The heart beats true

But you see if he told you, would you promise not to tell anyone else?

Quiet supporters. Obviously.

Do you think it’s safe to assume this was because we were too banged up/lacking in fitness to play 4 quarters? It was so consistent (and honestly infuriating to watch) that it had to be a plan. I’m just trying to work out why it became our game style.

I [censored] love this. The flag looked so good again on Friday night. Dylan should be so proud. I’m proud of him and I’ve never met the guy! At the game on Friday 6 women sat behind me who I’d never seen before, and they started talking about Ryan and what I good job he does. They were joking about all turning up to the footy one weekend with blond tips to honour him. We started chatting (because I wanted in on the conversation) and they were so enamoured with our cheer squad. It was really nice to hear them talk so positively. I feel like it’s been a really strange year to be a Melbourne supporter. We seemed to have turned on each other a bit. I love the club obviously, but this was the year I really felt a deep admiration for our supporter base. I think we missed out on a lot last year, and it only became more obvious how much we’d missed as the year went on.

I thought our culture was great in first halves, but at half time we obviously stopped calling our mums and helping old ladies cross the road.

TMac in for Brown, JVR in for Melksham, Petty at CHF. I’d say Smith, Turner or Tomlinson to replace Petty. Yes it makes our defence weaker, but we aren’t regularly giving up 100 points. The problem is we aren’t scoring enough from our clearance wins. This forward line looks a lot more difficult to hold than Brown and Melksham. Petty, JVR, Fritsch and Koz as the pillars of our forward line for the next decade makes me excited.

Where’s Dan Andrews when you need him? Shut the borders! Nobody in, and definitely nobody out.

If Koz goes we will be even more predictable and easy to defend. He makes us at least a 2 goal a game better side, which currently is a quarter of our score, and he wins us a couple of games a year. I’d be heartbroken if he left.

I think this is a relatively fair analysis of the players. It’s interesting to note that the vast majority of your disappointing season players are either at the end, or the beginning, of their careers. I think it’s fair to say most of our young guys played well above expectations last year, and couldn’t go again this year.

His mums a Carlton supporter, so she’ll force him to go there.

I reckon Sydney have the work ethic and best balance of skill and determination, and Geelong have Jeremy Cameron looking like the best player in the comp. Long way to go yet.

The reality is that all the teams left bar one (who ironically rolled us when it counted) had the wood over us convincingly throughout the season. In that context it’s less of a wasted season, because it’s tells us we weren’t good enough, and more of a sign we have a lot to work on. We essentially finished fifth because we aren’t good enough to be top 4. I think that’s more meaningful for the football department than us feeling like we just had off nights when it mattered. It will force us to try and get better, and not just put our head in the sand.

The commentary openly barracking for Collingwood is why neutral supporters hate Channel 7. Just call the game!

Is there any point not showing the players a countdown clock anymore? They know anyways.

Zero chance

The Pies speed on the ball is catching everyone out, but like our strength behind the ball last year it’s also the opportunity. I’d be very confident that by mid next year coaches have figured out Collingwood. Might be better to give up clearances and have more numbers back. Let them run themselves ragged and trust that their run and gun style will give you opportunities on the rebound.

I really liked returning home late from games and reading how it sounded like we weren’t making any noise from those who watched on the TV.

I reckon if he was in this years draft he’d be top 5. He’s developing very, very nicely.

I think we have to play him forward, fully understanding that our defence will be weakened. Smith, Turner and Tomlinson need to step up and fill his void. Petty, JVR and TMac forward of the ball (with Fritsch and Koz) is a massive step up from what we had last night, and is significantly harder to defend.

The cupboard isn’t bare. This is making me feel better.

JVR, Petty and TMac up forward in the AFL please.

Any idea when memberships go on sale for 2023?

Watching Casey one of Turner, Smith or Tomlinson need to become our third defender. Petty to go forward and work with JVR, Fritta and Kozzy for the next decade. Tom Mac to come back next year. All of a sudden our forward line looks a lot more dynamic. I love what the Casey boys are offering up today. A nice little reminder that we’ve got options.

After we won 10 straight? Doubtful

I think in 40 years we will still look back and think ‘how did we lose 2 finals on the G to interstate sides?’. For me I think you have to go back to the middle of the year. The game plan began to be exposed, until the formula to beat us solidified. Simon is a systems coach. He backs in his system every time. Once it was exposed we couldn’t do it for 4 quarters teams got a lot of confidence they could outwork us. I think we assumed at some point it would click. That’s the learning for the footy department. Make it click. Work on it. Don’t expect that it will. I hope it’s the making of a more adaptable side.