Maldonboy38

1 Kozzie 2 Fritsch 3 Gawn 4 Salem (but I wish he had some penetration in his kicking, those dinky little team mate killers kill me) 5 Oliver 6 Langford I wanted to give votes to Trac, Rivers or Bowey but so many of their possessions were ineffective or downright poor. At least they tried hard, but still.

We are now a mediocre team. Actually, scrap that - we are poor. Below average in most areas, our stars getting the ball but not excelling, our bottom 6 players so far from the standard required. The umpiring was bad, but let's be honest, that is not where we lose games. We lose games with ball in hand. It is OUR errors, especially kicking, that is absolutely killing us. And it is killing me. Tonight, beaten by a very poor Carlton team, when we beat them or equalled them in every stat that counts. Lots of things have to come together to produce excellence, but I am more than eager for a new President & CEO who can hopefully change what we are becoming. Perhaps most unsettling, some of 2-5 year players have stalled or fallen away. Well done Kozzie & Fritta, and a handful of others tried hard, but otherwise bland, fault-ridden and uninspiring.

Am I right in thinking that Jeffo has dropped 5 uncontested chest marks? How is that possible? I really feel for the kid because he has worked his backside off to lead and make the play over and over again and then... error. And now a goal. I don't know what to think now!

Our kicking and decision making. How we can continue to lack composure and replicate poor awareness is gut wrenching. Our unforced error and turnover numbers must be on world record pace.

Trac and Kozzie killing it. Good to see. Now for others to join in and seize this momentum.

Because the kicker kicks it over their heads. Constantly.

We might win this, but some glaring issues to face in terms of personnel, development and skills.

Wow. I love this club and know we are struggling, but what was that? How do I keep watching? I honestly do not have words for the football we produced. The amount of times our forwards have led well with the kick going anywhere else but to their advantage. The kicking skills. The decision making. Being annihilated in marking contests. Our fire is out, our passion deflated, our socks down and we are playing as if already defeated. I have gone in to bat for Jeffo and Kolt but they have both been absolutely appalling. Sharp little better. At least Langdon, Fritta, Gawn, Salem and Langford are having a go, but still...

Great interview with Clarry on the MFC website. Interesting that Billy Stretch was the player he copied to learn how to train, eat, recover etc... in the preseason of his 2nd year, after a challenge from Brendan McCartney. He also talks of Goodwin being firm but always as a means of improvement. And Gawn is like a father, often has challenging things to say but it is always appreciated. Close with Petracca, Salem and Fritsch. He likes enjoying his footy. The difficulties of 2023/24 were his poor response to being injured, which he had never had to deal with before.

True, but it was the 3 bangs after the first single one that made the moment for me.

I didn't get to see Barassi play for the Dees but I remember the days of Hardeman, Alves, Biffen, Wells right through until today. I rate Clarry as equal best alongside Flower and that is saying a lot. He is the only player to play at MFC to play at top pace for 90% of every game, and the best distributor ever by a long way. His grunt and hard work are uncompromising, and his joy at bringing his teammates into the game is unbounded. Love watching him play, even now when he is coming off a poor 2024, and still working back to his best. Absolute star, and a privilege to have him wear our jumper. My 2 favourite MFC moments: Flower running onto the MCG for his fist final, when he came off the bench. The sound!! Clarry kicking the third goal at the end of the 3rd quarter in 2021 GF, and the commentary of "Bang, bang, bang!" Thanks for 200 games of pure brilliance, and helping deliver the 2021 flag. Looking forward to 100 more.

Gawn aside, I reckon he is our best contested mark, and he is the stand alone best kick in our team. For sheer steadiness and consistency he is a beacon of hope for me. The fact he loves the club is also a huge tick. I have a lasting memory of the siren going in the 2021 GF, and he ran onto the field to celebrate with arms and legs flailing like a wounded baby emu. I wondered - who the hell is that? How can he be on our list? Living proof that after 30 years of abomination, the MFC can seriously develop young players.

Agree. The blocking is an absolute blight, and the ex-player commentators love it, constantly gushing about it. Just imagine how great Larkey, Hogan or Sam Darcy could be if they were free to launch, and defenders had to re-learn how to beat their man.

6 Petracca 5 Langford 4 Melksham 3 Fritsch 2 Gawn 1 TMac apologies to Oliver

After the 2nd quarter horror show, that was great team footy today. Big shout out to Fritsch for a 4 quarter team performance. Gawn's leadership, Trac and Clarry contested ball and clearances, Viney's in and under grunt. Langford, Jeffo, JVR. TMac. Chin. Bowey. Salem. Some real concerns down back, and although Turner had a bad one today, he is not one of our comcerns. Concerned about Kolt and Windsor's development. Great to be on the winners list.

I hope Sparrow is OK, but for me, only 2 weeks for Xerri. That action occurs 20 times a game, and it was reckless but not nasty.

Jefferson's kicking, although inaccurate, is good technique, the ball spins correctly, and goes mainly in a straight line. This is refreshing. He is showing us his work rate and potential today. He now needs size to combat the like of Harris Andreas or Sam Taylor. Lever is a worry and reckon he is abut 70% fit. Lots of young players on both teams, so I reckon skills will drop from exhaustion in the last quarter.

Commentators urging the Roos on for a win. Demonlanders having conniption fits. And yet we are in front.

In close handball disposals are killing us, leading to turnovers with North players loose on the outside. Over and over again. Unfortunately, senior players the worst culprits - Salem, Trac & Viney. Put a hard run-with tag on McKercher (absolute jet this kid). Great to see Jeffo and JVR having a crack and I am loving their efforts. I have been a supporter of the Kolt for most of the year but his jogging around today is actually disgraceful for a kid trying to keep his place in the team. No pace or intensity at all, and not helping his team mates. The last 10-12 minutes they cut us to pieces around contested ball spread. Even this out and we win well.

So much to like from that team performance, but how much can transfer to AFL is doubtful due to Werribee being absolutely insipid. Adams and Howes clearly AFL ready, even if a lot more development will be required at that level. But in terms of watching young men develop at VFL level, tonight was a good positive step forward for Kentfield, Yze and Mentha. Verrall faded a bit, but I'm liking what I see in terms of a 2nd ruck option if other parts of his game can develop.

Starting to warm to Kentfield. With a full AFL preseason he could dominate at VFL level. And I ma beginning to warm to Jai Culley. He lumbers around a little bit, but he is a big boy, and makes good decisions.

Cutting them to pieces now.

More promising signs from some of our Casey boys. It is always difficult to clearly see what might transfer from VFL to AFL, but Adams and Howes are AFL ready, while Verrall, Yze, Kentfield, and Fullerton showing signs of strong development. Hardie is a "watch this space".

Jesse Hogan - what could have been... And Cadman beginning to fulfill his potential. Frightening duo.

Stringer looks lean, fit and angry and could make a massive difference if they make finals. The Bummers absolutely stuffed up his training and fitness management. GWS looking potent v the Cats.