Lucifers Hero

How could you tell it had been about 10 years? I wear my 'traditional' scarf because I like it better than the modern ones and have been a Redlegs member for about 20 years so have plenty of members scarves to choose from! And no one wearing red and blue should be called a [censored]. We need all the supporters we can get.

Fortunately Goodwin intends to speak to the umpiring department: He was his usual tactful self but his intent was very clear “It was a really interesting duel. Billy played a really good game against Max but we will have to go through each of those free kicks and have a look...“That’s a lot in a game of footy so we will have to speak to Hayden about how that rule looks." https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/simon-goodwin-questions-max-gawn-free-kick-count-against-st-kilda/news-story/c58b772ab1fc8d2300372d3f93d98e0f We have questioned stuff before behind the scenes eg frees against Oliver but this is the first time Goodwin has come out and publicly stated his intent. I applaud it.

StK have not won a game without Montagna and Reiwoldt since 2005...may the hoodoo long continue. They will struggle badly next year. No A grade players on any line. Will happily play them twice again in 2018 and 2019 and ...!

The Carlton doctors will make sure Salem gets weeks!

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/live-afl-round-21-melbourne-v-st-kilda/news-story/1a18f62d51933d121352f6d19be0e11a Great courage by the young man to keep contesting after a heavy head knock - Stevens unfortunately had concussion and a burst ear drum. Gus: “My mum’s here somewhere, so I’m sure she would’ve nearly had tears coming out after that,” he said on Fox Footy. “It was a pretty solid hit. I’ve had a few of those and I feel fine, so I’ve got full confidence. I’ve done all the work.” A proud day for the Brayshaw family. So rapt for him (and us).

Welcome back Gus! Back where you belong. Was worried when he got the head knock but he went on with it. Great four quarter effort from him and one of our best.

Big wrap from Plapp for Salem, Watts, Keilty, Kennedy, Trengove. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-08-13/casey-wins-comfortably-over-blues On Salem: "used his elite foot skills to hurt the opposition. The poised 22-year-old had time with ball in hand and was an excellent addition to the side with 29 disposals through the middle. “He certainly showed what his assets are,” On Salem and Watts: “I think the things around what we wanted to see from them was certainly a significant improvement to what they had been delivering at AFL level,” Plapp said. “I don’t think we could have asked for too much more from them. “They’re both quality players and they embraced what the VFL program is about, so full credit to both of those boys. @jumbo returns I just read your post and going on Plapp's comments there is a fair chance will get a call up next week! On Keilty: “He was extraordinary,” Plapp said. “He’s improving and finding his way and today was a big step forward. “I thought the aerial part of his game was a really big highlight.” Shame that Salem was reported. Unfortunately Liam Sumner suffered concussion and did not come back on. I haven't seen the incident (anyone have video?) but knowing how Carlton doctor's have upped the ante for every opp player before the MRP this year, I have grave concerns for the penalty that will be dished out to Salem.

I see you found 'the lid' od and its firmly shut! Sadly, I share your realism.

As noted, Hardwick was right on cue! "The home crowd gets behind them. Have a look at the free kick count," Hardwick said after the game. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-12/look-at-the-free-kick-count-hardwick-unhappy...He said crowd noise played a part in whether the whistle was blown, and acknowledged it happened everywhere." They have 13 wins largely because of their easy draw vs lowly teams and only 3 wins were vs current top 8 teams! Their season is a big improvement on 2016 bit It will not be a happy ending for the tiger army! Watch them go out in stratight sets.

Hang on! Isn't it up to the Tribunal to decide if it was 'premeditated'! Lets wait and see.

Hardwick is all smiles lately because they are near the top of the ladder. But he is still a sore loser. If the frees count doesn't improve watch him have a big whinge at the end of the game!

If I'm following you correctly that is 1.1 plus 2 goal assists to Watts? Is he getting into the contests as well?

His 100th has quietly slipped under the radar. May he have a career best game tomorrow. We need him (and his 21 mates) to bring it home vs the Saints!!

Thanks to the shadow writers and junior editors who make sense of his half sentences and bogan ramblings...

