Fork 'em

Another failure to make finals punctuated with a trademark choke in rd23.

17. MELBOURNE (5-17, 78.6%) Three word analysis Unacceptably, unbelievably abhorrent What went right Very little. Max Gawn had a good year, while Christian Petracca can hold his head up high. If there is a bounce-back in 2020, this season will be reflected upon as a great learning experience. If not, it will be the beginning of the end for the senior coach. The narrative over the summer will predictably revolve around learning from mistakes, the need to take one step back to move two steps forward and all of that jazz. But none of this cuts the mustard. Words are cheap. No club will be more harshly judged in 2020 than the Dees. And trying to decipher what went right in 2019 is like finding a needle in a haystack. What went wrong Pretty much everything went wrong — and that’s putting it politely. In chronological order, Melbourne had 15 off-season surgeries – one-third of the list – which put the club on the back foot from the outset. Then star recruit Steve May turned up to pre-season running unfit. Then they neglected team defence for offence and ball movement across the summer. Then Port Adelaide and Geelong embarrassed the Demons in the first two rounds. Then May was caught drinking while injured. Then former player Shaun Smith publicly critiqued the club’s handling of his son Joel’s injury. Then Gary Pert and Josh Mahoney flipped the football department on its head when it became apparent the structure underneath Simon Goodwin wasn’t working. It made no difference in the wins and losses column, but at least it was proactive. Then Tom McDonald, Mitch Hannan, Jeff Garlett, Kade Kolodjashnij and several other suffered season-ending injuries. May was also one of these players, limping off the field with a recurrence of a hamstring strain in Round 21. Players who were influential in 2019 such as Clayton Oliver, Angus Brayshaw, Jack Viney and Jayden Hunt struggled for consistency, while veterans Nathan Jones and Jordan Lewis appeared to show their respective ages. And then, precisely when a winnable game presented itself against 15th placed Sydney at the MCG, just 23,000 fans turned up on a Friday night. Those who missed it wouldn’t have regretted it as the Demons booted just five goals in a Round 22 encounter that epitomised the club’s sorry plight. If you’re not out of breath yet, here’s more: Simon Goodwin’s public messaging became tired as he desperately searched for answers, former coach Paul Roos declared the team he helped build had no identity, and captain Jones’ contract stand-off frustrated player, club, management and fans, all for different reasons. From third in 2019 after finals to second last in 2020, Melbourne endured a horrid season. Even the club’s most cynical fans would not have foreseen this campaign in their nightmares. If not for last-ditch wins over the Blues and Suns, it could have been even worse. When players returned for training in late 2018 Melbourne decided not to review its preliminary final loss to West Coast. It was a conscious call from the coaches, who believed the performance was so rare - and such an anomaly - that they’d be best to forget it and move on. But when players report for duty in late 2019, an extensive and brutal review of this five-win season is absolutely necessary. What they need A fit list, a fresh approach from new assistants (including Alan Richardson) and highly rated fitness chief Darren Burgess, and a plan to bring the administration and football wings of the club under the one roof. From a recruiting perspective, the Demons should poach any outside runners that are available. Fremantle’s Ed Langdon could help, while Brad Hill is more likely to end up at St Kilda but would be an ideal fit in the red and blue. For most of the season Melbourne’s players were like bees to a honey pot. As soon as the Sherrin was released free, they appeared slow, cumbersome and frankly second rate. A couple of wingers who have pace would assist in fixing this problem. Another forward to partner Tom McDonald and Sam Weideman in the Josh Jenkins mould would be a smart acquisition. But Jenkins’ asking price might be too hefty, in which case they will need to look elsewhere. Above all else, they need to get some confidence and belief back. And the only way to create this dynamic in an organic rather than manufactured way is to win games of footy. What time is it on the premiership clock 9 o’clock — It may sound crazy after this season, but there’s still time to get it right. The talent that propelled them to a preliminary final last year can’t be all gone. Season grade F

And keep an eye out for all the dinky little 20m passes into the corridor that get turned over.

You don't keep blokes on for what they have produced in the past. You keep them on for what they can produce in the future. He's already had 2yrs grace. Geelong had to tell Bartell he was finished. 2 flags, a Brownlow and Norm Smith medallist. These blokes get addicted to the coin.

Winning the big one is all I'm interested in.

I remember the Daniher years We could make the finals. But we'd only be making up the numbers. Not enough class and too mentally weak to get the job done. And the job is winning flags, not just making finals.

