Deemanding

I’m with you. Since the purple patch of form in late 2018 , Harmes has been a liability. Really frustrates me by giving away needless free kicks especially up forward. Not up to the task of been a link man, getting sick and tired of promising passages ruined by his poor disposal whether by hand or foot or getting caught out by holding onto the ball for too long causing turnovers by fumbling or holding the ball free kick against. I as mentioned free kicks against several times, he must be our worst offender this season. Playing like a player who has lost confidence thus his decision making is poor which has infected the majority of the team. Another thing that annoys me, during the quarter and three quarter time huddles, he always stands directly in front of Simon Goodwin intently nodding his head, then goes out plays like not a word the coach has said has registered.

Totally agree about your comment in regards to Tomlinson. When the game was up for grabs; decided not to impose or put body on the line. Was a flat track bully at GWS, now just flat.

Does Christian Petracca have a left foot? Continually getting caught out turning to the right, when clear opportunities are available on his left. Beggars belief a No 2 draft pick is so weak on their left side. I like to see his stats of left sided kicks and handballs, compared to his right. Has the potential to be a star but needs to use his left side whether by foot or hand when it is the first and best option.

Welcome aboard, the Cesar Millan of the AFL, Paul Roos, the Dees Whisperer. Hopefully after 3 years, the mangy muts will be turned into prize show dogs.

It appears that Paul Roos is out contention for the senior coaching position, I believe there is a case to pursue Brett Ratten;- 50.9% win ratio. Considering the starting point, a more than a fair result after 5 years at the helm. Carlton were nearly as diabolical us at the time of his appointment,thus has first hand knowledge of a dispirited player group and a club that had endured many years of hard times with a disgruntled and disillusioned supporter base. In his first full year of coaching in 2008 won 10 games compared to 4 wins in 2007, appears to readily get his message and game plan over to playing group with immediate results. The MFC can't afford to spruik another 5 year rebuild without any initial hope. His last year at Carlton with the benefit of hindsight ,11 wins and losses. seems to stack up well against the messiah with virtually the same player group. May of been harshly and unjustly dismissed. At the moment, an assistant coach at the current ladder leader and premiership favourite. If we can't get Alistair Clarkson, getting someone from the inner sanctum would be a tremendous fillip . Remember, the Hawks 10 years ago where down and out. Brett having intimate access to Clarkson and the Hawthorn establishment, would of undoubtedly enhanced his already well credentialled arsenal of tactics and man management. The success Damian Hardwick is now having at the Tigers after a stint as an assistant coach at the Hawks is a great precedent thus can't be under estimated. Could be another John Northey. Northey was harshly dealt with by the Swans, again replaced by the messiah at the time, Tom Hafey. With fire in the belly and a point to prove, guided the Dees to its most successful period since the glory days of Norm Smith. Understands and has experienced the MFC culture,without been part the old boys club,thus, no surprises or false impressions. Even though the last decent midfield coach we've had at the club, thought it best to advance his career by coaching Norwood in 2nd Division of the EFL. Enough said! I know there are other worthy candidates such as Eade and Williams, however I thought I throw Brett Ratten's name into the ring to get a bit if discussion going.

On the subject of Jake Spencer, the sooner he packs his bags back to Queensland and takes up rugby, something like a reverse Pike,the better. What an embarrassment,on Sunday I heard him( with a crowd of 13,000 odd at the G, you could nearly hear pin drop) , barking orders to the midfielders before a centre bounce like a five time B&F winner, three time Brownlow winner ,300 gamer, only to palm the ball straight down the throat of a Freo player who cleared the ball that ended up as another goal for them. Also, I think I over heard Joe, the Foxtel cameraman say"can't ruck,can't kick, can't handball but can give free kicks away". To give Jake credit, I think he does give 100% effort,unlike a former number one draft pick but for all his effort, he simply doesn't make the AFL standard. As for FitzPatrick, he has more than one sting to his bow as opposed to the aforementioned, who IMO, offers zilch. Jake Spencer once actually accrued negative Supercoach points in game which isn't much of a endorsement to support a prolonged AFL career.

The first two points spot on, however, unless the Dees have another Strauss on the books, the one wearing # 19 as your third best , shows how the bad a team is. James Strauss is totally one sided, suspect below knees, tackles like a powder puff and like a lot of his team mates the first option when they have the ball is to look backwards or at best sideways. Other than that he is most likely an outstanding citizen.

