praha

We lost to Carlton 8 days ago.

Disgusting comments in here. Played 21 games, averaged more marks, kicks, disposals than 2015. Had a bad last month but still averaged 2 goals a game (0.2 less than last year). Some of you need to get a grip.

I've certainly calmed down since yesterday. My pass mark was 10 wins and they reached that. Was the season a "success"? I think a few games, in particularly yesterday, make us less of a "destination" club. We have to work harder to attract free agents than the Richmond or Hawthorn or Collingwood teams of the world. That said, Bulldogs won 7 games in 2014 and played finals in 2015. Port won 5 games in 2012 and played finals in 2013. I think that we still have too large a gap between a young players and experienced leaders. Goodwin still has a lot of work to do in order to balance out this list.

I think today says less about how far we need to come than do our losses to Essendon, Carlton and Saints x2. Win those games and we're in the finals. We were favourites in all 4 of those games. As bad as today was, and as worried I am that next year will be another 2011, the next corner this club needs to turn is winning games it's supposed to, every time. Once we turn that corner we'll be a finals side. Compare that to the start of Roos' tenure, even the start of this year. We hadn't won two in a row, three in a row, couldnt beat top 8 teams, couldnt get close in WA, couldnt win in NT. We've made massive inroads this year. But we did in 2010 as well. 2017 could either be awesome, or a colossal failure. I'm betting on the former.

2016 overall feels way too much like 2010. This is what I'm worried about.

I expected a 50 point loss. I expected Geelong to come out aiming for top spot. I also expected us to send off Roos. You couldn't write a more Melbourne script. Send off the best coach you've had for a decade, with a 100-point loss. It's a total indictement on everything said during the week. From the media, to the players, to Roos himself, who all said the club was in a better position. We are 2 games out of a finals spot, and lose like that. Essendon had zero to play for, with last place stitched up, and they've smashed Carlton today. Fair to say that if we'd played Essendon today, it would have been a 10 goal loss.

Why play Pedo in a game like this when Weeds needs experience against top defenders? Perspective.

Or Prestia.

Hogan is very average.

Missed Salem.

That's a mark. Had control, on the way down.

Hogan simply doesn't provide enough pressure.

Our worst first quarter for the year.

We're playing like a nothing team. So much for seeing out Roos' tenure.

Hogan, a Weeds, Gawn...no one on the line. I'd be filthy if I were VB.

He is doing fine. His teammates can't tackle, can't win a stoppages, and are constantly chasing. Hawkins knows exactly how to move. They are walking all over us. This is the worst possible performance so far in Roos' last game.

That's five goals from five stoppages. Jones, Viney, Tyson, Vince getting smashed. Backline can't respond fast enough to the entries.

Weeeeeeeds.

Viney has had a shocking two weeks.

I like VB up forward.

I'm sure he will be a great player but I don't like him in a one-on-one defending role. He is unaccountable as a defender and has been since one. I don't mind him as a loose defender but that's because he's better as a sweeper. Of his 29 games, imo his best ones have come when he played midfield/forward roles. As a defender he always just seemed to be making up the numbers. I'd love to see him as a utility that plays in the middle and goes forward. He's no defender.

GC's problem was dumping Bluey, who was well liked by the playing group. Prestia was gone long before this season and that coaching change may very well have played a part (although I suspect it was a combination of the go home factor *and* the party factor plaguing GC lifestyle). Brisbane has suffered the same fate by giving a job to one of the boys...twice. Both clubs need a Leigh Matthews- or Paul Roos-type figure to completely change the culture and rebuild from the ground up. How Brisbane can go from one of the most revered clubs with a strong culture and fantastic drafting history to an utter basket case in 10 years is astonishing. And all at the hands of past players who helped build that strong culture.

TBH I'm more angered at the thought of the Saints finishing ahead of us, despite their shocking percentage. If only we'd been gifted as easy a draw to finish the season as they have.

It's a real shame the team played as it did last week. I think the Essendon, Saints and Carlton losses really dampen what has been a solid season. Not at all Roosey's fault. but the more I think about last week, the more it frustrates me. Hoping for an effort above and beyond what we expect this week.

No way Geelong drops this with top 4 on the horizon ahead of finals. Cats by 50.