JJJ

I remember our recruiting team was addressing future father son selections at a function. They didn’t mention Noah. Someone asked why and the response was, he has talent and could become an AFL player but it would have to be as a power forward. They also said that his focus, at the time, wasn’t purely on AFL so his development was behind his peers. I had a loose connection to Caulfield Grammar at the time and asked about Noah’s abilities and they agreed that he was talented but not sure what he wanted or was going to do. On that basis, his rate of improvement this year is not too surprising and there should be a lot more improvement to come. He has a fanatic set shot routine and is smart. Worth a roll of the dice I’d say.

I think he became a product of our game plan. He has poor hands so getting on his bike and providing longer leads will help him. It will also help clear space behind him which, to be honest, may make us more dangerous. He’s an interesting talent but may end up out of the game if he doesn’t lock down a position. Big year for him in 26.

There were a few 2000 GF players involved

Also a tremendous boxer from all reports. There was a rumour years ago that he took down 7-8 Bombers players at a bar about 10 years ago.

I hear ya…. Most of it all is hyperbolic rubbish and the rest is utter [censored].

I’m not having a go or disagreeing but I had to laugh at the list of things he’s not great at in your post. No 2nd efforts as he isn’t fit enough. Needs a new voice/coach. Lacks size. Poor set shot. Not a threat in the air. Sounds like a perfect key forward prospect. 🫠

Stkilda is the titanic and de Koning is the iceberg. What are they doing?

I agree I thought he’d be a hard nut but I think he is just smarter than the average bear and can get away with it. Unlike someone like Viney who has based his entire game and being harder than everyone else. I think he will get better at that as he develops so I am not that concerned. Becoming a better handballer on both sides and developing a right foot kick he can use in games are also on the list. Everything else should come with time and development.

It’s a timing issue more than quality of list.

Apologies if this is already in another thread but who is available from MFC to play?

I think Salem could play forward. He’s smart enough and skillful enough. Plus I would be happier watching him kick 15-20m kicks to advantage in the forward half rather than him pumping up his DE% in the back half. Not to mention his inability to run at full pace these days.

I agree. If I were the new coach I would be building my team from defence with Turner and Petty in the key posts. Surround them with aerobic types who can hit a target like McVee, Bowey, Lindsay, Howes and perhaps AMW. Then some utility types like Rivers. We need to move away from May, Salem (Salem should play forward) and never have Windsor in the backline ever again. I am 50:50 on Lever only because he needs continuity and hasn’t shown the ability to stay on the field. When healthy he deserves a spot. So, while I am happy to see Petty finally show glimpses of form and taking front position, I’d rather he go back next year.

The whole conversation(s) between Max and Goodwin about Grundy will be a full chapter in Max’s memoirs. He didn’t want Grundy initially. It didn’t work out. In large part because Gawn couldn’t play forward and felt like he was being wasted. I love Max but I think you could make an argument that the trade for Grundy exposed a few chinks in his armour and the relationship between he and Goodwin.

Blah blah blah. She does have very useful contacts within Melbourne FC but this looks like an opinion piece. Smith and Green were within metres of each other most of Sunday. They seemed fine. They don’t need to like each other. Just co-exist and get on with what they both want to achieve. More success for the club.

Pretty sure I said Disco was an option in the Next Captain thread a month or two ago. Doesn’t drop his bundle. Can back up words with actions and can be swung to the forward line in a pinch. Rivers is another good candidate. People get stuck into him re his kicking at times but he is playing under instruction to take the game on. Other players went into their shell in the 4th. Rivers didn’t.

If you feel the need to refer to yourself as an agenda setter, you’re probably the opposite.

I love Langford. Love him. What’s really exciting is that the things he needs to work on are relatively easy fixes. He needs to work on his handball skills and become less left side dominant. He also needs to work on his body positioning in the contest and get better at accepting and absorbing contact. As far as a list of fix its goes, that’s a very short list for a 1st year player. He’ll run out games better and get stronger just by maturing physically. His game sense, timing and left boot are all potentially elite. It’s really up to him to keep working and for us to provide him with the environment for success.

If/when he writes a memoir of his playing career, I think people will be surprised by his attitude and appraisal of some of the coaches and players he played with.

I’ve heard there will be a public update within a couple of weeks. After we get belted by 10 goals against the Hawks would be good timing.

I can’t talk for the Sydney situation but Goodwin was not the choice of Roos. He was brought in by Jackson.

Accurate. Well done Caro. I wonder how she gets so much good info re MFC?

I can only go if the kids want to go and after going last week, their interest is somewhat lower than normal. Bad parent = make them attend anyway Good parent = let them stay home. Go to a park and then lunch. Maybe we’ll go to the Hawks game instead. Best parent = tell them that today is the last game of the year so we won’t need to talk about footy until March. Then go to a park followed by lunch.

Had to double take, I thought you said, “No Goofy”

I was at the ground and thought that there were a few danger signs mid 3rd qtr. You could hear the Saints players urging each other to run through us. They eventually did in the last. I don’t think they rated our ability to run with them. It was utterly pathetic. Diabolical. A new low point in an awful season. If I had 2 years in a row like Goody, I would’ve been sacked 6 weeks ago.

We shouldn’t be gifting any young player game time. Particularly players who haven’t shown the ability to play a role successfully, like Kolt. I’ve been against that policy for a looooooooong time. He needs experience as a mid. Pure and simple. That must happen at Casey. As for his overall prospects, he lacks awareness, composure and isn’t clean with his gathering or disposing of the ball. As someone who did a little scouting ~ 10 years ago, the above traits were considered crucial and not something that could be improved post draft. That concerns me.