dpositive

Im tired of saying this. Shouting into the abyss. The club must raise the issue that appalling umpiring has on player decision making and action. Confidence and skill execution are obviously affected . It would be interesting to know how a gambling differential mentioned by Kayo commentators before the game affected the outcome. I am sure the players did all they could to win but when umpiring decisions clearly affect the score there must be questions raised. We need to get the umpires down to our club and ask what are we doing wrong. Why dont we get free kicks that affect the flow of the game . Why do we give away free kicks that affect the scoreboard. There are so many examples over the season where free kicks are given and our structures are exploited WHY I give in Ive accepted my depression . Sad I didnt take the cue from the Kayo team and back Carlton at $.50 when Melbourne were clearly the better team.

Well I have consistently said that we had a good squad. After the 21 season we had a group that knew success and knew what it took to win. We made finals only to have our run shattered by a "football act" that was not recognised for its brutalism and impact individually or collectively. The club was magnificent in its treatment of Hogan, Jackson, and Nibbler, recognising individual emotions are as fragile for elite athletes as any other factor in performance. I believe the football act may have contributed to this recognition. We still built a good list and renewed our performances with some exciting youth to add to the experienced core group. Another football act took out Trac and impacted on individual and collective performance. But our playing list was still strong with a good blend of experience and youth with a magnificent leader who has continued to play at the highest level. Cameo performances by others however was not enough and we lost matches and perhaps sapped confidence. Reports of players wanting to leave seemed to be not handled well especially as these rumours were all found to be false as the players signed for long terms and professed loyalty etc. And still results did not come performance was below expectations. The club did state at the AGM that success was expected from a good squad who were committed to playing their best. Again the results did not come. I believe inconsistent umpiring affected confidence and frustration and by extension performance but the club seemed to do nothing about this. While it is unknown what the condition of individual players really is , I have been critical of the coach not managing the list well. No rest for underperformance and no apparent reward for performance in VFL.I thought we should have rotated the squad more to expose newer younger players to the demands of the AFL for a sustained plan based on opposition teams, not merely our own demands for development. Rigid adherence to a game plan that opponents had cracked, compounded by then changes to structures and patterns that were almost incomprehensible and reportedly not adopted fully and quickly did not win games. Poor goal conversion was obvios in many losing games. That we were more than competitive in key games served only to show that something was not working I could not identify what it was as I am not the coach The coach made the calls and reaps the results. That he now claims we are in transition is no doubt correct but it was a consequence of his own failures that we underperformed. It aint easy, every year only one team can win I still have great support for all our players on the list, some are aging and should be managed as Geelong has shown in the past, some younger bodies still need to be developed through exposure to what is required and rested if required, some need to learn to play through the low performance, older experienced players provide support. Not every player can play every game at maximum, No Brownlow medallist has been best on ground every match , ebbs and flows in performance must be managed. Again this is the coaches responsibility and it has not been evidenced this year. If we finish off with some development and use of the squad it may be correct to say we are in transition. I dont think we meant it and i dont think we needed it. I hope that we recognise what we need and then take action to achieve success.

I dont expect any knowledge of tactics or strategies or even player condition etc to be indicated at a press conference. Nor do I even expect or anticipate the club to disclose minute detail of the operations and conditions affecting the players like contracts or personal impacts affecting them. I have followed the club most of my life and have experienced sorrow, frustration and confusion, along with probably every emotion including joy. I have been close to and remote from the club, I have had little influence but as part of the collective have had some influence and had direct feedback from individuals that my support was recognised as valuable. I have also been ignored and occasionally rebuked. I have always been happy to communicate to improve understanding. I have not always accepted Goodwins actions but acknowledge that he did achieve the premiership and will always thank him and the team for that. I did and do think he has failed to arrest the decline that has happened with what I have thought and said was a strong squad. He is ultimately responsible for the on field results and they have been poor. We are all aware of the many visible faults and are all unaware of all the actions taken but it seems there are still problems resulting im poor results. Something must be done and Goody has not remied the results. He will be unlikely to accept that it is fault and he may be correct but it is his responsibility and he must do something about it. I think it is time for him to go but I think he must be accorded the dignity and respect he deserves. Lets see how he handles the rets of the season and how the players and officials perform . Next season is some way away but certainly some foundations for performance then will be made now.. I will wait and continue to support the club.

