Ned

1 hour ago, Bingo said:

Like Heeney said, they play and train all preseason in this heat and humidity. We couldn't handle the ball.

That’s not an out. It was humid but one week from summer, Melbourne has had the same.

I’m very frustrated with coaching. All the same issues again. Remember Sydney had their three big bodied midfielders out. Yet only Viney - as usual - made a stand.

I remember reading that the coach wasn’t too bright and is intimidated by smart people. Something about that rang true after two straight sets exits and same issues - again tonight. I do love the Dees and dream of success again.

But I fear an awesome list i being/has been squandered by a coaching group that’s not really up to today’s standards.

it would be my happiest moment to be proved completely wrong. Tonight was super poor guys. No excuses. I watched it and we were trounced. :(

3 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Even with the injuries to Petty and Melksham we were better team in both our finals yet found a way to lose. This year was a massive fail, no excuses at all. That’s why I’m still gutted and couldn’t watch yesterday.

Amen.

There was a rumor on Twitter about us going hard for Naughton, fwiw. Don’t shoot the transcriber!!

7 minutes ago, YearOfTheDees said:

Collingwood were the best side all year but they were also very gettable late in the season, just that no one could get them. Many side should have but none could. We just have to live with it now. 

I still feel like we were the best shot and it still hurts. I also feel like they scammed their way to the premiership with 7, 1 and 4 point wins. But you don’t keep winning those tight ones if you’re no good. I think their coach is superb. It’s painful!

Maybe try and get Whitfield? Great decision-maker and kicker. Just a thought.

16 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Can't help but be super impressed with the way they go about it. Putting Port to the sword and they genuinely look like a premiership contender in my opinion. 

They should absolutely dare to dream because they play a brand that is well equipped on the big stage.

I mean watching Jesse Hogan in itself makes me depressed but I'm bloody happy for him and hope he gets success.

Toby Green, Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield are genuine stars of the competition 

They're my go to team for the finals.

 

+1 I jumped out of my seat when Jesse took that hanger. Very happy for the big fella

4 hours ago, Dannyz said:

Absolutely devastated to learn of Ron's passing today.

He is Melbourne football club.

♥️

 

Mr September passes in September.

RIP.

23 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Not going to dwelve into last night's performance because I think that's been done to death.

With the list we have we simply should be contending deep into finals but the fact we've gone 2 years in a row with straight set exits is to put it bluntly, unacceptable and embarrassing. 

I'll raise a few point and see how others feel.

• Coaching restructure.

I think the likes of Stafford and Yze have done their time. I'm hoping Yze gets the senior gig at Richmond and Stafford is moved on. Since 2020, we've made zero changes to our coaching structure and if you're not careful players can get really stale with the same voice over and over again. Some fresh coaches with fresh ideas is what needed imo.

• Ruthless list management calls on senior players.

Tmac and Benny Brown are beyond cooked and still have a year to run on their contract. One or both need to be tapped on the shoulder and told thanks for your service because they're two injury prone blokes that continue to break down and clog up list space. To watch Tmac dish up that performance last night was embarrassing really. I would also put Salem up for trade. I know his form in the last two years has been poor but he'll be 29 next year and I cannot see him getting back to his standard of 2021. If he can net us a late 1st rounder or early 2nd then I'd jump at the opportunity. Another who struggles to play a full season out due to injury/illness. I'd also reward Melksham with a 1 year contract and put him on the rookie list. Trade out Jordon and Harmes for peanuts but keep Tomlinson. 

• Review our list management process.

The Brodie Grundy trade was an absolute blunder, there is no way sugar coating it. Blind Freddie could see that bringing in another a genuine number one ruck was never going to work. There were many, me included, who raised concerns regarding this decision last year and our worst fears came to fruition when we attempted to turn him into a forward which turned into another blunder. I feel bad for Grundy but Sydney will be a much better fit. We dont need to be going out and buying expensive rucks, we just need to bring in someone that come in and play a role when needed to relieve Max and even pinch hit up forward. Hayden McLean type. On other list management decisions, don't sell it to guys like Dunstan and Schache and say that there certainly will be opportunities there and then refuse to play them when we've had those opportunities open up. Goody is part of this process so he too needs to seriously reconsider how he approaches this when targeting players. We had poor Dunstan racking up close to 40 touches a game and yet we rewarded the same guys in Harmes and Jordon who were giving us absolute zero output at AFL level.

