Young Blood

Agree with all of the above. You won't see him much at centre bounces. His contested ball work is a bit of a weakness, but as Hinkley says he is a 'good out-number player' meaning he is someone you bring up as an extra at stoppages across the ground for an outlet as an elite ball user.

Maybe I'm wrong but there seems to be a misconception that Houston plays midfield. He's a high half back and doesn't really spend any time at centre bounces. He does come up high to stoppages across the ground but is there as an outlet. His bread and butter is as an attacking rebounding defender. If he was to play for us we would have more freedom to trial Judd in the middle and continue with Rivers in the middle. Its probably not a popular option but I do think Salem with a proper preseason training with the mids could be a good option as well. Given how late the news was of Gus retiring I felt like we threw Salem in there with little preparation and it hasn't worked too well. With a proper preseason and health I think its worth another try. We are desperate for better ball use in the midfield.

This is so sad. What happened to turning up for your team because they're wearing the red and the blue? I hope you called them out for being fair-weather supporters with a poor excuse. Maybe I won't rock up to games from now on until we get a dominant key position forward.

Wait are you actually serious with this statement? Fascinating. How many is plenty? This is one of the more ridiculous things I've heard this season. Only supporter base I know that would do something so immature is Carlton. Should I contact the club and tell them we're losing fans at games due to Petty being played at CHF? If its plenty they might want to know.

Didn't Gus announce his retirement a few weeks before the first game against Sydney? If you want to call that 'well before the season started' then good for you - I certainly wouldn't

Doesn't he play for Freo now?

No he doesn't go through the middle. Half back is his position. Think Rivers'/Salem's usual role HB role but plays higher up the ground. He's an elite ball user and decision maker as a rebounding HB. He would sure up that position so Rivers and eventually Judd can spend more time in the middle. He'd be a perfect fit for a side thats dying for better ball users.

Oh god. Enough with the in fighting over such trivial things. The wording of 'Severely undermanned' vs 'missing key players'. Who cares. Having Trac, Windsor and May might have made the difference in a tight game, or maybe it wouldn't have! If you want to be critical of the team thats fine. We're all frustrated with where we're at currently and giving our own two cents and different perspectives can be interesting in working through it all. But no need to have a go at other posters for things like making 'excuses'. If thats annoying to you thats ok you can disagree and make your point but spare the carry on towards other supporters. FWIW, Today I watched our first games against Port and Dogs earlier this season. We looked a difference side in our ability to run and spread and break the lines so much better. What a difference fitness makes.

Here here @binman terrific coaching and effort from a playing group that is clearly not anywhere near full fitness. We were missing 3 of our top 5 players (yes I will continue adding Gus) along with Windsor and Bowey and almost pulled off a huge upset against one of the most damaging, in-form sides in the comp. As far as skill execution goes this is definitely the poorest we've been since 2021. I know we lack kicking efficiency, especially in the midfield but even handbells are way off at the moment. Do we think that's also a fatigue factor? Players are clearly choosing or being told to get it on the boot to gain territory and create contests further up the ground. I feel this has to partly be due to the fact that we don't have the fitness to spread or break the lines at the moment. Earlier in the season we were able to do this far more often.

I would say this is the most likely strategy we would be trying to implement. Freo would be the obvious choice if they had someone they really like at pick 6. Give us two of 12, 13 or 16 for pick 6 (with other future or 2nd rounder involved probably). But there are other teams primed for this trade as well. Especially Richmond whose first picks are 5 and 27. They're surely going to try to improve their first-round draft hand.

Considering the lack of support he's had this year in the middle (Clayton unfit, losing gus, Trac going down round 13 and an array of new players trialled through the middle) I think he's had a really solid season all things considered. He's coming off arguably his best two seasons and this year still performed well while clearly carrying some injuries. Currently: 9th in the comp for tackles 13th for inside 50s 24th for contested possessions No doubt he's fallen away as the seasons progressed (as the whole team has) If he can have a clear run at preseason I don't see why he can't contribute the same next season with a fitter, better cast of midfielders around him. Perhaps I was stretching it a bit but I feel he has two more strong years in him before we start talking about the twilight years for Jack.

I doubt that. Would be sad if that's the case. More likely that North would pose the idea which makes sense for them.

Zero chance of this happening next year. Maybe down the line when he's 34-35 in his twilight years and he's getting pushed out for younger/fitter mids. He's the most competitive footballer I've ever seen. If you think he's going to agree to a trade to a bottom-four development side, you're dreaming. Some of the rumors flying around are just laughable.

Well rest that worried head on that perfect pillow and get some rest. We're a while off from pre season and rumours are simply just swirling at this stage. - Trac is determined for round one as he stated earlier this week and is one tough bugger - Clarry has worked his [censored] off this season, showing and getting his professionalism back on track for a big pre season - Old men May and TMac have showed they still have a fair bit left in the tank and Petty will move back there eventually - Lets enjoy those prime 29 yr olds of ANB, Lever, Trac and Lingers! - With our without a maybe gun pick 7 midfielder the young brigade of Clarry, Rivers, McVee and Windsor will be awesome - Who knows what we'll add this off season but I'm excited to add to this team who have had a fair bit adversity this season. There is so much potential! So many positives to dream about!

Yeah I'm also curious @Moonshadow about the sleeping part. Do you use an orthopaedic pillow? or just a regular one? Sweet dreams

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?