DEE fence

Serious question, I know a summary is given Pretty lucky to only cop a week, Concussion = high impact, Viney is a big loss, has been a major part of our high pressure ratings over the last month.

I looked up the NFL, there are a few guys who touch 37km/h (in game play, not on a track) and they were 88kg, 173cm. types, some of the 20m times for the 120-150kg guys are just scary. not saying we go to that extreme, but one of things we've liked about AFL is that all body types used to be able to play. Maybe as tactics evolve some other body shapes come in. whether a coach could survive the development cycle is a question, maybe try it out in the VFL first.

The obvious thing against my hope for a return to the hefty but accurate KPF, is that with zone defenses being so tight, not going to get many 1v1s, the Jake Levers (please god heal his ankle) will spoil the party. I would however have a caveat that I see my loveable fatty also trying his luck from 45-60m not trying to win a mark 20m out in a huge pack. Max never has a big crowd around him when he's at the 50, not the same closer to goal. A proper forward with this range would be a nightmare. Pity the ANB type who has to do his defensive running though for his fat mate.

I was thinking at least 5 kg, but also more 'explosive' sprint work than endurance running. It is a long time since I did PE theory at school (Bob Hawke was PM), but I seem to remember that you can convert fast twitch to endurance but not the other way around, and that someone like Ablett had a higher % of fast twitch muscle fibres than your average bloke. I am convinced there is still space for a stay at home FF if you had the right bloke, (that is not just magical thinking - Aaron Hamill, Cloke (still feel sad for the bloke that he got the yips) could just clear a path and this is not so long ago). I even think as much as Jeremy for the cats is a great field kick and has a tank etc, he is a very hot and cold goal kicker, I'd give a little bit and keep him closer to FF (I know we could argue what his true position is). I would love to see some experimentation, hell, the seppos have embraced Australian punters, if they can we can look for something, we can too. I remember going to the footy to watch David Neitz and if he bombed one from 55 early in the game you knew we were in for a good day. People love the booming set shot. I also think Chocco's approach while theoretically correct, is too 'cooky cutter' expecting everyone to perform the skill the same way. I'd like to see an approach on what works for the individual. I feel like Fritsch already gets a pass (on defensive efforts) because of his set shot ability but I would wonder if a KPF could also get the same hall pass. I also think Fritta needs to be super consistent on his returns or he is going to have to grind more.

I also think that this can be a flat spot (if you call 28 disposals a game flat) that he finds his way out of. I really feel all this media is about playing with his perceived worth, when everyone knows he's an AC Cobra with minor panel damage. I like how Brad Green is pressing on this.

I feel like an amateur fan compared to you, contacting the list manager to give an ear bashing is next level, respect!

I always thought Zak Butters and Ramsay Bolton had a certain affinity... would love Zak at Melbourne fwiw

I loved the steel in Goodwin's voice, would like to see more of this push back.

Better than Nicholls that is for sure.

So I have a theory about the drop off in standards for goal kicking (from set shots) over the last 20 years. Players have become too skinny. When you look at a list of the great goal kickers the only real athletes were Buddy, the erratic Richardson and Riewoldt (who is on my merde list at the moment). Lockett, Dunstall, Ablett, Wade, Hudson and Coventry all had large backsides used to great effect. Even our own Neitz and Jackovich had some weight to throw around. Across a century of great goal kickers, by far and away the best are the heavy set blokes. I would be curious if we allowed a JVR to be 5-10 kg heavier as the main KPF, and reduce slightly his defensive obligations whether this could see a more composed set shot. Instead of looking like Marvel action heros with 3% body fat, I think there is some merit in heavier, more explosive, players good for bursts. The difference is I think, that they are doing too much defensive running to properly get the HR down for a good shot and they feel the rough and tumble more being thin. Again this is for set shots not in play shots on goal. I find it hard to see any other factor across the time period that could cause what is basically a regression in set shot ability when training has become so elite and so professional.

