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Guys, take a breath... This is going to happen all year. On one week, off the next. I'm not saying individual players should be free of criticism but we collectively hit the wall today - it's been a big 4 weeks. A young developing team with a sprinkle of older guys under a new coach isn't going to find consistency in year 1. Essendon played us beautifully today, they prepared better than us and deservedly got the 4 points. BUT, what they did won't win them a premiership. IMO King has a modern blueprint gameplan for a premiership but it will take years to perfect and it will also separate the wheat from the chaf on our list as time goes on. Max isn't getting any younger and we are going from one of the most static game styles to one of the most dynamic year on year. 2026 is the beginning of a transitional period for MFC. We need to build our tanks, our mental fortitude, our professionalism, our connection and, most importantly, our standards. Untill we have set a baseline, we will continue to be picked off in games like today as we focus on establishing our game style in the early stages. Next year I expect King to focus more on the specific opposition leading up to game day like Essendon did to us today. More pain to come next week but you only truely learn against the best.

This loss was not unexpected, it just sucks that it's Essendon ... again. We looked tired after an energetic month, and have relied on a few individuals to dominate. On top of that we were a bit predictable and didn't play to the conditions. They also targetted Gawn like teams do. We were there for the taking today. The reality is though, King will get more out of this game going forward than if we just scrambled a small win. He needs to see how our players perform in all conditions and circumstances and learn how to change up the game style when required. He is developing along with the players. Big picture.

Saw a bit of the training session at SAFC. Reasonably light session. Thankfully the bad weather held off, there was a heavy storm earlier. The players were in high spirits, doing the rounds with the crowd, selfies and autographs etc.. Go Dees.

Droppping Rivers hasn't been the difference here, obviously, but it's still an early learning opportunity for King. Not only did we lose an experienced player in a light bodied and developing team but he's set a silly precedent now - most the team should be dropped after this performance if Rivers was fair game. I like what King wants to do with game style and accountability but he just needs to temper it a bit in the early stages, dropping Rivers after R2 was dumb.

Adam Kingsley is about as 'no nonsense' as coaches get. Things might be cocky and rosey now, but after Oliver cops his first mega-spray, and it will happen, he is going to get a major wake up call. At some point it might actually sink in what a ride he had under Goodwin.

I have nfi if this is good use of P12 or not. My only thought at this stage is (IMO) LP has better chance at integrating/oerforming in a 'King gameplan' (attacking) than a 'Goodwin gameplan' (possession terriitory over-defensive tripe).

I get more of a 'Daniel Cross' vibe. Best is behind him and let go for a reason by a team in their 'window' but offers value to a team in a re-set - both on field and off. Valuable leadership, experience, team first attitude and work ethic for our younger players to absorb. We could have done much worse given what we traded for him.

Will we use 37 or trade it for a F2 or something else?

A future 3rd never looked so good.

To anyone in the know, has he played most of his career in defence? Including juniors? Could he possibly cut it on the wing?

If Trac has any good grass recipes he'll be Rowell's best mate. On a more serious note though, all the best to him for the future. Red and Blue gun. Instrumental in No. 13. Gave it everything on the park. Absolute beast to watch in his prime. Would have been nice if he was a one club player but his priorities didn't align. That's life. End of an era but I'm glad we can all now move on.

It's sad that it has come to this but I think, as a supporter/member, I'll move on pretty quickly. He'll no doubt play a blinder against us next year but it's big picture time now for MFC so short term pain is acceptable. I understand the shock factor he had but he seems to have a low EQ. Also, watching some of his antics in change rooms after games (on TV) had me scratching my head at times. Lads will be lads but shoving a theragun up your clacker for a laugh is 18yr old stuff not 28. Either way, for his sizeable contribution to our first flag in 57 years, I wish him all the best and thank him for his service.

The process itself seems quite robust with what I think is a successful outcome - in so far as due diligence and selecting a very strong applicant. The era of the experienced senior coach mantra is fading as the game evolves rapidly. So many first time senior coaches feature now in the AFL - at top tier clubs no less. I have nothing against Buckley or his personal process in applying but the club had it's own process and stuck to its guns. Furthermore they seem pretty stoked in getting King. As far as first time senior coaches go, King has top tier credentials. I think some of the obsession with Buckley, stemmed from an irrational notion that the club somehow needed 'saving'. Reality is we didn't. We just needed a new senior coach along with a review of operations which usually happens in tandem with that hiring process. The club went about it respectfully and diligently. I just wonder if Buckley liked the idea of coaching Melbourne more than actually committing. Not a criticism just a thought. King, on the other hand comes across as not only a very high calibre football person but importantly focused on the job and club. This doesn't mean guaranteed success but it's a critical starting point. Lastly, for S McClure to label the process as "shoddy" is not only petulant, but also insulting to the club and the high calibre people involved in the process. McClure continues to embarrass himself in his never ending quest for relevance.

Hopefully the media can stfu for 5 minutes as well.

Absolutely true. Performing poorly and being unwatchable aren't necessarily the same thing. Our game day attendances have also dropped off significantly. We've played a frustrating, over defensive, counter-productive, energy sapping game style for too long and it has caught up with us. So much wasted effort for so little reward on the score board. Nobody wants to watch that [censored] anymore and I dare say the players have had enough of it too. The age of the 'expected score' is hopefully over.

This is what happens when you become unwatchable.

Thank God the Goodwin era is over. He conditioned this group into a lovey, huggy, learnings group of chokers. Yet another loss decided by a kick - quite a fitting way to end the season. No skills, system or composure under pressure or in red time. Every time it is close we just can't execute basic, logical football. Unfortubately Goodwin did this. We can isolate players and moments here and there but this [censored] is synonymous with Melbourne and it has been for quite some time. Every time Goodwin mentioned 'getting the game on our terms' he was basically telling the whole football world that we play in a comfort zone. Football is about winning in all circumstances and conditions, not just in your dream scenario at strategy meetings. New Coach New Gameplan New culture built on accountability & winning The Goodwin gameplan based on control the game, territory, contest and defense (as if it was a guaranteed formula for winning) became, IMO, a subconscious crutch for the players - too inadequate to just play the game on its merits. Our team is completely unequipped to play clutch football and it's embarrassing. My fear is that it will take at least two pre-seasons to truly get this [censored] out of our system. Time will tell.

Williams certainly added to our coaching stocks over the journey, particularly with his own brand of guidance and experience. All the best to him for the future.

I use that as an all encompassing term. Mindset Strategy / gameplan Emphasis on skills Improve fitness etc.

Yet another loss by a goal or less. The rest of the competition knows they're a chance against Melbourne no matter how far behind they are at 3/4 time. Just apply pressure... Some good things in this game but the team definitely needs to recalibrate this off season.

Thankyou for your amazing contribution to the MFC and it's history Goody. The elusive no. 13 brought so much happiness to so many long suffering supporters. All the best for the future.

Yep, understood. I would argue however, that a lot of those 15k members would have been 'hype add-ons' after the premiership year. Always the first to drop off. Once we go sub 55k we start losing core members which would be a big signal to the club.

There's a difference between a gradual decline and a revolt. Will be interesting to see how many members contact the club - if they have the energy...

If the club doesn't sack him, members will walk. Like it or not, it's that simple.