Dr. Gonzo

The Rams have been pretty poor the last few weeks since beating Buffalo but just seem to keep finding ways to win in low scoring games. 13-9 vs Arizona, 19-9 vs Jets and 12-6 vs the 9ers, with Cupp, Nakua and Higbee plus Kyren Williams at RB they should be putting up bigger scores against these types of teams. Stafford seems to have hit a wall.

I can't imagine the Giants throwing away the top pick but Richardson is out and Colts starting Flacco. Although Flacco is probably auditioning for a contract next year so has something to play for I guess.

Exactly, making a Prelim was a par the last 3 seasons and we failed to reach those expectations.

It's the Geelong model although we've gone through the draft more than trading in players. Building underneath while still relying on your ageing stars to be the match winners. I see no reason why we can't rebound and challenge again but I'm hopeful more than I am optimistic.

Also Pies and Cats have a history of rebounding after poor seasons while we have a history of being in the wilderness for years (decades!) at a time.

Plus a bomb from 50 against the Lions during H&A in 2021.

I hate every team when they play against us. "2nd team" is a bit of a misnomer as I don't really like any team other than the MFC but removing the emotion from it there are teams that I wouldn't mind seeing some success (Suns, Giants, Saints, Dogs, Roos) especially if it's at the expense of some of the other clubs (Pies, Blues, Bombers, Hawks, Eagles, Swans). And there are teams I enjoy watching as a lover of the sport overall, I have no doubt if any of those teams had some sustained success they would quickly go from loveable losers to hated foes (see Cats, Tigers in recent times, Lions before them).

Ravens Chiefs Colts

True, this conversation started in the context of our poor disposal across the board. I pointed out a few of our mids who are less than elite kicks, Sparrow amongst them. But you're correct, Sparrow needs to get more of the footy or his career will peter out which would be a shame considering the place he holds in our hearts as the 2nd bang in Bang! Bang! Bang!!

I enjoy watching us when we win.

Especially considering an "effective kick" is one that goes to a 50/50 contest or better. So bombing it long to a 50/50 is an effective kick regardless of the outcome.

Yes exactly, none of them are elite ball users especially by foot.

It's both. Our midfields primary strength is contested ball winning. They are not a highly skilled group of mids, Viney, Oliver, ANB (2024), Langdon, Sparrow et al not known for their elite disposal.

Quoting number of possessions is 1980s thinking. Has nothing to do with the discussion about how we perform in the different phases of the game.

I think Craig Jennings had already left by 2021 but this was his role when at the club. Not sure who if anyone replaced him?

Kicking 50m down the line to a contest isn't measured as a clanger regardless of the result but just avoiding a clanger doesn't mean you're good using the footy. I think you're over-egging the omelette here looking for an answer. We were great at multiple phases in 2021 but haven't adapted since (in fact we got more conservative if anything trying to protect what we thought was a winning brand). The game has moved forward while we've been stuck trying to replicate what worked 4 years ago. We are not a highly skilled team, we lack a strong presence up forward who can make your ball use look better and we lack a bit of footy IQ as well. None of these things are terminal and I think the club is trying to address them but the first step to fixing it is admitting what the problem is.

How are "clangers" measured? We play conservatively with the footy which makes the stats look ok but when you watch the game you can see we are not great at moving the footy/attack. BTW we haven't been the hunted since about mid-2022. Teams don't set themselves against us, they know how to beat us and play accordingly.

As a Spurs supporter for the last few years my issue with them isn't the losses to Chelsea and the like, it's the losses to Crystal Palace, Leicester, Ipswich and Bournemouth. Having said that I agree Ange should be given this season and into next to show what he can do with the squad, sacking him now would be idiotic. Supporters have a right to demand success though, as an MFC supporter Goodwin has developed the squad for long enough, any failures are his. There are always extenuating circumstances but every club has them, it's how you overcome them that determines your greatness. 2022 and 2023 were wasted years for the MFC we should have come away with at least one flag from those two campaigns.

It's not just getting the ball, it's how you use it.

I don't think anyone would argue that we struggled in all phases last year. I hope 2024 will be seen as "the year we had to have" to be a bit of a wake up call for the club and Goodwin because had we won an extra won or two for those close games and snuck into finals I feel they would have thought "we're not far off" especially with the Petracca/Oliver injuries. The reality is we are a ways off but it is not irredeemable if we shift our focus. I think we still have the players but the game plan needs upheaval and we need to shift some of the focus (eg putting more reliance on some of the up and comers and not the veterans like Viney, Max, May etc). 2025 will be a very interesting season for us, if we get off to a poor start Goodwin will be on the chopping block. Last time I thought that was 2021 and it worked out ok. The reshuffling of the FD has been a good thing and should bring fresh ideas, I would've liked to see Richo moved on but he is there and obviously has the respect of those in the club or he wouldn't have lasted so long. A fit Petracca and Oliver (both of them physically and mentally) and a greater focus on attack could see us rebound quickly. If we continue with the boring, stagnant, down the line, conservative footy we will end up in a similar position to 2024.

Maybe but we've been saying that for a while and they still haven't made finals. I hope so, I want them to succeed (not at our expense of course) but it's getting to "I'll believe it when I see it" territory. Having them limited with academy picks if they make finals is another reason to get on them as a "second team" this year though.

Can't find that one but here's one from The Argus https://australianfootball.com/articles/view/Tip-Top%2BRoys%2B-%2B1899%2BFinal%3A%2BFitz%2Bv%2BSouth%2BMelb/241

Sums up Essendon to a T, bunch of entitled [censored]

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