Rohstarrr

100% agree with this. But thinking back to August 2024, we've come a ways to resurrecting this club. Clear out the board which by all accounts was toxic- ✅ Not ideal to have none of them with feet under the desk as yet Get rid of Goody ✅ I couldn't see him leading us to another flag Sign up Kozzie for a long term deal ✅ Keep key players that if they all left I believe would have totally derailed the club this season (Trac, Viney, Oliver)✅

All in all a disappointing day. Yes some late goals helped the scoreline but unfortunately we were never in it. Ive been to 12 games live this year and that was the first one I feel we didn't give a whimper. Even the 10 goal flogging from Gold Coast earlier in the year we were around the mark for half the game. This game, we didn't show anything until late in the last. The distinct chasm is skills was clear throughout the day. We just kept dropping marks all day, kicks and handballs missed targets (which unfortunately is nothing new) Was also probably the quietest ive heard the Dees faithful at the G. Hard to tell when we kicked a goal as it was silent out there. I cannot fathom how poor our skills continue to be, opposition teams make the forward lead to the space or hit them on the chest at full tilt on the wing, but when I see a Melbourne player leading to a position, the kick comes in, they have to stop for slow and the defender spoils or marks over the top of them. It infuriates me that this has not been rectified or seemingly worked on. I found the idea to have Milky as the sub very strange. He's been the only forward providing some potency this year. I understand the need to manage minutes as I heard was the reason for the sub, but surely do that in game or sub him off. But he needed to start, he's so creative and has good skills. Also it's a very one dimensional player to have as Sub. If he needs a rest, or is really sore, manage him out and let's look at Kentfield, but geez he'll have 7 months starting from Saturday. Seemed crazy to me. If they dont sign him on again for next year, id be very disappointed. Im very curious about some of your thoughts for movements over this post season. Here's some to get the pot cooking May looked slow and was soundly beaten by a good opponent. May is still very good 1v1 but cant keep up with a leading forward. Would be good for a Nth Melb or the like for a year or so to help they're defence. Petracca seems very frustrated and his skills are horrendous. He went at 38% kicking efficiency this week. I for one, hope he stays but needs to work on his craft as a teammate. He's playing selfish footy, only worrying about getting the kick but not who or where the kick is going, maybe he's trying too hard. Sharp was a step behind all day and looked out of his league on Saturday. Judd McVee-unfortunately I think he'll leave. Have loved his rise last year, but has stagnated this year and is a shadow of his form last season. Tom Sparrow - Love Sparrow, but has not kept his early trajectory. Looked like a gun big bodied mid, but not sure he's got that in him. Let's hope a new coach can solidify his role and get him back to some good footy. Salem - Has his best gone past him, or is he not getting enough help from up the field Im still hopelessly optimistic for next year, Lever to have a good pre season and return to his best and be the general for the youth in the back 6, with Howes, Disco, Bowie, Riv and throw Petty back there again with Salem Like the look of Culley on the wing with Langers. Gawn in the middle with Windsor, Oliver, Langford(maybe the year after) Forward line of Milky, Fritch, Roo, Viney(defensive pressure forward) Chandler, Kozzie. Id love to get someone in to help her like a Mitch Lewis or the like, but unfortunately we hardly have anything worth coming to for a prospective player. Not a massive fan of Eddie McGuire as a Collingwood person, but as a football brain he's a very smart man. He's said multiple times we should be taking over Waverley from the Hawks when they move into their new premises for the medium term until Caulfield is up and running. Its AFL standard, closer than Casey and ready built to go, his other thoughts is to cut ties with Casey and align with Port Melbourne VFL. They have a brand new training facility.

Great Summation. Our inability to slow down the game and continually lose our head was a stark indicator of how far off we are as a team and nowhere near where we need to be as a playing group to contend for finals again. Playing kick to kick with uncontested marks for 60 seconds throughout that quarter would have given us the win.

Understandable Andy, Binman & George. But if you can drag yourselves up for a pod, christ knows we all need something

Im not 100% sure what happened last night. So many mistakes, a lack of composure and control. With 5 mins to go, we had to slow the game down, uncontested possession chains and take the heat out of the game, but our skills (or lack thereof) meant we couldn't hit easy targets. The inability too once again miss crucial last term goals. WE ONLY NEEDED ONE GOAL in the last quarter and missed gettable chances time and again. Through the game I was content with the effort and was thinking to myself, im happy with this fight and intent and was hopeful we could be on the rise into 2026. I was even working out the percentage needed to leapfrog Carlton on the ladder which was about a 75 point win at that stage. Then a couple of goals in I thought we just need one here to kill this game, but we just couldn't handle the pressure from St Kilda. Im still struggling to comprehend how that happened. I sat there for 5-10 mins at the Demon Army end just staring into oblivion until my daughter said " So are we going to go now or what?" I couldn't look any Saints supporters in the eye on the walk out as they all had a smug grin on their stupid faces. So what's the plan now, I didn't want Goody's head but there needs to be change. Gutted.......just gutted. Such a Melbourne thing to do. @Demonland Please do a pod, I know it's hard but we all need it.

