Dr. Gonzo

To play devils advocate - it may be that Goodwin was focused on implementing his gamestyle so didn't pay much heed to countering the opposition's tactics effectively sidelining Jennings Just spitballing

Benefit of kayo is you can split a sub - $25 lets you watch on 2 devices simultaneously so you can split with a friend, $35 for 3 devices so a little over $10 a month each

Cash in on the Suns being $2.20 underdogs

Development still a massive issue at the club. How many players significantly improve compared to how they are when they arrive at the club?

I don't disagree with a lot of what you've said - my opinion is that it is the job of Bartlett and Pert to be the public spruikers of the club and the face of the club for the members. Of course wins will fix everything but when the supporters are feeling as they have been this week I think it is the duty of the Pres and/or CEO to get on the front foot and assure them that things are on the right track or if not, they have strategies in place to rectify things if they do not improve. It might be platitudes and it might be immature for lack of a better word but when things are all quiet on the western front when supporters have been up in arms and we are copping scrutiny in the media I'd like them to be the frontline communicators as well as shielding the footy department from that scrutiny to an extent. Of course they need to work behind the scenes to work on financial stability and all the other off field stuff. But they need to be the public face of the club too, there is no reason they can't do both. With regards to the first issue, I disagree but thats fine. I can see your point as to why you don't like it but I don't agree that those kinds of posts should be censored. Most people on here are smart enough to recognise a troll when they see one, most long term posters have nothing to gain by making up rumours to stir the pot.

Wasn't that Jennings role? Strategy and opposition analyst

15? Jones and Smith played but they are emergencies this week

How about Nicholson getting towelled up by David Hille in the 2004 Elimination Final! (the last time Essendon won a final by the way)

I'm not saying I want those players played elsewhere I was just brainstorming which players he could be referring to

Off the top of my head Brayshaw TMac Hunt Salem

I disagree, either there are problems and the supporters have a right to know or there aren't and it doesn't matter anyway. I don't really see the harm with people posting things they've heard - no-one will name names as it will betray confidences and everyone should take anything they read with a grain of salt if they're smart enough. Most of the time these things have an element of truth though, I remember when the message from the club was everything is rosy and Schwab accused people of taking pot shots from the cheap seats. Well it turns out it was worse than insinuated and the place was rotten to the core. It is frustrating when we don't see the CEO or President have some kind of media presence when supporters are on the verge of insurrection. You can't have it both ways, asking supporters to dig deep with one hand then treating them with contempt with the other. The communication from the club needs to be both direct and broad, they always ask questions in surveys about communication from the club, how connected you feel to the club as a supporter etc. Well personally when I fail to hear from either of the clubs leaders to give me some confidence they have things under control it makes me feel disconnected.

It's not as simple as that though. For starters Lynch is their no 1 target. If I had the ability or inclination I'd go through post vids of all Smith's possessions/contests for analysis but it's probably easier to just check the timestamps of my posts in the game day thread

He obviously erased the career of Alastair Nicholson from his memory

Can he kick like a forward? That's my only question, if he can great, if he can't we're wasting time playing him there.

Lever has been the 3rd tall. Smith was on Riewoldt last week and May on Lynch.

Sometimes I think I'm watching a different game to other people - Smith was terrible against the Tigers, just rubbish. He was not the reason we lost by any means but he didn't help. His positioning was terrible, his judgement was terrible (when to go for the spoil, when to not even attempt one), his turnovers killed us. I would have been absolutely shocked if he was not dropped. I get the angst with Melksham, he was rubbish last week as well and not much better against the Cats. But at least Melksham has runs on the board and he is one of the few players we know is capable of kicking 4 goals. He is on thin ice but I get why he has been given another chance.

No, we will need May to play on King OMac will not have the speed to go with him

Go and watch the movie (The Shining), an absolute classic. Jack Nicholson is brilliant.

I just couldn't imagine Smith getting a game after last week. He was murdered by Riewoldt (not his fault as Riewoldt is a class above and he should never have been put on him to begin with), made crucial turnovers and was beaten in the contest often. He's just not a footballer for mine, not yet anyway. Id rather see him play forward where at least he can use his leap and speed to get to the footy to create an option but I guess that might come later in the year. Good selections, I would have like to see Jones come in for Vandenberg as well but I guess 4 changes is a lot. With these selections Goodwin has flagged a return to a more traditional structure and has indicated that his "small ball" has been abandoned. Let's see how it plays out Interested to see who gets the other wing with Tomlinson out - I would like Salem there but it will probably be Brayshaw.

Haha should have kept reading - great minds

I noticed Viney slipped over a couple of times against the Cats. My question is who is the boot-studder and why has he been able to get away with this rubbish for so long??

Extension was fine. Extending for effectively 4 seasons was dumb, unless as you say there are get out clauses.

Incorrect https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl/news/simon-goodwin-contract-extension-melbourne-demons-coach/qipt5ifkbf3x1o5m1vukuvu19

Have you watched Gold Coast this year? Their pressure around the contest is great, they have some elite users across the field and some quality up forward in King and Sexton. Collins will towel up TMac. I can't believe we are favourites, Gold Coast should win comfortably even without Rowell.

I really would like to see Salem given a go in the middle/wing/half forward. His kicks coming out of defence are nice but they would be better going inside 50. A starting midfield of Oliver, Petracca and Salem looks more balanced to me on paper than Oliver, Petracca, Viney. Viney and Harmes can rotate in there with Petracca resting forward when required.