Hot as Hell

The Bulldogs have fallen such a long way in such a short time it should come as no surprise some have succumbed to the blame game. Cooney was a great player, no doubt, but little integrity. There will be many at Melbourne today could describe Goodwin much the same as BM. Whether that story is told in future, has yet to be determined. I for one am glad he is part of our development team. Growing up is not supposed to be a holiday, sometimes life and it's lessons are tough.

Not so. Jets always had a strong body but was played as a forward. JKH is a lightweight with hollow legs. I saw much of him at University of Melbourne and he approached his (former) studies like his footy. Close enough but not hard enough. Those who rate him as an AFL will condemn this club to mediocrity. One or 2 cameos a match and several misses on goal do not a strong team make. The quicker the coach ceases this failed experiment the better.

Only in a non parallel universe. JKH is a VFL player not even close to Jets.

I want to respect our selected side. As such, I don't wish to name the player l believe should not be playing (though many may speculate on his identity). l believe we are starting the game 1 man short and we will pay for it. The Crows are an experienced outfit with lots of mature bodies and talent. We are not at that level yet, although on our way. Much as l would like to e entertain the thought that we could win, l cannot. l am expecting a flogging from a genuine AFL contender, on the rise after a debilitating run of injuries and at their home deck. ?

It is that time of year when most teams suffer some unexpected and unwanted injuries. We certainly have our full allotment. If Clarry is unable to play this week (and Harmes) in addition to our existing high talent outs, it is hard to see us getting the job done in Adelaide. We all knew we would rue the pathetic performance against the Pies, the inexcusable loss to the Saints and the many "winnables" that we found a way to lose. My own thoughts are that we were never a genuine contender in 2018. The lessons we are learning are in preparation for 2019- 2022 when our younger bodies have matured, as well as their heads and ability to adapt to changed game conditions. The last 6 weeks have been good, if not painful learning. But I don't see them as wasted, I see them as necessary pains in the development of a strong unit. I genuinely want our boys to get a taste of finals this year. I am presently uncertain that taste will come. Injury and lost opportunity is taking its toll. Last weekend was another learning exercise for our young coach as well. If JKH gets another game in Demon colours..............ahhh, what can I say. There are a few other players who could be named as very disappointing last week. They are one paced bla bla bla, but there seems little to be gained in naming and/or criticising them. They were selected on form and we have few options presenting at Casey to replace them. I don't think there will be too many changes except JKH and those resulting from injuries. The players played 3 very good quarters of footy at the Cattery. They deserve the opportunity to go again.

Omac was not the reason we lost and cannot be blamed. He was out of his depth in Q1 yet the coach did not choose to rescue "his boy" until the game was lost. That our backline relies on an under sized body with slow reaction time and lacking pace is not the player's fault. It is just our weakness. Omac apologists will disagree but he is a serviceable defender, not a great one. He will also get better as his body matures. He was protected from by a solid group co defenders but they are injured including Nev, and gave left him more accountable. He will not be dropped by Simon Badloss even if his man kicks 10. We all know that. JKH is gone. Pure and simple. A positive l saw in the result is the identification/exposure of a couple of players who will not make it. Dom T has lost all value as a footballer. His confidence and skill have evaporated. He offers no substitution to Viney, and his lack of pace and awareness are downright liabilities. ANB has had no impact in any game over the last 6 weeks despite doing a lot of running and bum chasing. But he has been given the nod of the coach and l suspect his pisition is safe. Joel Smith gives 100% but is not experienced enough in AFL footy to genuinely earn and retain a spot. Maybe next year he will. He is a work in progress. For this week, JKH is out replaced by either Kent or Hannan. All the others mentioned will probably stay only because we lack sufficient depth or quality to replace them. I expect us to make 1 change and cut the rest of the team the slack they probably deserve for a great effort. We clearly carry 4 - 6 players that we shouldn't. It separates us from the best. We can beat Adelaide but we need the run of the ball and our best 14 doing their thing. If Adelaide apply physical pressure, we are Gawwwn. Injury to key players, as in 2017, has yet again cost us and exposed us as not quite as good a team as many think. We are not bad but fall into the 6 - 10 ranking in the comp.

