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deelusions from afar

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Everything posted by deelusions from afar

  1. Bump Partly because things come together in the way I said they would (who doesn't like to point that out) ... but really to help us appreciate where we've come from. A bit over a month ago, many thought we were shot. The club - on field, off field, fitness staff, etc have done an incredible job in a difficult year. Job not done yet but we are certainly on tracc!
  2. Smith is in for a reason. His versatility mean that not only can be go with the quickest small forwards like Cameron, but if one of May / Lever / Petty go down, he can be put onto one of the key forwards. Love Hibbo but as others have noted, he's out of the team for a reason (clean below his knees?). I think the coaches love Smith (and to be honest he hasn't been too bad). I wonder whether the versatility of Smith opens the door for Jones to be the medical sub on GF day should we make it.
  3. Unless SW wants out, I wouldn't look to trade him. He's not a world beater but certainly fills a hole - and may yet find things click for him. With BBB and TMac around 30, surely its good both for MFC and SW to stay on the list. Otherwise we use pick 24 to draft another prospective key forward who takes years to develop. Who plays the role if TMac / BBB go down? Potentially Petty when Tomlinson come back - but that's a bit of an unknown at this stage
  4. Fair point and agree with what ppl have said re the atrocious treatment of Teague and lack of support. Having said that, I didn't have a lot of confidence in Teague in the ways he handled press conferences (which is obviously not a great indication of coaching ability but one of the few things we can go on). Obviously no one looks good when you lose more than you win but even Goodwin in 2019-2020 was at least consistent in his message (as much as we all hated the learnings comments). I never got the sense that Teague had a realistic sense of where the team was at - potentially this is also coloured by the way they went after the likes of Williams / Saad last year on big coin. The relationship with Cripps (arguably in the top 3 players in the game a few years back) was odd as well. Having said that, it wouldn't surprise me if Lyon is able to turn things around. They have enough star power on field in the key positions to trouble any team - they just need to fix the culture, team defence etc. I don't like Ross Lyon's style of play but you know his teams will be defensively sound and the senior players seem to love him as a coach. Whether he can turn around their culture is another question - but I think he's a better chance to do it than anyone else (except Clarko who's off the market).
  5. I always held on to hope that he could be the medical sub should we make the GF - but I thought his form would have dropped off so that it couldn't be justified. But his form has been ok - certainly good enough to be in contention. Sadly the fact that his wife is expecting twins in Sep while the finals after week 1 look to be played in WA, seems like he's going to miss out. I'm hoping the stars can somehow align though.
  6. I would have thought a young key forward to develop would be our highest priority - particularly if Weid and Mitch Brown end up not on our list in 2022
  7. Worst result for a team in the 8.
  8. Isn't it about you kick to his side when moving the ball slowly as if there's a turnover there's more congestion so it's harder for the opposition to transition the ball forward. On the other side (the fat side) it's more open which allows Langdon to use his speed to create an option for the switch?
  9. Found it interesting how Lloyd highlighted yesterday how Henry was playing on Spargo in the last quarter and dropped off him (as Lever does) when the ball came in - leaving Spargo on his own to crumb (and kick 2 goals). I guess this is why we like playing with an extra back - so we don't allow this to happen. Agree with your point re Melksham - give him space and he will hurt you by foot.
  10. Selection will be very interesting this week. On the one hand how could you drop anyone from that effort on the weekend? At the same time, there's a bunch of players that have played a key role to getting us into this position this year that seem out of favour / coming back from injury (eg Jordon, Hunt) and others who have risen to the occasion previously (Hibberd, Melksham, Jones). Maybe Smith, Bowey, Sparrow etc are simply in the right place at the right time. Not saying they don't deserve to be in it - but the likes of Jordon and Hibberd seem pretty stiff. I've always rated Smith and thought he just needed an extended crack at it - still too early to know but there's plenty of up side. For those that have seen him at VFL level, does he sometimes get the smaller quick forwards? I.e. could he be played on Cameron this week? Alternatively could they give this role to May (he's played on Toby Greene etc) given that Petty is our tallest defender and could pick up Danither?
