bing181

Remarkable insights as to the use of technology in the AFL in Goodwin's interview on AFL360. He talks about Steven May and what he needed to tick off in order to play in the GF. They knew who he was playing on (Naughton?) and went back over the whole season and found that the longest hi-speed sprint that he'd done was 68 metres. All May needed to do to prove his fitness was be able to sprint that far. 68 metres. The depth of analysis and data that the clubs have on players across the league is mind-boggling.

Goodwin had a purpose after 2021, we wouldn't have finished top 4 in 2022 and 23 without it. It's not so much about not having a purpose, it's about being able to shift or redefine your purpose. Also, it's not just on Goodwin, it's club-wide. Were the admin and board driving standards as hard (or harder) post 2021? Difficult to see that they were. You even see it here, the constant reference to a lost era of dominance, as if winning the 21 flag automatically gave us dibs on the premierships that followed.

As always with player movement, certainly with players who are getting games. Less so for fringe players "seeking more game time", but Flanders is fairly established.

I don't know that any of us really know, but I think it's about being less of a lock-down defender and having more freedom to play an attacking role. I'm not sure he's asking for more midfield time per se, just more flexibility as a defender. Could be wrong ...

You answered your own question. Experience. We already have three young KF's, plus a youngish one in Johnston. Even Petty isn't all that old, if he's to be played as a forward. Melksham is a gem in terms of experience and leadership, but he's not going to be able to play every game, or perhaps anything like it. Our list is fairly lumpy - it's a bit unbalanced in terms of age/experience. This is a step to addressing that.

Except that that's not what people were arguing is it. Demonland.

This is an example of the gulf that exists between your average footy supporter's perception and the reality of what goes on inside an AFL club.

Not liking others' opinions is in itself an opinion ... which as you're pointing out, everyone is entitled to.

Communication is also about respect, and that starts with making an effort to acknowledge people's name or preferred form of address.

Absolutely. But the sense of motivation and self-belief we had in 2021 was off the charts, that's not something that's easy to replicate. Personally, I still feel that we're a bit short for onfield leadership, much as Viney and Gawn do what they can. You think of Hawthorn with the likes of Hodge, Lewis and Mitchell running around, it was a big part of their longer-term success.

Absolutely. But also the President and the board, though right across the club. Credit to Goodwin for being able to work through this honestly and then own it. He'll be back.

Someone who's good at the job would be handier.

"Steven King took time out of his Grand Final preparation to meet with uncontracted Demon Judd McVee as a decision nears on his future. McVee’s management will meet with the Demons defender this week to assess the landscape but he emerged from that meeting with positive vibes about his coach. He has interest from WA-based clubs but the more likely outcome now is that he re-signs at the Demons. His partner Lily Johnson plays for the Demons’ AFLW side, although there is other interest in Victoria. McVee is keen to play a more attacking role in the backline under McVee but had held off signing a new deal for the entire year as he was pigeonholed as a close-checking defender." https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/gold-coast-suns-shut-down-raid-rumours-on-bailey-humphrey-plus-the-latest-on-charlie-curnow-judd-mcvee-pies-young-guns-and-more/news-story/6cf5acec0b946bc5773bd3055ba877a4?amp&fbclid=IwY2xjawM_OJ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFYSEZhQ3hLeXdBMG5pZ0NnAR7I6PrrY93zcMHVY-0M01vL1Me0QxpSNaqCTsvBvvnnDEXXw0SjFeAHp2GUqA_aem_XIg-obDGj2QHkp41VhHvHw&nk=145a0d1f2eca19b62dc1cea38edcb85d-1758615886 (Typo in that, I presume that the bit in the middle there should be "play a more attacking role in the backline under King ")

No he didn't. You're confusing possibility with probability.

I suspect a suitor will be found. The club is making all the right, respectful noises, but behind all that it seems pretty clear that we want him gone.

Melbourne’s decision to tell Steven May he is free to look elsewhere might look like standard list management: a 34-year-old defender with a year left on his contract, a new coach, and a club in transition. But beneath the surface, this call is about more than age or cap space. It’s about culture, leadership, and the end of the protective bubble that once shielded the Demons’ 2021 heroes. For all his credentials as a premiership defender, May was never the type to pull a group together. He barked, he scolded, he demanded, but he wasn’t widely seen as a unifying presence. At a time when Melbourne needs strong voices to redefine itself after four disappointing years, May was often a distraction rather than a leader. Under Steven King, Melbourne are re-tooling their list and game style for a faster, more flexible defensive system. A high-maintenance veteran with one year left on his deal was never going to be part of that blueprint. https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/09/21/steven-mays-time-was-up-at-melbourne-the-dees-cant-waste-any-more-time-on-high-maintenance-veterans/amp/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM-WoRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHmlZjk7BxoQtBDXBWT6a8LY5oc-5dyfSzpZSZZVLrS84MhrFaUhXbieQhWsO_aem_BvdjD07wmleKGVn9_0lTWw

Why do people have such trouble understanding that the List Manager's primary job is contracts, salaries and navigating the salary cap and list long-term. Lamb does NOT recruit players. That's primarily Taylor's job, in collaboration with the List Management Committee. Lamb is heavily involved in recruiting once players have been identified (Taylor and co.) as it's his responsibility to do the deals, set up the contracts etc.

Every coach in the league has finals in 2026 as the aim. Doesn't mean it's going to happen.

Not sure if this has been posted: While Adelaide are evidently in need of a game-breaking midfielder of Petracca’s mould, Foxfooty.com.au understands the club isn’t willing to move heaven and earth to acquire him — or, in other words, act on anything they perceive to be an overpay. Fox SportsRevealed: Crows’ confidence in landing Demons superstar b...Revealed: Crows’ confidence in landing Demons superstar builds as Petracca warms to exit

Good luck with that.

Trac's a 30 year old on a massive contract. If he was coming to us no-one here would want to pay more than a couple of second rounders.

Fantasyland. Not only are those picks not available, even if they were ...

They already have 14, so there's one. They then have a) future first and b) LOTS of lower picks that if they're clever they can turn into something higher up. Though which clubs with higher picks would be prepared to trade out of the first round remains to be seen.

Not to mention Stengle.

Melbourne Football Club National Recruiting Manager: Jason Taylor