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Don't think the AFL would allow that but they certainly could recognise the concern and pay them. This would achieve a move towards greater payment for umpires and some of the proposals which have merit to recognise their professional status. Also free kicks in congested packs for round the neck and in the back may reduce that ugly rugby pack style and open up the game if they were paid regularly. This is not necessarily to advantage Melbourne but would improve the spectacle. While aware that duckers and divers could seek to take advantage technique would quickly be adjusted by coaches and players to overcome that situation. Reward good correct tackling but protect the head and the player in front. oh and what about that obvious free kick to Oman when he was kneed in the back and no mark taken? There were a number of similar incidents not paid. It's in the back. Soft single handed push offs often just to get balance which did not affect the mark spilling were paid. Sometimes it depends on the positioning of the umpires more than anything else.

Macca I usually like your comments but disagree with some of this. I have been saying for some time that we need to call the umpires in and ask them what is wrong with our techniques. We do not receive what appear to be obvious free kicks and give away what are doubtful. Even commentators recognise the many discrepancies. We need to improve our positioning or techniques to improve the ratio and particularly the momentum turning aspects of our free kick record. I note that the booing by Essendon fans resulted in AFL luminaries to call on a review of umpires so a reasonable approach can be worthwhile.

Frits up forward thanks we have plenty to go in defence but can't kick straight forward. Let's see if he can clean us up.

Again state we need to address the umpire fails which kept eagles in the match and ignored any advantage to us. Without their fails we still win despite our self induced errors and poor conversion. But what is that kick to a totally free eagles defender about, why can't we kick snide 50 to our advantage. Surely our players being kept out of contests deserves the same consideration as an eagle being kept out of contests, surely our forwards being held is worthy of same reward as an eagle being held. its just getting so hard to watch our players being disadvantaged. Great effort

Thanks Saty. Great pictures and insightful comments. I really like Frits and seeing how little bulk muscle am amazed at his contribution. He has so much potential and I reckon he could be a surprise packet. Also how did Stretch train, he contributed solidly again last week I thought and is improving all the time. Not likely to be a game winner but huge contributor. Trac also shows glimpses and I want him to be our Jarman,Burgoyne, type play that inspired patch when needed to keep us in or win the match. So many thoughts on this squad that only a conversation could cover. Keep up your positive posts to prompt my thoughts Go Dees

I agree with PraHa. This is a great opportunity for Goodwin to show he is developing to elite company. And while obviously injuries restrict capacity, the listed team is not that bad. All capable and plenty of unknown. Some flexibility with Pruess and Frits to throw forward. Petty to relieve Jones, Baker unknown who knows With the confidence of last weeks win, desperation for the complete game, some confidence restored and particularly the neutral impact of umpires anything could happen. I think the home crowd will influence the umpiring and there will be a need for Demon supporters to support loudly and proudly. Let the boys know you are there and representing us at home in numbers. Leave the ground hoarse and exhausted, I only recovered my voice on Tuesday after cheering the side home last week. Supporters are a significant contributor and I know that we never lose hope. Go Dees.

You forgot Frost who was fffantastic.

I think you could be being a bit harsh. While I have said that we have needed an outright star Jarman, Aker, Burgoyne, style who had plenty of attitude and turned it on on the biggest occasion, and we have never had that star. I had hopes that Watts was that icing on the cake but we got rid of him just as the fundamentals gathered. Then Hogan but we would not persevere with his inconsistent brilliance, demanding he subsume himself to the team game. We now have Oliver Trac, Brayshaw, Gawn, Jets, who knows how good Fritsch Spargo Hore, Lockhartcould be. Weid is still growing into his role With Lever and May still to get on the park, the squad T Mac,Frost, Stretch, Melk Hannah, ANB, Maynard, etc can all play a meaningful support role. Even OMac can fill a spot well. Lewis certainly ads an assured understanding of what it takes in the big time and is necessary in the buildup and would need to show he has another finals campaign in him Where is that big occasion star it isn't Jones or Viney but as with all the team they can still provide that great game. The coach needs to recognise what we have and use the full body of works with diverse talent spreads needing diverse game plans against oppositions who are not consistent. We have the talent, we just need to charge them with confidence and get the right combination to ensure we win.

When a Melbourne player stands up or retaliates they are penalised. Our opponents seem to be able to intimidate often illegally without the same penalty. We need to discuss with officiating body what is wrong with our structures or techniques that means we get no protection and only penalties. We may be able to change our attitudes and demeanour to allow us to play with greater confidence.

A perfect example that supports my comments on confidence.

Like that rotation model. I have called it churn and allows players to move through areas. Requires awareness by and of teamates to ensure there is alignment and cover . Biggest problem is avoiding negative match ups.

