praha

I actually think we'll beat Richmond.

We've typically matched up well with Richmond but their skills are very, very good. They've had a fairly easy run but you can't discount them this year.

That is infuriating.

He's always been like that.

No match fee or incentives. So I assume in both Lewis' and Hogan's case they're looking at losses of around $10,000- $20,000.

Some important statistics: We're 5th for points for, but 14th for points conceded. We started bleeding the moment Gawn went off vs Geelong. Given the situation, the fact we can still score is encouraging. Look at the team stats we're not doing too badly. 2nd for disposals 1st for marks 7th for tackles 5th for disposal efficiency We are being let down in other areas but we are statistically a very solid mid-to-top side. We make rookie mistakes in games and get outmuscled by experienced players, but we'll bounce back from that. I don't think it's acceptable given we were in a winning position in both of those losses, but it's to be expected. Our ability to find the ball has been very encouraging. We get so much of it. Then there is a 5-10 minute period in which the opposition absolutely dominates and goes on a tear. Happened vs Geelong and vs Freo. We are still very well placed, and are a very good chance to beat Richmond. If we've learnt anything the past 2 years, it's that this team shows up on the big stage. We'll bring our A-game next week. I'm fairly confident of that.

I think overall we've improved. The same problems persist, sure, but we're losing games in different ways. I don't think we're losing because we're a bad team that tried hard but lost. We're just a good team that has been piked at the last opportunity by a team that wanted it more. Last two weeks have been big learning games. I don't think win:loss is a good gauge for improvement, because we can improve this year but end up with the same record as last year. We're still 12 months off being a true finals contender so at the moment we're battling mid-range with probably 10 other teams.

It's an issue that has persisted since the Bailey years unfortunately. That they scored 7 goals in a row at one stage yet only won by 2 points suggests the game was lost rather than being won. It's tough to digest. It's very difficult to gauge if we've improved on last year because the start to the season is similar. We're 1 game ahead of where we were yet it's debatable if we've played better football. 3 games in a row have been very ugly and if we beat Richmond...well, the season starts will have been identical barring win loss record. My primary concern now is that the wheels fall off. Being such a young team, slumps are to be expected. I can see us going on a rampage and winning a lot of games in a row but I suspect it'll be too late. I think another year for the likes of Petracca, Oliver and Co to develop wouldn't be the end of the world. It would make it rough for the club and PJ to do their job effectively, but I've always thought finals was just that little bit too high an objective for this squad. Yesterday showed me we're probably 30-40 games as a team away from winning games like that and last week.

McDonald - Was The Oscar?

Won't reach 40k,

What?

We haven't played finals for so long, that as a club we appear to have forgotten what it takes to get there. Make no mistake that Ross Lyon is eyeing finals. That was a team today that knows exactly what it wants. We are a club still trying to find an identity. We're stuck in limbo and have been for a while. We peak around the corner but never turn it. Any Given Sunday. "Why not us?" I get that it's been a theme at the club, but the season is the battleground. The big test. It's "only" round 4 but the league is more even than it's ever been. We are still well placed but today was a worrying sign. I am not certain we're ready. I don't think we're bad. I actually think we have quite a good team. We're just simply not ready. I know it's tough, guys. It's been 10 years. But it is what it is. We need one more season.

We had the game stitched up. That passage on the backline ahead of their winning goal was deplorable. Go down the line. No, we chip it around and stuff it up. It was the most Mel our new loss ever.

We lost it in defense. 3 points up. We chip it around the backline. Freo goal

Time?

TIME LEFT TIME LEFT

TIME LEFT?

Handed them that goal. On a silver platter We had God damn ball at the 50, we overuse it to the point we turn it over. I can't believe this [censored] club sometimes.

Still in shock about that quarter.

This might blow out. Looking at them in the huddle...they *look* defeated. You really couldn't pick a more Melbourne game.

If we get up from here I'll be VERY surprised. Freo won't give this lead up.

6.3 to 0.2 for the quarter. Not a finals side.

Gotta ask questions about Goodwin defensive plan. Teams score too easily.

5 consecutive to freo. 4 this quarter. Embarrassing.

4 straight goals to freo, each coming after having possession for may even 1 or 2 minutes. We have possession for long periods and can't score.