Maldonboy38

The Essendrug saga. Sledging someone's wife during play. Gambling in sport. Racism in sport. Too much effing $ in sport. But no, let's tackle the big issues. I know, what about a wildcard round leading into the finals? I reckon the Richmond match committe have dreamt this up to give them a chance at winning a final. It is an appalling idea with little merit, and robs the game of the equilisation they have worked so hard to produce. Is Gil actually fit to lead this great game?

Growing up, I used to like the Roos, seeing them come from obscurity to snatch 2 flags in the 70's. I have never really loved or loathed them, they were a bit like how I now feel about Freo. And then Brad Scott became coach. I loved him as a footballer but everything about his moaning, surly, "isn't-our-list-great", entitled demeanour as a coach gets under my skin. All their ducking and getting rubbed out for behind the play thuggery comes from him. I hope the Dees wipe the smirk off his face so badly that by year end he is assistant coach at the Nyah-Nyah West thirds.

I really enjoy watching Frost play but his kicking has, up until recently, been so poor it has held him back. He seems to have found a way to even out his kicking which in the past 2 games has benn outstanding.

Jeffy has been huge this year. And the best thing is he has been consistent. Opportunistic, great defensive pressure, reliable and accurate.

"Where are you all going?" My goodness, that was priceless. And that older bloke trying to ruin the chant with "you suck!" There is no greater praise then pathetic condemnation.

It is difficult not to re-write history when you reflect on it, but the article does seem to bring a sense of clarity. I was a Beamer fan, loved his aggression and uncompromising nature, but he was an extremely flawed leader whose leadership had powerful positives and more powerful negatives. However, the train wreck that was Mark Neeld can actually be seen as a huge catalyst for change. The 186 game revealed a dysfunctional, decaying, fossilised club. Mark Neeld was a resopnse to that, and his coaching tenure (I refuse to use the word leadership here) made the club finally implode and collapse. And it needed to. Our playing group being led by Beamer and Sylvia - what?!?! Our leaders being given an uncompromising and unfair push out of the door - what?!?! Hard-nosed bullying being seen as tough leadership - what?!?! All the old gang had to depart, PJ was placed in charge, Roos as coach, Bartlett as president and we started again from ground zero. So although it was the worst period I can remember of 50+ years as a Dees supporter, in reflection, I am glad it all happened. Today we have 40,000 members, sponsors who continue, a women's team, and a list that might finally give us some success.

The poor young bloke must be wondering what the hell is going on. First his Dad, not playing much footy, and now this. Thoughts and prayers are with you big fella.

OUT: Hunt, Weid (although he did work very hard) IN: Hogan, Stretch.

I love my whisky from Glenfiddich to Dalmore, but you can keep that stuff. Battery acid.

No single thing changes culture, but often a single event can be a cataylst for culture change. John Northey changed the Dees culture and had immediate impact, but it still took him a few seasons to get the culture change as a the new normal. Last night's game could be a huge step on the "journey" of change, but we have had massive wins before and culture has not moved. When we see that tackling pressure every game, and play with that confidence every game, maybe culture can be recorded as changed.

Hannan is difficult to place. He looks so lost at times, but when you watch the replays, he is very physical in the air and at ground level. TMac played his hunior footy as a CHF - is my memory correct here? Looked a natural forward and should stay there. Who could believe that of all people, OMac would play a blinder on a gorilla? A great game from him tonight, when I thought he would get monstered. Petracca is so strong through the hips and legs, he is almost impossible to bring down. And then his skill and decision making!!! Some selection and position headaches coming up for coaches and selectors. (Beeep), I am a happy old bugger this morning. The missus isn't safe!

That was epic. Everyone contributed at some time or another, even those with low stats did heaps in at the contested ball. Coaching was brilliant and when our palyers follow the game plan we can see it works. Hat off to Hunt for his exemplary courage (hope he is ok), Vince for stifling Sloane, Jetts for smothering Betts, an amazing effort from our midfield (and yes, Tyson CAN kick), and particular mention to a rag tag forward line that just threw themselves at it in the air and on the ground. TMac was the game changer aclong with Petracca.

Is there anything in the world like being a Dees supporter? I dont know whether to hide, puke, run around the room, shout loudly, or close my eyes and begin chanting some Eastern meditation crap. C'mon boys, run away with it.

We have been in a winning position in every game so far this season, and the same will be the case tonight. Our system is actually quite effective. It is the errors and decision making which kills us - that, and the 1 quarter where we switch off. We can't let Adelaide dominate us in the air, and our best kicks like Salem, Watts and Petracca have got to hit targets inside 50m. It could be ugly, but we aren't anywhere near favourites so this is when we play our best footy.

We are looking for another medium forward who can take a mark, tackle, and defend a space. Doesn't JT fit that bill perfectly? And apart from the year of his leg issues when he could not kick over a jam tin, he is a VERY good kick for goal. He is not quick, but I remain unconvinced he is slow.

