DeeSpencer

If they are in any way related I can only imagine it's because Hardwick has seen the toll coaching has taken on Clarko and seen himself struggling in similar ways. But I don't think it's a fall from grace situation. Hardwick has been consistent in saying he'd coach Richmond until he felt he wasn't the right person to take the group forward. That's pragmatic and a win for both parties. Really he's bailing out now so he doesn't have a Clarko 2019-2021 stretch of futility on his resume. A minimum of 5 months off, maybe even 23 months off, then he can walk in fresh to a new job.

I’d feel the same way if Brayshaw and Rankine hadn’t been let off in very similar circumstances. The benefit of the doubt has gone to the player contesting on their feet in 2 of the 3 most recent circumstances.

Sacking a premiership coach worked out great 60 years ago, why not try it again? Assistant coaches are the move IMO. The cap coming up could allow us to add another full time guy and shuffle or replace some line coaches who should have 3-5 year windows in one role. I also disagree on our window. I think we’re in the middle of rebuilding our talls right now with Petty, JVR, Disco, in time Jeffo/Adams and probably a mature recruit or two. The aim being that group starts to really hit their straps from 2025. We’re burning cap and list spots on talls at Casey. And we’re in surplus a first round pick when usually we operate in a deficit. If we have a Jackson, Pickett, Rivers draft this year - probably focussed on mid, outside run, forward talent - we can have that group in the team in 2025 too.

I’d like to give Schache a go but with 2 rucks it’s just a lot of height, it’s a shame Schache’s form and fitness didn’t line up with Gawn’s injury

I’m willing to live with that over playing the 30 plus guys who start the game with no mobility

I think there’s actually a gap on the list. I miss Vanders so much. He was that nasty player who didn’t give a damn. Even if he didn’t hit a target all night his team mates walked taller. Viney’s great but he’s busy playing. We need someone a little bit expendable and physical. We didn’t even have to remonstrate with the Gawn stuff, just get numbers to him and around him and if Port want to go, then let’s go. It’s indicative of players not thinking enough about team first actions. The same thing stands out with our lack of blocking for mids and forwards. How often do you see on our forwards go stand between a team mate and their opponent to create a gap? Gawn’s opponent should have a small wedged under their legs at every marking contest. In terms of physicality our players all looked scared of giving away sling tackle frees. I say we can live with suspensions as long as you’re safe enough not to cause reckless concussions. Sparrow and Petty were missed against Port. They are two who are up for a scrap and hit the contest with some energy. It’s one reason I’d like to give Joel Smith a run even if he’s rubbish. He’s not a physical player but he can bring some speed and (hopefully good) chaos in to our forward line that’s desperately lacking.

I don’t feel good about Chandler out but I’m not sure we can carry 3 specialist small forwards plus Nibbler, plus Fritsch, plus the talls. Maybe he stays in and we do stick with Pickett taking stints on ball and ANB as a wing rotation. I just think we need a heap of midfield rotations to replace Oliver.

Rarely, but we have 2 forced, maybe 3 with Bowey. And Hunter and Oliver require a rejig with an extra mid coming in (unless Pickett and ANB are use more). We can’t expect their replacements on ball and in the middle to play as many minutes.

Wait and see on Bowser, was it a strain or just a cork? Out: Oliver, Hunter, McDonald, Chandler In: Sparrow, Turner, J. Smith, JJ FB: Turner May Hibberd HB: Salem Lever Bowey C; Brayshaw Petracca Langdon HF: Spargo J. Smith ANB FF: Pickett JVR Fritsch Foll: Gawn Rivers Viney Int: Grundy Sparrow McVee JJ s: Chandler

Turning side on and keeping your head up is what the AFL ask in winning ground balls. As is slowing up and not rushing head first in to a dangerous situation. Rozee did everything wrong and had Hunter stayed fully up right he could’ve done the fake trip and taken the slide rule free. The only question is did Hunter brace for contact or was his late moment dipping the hips some form of bump. If Hunter not making the distance from 35 hasn’t convinced people then surely his effort on the back flank when he tried to turn his man out the back rather than open his body, just and wear a spoil should’ve. This is a player without any power in the legs or strength in the contest.

Our lawyers should attempt to negotiate a life time ban

I’d like Tracc to be more consistent, stop fumbling and chase harder but Oliver is the one whose game is really out of shape. He’s our best player but also a problem when it goes badly wrong.

They put work in to Viney who has been our most consistent mid. Tracc nearly won the game playing a quarter on a bad ankle. Defensive intensity and set shot kicking aside I’m not too worried about his game. Sparrow was badly missed. Pickett isn’t a midfielder, maybe not now, maybe not ever. And we desperately need his pressure forward. The biggest worry is Oliver who now yo-yos between the games best and worst player like he did in 2020. His added fitness is fantastic and he never stops trying but he hasn’t made any progress with his kicking or his decision making. Is he too thin now? Where’s the power to ride a tackle? Where’s the long clearing handballs that really open up space?

Honestly happy we didn’t steal it. The quicker we reassess this side and attempt to fix the flaws with lack of run, poor balance around the contest. ordinary forward pressure and way way too much boundary play the better. 2021 isn’t coming back guys. We need to evolve and get better rather than fall back in to bad habits.

Starting to wonder if we’d be better off with McDonald or JVR in the centre bounces than Maximum fumbles

Grundy didn’t get in to the field of play. McDonald didn’t get off the ground and who knows where Lever was for that. Not a great effort for a ball that probably could’ve been touched with the perfect run and jump

Any chance Pickett can attempt a front and centre not a back and wide.

His IQ can’t compete with his legs and courage both being finished. I’ve never seen a regular 22 midfielder with so little power in the legs

Anyone else starting to see it with Hunter yet or will you all continue to abuse me? He’s shot

Yep Gawn is sooking it up and Grundy is a liability all over the ground. Doesn’t hold the ball in a contest and is so lazy defensively. Midfield Brayshaw is gross. Just so slow. Pickett’s not up for it as a mid. Honestly might be worth giving Chandler a go

Is there a Melbourne player over 27 who has any strength in their legs? May, Hunter, Grundy, Gawn, McDonald and Brown all completely shot in the legs

And never ever handball

Nice to have Tom McDonald back in to spoil his team mates

Pre grand final Goody in the wet ball. Too much mucking around and not enough flow. When you constantly try to spin around and u turn you’re going to slip and slide and lose numbers. You can use the ball in the wet but it has to be quick hands to players in motion.

Port completely out working us. We’ve been completely wide and unable to lock it forward.