All good points. Intensity seems also a key. We break down when off balance or caused to rush but do no apply the same intensity to opponents who are able to balance and deliver. Again a confidence that this intensity will be recognised by the officiating umpires is needed to allow confidence in application.

See my earlier comments on umpiring. Recognition through protection and reward are vital. When the coach tells you to put your head over the ball and it gets hit, ground into the dirt, or pulled off by an opponent with no protection or reward you lose confidence. When you play in front as instructed by the coach but are not rewarded or protected when pushed out or ridden into the ground you lose confidence. when you tackle as instructed and the ball spills free but you are not rewarded you lose confidence. When this effort is not rewarded and you see your opponents executing the same actions and getting rewarded you not only lose confidence but you become frustrated. We must approach the umpires to find out why our structures or techniques are wrong. We have the most dominating ruckman who has received no support and often is penalised for action which are used against him. Receivers of his efforts are pushed and scragged with no protection. Our Forwards who are pushed under the ball or held out of contests do not seem to receive the same rewards that our opponents do when they receive similar treatment. Our defenders are penalised for chopping, holding or blocking when opponents appear to use the same tactics without punishment. That the punishment or lack of reward often significantly effects our flow and places our players out of position our structures or techniques must be wrong. We must talk with the rule makers to correct our structures or techniques so that our players can play with the confidence and flair to make our beautiful game more attractive..

Snot often I agree with the Channel 7 commentators but I do on one thing it's confidence. Our players start ok but when you receive no protection when straggled high, low or in the back, when you give the ball away because of a similar indiscretion by a teammate to the opposition. When the run of play is disrupted by an interference by the umpire a desperation to dispose of the ball takes over. Many efforts you make to participate, to take the ball or tackle an opponent are penalised so you don't or you act in an unbalanced and awkward fashion. When commentators constantly say free kicks are soft or maybe there, or when supporting a decision such as Tom holding Lynch while ignoring the same treatment to any of our players in our forward line I despair. our players frustration is obvious. We must have discussion with the umpires about our poor structures, style or techniques which is not only failing to be rewarded but is penalising our players when compared to our opposition. We will only improve when we have a return of confidence.

I have been saying for many years now that the obvious problems with umpiring decisions are affecting our game. We do not receive any protection for in the back and above the neck contact.We give away the ball for what appear to be identical contact. We need to ask the umpires what is wrong with our technique. We do not criticise the umpires but our play and ask them as the true gods of the game how can we be recognised.We show them the inordinate amount of respect they expect and they may treat us more sympathetically.

I went down to Milawa squash with hesitancy. Decided to confront the potential humiliation with confidence and relaxed humour. Ready to accept defeat but only with honour. Ended with I think support and respect. There was recognition that when our backs were against the wall we responded. ALL GOOD BUT Why do we have to be in this position. I am not sure that the players will bring the same effort and consistency next game . Wil be interested in seingfre kick count. Umpire intervention did not seem to have the negative impact on offensives and defensive systems. Same actions did not seem to receive th same disruptions. Fantastic feeling and if able to be continued I may have a better life.

Is it any surprise with he way the umpires protect the heads of Melbourne players? Have been saying for many years that we should call in the umpires and ask what we are doing wrong with our positioning and tackling when we give so many free kicks away and receive so few. That the frees often seem to disadvantage our flow may be becUse there is a fault in our structure.

Plenty of great analysis on this thread and some good proposals. A great (and I struggle for the most appropriate word) servant, performer, player? He was often our sole contributor during our darkest times, but he has been targeted and suffered so much physical attention it is amazing that he can still stand upright. He has never been exceptionally skilled and had plenty of limitations and despite his inspirational play could not inspire consistently or effectively. He however still has plenty to provide and perhaps does not need to do that every week in the team. How about choosing an opposition player or team where his style and presence will be most effective. Rest him in Casey to inspire the next generation, or even use him at training to bring match day intensity to other players who are younger and fitter and can recover more quickly. It ain't that hard, manage him and every other player in the squad to play them only when they are at their peak physically and mentally. Matching opponents, alternative game styles of opponents and adherence to our game patterns when appropriate should select the side. Jones will never leave without honour he already has it. Playing at Casey or even not playing will not affect his status as clubman. He can still be captain presence from the coaches bench.

Too true junior. It seems the same structures, the same patterns, the same intensity, the same skill levels. Most disappointing. Stretch at least showed he should step up, but perhaps he can't get a game coz he gets the ball and delivers it to a teammate, provides an option for teammates and can run and kick to advantage. Not our current style.

