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Fritta was absolutely monstered last night. Often illegally, often by multiple players. How he bounces back is incredible. He creates space for others by dragging defenders to him and uses space to create opportunities. He in fact makes space where none xists by just one quick step or movement then disposing. I wasn't concerned that he didn't hanpass to Trac, he needs to be selfish when he gets the ball to continue the role he plays . I am always amazed that he seems to be n the wrong pocket for a left footer, although it doesn't seem to affect his accuracy which pocket he is in.

I'm usually against imposing the echnology, and usually clear three rows of seats in front of me with use of my vocal chords alone.i usually sit with the qually loud mates in a section above he cheer squad. i reckon they do a great job and even inspired some supporters close to our section to cheer but I reckon they should spread out a bit more around the boundary with those megaphone thingies. Not the huge ones just enough to allow them to coordinate he cheering among themselves. They can then still face the crowds and lead the cheering from sections of the crowd that sit a little more quietly. i noticed the Collingwood cheer squad spread out around the crowd behind vocal collection of supporters and just out volumes them when we were in Sydney last year. Our cheer squad tried ha d but were a small collective all grouped together, not spread out through supporters.

On the road (bus as train not running today). Alarm didn't waken me (I'm deaf and slept on) . Neighbour woke me and sped the 45 minute trip to the station in 20 mins (absolute legend) SO like a well oiled machine we can overcome all adversity and recover poise and salvage victory from the jaws of defeat. GO DEES

His value, worth, salary may well be decided in the next few weeks when Max is injured. It may also help him realise the value of being surrounded by a good team rather than being the high priced, trophy recruit, saviour.

Thanks BM you have put up a good defence and even been able to modify that defence with a few different strategies and explanations. Worthy of the Dees defence. You could be the May around which others gather. I am buoyed by your arguments and have said with absolutely no idea that we were in front wth 8 minutes to go against Fremantle, 3 minutes to go against Sydney and I'm not sure but in the last quarter against Collingwood. Injuries played a part Petty and Gawn were outstanding, how they managed to stay upright says something about their fitness with or without loading. Others may have illness injury or just plain overuse, we are about to fnd out. its a great season, it was difficult to take all this constant winning. Personally I abhor any form of financial gambling but I hope your strategy reaps you a rich reward.

Was a good display. Showed some similar patterns and structures working well. Players able to familiarise themselves with tactics. Hunt Rivers Bedford Weiderman, Dunstable all gave glimpses of higher level ability. Ellison , Bell, Montez, JVR all showed glimpses of potential. JVR will need to muscle up before any sign of promotion , but boy can see great promise All others playerscontributedand showed why they are unbeaten on top.some really impressive cameos.

What happens if the AFL investigation finds that the CCTV reveals a long and harmonious group involved in deep and meaningful discussion supporting diverse opinions and supporting world peace, climate change and the actions of the new government until one member indicated that there were obviously things more important than playing in a grand final. Spirited debate on this issue led to some role playing about structures and positioning including a discussion on legitimate holding and tackling techniques and there effectiveness in a match day scanario. During this training session a player lost footing on the Enugu all surface and was propelled into the trailing fist of a teammate. Having then caused some disturbance in the restaurant apologies were made and players left discussing the need to ensure when structures were threatened there needed to be a consolidation of presence and an ability to have alternative exits and patterns available. Should the Pies try to exploit any unexpected structural disturbances a more robust physical presence may provide an alternative practice. These tactics will be discussed at the formal training session following day. Players all pat each other on the back and retire in a satisfied state having recognised and acknowledged hierarchy. it was confirmed that May with concussion should not play this week. Lever was to be given more respect and an opportunity to improve his communication in Mays absence and a further defender needed to be included in the team to consolidate the learnings from match day experience. The next meeting would be held at a date and venue to be notified after discussion with the coaches and club.

Fantastic info. Can he loading be applied to different members of the squad so that someone afffected by loading is replaced by another on a different schedule? If this is possible wouldn't this also be an opportunity to build and enhance depth and development.

