the team I fear the most in this year's finals, particularly in a qualifying fixture.

Take a bow Jason Taylor and Simon Goodwin (and probably Josh Mahoney, - would take a brave poster to still complain that we paid too much). Step one - identify and draft elite midfield talent. Step two, bring in two defensive lynchpins to provide the foundations for your structure.

It doesn't feel like we have built up a particular rivalry with the Cats, but the Goodwin-Scott era between the clubs has been epic. And may still have another chapter to play out this year . . . Three after-the-siren shots in seven encounters and close to a fourth. A couple huge comebacks, momentum swings, bursts of goals, and some seriously tight affairs. The same on-field protagonists popping up in various ways. Here's a brief summary: (please add your own bits to the story-line, the players and subplots etc.) Recent background 2011 (Kardinia) Geelong propel us into our darkest of dark ages with a 186-point drubbing. At that point of the season we were still in the hunt for the finals. 2015 (Kardinia) A gutsy away win at the Cat’s fortress, in a game that marked the emergence of Max Gawn and the biggest scalp to date of a reemerging MFC. 2016 (Kardinia) The Cats close out our season of renewed hope by sending Paul Roos off with a 111-point thrashing. Goodwin vs Scott era 2017 (Docklands) A young, buoyant and attacking Melbourne outfit newly coached by Simon Goodwin runs with the Cats all day, opening up a 15-point lead at the 30-min mark of the 3rd – before the Cats’ class simply steamrolls us, piling on five goals in about as many minutes either side of the break 2018 Rnd 1 (MCG) A ripping season opener, with 70 points kicked in the first term and numerous momentum swings throughout the day. A Hogan goal at the midway point of the last puts us within a goal, after which neither team can manage to goal. Max hooks left from around 20 out in front at the siren. Rnd 18 (Kardinia) A tight, tense affair, with continuously less than a goal separating the teams until mid-way through the 3rd, when a late flourish sees Melbourne open up a 30-point lead early in the last – a lead which is wiped away in the space of about five minutes heading toward the half-way mark. The tension mounts again, before ultimately a sting of possessions from deep in defence with 25 seconds to go sees Tuohy kick the winner after the siren. The loss knocks Melbourne from the top 8 with five rounds to go. Elimination Final (MCG) A young Melbourne team, mostly on finals debut, brutally bullies the experienced Cats into submission, with a 5 to 0 goal opening term putting an end to Geelong’s season. Jones kicks the sealer. 2019 (Kardinia) An 80-point thrashing, including a 14 goal to 3 second-half, lets Demon fans know that something has gone horribly, horribly wrong in the off-season. 2020 (MCG) Coming off an unexpected bye, the Demons trail all day in an uninspiring, low-scoring encounter, as affairs in Melbourne are starting to look grim. Nevertheless, a late pick-up in intensity sees Melbourne edge to within a goal toward the end, before new recruit Tomlinson misses a challenging set-shot at the death. 2021 (Kardinia) Following a stirring 44-point comeback, the now captain of the footy club Max Gawn caps an epic final term with a goal after the siren to hand the MFC its first minor premiership in 57 years.

Umm . . .

Absolute proof positive that we live in some sort of scripted matrix.

We completely dominated Port in Adelaide only a handful of weeks back. Off the top my head, Goody has maybe a 5-2 record at Adelaide Oval (with those two narrow losses absolute robberies by the umps - which I know is counter to my pep-talk, but still). I'm not sure why some you folk have the fear. I reckon the boys would relish playing in front of a crowd again.

This is of course all uniformed speculation off recorded footage, but so odd in appearance. Daw has his eyes totally on the ball at the bounce, and doesn't look particularly aggrieved. The rucks don't aggressively crash into each other or even really make contact. After he flies past it, Cox is searching for the fall of the ball and doesn't seem to utter a word. Yet, as the play breaks from the pack, Majak turns toward him and gives an arm around the neck followed by a shove. He does this right in front of the umpire (who doesn't award a free), while Mason looks honestly confused and upset as to what has happened, but doesn't physically respond. They exchange a few, not particularly heated words but neither go on with it. If someone had said anything upsetting enough to me that I would clobber them from behind, I'd probably be likely to go on with it a bit. At least grab them by the jumper and shout a few choice words back. Impossible to tell, but Daw didn't look upset prior to the incident, and it doesn't seem like Cox had the time or care to issue a sledge during the bounce and next half-contest. The only two possible explanations I can come up with are that, with the ball being on the blind-side of the pack, daw thought Cox was receiving and charged in with a clumsy tackle, with the shove just a secondary reaction after finding himself in an unanticipated 'stoush'. He does sort of go on with two arms, but with the stiff arm tackling technique I was taught as a kid. Otherwise, there's a brief moment where as Cox turns toward the pack after the bounce, his arm flays back in the direction of Daw's head. It's possible Daw thought Cox was taking a minor swing, or was at least being clumsy with loose arms. The sort of response that occurred afterwards, if intentional, is more fitting in this scenario.