• Captaincy decision?

I'm really torn on this and hesitated leaving this one out. But is it time to make a call on the captaincy? We all love Gawn for what he's done for this footy club but he's also getting on. The two misses last night were very costly and when you're needing your captain to stand up in the moment unfortunately he just couldnt grab his chances. He also doesn't have much time left in the game and I'm starting to think maybe a fresh leader with a fresh voice could be good for the group perhaps. Still torn on this one.

Terrific post. If we don’t shake things up we’ll literally be the definition of insanity.

I’d make Brayshaw captain - think he could do with the extra responsibility. But Trac would be terrific too.

Definitely need coaching panel changes to bring in new voices and ideas. Perhaps Dew or someone else who has sat in the chair? And a sharp up-and-comer.

Tomlinson must stay - and needs to be paid more respect - and I don’t understand the point of Schache and Dunstan. Not up to it. Really, really need some pace and elite kicking. Heartbreaking watching Bedford put on the afterburners though I’m super happy for him.

2 hours ago, BDA said:

I'm depressed again after reading that. but its 100% true.

Written with a very fatalistic, despondent, exasperated tone. I reckon Tim Miller is a Dees supporter. 

Nah, worse, poor bugger is a Dogs supporter. It does mean he understands though.

3 minutes ago, Dee-monic said:

Not to mention the absence of Brayshaw and JVR (in the second case self-inflicted). But maybe it says something about our lack of depth, because every club has to  cope with injuries and suspensions.

Just can’t trust our team. It makes footy so painful to watch. Can only hope this builds some steel. The Oliver touched and Kozzy snap hitting the post were heart-breaking. The moment we were 5 points ahead you knew a Carlton goal was coming.

Bloody criminal organization.

17 minutes ago, KLV said:

Despite my self imposed media ban, I heard a bit of crunchtime in the car this morning - All out criticism of the Dee’s forward movement  - personnel, strategy and recruitment all got a serve.
They have written us off , while simultaneously championing the purity of the football act by Maynard, him having no case to answer (incredulously, I’ve heard several times, Brayshaw didn’t help himself to avoid impact).

We will go through the week with hype continuing to build Carlton.

I don’t mind it.

 

Maynard will go. Whatever those imbeciles say is irrelevant. I’ve also switched off footy media after the loss as can’t deal with all the piffle. 

44 minutes ago, Wizard of Koz said:

We got this!

Brisbane are wobbling and Port may well get over them. If not, we will. Just need to smash Carlton, which we’ll do as we owe them big time for their last cheating win. 

Hopefully Pies make it to the grand final and Viney and May meet out some Demon Vengeance on the way to a flag!!!

1 hour ago, homsar said:

The single biggest mistake imo was not introducing some new players to the team. Especially after a premiership, you need to inject some hunger. People need to fear their spot in the team. You only need to be 5% down in intensity and you get beaten by a team like Sydney, Collingwood, etc. who play like maniacs. We were like maniacs last year. So, so hard to keep that up forever. We will be back. 

Yes, and prepare for your game plan to be worked out…as it invariably is after a premiership. Ended the season with a whimper, alas.

We’re the worst 13-4 team! But a win is a win.

Just now, Clintosaurus said:

Yet if Luke was at Collingwood they would be saying 3 first rounders or no deal.

Yep, or feel free to go to North in PSD.

Brayshaw we have no hold on. Compensation will be lame too. In truth, we got Jackson in a bizarre down spot of 2019 and JT will find some good players with picks.

Geelong and Hawthorn lost Ablett and Franklin and still did alright afterwards. The sky won’t fall - just a bit sad about the lack of loyalty. But that’s the reality I guess.

5 hours ago, layzie said:

What can I say? I completely expected this result. Two teams coming off a 5 day break, one plays a real physical and grueling game over in Adelaide, the other has a bruise free training run at this very ground. One forward line struggling, the other buzzing. Advantage Cats. Throw the loading theory in there for both teams and you've got one lacklustre standard of game.