I rewatched the 2024 game (we kicked 5 goals to nil in the first term), a couple of things stood out. We were playing nearly the same style as this year, we were playing with a lot of confidence, our skills looked slick and we just pantsed them. Watson also missed his first 4 shots on goal. Also Lever was proppy from the start and May got clobbered - which means I don't give up hope that our defence can hold together for this week. Anyway what stood out - we are obviously a confidence team, in many ways I have been guilty of thinking we were past the need for 'confidence'. But if there was a single thread to pull on, it is not game style or our list but confidence. This is super frustrating, because I think our list is better than 2024, Lindsay and Langford are such upgrades on Billings and Hunter etc. But I really back our ability to bring pressure, we are a top 4 side at pressure when we are on.

Was initially underwhelmed by Garry, not that I missed Robbo, but felt he has found a tempo. But several of the segments have definitely added value. Razor's edge should have been done 20 years ago, as annoying as he is, he can explain a decision and I love the way Garry pushes yet is prepared to concede when a point is well made. Simmo and Horse are just gold and you can tell Gerald is wetting himself with the content. (and just quietly they show King up regularly, would much rather here what Simmo/Horse has to say), because they are not having a bet each way. They tell you what you gain for a move and what you lose. That said First Crack, which after Tom was given the flick improved out of sight is awful when Jay is on, click baiting lines straight out of the mid week tackle rubbish (I only watched once as it was a News.com circle [censored]), That The Front Bar is still more watchable than all the 'serious' 7&9 swill is an indictment of TV production today. And the FB frequently misses as well but at least no one is taking themselves too seriously. Sorry random thoughts as I trawl media for stuff on the Dees

Personally trusting Ghost Writer on this one!

I know the Hawks look like the Harlem Globe Trotters against the Tiges, but I think now that we have found our contest (we've been running the pressure factor ~200 for weeks now). We will be a very different proposition. Will Day is a massive loss for them and I can't help but feel sad for the young bloke remembering Trengove, and the drama Viney had getting back (We/He were so lucky), any way with Day out and Sicily finding his clown hat again we are a red hot chance. Our kryptonite is still confidence shooting for goal, I haven't seen anyone else talk about it but Trac looks like he is visibly panicking when he is taking a set shot, Gawn not far behind. This needs coaching damn quick and is unacceptable because I think Trac is avoiding shots he should be taking. And I think if the leaders are nervous it can be a cancer for other players. If we bag a few early I feel like we are likely, but a repeat of our 1st quarter shanks will see the game gone. I want Duke on the wing or midfield, I understand the desire to turn him into a rebounding weapon, but he's not there yet. McVee had a super solid win in a 3 v1 situation, he's coming good. Rivers had a much better game and almost convinced me that the midfield is his thing but I would keep him back against the hawks. Bowey/Salem, I think will get torched by Watson/Ginnivan so not sure how we play those guys. If windsor has the defensive ability I would sacrifice his offensive run (even though I'm contradicting myself about moving him forward, but I think defending Hawthorns smalls is the game, as I reckon we'll have enough entry to kick a winning score.

I honestly thought it was a young man who was a bit over excited playing at ‘home’ so to speak, the glimpse is that he tried his heart out and never stopped, will be better.

In agreement I think, I thought Chandler would be playing the ANB role, however in a ‘weight for age’ comparison I think Chandler is a better kick than ANB at this stage of his career. This is no knock on ANB who never ever stopped working to get better and had a Phar Lap sized heart.

@GS_1905 This was a drivel story from Jake and really undone by it's own use of stats, Oliver has clearly improved on his '24 season averages, and has been in a a 2-5 team this yer as against the salad days of 21/22/23. In answer to your question about journalist ethics. I really think some lobby for a trade that does their mates/clubs a favour in these type of articles, not just reporting the facts. The Geelong trade was awful - really I would rather Oliver sat on the pine than pay for him to play for Geelong or get a really average draft pick for a player that over the journey has been phenomenal. King and Co are saying he is done, pffft, we need a much larger sample size, Oliver has plenty left and I think this handball focused gameplan suits him to a tee. I would like to see his tackle numbers go up though. He copped a leg injury last week, I see no reason not to manage a player or two against WCE on what is a big hard ground.

