spalding

The next stage of our journey needs to be player driven. It felt like May took On the challenge to be a leader this year, and I think Gawn, Viney and Lever can continue to build here. it is then up to the likes of Oliver, Petracca etc to take on the onus of leading this team as well. I think petracca took ownership of his own game this year and perhaps now can widen his focus to drive the team. Oliver took steps with his own game during the year (more run etc) bottom line for me, is if these sorts of guys want to take the easy option to go somewhere else rather than take on the challenge to drive this group to a flag, and we can’t persuade them that they can get us to this level, we should be letting them go for the players and personalities who do have this commitment.

I am really encouraged that our Board and Management are doing everything in their power to give our playing group and coaching group all they can to achieve ultimate success. Its time that they now return the favour by addressing the areas that they need to improve in to be a consistent top team. I personally feel that the youth and inexperience of our forward line is the remaining weakness in our playing list, but Weideman, Fritsche, Kozi and Dogga is a lot of talent to build around, and the rest is pretty much mental (ie Swans. Freo etc). I know a lot of posters think goody can't coach, doesn't listen, can't deligate, has no match day awareness etc etc, (all the similar traits that apparently Hardwick, had etc), but I like that our Board seem to be following the Richmond model to make sure the support network is there and then give the incumbent time to execute. If Goody can't deliver in 2021 with the tools he has been given, then at least it seems that there is a decent plan B (who will have already had a year's experience with the playing list).

I personally think everyone is missing the biggest issue with this interview. Pert and the rest of Board/Management believe enough in this this list/football programme that they have gone totally"chips in" on the next 3 years (given this was year 1 of a 4 year plan to achieve a premiership). We are "using our balance sheet" despite a "lack of cash-flow" to bet that the team will be successful enough in the next couple of years to cover this years covid hit with bigger membership and gate receipts in the next couple of years. So much so that we are taking the path of avoiding AFL financial assistance (and the restrictions that will come from this regarding footy departments), unlike most of the other clubs. No-one asked on the interview, but I don't quite know how we do this unless we selling or borrowing against the "strong balance sheet". The money from our latest fundraising campaign will help a little, but no-where near what we have lost this year. What happens if we have the same cash-flow issues in the next couple of years - either due to Covid (no crowds/reduced members) or if we perform below the expectations of Management/Board? Our financial position could become very weak very quickly, and this Balance Sheet will be quickly eroded. Even if we do meet our cashflow targets, it seems that some of this Balance Sheet will already be needed for any training/social club development. Therefore, if there are some misgivings about the Coach be able to get this team to deliver on the forecast path, they either have to act now. They are already taking a massive risk that has a high probability of putting the club in serious financial trouble. I think we are 1 year into a high risk/ high reward strategy, where we have effectively bet the longer term viability of our club on the next 3-4 years.

The one kick he did short across his body in the first quarter to hit up melksham on the inside in between 3 saints was sublime. He had nothing on down the wing and it resulted direct in a Weideman goal rather than a turnover

Thought today was Tomlinson’s best game for us too. There’s still a few holes to fill, but our recruiting and drafting over the past couple of is going to give us a good chance of a crack at winning it in the next few years I believe.

Big step - when was the last time we reversed the momentum and got the game back on our terms and won an arm wrestle? Probably 15 years. i thought we were going lose by 5 goals about 5 minutes into the 3rd quarter.

Don’t slam the AFL - will just make us feel better and cost money that we don’t want to spend I think the club should make a formal and public apology to ANB for not contesting his suspension, and supporting him in a manner that we should have. this will have the same effect in the media , possibly avoid the fine (maybe) , and hopefully send a message of support to the rest of the playing group - that MFC admin let down one of its own and it won’t happen again.

I’m with you chookrat!

Ok to risk Adams and focus on Sidebottom. He always kills us - even more so than Pendlebury.

It’s a similar plan that Collingwood used to smash us in queens birthday a couple of years ago. Stand behind and push our players under to ball and then get it loose out the back with speedier players to run on to it. A fair bit of holding going on as well. We did start to get a few frees for this in the last quarter which made a big difference. We also managed to adjust, and got well on top in the last quarter. Viney was good all night, but Clarrie had a great last term.

Good summary. We are getting better at adjusting, and we now have a defence that can hold up long enough to give us a chance. We are that close to being one of the better teams in the Comp - as tonight showed. Don’t know what some others are watching here at times.

They missed a few goals as well. Impact were crap for both teams - I thought we had a good run in the last quarter. Even Gerard Healy, who apparently hates us according to this site thinks we are that close to a top team. we are still deep in this season.

I’m very encouraged that the likes of TMac and jones etc are not necessarily automatic selections any more. with these two, plus the likes of Tomlinson, rivers, smith, Anb etc unable to get a game I think we go into the next fixture block (lots of games in a short space of time) in a great position re depth. I really hope that we play the better teams (port, pies, giants) or at least mid road like saints, dogs and bombers (more than likely) towards the end of this period as I think we have better depth than most of these.

Dom’s career underlines just how hard this game is, and that nothing can be taken for granted for any player. It’s also why I think criticism of players on forums that gets personal is such poor form. look at some of the stuff that we have seen posted about the McDonald’s on this site over the years. I’m really enjoying the way the Omac has worked his butt off to improve himself (and the team) and is proving some of his vicious critics wrong.

You’re a genius maldonboy38!

I really worry about the inexperience of our forward line against a well coached team like the hawks. if we can get up, it’s really encouraging for the future - given that weid, Fritch. Kozzie, Jackson, and Hannan could have at least another 5-7 years playing together.

It will be very interesting to see if lever’s form improves significantly with omac in instead of Smith.

I took the $81 early this week. Eternal optimist, but I'm also not a bad punter - so I hoping that they can at least win this week, and then maybe the week after and possibly get on a bit of a roll. I think the scheduling and lack of injuries could work for us as Chookrat does, but they have to get some confidence quickly. We do have issues, but confidence makes a massive difference (see the first 40 minutes of the Carlton game). I have split my bet into numerous small ones, so that I have a cash out option if my theory plays out (ie if we are 5/5 by our 10th game and other teams are dropping off, I could see our odds coming back to 20/1 or 30/1 - as the Tiges, Pies and even WCE (before they get to Perth) appear vulnerable mentally because of isolation and not playing with huge home crowd support.

Yep - no room for positivity in any shape or form in this site

Yep - and if you put Melbourne jumpers on the pies tonight this site would be in meltdown about players, game plan and coach. The gap between the best and worst teams is so minimal, and a bit of confidence or a couple of good games could see a team like ours get on a big roll. i know most here disagree, and I’ve read it in every other topic in the last week so please don’t feel the need to tell me why I’m wrong and we’re stuffed with Goody in charge.

Actually I’m not sure whether he is or not, but I thought it would be fun to throw some chum in the water and watch the usual names queue up and go apocalyptic!. i am impressed with the Chairman though. He expects finals and suggests that change will be made if that’s not achieved. I think we are lucky to have him running the place, and glad that he seems so invested in achieving success for us.

If anyone thinks this team is anywhere near as talented as the one we will have on Sunday they are watching a different sport. not saying we will win, but we are significantly better.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Lyon is the next coach, but not in your desired timeframe!

So when you say “take the jump” can I assume that means sack Goodwin now? Who would you replace him with?

It’s in my mind too. yes we were pulled apart in Perth (see earlier post) - since that point we have gone backwards because I think we realised how far away we were and the problems that needed to be fixed. it was never going to happen in an instant - as we need to improve the list. i think this is happening. obviously you don’t.