bing181

As you (and others) keep on saying. Though still without providing any actual evidence.

Then it should be easy for you to find some links to share with us. Apart from anything else, if you're going to load up the players, you do it in the period leading up to the finals: mid-July/August. It's early June.

The small forwards rely on the ball getting to ground. The McCartins made sure that didn't happen.

So including the Swans and Freo? Not much slumping going on there, at least in our games. Sure, there have been finals teams who have struggled mid-year. And plenty who haven't. And any number of reasons for slumps to occur. Drawing a long bow IMV.

Perhaps, but I'd be interested to see any evidence for it apart from "they look tired". Apart from the fact that it's too early in the year to be building for (checks notes) September, ... there's the idea that has been floated on here that of course they're loading because "everyone does it". But if everyone does it, how come our opponents aren't also flagging during games? Don't believe it myself. Footy is as much mental as physical, and there are only so many times you can go to the self-belief well when you're being hammered by a competitive team who are on their game, as has been the case these last 2 weeks. (And will be next week.)

Is he? He's "famous" for wanting to build resilience by having players train at a high level all year round and push through niggles rather than having sessions off or shorter ... but loading? I don't believe "loading", whatever that is in the context of AFL, has anything to do with what's going on at the moment.

Hopefully May back next week. The back line needs a general to knock it into shape onfield - or a second general, it's too much just for Lever. Also need May's lockdown so that Lever can play the third man up - Lever has never been great one-on-one, and has never been a great disposer either. Thought Petty played a better game, or at least a second half, so hopefully if we can get the band back together with May back in, the backline will start to resemble the all-dominant machine it was last year.

Not sure that Salem should have been played. Or Langdon. Salem was rusty as all hell, not sure how many times he turned the ball over, yet alone being beaten by his man. Langdon seemed to be not quite his usual run-all-day self. Which is understandable, but we paid for it. Wonder if both of them were being fast-tracked back knowing that they weren't quite ready - but knowing also that they'd get more out of an AFL game than one at Casey. Add into that Thomlinson, and to a lesser extent Mitch Brown, both of whom have hardly played any AFL footy for a year or so - and it showed. Neither had the pace of the game. Add that to Salem and Langdon and ... a step too far perhaps.

Yes, jumped out at me as well. I don't know that I've ever heard Goodwin name a player in that context, if he criticises it's usually "we" (were poor ...). Interesting as well that he defended Ben Brown. Obviously some pressure being put on Weeds to stand up.

Missing May badly, not just in what he does, but in how the backline sets up. He's the anchor point, around which all the others play. Not helped by Salem being rusty and Thomlinson being reminded that it's a bit of a step up from the VFL. As for up the other end ... Van Royen can't develop quickly enough.

Ben Brown slightly lucky, wouldn't want another game with a handful of touches and no goals. Equally, need better entry into the forward line.

It's an interesting question, especially with Majak Daw and JVR both outs due to illness at Casey. Perhaps there was more going on than we know/knew about. At this level, if you're even 5% off it'll have an impact.

If May and Petty are both out, we'll have to break the glass and either play Tom Mac as a permanent KPD, or take a chance on Turner. Neither are ideal solutions, but what can you do? I don't think we'll make any more changes down back than that, unless forced. Consistency counts for something. Equally, understand the concerns re Rivers especially.

Langdon, Salem, Harmes, McDonald and effectively May out was a step too far. You start bleeding in one area and it spreads throughout the team. e.g. Biggest failing tonight for me was our inability to lock it in the forward line. Presumably McDonald would help that but even there, under normal circumstances Langdon is one of the prime movers in getting it back in when it does come out. Also missed Spargo in the forward line. (Not to ignore BBB's inability to have any impact at all ... but that hasn't stopped us in the past.)

Hopefully McDonald and Langdon in, at least.

TMac has been OK of late, shame he's not out there (in more ways than one as he could have covered for May if necessary).

Buddy could have to answer to the MRO.

With no May down there, Lobb the worry.

You'd think so. But tricky situation.

Now the early-season hysteria is behind us, could Richmond be the Dees' biggest threat? https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/33980233/afl-rohan-connolly-early-season-hysteria-us-richmond-tigers-melbourne-demons-biggest-threat

Richmond getting their mojo back. One last shot before the band moves on? Martin back makes a real difference, he's their talisman.

Behind it all it seems that the problem is with Armafio (CEO) if what's floating round the North BigFooty board is correct. Be interesting to see what Paul Roos makes of it all. Takes me back ...

I'd be inclined to leave Dunstan in for a game or three just to see what happens and see if we can't "Melbournise" him. Can't be easy stepping up to AFL level. Not saying he's going to really make it either, but I'd give him a bit more of a run before we write him off as nothing more than good depth.

I disagree, but it's an interesting discussion. I feel that what we're doing, the way we grind teams down and suffocate them, is just as ruthless as winning every game by 10 goals.

Great news, but pity we're not playing Sunday. That extra day would have come in handy. Fingers crossed in any case.