wisedog

OUT: ANB IN: MCDONALD If you believe we're our best side with Tom McDonald then we may have to expedite this. If it was any other team other than Brisbane, I would probably leave him out. But as as ludicrous as it sounds, I feel we can afford to carry him through this one if we have to. EDIT: Most of course would believe that a fully fit Tom McDonald makes us a better side. The question is how close he can get to that? Unfortunately, we won't actually know unless we play him.

If we decide to bring in Harmes to negate Neale, perhaps ANB or Spargo goes out. While I shouldn’t judge on one superb quarter - Hunt looked far more potent than ANB across half forward. Together with Harmes, they do offer run and unpredictability. Joel Smith or Van Rooyen probably need to kick 10+ Goals to force any kind of rethink on the forward line. IN: Hunt, Smith (contingent on snagging 10 goals for Casey today. OUT: ANB, Spargo

Enormously important win. Not just for Top 4 calculations but the spirit of the side. Carlton were on. Their pressure when the ball went to ground was better than ours. I’ve never regarded Hunt as a safe player but his coolness under pressure was the single greatest reason we were able to snatch it. Used his run to cut through and deliver repeat forward entries. I don’t think we have another player who offers what he does. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come. Both he and Melksham have played themselves into our Finals Best 22 and I’m really happy for them. I know people are saying we can’t do it this year… and I’ve had the same feeling at times. But when I look at the Top 6… Freo, Brisbane, Sydney have all been similarly erratic. Geelong and Collingwood are by far the most consistent sides heading into finals but have they made their run a bit too early? We’re still a decent chance.

I think we have been trying to pace ourselves, if not physically with training regimens, then certainly mentally. Having said that, it’s not advisable to spend too long in the cruising mindset. ‘Plan A, B, and C’ is a bit of an exaggeration. I really just mean the combination of forward sets ups we have trialled since Tom McDonald has been out.

I haven’t given it away. If we took our opportunities, we would have probably put the game away by 3 quarter time. We just beat Fremantle away from home, and it was only a few weeks ago that Freo were touted as Premiership favourites. #flagmantle Historically, it’s not as if the great Premiership dynasties have finished top of the ladder every year - that’s not what matters. They pace themselves. They do what they need to do to go top 4 and they don’t go too hard too early. I remember Alistair Clarkson rested half his team in one of the final rounds a few years ago. We’ll probably finish top 4 and from there, we know we can beat anyone. Pies are having a dream run. An 11-match streak with an average winning margin of 8 points? Are you serious?! Sooner or later their bubble will burst and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they went out in straight sets. I admit there are worrying signs and the fact that we’re trialling Joel Smith forward would indicate the Club are aware Plan A, B, and C have failed and we now need a better goal-scoring option.

When you're a poor team you probably enjoy the season as a whole. You find enjoyment in a promising young player, an unexpected win, the hope of playing finals. The losses aren't as consequential. The mindset is very different now. Instead of having everything to gain, I feel we have everything to lose. Every team comes at us looking to measure their best against ours and to boast about knocking off the reigning premiers. Supporters and hack journalists celebrate any sign of our decline. I find myself being resentful and petty about opponents - particularly the Bulldogs. I took last week's loss so personally and it gave me pause to consider the place of football in my life. As others have noted, you can also easily find yourself becoming resentful of the players themselves for having the gall to consider their post-football career ahead of glory for the Melbourne Football Club. So no, I haven't enjoyed this season as much as last year because winning the Premiership was so wonderful and I'm holding on for dear life. I hope we can go back to back, but in some ways it would be a relief to join the chasing pack.

I’m actually surprised the possibility of being part of a ‘Premiership dynasty’ has so little appeal for these guys. This is supposed to be the time when contracts sign themselves! We’ve all heard the stories of pacts and even players taking pay cuts to keep the dream alive! To an extent, I can understand a young guy like Jackson being seduced by the attention and offers being put forward by rival Clubs. But a player like Brayshaw? Smart, mature, courageous on field, popular at the Club and with supporters. If even he is considering a move, ostensibly because he’s unhappy with the role he’s been given, it makes me wonder at the culture of our Club. Of course, this is a surface analysis. But we can only go on the words and actions of the players.

