poita

As bad as side as I can remember us selecting under Goodwin. Almost every player is either underdone, lacking form and confidence or completely out of their depth. Combine that with a coach who has completely lost the plot, and what could possibly go wrong? The worst thing that could happen today is another uninspiring 5-6 goal loss with brief glimpses of basic competency that will allow the club to keep on pretending that all is well, so nothing will change.

Truly moronic changes from a desperate and clueless coach. Let's drop our only reliable goalkicker but keep Spargo who couldn't hit the scoreboard if his life depended on it. Again we pick a bloke with no match fitness in Tholstrup, who isn't that good to start with. I assume we'll let May hobble around all afternoon as well. And what's with picking Turner only in even rounds?

Pressure acts should be a non-negotiable for all players, but particularly for small forwards. You don't get extra credit for doing the bare essentials of your job, when you contribute nothing else (goals, assists, tackles, etc). It isn't just Spargo, but he is a forward who hasn't kicked a goal since July 2023 - that's a long time ago.

For those who remember the Late Show in the early 90s, Goodwin's press conference yesterday reminded me of this excellent segment.

I really don't see the point of playing May when he is carrying injuries. He becomes his nervy, fumbly worst self when he has no confidence in his body (see round 3 v GC as example 1), and it affects everyone around him. Get him 100% right, and get games into Adams or Turner if needed. Hopefully Pickett is okay, because he is completely irreplaceable from our current list.

Clearly some people are going to be critical of anything that Brad says in this situation, some will appreciate that he has spoken and some will prefer that nothing is said. As such, he can't win, whatever he does. Without outlining exactly why we are in this position and what we intend to do differently to fix the situation, I find the letter entirely pointless. As such, I think I'd prefer he said nothing and avoid giving the media anything to tear apart. I would like to think that he has been far less "vanilla" behind closed doors.

I'm not sure what his point of difference is that will allow him to be a quality AFL player. He hasn't kicked or assisted on a goal in the past three weeks, so is basically a passenger at this point. He isn't quick, he is shorter than ideal, doesn't apply great tackle pressure, doesn't kick goals, doesn't win his own football. Basically another Spargo, and we already have one more of those than is required.

The biggest problem with Goodwin has always been that he thinks he is the smartest guy in the room. And he has surrounded himself with yes men who have failed to call him out on his more ridiculous decisions around tactics, selections and game plans. The playing group have finally gotten sick of listening to his verbal diarrhoea and are making this clear with their half hearted, bone headed performances. Well done to all involved in getting the club to this dire position just three years after winning a premiership.

Failing to remove Goodwin before Anzac Eve will cost the club hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost match day takings, so why wait? It's basically a mercy killing at this point.

The majority of the players looked at least remotely interested for at least some of the game, so that is clear progress from the past fortnight. However our disposal, decision making, game plan and fitness remain the stuff of nightmares. Other than money I'm not sure why any player or coach would want to stick around here long term. Maybe we just blow everything up and start completely fresh.

Salem, Viney, Spargo, Turner, Melksham, Sharp - what's the point?

Windsor not fit. Langford a beauty. Gawn receiving a bath. Don't touch Cameron or Dangerfield.

Everything about him has been useless for three years. Teams are happy for him to have the ball because they know he won't hurt them.

Has Viney disposed of the ball cleanly once this season? Van Rooyen needs to stop worrying about his opponent and attack the football.

And inside the 50. The end is incredibly nigh for him.

The start to the second quarter has been horrific. Can't make a tackle, can't hit a target, can't defend. We're in big trouble.

What is the point of Sharp and Turner? Both are great at disappearing when the ball is in their area. Oliver's mind is willing, but his body is cactus. He is an absolute liability at centre bounces.

May, Viney and Gawn are all playing like they're 55 years old.

The team feels unbalanced to me - too many small forwards, and I feel we are one small defender / wing, and one ruck / tall forward, short. Going small up forward is fine if our midfielders can lower their eyes and hit a leading target, but more likely we continue to bomb away and allow the Geelong defenders to dominate. Nevertheless hopefully we can see some progress towards a more competitive game plan.

Spargo, Melksham and Salem. All we need is Lever to return and Goody will have all his favourites back together.

I'm really looking forward to Goodwin dropping our best performed defender (McDonald) this week to bring in Lever who can't defend to save his life. With May turning in a career worst effort last week, and Bowey and Salem incapable of stopping any half decent small forward, fun times surely await.

Yes, a good coach will tailor the game plan to the players he has at his disposal. There is no point asking a group of unskilled footballers to be a high possession side, or looking at a bunch of plodders to be racing through the midfield and breaking lines. That's not what we have to work with. I'm not 100% convinced that Hawthorn's game plan will bring them a premiership, but Mitchell has them playing a style of football that is totally in tune with the players that he has at his disposal. That is what Goodwin needs to sort out and fast.

I'm not sure why people get upset when supporters express their disgust at the way the team is performing. At least those people care enough to turn up and support the team. The far bigger concern is the very significant part of our so-called fan base that will just disengage completely and not come to games, not buy memberships and so on if things continue on their current course. The financial implications of starting the season like this are massive given that memberships won't be sold, attendances will be pitiful and we'll guarantee ourselves a diabolical fixture next year.

I expected us to be fairly ordinary this year, so I'm not totally surprised by what we've dished up so far. What I didn't expect was the lack of passion, the lack of respect and the lack of care for each other. We have so many players who just dispose of the footy without thinking, leaving their teammates to get crunched or to compete outnumbered. We're totally bereft of skill, fitness and confidence. Goodwin has clearly lost the players and the plot, and needs to do the honourable thing and resign. Lamb should join him.