The Fu$@&ing loopy handballs. Drove me insane.

It was an agonizing watch at times. You are 100% right he did so much good work then couldn’t complete the play. Whether that was take the easy chest mark, kick the goal. The mark he did take on the lead he was close to dropping. I think we had to persist with Jeffo, Roo and Fritta up forward but need the to get the ball into the good users entering onto 50. It was funny to see as there was a few times Kozzie was looking to crumb front and Centre but no one flew for the mark and was intercepted. Not sure how that happens.

That was a hard watch. One huge difference over the last year has been the gulf between our best and worst performances. Over 2021-23 we generally were consistent in our performance. On Saturday night we looked gassed very early and could never quite arrest the momentum for long enough to put a gap on Carlton. Is that a combination of the youth in the side and the building of the new game plan? Maybe, but it’s so frustrating as I was confident heading in to this game, just as I was confident before the Saints and Port games, teams around us that I felt we had the edge over. In these 3 games we played poorly but ultimately had our chances to win. This game was similar, with misses to Roo, Fritta and Jeffo late which if we were polished enough would have made the difference. Geez even the late Holding the ball free not paid to Clarry could have changed the games result. Great teams take their chances when the pressure is on, saying that at the moment we are not a great team. I’m hopelessly optimistic for a win the next 2 weeks and will be there again to support and urge others to do the same. It’s a game of moments and we are unfortunately failing a lot of those moments but I feel we can make it click next year. The call for Goodys head is warranted but I don’t see who we replace him with or how that doesn’t send us further into the doldrums for the next year or two. A crystal ball would be nice and all decisions are easy in hindsight but I don’t think the club is flush with enough cash to take the $1 million plus financial hit to sack him now. I don’t think the standards are getting driven hard enough at training and there’s some acceptance of mediocrity, otherwise surely players skills would be improving. 5 games left of 2025, we need to see who we have for next season. Keep Jeffo in although wow he had some poor moments, Roo and Fritta looks more enthused and showed good signs. Love Kolts energy and I say keep him in, but he’s gotta show something better. Who comes in for May as he’ll be out this week with Concussion whether he gets rubbed out or not. Maybe Howes? Saints has always been a bogey team for us so would love a win over them and we have to beat these teams close to us. look forward to another great Pod guys. Love all you do

6: Milkshake 5: Kozzie 4: Trac 3: Gawn 2: Rivers 1: Bowie

Well another week goes by and another tough watch. Just an impotent first quarter which cost us, we can say we could have got closer if we took our chances, or even pinched it but that is not the Melbourne DNA this season. We always seem to miss the set shot to gain the momentum and get back in the game and unfortunately it seems too easy for us to give our opposition the chance to take the momentum off us. I just cant see how we change the script with the same ball butchers in the middle. Rivers is wasted if not in the guts, he did not attend 1 Centre Bounce this week. He has been attending 50-60% of Centre Bounces in the previous weeks. DO you know why they would do this? Did Rivers perform another role for the side? We seem more dynamic with him in the Centre Bounce and obviously have more polish. Once again I really liked Tholstrups Energy, the essence of youth. Although JVR hasn't shown much this season, he has shown us he is a much better backup Ruck than Jeffo. What's the plan from here, everyone always says blood the kids, but we already have been. With Petty and Howes Out this week, here's what id like to see. Lever back in to take Howes spot and JVR back in for Pettys spot. Would be good to see JVR and Jeffo together for a few weeks and see how that goes. Look Forward to another Carthartic Poddy. Thanks guys

How disappointing was that game. Seemingly no interest in manning up the short hitup kick we just let them have it all day. Teams have done that to us before and just waltz their way from back half to forward 50 with little or no pressure. I thought we’d changed that after seeing the intense pressure we would put on the ball carrier and the next possession getter in the previous weeks. I’m not sure where we go from here now. If the boys all lose faith and the hunger for the win we could fall off a cliff in 2025 which was pretty much over before it started. I was so bullish about our finals chances but that took a hit when we lost to the saints, then the 1 point loss to Collingwood I managed to wrestle with that internally and say we probably weren’t going to win that anyway, but I saw a way in which we get on a run now, go into the bye on the back of a good win and build some momentum in the back half of the season, but now that opportunity is gone. We will be a bottom 6 team again by the looks this year which just breaks my heart. This list is so much better than that and that is what’s hurts the most. Same old issues, same personnel making the same mistakes, it’s so hard to fathom how this is not getting looked at inside the club and getting worked on. Where to from here. Well at least we won’t lose this week.

