Redleg_Knowledge

You've got the hand of memes! I commend you for it!

Yes, we know you think you're the Clark Kent/Superman of Demonland old mate! No need to keep posting that!

Yeh, but that's the podcast and binman for you! Stats are all that matters! Player ratings, statistics about workrate and a constant cycle of conversation around the demonland hot topics, 'fitness and injury'. I suggest supporters look and listen to Jordan Lewis' observations from 'on the couch' the other night about us. Sums all there is to sum up in about 5 mins! I fact, I'd implore the podcast panel to watch too if they haven't.

That can change very quickly over an off-season so I wouldn't worry that we have no picks right now. I mean, there's a reality out there that Pickett leaves end of year as well as one of a handful of our big name players. A hell of a lot to play out.

Something to continue to look forward to this year along with Lindsay. Well done Harvey.

It's a classic rock and a hard place situation for us. Been playing a certain style for so long with a list built from the ground up to dominate that style. We snatched a flag but the game has moved quicker than we would have liked from that style. Adapting a game-plan whilst trying to manage a list can't be fun. And again, I don't buy that McVee and Windsor will suddenly be the magic fix for us. As we've seen the last two rounds, our issues run deeper than only our inability to move the ball with strong decision making and execution of skills. (Contest and clearance being the main one). One thing I cannot understand is Godwin's approach to 'fix' some of our ball movement issues through the midfield and half forward line. As examples, Langdon's move to the middle, Sharp's inclusion and Viney to half forward. Disregarding Trac, Oliver, Sparrow and River's poor ball use, the positional moves of the above and the ANB replacement for a like-for-like player do absolutely nothing to fix our connection issues and ball use either. And I don't think this has been spoken about enough. Frankly, as tough as it may have been, I believe that Goody hasn't made dlhard enough calls and I think this is down to the fact that he's so close to a core group of players. Double edged sword for a coach. Having Viney, Langdon, Sharp, Trac, Oliver, Sparrow and Rivers all playing through the middle to forward half of the ground is our biggest issue, period. You simply cannot rely on that group of players to consistently execute with ball in hand, it's been our single biggest issue for years and now that the game is moving so quickly into transition, efficiency of ball movement, being clean and an ability to finish, we are being completely left behind. OBVIOUSLY, Pickett, Windsor and McVee will improve us. But it's not enough, especially given the fact that two of those players will be playing in defence. You look across the competition at the best teams atm and they have a variety of players throughout the middle and forward half of the ground with a fantastic blend of attributes and skill-sets that compliment each other. We simply don't. And we have a core group of players who are all poor in the same area. The end of this season will be the most interesting and difficult off-season in my view because I can't see us doing anything other than letting go some champions of the club in order to stay ahead and competitive before Tassie come in. One of Trac or Oliver. Fritch and possibly Pickett (which will be an enormous loss). I think a new Coach will be necessary too to breath life into the club going forward because it is as clear as day right now that our players are simply not playing for him.

He got monstered by Rowell as well. Didn't show anywhere near the desperation Rowell did both at ball and man and Rowell left Clarry in his wake on multiple occasions at centre bounce.

You're using a Hollywood movie to try and prove that a coach and list aren't linked?

You're speaking as if list and coach are separate entities. Which they're not. The coach is at the top of the tree when deciding type of player required for game-plan, player selection, player position and list changes. (Obviously there are others who also contribute to these decisions but the coach has the blueprint). And perhaps the most important element of coaching is having the players playing for him. Being able to inspire and bring out the best of his players on game-day. Improving the list or rather our inability to have improved the list also falls on Goodwin. Is that not obvious?

I'm of the opinion that you would rather have him sign that contract than leave. And this is especially so give the what was going on behind the scenes with Trac, Oliver and Kosi in the off season. The issue is not the contract. The issue will be if Goodwin continues to play Viney and any other seriously underperforming senior player due to the fact that he's a 'relationships' coach. Unfortunately for Vine's, if he's not at his uncompromising and physical best at the coal face, he is rendered useless. The fact that Goody is trying to play him forward is a worrying sign. We've never seen Goody drop underporming senior players. So I'm expecting more chair shuffling on a sinking ship. The problem is, if senior players continue to underperform whilst playing senior footy, Goody will be kissing his contract goodbye. I have no idea where this club will be in four weeks time in regards to coach. But to me, the signs are not looking good.