I'm not totally at odds, no use complaining and not a direct influence, however I still say that umpiring decisions affect confidence and future behaviour. If you receive frees for being tackled in the back you you will feel more confident getting in front. If you are tackled and penalised holding the ball when hitting he found you will be less confident being in front. if you throw and get away with no penalty you will continue to throw. if you duck and get free you will confidently continue. sides that know they will not be hurt from a penalty will continue to penalise. they will do it confidently and other specks of their game will come off

I come from the country when possible but it is bloody hard for a 7 hour round trip. I'm behind the goals 2nd level above the cheer squad and clear out 3 rows in front of me when supporting. My mates behind me and has always kept up cheering and chant. Theres a young kid and his old man who do the m e l b o u r n e chant. we do Our bit but sometimes the cheering just doesn't seem to be amplified it could be a weather, temperature, atmosphere thing. i reckon we're louder on a fine Saturday afternoon than any other time. All other supporters the same.

Another thought is that we were actually winning with a bit of a smashed up side until half time. We don't want to give Freo, a likely finals opponent no credit but I hope they believe they can beat us with their game plan. Did Goody and the players secure in the knowledge of how to beat them put away the structure and play with a restricted unit not comprising our likely premiership team, structure or patterns. Lets see how we go against the Swans who will also be without Buddy (I think) another finalist.

I gave Weid a chance in a mention earlier and said it's about building confidence. I don't care if that happens forward, ruck, defence, Casey, as long as he is told to move constantly and use the motion to give him power. Im happy with Petty in defence.

Interesting that Weid has been thrown around again. Not sure if trying to fill a spot or hide him, possibly a bit of both as he was ineffectual in all roles. BUT I reckon his biggest problem is a confidence one. He plays like he doesn't want to get in the way and seems to be in the wrong spot most of the time. I still reckon he can make it as he has played some good matches when he has had an identified role as key forward or ruck. He worked well with Brown in the Casey team when they rolled around each other as equals. Now that he is seen as the reserve for Brown, Tmac, Max or Jacko he seems uncertain what to do. id say to him make yourself the significant player, lead into space and demand the ball. Don't be static, keep moving and leap into contests with the opposition, or into packs only with momentum. Don't wait for the ball to come to you, attack the ball. Wether he needs to do that at Casey again or for mine he does it by telling his premiership winning teammates that that is what he is going to do to join them and confidenty proving it in the ones. BUT whichever unless he steps up in confidence I regret he may be another with promise who just doesn't make it.

Thanks again LN I value your comments as from previous I believe you are involved in similar commercial industry, and you are certainly more knowledgeable than me. i keep suggesting FIshermens Bend as it represents a greenfield site with the potential to develop along the lines you are indicating. Certainly would require partnerships and alliances. Would provide the sort of long term security that that the Gutnick relationship provided. I'm not normally inclined to support conglomerate organisations preferring specialisation in avcheivingg best outcomes but our football club can benefit from diversification especially as it It is now in the entertainment industry that has a lot greater market than the traditional football club. i reckon there are enough specialists like you in the demon membership to deliver a viable and sustainable facility.

Probably me too LN. Just would like to see something that supporters can enjoy before I die. I admit I haven't made it to Casey yet and not sure it would attract me if I visit Melbourne.. i would include a visit to a dedicated training facility, with indoor and outdoor surfaces, gym, squash court, pool and saunas etc for use of players but also by members of the public with community use at off peak times. Bar, restaurant, and theatre facilities with special attractions for members replays , training viewing area, an opportunity to interact with players etc. Theatres also turn commercial, community entertainment at off peak times. A place to gather and watch away games with a cohort of members. A venue to watch the grand final for those who can't get or afford the finals ticket prices. With both AFL and AFLW teams having greater profiles we need to accomodate a larger membership. Would provide an accessible and visible statement that we are inclusive and have scope to grow. In short a multi function community commercial and retail facility built around a great club.

You know what I'm going to say. Whats the cost of sites at Fishermans Bend? Any land there under State Government oversight for community facilities?

If they open the Punt road oval and increase the community park land, could this override residents arguments against a development over the train line with a training oval being included at that location in the park land.