@Random Task Love this. Give the kids a good rest.

Port played their good game for the month last week so we should be able to get over the top of them.

As you’ve said time and time again. It’s needs to be a profession. These guys need the umpiring and improvement of it to be their full time job. Not a part time one. Adding the fourth umpire unfortunately means your just adding substandard umpires into the mix.

I’m a massive fan of Kolt. Really brings energy to the side. Can’t all be superstars you need some guys who bust a gut to apply pressure and do the 1 percenters.

I am never one to blame umpires for a loss but cmon. That was horrendous. Would’ve have made it all the sweeter to pip them for the win. But now I just look like a sore loser if I mention the umpires.

Hmmmmmm. That hurts. That really hurts. Should’ve won AGAIN(I see why the Poms take moral victories for some solace after a heartbreaking loss like this). We just lacked composure up forward. Yes you can look at moments in the last quarter, Kozzy giving away a 50, Fritsch playing on without looking but once again this could’ve been put to bed with more accurate kicking for goal. How much we all would’ve loved beating the filth and walking out of the G without having to see that arrogant smirk on their faces. I don’t quite know how to take this one - we came within a point of the ladder leaders and maybe if we had beaten the Saints last week I could’ve dealt with it, but we also had many chances to win, we won a lot of key areas but again not the one that matters. i reckon the young players are keen for a rest, having Windsor as sub( who has been below his best for a month now) and subbing off Lindsay after a quiet game. Also Langford although had some great moments, was down on his usual performance. Although I feel 2025 can now be put down as a development season, can’t see us making finals. But we’re so close. Yes we lost the first 5, we’ve then beaten 2 top 8 sides, come within a kick of 2 others and then we’re poor against 2 others. It’s more the results against the Saints and Roos which have killed this season. I’m exceptionally buoyant for 2026 and can’t wait to see more games in the younger brigade. Unfortunately it’s over a month till we play at the G again. Loved it yesterday for the Big Freeze, glad the rain stayed away and how good to see all the blue beanies, although a little surprised at the 77,000 crowd. I thought it looked like 85-90000 at the start of the game Thanks again boys. Love the pod.

Time for another one of Andy’s sprays after that performance. Thoughts for the pod should we continue the Alice Springs experiment? Has halted momentum again. Binman- we looked really lethargic, do you think a big week on the track to prepare for Collingwood next week? I also think we were out coached- all week Goody was saying Ross would bring a dour defensive game style but he then double bluffed and was playing the run and gun style. By the time we figured it out we were 5 goals down. We should have run that lead down but couldn’t convert How do we get rid of this inaccuracy? 1.12 for the second half of footy is embarrassing for under 10s let alone an AFL side. I now know what it feels like when other teams just keep kicking it to May or Gawn. We just kept kicking it straight to Wilkie. Really frustrated by this game, just did ladder predictor for the second half of the season and have us finishing 10th.

Rohstarrs Wrap What a cracking game against the Red and White I came into the game confident and thinking of what might I told my girls we’d be up for a 6 goal win But our poor kicking early was keeping the Swans in But then enter Kozzy, who kicked 5 goals 4 Geez if he’d have kicked straight, it’d be goals galore His poise, his speed, his deft of touch It proved for the Swannies it was just too much. The demon faithful were abundant at the MCG The result by itself filled us all with glee But what was more impressive was the love for our teams best They all got cheered off the ground when they came off for a rest A few short weeks ago people were calling for the head of Goody But as they always say it’s a long week in footy Fast forward 6 weeks later, the team is 5 and 6 We sit in 11th and and are finding the sticks Although accuracy not our strong suit, it was a barrage up front The relentless pressure was outstanding, the chase, the hunt We all thought Trac wanted out searching for a bigger brand and fame But he was his powerful best in his 200th game What he said last week showed he’s invested in the Dees If he can just get Kozzie to sign, that’d be much appreciated please We take on the Saints now up In Alice Springs Our recent record up there hasn’t been one the greatest things But momentum’s growing, this group is building belief If they could just kick straight that would be such a relief So let’s bring on the Saints and unleash our youth I think we’ll work harder and provide us with proof That we’re rising up the ladder with this form we have found And dare I dream and say we’re finals bound One last thing before I exit the mix Andy can you get the Voicemail fixed.

