beelzebub

And maybe I need to repeat myself. I'm neither negative nor pessimistic. I'm realistic. I don't drink the Koolaid that's de rigueur around here for many. Collingwood is a brand unto themselves. Well done filth. I envy them. But they HAVE tasted real success in modern football. Richmond have a very parochial following born out of their actual suburb and identifying withe the Punt Road ideal. We suffer as we have no real home, no real roots,no real anything anymore. Whenever we've put something out there...I E an item ( emphasis on AN) Of clever marketing or promotional verve...it's left orphaned. Ridiculous. Amateurish really. If Pert wants 70k ( plus ) two things are required.... Real success, and creating an identity that has meaning. So far we have neither... that's just what is.

It's not hysterical to be realistic. That we are somewhat advanced numbers wise this year is only a reflection of the carry over effect of last season. Well probably end up with about 55 K this season which is certainly not shabby for a bunch of skiers. Also a reality is if we don't play finals this year then the momentum will stop ( for now ) and you'll struggle to repeat this year's figures. Why ? Because people are people and money is money. Off-field membership is effectively a barometer of of on-field success. Ask anyone in sales...the hardest sell is the repeat sell.

There's no $ in this thread...ok...none

Problem isn't this year so much. A lot signed up upon expectations. Come EOS ...and if no success... Good luck signing as many so quickly.

The context of both is surely opportunity. Should have been around 25 against Ess. We managed to do ok in a final against a team that we had struggled against. Horses...courses.

Might we kick more...if there were more there capable of kicking them, of making efforts to do so rather than focusing on defence.

Here in lays a problem to me. Much of this approach...this over emphasis of 'defensive' pressure in our FORWARD arc is a bit arze about to me, always has been. It seems to assume the priority in our attack zone is to defend. No, the priority is to attack. The priority is to create opportunities to score. Preuss does this. Small defending forwards don't. Always thought this a tactical anachronism.

Would that be a Jackaroo Court ?

Just makes you wonder why we waited til round 4 .....

What....we have to wait til then for snow !!! Quelle horreur !!!!!!!!

I have to ask, though I appreciate sounding like a scratchy 45 going around and round. We've had plenty of opportunities to get this type of player, but we went for the hard inside types as that's the style. Would it not require a distinct change in direction for our FD to prioritise this kind of player ?

What...a plan B ?

Serious question. Nothing is different now going into round 4 re rules as it was going into round 1 Why wait til now to adapt ?

According to Goodwin he'll stay on the wing ? .. because he's so good there !! ??

If he's any good ( really ) Dew will try to keep him. If he doesn't...we probably don't want him

Always go the banana.

The honest answer is no-one really knows. The problem, as such with chunk , since that very first game I saw against North , is that he's a see ball get ball type. Nate doesn't play a very complex style. He's a meat and three veg in and under inside mid. Occasionally he finds the sticks which always surprises me as he can hardly ever find a team mate with a properly weighted pass. But he is Melbourne through and through and he's been there when it counted. Unfortunately...the game is going past him at a great rate of knots . He's gone from reliable (in a fashion ) to liability. Funny thing is he's still plays a more accountable game than some, and that's saying something !! I guess Jones gets to play until someone really pushes him aside. That might be season's end at that might be it. Season's heading for a bust anyway. I honestly have no idea where he should play now. I'm not sure it matters.

noted, hence my suggesting "a stepping up " Like yourself perhaps...I'm not seeing it...just love the notion that he might be able to. It'd be a focus for him. At least it would enable Jones to bow out meaningfully. As present he's a liability.

@Lucifer's Hero spot on. He still has one very important role to play...something he in a fashion will need to step up to..Be THAT on field General. Rally the troops and taps on the bum ( sts ).. keep the lads interested and focused out there. He's a few yards behind the game now but he can surely invoke players to strive, even when things seem dead against you. He has proved quite resilient. He can pass this on. Please

Have said it elsewhere...but am concerned that soft tissues might be an ongoing problem with him now. Hope not. Also even when May. Or Lever get back on the paddock. They'll not be cherry ripe or at 100% effectiveness. We've got some distasteful pain ahead...again MFC....the Groundhog Club !!

yep...fully respect that..cheers

out of curiosity....when did he go north ?

It concerns me a little that whatever overtraining he immersed himself into to GET fit hasn't set him up for continuing soft tissue niggles. GC players in the main seem quite fit I'd say .

A tale of two cities also. Melbourne.. seemingly on the cusp of achievement, GC rebuilding and redesigning it's game. Dew would be looking 2-3 years before repeat finals action and such. Melbourne thought it just needed icing the cake. Seems the cakes stale and tasteless and the icing a bit thin . Im just sitting over here watching. Have no real expectations of May now. Just hope he can play a bit.

It might be a little premature to call this one but it certainly doesn't have the feel about that I was hoping for. Was hoping for someone of very good ability, very good stewardship and raring to go. At the very least I thought he'd be on the paddock. So far....not so good