Agree with buck na led, we needed something to support. The first quarter was just developing . 2nd Quarter was shock 3rd Quarter disbelief and sporadic attempts to rouse some action after good passages was limited and received no acknowledgement through performance final quarter I was as exhausted as players from emotion only and certainly had no reason for sustained volume support

In the first quarter we moved the ball with handball and short low kicking. We also spoiled and cut off port releases. We then seemed to lose the flight, spoils didn't work and Port had an outside player and created an overlap as we had players crowded together. Port players were 3 metres from their opponents which was too far in advance of our player, they seemed to get the match ups and our players didn't know the speed of their match up. We also kicked to contests where we were outnumbered, bombed the ball high in a swirling wind. When the ball fell we were outnumbered, rushed to the contest and crowded together leaving an opponent free outside, they then created an overlap, often by switching. Jack Watts engineered such a move directing his teammates through the overlap, switch and run through the centre, late in the game. Our players conceded space an ran round chasing an opponent who knew what both they and their opponents were going to do. Hinkley out coached Goodwin it seemed. our Structures and tactics seemed lacking and our skills disappeared in the 2nd quarter. i forgive Frost for his stupid run on and frustration as at least he was trying to create something, no one told him he was hot but no forward anticipated his run and provided a target. We seemed to be a team of individuals after Quarter time. The fact that none supported Max was just one display of this. The huddles of backs and forwards after scoring occurred did not seem to result in any structure based on an awareness of what was going on. Perhaps Lewis could have remedied that maybe the lack of runners on field was responsible. oh well it's only week 1. Let's see what happens at the Cattery. Oh and can someone make sure the right boots are worn for the surface. Our slipping over in the first Quarter was part of not being further ahead Both sides were falling but in 2nd Quarter Port seemed more sure footed. I didn't see them change but wonder again if we were out coached as Port reacted to that feature, we did not.

While an admirable theory, surely it would be best to use the whole 42 squad with some playing kamikaze footy for critical times to allow the finalists to be cherry ripe as the season progresses. Prepare for the finals over the season and work backwards to allow the appropriate rest and recuperation at appropriate times. Surely this is why we have Pruess to support Max. Play them both if needed but one or the other to provide appropriate r&or. It's called tapering and peaking. using the squad is essential. Don't be worried if Casey finishes last if the players in the side are playing in accordance with their required role in the ones. Develop them to replace someone in the ones but expect to be used only if they are better than that player. Keeps the primary player on their toes as well.

Well still no clearer after the return train to Wangaratta. Several fans on board all too disappointed to talk about it with any consistency. Plenty of passion from the supporters to get there but I don't think many will be rushing down again. Fair dinkum this sort of performance will cost the club supporters and members. The players showed some passion at times but usually an individual after individual effort. the forwards backs and defenders all gathered as groups but what did they talk about as they all played loose with seemingly little understanding of their teammates or their opponents. Where was the side after the first quarter. In that quarter the team worked together and kept the ball low with short disposals. They smothered and tackledand kept close checking on opponents when they had the ball and separated when we had it. After that quarter break we disposed high and long as the game slowed down. Port quickly sized it up and played the low sort delivery until a player was in the clear when a long kick would be sent ahead of the player. We bombed to contests . We never returned to the system of the first quarter. Max was belted and so were some of our other players. We did not support our teammates with vigour when needed ie did not respond to vigour and were intimidated most of the time. Players did not seem to communicate after each other after 1st quarter. I knew it was over when Jack Watts began to direct play from the backline telling players to switch and run . They ran into space while we ran into each other. We can only improve. I want the team that played those first few finals last year back please. Send the prelim finals team away.

Your comment your comment on TMac partly correct "get ball go for goal" was shown so many times as his accuracy surprised most. However one of his strengths was his ability to run his opponents off their feet through endurance running. Hunt also has a speed factor as he ran away from offensively or up to defensively opponents applying pressure. Weird seemed to display some of both initial speed and some endurance. i reckon a mobile forward churn with the players rotating and dragging their opponents out of their structures and into mis matches is what we are now capable of. Other teams have done this to us and we have not seemed to be able to use our resources so effectively in the past. with Gawn or resting tall and small crumbers and mids swarming into the forward area there can be more options created. I like the personnel, I will watch the structure and hope that skill levels are there. I am always concerned about our ability to retain structure and skill under intense pressure. I hope we have trained for that intensity as I think we will now attract greater intensity from our opponents. We are in for an even more exciting year. GO DEES!!!

I agree and refer to my previous that May made a statement we would not shirk and would not be moved. Berry does appear to have hit his head on Mays shoulder. The head is sacrosanct. The look is important. The club should now make a statement that we expect the same consistency when any of our players is hit in the head or when they are the recipient of any incident that looks bad.. We must insist that we will refer similar events to the Commission for similar action. Particularly we will look at the team we are playing next