Dr. Gonzo

We're on the hook for a lot of Brayshaw's salary. https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/afl/exercising-with-demons-christian-petracca-returns-to-training-track-20241122-p5kssh.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

I said it was a very good season, it wasn't Essendon 2000, Cats 2008 or Hawks 88 levels of dominance though. I wasn't trying to cut down his achievements more to put them in context. And I agree with what you're saying and that was my point - our 2021 season wasn't solely down to Goodwin being a master coach, there were others at the top of their game all contributing. You're actually agreeing with me there 😈

Loved Kolts game too although he was quieter after leaving the field before half time (HIA?) Also how good was Rivs run down pantsing in the last quarter, saved a certain goal and possibly the game.

It makes such a difference when the play on the field gives the crowd something to cheer about.

I was honestly anticipating a 100 point loss today, I was prepared for a very ugly game. So happy with the effort and style of game the team showed, hopefully this will convince some more to turn up on Thursday too.

Sparrow missed from just outside the goal square too

What a fantastic performance and credit to Goodwin for moving the magnets around a bit too. Absolutely stoked with that performance, the run and carry, lowering the eyes, kicking to advantage, leading up to the ball carrier and above all the PRESSURE was there from the first bounce. I would rather see that maniacal attack on the ball and fight each other for it than see two players sitting back. A game that I will enjoy watching the replay for. Kozzie, 5 goals and actually hung onto a soeccy as well! Petty was great in attack and Petracca, Gawn, Viney and Oliver were back to their best. Bowey was superb as well, his first quarter was unbelievable, the pressure, ferocity and ball use 👏

I'm ambivalent as to whether Goodwin is sacked now (and I don't think he will be before the bye at the very least) but I can see the writing on the wall. It would be a monumental turnaround for him to still be coaching in 2026. If the board believe he is the right person then hopefully they back themselves in and aren't swayed by supporter/public pressure. This is his 9th year as coach and 12th year at the club. That's a long stint for anyone, it may just be that it is time to move on. Few coaches coach their clubs for more than a dozen years and even fewer who have one or less premierships to their name.

And the player development. JVR has gone backwards in his development of anything, with proper coaching he would be coming into his own as a young KPF. Rivers the same. There are probably other examples I could cite but so many players come in with raw talent but don't progress to become better/more well rounded players.

I think you're over egging Goodwin's coaching record. He's had a pretty good season (2018) and a very good season (2021) and a couple of seasons where we got by on talent and a dour game plan but ultimately couldn't get the job done (2022-23). He's also had a couple of bad seasons (2019, 2024-25) and a season where we underachieved (2017). He isn't a master coach like a Sheedy or Clarkson and he didn't get the most out of our list like a Hardwick. He implemented a system that was very difficult to beat but I also think a lot of our dominance in 2021 came down to Burgess (and the assistants to a lesser extent), particularly our ability to run over teams and the psychological belief that we were superior and would win out. Don't forget though 2021 wasn't pure dominance from start to finish, we had a big dip midyear and only won the minor premiership with an after the siren kick after coming back from 7 goals down. Good coach? Yes he has been. Great coach? I don't think the evidence supports that.

You're assuming that is what Goodwin is coaching them to do when all the evidence over his career is to the contrary. Goodwin wants them kicking to contests as a he is a conservative coach and kicking to contests gives him greater control allowing us to minimise turnovers etc. I find it unfathomable that players would just continually kick to contests, bomb it inside 50 etc and forwards would sit back wrestling with their opponents and bunching together in packs instead of spreading out and leading towards the ball carrier if they weren't coached to do so.

So genuine question Macca, what do you see as Goodwin's role in all this then? This isn't just a this year thing, this has been the last 20 or so games.

Well I'll keep an eye on it at the ground today. I agree there is lack of movement when we have the ball at a free kick/mark across half back but I still see gut running and contest it's just not getting them anywhere. Anyhow I will watch with interest today and we can reconvene the discussion later 😁

After last week I wasn't going to go today but have backflipped as the kids said they wanted to go. I don't know if they know what they are in for, I am genuinely worried about today.

I don't think they are bludging Macca, there is still effort it's just getting them little reward. This can be demoralising and lead to fade outs in games once you see the game has slipped away.

What does being a tenant actually mean? Even if as you suggest they can't make us play a majority at Docklands (which I'm not sure I believe) what is to stop them having us play a 6/5 split? The AFL controls the fixture so if we can't get crowds that would fill even half of Docklands on a regular basis why would they continue wasting the MCG when it could be used by Carlton and Essendon?

Goodwin's always been a system coach though. His system is past it's used by date and he hasn't been able to pivot to a new style that has brought success. There may be an element of player disillusionment but I think placing all th blame at the feet of the players is unfair. This is not comparable to the Neeld list where it would be tough to find more than a couple of players who would make another sides 22. We still have a list of hardened AFL standard players who are underperforming. Part of that may be form (for whatever reason) but a large part is the system they are working to which is on Goodwin and his assistants. We can get the ball and move it from D50 to F50 but our forward half work is diabolical. That to me is a coaching issue. We are also getting killed around stoppages when that has always been a strength with the players we have in there. Again that is a coaching issue.

We have enough good players that we shouldn't be losing by 40-60 points every week. A better coach would have this side playing far more competitive footy than we've seen not only this year but most of last year too.

The AFL sets the fixture, they can fixture teams where they want.

Essendons crowd against Port was poor but was also a Thursday night game (no school hols at that stage). Our crowds vs GWS and Suns were weekend Arvo slots. Tomorrow the same. Yes GWS game was against the grand prix but first game of the year we still should be getting at least 30k to these games, that should be the bare minimum. Last year we got around half that against the Giants and Port.

You're not alone in thinking this. We have just come off our best period in 6 decades and still losing members at a phenomenal rate, 2x sub 20k crowds last year, booted from prime time etc We would want a decent crowd/showing next week vs the Tiges or the AFL will look at whether we should maintain that fixture. They'll also be looking in the longer term whether we should be playing all home games at the G. Carlton and Essendon (and the Saints) all want more home games at the G so someone will have to make up those Docklands fixtures (and it won't be Collingwood, Richmond or Hawthorn).

Yes and before anyone tries the "have to pick from emergency list" May was a known risk last week so they should've had Adams as an emergency in case he didn't get up.

Of course Simpson doesn't have a vested interest in trying to paint it as a player/list issue rather than coaching issue. Sometimes you have to coach to win the game, not coach to win the flag in 3-5 years.

Kick it through the big sticks more than the opposition does 😜

Or even within a season.