speed demon

Loading is a hypothesis that better explains the observation (i.e. great, high-intensity footy the previous weeks and rubbish, low-intensity the next) than the alternatives put forward (weak, soft, drinking bathwater etc). However, seems indulgent to be loading into the Saints game given our ladder situation. I note the points you raise above and, if loading did occur, maybe these are the reasons why. Even so, I think this is flawed. A high performance program that is rigidly set at the beginning of the season and not recalibrated as the season unfolds seems high risk of imploding. I think this is particularly true for MFC in 2025. Coming off 14th place in 2024, it would be foolish to assume we could roll into the middle of the season with 10 wins. Especially when pre-season we had injuries (and suspension) to key ball users in the new game plan (McVee, Windsor, Melksham, Kozzie). Six debutants in round 1 was both exciting AND worrying. I think we will be more competitive against Collingwood but even at our best a win will be hard. Come the end of the season, I worry that the Saints game will be game that we couldn't afford to drop.

The coaches disagree; Lever has received 59 coaches votes between 2022-2025. I wouldn't write Lever off yet though I think Turner is going past him (similarly good intercept mark but better one-on-one, better disposal, faster and more agile).

My recollection was that McKay's kicking yips reached a peak in 2023 when he was kicking snaps for set shots directly in front but resolved in 2024 when he returned to more conventional approach to set shots. His goals/behinds for 2023 (29.29) and 2024 (49.21) would seem to support that. Was also in the All-Australian squad in 2024. A genuine forward / 2nd ruck who would allow JVR to be full-time forward and Petty to shift back in the post TMac / May / Lever years seems worth considering.

Loved Max rag-dolling Grundy to take it out of the ruck and snap truly. Perfect start and set the tone for the day. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1790882/gawn-v-grundy-max-banks-early-win?videoId=1790882&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1748152740001

I liked the look of our midfield yesterday, especially the extra dynamism Kozzie and Rivers bring. I'd bring back Viney to play Spargo's role. Viney similarly fit, disciplined and tackles hard and his disposal is better when he has more time and space.

Agree with the above. Seems like we are incorporating the best of 2021-23 (i.e. contest and defence) with a more dynamic midfield (e.g. Kozzie and Rivers) and faster / more precise ball movement (e.g. Bowey, Langford, Lindsay)

That just shows the limitation of the player rating system. There are qualitative elements that are difficult to quantify into a scoring metric. Another example is Petty (player rating 3.9) who played an effective role in nullifying McCartin. I agree AJ's not highly skilled but contributing in ways others have already posted.

👍🏻😂🙏🏻❤️ A solitary emoticon was insufficient

While I would have respected a premiership player's dignity and called it "managed", I don't mind TMac's non-selection. TMac has been our most consistent key position player (forward or back) for the past two seasons. Select him and we know what we are getting. Given where we are currently at, I'm more interested in getting some consistency into Petty (forward), Turner (back), the May/Lever combo and seeing what AJ can offer.

Thx for this. I thought Bowey was good against the Lions but honestly I didn't appreciate how good. He's so quick and clean it's easy to miss. In his earlier years, I thought we was strong offensively but vulnerable defensively. Not any more.

I think some posters are being uncharitable to AJ. People are writing about him like he’s reached his ceiling. However, he’s only 25, played just 3 games and been in the AFL system for all of 6 months. Last year was only his second in the VFL and he was working full time on the tools. He’s been on a rapid upwards trajectory and with his attitude there’s every chance it continues. If he can hold his own in the ruck, kick 1-2 goals and scare the bejesus out of the opposition, he’ll earn his keep. Find a way to give him a stint of 4 games. Love to see him run out against Collingwood on King’s Birthday after swallowing the whole bottle of Fritsch’s angry pills!

Totally agree @beelzebub . Focusing on “wins and finals” as a benchmark for Goody’s ongoing tenure reminds me of Goodhart’s Law: "When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure". The target should be a flag and the measure a flag-winning game plan and players able to execute it. When we focus on convenient objective measures like wins and finals, a coach is incentivised to play it safe (stick to the game, play the old brigade) and achieve short term goals rather than take risks and incur failures in pursuit of longer term loftier goals.

This is a good point. I admired Goody earlier this year for criticising himself for not holding his nerve last year when the team floundered with the new game plan and he reverted to the old game plan. Great as it was, the old game plan is not winning another flag. "Better to dare mighty things and fail than live in the grey twilight where there is neither victory nor defeat".

I found this article surprisingly moving. Far more substantive than the usual stage managed “I love the club and want to stay” unconvincing reassurances. The description of Kozzie being both homesick and wanting to stay was illuminating. This complexity is usually ignored by the media in pursuit of a simplistic and dramatic narrative. Kudus to the journalist, Kozzie, his dad and the club.

That makes a lot of sense and playing a team role is a great way of (re)earning the respect of his teammates