DEE fence

At 1:38 in the video, when he mentioned that he came early to watch the women’s team play before his Grand Final.

I fell for him then, this is a proper team player.

A solid pick, I’m not sure he is a R1 though, his kicking reminds me a bit of Cam Bruce / Tmac in their early days, a bit floaty, and at the higher speed of AFL will get picked off a bit until he flattens his kicks. Everything else, attitude, heart seems 1st class. A very nice size though.

I know people love to throw around the ‘Moneyball’ concept to the point it has become a cliche, BUT, I really feel like we have recruited well, for the first time since ‘21, I feel like our retreads add some value and increase the synergy of the team. I am aware that injuries could knock the wheels off the cart with these older folk, but we have recruited well enough to increase that inside F50 efficiency. As BBub said lots of our game is ok, It has been more than a decade than since we were not fit enough, and no one has called us bruise free recently either. JC has great speed out of the back line, and while not as a reliable kick as Hibberd I can see that we need that speed and I feel like he is the Hibberd replacement (that I did have McVee for). Windsor is lightening in a bottle to go with JC and also as a mid. I also think Fritsch deciding to get his head in the game and coming up the field like a smaller version of Jeremy Cameron was a revelation and could continue to pay dividends for our inside F50. To not lose our fierce edge I am hoping Viney and Kosi (+Chandler/Langdon) are allowed to hunt the opposition at the bounce, as they brilliant at effective tackles that the opposition ‘feel’ and I think that disrupts game plans, and that they then switch back fwd, while the lighter bodies take the running roles in game. I’m not sure I have clearly described what I mean, but you get my drift that we’ve been a good tackling/pressure side lets not lost that part of our game. The new kids, well everyone can see their value no need to expand on that.

For the life of me I don’t understand why St Kilda let Max Heath go for chips or why Essendon didn’t go after him, there is something really strange about this trade, is there an unofficial market in favours that we don’t get to see?

The great unknown is JVR, I feel like he hasn’t been right since that dodgy suspension a couple of years back, all between the ears with him, I am kinda worried it is Weid 2.0, I was so sure ‘25 would be his year but he went backwards.

On 16/11/2025 at 10:29, Brownie said:

So, the official melbournefc Facebook page has posted nothing about the win or the prelim.

Last mention of the AFLW team was when they were at training with the blokes.

I don't think this club is supporting the women like they should.

https://www.facebook.com/MELBOURNEfc?mibextid=ZbWKwL

I find the Insta has plenty of content celebrating the women, I never use FB anymore, I check like once every 3 months for Luddite friends that haven’t switched to WhatsApp or Insta, and I kinda thought FB was a bit dead now compared to 15 years ago. I am not disagreeing with you that the AFLW needs plenty of support, just wondering if you are looking in the right places?

On 13/11/2025 at 20:44, Ghostwriter said:

Not to blow our own trumpet (except blowing it so hard our faces are red and we’re hyperventilating) Saturday’s banner is something to behold. It’s the maximum size allowed by the AFL, and it looks spectacular.

It’s no wonder at least four other clubs (that I know of) have contacted us asking for advice on how to get the same level of support for their W team.

Last week North had only three people attend banner-making, and they’re on top of the ladder!

Anyways, a huge well-made banner doesn’t guarantee success but it’s genuinely very much appreciated by the players.

Putting down the trumpet… for now anyways 😁

This is such a credit to the Cheer-Banner squad and yourself GW. Awesome work!

Am really getting BBB vibes from having Brodie in the squad, very very happy about it.

Chandler is a heart and soul type who can string a sentence together. Personally I hope this is a conversation for 2029…

Disco would need to see more of, Rivers maybe, Lever would be ok if there was an unexpected bus in the nearer future. Viney, I think is a good vice, his intensity is Gen X, not sure it sells with the millennials (works fine for me but at 55 not pulling on a jumper anytime soon). Happy to be surprised by one of the recent draftees.

Not keen, we need consistent, knowledgeable Hawks people I know (we're not mates when it's footy), really dislike the turnovers.

McVee replacement?

I don’t think training hard has been the problem, nor desire for contest, I’m open to these being good appointments but as much as I dearly would have loved them as players at the club (Hamill was at one stage my favorite non Melbourne player), I don’t see any great coaching credentials. Very happy Troy is staying, but what I really want is to see a strategy coach of Jennings standard to join us/ another mid coach.