No soccer balls?

You forgot "The Tour" which begins Saturday.

You wont get any argument from me. The confusion caused by the inconsistent application of the rules leads to frustration of players who create incidents. Kozzie was never tripped when he dropped the ball despite our plyers being penalised for a trip when a tackle slipped down to a trip. Different match and different interpretation. Our players are constantly called to play on and then deliver off balance or to poor set up, our opponents are given time to set up downfield. and a demon player better not move off the mark or a fifty metre penalty is paid. WE just cant seem to get it right We should get the umpires down to our training to assist us in what we are doing wrong.

Well the fog has lifted and I dont believe we can progress to finals where the Goody style could pull off another surprise. So we can now deal in a dignified fashion to find a new coach and perhaps team. I am reluctant to recommend wholesale list management as we obviously have some champions in the group and also some very useful support. With a temporary President, and CEO we now have a temporary coach. Lets use this period wisely to asses our next action.

I should add that the game clashes with the local Bushrangers game . THey despite the difficulties of the season are vying for third place on the ladder and are guaranteed to give their all. I cant watch both games even thought the Dees match will be on in the clubrooms. Go Dees

I need to collect some fire wood, its a constant task. BUT will delay today while I visit the Nicholas hotel to watch the game. Hope its worth it. Need to tell the boys the sacrifices we supporters make. Perhaps tell them that if we lose they will be rostered onto fire wood cutting stacking duties to build their resilience. Im already thinking LEVER and TMac could be leading the team to get me through the winter, after their efforts in the Casey match.

WE could have Waverley, the population centre of Melbourne, as an administrative and membership centre while increasing and improving Casey as a player/ training facility

Its true that the State government has invested heavily in infrastructure with huge long term financial impacts. They are naturally constrained in what they are now undertaking. But they will continue to support activities. It would be best to present a project that has a social and economic return. Not that that has necessarily had any relationship to support in the past. I reckon thats where Caulfield has an advantage. FB has the added advantage of being in a greenfield location already slated for expansion. A shiny new toy.

I note the AFL is looking for greenfield sites to develop the game. Would be easy for the club to promote Fishermans Bend as a greenfield site, but may be able to also promote Caulfield for same definition, using vacant space, aligning racing and football with community, breaking new ground.

Im trying to stay out of this debate as I am happy for Caulfield to play out. But its also why Im more attuned to Fishermans Bend than Port Melbourne. FB is a greenfield site with redundant building and space which all governments have slated for a huge population centre. Access is acknowledged as appalling. A destination Stadium for retail, accommodation, entertainment, corporate, functions, which would service that population, plus a training administration complex for a high profile AFL club would demand improved access infrastructure and perversely would encourage it being improved .

It would be great to get Jackson back and Id certainly be talking to him and freo re a return. Reminding him particularly of how we listened to him and released him for all the right reasons for him. He seemed to have good relations with players staff and officials at our club .We do not regard him as a retail package as other clubs would do we know him and treat him as a person and would love to have him , his girlfrreind and build a strong new family of teamates. On that I would be transparent with our players, I dont want to loose any of the list but recognise that some will be leaving, Age ,ability etc. IF anyone wants to go to Perth we would consider their needs as we have with Jesse, JAcko, and Nibbler, but stress that if we get Jacko our list is strenghtehened, our playing style and structures would be changed and our success rate likely to improve, Re open the window.

Not sure what council and what site you are referring to. Havent seen any proposal at Fishermans Bend put to any council, but you may have more insight than me into what approaches the MFC made during feasibility rounds. I could get little information from Pert or Roffey beyond " we examined FB and it was too expensive" No detail who they examined any site with.

TMac for Petty Petty to sub

just a part of the problem but shouldnt be discounted.

I'm thinking of restarting the Fishermans Bend Proposal. Its a green field site which needs an attractive community, entertainment, retail, corporate centre to sustain a projected population growth area. Guerra may have contacts in the financial and business area to unlock much of the speculative investment already there. He may also have networks that can overcome the apparent malaise in development. There is a FB committee which is moving at glacial pace and needs some positive project progress. Obviously needs state and Federal government support and Guerra would need connections in those jurisdictions. I have little influence and watch the continuing debacle as I do the onfield performance.. Always support the Dees despite that.

