Dee-tonator

Just hanging in there but credit to everyone so far for putting in a big effort against classy opposition. Only first-half disappointment is Petracca's almost total lack of impact.

I have no bias for or against either Chaplin or Goodwin. I was just pointing out that Chaplin has given a chance to a player who never got one from Goodwin. Your suggestion that selection decisions for the Bulldogs game could have been finalised before last weekend's matches seems a bit far-fetched. Knowing Goodwin's cautious approach to changes, I suspect he would merely have switched Petty to defence as the additional tall. And yes, that is pure speculation on my part.

Good to see Adams get a chance. At least it shows Chaplin's thinking is not totally aligned with Goodwin's.

In a sane world, reputation should have nothing to do with any decision on whether an offence has been committed. Every incident should be considered on its merits. Reputation (ie previous record) should only come into play when sentencing is decided. The AFL's inconsistency in disciplinary matters is totally farcical.

Very sad day to see a premiership coach depart in this manner, especially when he has been undermined by so many off-field issues. But football coaching careers are similar to those of politicians. They almost invariably end in failure. In Goodwin's case, at least we have one glorious season to remember. I hope he finds success again in whatever role he takes up next.

We could: (1) Bribe an attendant to put itching powder in their socks. (2) Put Bowey on a crash diet of human growth hormone. (3) Find a way to clone Max. (4) Pray.

This was taken in their premiership year of 2016. I doubt if it has ever happened again.

I'm sorry, you misunderstand my original post. All I was trying to indicate is that player managers have no loyalties to our club, so McVee might well get advice from that quarter which would not be in our interests. I've supported the Dees for just over 60 years, so I would never say anything with the intention of harming the club. Mind you, I hope our players and coaches, McVee included, are all deeply ashamed of their abject surrender last week.

Does that include the final quarter?

I'm not sure why I upset you. I said clearly that I hope McVee stays. I am not angry at anyone, just facing the fact that on several fronts the club is facing enormous problems right now. And another fact is that most managers want their players to be doing well at successful clubs.

Sure, McVee has had a big dip in form this year. But he has already shown the potential to become a top-class defender, so the real question is what has caused this fall from grace? From outside, we can all speculate but we just don't know the answer. I hope he stays, because I believe he can give the Dees years of excellent service. But given the state of the club right now, if I were his manager I would probably advise him differently.

West Coast: One win 18 defeats. No Reid, no Allen and no Waterman. If we can't take out these ultra low-flying Eagles, Goodwin's credibility will surely be shot for good. Only a Goodwin team could make a mediocre St Kilda side look like a steamroller cracking nuts.

If Goodwin survives this utter humiliation, it proves that he is unsackable. Maybe only a coordinated fan boycott would bring the board to its senses.

Sorry, but all this praise is nonsensical for a team which has just suffered one of the most humiliating and shameful collapses in the history of Australian rules football, against a dud team at that. My three-word summary would not be printable.

Votes? After that pathetic, gutless, half-hearted, dismal, catastrophic display of ineptitude by the coach and players? Not likely. All I would add is that, based on the first three quarters, Gawn, Pickett, Langford and Fritsch did not deserve to be on the losing side. But even they were putrid in the final demolition quarter.

9-2-56 to 0-4-4. That surely must be the worst quarter ever played by the Melbourne Football Club. And Goodwin just stood there without a clue as to how to stop the avalanche. Surely he can't stay on for next season now.

Nothing left to play for except pride, and suddenly we look like a top-four side again. Magic from Fritsch, Petracca dominant, Oliver lively and Chandler lifting his game. Just forget the (justified) moans about Kellie Underwood, folks, and enjoy the Dees showing a bit of genuine class. Of course, one has to add the caveat that this is Melbourne and there are two quarters to go ..............

If May had been playing for Collingwood we would no doubt have had a different decision.

Round 2: Melbourne 66 North Melbourne 125. What does that say about us?

Two dud teams. We were the bigger duds. Onward and downward we march to the tune of Goody Goody.

Gambling plus sport = corruption. Just take a worldwide look at the many players and officials in cricket, soccer, boxing and even tennis who have been banned for illegal actions related to betting. Organised gambling is often a form of organised crime.

Lever already ruled out, according to the AFL website's injury list.

"I didn't mean to knock him out. I was trying to fracture his sternum". Those weren't Xerri's exact words but they more or less sum up his bizarre defence. Perhaps he isn't the brightest star in the AFL firmament.

Excellent summary. Maybe TMac deserves a special mention as well after his inexplicable recent exile.

Luckily he wasn't 15 metres out directly in front of goal.