  11. Don't mind our current clash strip (compared to the white / grey ones we had) so not too fazed. But 2 questions: 1. As we've finished top, doesn't it mean we don't have to wear our clash strip if there is a clash? 2. Could we use our indigenous jumper?
  12. Yeah Taylor is cagey in how he handles these interviews - to me he was doing everything he could to push Andrew Mac down the order so we could still nab him - eg was at pains to point out he hasn't been involved in vic metro/country squads and that he's very raw. On the one hand does this really effect anything? Maybe / Maybe not - but I guess swaying the views of Cal Twomey is valuable and anyone who has a view / follows the draft probably listens to this podcast
  13. Yeah I take your point - but its not so much get on board as we're gonna win (No Dees supporter ever thinks like that) - but it's more we've had the longest drought and years of pain - dare to dream and maybe you can take the final steps with us.
  14. Would love to see SMith have a real go of it - but apparently he cramped up after the 3rd Q. Not his fault - covid has made it tough for those not playing seniors. But with May back there isn't a spot for him. Can't see them throwing him forward when we already have Brown, Tmac, Jacko/Gawn and Fritsch - we're fine in the air and his run and skills surely are not going to push any of ANB, Kossie, Spargo etc out. Hibbo's position will be interesting - I think he is best placed to play on the Dusty / Trac type that many teams have a version of these days. But he does seem out of favour. When Hunt is fit, does he take Bowey's spot back? Will be very interesting to see the selections the next few weeks - some will be VERY stiff.
  15. So many things about this year (non football) sucks. I feel like the collective psyche of Melbourne (the city) has taken a battering the last two years and particularly the last few days as we realise the lockdowns aren't looking likely to end anytime soon. Can't imagine how those in Sydney would be feeling. I know the dees performances are definitely helping me and was thinking it might help others too if they collectively bought in like we have. And by this I obviously mean Melbourne supporters - but if there are any dees fans not on board now, then I'm not sure if they'll ever get on board. However, I know some of my mates who live and breath footy (who's sides aren't in the finals) that would prob get a lift out of adopting the dees for the finals. I'd love them to send them a link of something put together to get this buy in but I don't think something suitable exists. I'm thinking something that shows our story - for me and many others its been mostly pain and tragedy - but I think this is important as there have been many lows and false dawns (this could ultimately be another) and days when I wondered whether we would ever challenge again. And now we are on top of the ladder and the favourite with the bookies! I know the pain goes much further back but my early recollection includes the end of our 1987 season, the 88 grand final, the injuries the cruelled our up and coming 94 stars, the failed merger, 97, the danither era, Broadridge, bruise free footy, 187, tanking inquiry, Bailey, Stynes, debt demolition, our drafting, neeld, our docklands record, rd 22 2017, 2019, cairns in 2020 etc It's a tail of woe (and that's only the surface) but I think that's what makes the story even more remarkable both for the club and as supporters who have been able to withstand all of this. Everyone loves a redemption arc and given what we have been through, i think the MFC journey is a powerful story. So wondered whether there is either something already out there that could fit this purpose OR whether someone out there is good enough to put this together to pull on people's heartstrings!
  16. He could indeed - currently 6th with 46 (equal w Charlie Dixon). A number of those above him may not play next week - Hawkins (50), Bruce (48), Walker (48). If he finishes top 3 in the coleman, he should be All Australian as the third tall (I know that's not how they select it) - other than Charlie Cameron, all the others around him are key forwards.
  17. Even if he doesn't get a game the rest of the year, I'd feel pretty confident in him slotting in and making a go of it (if he stays injury free) if we cop injuries next year. Reckon he's better than most realise and certainly better than whoever we would replace him with on the list for the same position.
