layzie

Really good observations. I couldn't agree more, I do see some reasons why we've been doing the folding back zone as it was probably a protective strategy in answer to the run and carry and line breaking we were seeing from opposition teams midway through 22. It has also likely been continued as a sort of cover for not having Petty there however this has produced another issue: We've conceded a lot of scores this year from hack kicks out of the backline to a pack on the wing or centre and if that ball gets to the back of the pack there is a lot of room for them to run into, make leads, be creative with ball movement etc. When the ball is in dispute in the area between centre and half back, this is the most nervous I get in a game right now. In 2021 we made the ground feel very small for opposition teams, the presence of our players closer and up in their face made it feel this way. Again I understand why we've altered this but I agree when you say this is almost inviting more problems when teams have more time and space to just 'play it around'. In addition to this I heavily favour point 1 as it allows the ball to be in the opposition's hands a lot longer. I say this quite often but you do more running without the ball than with it and while it can be boring and get groans from the crowd, I would like to see us aim to keep possession a bit more during the course of a game. Make the opposition do some running and test their patience. You've already nailed this with what you've said so I'm not adding a lot but this is the challenge the coaches will be facing. We can only back them to get it right.

Nice one Josh! And WCW!

Thanks for these WOR. I'm still getting a feel for the website and can't find stats such as the pressure ratings on there, am I looking in the right spot or are these premium stats you do for us DLers? 🙂

For the players I think there is more evidence that achieving the ultimate success has positive effects. Geelong and Richmond broke through and the all round confidence and mentality went to a new level. Then you look at us, it is still only 2 and a half years ago when we were hell bent on making finals and getting that experience into our list, top 4 finishes were in another stratosphere. We break through and suddenly wins are more common than not, we replicate a 9 win start in 21 and better it in 22 to finish 2nd and now this year despite some doubts are still a shot at that sweet top 4 again. Sure you do have a bigger target painted on your back but the way we've handled it and the leaps and bounds this list has come are something everyone should be so proud of. As supporters though, I think there is a good point. We're all in unchartered territory and at times probably have no idea how to act. I thank the level headed people on this forum as even when some of us are tearing our hair out we are looking to you guys for that ray of sunlight in it all. It's very tough and everyone would have a different take on it. Some want to bank the wins early and get really hurt with a loss because they want to setup the season as best as possible, some realise the marathon nature of a season and aren't as fazed, and some might have another view altogether. Every now and then someone will come on here and mentions that it is unfamiliar territory but to just enjoy the ride as much as possible because it will end someday. You don’t want to be down the bottom again and feeling like you didn’t enjoy those times enough, I find these to be really helpful reminders. But I don’t believe this thread was meant to be about supporters so apologies.

Not a bad carpet salesman himself ole Gil.

And Donald Trump was still just a reality TV show host! And a billionaire obviously.

Not going to tell the guy to retire or not but boy it's hard to watch.

Good stuff BBP, I had a few poor choices of words myself on Sat. I'd like to see how much time McVee spent guarding Schultz as he was pretty quiet.

5/7. It was a pretty big news story to come out of thin air though and a bigger kerfuffle of an investigation by the AFL.

We like it

I don't doubt that for a second!

This makes more sense to me than a Mckay or Ben King suggestion. Himmelberg has proven to be a really handy swingman and we are crying out for another Petty type. Two have those two and even possibly alternate them back and forward would keep teams guessing. It would depend on how much he's asking and our backline system takes time to learn but I think he'd be one of the better fit free agents out there.

This season it has seemed very difficult to get a game onto our terms. What we've tried to implement over the off season is likely exactly how we want to play but for whatever reason week to week we are just unable to get this happening. On the weekend it was Freo with their very organised back six and some relentless pressure in the middle of the park. I still think they have the firepower in the front half to really scare anyone but on this day what they did was enough to get it done. The unpredictability that player changes make has not had a great effect, as you said having Max go down early and then have to play with Grundy after his second game threw everything out of whack. Its having an effect in the opposition as well, when Darcy goes down or Port go in with no name and disruptor ruckmen. I feel like if both sides are at full strength Melbourne has a better chance than if the opposition is missing a few and we have to adapt to the unknown.

Agree, there are times in the game where I feel we just need to hang on to possession for a bit. We're a bit on the manic side at the moment where the ball is always in motion and we get caught out of position a lot more on the counter.

You are more than welcome to say something @Rhino Richards as opposed to repeatedly facepalming my posts from the cheap seats..

Thought that was Cripps with a headset on. Maybe giving advice.

I'm ok with that as long as it's not the coach. Can't remember the last time a team 'did it' for a board member.

Not bad at all, something to consider next time one thinks about making a club donation or buying coterie raffle tickets.

How much is a DA membership? Out of curiosity.

Not saying you're wrong but Saturday seemed to be a game where we just needed that little extra.

Questions in advance: - Does Grundy train? - Is Oliver going to do the similar run through work to last week and does it look like the loads are increasing? - Are there many ground ball drills and 'in close' stuff? - Is BBB or Schache out there?

I'm not watching Robbo this week.

Well, maybe we can learn. Myself included.

I have to agree with Binman on this OD. On Saturday when we were storming back in the last the crowd was doing everything they could to urge the team on, it was a game of inches and the little things looked like they could make the big difference. I don't know how much louder the crowd would have been with an extra 5-10K but it could have helped us over the line on that particular day.

Sorry mate. The pain is unbearable in these times, chin up.