dpositive

He did not elect to bump. Had he done so he would have put his arm against his body and used himself as a battering ram. HE could have raised his elbow to attain balance and soccer the ball. In fact this open stance also provided a crumple zone to mitigate the damage that a compressed body may have caused. Does need evidence of concussion. Moore going down at last minute was a definite factor and should be considered as contributing to contact. Moores action was dangerous he showed no duty of care. THis was a footy act

while i agree with this sentiment to also deny collingwood finals Im also inclined to select a casey team with all youngsters, Hunter his 200, maybe even BBB. Jeffo, K brown Woee, Kentfiled etc let them all get to hear a 90,00 crowd of Pie supporters while we all go to the snow and let the pies pay the ground fee. We all donate our ticket price direct to MFC. Pies win who cares, They still dont make the 8 and if they do will get knocked out early unless they pay the umps a motza. WE know that pies will be porytrayed as valiant whatever happens and if they lose will naturally say its because it was a dead rubber. If they come out seriously to win they will take out Max and probably several others Jack, Lever they wont care.

Our best two natural forwards Van Rooyn and KOssie are both spending time on the ball diluting their impact in the forward contest and pressure. Petty a natural defender is struggling to learn forward craft. Our forwards dont lead as our mids have for years just bombed it in to a contest. They dont look for the lead and rarely honour it when its made. Maybe we need a forward coach and not a ruck man. Stafford may be a great bloke and well liked but he really hasnt improved our attack.

Roffey Pert and Goody need to call a presser with Max Jack Trac and Clarry. PRG: We just want to settle a few issues for our members and supporters. Max and Jack are our current leaders with solid contracts, and have played their hearts out this season. Trac and Clarry are contracted for 8 years and are seen as the next leaders of this club, they have had magnificent seasons despite significant injuries. All of them are frustrated that we have lost 4 games by less than a kick. Despite being very competitive we are not in the finals. we know we can improve and are determined to do that. We have a great list of players who will all improve working with these blokes who are recognised within the club and indeed in the league. Only a strong club can release Hogan, Jackson Grundy who were great players and are great opponents. The club considered their personal circumstances were significant and treated them with respect during their time with us and in letting them go. We have made a similar decision with Nibbler, we will always respect and regard these players as wonderful Melbourne football club representatives and wish them all the best. But make no mistake these blokes here are the heart and soul of this club. WE will progress with them. They will work with us and with the whole team to continue to work for the highest standards and to be the best. We owe our members and supporters nothing less. Yeah we are dissatisfied with the seasons results but we are also strong and will look at how we can improve next season. We will look at all aspects of our operations to provide the best environment for all of our club, players support staff, members and supporters. We want to all enjoy the best of our game and will do so together. We know that football can throw some, sometimes many, challenges but we intend to participate for more years than we have already existed. We will continue to work together and enjoy each others company, accomplishments and disappointments. We can handle all these circumstances together and want to be transparent in our actions. We can assure you that success is our driver and will always be our aim and our measure. We dont like losing and that is why we will always be looking to win with grace but lose with courage. Our efforts will be increased when we are not achieving what is needed and we will always want to bring as many people with us on this journey. You blokes want to say anything? M J T C say whatever they want in their own words to confirm the above. Any journalists questions are responded to consistent with the above and reference to all previous statements and actions of the club. If the RPG cant do this they need to sort it out and say what they need to to end this distraction

