Maldonboy38

You can see Goodwin the coach in our game play. The Roos defensive suffocation and contested ball system is the basis, but Goodwin's run and dash, taking risks, trusting the other players to do their bit when risks are taken - these are not the hall marks of Roos. Frosty sprinting through half back, Hunt running and flying at everything, all those 45 degrees kicks coming off half back - Goodwin's emphasis. And it feels like Roos had the players absolute respect becasue of his experience, reputation, winning history, and the full support of Peter Jackson. But Goodwin seems to be generally liked as a human being, while being respected for what his coaching emphasises. He keeps saying that the club history is irrelevant, that the players are on their own journey, and even though I am sick of hearing it, the players love him and are fully on board.

Tonight was a massive step up for players like Melksham, Harmes, ANB and Hannan. With Hogan, Watts and Jones to come back in, some players are going to be very unlucky in a few weeks. We now have about 25-28 players to pick from who can deliver at AFL level on most occasions. Melksham and Hannan in particular are looking better and better with every match.

6. Viney 5. TMac 4. Clarry 3. Gawn 2. Stretch 1. Pedo.

How bl***y good was that?!?! Injuries from last week, injuries in the game, a huge crowd against us, and one of the gutsiest wins in ghe last decade. Best win of the year for mine. Jack Viney, I think I want to have your babies. TMac - astonishing. Pedo - you are a great late-game player.

WCE are getting a heap of the ball, but we are a much better team. Small errors are costing us but we can win this well from here.

Have always liked his potential but he seemed limited. But he is quickly blowing my previous view of him out of the water. He is reading the play, attacking it, and is iften involved i strong attacking moves. And something both he and OMac are growing in at the same time is learning when to leave their player or their place in the zone, and impact the contest. His first 30 games were fairly 'meh', but his 2017 season has been very, very strong. Congrats Frosty - now for the next 150 games.

I was just about to type the same thing. Saying "never" is just too small minded and lacks vision. However, Gus is my favourite current Dees player and his best footy is breath-taking. Once he is through his health/concussion issues he will tear this competition apart. And he is part of our own young rat pack who are emerging at the same time - hate to see it pulled apart. It would have to be an incredible Fyfe/Ablett/Buddy kind of trade to be considered, otherwise we lose too much.

Jones out is a huge loss. Probably Wagner or JKH in for him. I stil, can't figurenout who to exchange for Gawn. The only one I can think of is Vince, but he has never been dropped for poor form.

The Shuey one looks like the head contact was slight. Contact, yes, but most of it was body. A fine would have been enough for me.

All of the MRP's decisions this week look ok, except for the Selwood one. What a crock. Intentional, behind play, forceful enough to make Mitchell respond (he rarely does), and clear cut on video from multiple angles. One of these days, a player is going to take the MRP to court and we will have another Sylvio Foccini farce played out in the media. The umps or someone should appeal the decision. Is there a mechanism for appealing against light sentences in the AFL?

The vision from late in the game of Watts and Jones sitting with iced wrapped on their legs, or walking with a slight limp, is very misleading. When the cameras go into the rooms after most games, players are limping around everywhere with ice all over them. It is standard procedure as first step in recovery after the game. Jones did look sore, but I reckon he will be on the flight. Watts is fine. If either is injured, on form JKH is a certainty. If Goodwin goes with Gawn and there are no injuries, Vince comes out. For mine he was the only player who had little or no impact on the win.

Not sure, from memory Mitch was a Hawthorn supporter, but don't know his family well.

I know it shouldn't and I want so much for it not to, but that post just makes me feel sooooo good. The "successful club" so caught up in its own self percieved glory, it cannot see itself as the slowly boiled frog that it is, dying slowly with a smile on it s face.

Watching the game, it actually felt like we were the hunted, with a struggling team below us throwing everything at us but not being willing enough or skilled enough. I haven't felt like that in a game for a very long time. The Dees were strong in every facet of the game, and worked so much harder than a lot of the Doggies players. In most of the one-on-ones, it instantly turned to our advantage as our players rushed in to outnumber, time and time again. Super impressed with our workrate. Having said that, Beveridge will be livid with their lack of intensity at times. Perhaps most pleasing is the rise of our young guns. Salem, Hunt, Oliver, Viney, OMac, Hannan etc.... Bring on the Weagles.