My favourite current player. His attack on the ball and player is footy at his best. And although his kicking efficiency has decreased and needs some work, he is one player who can play at full pace and impact contests. He is a cut or two above JKH, Hannan, Bugg and others who we are currently working through. I hope he makes a full recovery and gets back to his best. Wing sounds like a good option, but no player can play completely as an outside player; look how Jetta from the Swans is failing at the Eagles.

Many of the sentiments are often affirmed or debated here on Demonland. But to do that to JKH is intentional, high contact, and behind the play. If the author is a member they should be banned for life for belittling a player - any player - so publicly. And blaming so much on Goodwin - misguided rage in my opinion. It is either the ramblings of a complete lunatic, the straw that broke the camel's back from a long-suffering Dees fan, or the calculated swing at Goodwin whom the author hates for some past indescretion. Unlike others on Demonland, I am a huge fan of the Ox and love his "don't take me too seriously" style on radio, but to be the one who brings it into the light and to aclso then decide to INCLUDE JKH'S name is a really, really poor effort. Not too sure what to make of it, and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I wanted JKH dropped and also consider his current ability to be below AFL standard, but now I want him in the team versus Adelaide to give him a chance to tear the game apart and shove it right up the Ox.

Wake up.

I take your point. But we need people who can compete in the air because the Crows are dynamic in the air. If we go in short they will simply bomb it up all over the ground and we will never get the ball. I acknowledge that Weid is a year away from the body size and intensity required but I put his name up because we have no other tall marking options with so many of our talls injured.

For most of this year our intent at the contest has been really good, probably for 3 out of every 4 quarters in every game we have been really strong. Against the Hawks, the opposite was the case for 3 out of the 4 quarters. We were lethargic, with no outside run, and very little movement from behind the ball. In the last quarter Lewis took a mark in the middle of the ground, looked both sides for a ahandball option he was expecting, but had to go back and kick into the Hawks zone. But our handball-mad defensive extractions from stoppages or defensive positions are poorly planned, poorly executed, and to the benefit of our opposition. Unfortunately, I think it IS a central part of the instructed gameplan but they are doing it with so many unforced errors invovled that it is failing. Personally, I would rather them erase it from the gameplan - we are not Geelong of 2007 - 2011 whose handball was elite, electric, efficient and effective. We are the Dees of 2017 and our basic skills are tragically poor and our decision making worse. We can't even get rid of the decade-long habit of handballing to a team mate in a worse, stationary position!

After being grumpy and withdrawn for 24 hours I feel I can at last begin to look at our next match. Adelaide in Adelaide could be a total whitewash if we are not careful. In his post match press conference, Goodwin made repeated mention of players not having a defensive mindset in the first half and being really disappointed in that. Also, we were annihilated in the air, so maybe the coaching staff will address these 2 things. In light of that, maybe OUT JKH, Bugg, OMac/Wagner. OMac would be unlucky even though he continues to give me "Ben Holland" syndrome every time he looks like kicking it. IN Harmes (clumsy as a baby emu but he is good in the air). Stretch (good at two way running) and unfortunately maybe Weid who is not ready but can at least compete in the air if not actually hold them yet. Feels like clutching at straws or shuffling the deck chairs, but trying to figure out a way forward without much anticipation of change.

I am as ticked off as the next Dees supportere, but if I hear one more time how the umps were against us, I will scream. Roughead got free kicks in a way I would be screaming for if it were Hogan. The umps made some errors, missed some in packs where 20 players were piling in, and gave us a couple of good ones on the way through. Roughead is simply a bloody good footballer who often plays in front. We lost because of the same reasons we have lost most games in the last 10 years - poor unpressured skills, handballing to stationary targets, and bad decisions in crucial moments.

I agree Jaded, how was Burgoyne allowed so much room as the 2nd handball recieve out of contests? It ends up Salem and Bugg having to chase him and as old as he is, he is metres faster then them. The centre clearances in the last quarter were a slap in the face to our coaches and leaders.

Just so frustrated. All the momentum killed off by horrible decision making, a dangerous addiction to unnecessary handball, and being annihilated in the air. I usually leave my first review of the seaeon until round 8 but that loss has got under my skin. I agree with many others that JKH and Hannan are not AFL standard. We must leave behind a reliance on fill-in VFL standard players. That era must end now. I don't understand OMac. 1st half he cost us goals, 2nd half almost saved the game. I don't understand Frost - all the dare and dash in the world but his kicking is ..... I don't know how to describe it. Oliver - you are a gun but you are allowed to kick. Viney - very well done. Handballing to a stationary target remains a deeply entrenched problem. It emerged late in the Daniher era and we haave never shaken it off. Today was the worst it has been for a while. St. Kilda are winning these games, we continue to lose them. I hate being a Melbourne supporter.

I am going to die because of this team one day. They never settle into an understandable, predictable consistency but up and down mountains every match. Fair dinkum I will be a mess in half an hour win or lose.