dpositive

im not too concerned where we sit in the eight as i think the system we have combined with our effectiveness on surges is good enough to beat any side. We dont want to waste our significant advantages by exposing it every week. We have a good list which does go quite deep but not all combinations work. Im happy that we are putting more players on the park giving them exposure and making them aware of what they need to develop. The surge / burst is based around Max Trac Clarry and Viney, we dont want their effectiveness blunted by opponents watching a set structure each week. Keep the system for finals, yes use it regularly to ensure it is almost intuitive, but modify and even completely change it to not only have alternatives available but also to not allow opponents to prepare strategies to counter it.

he was actually catching him, just off balance when pushed off and seemed to be expecting someone else to stop him. when he saw he was away he chased , made up ground but not enough to affect a tackle or stop the kick. Goodwin does seem to have so much faith in the process that he doesnt employ taggers. Might be something he considers when opposition teams match up with depth in mid field

Im not sure how to describe this but I reckon our game built on defence is fine, but occaisonally we get forced back and our solid defence is then occurring around or inside the 50 metre line. We sometimes even go back to that point. We kick short or hand pass out, several possessions, and we are still not at the centre line. or mids are still in defence and forwards are outside 50. We often are playing to deep or shallow depending on how you call it. Our forwards are still not separating and it was obvious against WC how many times two or three of us flew, often spoiling each other and no one in front or behind the pack. I thought Kossie played well against WC but his best work was outside our 50, I like him inside 50 where his presence just creates panic in the opposition and opportunities for him and others. try and get our forwards to play closer to the goals and our defence to play further from goals, I think thats what we used to do and I think its what we do when we win.

he was actually catching him, just off balance when pushed off and seemed to be expecting someone else to stop him. when he saw he was away he chased , made up ground but not enough to affect a tackle or stop the kick. Goodwin does seem to have so much faith in the process that he doesnt employ taggers. Might be something he considers when opposition teams match up with depth in mid field

WCW thanks for your dedication and insights into the finer things. You are a great supporter and advocate for the club. Its a bit unfair that you are paced in a position that you have to respond to what is just another bit of misinformation. I recall that we responded to similar comments in the past with detail that for our membership we had very high attendance records. im sure others will have a more factual detail but its also a pretty difficult situation. I want to attend every game but coming from the country I cant always get there. The Governments transport reforms certainly help the cost of getting there, but trains dont always align with start and finish times and I cant always get affordable accommodation. Still we are pretty well represented by you and our cheer squad (and my Melb based mates) Hope to get to more games and keep up the cheering. We do always seem to be not as loud as opposition cheering, but I am recognised for clearing out 3 rows in front of me,(due to volume) so hard to replace. Keep up your excellent reports and comments.

perhaps our disgraceful first quarter was a consequence of our opponents having the umpires favour. An 11-3 free kick ratio would allow the team receiving 11 to have a confidence that what they do will be approved and any interruption to their action will be penalised. a team receiving only3 free kicks and giving away 11 will restrict their actions and perhaps feel less confident and frustrated. how did the free kick count not result in a 44 -12 total if umpires did not have some understanding of the disproportionate tally.

yes we lost it in the first. when the umpires favour a side by awarding 11 free kicks to 3, the side given 11 believes they can do anything and get away with it. they have a confidence that allows them to convert maybes into certanties . they dominate. the team not receiving the umpires protection doubts themselves and loses confidence. they struggle That do?

the first half was a confident Blues carried by the umpiring favouritism third quarter was a slow wresting back with umpires not dominating and paying melbourne free kicks in the back half last quarter as melbourne surged and game played inside our fifty the umpires had to invent a few decisions to ensure the result. Im going to look at the replay but would like to see the free kick stats distribution .

Low impact is part of the argument I would emphasise. But remind tribunal of "learnings". our club is more conscious than most of the impact of head high contact. Kozzie has altered his playing style and was able to turn a full collision as part of a football act into a glancing blow that had low impact on the player. We support a fine and believe Kozzie should keep playing to continue to inspire youngsters to increase skills in avoiding contacts and make changes to the way they play. Alternatively they could claim that he was unaware of any features of the game after he had his head ripped off in the first quarter and therefore is not responsible for the action.