We have a lot of young talent but no composure. Tonight we needed level heads on and off the field in the last 2 minutes, to find a spot in the top 4. We are no longer a part of that conversation.

This coach does not know how to read the game and play the percentages. We needed shut down their forward line instead we opened it with our players all playing high chasing the ball. Biggest lesson here should be learned by the coach, not the players. Top 4 spot lost.

It was ours to lose and we did. 8 premiership points gone in the race to the finals. Top 4 spot now forfeited. Heart breaking stuff. Goody way too slow to move our boy off the man Hawkins. An embarrassing match up that in the first 15 minutes of the last, turned the game.

Dom had a stinker last night. One of the worst games l recall him playing. Failed to cover the ball deep in the backline and conceded a goal, dropped a mark and kicked poorly leading to a turnover goal, missed targets all night. I don't know where his training skills go, but under pressure on game day he falls short of the required level of a not quick, not big player. He really needs to get his mojo back or he may not be on our list in 2019. AFL footy can demand a high price.

Congrats Chas. One of our sparks when we needed them most. Great debut to remember for life.

I will back my 2 eyes, my brain and my judgement every time and stand by my words. I a surely concede l am not an AFL coach, but l have seen 100s of talented VFL/AFL players. At the moment Oscar earns his spot, all credit to him. In my book he should have to earn that right each week. Those that believe JKH is an AFL footballer would receive a similar response if he ever got a game. But he ain't a coach's favorite, so we don't need to bother.

Please. Oscar has been a roo in the spotlight because he was played way too young, deserving his pick 52 or 53 draft position. Despite embarrassing performances week after week he was persevered with. Thank God that stage appears over. I said last week was his best game for Melbourne amongst a side that played very poorly. I am unable to determine whether last week's game was a reflection of a hapless backline that elevated his performance, or a genuine break out game. I attended every Melbourne based game last year and regularly tracked his on field movement away from the ball. Believe me, l did not see much brilliance or ball reading skill. I want every player we have on our list to succeed, to make us strong. The jury is well and truly still out on Oscar in my view. One good game in a 67 point loss does not make a player special. I understand he has many fan boys on this site, so my view is the minority view. Nevertheless l have seen way too much VFL/AFL football in 6 decades to be swayed by the views of one eyed fans or coach's favorites that have kept us as cellar dwellers for most of the last 54 years.

Yep. I have been one if those who felt Oscar should gave been developed in the VFL comp under the radar. He wasn't. Over the last 2 years l have been frustrated by Oscar's regular errors and poor positioning on the field that bled goals. On Sunday, he was our best defender and took some important and strong marks for us. It was his best game for Melbourne without a doubt. Well done young man. Keep up the effort and you will make a fool of me and many others but you will also make Melbourne a stronger side.

What SWYL said! So bloody true.

I hope Jack meets the expectations of Port whatever they may be, and that he regains his self belief. He will not be a different player, just the same bloke in a different environment. He was expected to walk on water when our team was a raging torrent of mediocrity inside and out. The ferocious, sharp tongues of vocal so called Melbourne fans would never accept the club let him down, as much as him failing to get the best out of himself. For every game other than against us, l wish him well.

Injuries to key players are NEVER ever wanted. However when they are unavoidable, they create opportunities for others. Look at Hogan last year whose savagely poor luck, uncovered T Mac as a star forward! We have the chance to pick 22 players the same as our opposition. The mix will now have changed, but the objective remains the same. Who will grasp their opportunity in 2018? Hopefully ANB or Bayley or Pedo or someone else. It is there for the taking.

MFCSS alive and well for 2018. I hate seeing injuries to key players as much as anyone else but our challenge now is to get on with the task of putting 22 players on the field and getting the job done.