Nothing wrong with Greene's 'indiscretion'. It's not his fault the player is one of the shortest in the league who was in a squat position. Anyone else and it would have been to the chest. He is being maligned for his past. The umpires missed a heap of free kicks to him then report him based on crowd hysteria. #givetobyabreak

Immediately after that Goodwin said Watts was no longer in our best 22 but he didn't explain how a player can go from top 3 to outside 22 almost overnight, given that he had been injured. That just doesn't make sense. Goodwin then conceded that perhaps Jack should have had a run at Casey before coming into the seniors (which is the more typical route for players injured). I think we were all surprised that all our injured players came straight back in. Salem, Gawn, Hogan, Jones, Watts, Viney, Tyson. It smacks of desperation by the coaches. All those players struggled on return to seniors. Only Gawn is finding some form. Now Salem and Watts are out of the team. One rested the other used to 'send a message to all players'. Top 3 to outside best 22, in a few weeks? Don't buy that! Perhaps the coaching panel need to take some responsibility here.

Not quite the forgotten man but it seems he has put his year out to good use. Also sounds like he is raring to go next year http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-08-11/vandenberg-sets-his-sights-on-2018 As he is out of contract this year I would not be surprised to see him re-contracted before too long. I'm sure it will be a popular re-signing.

Surprised to see Maynard out given the wrap he got from Goodwin and Matthews this week. I/C: Angus Brayshaw, Sam Weideman, Josh Wagner, James Harmes Emg: Jack Watts, Billy Stretch, Corey Maynard In: Brayshaw, Hannan, Weideman, Wagner Out: Salem, Frost, Watts, Maynard

The strategy has been found out: the opp mids do not always try to get win the clearances. They simply gang tackle our player at the stoppage and spill the ball out or get a free kick. Result is we don't get the chance to get it out to someone on the outside or we have a frenzied kick forward. Meanwhile, our two behind the ball are fast running forward and can't turn around fast enough to defend against their mids who have hung back for the receive once the ball spills free or the free kick is granted. The surprise value of the tactic has worn off. As rpfc has said it is too easily defended. We persist with it at our peril. It will not stand up in finals.

Choked on reading this!!!! If that is true they have no understanding of what finals means to supporters after so long in the wilderness and ridicule. We have a chance this year. Lets take it! And the impact on the rest of the club: memberships, sponsors, prime TV slots, fixture benefits, merchandising etc etc. ?

Captain, perhaps you can enlighten us without giving away sources etc.

A poster in the match preview thread noted he has a disc problem and has played injured. Also"It is understood Watts has been limited by a hand injury, with the 26-year-old spotted with a small cast to protect his hand at training in recent weeks". http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-11/late-mail-live-round-21 And, he had back spasms, ankle problems leading up to the bye. Then his hamstring went and he was out for 4 weeks. I would like to think he was fully fit when he came back it looks like the selectors became desperate and brought him back underdone.

Nice theory. The problem is our mids can't get it in there cleanly! And, we have the worst scoring shots/i50 in the league and last week was abysmal. The ball just ricochets out. Its been a problem for a few months and I can't see how bringing in Weid or just leaving our Watts will fix that overnight. The fix has to be around the game plan! Look forward to seeing the final team tonight and seeing what ideas the coaches have to fix our lack of scoring problem. It may be MFCSS but I fear the coaches have run out of ideas and playing with deckchairs.

Agree. We could add Petracca's: - GWS: 3 kicks, 13 handballs. DE% 43.8. 1 tackle. - NM: 2 kicks, 15 handballs. DE% 76.5. 1 tackle Our forward line looks woeful! If Jack is injured I want the club to say that and not just 'omit' him and leave him out on a limb to become a target for all his haters. Ditto for Salem. I get it if Watts/Salem are rested but I don't see the logic of them finding form at Casey. Conventional wisdom is that clubs use the last 3 to 5 rounds before finals settling their team. We are turning our team upside down. Don't like it!

If Watts is out then Weideman is in. Our forward line starts looking very inexperienced/B grade with the exception of Garlett. Our two silkiest players, Salem and Watts would be out and I don't see many clean users on the extended bench. Anyone looking at those omissions and our makeshift forward line would think we were tanking rather than playing to make finals!