Maldonboy38

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.

Season 2025 is fully over in terms of success, so we have to know what we have, and what we need. Kolt needs to be given a number of weeks in a row maybe in a different position. He was pick 13 for a reason and had a broken preseason. He was very very poor today, at times not even showing the intensity that he usually brings, even if it is often misplaced.

This is the seed of so many of our problems. Putting team mates under pressure, creating turnovers, killing momentum. Early in Goodwin's reign up to 2020 this was a huge problem and it has reared its ugly head again. And unfortunately, our major proponents are Langdon, Petracca, Rivers, Salem and today we added in Clarry, Sparrow, and Viney.

6 May 5 Viney 4 Melksham 3 Pickett 2 Turner 1 Rivers

I reckon Windsor will be a great wingman, but isn't he out for the rest of the season? If he is, then Langford and Lindsay on the wings. If not, Windsor onto the wing, Lindsay stays at half back.

Do we now take the risk and drop Fritsch & Langdon? Langdon got a heap of the ball but much of his disposal and decision making caused turnovers or stalled momentum. Big call, and other things are probably more important, but he epitomises our disposal woes. Play Langford & Lindsay on the wing and see how they go. Fritsch is a great player at his best, but some of his efforts were simply soft and weak, and it has been like this for too long. Unsure who we play in his place but he has been a liability for too long.

More to like than dislike, but hugely disappointed. LIKE - Our general play was good but not great. Loved seeing JVR and Jeffo together and hope to see them for the remainder of the year. Steven May, Lever, Kozzie, Melksham, getting games into Lindsay, Langford, Jeffo. DISLIKE - Our in close handball chains/patterns were horrendous. Goal kicking in the first quarter. Fumbling & slipping over. Petracca's lack of intensity and potency.