Dr. Gonzo

Look at the difference between when Gil is on 360 vs when he is on Footy Classified. Say what you will about that mob but at least they make him sweat.

It's not rubbish. Even if you reduce interchanges coaches will still train players to run all day/recruit athletes over footballers. I don't disagree that interchanges should be reduced but can you guarantee coaches won't go even more defensive and stack the backline, trying to win off a fast break? 18 players allows the defending team to create an effective zone within kicking distance of the player with the ball. Reducing numbers breaks down the zone because the gaps between defenders makes it too difficult to cover by the time the ball is kicked to an opponent. Players are now full time professionals, infinitely fitter than the days of the Victorian era but the ovals remain the same size. The only way I can see congestion being reduced is to remove players from the field. It makes sense, I'm not sure why so many people seem opposed to it. It would reduce congestion without actually changing any of the rules which determine how the game is played. What is your reasoning for not wanting a reduction in player numbers on the field? It's reduced before, it used to be 20 on the field in the late 19th century (and even early 20th from memory). VFA had 16 a side without much issue, I don't see the problem with having anywhere between 12-16 a side on the field.

Prior opportunity is fine as long as they pay a free kick if you fail to dispose of it by hand or foot. Too often now a player has prior, gets tackled but no free kick against him because the ball spills free. The holding the ball interpretation was fine 15 years ago, not sure why the change.

The people running (ruining?) our game are politicians now mate, nothing more.

The only thing that stopped us getting the double chance last year was our 2x games vs Geelong. We lost both on (or close to) the siren. It sucks but if those games go our way, were top 4.

They need to reduce the number of players on the field. It's the only way to reduce congestion and bring it back to a more man on man style game. Everything else is just shuffling deck chairs.

The context of the op was designed to suit his own woe is me agenda. We've been [censored] this year, no one is denying it. But that doesn't take away from the success we had last year regardless of your own personal hatred towards Goodwin.

What does this even mean? So H&A wins count but wins in September don't? What stupid criteria.

Where's your facts? Detail the welfare/charity gifts Melbourne have received. Then do a comparative analysis with what other clubs have received (including Geelong with their father/sons and outside cap payments) and then we can start to talk. Until then it's just typical pTGRBS.

Was just catching up on the thread ?

He is 23. Has already been named as an AA. Started showing some great form last year before going down with his knee. Has played two games since returning from a knee reco, 1 in which he was quite good (Collingwood) 1 in which he was quite poor (Footscray). But sure if that's enough of a sample for you to make definitive statements from go ahead ?

Losing by 8 points isn't reason to go bananas, demand everyone is sacked and rewrite history on Roos, Jackson et al Frost is better. Petty is better. We've found players in Hore, Baker & Lockhart. Petty has shown something. This year has been a disaster but there have been positives and enough to see that with better run with injuries and some tinkering to the gameplan we will be back next year. But keep raging if that makes you feel better.

Ball drop is too high but he also doesn't kick through the ball. He's an accurate shot from 45-50 but 25-30 he's all at sea. It's the Matty Richardson/Trav Cloke/Levi Casboult curse

Really puts the Amateur in Amateur Football League...

The "tougher draw" was our double up games vs Richmond, Collingwood and WCE which haven't happened yet.

Baker should be playing. The rest? Meh.

I'd play him forward more often. Put the responsibility on him to use the footy better and kick the goals.

Massive overreaction. Maybe wait until he actually strings some games together before making the call.

Preuss copped a heavy knock early in the game and was on the ground for a while to the point I thought he might have done a knee or ankle. He ended up being able to jog off with both hands holding his back so he must have copped a bad knock/knee to the back which might have effected his reaching for marks? Not saying he would've otherwise clunked them but it might have impacted his strength in the contest.

Agree although Collingwood had been playing [censored] for at least a month before we played them. They'd still been winning though which camouflaged it

Agreed, there was another instance where we had the ball on the forward flank and Maxy was streaming into the forward line unopposed. All we had to do was kick it in front of him to run onto and jump at an easyish mark. Instead we put it on top of Petty and his opponent and Max had to crash a pack. End result, no mark and Dogs cleared the ball Another example Harmes had the ball about 45 out on an angle and had Petracca all on his own 10-15 out across goal. He blazed away and missed. Another example down the other end we had the ball deep in the forward pocket with 3 or 4 players free across goal. Again we failed to pass it off and another chance goes begging. I think this stuff will come with maturity and greater composure and when it clicks we'll be running over teams again. Won't be this year tho unfortunately.

Reading this thread you'd think we lost by 40+. We lost by 8 points in what was almost a 50/50 game. Some posters are gonna look real silly next year trying to backtrack on their comments about Goodwin, Jackson, Roos and certain players when we're playing finals again.

Jackson gave some interviews at the end of last year in which he stated linear progression like we'd had since 2013 was unusual and the most important thing was for supporters and the club to not lose faith when things inevitably turned for the worse

I've been a supporter but ANB is useless at the moment. Terrible disposal, not a quick thinker and constantly putting teammates under pressure. Depth player at best at the moment.

They also got plenty of cheap father son picks they did ok with.