  18. I think Tassie should have a team. But when I talk to Tassie people they seem very divided eg ppl in Launceston would not support a Hobart team and Hobart people wouldn't support a Launceston team. The obvious solution is to play games at both but some say that satisfies neither. Unless they are able to get on the same page, I can't see the tassie team working for a while yet.
  19. And why would Carlton need Riccardi - isn't that one area of the ground (KPP) that they have a surplus of?
  20. Seems the appropriate thread to do that
  21. I don't follow this as closely as most on here. If the admin and footy dep are under the one roof then that is a great thing and as others have acknowledged, getting anything together in current times is a big win. But I can't help but be a bit disappointed to hear about the ground size. Maybe it's not as important as i think, but is it really a coincidence that our MCG record improves when we can train all summer on a full size oval? When today's game is so much about structures and team defence, training on a ground that is not similar to our home ground will hurt us moving forward. We make do with what we've got... but if we are upgrading things, why not get the oval size right? (maybe there's not enough space)
  22. I reckon it's close to clicking. Brown is known as an accurate kick (as far as key forwards go) but he wasn't last weekend. If he had of taken his chances and kicked like he used to against us, he would have kicked 5. To me that's not struggling.
  23. That's true - but I think our best is so contingent on our effort collectively - everyone has to play together, run hard defensively, 2nd/3rd efforts etc. When we've done this, no one can touch us (see Tigers, Dogs first game, Lions 2nd half etc). But I think to play that way is very taxing - certainly physically but probably mentally too. The way we've played against the best teams to me suggests we know how to get ourselves "up". Would have loved to beat the doggies but given the bath we gave them last time I thought they would have come across a bit more invincible against us. We stayed with them and learnt a bit more about their strategy against us. I would back us in a final against them (an I'm not normally a glass half full supporter) I'm not suggesting we've achieved anything yet - I just think that people (esp in the media) are quick to jump at the immediate trends without looking at the bigger picture. When our effort is high, we are the hardest beat as our defence strangles the opposition. I think this will happen when we hit the finals (if not before). The last 4 or so years the tigers have won their last 5 (or so) in a row leading into finals - I've got no doubt we will be looking to do the same (as will every other contender).
  24. I'm not worried at all - be ready to bump this in September. We have been the most consistent performer this year - average losing margin of 11.75. No one else has been in every game this year like we have. We have the best record against other teams in the 8 (we have beaten everyone one there we have played). We have shown we lift for the big games - Saints (was big at the time), Tigers. Dogs, Lions, Port - even the 2nd dogs match we played well and if not for some errant kicking for goal (a common theme) and one sided umpiring it would have gone the other way. We have the best defence in the league (though people forget that this is only as good as the pressure from our mids and forwards allow). Every year the fans and commentators get seduced by the scoring power of contenders to watch the best defensive teams perform the best in September. We have stars on every line and a few superstars of the comp in their prime - Trac, Clarry and Gawn. We are hungry (when it matters - and its about to matter) We have been blessed with injuries. Our forwardline is our biggest weakness and we have one of the game's premier key forwards from previous seasons returning and starting to find some touch - potentially our one missing piece. I'm not saying we will win the flag - so much comes down to luck, injuries and who knows what will happen in this covid year. But i'm not worried about form, fitness, game plan or hunger. To start the season 11-1 or whatever we were, we knew we were playing finals at the halfway point. This impacts on hunger for games that don't matter. And I have no doubt that the fitness staff were told to prepare the players to peak in September - even if it means they might perform below their optimum before then. We have not been better placed to challenge since 1964 and there's no opponent we would fear. Buckle up - we're in for a fine September!
  25. I think its a tough balance - I know Freo supporters have said Henry (in same draft) has all the same tricks as Kozzie but hasn't shown much of it in games so far and they put this down to not having the aggression that Kozzie has. Hopefully he can tidy it up a bit - but if this is what it takes to get the best out of him, I'm not too fussed if (so long as oppositions can't exploit it)