Saw so many it was hard to know but I'm pretty sure the last loss live was a trip to Sydney last year. We made a special effort as lockdowns etc had made it impossible and being in the border bubble we had the chance to attend a live game in what was developing as a successful season. Had a hard time as the game unfolded, and the mood was pretty Flat among the players and the crowd. The Buckley retirement factor lifted the Pies and their supporters and I tried to inject some robust and vigorous cheering to inspire the players. Collingwood cheer squad moved a contingent behind us to overwhelm our noise and they succeeded. After the game completed a group of Pies supporters summoned me in a menacing fashion and I approached them with trepidation but they were effusive in their praise for my enthusiasm and remarked that it was the first game they attended in Sydney that reminded them of supporters enthusiasm in Victoria. I left them in their joy, suffering in yet another defeat and the portent of another season turning sour. I commented as their song round out at the ground that I would rather be sitting on top of the ladder than losing a coach.The premiership was not a cakewalk for them I said but I did not predict our unrivalled march to premiership. i still feel denied as wasn't able to attend the victory in Perth and have been overwhelmed with the continuing march of success at matches this year. I am getting used to singing the song again and hope that Bowey continues his undefeated status until mid season next year. I want myself and every supporter to be able to cheer and sing the song at the Grand Final. I want to inspire the team until then by attending and cheering. Ive had enough losing I'm enjoying this success.

I'd also like to think that we trying more than one way to win. different players with different attributes, different structures, but with the same basic rules. Some of these are play the role you are given, play selfless footy, play with your teammates and against your opposition, play second third and fourth efforts if needed. Play to win. Having more than one plan not only gives us some features to respond to opponents but also makes us harder to prepare against. i think some of the results we are seeing are just confirming this.

People find it strange when I banter with people who knock the efforts of players and even umpires. They may be hopeless but they are trying and are all better than me. I usually find opposition supporters move away when I start to support, cleared Three rows of Dogs supporters who attended our game as they had kids playing in the little league. Melbourne supporters usually put up with my cheering as it saves them the effort. Took on the Collingwood cheer squad in Sydney last year, they moved a contingent to the stand behind me to match my enthusiasm and volume. I took real encouragement from a young fella who led the cheering in the reserved area. I haven't seen him at the last few matches. No need to be reserved at all. Was happy as some timid supporters joined together and as we got louder even the cheer squad below us acknowledged our cheering. i don't know but years ago I was told by a player, (Rhodes), that he heard the crowd cheering and it inspired him to keep trying and playing hard. I have always yelled since.

I think you've confused the football surface with the more rigid demands of the farnarkle ground.

I celebrated my birthday last year at I'll Duca restaurant in East Melbourne. Great menu selection, great service and great wine list. Pretty sure they'd be open and happy to have Melbourne supporters even though they have an Essendon heritage. They are in East Melbourne opposite Jolimont station

I think on the free kick analysis thread Richmond had the worst negative imbalance, sort of the opposite of Footscray positive imbalance. We are also negative but not by as much. I have been saying for years that we needed to ask the umpires down to our training to ask them what we were doing wrong, maybe poor tackling technique, maybe poor disposal technique, maybe placing our head in the wrong place poor balance means Ng we are falling into tackles. We now seem to push opponents in the side and unbalance them which affects their disposal and helps us get balanced, we don't seem to go to ground as much. We still don't seem to get a lot of what look like obvious free kicks, maybe we are playing on more too fast or playing too slow and holding up play. It would be an interesting conversation with umpires adviser as to why the discrepancy is si so marked between outlier teams.

Hope we rest Bowey for any loss. Would like to see us continue the season undefeated, .Winning by a lot, winning by a little, winning ugly, winning looking good, winning with injured outs and winning with new players in. Just win. After 57 years it's a mighty good feeling and still just balancing the ledger. i can't recall any team taking it easy on us when we were in the doldrums. This group of players are an exceptional group gathered by an exceptional club with exceptional coaches in an exceptional time, they must grasp this and exploit it. We as supporters can certainly take a loss and can certain Bly nderstand it, but it ant necessary and would be a blight on an exceptional record potential.