The real reason Geelong suspended Mad Monday were the players taking the mickey out of the Cotton On payments, nothing to do with BS and Caro etc.

59 minutes ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I fear there is more angst on its way.

GWS will redo Oliver's contract with whatever terms they agree. Oliver said last year he would take a cut to move out. If he does that with GWS and we did say we would pay 'up to $700k' we will end up paying the lion's share of his contract for 5 years. Given yesterday's comments I doubt he is amenable to ease the $ impact on mfc.

A case in point. If GCS take JUH with a very late pick they will redo his contract from $900k to $300k-$400k. Not saying that is what GWS will pay Oliver but fans need to be prepared to news mfc foots the lion's share of the contract.

Edit: same applies if he ends up at Coll and takes a pay cut which would make our payment so much more 🤮

Just curious but why the hell wouldn’t we pro rata and salary reduction in the contract?

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

The Cats clearly don’t have a no DH policy.

Last 4 Premiers

US - Oliver May

Cats - Stengle, Smith, Bruhn

Collingwood - Thug, DeGoey, get the idea

Brisbane - Zorko, Robinson

33 minutes ago, Norm Smith's Curse said:

Our family are all tragic dees supporters or saints supporters but we all agreed forcing the next generation into the endless cycle of pain was abusive. As long as it isnt Essendon or Hawthorn im ok.

I don’t believe you, and if true this is the ultimate Karen parenting… (joke)

Figure this is better here than in the imploding thread

Thank you for this and it helped form a thought bubble that has been percolating for awhile. Trac has had a game plan built around him, no problem with that, but he represents a considerable amount of effort for others that fill in for his defensive running etc. While he has a license to roam and burst, it means others have extras to do. Now while I don’t mind that when it works, when it doesn’t work it is costing us flexibility with other game plans and I’m pretty sure every coach in the league has got the memo. Now I’m not sure that Tracc gets how much is done for him - and without doubt he does a huge amount to prepare himself, but these poor me vibes kind of stick in the back of my throat. I can understand the Coach thinking the ‘Tracc Play’ is stale and needs a rebuild. Tracc not being onboard with that or whatever leads us to the current scenario. I dearly love the bull like power and leg drive, but almost equally (big disagreement in my family about this) I think his lack of confidence in his set shot kicking has become a cancer for other forwards, I love the manic miracle goals, but the percentage of routine money in the bank shots has dried up so badly I am not opening a vein about the prospect of him leaving. (Check back when he kicks 6 on us).

22 hours ago, CHF said:

I thought about putting this in a few of the threads. Not sure if this is the right one but .... it might be.

Just a thought on what might be the broader picture in the situation with Petracca and Oliver.

Let me see…..

May under contract and told he is free to look for another club…

Petracca under contract, had his situation discussed with him and told about the role he could expect to play in the team. Was also told that he could explore his options if he wanted to.

Oliver under contract, same as Petracca… told what was expected of him and his role within the team as from next season. Told he could look around if he wanted to.

These three are, of course, senior, very experienced players that have some decisions to make with regard to their immediate futures. Serious business.

However, I applaud the club for the positions they have taken with these players. That is not to say that I consider any of the players at fault. The process that the club has in place strikes me as a mature response and a very professional one at that.

Over the last 10/15 years more power and control has evolved to the players with respect to where they play and how they honour their contract conditions. In a lot of respects, they have demanded that clubs become more professional.

With the replacement of the coach, CEO and, in the near future, the President, MFC is looking to throw some of the professional responsibility back on the players and their agents.

“You want to move with 5 years on your contract, well, feel free to have a look around to see if you can satisfy our requirements. However, be assured that if we are not satisfied and a trade cannot be made, we will hold you to your contract and expect a proper, professional playing approach from you. The club will not be actively seeking a trade for you this off-season”

I see nothing wrong with this approach at all. While it is squarely putting a lot of the responsibility back in the Player and their agents it is also taking back a good degree of control for the club. The player and his team might arrive at a preferred club but, rather than make the statement and throw it over to the club to work out with an expectation that they will negotiate and sort it out, in this situation it is the responsibility of the player and his nominated club to present a deal to MFC. This leaves a lot of power in the hands of MFC. In fact, the MFC do not have to state what deal will satisfy them. All they need to do is to say…. “Sorry, that is not good enough. If that is your last word, he plays out his contract.”