Not that anyone is suggesting it, but wanted to say with McDonald, Gawn, and to a lesser extent Viney, I feel let's not rush to pension them off, they have demonstrated a commitment to durability with their preparation. Unless we start seeing (god forbid) calf/hamstring issues, these guys are the blokes to keep standards going for a long time. Also love that TMac and Viney can be at blows in training and best mates off the track sharing family time.

it's a good question, I feel Sharp has the ability to perform the ANB role better than Spargo. I had Chandler penned in for that but the lad seem intent on being more. (I think Chandler deserves a medal for getting the most out of himself in the team - dude is committed). Sharp is however a project, his disposal needs a lot of work. ANB was able to go from whipping boy to favourite, I hope for the same with Sharp. Spargo's defensive side is so erratic and I think he in many ways suffers from the difference between his best and worst, which I personally find Uber frustrating - it wouldn't even be a conversation about who is better, if he could be consistent he would in the conversation for elite small forward, he is however far from that. No clue on Culley.

Why he is the best (or at least, interesting to me as a metric of effort) In 2019 and 2024 his tackle numbers stood out in seasons we dropped away, this is a man who leads from the front, does the hard things when (nearly) everyone else is falling apart. It also shows why season 2021 was exceptional. I really think he is a clutch player who takes the game away from the opposition. Cox was without doubt better skilled, (except as a contested marking player) but Gawn's effort is superlative. Year Team # GM W-D-L TK ↑ 1% 2016 Melbourne 11 22 10-0-12 80 81 2021 Melbourne 11 25 20-1-4 71 99 2018 Melbourne 11 25 16-0-9 57 86 2024 Melbourne 11 21 10-0-11 54 57 2019 Melbourne 11 21 4-0-17 51 77 2023 Melbourne 11 22 14-0-8 44 66 2022 Melbourne 11 22 14-0-8 40 69

Gawn Bowser Viney Rivers Sparrow Tmac

If he brought Darcy, I’d be happy for it. Feels like a case of the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I feel like (and this is not a political comment) that Goodwin suffers in the same way Julia Gillard did, a red head with a fingernails on chalkboard voice. If Julia had been able to speak like a Penny Wong, she would still be PM, extraordinary legislative record, got more legislation passed in a minority government than any bloke since WW2 with a majority. Simon’s record is daylight better than anyone since Norm Smith, but we all judge them on the packaging, especially the pea-hearted windsocks in the media. Simon was very clear that we’d be playing a different football style this year, he was straightforward about it, we have gone recruiting and we are happy with most of the mini build picks but the lack of scoring is causing us to lose our collective minds. But it is not like he said we would be winning at the first post. I would really like the sack Goodwin camp people to post what act of contrition they will perform should he actually turn it around. Is not like he was a Ross Lyon clone on defense, he’s had high scoring teams, he’s had innovation, on his record you’d back him to have the solution. Or you could just keep whining about his press conferences. Doesn’t mean I’m not going mental about the situation we’re in but we really need some more considered analysis than what is going around. (I do want Fritsch dropped, and I do like like Bevos tough love on the problem kids, and I’m not sold on Jones as midfield coach, as much as I love him, seeing Trac dump kick like Nathan is killing me. And he lost an entire season coaching Peninsula).

I am blaming the Demonland upgrades, cursed everything.

Thinking about that shambles last week really made me think how fundamental McVee has made himself to the back six, while he’s not Stewart for the cats, he’s pretty instrumental in clutch moments saving our bacon. While it was our worst defensive effort in 10 years I would say it was the most unsettled back 6 in 10 as well. I also felt like Petty got sucked up the ground a bit and that he and Lever need to work on the connection that Lever may have.

The defense (Fox panel) is already pleading Dangers case. No Stewart helps us in a few weeks.