Young Blood

This team is desperate for better ball users and that's exactly what Houston brings. Without looking at his stats I would be surprised if his effective disposal and kicking efficiency wasn't in the upper echelon of the comp for his position. Would slot in perfectly as a rebounding half back. Penetrating kick with high metres gained and consistent forward 50 entries. With Rivers moving to the midfield we'll need him to cover the Rivers/Gus role.

Maybe Melbourne's board will look at the result to have an influence on their decision to keep or let him go... bahaha I'm fine with people talking game plan/tactical changes that need to happen but the man himself isn't going anywhere next year. Its all moot.

Ed was never going anywhere. One of the most consistent players we've had. Hopefully we can add a few more like him in the near future to give us similar run that he provides.

Here, here Jaded. I don't think I'll ever get over that night and the outcomes that followed. The AFL decided to put the person/players welfare second and it just kills me. So saddened to hear that Gus is still struggling with the effects its having on his health. I can only imagine how this is all effecting the playing group who must miss him dearly. He is forever my favourite Melbourne player and going to games this year without him being out there has really got me down at every game.

I'm way more interested in looking into our fitness staff... Goody is just tactically playing with whats possible with the lack of fitness across the list. We can't effectively cover the ground at the moment. If you want quick slick ball movement with run and handball like the dogs did tonight, you need a fit side with better conditioning. We were cooked... Notice how none of our players are able to gain any separation from opponents at the moment? Especially our midfield. They're doing their best but just not fit enough for run and carry with quick chain ball movement. Its not pretty but all we can manage at the moment is getting the ball forward with quick long kicks to get out of congestion to try to gain territory and win contest in the forward half. These tactics worked ok against Essendon and GWS in wetter conditions but on the dry quick surface of Marvel and Optus we were greatly exposed but fitter sides that could run and spread. Goodwin should be asked questions as he plays a part in planning out training and recovery. But would really love some please explains from our fitness/strength and conditioning team. Did we get our preparation wrong? Did the brutal schedule to start the season have an impact on how we've run out the rest of the season. Its like 2022 again but worse....

Current news statements: 1. A poor turnout of Dees fans showed up to an MCG home game against a reasonable matchup 2. Dees fans are probably less likely to rock up to a Marvel game against a less favorable matchup BDA:

Exactly. Fox news is fine thought right? 🙃

Don't know why people are getting so upset about this. The media are always going to take pot shots at clubs/supporters with this sort of thing. Move on to the next slow news week discussion point.

Put aside the obvious reasonable reasons people missed the game. I do think cost plays a huge factor. I feel so privileged to have gone to every MCG game for the past 20 years. I'm an MCC member and finding it harder and harder each year to budget for this but I'll continue to find a way (sold a bunch of records at the starts of the year to help pay for this season). That aside I'm sure the OP is asking the question to the fair weather supporters. Against Freo was the most hopeless performance against a simply elite team, something we haven't seen for quite a while, we didn't have a chance with how poorly we played and how incredibly they played. I can understand the hesitancy wondering if a similar performance was instore on Saturday night. But the difference in this current team is you won't see that sort of game two weeks in a row. This teams responds well to bad losses these days. We've had an up and down season with plenty of negatives and positives but come along for the ride and barrack the club we all love so much.

Harry McKay a late out makes the game a bit more interesting. But even more interesting the fact this 'illness' could be due to concussion symptoms perhaps?

I think we have decent pace across the field. Its in the middle where we have often had issues but with the inclusions of Rivers, Kozzy, Windser, and hopefully more this off season I'm hoping this wont be as much of an issue next year.

Had some good morning chats around the office this morning with Sydney, Geeling and Carlton supporters. All watched the game and all agreed that none of their teams would have beaten Freo the way they played yesterday. They were simply elite in every facet of the game. The way they covered the ground was just scary. Haven't seen any team this year execute the high press while covering the corridor like that as well as they did yesterday. The run and spread was just incredible. I do think we could have done a better job with our positioning in the middle, especially around ruck contests to make it more 50/50 balls to win. Far too often Darcy just palmed down to an uncontested mid who was able to get the ball out to runners far too easily and quickly. They executed a game plan perfectly with elite skill execution, running and pace. Hats off. Move on

So many assumptions. We recruited a younger up-and-coming ruckman who they believed would be a good backup for Max while developing at VFL level along with Verrell. Turns out neither is ready yet for AFL level. [censored] happens...

Butters just re-signed for 2 more years in December last year. The short contract suggests he's not set on Port but won't be going anywhere until contract is over. By that stage Viney might be on the decline so I would hope we might be in the mix. Can you imagine? Butters, Trac, Rivers, Clayton, Kozzy with Windsor and McVee spending more time in midfield. Makes me dizzy just thinking about it.

The media are always going to generate a story from something. In this instance its based on some sort of facts: - Clayton's clearly had a down year by his lofty standards due to a multiple of reasons we're all aware of - Clubs will certainly be enquiring to see if there is a 'buy low' opportunity where they can trade for him for less of his value pre 2023 - Kane (while being a total bobble head) is correct in that teams will be scared of his salary without the assurance he's going to get back to the player he was. But also that Melbourne might be enticed to get that salary (or at least a high fraction) off their books to open up more flexibility. That all being said as others have noted I don't think he's going anywhere. The main reason being that he's turning 27 this weekend and still has his prime in front of him if he wants it with a club that is right behind him, backing him in. The club simply won't gamble with him like that if they truly believe he can get back to his best. There's been enough this year to show even if not fully fit for a full season, that he's still important and effective. With a full preseason, I think he can get back to being a top 10 midfielder.

If Riv keeps progressing this way I could even see Trac 50/50 mid/fwd split which would be incredible. He's our most dangerous fwd and more time there with midfield depth added is huge.

Ths might have already been mentioned and I haven't gone back through the thread. Would it not have been tactically smart to have Max Gawn down as 'test' for this week and keeping the extent of the injury hush hush? Just to cause a bit of havoc with Essendon's game planning. They probably have to release injury info once official scans come in probably. But just a thought.

😂 So true! I do really care about the guys wellbeing

I worry about Petty's little foot if he's going to do ruck work. Precious boy

Dreading the Carlton carry on tonight. By far the whingiest supporters in the comp. No doubt every time we touch the ball will be holding, any time we lay a finger on them will be high or without the ball. I want to crush them!

After watching it back for the 38th time. My new favourite thing is how little carry on there was from Fritta. Probably had some right to go bananas like most of us but seemed cool and collected as did the rest of the team. They knew they still had work to do and they did exactly that.

The media will replay the goal all week. Internally at the team reviews this spoil will be the one replayed over and over. Match winning stuff from Petty. If that mark sticks they are out with another Geelong player running through the corridor. Petty wasn't in the best position but read the play and worked to get to that spot to spoil. HUGE

Hunter playing is interesting. I dare say it won't be a full game.

6. Oliver 5. May 4. Langdon 3. Gawn 2. Kozzy 1. Petty

Can't remember the last time we had another big key forward who can take huge contested marks to influence a game like Petty did tonight. I thought his work up the ground as a genuine CHF was outstanding in the last. We usually leave it to Max to get clobbered and take those marks down the stretch. But Petty just took ownership. His disposal wasn't great but boy did he present well and was a catalyst for many of our looks at goal with his body work and positioning. That hand he got on the cats kick across half back to spoil and eventuate into the Fritta goal to win the game was crucial. Loved his honest interview after the game too. Saying he owed the team a better performance. Also the way his team mates celebrated him expressing how impressed they were with his big marking as they all walked off together. We've been missing a player with this size and presence and he's starting to come back into form.