poita

Except we had 20 scores from 73 i50s, at 27%, so not sure what point you are trying to make. Most people would suggest that 5 goals from 73 i50s at 6.8% is slightly less than optimal, even playing blindfolded on an ice field.

Can someone please explain to me what Joel Smith's role was yesterday (and in the second half against Geelong). I'm not a fan of Smith, but I accept he has some traits that can be useful when he is let loose to lead up at the football, and provide some defensive pressure. But I don't see the value in him standing ten metres behind an intercepting defender (Haynes and Stewart in that period), providing zero physical presence or doing anything other than moving up to stand the mark. Do we imagine because it is wet that Haynes is going to drop an uncontested mark and that the ball is somehow going to land in Smith's arms? Because if so, that is the dumbest thing since I've seen for a long time (well at least since we lined up with three midgets across half forward last week, and our marking targets another kick away).

Unfortunately we have both structural issues and personnel issues to resolve, and are rapidly running out of time on both counts. I'd prefer to tackle the structural issues first, and hope that solves some of our other issues at the same time. For me, the two ruck experiment is a confirmed failure and has to end now. Grundy can go back to Casey and try to get some part of his game working. Gawn to ruck 70% of the game, and Schache in to back him up, plus JVR/Brown in the forward line. I don't think we'll lose anything from Schache as a second ruck given Grundy's recent form, and he will clearly give more as a third forward. I think Gawn will benefit from more ruck time, and from being able to rest when not rucking. If Gawn goes forward, it is as a tactic, not an expectation. Van Rooyen to come back in to replace Melksham who is officially finished as an AFL footballer. Van Rooyen to play across half forward so that he and Brown stay out of each other's way. Smith to play up the ground where he can use his athleticism. Pickett to play closer to goal where he can use his speed & smarts. I'm okay with Neal-Bullen, just wish he'd do the instinctive thing a bit more often. I would prefer to see Bowey tried forward over Chandler or Spargo, but I'm not sure we have a defensive replacement available. Either way, a small forward must be at Brown's feet every single time. Woewodin to come in for Langdon who is just a shell of his former self. Harmes is a major problem as well, but I don't see the value to swapping him and Jordon every week. I'd be inclined to give Dunstan a go now that he is back in shape. If there is any thought of Petty returning forward, then Tomlinson clearly has to return.

And that has been an issue with this group of players for a long time. Viney, Gawn and so on.

Check out 2016 certified release #128 or 2015 honours release #131.

How are those long term contracts to Brayshaw, Chandler, Gawn, Grundy, May and Spargo looking at this point? And clearly all of Brown, McDonald and Tomlinson should have been on one year deals at this point of their careers. For all the talk of us being a destination club, we are still having to cough up in a big way to retain players. I'll be very disappointed if we don't have 6 list spots to take to the draft / trade period at year end, plus a couple of rookie selections.

You know you are watching Melbourne play when: - the coach picks the same tired, old players each week, regardless of how underdone or out of form they are, and ignores those who are performing in the VFL. - the sub is a one position midget who is totally unable to impact the game (on an unrelated issue, well done to Charlie Spargo for achieving negative metres gained in his 21% game time). - the goal kicking accuracy is south of 40%. - the team lines up with 175cm players across the half forward line, all manned by opponents 10cm taller. - (excluding Fritsch), no forwards lead at the ball carrier and all play from behind. - the team would prefer to have 8 handpasses sideways and backwards before snapping under pressure, rather than kicking at goal at the first opportunity. - both wingers are midgets who struggle to kick over a jam jar. - players call for one metre handpasses, even when under pressure and facing away from goal, instead of making a shepherd or block to release a teammate. - the captain spends more time on the ground pleading for free kicks than attacking the football. - two supposedly elite ruckmen tap the ball to anywhere other than their teammates at centre bounces. - centre clearances, as rare as they are, travel further upwards than forwards. - the wetter the conditions, the more team wants to handpass in circles whilst the opposition kicks off the ground and moves the ball forward any way possible. - defenders refuse to guard the opposition goal square. - kick outs go to the same area of the ground 95% of the time. - the side collapses when put under any sort of pressure in the final quarter.

Any chance of Gawn doing anything positive this year? There's more to being a leader than doing media appearances. Viney is putting him to shame at the moment.

Out coached, outplayed, outworked. Imagine thinking that Smith, Van Rooyen and Gawn is a finals standard forward line, or that Spargo is a worthy sub option, or that our goal kicking is not a massive issue.

Would you retire if you were a chance to play in this team and you were contracted to receive a salary of $300K - $400K next year?

