monoccular

There is a lot of discussion in other threads re the need for a new forward coach. Here we have contracted for another year a Coleman medalist who looks unable to play. A well respected intelligent communicator who has great connections with the forward line. Is there some way this could be a win win win?

Roe? Something fishy about this?

You raise a big IF. Who are our elite players really? Does obtaining the label "elite" require just ball winning, or does one need to be elite in disposal and decision making? Who are our elite kickers?? Spargo. JVR and Petty set shots. .........?

Why pick Schache if he wasn’t trusted enough to do more, in Q4, than an incapacitated TMc? Perhaps they were reminiscing Northey’s use of Stynes and O’Dwyer. That worked pretty well. 🤔 Demonstone - sorry to be pedantic (or maybe not all that sorry), but a 360 would have him back as enthused as he was to start with. Maybe a 180 .. ?

Yes, looking back, they did sometimes seem more intent on not losing than winning this year, and last year's finals. Compare that to the joyous running games in the 2021 finals series. Mental? No doubt an element. And even if it cost just a 5% edge (if these things can be measured), that is more than enough to cost us this year's final two games. Any who plays golf (I hesitate to say "golfers" as that implies some expertise in that frustrating game) will be aware that just a little too much tension can cause all sorts of woes, especially putting - akin to set shots at goal. I went on and on about this back in the ND era - do we employ a sports psychologist? If not, maybe worthy of a try? We really only lacked a very fine edge in our two finals, and if we had that slight edge we would be up again next weekend. Again, is it performance anxiety rather than mental fragility, which implies (at least to me) 'softness' which I don't believe we have? Relax and enjoy - hate to say but Collingwood under McRae seem to love playing together more than most teams.

Maybe it will leak out once Collingwood and Carlton are securely locked away onto the GF 🤔

“…Our players were bored enough in season during games, switching off for periods only to 'get going' when the game was on the line. …” Mostly valid comments but I must say the suggestion that our players were bored and switched off is “interesting”! Seriously, professional players bored during a game??

And what is the one and only way to refute all these critics, most of whom are morons? Let’s see how the players, the team and the club as a whole respond in 2024 and beyond.

I still can't get an answer - did the guy who was deemed to have touched it protest that he did? It is (conveniently) absent from the footage.

I will wait even longer. Maybe even until after a bit of preseason and practice matches. OMG what pressure WERRIBEE is putting on the young draft picks. For example were they JVR or Jefferson would he throw them straight in ?

I vaguely remember that Dean at some time in the last decade or so did admit to staging.

Interesting - many here expressed belief that JJ didn’t play on quickly enough and stalled momentum. spirit - what you are saying, I think, is that Goody (our first 🏆coach in half a century) had different thoughts on JJ’s role and value than you. The club may well have wanted to retain him but not necessarily in our best 22-25, which I think is where you place him. We still will need depth.

Lucky, or blessed ?? ARC. MRO. Tribunal. Appeals Board. And some may be lead to believe that there is a corrupt conspiracy? The more I look the less evidence for a touch there is. Missing is video of any reaction or 'appeal' that it was touched, probably because it wasn't. Probably that is why such a short, single angled clip was shown. The Carlton guy's fingers actually flexed, not extended. From that angle there is not 100% certainty (which is what is - supposedly - required) that it was touched at all, so the original call should stand. Some may be lead to believe that there is a corrupt conspiracy. A Carlton Collingwood GF would be wonderful for AFL marketing.

It has been very clear for many weeks that Gil and his merry mob want a Collingwood v Carlton GF and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Carlton d Melbourne by overturning Petracca's clear goal - make the top 8 out of nowhere. Carlton d Sydney narrowly with some dubious ARC calls. Maynard free to play after that disgraceful assault on Angus Carlton d Melbourne with (was it) 3 or 4 ARCs in their favour especially the one in question here - I don't remember seeing the Carlton defender pleading a case. Why can't we see it here? AFL allocating us umpire 22, who crucifies us every time I only hope that Brisbane crush Carlton,( or win by a point with a shonky score review making the difference), and that GW$ demolish Collingwood right from the first bounce. Toby Greene ironing out Maynard would be the icing on the cake - in a football act of course.

Agree 100% - one of several times when the Blues conned the maggots.

Sorry for the guy, but at least he got way closer to AFL success than all but (perhaps) a handful on this site. Its a tough gig. Best of luck for the future.

layzie - great post that I feel reflects the thoughts and sentiments of the overwhelming majority of Demonlanders. Not that I ever “accept” defeat but the panels thoughts and (mostly) positive analysis puts a lot into perspective, and has made me realise how brutally difficult it is for the club to achieve the ultimate success. I am even looking forward to hearing their analysis of Friday’s heartbreak. Then of course there will, no doubt after a well earned break, the speculation then analysis of the trade and draft period before the frustratingly long break before the preseason. Whatever, just love the Dees frustrating as that can be. 🔴🔵🔴🔵❤️💙❤️💙

Many seem to forget that we were just a few straighter kicks (and two score reviews) from playing this weekend. It is a tough competition with very little separating the top teams. Luck, and injury ( and the timing of injuries) is crucial to the ultimate 🏆. Luck and injuries were on our side in 2021 (and 1964 🙄).

What is Jesse Hogan's contract status? Could he be lured back?

Is there available footage of this? Was thee any protestation by the Cheaters player?

1/ yes. Have we ever had them all fit and available together? 2/ worth a look early preseason. Certainly would contribute to forward pressure.

We had a dream injury run in 2021, which enabled us, the best team, to win the big one. We have been top 4 (after H&A) 3 years in a row. Lost two finals by a total of 9 points the first with a catastrophic injury in the first minutes which left the team mentally shattered for the first half. Only 2 teams make the GF (let's hope it is BNE and GWS) - it is bloody hard. Kick straight and we would be off this week and playing GWS next week. Its a fine line.

Chandler - great start dwindled Grundy - didn't fit, sadly Lever - solid and reliable May - dee fensive leader McDonald - body failed him McVee - hard work rewards Melksham - sad season's end Neal-Bullen - consistent, great contributor Oliver - sorely missed midseason Petracca - needed up forward Petty - revelation until injured Pickett - needs to focus Rivers - fabulous consistent defender Salem - thyroid or knee? Schache - can;'t teach hardness Smith - improved every game Spargo - needed first final Tomlinson - essential third tall Turner - needs more gametime van Rooyen - solid debut season Viney - never say die Woewodin - looking like dad

Preferably on an incorrect score review. Karma.

Clarrie, like JV, is a genuine on field leader but lovely guys as they are, we need an articulate captain (as Max has been). Also demand that umpire 22 never gets a game against us again. Surely they would be brilliant set shots after attending the MFC Mark Williams goal kicking academy. 🙄