I'd like to know exactly what they take full responsibility for. Is it bludging through the pre-season , the season, not evolving the game plan, not trying to improve their skills, getting ahead of themselves ...... What? Such a hollow statement continually trotted out from the "leader". I'm sure we'll soon be told the players will work to redeem themselves next year. Again. We've already been told it will burn in their guts. What a joke.

I hope he goes to Gold Coast. He's done.

That's Goodwins coaching. Numbers at the contest is the mantra.

Blah , blah forken blah. Seriously, how often do we gotta hear the same sheet. Game after game, year after year. This Club learns nothing. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-08-24/we-take-full-responsibility-jones?fbclid=IwAR3jNRWqpPqUp1B9TlcTSYF5UDOV7JnAMyY0NIXJFx93sIbD9wEnmHKaY5I

Surely you're kidding. After finally playing finals and getting to a prelim last year you think 17th this year is a satisfactory outcome?

Way ahead of you man. At the start of the season I saw us running the same garbage game plan with what looked like no effort to fix our F50 entries, dysfunctional backline or poor skills over the pre-season and so didn't bother renewing my gold membership or make the 700k round trip to watch 1 game. Seen it all before from this club and have been absolutely disgusted it's happened again. Will withhold my money next season and watch for improvement before forking any of it over.

And this is why Jones must go. How long has he been the leader of this rabble? Too forken long.

Roughie and Hodge are probably both already out've our price range. We go for the no name assistants.

Players mum whines her darling boy isn't getting a game ..... Spare me.

No they weren't. They were a young side on the up. Thomas was sacked by an alcoholic President with a vendetta who was also coked up to the eyelids. If they didn't get the injuries they would have rolled us in the final for sure. Gehrig going down was massive, Hamill on 1 leg too. Sacking[edit] After many injuries during the 2006 season, St Kilda finished sixth after the home and away season but were beaten in the elimination final by Melbourne. Injuries to Fraser Gehrig, Robert Harvey, Justin Koschitzke, Raphael Clarke and Xavier Clarke during the game, as well as the underdone Aaron Hamill and Max Hudghton, led to the Saints exiting the finals after leading for most of the match but being unable to run the game out. They finished the season in eighth position, which was not considered good enough by the club's president, Rod Butterss. On 12 September 2006 it was announced that Thomas would no longer coach the club as a 'mutual' agreement. Thomas, however, maintained that the club had asked him to leave by sacking him and while he had accepted, it was not completely mutual. [2] The decision was a shock to the football world considering that Thomas was only the second coach to lead the Saints to three consecutive finals series. It is not known why he was sacked, but many factors include the controversial match against Fremantle in Round 5, 2006 in which the Saints were stripped of two points following a hearing the following Wednesday, which ultimately cost them a top-four spot and the double chance, the long-term injuries to Justin Koschitzke, Aaron Hamill and Fergus Watts and starting the season with two interstate trips in four weeks. Thomas has shown no interest in ever coaching another AFL club.

Yes ... Mental weakness.

It's not confidence ..... Too slow. Papley was just blowing him to the weeds in that clip. And he hasn't been the 1st to burn him off. Moving Salem into the midfield won't make him any quicker either. And I'd suggest he's dropped off due to the opposition realising how much we try to use him and so paying him more attention.

I'm hearing you King. Been saying the same but the clappers don't want to listen. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/david-king-criticises-christian-salem-for-his-defensive-efforts-against-sydney/news-story/524659fc9754edfa5e758bc3e7edf311?fbclid=IwAR0otUllB87rmt0qyzTp3Y4mQuK9nL1WjH9o5N7qcAXBDB0HthOCnsvVMB8

Pert will beg to differ. He'll be one of thousands I say. The club will take a huge financial hit for this seasons farce. it's not like we have that many supporters to lose you know.

There's a saying you know ...... "Fools and their cash are easily parted." No offence intended Boss ?

No ..... They sent a truck load of manure to Punt road. Back in 2003 a disgruntled supporter of ours sent chicken hearts to Junction oval. David Neitz wasn't impressed at the time but they were the yo-yo years and well deserved (which they are now). http://demonwiki.org/Round+5+2003

For another suggestion. We could all send a box of chicken hearts to the club.

No such this as a Melbourne fair weather supporter. They're all long gone. I too have been a member for 15yrs and seeing a game is a 7hr round trip. Can make for some very disappointing drives home. Haven't wasted my time this year.