How good is to see our boys flinging the Bulldogs around like rag dolls? Jetta giving better than he got to Stringer, all the boys stepping in, and the "s--t I love this stuff" smile on Oliver's face!!! The Bullies are throwing everything at us and apart from a couple of soft ones over the back we are standing tall. Loving it. And I am a fan of Bulldogs 2016, but their deliberate ducking into oncoming traffic is getting me riled. A bit more composure kicking inside 50 and we will tear it apart.

I see young Mitch Cox got a late goal. He went to school with my kids - can anyone tell me how he went? He missed the draft last year or year before and he is desperate to get listed with some AFL club.

Hahahahaha!!! That was very quick, and very apt. Not sure how many will get it or find the reference, but spot on. Not sure whether to shout you a nice Heathcote Shiraz or a communion wine.

The difference between acceleration and speed is the key for Hunt, as with Dangerfield, Johannisen etc... Their first three steps give them 1-2 metres on their opponents which is basically impossible to counter. But it is Hunt's toghness that has surprised me. He loves to hurt the opposition when he tackles, he loves a run down chase and he is one of the first in with Viney if a scuffle breaks out. His kicking might only improve 10-15%, but with Petracca & Hogan's strength, and Jeffy crumbing, the bombing is about 60/40 effective if it is done quickly enough.

OK, so moving away from the strange views of some of our posters, who sound like opposition suppporters trolling the site, back to the thread. Is JL important? Yes. Leadership, kicking skill, experience. Is he perfect? No Is he declining? Yes.

The Doggies have a mid sized forward line so our backs have to be selected to fit. One of Spencer or Gawn will come in. After his best game so far, OMac is probably in line to be omitted to allow for team balance, but from memory he has played well on shorter players over this season. The Doģgies midfield is brimming with talent, but not playing well, and not linking well. We have to exploit this by swinging Salem and Petracca throuth the middle to keep them from becoming too settled. Their defense will trouble our forwards. They have top notch contested marking players down back. We have to lower our eyes, use Garlett's pace, give Watts space to gut run and repeat lead. Harmes could be important. He is a very good mark for his size and has finally begun kicking the goals he should. Vince or Bugg to Johannisen. Dont allow him to run free and spare. Touch him up a bit. And match Jones on Dalhaus, not as a tag, but as playing on each other. Jones' forward spread has been electric this year and his goal kicking ability will stretch Dalhaus. This will be a ripper of a game.

Chook, I have a generational hatred for the Pies that comes down my mother's line to me spanning more than 100 years. And their supporters give the absolute jimmy-brits. But I don't hate them like I used to. I reserve that for Carlton and Essendon, with a quickly emerging loathing of North and GWS.

Sad news. Thought he looked likely. Hope he can get back well for preseason 2018.

The AFL head-honchos line up each January to shine the CFC boots with their tongues, humiliating themselves by bowing and scraping to their preferences, giving them every fixture advantage and ground advantage, and they whine about not liking the Ponsiford Stand location and facilities? Give me a break. Tell someone who cares you pack of underachieving, IQ-deficient, footy-ignorance-dwelling, neanderthal whingers.

Leadership, off ball setting up and positioning, articulate and inspiring when he speaks in public. A great addition to the Dees. His day today was very ordinary and he will cop a blast from the coaches for his work rate at times. But still worth every cent over 3 years.

Due to work, and then some youth mentoring, didn't get to see much of the game except 10 minutes in 3rd quarter. But in the car during 2nd quarter, the commentators must have said about 15 times "Melbourne handball misses the target." I was screaming in rage at the dashboard. Have just looked at a few highlights etc... and am just so rapt for Jack W. On QB, takes the responsibility and kicks the winning goal, then saves the last almost-goal with a finger. Can you imagine how hard he must have run in those last 5 minutes? Epic. How good is it to see Petracca's potential being realised right in front of us! A matchwinner right there. Biggest thing for me is we won a close one, a game full of pressure. But it wasn't a great game. Both coaches have a huge review coming up with lots of unforced turnovers and lazy defensive running. But it feels VERY VERY good to be a Dees man tonight. The missus might not be safe.