To me, today clearly shows that Goodwin is losing the players. Our most senior and experienced players. It was beyond putrid. Effort, skill, execution. Just unbelievable.

Your words will fall on deaf ears. Some ppl on here just refuse to believe that there may be a reality out there that suggests we're not on the right path. And you're quoting the king of them!

Except for the fact that he is the one in charge of the list and all that..

And Viney's kick who just had a completely open Sharp inside 50 but hit a gold coast player? Let me know!

@Adam The God What influence would Windsor and McVee have had on Langdon's entry into the 50 just then? Please let me know.

What are you on about. I stated that all teams have injuries and using it as the main excuse for our losses is ridiculous. And outside of those missing players, we have a core group who make the same errors consistently. And that's the group I'm referring to. And I don't think Goodwin has done enough to add to our list. You may think it's enough, but we've seen what we're seeing now in this game for how long? Connection, skills, decision making. It's the recurring nightmare. Something has to give.

Well I've seen this movie 1,000 times before under Goodwin.

It's always been that way, what do you mean you don't know what's happened?

Fair call. By 'staying ahead', I'm also referring to game style. Not just where we finished on the ladder. I just don't think we've made enough of a shift post 23' finals exit. But I know plenty of others believe we've made significant changes to game plan. Each to their own. Many of the same issues have been plaguing us for years.. And those cracks are big big cracks now.

These discussions will vary supporter to supporter depending on the level of individual attachment/bias the supporter has to a player. Some great posts and a lot of what has been said by Neil and GS I agree with as well as the objective views of those in the media who do have a clue. Whilst playing without McVee, Windsor and Pickett hasn't been ideal, it's been overblown by some. Like it is most years. And now rather than missing May, Trac or Oliver, supporters are using McVee, Windsor and Pickett as a main reason for losses. Injuries happen to every club every year and demonlanders seen to give it so much airtime year-in, year-out. If you have a strong system and your players bring energy and zest every game, a few injuries here and there can be covered, (see Hawthorn, Collingwood, Brisbane etc). We simply do not have a strong system and our best players are underperforming two rounds into a brand new season. Whether it's ultra conservative and predictable kick-outs to Max Gawn, years of recruiting competitive and contested ball winners/runners with a penchant for panic kicking the ball forward or playing underdone players consistently (Spargo being the most recent) and ALL THAT in between, I think it's obvious that Goodwin just has not been ruthless enough with this group post 21 to stay with the leading pack and we're suffering the consequences of his stubborn approach. Good luck trying to consistently get quality ball inside 50 with Viney, Langdon, Sparrow, Trac, Oliver, (Sharp) replacing ANB etc. For every one game that it clicks, there a five that don't. That's just a product of having players who aren't naturally great kicks and decision makers with ball in hand. Goody has put too much faith into a group of very similar players to execute something they simply cannot on a consistent basis. It's like asking fish to jump. And the most frustrating thing is hearing him spit out the same thing in press conferences as he has for four years now. And I mean EXACTLY the same thing.

You live in an MFC bubble so obviously you're going to think the club are the only ones being attacked. Meanwhilleeeee Carlton and Essendon are being battered by the media.. And for those who insist on believing that Collingwood are the media darlings.. Give it a rest! How do ppl forget the De Goey story.. The Buckley issues, the Treloar and Stephenson fire sale and shambles? They were in headlines for all the wrong reasons non-stop a few years ago. The media circus moves in cycles along with the teams that yoyo up and down. It is absolutely hilarious that Melbourne supporters genuinely believe we have it worse than any other side going through the [censored]! Ha!

But to get back on topic, some great discussion on here with some thoughtful, unbiased analysis of our coach and team which is refreshing to hear on a forum that has become increasingly anti-negative anything MFC related.

No. I said, "to THINK that is borderline delusional". Not, "YOU are delusional". A clear and obvious difference.

You could have shown this stay three years ago and it would have read no different. Viney and Sparrow are major culprits of butchering and bombing long over the journey. Trac also has that tendency but when he is concentrating, he can compose himself. Simple fact is we have too many who cannot use the ball. That is literally all it is. Kicking and decision making.

I didn't call you delusional, but okay.. Clearly I've struck a nerve. Happy to not interact, but I think it's fair to point out that your word is opinion and not second hand info from players due to the fact you attend training.