Dr. Gonzo

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).

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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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I have a DVD recorder I purchased years ago which I plug my VCR into and copy to the Hard Drive or direct to DVD. Then I rip the DVD to PC and convert to mkv. Bit of a long process but the best way to retain the original quality as far as I can see. I try and keep it to 1hr per DVD (so half a game) to avoid compression. I tried years ago getting an adapter to plug the VCR straight into the PC but the quality was nowhere near as good, probably better stuff now and probably also depends on the GPU, RAM etc on your computer

Yep love me some doom metal, Electric Wizard one of my favourites especially thier early stuff Supercoven, Come My Fanatics, Dopethrone and Let Us Prey. Love Sleep as well but haven't listened to much of the others you mentioned. Have you heard Orange Goblin? They're a bit more bluesy/rock but their 2nd album Time Travellin' Blues is great

On one hand you are right but when you have been one clubs bunnies for 25 years you need to make a point of making a stand against that club in particular. The rest will flow, you can't be physical and ruthless in every game if you can't do it in one game.

Nah sometimes you have to make a stand as a club and say "we won't be bullied anymore". Like Hawks did in the line in the sand match - not saying we need to go knocking people out but just playing with physicality and ruthlessness.

We stifled them in the KB game in 2023. They had nothing all day and we really should have been well up despite then almost running over us at the end, the issue is we never take our opportunities against them. Hit them hard and put the scoreboard pressure on and we'll be fine.