burnthefushias

We're definitely better than our worst results this year but you could also argue we're not as good as our best results this year. Our worst results have been abysmal. We still have a reasonably strong nucleus of proven senior players, with some emerging guys, the issue is we're struggling to hide some of their fundamental weaknesses of the group (kicking skills, composure under pressure, goal-kicking accuracy) as the game continues to evolve with an added emphasis on those qualities. Structurally across all areas of the ground we are average and rely on individual brilliance too often. With several tweaks there as well as alterations positionally, we'd have less smashings against NM and GC, better results in Darwin and we could eek out these close games more regularly.

It's hard to beat the umpires but it's harder to beat an average side with below average execution. There were some good signs from some of the younger guys. Pickett is a generational talent, Langford is phenomenal, JVR is presenting and marking again and Jefferson dropped a few easy ones, but clunked a few good ones and worked himself into the game. Let them run the year out and with another pre-season they can both go up a level. Rivers and Langford need to be moved into the midfield, it seems like such an obvious move but it's clearly one that will not happen anytime soon, I think partly because Viney and Oliver lack positional versatility. Very strange that Petracca isn't playing in the forward line more with Pickett able to pick up the slack in the midfield. Having said that, the list is better than what we're dishing up, so I understand why people are disappointed. We need to upgrade Salem to kicking coach because he's one of the few guys (alongside the 19 year old Langford) who can consistently hit that 20 metre kick and the game is heading towards if you can't do that, you're going to struggle to win games.

6: Pickett 5: Fritsch 4: Salem 3: Gawn 2: Rivers 1: Oliver

6: Petracca 5: Langford 4: Melksham 3: Fritsch 2: McDonald 1: Van Rooyen

Jefferson showed some great forward craft for a young player, if he can put on a few kgs and convert more of his opportunities I really think there's a player there

JVR would kick more goals if he could kick it to himself inside 50

I liked his contested mark against Thilthorpe, who is 4th in the competition in contested marks and who himself is a good example that sometimes key forwards take time.

6: May 5: Turner 4: Melksham 3: Pickett 2: Rivers 1: Viney

Goodwin's idea of accountability is still dropping a senior player for a week, they have a subpar game in the twos and are brought straight back into the senior side. It would have been good to see Lever find form before being brought back into the team. Stylistically, it makes more sense to bring McDonald in with the size of Adelaide's forward line, but hopefully I'm proven wrong.

Also Lindsay was captain of the Gippsland Power.

Tholstrup turned 20 a few days ago, not every young player shows what they'll be one and a half years into their careers. He applies good pressure, is effective below his knees and is a strong mark overhead for his size. He also seems to have a great disposition that will lend itself well to him getting the best out of himself. There's enough there to be encouraged about. Between Tholstrup and JVR some Melbourne fans are extremely quick to hit the big red button but I'm not nowhere near that with either of them.

6: Melksham 5: Pickett 4: Petracca 3: Gawn 2: Rivers 1: Viney

There'll definitely be a lot of learnings to take out of this one. Namely not allowing the opposition a 37 point head start on the back of zero structure and effort.

Petty not having been omitted in two years despite poor form at times, and consistently getting games over JVR, is clearly Goodwin playing favourites. It's very unfortunate to see Melbourne prioritising a stop-gap forward over someone who has showed significant upside in that same position, and has to balance that as a back-up ruckman playing 65% game time whenever he does get a senior gig.

6: Gawn 5: Fritsch 4: Pickett 3: Bowey 2: Turner 1: Howes

Petracca, Oliver and Viney: Cannot stop fumbling Inside 50 kicking - Worst in competition Defending ball movement - Outdated zone defense Defenders: Have become fallible Simon Goodwin: Struggles to innovate Goalkicking coach: Pack your bags

Will Schofield asked Luke Jackson about him and Darcy going up against the premier ruckman in the competition in Tristan Xerri, and Jackson began his response with "Yeah, Xerri's probably a top two ruckman in the comp." Made me laugh because we know who Jackson thinks the premier ruckman in the competition is. His future teammate.

A very encouraging 4th quarter for Kalani, this should give him a lot of confidence going forward.