An appeal would be an opportunity to remind the tribunal of our club awareness of the severity of a head high hit. As we see the head as sacred we accept a fine for this low potential and impact as Kossie obviously pulled back . Show the incident in real time and note the glancing effect as Kossie was able to alter his shape and direction but could not avoid the glancing contact. Again refresh the Maynard example and why the club has welcomed the changed rules and therefore understands why Kossies action must be penalised, however this act was low impact similar to Pendleburys but unlike Pendles was in the flow of the game and a football act. We could also show the low impact that Kossie received when he had his head nearly pulled off with no free kick even given. Put that video on slow motion, select the point of impact and it looks worse than the contact that occurs as a football act. I am sure we could put together a compilation of contacts that were far more severe than Kossies. Welcome the leagues recognition of head high contact and hope that there is increased on field scrutiny and immediate action tken to such incidents.

thanks to those who commented. It seems the line is marked at the back of the padding, so no goal for Bennie.

did anyone else think that the briefest review i can remember with not multiple angles etc of BBBs goal was incorrect. The whole ball had passed behind the goal post but not past the padding on the goal post. I think the goal line is only as thick as the post not the padding, If im correct the whole ball was over the line. Im giving Bennie another goal

would like to see us really bury them to make up for some of the times they did to us never take foot off the pedal

in cased commentators missed Melbourne won the quarter and extended the lead

may to hosp for tests Lever knee issue not being risked

I recall a time when a Melbourne player was suspended for an "attempted" trip. In the weeks surrounding the suspension other teams performed actual trips without penalty, (not even a free kick). In the following week I recall Viney being tackled twice in what became a trip. He received a holding the ball call. Its arbitrary and subject to the umpires discretion. Melbourne receives little discretion from the umpires. I have suggested that the club invite/employ umpires to come to the club and tell us what is wrong with our actions, train with our players to embed correct tackling technique.

I agree. I think we do have the cattle. its how we use them that is significant. Resting and loading so peak performance when required is the key. Old bodies need recovery while young bodies need to be tuned, Im sure the coaches know know whos at what stage. I would like to see an improvement in our forward structures however with concentration on separation and surging. It seemed to me that we often surge with brilliant passages of play but then would drop off all aspects particularly pressure on opposition. Kossie provides pressure in the forward line and I prefer him there rather than in the centre where we have plenty of options. the coaching needs to recognise when players are "off" and needs strategies to have them refocus. The game is played in the head when physical aspects are so tightly monitored and controlled. Im hoping for an improved mental approach. How the players handle all the preseason distractions is a good indicator and i look forward to the real season. I hope the players and coaches realise how much we all crave winning and how much we invest in them emotionally, and how fleeting and difficult is success. they have a great opportunity let em rip.

I hate the emphasis on the gambling industry in our society, and always want to gamble responsibly. I know that losses always exceed wins and that winners profit on losers decisions. BUT geeeez thats a pretty generous return. I hope there are many and only demon supporters who win this one as those who dont gamble at all win the flag brag.

that was a really great report. Both questions and answers, Thanks for those responsible. good that Richo was able to confirm Dland training reports so congrats for all those posters who keep us up to date or indeed ahead of the game.

You anticipated my intervention that the failure to attract public transport infrastructure could provide a negotiating trigger. That the "quasi utopian development" could maybe benefit from an entertainment facility incorporating corporate and retail. A practical community facility that requires the infrastructure especially if supported by an AFL club attracted there with space allocated for the training grounds. Could be a mutually beneficial submission. You may be correct about the architectural wankers involvement, but they would have to shove aside the property and financial investors who have been encouraged over the years and are even now trying to recover their excessive outlays. I should add I have no financial interest in either area but am prepared to offer my project management and consultation experience. As you and other Dlanders may enjoy, the response to me has been muted. There has been genuine interest expressed but most are content to wait for the Caulfield project to kick off. I am also not opposed to that, but just see some opportunities to play projects off against each other to negotiate a better deal and get a better outcome. To do that would require greater detail. I do thank the 3 members who have contacted me offering their direct participation. We are all very much aware of our limited knowledge and experience in such a large project but are willing to continue to investigate options further and expand our ideas. I incidently have had no response from the club to my questions, but am looking on that positively, that the club are preparing a considered response. I would appreciate meeting the sub committee and may suggest that as a more convenient forum to resolve some issues.

i reckon its great that all the options have different skills, as it gives really good flexibility in using the squad to give players rest or exposure depending on their development. Also in providing better match up on opposition and play different structures so opposition coaches cant just develop a single plan to combat us.

Have noted before that May glides seemingly effortless. Amazing for such a big unit.

Theres been a bit of discussion about Tracs kicking and mentioning his high ball drop. These fantastic shots of 666 show that to still be the case while other players have both low and high. It des seem that the high ball drop is more likely when a quick kick is actioned and the player is less balanced. Could the nature of Trac as a burst player be the seed for his high ball drop and the key fo his inaccuracy?

its a wonder they didn't speculate that Oliver and Smith were hiding drugs in banana coverages which are a common subterfuge as everyone (who reads their rubbish)will instantly believe and call for the delisting of the Melbourne Football club who allow this practice to flourish. They will quote the Dland promotion of bananas over many years as an indication of the supporters role and indicating they should be banned from football for life.

Are these AFL assigned, nominated or requested. I think we should get WCW to chat with them and get them on side. Show them what a great bunch we are. and tell them to tell all their friends in the locker room what a great team we are, How we do have backs , necks and dont throw the ball. Ask them is there anything they could help us with to improve our tackling. Or indeed if there is anything we as supporters can do to help our side.