The defence withstood immense pressure. Forward line was very effective. It’s a shame we squandered our opportunities forward in the last because that was really the difference. RE: Umpiring. It strongly favoured the Dogs in the 2nd and 3rd. But we pulled ahead several times throughout the night and just couldn’t put them away. It gives me no pleasure to say, but they earned that one.

Sorry to be unclear. By set up, I mean the 1 permanent tall forward and 1 resting ruck/forward.

The 3rd week in a row with this forward set up. I’m interested in what metrics the football department is watching that encourage them to persist with it. I felt slightly lucky to get the win last week. I suppose if we can’t predict where most of our scoring is going to come from, the opposition will be similarly confused. Either way, the result will probably decide if we bring back the 2nd permanent tall or take this setup into September.

Is there any way Tomlinson holds his place when Petty returns? I suppose there simply isn’t a position left for him - unless we tried him as a forward. And honestly, at this point, it seems as good a suggestion as any. I don’t really know how often he was played as a KPF at GWS. From what I gather he was played mainly as a wingman - although he did kick 9 goals at the end of 2018. If somehow, he rose to the challenge like McDonald in 2015? it would also give us the flexibility of having a capable defender to cover any mid-game injuries to Petty, May or Lever. Wishful thinking. Either way, I hope we at least bring back a tall forward. IN: Petty, Oliver OUT: Bedford, Sparrow

I think one of the reasons we hold out hope for Sam were his performances at the end of 2018 season - the finals in particular. Elimination final against the Cats is by far his best game. 24 disposals, 7 marks, 3 goals, 4 tackles, 1 HO He’s athletic and mobile and comfortable playing up the ground. IF Luke Jackson is to leave, perhaps Weidemann serves the club best by working on his ruck craft over the Summer and taking over this role. Given Gawn’s recent comments about his best position being a ruck/forward it’s probably his best opportunity to extend his career in a meaningful way. I like Sam. The way the players talk about him suggest he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body - and perhaps that’s part of the problem.

IN: JVR, Laurie, Hunt OUT: Bowey, Bedford, Spargo From reports, JVR has outperformed Weideman over the last two weeks at Casey. If we’re at the point of playing three small forwards ahead of Mitch Brown or Weideman, then we really have nothing to lose. Laurie also seems to have earned his opportunity. Eager to see what these two can do.

Massively satisfying win. It genuinely felt like every marginal decision would be called or not called in Adelaide’s favour. Has there ever been a player as likeable as Tex Walker? When he started leaning into tackles like Weightman, it took my affection to a whole new level. - Petracca looking much more confident and dynamic. -Langdon’s run was massively important responding to Adelaide in the last quarter.

This is the season defining game. We've had a really bad run lately - leaks from the top, senior players punching on, contract delays with Jackson and 3 losses in a row to top 8 sides. The media is keen to push the narrative of the season coming off the rails. During our 10 game streak, I was quietly hoping we would drop a few games, simply to allow the side to recalibrate and and surge towards the end of the season. I also felt it would be incredibly difficult for us to sustain mentally. Having said that, the losses have gone beyond what I was expecting, and we desperately need to right the ship. So this week I can handle a close loss, particularly if we look to be working through our issues forward of centre. However a bad loss would be devastating as we dispatched the Lions easily last season. It will really be undeniable indication of where we're at. Out: Turner, Gawn In: Weid, May Whatever the result, I predict an absolutely massive game from Viney. His on field leadership in the absence of Gawn will be huge.

Out: M Brown Turner Sparrow In: Weid May Hunt Weid playing higher up the ground. Ben Brown close to goals. We simply have to make this work. They are the most experienced and the most capable. I don’t think we can afford to experiment with defenders or throw a teenager down there and expect him to hold down a key position for the remainder of the season and finals. Ben Brown and Weid are our best options and they need to figure out how to play together and play within the team. Salem as the best field kick in the side higher up the ground too - given the abysmal entries into the F50 recently. Brayshaw stays in defence. Hunt on a wing. The fringe players pre-2021 seem to be reverting. Harmes, ANB, Sparrow, Hunt all took a big step last season but haven’t looked like it recently. I don’t know what can be done about that but I’m relieved this is happening now and not round 17. We have time but we absolutely need a plan.