Prasad is averaging 16.5 disposals, 3 marks, 4.5 tackles and has kicked 9 goals in 8 games. He has very good skills, applies pressure and has a strong football IQ. I'm sure Melbourne are keeping a close eye on him. Below is a glowing summary of his last game at TAC Cup level and a reference to his overall consistency across the season. https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025/06/04/scouting-notes-2025-coates-talent-league-round-9/ "The bottom-aged small just continues to get it done week in, week out, checking all the boxes required of a modern day forward. Prasad was hot on the footy, comfortable going against bigger bodies at ground level and in the air to gain possession. He also pressured fiercely around the contest, laying an equal team-high eight tackles. Prasad finished the day with three straight majors, one from a smart run at a forward 50 stoppage, another from a contested mark deep insider 50, and the last by catching an opponent holding the ball near the square."

He's still quite raw but he's a solid athlete, a good size and most importantly a willing competitor. His first few games were really impressive before his form tapered off but there's definitely something there. Apparently there were a few teams interested in him, so I'm glad we were able to lock him in for a few more seasons. The last thing we need is to see another fringe player thrive in different colours before we've really gotten a chance to see what they can do.

Disco showed some impressive albeit irregular flashes as a forward but he has emerged as a very exciting prospect since being moved to defense. Now he's converted those flashes of form into high-level consistently because playing as a defender allows him to utilise his strengths more effectively. In addition to that, the experience of getting to play alongside veterans such as May and Lever is invaluable for Discos development. Petty's future is likely in defense too but as it presently stands, we have more of a need for him as a key forward. He's no Wayne Carey but he does keep defenders honest due to his size and contested marking ability. I feel like him and Melksham in that forward line together give the entire team a bit of an edge. So I voted Petty in the forward line.

Kozzie is our best forward and is also a quality midfielder. He's one of the biggest game breakers in the AFL and if we lost him nothing we'd get back in a trade is coming close to replacing what he does for our football club. If Jackson does return to Victoria, it's not coming via a Kozzie trade and it will either be an extraordinarily messy break up or a hostage situation. Let's hope for the former.

JVR played 60% of game time and half of that was as a second ruckman, as has been the case his entire career. We draft a key with forward with genuine potential and don't allow him to play his natural position for more than 5 minutes each quarter. It's no surprise he's struggling, I'd like to see more from him too but he's clearly being mismanaged.

6: Gawn 5: May 4: Oliver 3: Bowey 2: Turner 1: Fritsch

OUT - Laurie- He's a bit stiff to be honest, he gets omitted because Sharp has proven to be a much better super sub than he is a starting player, and will likely go back into that role with Vineys inclusion. If Viney doesn't pull up, my guess is either Laurie gets a full game or we bring in Tholstrup, who had a strong second half on the weekend and applies good on-ball pressure, which Melbourne completely lack in against St. Kilda. Lever - Very out of form. He isn't anywhere near it physically and is currently a defensive liability while both reading the play poorly and struggling to be accountable for his man. He was rushed back and needs to find form at Casey. Johnson - Is getting suspended. Needs to channel that aggression better. I thought he was decent at times, his impact does seem to go beyond disposal, in part because he of his physicality, but he needs to clean his game up and take his chances. Should have kicked a couple. IN - Viney - Straight back if healthy. Goody does have a habit of rushing his senior players back after lay-offs, so the fact Viney has missed the last month adds more concern. My guess is he'll rotate between midfield and half-forward but what do I know. All the best to Jack. Van Rooyen - He's had two really good weeks at VFL level. He's been outplayed by Jefferson in both games, but I think the best thing for Jeffos development is being allowed to continue his phenomenal form at Casey while he continues to build his body for AFL level. There'll almost certainly be a chance for him very soon if he keeps up his form. JVR has taken 8 contested marks in the last few weeks and seems to be playing with more aggression and confidence so a straight swap for AJ makes sense. We desperately need Roo at his best, so here's hoping he can deliver. McDonald - He should never have been omitted if I'm being frank, he's been Melbourne's most consistent and reliable key defender for the past season and a half and has been dealt the short straw because May and Lever are bigger names. This should honestly be a no-brainer, but I'm not sure Goody has it in him to swing the axe.