You're right - I can't accurately judge anything from the couch at home. I don't however agree with the second part of your post. Coaches have rested top-line players for a freshen up for decades now, I assume for a reason. Also, almost all players a carrying something by this stage in the season.

Just floating around avoiding lockdowns until I can go back overseas but have lived here and in Port Douglas and the Daintree for a number of years since my teens. Indeed, not just Australia - one of the most beautiful spots in the world.

Did you watch the first quarter yesterday? Clarry isn't immune to slow starts but looked cooked.

I believe that Clarry needs a rest - has played 106 consecutive games after all, not including pre-season fixtures. Noticed he was uncharacteristically jogging to a lot of contests yesterday and not chasing (never mind what the commentators were saying). He may have been granted an in-season rest, and told not to go hard. Still, I think he's one player who could come back positively after a week off. I can't remember the last time he wasn't in the votes.

The 2020 one would barely impact the aesthetic at all, and can make a permanent statement. Designed by Nev. Add new boys as they come. Someone should email the club. Or 2019. We've definitely won the indigenous guernsey premiership.

Hey Faulty - I'll be honest, when I saw that you responded to my comment I was prepping for an online stoush. Your response gives me greater insight to your character. We obviously don't agree on most things political, but let's share a beverage next time you're up north in Cairns, if you fancy. Ronnie.

Benefit of the doubt, but autocorrect is pretty accurate,

I'll have a pre-game conniption if that bald [censored] lines up for the Grand Final. So MFCSS.

That's okay WoK. I think most of us want to see better outcomes and a happier life for the indigenous members of our football team and in Australia in general, whatever that looks like. Most decent people agree on that. I don't want to badger.

I don't walk past anything, as evidenced by my response. I appreciate your thread and intentions. It's not just not walking past things, it's about listening and being educated. Just keep listening. Listening, listening, listening.

I don't want to be an annoying left-wing type, but what does that version of the Grand Old Flag have to do with Kossie? To me, it feels like if they played the horrible Kiwi national anthem (sorry Max and others, it's all those wacky key changes) if I won an Olympic medal. And I grew up closer to Auckland than what Pickett did to western Alice. I don't dare to speak on Kozzie's behalf, so maybe best to ask him what response he would like, if any, and if he even wants to be the centre of attention at such a young age? He shouldn't be responsible for bearing any sort of anti-racism flag. Listening is the key, not well-meaning individuals coming up with 'solutions'. Sorry - I didn't mean to be a drag in what is obviously a celebratory thread. Absolutely love the kid, and have confidence the club, our club, is already doing everything right by him to the best of its ability.

I recall that Collingwood had some sort of official ceremony when their curse was lifted?

Super-sub Nathan Jones down on his haunches after missing an after-the siren grand final winning goal, as this rings out across an empty MCG and some kid born in 2002 called Ryan Angwin steps up to collect his premiership medal after a career tally of two touches and one behind:

'Not 15' . . . as it leaves the boot. My brain often thinks the same, but I'm not an AFL umpire. Wait until it doesn't go 15 meters before declaring it hasn't travelled 15 meters maybe?

The Melbourne Football Club is on the verge of its first minor premiership since the invention of colour. Yet, we've still not done anything to actively address the dreaded Norm Smith curse, so MFCSS is obviously running hot. This is a space to let your MFCSS go wild, a deeply pessimistic thread where you'll be supported by like-mind folks. Let your damaged imagination run wild. What horrible events will trip us up from now until the last day in September? Which is the worst possible injury we will get during our billion-point win over the Crows, obviously in the last two minutes? How will the maybe fake Covid-19 global pandemic conspire to rort us and us alone, probably in cahoots with a corrupt AFL? What's the worst possible Grand Final day outcome you can conjure, from a twenty goal thrashing to a one-point loss? Deliver your very worst. The cruellest of suggested scenarios will win the inaugural MFCSS medal, regardless of outcome.

What a fantastic interview. Every supporter of the MFC should listen to that. And then vote for May should he ever enter politics. Candid. Honest. No spin. Just a real, genuine person. I'm sad that that should be so refreshing, but it is.