Hey Cassiew, l freely admit l am no photographer but here are a couple of snaps of some young guns. Unfortunately technical problems had by very best shots uploaded upside down! Guess that proves l have no business holding a camera. Apologies to Jake L who l seem to have caught at an awkward moment.

Well done Mitch. Be assured the club values your commitment and your skills. To those of us outside of the inner sanctum, it appears we have a group of talented players who want to be playing footy with each other in pursuit of the AFL's highest prize. Melbourne Football Club, under the stewardship of PJ, PR their management and coaching crews (and their successors) is finally start to look like a team on a mission. The many young guys who have now signed on to be part of our tilt at a flag is an inspiration and motivation to all who are involved in the club. Bring on 2018 so we can let our playing group loose, to do what they have in their minds and bodies to do. Play some brilliant footy.

Excellent points poita. Whilst not being at Luna Park had some upside the gaps also needed to be covered to keep the kids amused. I also thought there was insufficient planning about how the fans could get autographs with out having to line up in 3 or 4 lines to get the popular players only for many of the other players to be ignored or seemingly feel like "extras". A few tables around the space with 5 to 8 players per table would have given everyone a better shot at a happy snap, and a full autograph book. The layout of most activities on the outside of the field and nothing in the middle might have looked better on the map than it actually worked in real life. I thought Robbo did a great job knowing that a lot of the activity shortfall rested on his shoulders to fill. All good lessons for next year's event.

Beautiful day for the event and a very good crowd attended. Plenty of young kids which was also pleasing. In response to Demon77, Harmes was indeed absent today. Mmmmm. The players seemed to enjoy the more casual atmosphere in Yarra Park and were very relaxed with the endless stream of fans and autographs. The membership tent had a steady stream of people coming to it so hopefully our numbers will get a boost this week. I had an opportunity to talk briefly with PJ who, with his team, has helped to rebuild the club both off field and on. He was extremely pleased with the turnout today, and revitalised club spirit. All in all, amongst the crowd, except for the long wait to meet some players, the mood was fantastic uninterupted by the rides and distractions of Luna Park. Access to the ground by both car and public transport made the event easy for all to attend. I can only imagine it was regarded by the club as a success. Being flanked by the magnificence of our home ground, it was a genuine Melbourne Football Club event for the benefit of its members. Congrats need to be extended to Robb who worked hard today to keep the interviews with players and coaches flowing smoothly while fans went about their preferred activities. We'll done MFC.

A couple of typos in there but l think we get the gist of your point. First hand, l can confirm ltalians once trusted, are one of the most giving and loyal cultures around. Once betrayed, stay well away! Love what CP5 has done, to return the club's faith in him. MFC is slowly building and binding a very high class list for the years ahead.

A common trait amongst most of the power teams if the past from the baby bummers, through to the Swans, Cats and Hawks is that they retained most of their best young players all the way through their successful era. Although individuals will only naturally seek what is best for themselves, successful teams share the spoils from the best players down, each sacrificing something for their team, and their team mates. Max is on board, Viney was never in doubt and Clarry appears to want to stay a Dee. If CP5 can hold fat with the club talking about his career, it sends a thumping message to all the other younger players. Ultimate success although not certain, would be at the very least a realistic goal within 3 years. I am certain our player management are acutely all of this. Gee, at one function l attended even Chris Connolly was mapping out the contracted players 5 years ahead of time. Maybe, at that time we needed to worry more about the here and now instead of the future. Most of his list are now long gone. Good luck thisTruck, you are one of msny important parts of our side and our future.

The Ollie ship sailed by us years ago. We chose Jimmy's dingy instead. I suspect OW was gutted by his rejection by our lowly club and it would take 2 lifetimes for him to ever look at us again, except in contempt. Demons fans looking for a goldilocks contract outcome may be very disappointed. In my view we need to move on, just as we had to do with Liam J. What an exciting team we could have had, IF ONLY (those two fateful words)