Theres a lot to like in this thread, (and I have marked them as I went through). Some were even contradictory and some I agreed strongly with all the content and some I agreed with the majority of the post. I went to the game last night, able to schedule a few things to accommodate. Was going to drive home but too disappointed and able to arrange an emergency bed, but still didnt sleep or travel well thinking of how disappointing this season has been. In a 3.5 hr trip you get plenty of time to reflect. Match time is usually not a factor in my attendance. I am able or not able to attend related to all of my life demands. I am not as dedicated as I was and so do appreciate the efforts of everyone on DLand for giving their perspective. I have seen a few games live and its certainly a different perspective than viewing on the TV. Its a complicated game and magnified over the season. there are so many contributing factors, most of which have been touched on in the thread so thanks all. There have been some constant factors that we have all touched on and at the risk of being repetitive I feel I do need to purge myself (hope its not a meaningless rant). Yes our squad was affected from the start of the season with Brayshaw and Smith significant, but the club did handle both those absences reasonably well and did blood some kids (Windsor Tholstrup and Moniz Wakefield ) who have potential. They displayed some skills and both had some inconsistency which always seems to come with youth. Given that, I regret that we did not use the squad more fully and give Fullarton, Jefferson etc a game, particularly against struggling teams. All teams struggle for different reasons and different times, we are included. Its the coaches job to recognise that and make the best decisions on how to exploit that. Goody has shown some great innovation (Binman has pointed that out during the season) but also seems to have some blindspots. He seldom applies a stopper (tag) on opposition dominant player as he seems to rely on his structure. The defensive structure that has been effective with a consistent back line playing as a team works well under most circumstances and there was a squad approach as alternatives were able to stp into the defensive structure and play the role required. Perhaps May (and others) could have been given a little more recovery time (but I refer to my original comment the coach decides). Some team coaches seem to have recognised and exploited the structure by running to the vacant spaces between the space protecting defender. Our mid structure has been affected by Clarry's difficulties. He is a great player and perhaps could have been rested but also perhaps needed the squad and game contacts that the coach provided. Goody really seemed to make many changes including using Clarry in a more defensive role than I noted last year. This affected the mid field which adapted with Rivers particularly stepping up. The mid field stood up in most matches but it seemed Viney particularly could have been rested more often. Bringing others in the squad for a game exposes them to what they need to do to improve. I give our mid field a pass on the year and think we have good depth and potential for the future. Our forward structure has seemed to be a fault all year. I did note there were some novel approaches during the year, rotating all players through posts and even lining all forwards up in the goal square at one match. Its hard to be critical, Fritsch is Fritsch, Kossie is Kossie brilliant but inconsistent. But we should not rely on them to win every match, we have not done that most games but when they are missing others do have to stand up. Van Rooyen is a forward and still learning. Petty is a defender still learning, Disco is still developing. Jefferson and Fullarton are learning but some time in the ones might help that development. Rotate the squad, rest players to allow them to recover before they blow up. Our structure of forwards also sees them press up the field too often and the long bomb is then used from too far down the field. We need our small forward fleet, who can and have been rotated need to carry the ball deeper into the forward line with smaller, targeted kicks or faster ball movement to achieve that. The long bomb should only be used as a last option or when there are clear mismatches in personnel. Eg when Max moves forward.. Our deep forwards do need to lead into spaces when we get possession and should keep moving to provide options for our mid field and small mids to kick to rather than just bombing to a contest. They should also rotate their leads and seperate to provide alternative options, The number of times our forwards fly together and in big packs is crazy. It doesnt work, although If Van Rooyn is left to develop and Jefferson or Fullarton Bulk up or even if Kentfield provides and proves to be the bigger more mature body to succeed with that approach. So forwards do have potential and also get a pass. On Petty, My opinion is he is a defender, hes still young but I wonder if he is still thinking of returning to Adelaide with a very generous contract. I hope our contract extension was designed to achieve a maximum compensation for that return. We do have enough defenders in the squad to maintain that solid backline discipline to cover his loss. I did notice that Horne Francis in the last quarter went towards the coaches box gesticulating to the coach to play on the outer wing, He got and gave the thumbs up and waved his arms to his teamates to stack that side of the ground. They did and he dominated that sector and was in my opinion the most significant player in the win. Port fans on the tram stated he did this captains role often while recognising our Max as the best player on the ground all night. They were in awe of his play. I was in awe of Vineys vigour and contribution but neither they nor any Melbourne player identified a reaction to the Horne Francis tactic, no one lined up with him, Melbourne fans were crying out man up, man up, it didnt happen. Even manning up on JHF would have made a difference. I love this club and will continue to support them whenever and however I can. I am still optimistic but hope that we can get Clarry, Trac, Viney and Max and May fit and on the field well next year with appropriate rest and relief as the coach sees necessary so that all players can complete a full and taxing season including a finals campaign. Rant over.

I am annoyed that not enough consideration was given to the squad progress. We seemed to stick with the proven performers relying on the key individuals to carry the results. It seems we did not manage our squad and rest injured players, bring players back through a graduated return and try our next generation as part of the growth and renewal. Surprisingly when we gave the debutantes an opportunity they went well but we then left them until they burnt out. WE cut and paste players Van Rooyn, Petty, even Kossie instead of using them in a fixed role. Petty has not transitioned into a forward nd I have wondered if the SA offer has distracted him. He is going to an outrageous offer and i am hoping that our resigning was to increase the transfer cost as it does not reflect his worth to our squad. its such a disappointing result for what was a squad of such potential. I think it still exists but there are some changes required, not just considered.

agree wholeheartedly. Make them pay an appropriate compensation. If he and the Crows want this they pay, not him and his agent but MFC.