The bolded bit is the only bit I hesitate over. The pity of it is it may well be the list that could win the Granny, as it once did. Goodwin has many faults as do we all and I am so far removed from him and the players that I could not assume which of his is causing the hesitation. If ,,,Just Iffffff he could recognise and overcome so many of them we could win the big one. It may well be that the genius of winning the games we have to, you know, those against inferior opposition , teams that contain less stars, teams that are developing but dont have the same fitness and support staff, that dont have the charismatic leader that dont win Grand Finals, could just get us there! Thats what makes this game so exciting I guess. If it all goes pear shape then Goody will not be the first or last coach to be let go. BUT i would be reluctant to have a complete makeover. Coz as Ive said many times I think we have a great list we just need to get that greatness out, perhaps by using the whole list and that just might be Goodys saving. Out of desperation he just might use a bit more variation than he has shown so far . Bite the bullet and support the team

Well yes,, but more than import ant his is the ultimate responsibility. He has to make them hit the ground with the confidence and will to execute the skills he and other coaches and their ability have given them. All players are different amd he has the responsibility to select them for the best position for their ability he has to select the best side to match the opposition . The coach must pull together all the variables and win the game.

the club needs to turn thi into a positive, regain ground with the negativity and remind AFL of its rhetoric. Something like The club is more aware than most of the significance of serious injuries. The club has supported recent tribunal impacts and and has certainly made players aware of their responsibilities and duty of care. We are frustrated, as are many, by the inconsistency that seems apparent and will be doing everything we can to improve ourselves and the game. The club will be initiating discussion with the AFL, including umpires and tribunal personnel, to clarify our training to ensure techniques are improved. WE will concentrate on tackling and head high contact. We could again approach Angus to take a role as Concussion ambassador for the club and the league. This is no doubt a sensitive issue but it is a subject about which I am sure he now has a greater knowledge than most. We can also use this as an opportunity to have umpires appraise why opposition teams seem to receive more latitude than us in many circumstances. I have asked anyone here on Dland with the technical ability to prepare a folio of tackles, holding, dropping 50s etc from our games and compared to other games as well to find out what we are doing wrong in our techniques which is leading to the confusion and frustration in our games. I still think that uis worth doing. I notice the media dose seem to concentrate on on some incidents and ignores the many contradictions . I noticed many times the POrt players pulled the ball into a tackle with no infingement and then Viney gets pinged for the same action FFS.

The club really needs to make some sort of statement on the umpiring. Our coaches are unable to coach technique and skill when our players are frustrated by inconsistent umpiring decisions. I believe the goal kicking is a result of the lack of confidence in their ability caused by the lack of confidence created by inconsistent application of rules by umpoires. Of course we could also practice kicking the football and not he round soccer ball in training. The bounce of the oval shaped ball is also an unknown to our players who fumble and drop the ball. maybe cos its not round. Get rid of the soccer ball and train with AFL footballs God so much need to vent Another season wasted when we have uch a good list of playing stock Coached bear responsible.

Would hope some performance outcomes related to such a contract. You dont want complacency to lower performance but there must be reasonable security for injury or other non player controlled output. Ie if dropped for balance or managed reason. Could even include bonus payments for team related contributions. To ensure individual action to meet performance measures do not override team success.

I thought Van Rooyn did some good things. JUst not enough of them. I reckon Tmac to the back and Disco to the forward could be the change. Petty to Sub

Finally watched the replay and while umpiring to me seemed to show pies getting more soft frees, the inconsistent nature of the adjudication is the biggest issue. WE did seem to respond in this game by using the same tactics as the pies apply. For every free that TRac and Clarrie dont get for holding, Diacos was held by them plus Langdon and others and didnt get free kick There were some howlers and the fifty against Lindsay seemed particularly harsh. I also reckon Kozzie was stiff as the ball was between his legs and he wasnt really given an opportunity to pick it up while another demon did so no impact on the game wheas the 50 really affected the game. Shouldnt have been paid. I have stated that it is harder to retain focus and composure when preesure is high. Even a few seasoned pies players missed what seemed easy goalss coz they were under pressure. WE maybe need to practise kicking with that pressure and intensity.. A;; in all play like we did and we can beat any side . ID still give Jeffo some exposure to that level of intensity to see how he handles it. Have suggested he and Fritta rotate off the bench as they both seem to play a similar role.