The Taciturn Demon

So true. I often ask myself "Do I really think Sparrow can make it or am I just wishfully thinking because of THAT goal?"

Possibly the worst stat among a huge field of contenders. Zach Merrett is comfortably one of the best 10 kicks I've seen in the last 20 years. Ed Langdon is easily one of the 10 worst. Their disposal efficiency stats are almost identical.

Hang on - what? According to the stats you mentioned as reflective of an above average team, we were below average or bottom five in every one in the season just gone.

These are stats from 2023.

I strongly agree with this. Soccer seems to have a culture of sacking coaches after absurdly small periods of time. I'd argue Australian rules, at least at the top level, has the opposite culture. Exactly as Dr Gonzo said, after several years, the idea that a coach is being held back by their list is a very difficult excuse to swallow. That's their list. They're not wholly responsible for the recruiting decisions, but they have enormous influence in how the players develop. I always find it strange when people in the media and some supporters lament the sacking of a coach after 150 or 200 games in charge. Less than ten percent of players make it to 150 and less than five to 200.

Do you feel the Football Department looked at 2018 and said "That was great, but it won't win us a flag?"

That's definitely what concerns me. It seems almost as if we're trying something entirely new without changing the coach. I don't hate that option, but at first glance it seems like a two or three year project - if we do lots right.

Good summary. Sorry - here's the interview where Goodwin says this: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1705825/agm-afl-football-update-goodwin?videoId=1705825&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1734497092001

Goodwin.

On the one hand, when you finish fifth last, that's kind of obvious. On the other - yikes. Is everyone expecting something very new next year, style wise?

The welcome dance was adorable.

It was like watching LinkedIn: The Musical. I didn't get past 15 minutes, but I have to assume someone gave a 35-minute presentation on sun flares causing climate change and several speakers promoted their life coach credentials.

If it's brown, it's training town. If it's yellow, rest, dear fellow.

Ha! When you present it like this, the absurd size of the lists becomes really stark.

I really hope so. Excellent season.

Lynch's contract obviously started low and got higher - what do they call it? Backloading? Did we do the opposite with Oliver and Petracca?

Sounds like a good year to be a Victorian club with a high pick as the draft goes national.... in theory. But I do wonder how difficult it will be to retain interstate players.

Hope they can bring in a tall defender to help her during the draft. Grace Hill just got delisted and Colvin is 33. Chaplin is brilliant and Saraid Taylor looks promising, but I think we need another.

To be honest, this shocked me. Goodwin is generally cautious in press conferences. His comments weren't direct - he didn't say Fullarton's name - but his meaning was very clear. I was quite excited to get him at the start of last year, simply because I thought we needed someone capable of playing forward and at least breaking even in the ruck. I thought he would be a solid upgrade on Schache. Goodwin made it sound like he was nothing of the sort. And by that stage of the season, and with our injuries the way we were, nobody would have cared that we were experimenting. It was damning that he didn't get a game.

I'm noticing that rapid and seemingly unexpected improvement in players is a feature of the AFLW. I suspect it's just the nature of a competition in its infancy. Denby Taylor springs to mind.

If you see someone being a [censored] and you call them a [censored], aren't you exercising your freedom of speech? Being told to "pull you head in, [censored]" is hardly being sent to the gulag.

Yeah. Fair call. It's why I'm a little bit nervous two or three of the best non-Academy players in this draft are from outside Victoria. I've been following the women from the start and have to admit I don't remember Ash Woodland. Did she show something in her four games for us?

Fitzy is a gem. I reckon she's a player who can get better again.

Maddi Gay is a big loss. I think Sherriff was more important than she's given credit for. But I reckon the one that really got away - and I know it was a while ago now - is Brenna Tarrant.

Me too. I'm always surprised by at least one part of a B&F count, but this one was a real eye-opener. I love Hore, Hanks and Chaplin, but I thought McNamara had them all covered this season.