I don't understand why people get so worked about the size of our bye. There are only so many days between the start and the end of the year - if you get a shorter break between games one week, you are going to get a longer break another week. Every team is still playing 23 games in a 24 week period. The players might prefer to get a shorter break now, and an extra day or two between games closer to finals.

Why do we need 8 games spread over 5 days, with 4 night games? Surely tonight's game could be played on Friday, and Friday's game on Saturday.

Robbo's All Australian Team B: Charlie Ballard, Harris Andrews, Tom Stewart HB: Nick Daicos, Darcy Moore, Jack Sinclair C: Josh Daicos, Marcus Bontempelli, Nic Martin HF: Jordan De Goey, Jeremy Cameron, Toby Greene F: Charlie Cameron, Charlie Curnow, Brody Mihocek Foll: Tim English, Christian Petracca, Zak Butters Interchange: Lachie Neale, James Sicily, Zach Merrett, Jordan Dawson

ESPN's 2023 (slightly early) mid-year All-Australian team: FB: Ballard, Wilkie, Sicily HB: Sinclair, Moore (c), N. Daicos C: Dawson, Liberatore, Butters HF: Petracca, C. Curnow, Greene FF: Daniher, J. Cameron, C. Cameron R: English, Oliver, Bontempelli I/C: Darcy, De Goey, Neale, Anderson, Serong

You need to navigate to Casey Demons under Teams, but you are correct that MFC could do much more to keep fans updated regarding Casey. It almost makes me long for the days of assistant coaches putting out a post game review each week and describing every player as good.

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1348312/vfl-six-changes-for-trip-up-north

The backline looks better balanced this weekend, and the midfield slightly stronger as well. But imagine being an AFL coach and thinking that you can challenge for a premiership with a forward line consisting of Gawn, Van Rooyen and Smith as the marking targets. The lack of forward craft in those three is astounding, although clearly Van Rooyen will be a good player in time with more strength and experience. And then you have Chandler and Spargo contributing stuff all between them at the moment.

Re Jefferson, I've said it previously, but we are not helping him by having Brown, Schache, Smith, Sestan & Melksham playing ahead of him in the forward line. I still think Brown can offer something this year, and Sestan is a work in progress, but the others are clearly impeding Jefferson's development. That said, Jefferson looks a million miles off at the moment and that is a concern. Van Rooyen had an impact at Casey last year, and is still getting pushed around at AFL level. How is Jefferson going to make the leap when he can't get involved in the VFL?

I simply don't understand the logic of using our last list spot on Kye Turner instead of holding it over to the MSD. He's not filling an area of great need, he was never going to push for senior selection this year, and it has taken away the opportunity for us to have a look at some decent prospects over the past three months. As an aside, I'd love to see Oscar get another chance, whether it be in Sydney or elsewhere.

No thanks to Himmelberg. It would take a 5 year contract on big money to get him, and he's just not that good a player. The last thing we need is more players heading well into their 30s with a big fat contract in their back pocket.

Too many NQR small forwards on the list, not enough midfield depth. Too many long term contracts for blokes in their thirties. We already have four blokes in their thirties in the VFL, three of whom have contracts for next year, and who are already impeding the development of our younger players. I have grave doubts about the ability of three others currently in the senior team to see out their current deals. We don't turn the list over enough - there are blokes in the VFL who are simply aren't good enough who are just taking up spots on the list. And where, aside from Van Rooyen, are the promising kids? Our last three drafts have just been plain ordinary.

I certainly wouldn't bank on 12 wins being enough for finals given the extra game. I reckon you'll definitely need 13 and possibly even 14 if some of the sides 11-16 fall away towards the end of the season. That said, we're just making up the numbers if we can't finish top 4, which probably requires 16 wins and a decent percentage.

I can't be bothered reading this entire thread, but it's clear to me that there are two types of Melbourne supporters. One who were calling for change 10 games into Mark Neeld's coaching career when it was clear that we were going rapidly backwards, and two who would still be preaching patience and positivity after five years of watching him destroy the club. I know which attitude is more likely to lead to success.

Gawn and Grundy in a battle to see who can be the most useless ruck. Teams just drag May away from the ball and play through Lever, but Goodwin can't counteract this. We play 4 small forwards each week, 3 of whom get in every one's way and don't kick goals. McVee and Van Rooyen should have been given a rest 3 weeks ago. I have no idea why Salem is in the team with no match practice. The sooner we freshen up the coaching panel and the playing list, the better.

We need to add multiple quality players, particularly through the midfield, in this year's draft. Taking any less than 3 top 40 picks would be negligent on our part. I can't see any circumstance where we should be considering parting with multiple picks and players to take one player, no matter how good he may end up being.