Flag😂😂

Wow what a game. Our desperation and want to compete in the last quarter was outstanding I was flummoxed by the choice of Fritsch as sub being such a one dimensional player and luckily he could be used as a tactical sub and we avoided any injuries. I thought he came on and played well. Tackling pressure and worked harder than we’ve seen so maybe he has got the message. Max what more can we say. Saved us in the last. Loved what Langford did in the last. I watched it back and noticed how desperate he was to win the ball and won quite a few 50/50 contests. I’m really excited by the youth. Langford, Lindsay and although he had an off day, Windsor. With viney and lever hopefully coming back next week. Will be interesting to see who comes out. Loving Disco in the backline. Competes hard. Trac was powerful and Clarry silencing the critics. Winners all over the ground and Melksham seems to be Brisbanes kryptonite. They were looking a class above for the first half, we would waste opportunities then they would spread hard, find space then hit a target inside 50. But we shut that down with our intense pressure In all honesty should have won by more but I’m super content with the win and our lounge room was rocking last night. My daughters and I were all screaming and we even got the dees flags waving late into the last. Thanks again guys for the pod. And Andy I contribute a lot of this success to your rant after the Bombers game. We’ve gone 4-1 since then.

Ins Milshake, Petty Outs Fritsch, Jefferson

Cant seem to leave a voicemail so ill jump on here. Overall I thought it was a great effort from the boys, and always knew (from years of MFCSS) that our inaccuracy would come back to bite us. Such clearance and midfield domination but once again cant translate that into scores. Just love the youth in this team, Langford, Lindsay and Windsor. If we can keep these 3 together and add them to McVee, Bowey, Kozzy(Hopefully) we will have some real talent in the coming years. Once again faded out in the last quarter so we really need to start asking serious questions about fitness. But as I just mentioned we have quite a few youngsters in the backline so give them another preseason it will help with playing out the 4 Quarters. There really wasn't much resistance from the middle and it just kept coming in to the Defensive 50. Hawks had 20 of the last 24 Inside 50s which I cant see any defence coping with and once they got 3 goals up everyone knew the game was done. To lose by 35 when controlling so much of the day was also disappointing. Would we have won if we kicked straight? who knows but we should've been 4 goals up at half time and kept the scoreboard pressure on. I haven't seen the pressure ratings of the game and look forward to Binmans deep dive into these stats, but felt we were all over them in the 2nd and 3rd. I also wanted to do some research on our past forwards and current forwards. As I wanted to know where JVR and Fritch stand against our past forwards of Hogan and Weidemann. I was hoping to see JVR stand equal with where Hogan was at a similar point in his career. But unfortunately Hogan had a better tale that what JVR Does. Hogan by his 3rd year was averaging around 2 goals per game. He'd played 50 games and kicked about 100 goals. He played 4 seasons for the dees averaging 2.1 goals per game. He went to Freo for 2 years but had medical issues and kicked 18 goals in 19 games. He then went to GWS and in his first 3 seasons there he played 50 games and kicked 104 goals. Then last year (Being his 10th year in the system) had a breakout year and kicked 77 goals and has kicked 18 this year averaging 3.1 goals per game. Weidemann took 5 years to get to 49 games and kicked 49 Goals. So 1 goal per game and although providing some great memories in the 2018 finals didn't really do much and deserved to be traded. Fritsch in his first 3 years played 61 games and kicked 59 goals. The next year he kicked 59 goals and averaged around 2 goals per game until this season where he has dropped back to 1 goal per game. JVR has now played 46 games in his 3rd season after being held back in Casey for a season as well. He has kicked 62 goals, averaging 1.3 Goals per game. But in 2025 he's played 5 games and kicked 4 goals. Not sure what all that means, but I really do feel JVR needs to get moving and start to get around the 2 goals per game this season, hone the craft, bulk up and get to that 3 goals per game that Hogan is producing. If he continues with his 1 or 2 a game he may find himself at Casey more often than not. Does he keep his spot this week - not if Petty is fit for a return I wouldn't think. Love him and want so much for him to succeed, but seems devoid of confidence. Haven't seen him fly at packs like he has in the past couple of seasons. What this means is similar for Fritsch. If you cant kick multiple goals a game, lets get Petty and Disco up Forward and persist with that for a few weeks. Or keep Jeffy in and keep Disco back(as he is pretty clean off half back) Look forward to the pod and 2 last things - Free Kick Hawthorn Bring back the trip

Id have to say Out Lindsay (Inj), Howes, Billings In Kozzie, Lever, Windsor (If available) But by all means after todays performance there could be another 10 on the chopping block.