I reckon Petty has checked out and is looking at that attractive offer from the Crows. He doesnt want to injure himself beyond those hes carrying and does enough to keep them interested. look at Trainor as a replacement. Our existing defence stocks are good Jobe Shanahan could be a roughie as aforward. but ill trust those who keep a close eye on these developing players.

put Kentfeild in to run at the Bombers rucks for a quarter or until half time. hit em and bruise em, wear them out Then bring on fresh Fullarton or Verrall to jump over them and run them around. Or same plan with Fullarton and Verral half each as hard as possible for the half, come off spent.

Did he plead the "Football Act" defence?

did we have a Kentfield recruited as a big body/

forgot 2 (at least) backs include Tmac forwards include Chandler

Id have Tomlinson in the defence to take ruck and run Maxs defensive lines. Fullarton to do ruck duties and maxs forward lines. Verral as sub to replace him. Fullarton and Verral to be physical, run into and over whoever is contesting ball ups as appropriate. Id try and leave JVR and Kozzie in forward line with few rotations into the centre. Our backs are pretty solid with May, McVee, Bowser, Lever. Did AMW play back? to match and hold the bombers forwards We've found a few with Kolt, Windsor. Rivers in the centre. Melks back to support JVR, Fritter, Disco forward to worry the bombers backs. Match em up appropriately ANB, Sparrow, Vines, Clarry do their thing rotating off bench and matching the bombers mids and of course Lingers on the wing just running forward and back and adding that normal outlet in defence or forward. There's plenty of options in the squad, we are about to see it. we can and should beat this mob.

Very clever or should that be VERY CLEVER!

Thanks Binman your detail and analysis is again far more enllightened and articulate than mine. i will have to rethink exactly what i meant as it was based on my observation on a few matches I attended and most games on TV. I still believe we have the squad capable of beating all other teams but we stick to our structures and patterns irrespective of opposition . It appears as if there are miss matchups and slow responses when an opposition player is dominating. You have provided actual responses while i cant recall exact examples, so seriously thanks for your comprehensive response. I always value your comments, you have again indicated why. I guess I am also driven by frustration with the umpiring which I believe is strongly negative to both our game plan and individual players. Again I dont have your comprehensive and detailed reference to examples and data so I will return to my optimism and hope it will be resolved when we get to the finals, have improved standard of equitable umpiring and Goody employs the variability with our players to achieve the ultimate .

Agree with all of this. Would just add the May playing injured when Tomlinson could relieve him does display one aspect of Goodwin that I have always been critical of. He does seem to stick with his regular structure. I agree that there's nothing wrong with that coz it is a successful model. Its a team game and a squad game. with high attrition rates we need to have replacements for every player trained in the same structures and patterns. every one should be able to and I would say should be replaced by a similar player just to give them a rest while maintaining the muscle memory of the structure and strategies within the players and the collective. It is also necessary to have a plan B and C also rigorously applied to provide variation to confound oppositions that might structure against a fixed pattern.

Cavendish says hi

my comment was that we need to keep Kozzie forward. He provides more pressure and keeos 2 defenders occupied which releases a KPP to do their stuff and provide contests to release loose balls for Kpzzie to weave his magic and make space. Hes just wering himself out in the mid field.

ditto Kozzie

Perhaps at training they could get the forwards to do a lap of the ground or a 100 metre sprint, then line up for a shot at goal. not allowed off until they get 3 in a row,

surely will depend on if the AFL and umpires want nus in . We are still entertaining, close games are more exciting to non invested fans, so might get the gig. I doubt we would get the commentators loving us if we got last minute wins like the pies last year but......

Now that would be an interesting stat

Radio Birdman at the Croc Did I just tune into 1980???????

Collingwood managed to find a few players who just ground a superior opposition into the ground. They did it with thuggery but the competition will wake up to this strategy of attrition which achieves only degradation. WE now have a chance to promote some of our next generation . WE can still make finals and even succeed GO DEES

Id find space for Thommo. Maybe give MAy a rest, he seems to be playing injured. I know theres a bye but he may need a little longer to get cherry. Bring MAy and Lever both back fully fit and raring to go.