I'll get this out of the way. A lot of people like Thursday night football for some reason. I know it's harder for some to fill the time in their pitiful lives themselves so we need to create this new shiney object called Thurs night footy so all these drones are happy. Well as a result of this and crappy fixturing, the game of the year turned out to be anything but. Geelong looked that bit slicker in the end.

We did start with a bang but the moment Bowser gave up that holding the ball we were in for a night of crappy, crappy decision making and execution. So many skills can be put down to fatigue it's not funny. Please no-one act like we were 'a bit off for some reason'. You know the reason, it's obvious. 

I couldn't give a rat's ar*e about this result tonight and the little boost it will give those nitwits down the highway. We were so crap tonight and still kept the twin towers to 1 goal. You think they will beat us with midfield and smalls goals again? Ha!

We had a lot of crap performers, let's not hide from that. May was garbage early, was literally a coach killer. His influence is nothing when he's not performing. Gawn was not good, I'm not a doctor but I wasn't thrilled about him coming back early. Salem was crap, one of his most wayward kicking games. Spargo was down, Bedford was non-existent, Bowey very average. It felt like half our side was Under12s players chasing the footy and when they hit a target once in a blue moon you felt so proud.

To the positives, Pickett worked his socks off. Honestly thought he'd nailed that shot but I don't think we would have won regardless. Viney and Clarry worked hard. Petracca took his chances, the backline held firm I thought Lever and Petty did their bit.

Brayshaw is some player now. As of right at this minute he's the one I want to retain. Thought Jordan was crap.

Thurs night football stinks, if you like it then more power to you. I'm gonna go sleep in a cave for 9 days or whatever it is till our next game.

Agree with every word. Well said.

A game at that junk ground is barely relevant. We just focus on getting the wins for top 4. That’s all that matters (and won’t be easy either). But do it and then let’s see.

Brayshaw please!

8 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

If there is one thing in life I can’t handle is losing to Geelong. The fire of a thousand suns is not as burning hot as my hatred of the Geelong Football Club, it’s coach, it’s player or it’s dumpy stadium filled with hick supporters.

Please let’s destroy these *insert 190 different swear words*

Amen. Never forget 186. Hibberd to Stengle.

Blitzkrieg football. I remember Barassi urging this on one of his teams when he was coaching in the 70s. Last night looked like Blitzkrieg football to me and wow did it look good!

He was welling up last night. It was great to see. 

Awful draw. Just rotten. No games for us Sydneysiders and our run at the end is horrible. Nice start with Geelong and the best three midfielders. Seriously...
The only thing to say is that if we're good enough,  we'll win them. But it'll be no thanks to this sh!tty draw.

Sad day for me. Feel  like we  let down Grimes, Trengove and Watts badly. For  all his flaws, I just wanted to see Melbourne and Jack finally succeed and I felt sure it would happen. Good luck to him at  Port. 

Is there a chance this whole episode is a surreptitious rocket for Jack? He's unlikely to secure a trade just because of the way the chips have fallen so will wind up staying at Melbourne. Perhaps will shake off some of his apathy and if not then really on the block next year? He frustrates me but he's also been part of a club that went to hell and back during his time. I've always hoped Melbourne's success would come with Jack Watts part of it so both sides were validated. Just a dream I guess.

I haven't felt this way since 1987. God it's good. Go you mighty Dees!

Brock is as thick as two short planks. The tanking comments simply brought the crisis in the club to the fore. He would've been clueless anything he said would have an impact. Just as he's clueless now about slagging off Carlton. I didn't like him exposing tanking, but I think in the end it was good for our club for everything to be out in the open. No one will tank any more as it simply doesn't work -- Carlton another great example of that. More than anything I was annoyed they weren't dragged through the filth too.

Our club has been run by incompetents for year. Right now we have a capable CEO and coach. At least we can look forward with a degree of confidence that decent people are at the tiller. The rest is history.

I love Roos, very glad. Send Chip to Casey for the rest of the season. We only want hearts that beat true.