monoccular

That is an incredibly damning statistic. Mental relaxation or physical (stuffed, banged up, whatever you like to call it) : probably a combination of both. But why couldn’t we lock it in like last year. That is the big question. Desire? Worked out by opponents? Physically stuffed. We can and never will know but I doubt if even Burgess could get this mob across the line.

Jimmy Really looking forward to binmans analysis of our ultimate failure on the podcast this week. He has been pretty insightful most of the year.

“If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got" - Henry Ford.

“…. the continuing forward line dysfunction and the Mids continuing to kick high up and under rainmaker kicks to the forward pockets.“ Well surely that would have to be the instructions / game plan which emanates from the coaching staff. Otherwise surely no player in their right mind would continue with what clearly doesn’t work. Set shot goal kicking must be addressed, and under pressure snaps. Cost us several games including both finals.

But Strawbs would be rather old by now. Actually in those days it was either Kraft Velveta or some weird imported stuff.

Actually that would be horribilis septimana Though I would think horribili tempore

… and Cox 😎

Melbourne have a patent on that one. I have sometimes wondered if a “Pagan’s Paddock” with Kozzie as the sole forward with the ball kicked deep over his head running in to goal would be worth a try.

Unless we can land a KPF forward I agree Petty forward will be needed. At what stage of his career did AA CHB Neitz, later Coleman medalist, go forward? 3-4 years? Yet despite that I hope they put the Cats out of everybody’s misery next week

Reminds me very much of David Schwarz at this stage - which is a very exciting prospect.

Except that i would love them to KO the arrogant Cats. Fagan >> Scott

Frustrating, after last night, and I know it is a different level, watching TMc and JVR add height and strength to the forward line. And Bowey the running defender. Surely all three should be regular seniors next season. Weed doing well in the ruck and around the ground too. (Not a forward)

Like everything, depends on what value is offered. IF we could find a strong CHF or a strong forward ruck (not saying we can) then of course that is our need right now and we should take it. 🤞

Melbourne 2021 2023 2024 2025 sounds OK. Can be done with the right application and flexible game plan.

It seems to me that stubbornness and lack of vision, as well as not turning over the playing list at all (Disco the single exception and that for only one game in which he did very well before injury) caught us out in the end. Blind Freddie could see that there were players in the last 8 or so games who were not up to it physically (through injury) yet Casey went through undefeated until the final round but there good performers were not rewarded with initiation into a reigning premiership team.

Maybe Melksham should be invoked?

Exactly …. as Footscray would remember from 2021. Surely it is lack of communication and lack of concentration. But the last half fade-outs are damning - physically and mentally soft. Last year we were I believe #1 or 2 for second halves - this year 16th ahead of Norf and WCE. Unbelievable turnaround. Unacceptable. And we still binned it long into the pocket and kicked it long to the wing even when it wasn’t working. Can’t Goody see this when the rest of us can? It would be better grubbing kicks into 50 to open space than incessantly going for the pocket. Madness and maddening.

When does the changes round 1 2023 start?

Blown it now. How about playing a tall forward next year

QE II. RIP

Maybe we should burn down the Reischstag in Spring Street and build a stadium there.

But there would need to be a major multibillion dollar upgrade to Kardinia Park to accommodate it.

And maybe I should also have mentioned the fact that we had a full finals season 2021, and a correspondingly 5 week shorter off season / preseason compared to all but Footscray who have also struggled.

Maybe we should think of it in the opposite way - dream run with injuries contributed significantly to our win last year.

I will reserve that judgement until after the game tomorrow. Maybe they will put a brace or bandage on his good leg ? Didn’t you realise that loading has targeted week 2 of finals to be at our peak 🙄