DEE fence

Could everyone please watch the post game presser, I actually think it was his best ever (apart from standing his ground a few weeks ago). He explains a couple of things really well in his usual dry manner. We as fans (speaking for myself) go mental when we miss gimme goals - the reason... we worry that the players will drop their heads from missed opportunities. What Goodwin explained really clearly (we're not focused on outcome mantra) at the 03:30 - 04:00 min mark of the video, was that the team - 'work hard unconditionally' and that 'they were able to continue with the same mindset...irrespective of the outcome of the scoreboard'. i.e. he has coached the team to deal with what is our (my) biggest fear (speaking again for myself/MFCSS). That if we don't make every post a winner we are done. If you think about it, the idea that with enough opportunities (quality f50 entries) the reward will come (scoreboard result), is so much better than making each shot on goal a pass/fail moment that will only increase pressure on the players. This is something top tier european football teams do all the time. The flip side is, as confidence builds from the process working, the pressure reduces and we will kick bigger scores. By way of contrast - Look at where Carlton are with Curnow and McKay, they have this approach that their gun forwards will do all the work. I would much rather have 10 goal kickers (Kozzie with 5 doesn't hurt either). That said, Gawn shouldn't have laid off that shot at goal, that is not taking responsibility. I want that coached out, same for Trac, take your bloody set shots. Needless to say, Goodwin has walked the path he said we were going to take and has fronted up to everything. Kudos to a legend of the MFC. https://www.afl.com.au/video/1330462/goodwin-post-match-r11-its-a-pretty-special-bond-that-youre-starting-to-see?videoId=1330462&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1748169119001&limit=50&tagNames=ProgramCategory%3APress%20Conference&references=AFL_COMPSEASON%3A73%2CAFL_ROUND%3A1157

I once had the great pleasure (while escorting the umpires as a young uniformed constable) at the G, of telling Sticks Kernahan 'not to sook', in those words, as he came over and started berating the umpires after a close Melbourne victory. Was walking on air, (and I knew he dearly wanted to belt me) was my most rascal moment I'm willing to admit to publicly.

One of the many things I rate about the coach and the team is the respect at the end of the game from our team to opposition. Grundy left, but quite clearly didn’t burn any bridges. There was some ‘heavy’ traffic involving Grundy both ways. Yet I saw him pick up one player in play and Clarry giving him [censored] about the grey whiskers in his beard after the game was fun. It didn’t work but that the separation was graceful shows heaps of class.

Is it off the Hawks or Clarkson? (I would mention Jeff but that might come across as political ;-)…)

The club video with Lever doing his recovery was informative, he made it clear he struggles for touch when he returns and was trying to remedy it. I actually thought with that in mind and thinking of other returns, he wasn't as 'rusty' as he normally was.

Chin's delivery inside 50 was superb: Hard Flat Passes

Waiting for Kingy to retract his Oliver is unlikely to be an A grader again.

Pickett Gawn Oliver Trac Salem Langdon Apologies to Turner, Lindsay, Rivers, McVee in fact most of the team. Pretty damn excited to be able to name Salem, as Coach Ted said… now we have two aces. Gun rebounding HBx2, exactly what you need as a finals team.

AJ has presence, and is a great 2nd ruck. I also like his positioning and he runs with the fall of the ball. I sincerely hope JVR comes good, but the way AJ is moving when the ball is on the deck applies pressure that JVR doesn’t bring. He still ball watches, after he feels the contest has past him, AJ keeps moving regardless, it’s valuable. And his nouse to tap rather than take possession should get more credit, kept ball alive. Oh by the could the previous Petty haters (apart from STFU) apologize, all that garbage about him not being invested.

Better, Kozzie is a disrupter of opposition composure. The way Max takes long down the line out of the equation, Kozzie puts the fear of God into rebounding defenders. Jurrah a better mark, but everything else Kozzie.

Am a bit stressed about Viney, I know we all think he is made of stone, but three weeks suggest his bell was well and truly rung. Thinking he could be a bit longer still than what the club is saying. Don't love that symptoms were delayed and while it was a decent hit, it wasn't the biggest we've seen him wear. Am worried he's getting to the stage where he is just more susceptible.

Fair point, I think Gawn is maxxed out (sorry) with MMM, I love Melk's no BS approach to questions in the media recently. Of the AFLW crew I'm not sure who is the slickest media performer, well Bannan is a fave player (her running is electric) Eliza and Kate seem media savvy. Of the other blokes, Lever or Rivers can hold a sentence together without using every cliche under the sun, some forward/back tension would be good too. I presume someone like GW would have more of a clue on who could keep their end of a microphone up.

I miss Gus and Gawn, I get that its time has passed, but I really would like to see another - I propose to nominate Chandler to lead it, I even have a working title: CHIN WAG Tell me that isn't a nice play on words, open to other suggestions though. Cheers

I love to have a bet with friends, my family has owned and trained horses and I only mention this to say I’m not a wowser. But seriously sports betting on phones has to stop, it cannot be that easy to get high. It’s like your phone is dispensing fentanyl. Felt strong enough to post about it, John Oliver can be a preachy git, but he’s not wrong here, is worth a watch, and the harm is real, let’s push to limit the damage. Oh and to be clear I don’t mind people talking about their bets, in the same way I favour legalization, but with limits and controls.

I actually think it is in the lap of the gods, we have the talent and the effort, the god part is the confidence, our small forwards nail a few on the run and we’ll skewer sides. Our leaders continue to shank goals from gimme positions the season will sink without a trace. My very knowledgeable Hawks mate was laughing at how the Hawks escaped with a win. Dogs and Collingwood are the only teams I’m really worried about. Dogs and Melbourne might just be the heavyweight clash of midfield clearance for the year. Collingwood I think we will beat once, (maybe) twice would be a miracle because they are annoyingly good. Dogs while more consistent I think we match up well on them and have good recent history.