A real enigma. Has far better than average dexterity, peripheral vision and cognitive thinking on the field but lacks intensity and desire to impose. Could wisely use the time waiting for a new coach to learn how to defend like a footballer, not like a basketballer. I reckon when Jack is out on the ground, he believes his position is point guard, not centre half forward.

I fully agree Jack Watts is beginning show some of his true potential. Confidence is an intangible variable isn't it. As alluded earlier in the tread it appears our list is beginning to get a plethora of forward talent. I think JW has the skills and talent to be moved into the midfield and be an attacking tall midfielder in the same ilk as Andrew Emberley at his prime.

The events of the last week or so were sown decades ago to the stage the Melbourne Football Club is now down on it knees and totally dependent of benevolence of the AFL Commission.The club has been the casualty of the spat between to VFL/AFL and the MCC which for all intents purposes was the MFC at time. VFL went all out to diminish the perceived stranglehold the MCC had over football affairs in early 1960's by implementing zoning and constructing Waverley Park which in turn lead to the jostling by the MCC to maintain the MCG as Melbourne's premier sporting venue. The article from the Heritiage Listing, detailed below , provides some insight to the animosity between the parties. The rival and powerful 'establishment', which controlled the Melbourne Cricket Ground, saw Waverley Park as a threat to its role as Melbourne' premier sporting venue. The MCG has remained the major factor in the tumultuous history of Waverley Park since the pre-Olympic period, and was finally successful in crippling Waverley Park. State politics played the key role in the restriction of VFL Park's development through the 1970s and 80s. This was a consequence of the political influence of the MCG and some League clubs, as well as traffic problems and changing state govermnent planning strategies Going by the events of the last week or so, the AFL with total dominance and control has decided to let bygones be bygones. The 50 years war is over and what is happening now is AFL's equivalent of the Allies' Marshall Plan that occurred after World War 2 to reconstruct Germany. Lets hope the AFL's plan is just as successful.

The current MFC structure is a rabble and dysfunctional. As unpalatable and conceivable as it is to think Jeff Kennett as our saviour, without another credible candidate in sight, we have to accept what's on offer. The currency of 50 years ago when the MFC was arguably best supported and patronized club has been spent, to the point we are bankrupt of ideas, morally ( all but penalised for tanking) ,leadership and good as financially thus the inevitable result a football outfit to match. Lets hope Jeff Kennett can walk the talk and the spark the renaissance of the Demons. I can only wish sometime in the near future on the last Saturday in September, the Dees kick a goal after the siren to win the Grand Final over the Hawks I would ideally prefer a true Melbourne white knight to be our saviour, however,a willing black prince with a proven record will have to do. Beggars can't be choosers.

The pitch black after the Geelong farce has just got much darker. No character, no soul, no idea,no ambition, no defence,no direction, no footy smarts, no respect, no Auskick supporters,no harmony, no excitement, no success,no hope,no spirit, no joy,no faith, no pride, no tackles, no unity,no mongrel, no culture of success, no skill,no coaching for all intents and purposes,no teamwork, no value,no trust, no honesty to the supporter base,no esteem,no bliss,no zest, no toughness,no change,no confidence, no flair, no courage, no effort, all and all no bloody good. MFC maybe not RIP but definitely needs ICU. My heart beats red and blue, but the pulse is fading.

Even though Brad was a better than average AFL player, I've got sneaking suspicion he'll be better AFL coach. Unfortunately it's the Blues where he's doing his apprenticeship, however, I wish him good luck

I've got a feeling of dread, the MFC will be charged and penalised for tanking by the AFL to appease the kangaroo court of the media. If so, the club shouldn't stop contesting the decision until High Court dismissed all charges. The viability of our club is at stake. If this requires showing up others within the AFL for their hypocrisy and duplicity, it's the price football in general will have to pay. I solemnly believe the entity of the club didn't sanction tanking, however, some individuals might of on their own back, mistakenly made decisions that may or may not be tantamount to tanking. The individuals,not the club, should be charged and if found guilty , be duly penalised.

I believe when we play Carlton or Essendon on a gloomy day.