I can see the whole of the playing group working through the implications of this attitude by the club.

May situation is a little different. He is that bit older than Petracca and Oliver is losing a pace or two, not as flexible as he once was and is being looked at as a possible disrupter on the list. He has been great for us, but this is a new era for the club.

I hope that the coaches and the club administration continue with this direction. it will make a refreshing change with the coaches, in particular supervising, directing and controlling the playing list within the constrains of a clear vision and approach. All, the players, coaches and club need to know where they stand.

 

Thank you for this and it helped form a thought bubble that has been percolating for awhile. Trac has had a game plan built around him, no problem with that, but he represents a considerable amount of effort for others that fill in for his defensive running etc. While he has a license to roam and burst, it means others have extras to do. Now while I don’t mind that when it works, when it doesn’t work it is costing us flexibility with other game plans and I’m pretty sure every coach in the league has got the memo. Now I’m not sure that Tracc gets how much is done for him - and without doubt he does a huge amount to prepare himself, but these poor me vibes kind of stick in the back of my throat. I can understand the Coach thinking the ‘Tracc Play’ is stale and needs a rebuild. Tracc not being onboard with that or whatever leads us to the current scenario. I dearly love the bull like power and leg drive, but almost equally (big disagreement in my family about this) I think his lack of confidence in his set shot kicking has become a cancer for other forwards, I love the manic miracle goals, but the percentage of routine money in the bank shots has dried up so badly I am not opening a vein about the prospect of him leaving. (Check back when he kicks 6 on us).

22 hours ago, Demonstone said:

His intercept and pass to Fritta in the third quarter to kickstart our comeback was a blinder.

Apart from that, he had 13 other touches and didn't make anybody's best players list on the day.

I was ready to pay a kings ransom for the kick, for all that he was/is a scallywag that was an immortal kick, you could retire happy with that.

A Gen X player in a Gen Z world, love his fierceness, incredibly important player for us. Will remain a tackle machine, a human version of a big cat hunting on Animal Planet. Think back to that 1st tackle in the 21 GF. When we play finals next he will be leading the way in pressure acts. Between him and Kossie we go very well for pressure around the ball.

Pairing ANB with Tracc is not a silly move by Adelaide as ANB created a great synergy with how well he performed the support roll. I am comforted by the fact that Hawthorn survived Buddy leaving and Brisbane was a basket case when Fagan arrived. Track is not Buddy, and we are not as [censored] as Brisbane was.

Felt like he had the riot act read to him midway through the season, as he found some mojo and his half forward efforts were part of a welcome return to form. I was ready for a trade early on but now think keep.

Role player, who gave Nic Daicos a legitimate bath, demonstrating commitment to team, seeing him snaffle Nic legally a micro second after Daicos had taken possession was a Joy. Basically reinvigorated the wing role a few years as an OG and has been happy to perform whatever since. Love and Keep are two words that come to mind.

On 27/09/2025 at 11:52, Demonland said:

this makes me happy

12 hours ago, monoccular said:

Scott whinges and makes excuses all the time. Just a sore loser - sad that with their excessive home ground advantage it doesn’t happen more often.

Extenuating circumstances unable to be revealed? Really?

Maybe recruiting the toxic bulldog?

The challenge lies before us - bring it on.

Collingwood #5? Collingwood 😎? Three way tie.

Remember the prelim against us, was so salty and referenced un-named excuses, he was at least a little better against the Lions yesterday, but still felt forced. Anyway, 9 prelims for 1 GF or whatever it is, the guy can coach and gets a lot out of his players, he's a great coach lets not turn into Victa here (lawn mowers).

3 hours ago, ANG13 said:

Have rules changed about taking about politics? I hope not.

It never ends well does it, in other news how much do you reckon the Essendon fans are thinking they have the wrong brother and that is why the soft cap for senior coaches salary hasn't been exempted.

8 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Development is one thing but have a look at the teams that continually compete - Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn - they generally have over half of their players originating at other clubs. They trade for need. Its a gaping hole in melbourne's list management.

We are terrible at getting experienced players to our club. I feel if we are to compete each year at the top level its this area we need to fix. There are some past successes with Langdon, Melksham, Hibberd, May and Lever but more recent times the cupboard has been largely bare.

As i was saying, it’s since ’21