The greatest relief is the timing. We know the bones of the side are the best in the league. We have 10 weeks to find the right combination and for key players to find form. If I were an opposition supporter, I’d be annoyed this slump occurred now and not later in the season. The forward line is a big concern. We badly need Ben Brown to perform as he did at the end of 2020 - the question is whether you allow him to find form at Melbourne or Casey. This time last season, Weidemann and Brown were trading places and it looks like the same thing is happening. If McDonald is a longterm injury the equation is different and I wonder if Weidemann would play more freely if he knew his place in the side wasn’t so vulnerable. (Obviously, not the ideal mindset for an elite athlete). Petty seemed to drift to CHF last night and seemed comfortable: Perhaps not the answer but worth experimenting with in the same way we did with Tom McDonald 4-5 years ago. IN: Weidemann, May, Hibberd OUT: B Brown, M Brown, Hunt

Interesting after following this club for over 25 years how different it feels to be a Melbourne supporter right now. It's great to have success, but the success has also given rise to a new feeling - relevance. In the weeks after the Grand Final when I overheard footy conversations, I was struck that people not only knew the names of our players - but to hear the WAY they spoke about our players. To hear them speak about Petracca, Oliver and Gawn with that same reverence usually reserved for the likes of Judd, Ablett and Dangerfield, is not something I was used to. We've had many great players in my time supporting Melbourne, but I felt I always had to make a case for them and whatever I said about Yze, Robertson or Neitz would always be met with dubious eye rolls. Increasingly, Melbourne players are front and centre of newspapers, referenced in commercials and random media snippets, celebrities who never seemed to be footy fans are suddenly loud and proud Melbourne supporters. Obviously, this can't go on forever. And these stars will eventually retire, but I sincerely hope that something from this period can be captured and embedded into the fabric of the Club for a long time to come - so even when we do fall down the ladder, we know what it takes to climb up again and know we will. There is no real blueprint to attaining this level of success - it's really that mysterious thing we loosely refer to as 'culture'. It instructs people what to do and what to expect without having to say it. It's probably one of the most important thing there is.

I became a father a few weeks ago. Baby and a Granny in the same year. I think I need to consult an astrologist. I had to wait 34 years for a flag. This kid only had to wait 8 weeks!

I’d like to acknowledge my uncle Philip Thompson. He loved Melbourne dearly. When I was a boy we talked about Melbourne often. What I realise now is they were probably the first conversations with an adult where I didn’t feel like I was being talked down to. You wanted me to feel at ease and to hear what I had to say. That really is the epitome of a gentleman. You’re dearly missed Phil and I know you and Charles were with us in spirit.

I would hate to lose to Geelong more than GWS. But I would also take greater pleasure in beating Geelong. Losing to Geelong would be a souring footnote to the round 23 win and it would change the way I think about that game. As it was probably my happiest sporting experience in recent memory I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen. But part of me also says that’s a defeatist frame of mind. We should want to play the best team and expect to win. And we are that good that we should expect to win.

I remember a few years ago Taylor Walker trained in an Indigenous guernsey out of solidarity with Eddie Betts after he was abused by a spectator. It seemed like empty virtue signalling at the time and that appears to be the case. Reminds me of Eddie Maguire taking the AFL to task for allowing Tom Jones to sing Delilah at the Grand Final... only to then publicly joke about drowning Caroline Wilson.

I was disappointed Fritsch didn’t take the set shot late in the last. From memory we were a goal in front as he lined up. Even if he kicked a behind it would have probably been enough to get the win. It was a bit of worrying result but I’m probably more relieved than disappointed. The footy world wouldn’t have let us live it down if we lost and the 2 points will be important at the end of the year.

Anyone who grew up in male environments knows this sort of thing is pretty common. It's obviously an in-joke and I have no real issue with the act itself. However, as others have said, I would expect far greater professionalism on match day and given the way we dropped the ball in the 4th quarter, it's easy to connect the disrespect shown towards the coach and our performance. But surely, if there is a story here it's not about consent or predatory behaviour, the story is why it's a joke for straight males to pretend to have homosexual interests? To be clear, this isn't something that worries me (unless Twitter decides it's something that should worry me) I'm just surprised that angle hasn't been covered yet.