Dee*ceiving

Not just this issue Dante, several (I am sad to say). The camel's back is broken, we can't look away any longer

The media's treatment of us is but one of the biggest problems the club has failed to fix. In fact, I'd suggest whatever they have tried to do (outside of Max's efforts) has only made things worse.

The club we love is a raging tire fire at the moment, and yes a lot of that has to do with media sensationalism but that in itself is a major failure of the club over the last 2-3 years. Our communication has and is diabolical. We gain zero control of any narratives. When our leaders speak only Max takes ownership and conveys confidence that he knows we need to do better and convinces me that he'll actually try. Goodwin tries to do this but blathers about learnings, but with him I have sympathy because he needs to remain trusted by the playing group and I feel like he is working extremely hard. Pert has clearly failed on many fronts: way too many leaks to the media unable to control a narrative fails to ensure adequate communication witht the playing group still no home base Roffey has been largely unseen and made it clear yesterday that at best she is an absent and vaguely interested leader who is available if someone needs her...PLEASE! Sadly, after a lot of hard work and an amazing outcome in 2021 we pretty much started sliding down hill abou 4 months later. Some unfortunate events have conspired against us but the slide has picked up enough speed to reach the bottom of the hill and burst into flames.

I think it means we'll play at least 2 but no more than 3 of the other bottom six teams twice. So it could be that we play a: total of 7 games v the other bottom 6 teams (5 first up + 2 returns) or total of 8 games v bottom 6 teams (5 first up + 3 returns)

Agree entirely. I honestly hope your weekends don't become entirely free between March and September every year but I worry they might...

👍 Not only that but where's the persecution of the Collingwood club Dr?

Great posts, nailed it No10. Disgusted by this tactic of Moore's Broke Jarrad Witt's vertrebrae only a month or so after doing this to Tracc. Disgraceful it didn't raise a mention. Steve May would have been brought before a magistrate Further on Moore, did he stay on the ground for sometime before coming off or am I mistaken?

The draftees have been pretty good since 2021, 2022 looks a bit thin at the moment but hopes are still there for Jeffo but the trades have been disasterous. 2021 JVR & McVee ✔️ 2022 Jefferson ❓ 2023 Windsor & Tholstrup ✔️ Pretty sure we haven't had the salary cap space to attract above average to very good players 2021 to 2023. Even Grundy who was high priced came with Collingwood paying a big chunk. Prior to 2021 Bernie Vince and Jordan Lewis were good in's for the time, leading to Hibberd and Melksham, then Brown, Lever, May and Langdon = flag!

Good call on Brown. In hindsight though with what we saw from Ben in 2022 - 2024 we were fortunate to have the BBB we did for those last 3 games of 2021. That mid season mini pre-season was a masterstroke. No fault of Ben's but he wasn't able to get his knee right since.

Fritta was frustrating for a big chunk of the year but when you look at the stats 41 goals is a good return. He played a majority of the season with Petty at CHF unable to do a job, though he was much better the last 6 games IMO, JVR in the ruck also causes a problem for Fitsch as he gets the number defender who is often much bigger. Jack Billings 4 goals 8 behinds. Played 16 games this year, that would be too many next year We weren't full of elite ball users but, Angus definitely above average. Salem was 2 levels better than now and was definitely and elite kick at the time. Salo also lost a yard or two since then IMV. Bowey was a deft kick out of the backline and Harmes had his peak year. A pretty good kick, tough and strong overhead. Sparrow should be at that level by now, but isn't. Our tall forwards were also better set shots than what we have now, BBB and TMac. This is leadership!

TMac & Tracc?

Plus they blew a golden chance to stick a knife in Carlton. Agree with others Jackson hasn't turned out to be a surperstar, he might still though, very young in ruck terms. How much had Gawny achieved before turning 23? We didn't really need him to a superstar, just competetive in the ruck and around the ground. He was the perfect foil for Max, faster, good at ground level and enthusiastic. As a one / two punch they would grind every other ruck pairing into the turf.

A lot of work to do but 11 wins after a disasterous end to 2023, unrelenting media pressue, the retirement of Gus, Loss of Smith and lack of preseasons for Oliver, Petty and a few others it's somewhat remarkable it didn't turn out worse. Particularly when you add in injuries to May, Lever, Salem, Tracc and Gawn. Hopefully the spirit we saw in the first 10 rounds is the real Melbourne despite the pressure that was put upon them and it just became to hard to fight against the wind in the second half of the season once injuries mounted amid continued media pressure.

On Petty I wonder if it would be worth trialling him as a 4th tall defender? Could he do a job on small/medium forward? Does he have sufficient pace/dexteriety to match and then use his strength & height as an advantage? If he could play that role, could TMac then be a relief ruck option from out of the backline (or maybe too much to ask...)?

Any opportunity to leave the filth disappointed & desolete must be taken

Great highlights. Wow, different times but a kings ransom for an 87 goal forward in 2025! Can't believe when his height and weight stats popped up he was only 82 kg. Surely that was what he he weighed on his first day at the Demons (and the scales were broken).

Goody was pretty clear in the presser. We'll do everything we can to beat the Pies on Friday. Resting ANB, playing Hunter etc, doesn't improve our chances of winning. Personally I win or lose I really hope the boys play with agression and positivity. We were manhandled and bullied on KB, IMV. Hard but fair.

Jake lever on SEN 21/8/24 https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/08/20/what-petracca-told-his-melbourne-teammates-and-how-the-playing-group-reacted/

Yes, atrociuos

Best of luck Staff. Successful or not I am sure he tried his hardest. 11 years in one place in AFL football is an eternity

I'd be pleased with that if fences can/have been mended

I'd support the wildcard if it reduced the length of the H&A season. A widcard weekend of 4 teams would at least save 3 otherwise meaningless games

Billings has another year on his contrac as does Fullarton. TMac will sign on for 1 more I reckon, why wouldn't both parties want that after this year> Known exists: Gus Smith ANB BBB Hunter Schache Maybe exits Tomlinson - suspect he'll look elsewhere but will stay if insufficient interest? Sestan - has he shown enough to stay on the list, perhaps retained in a rookie spot? Re-signings: AMW (to main list from rookie) Melksham +1 (not sure if we can rookie again or needs to move to main list?) TMac +1 Hore +1 K Brown Kentfield Verrall KFW (not sure if we can rookie again?)

I think AMW comes in and Juddy spends more time in the midfield.

Clever & fast!