Lucifers Hero

1) If that is your interpretation of threads then maybe therein lies the issue. 2) Yes, and credit has been given in various threads. 3) Generalising and preaching isn't adding any objectivity to discussions.

Melksham has had zero impact. I cannot recall one good piece of play or strong defensive acts in 4 games. The only one of all the returning players to be consistent so far is Ryder at Port. This does not bode well for Hibberd coming in and having a real impact especially with a recent injury. I would like to see Hibberd in (when ready) but we can't afford two players who have 'hit the wall' in our backline (or anywhere on the ground). If Hibberd is in then Melksham should be out. My fear is that Melksham and Hibberd were both 'Captain's calls' (Goodwin said recently that Roos let him make the list management decisions) and Goodwin will feel compelled to play them and they become protected species.

Sad but true. My worry with Jones and Viney is they don't have much footy smarts nor are they good readers of the play. You have them or you don't, they don't. Having watched the replay Watts was a leader all day: He congratulated and encouraged nearly every goal kicker. He led from the front in the sense that he was all over the ground, threw himself into every contest and he was involved in quite a few plays that ended in goals. He could see what was needed at the end and wanted to go down back to defend our small lead but wasn't allowed to. I'm not in any way suggesting that Watts should be captain or even in the leadership team. But he certainly showed up the lack of leadership and footy smarts from the three official leaders on the ground. Watts was the glue that held the team together just as he was vs Geelong. McD, Jones and Viney just played to their own separate tunes all day and forgot about 'team first'. Yes, they failed miserably.

North Melbourne have now lost 10 consecutive games (but were a bit unlucky vs Geelong and WB in the last few weeks) The media haven't noticed yet so Brad Scott is not feeling any heat. Their next month is: Freo, GCS, Adel, Swans. No obvious wins there. If they don't get a few wins soon it won't be long before the media blow torch focuses on Scott. On a different note, enjoyed the hiding Adelaide gave the Bombers

Composure is a difficult one for inexperienced players under pressure so not much Goodwin could do there. However, he does have to take responsibility for his team playing like stunned rabbits for the 3rd quarter. Legitimate questions: Does he have a plan B for when the opp get a run? Do his leaders know what this plan B is? Do they train plan B? Why can the leaders not detect the momentum switch in the 3rd? Why is it that they find the 'switch' at quarter breaks but not during a quarter? It happens every week! Why do his 'runners' not get out there and switch the leaders/players back on in the 3rd? Where were the 'runners' in the last few minutes? Lots of unanswered questions which sit at the coaches door. His job is to have the team ready to play mentally and know what the A, B, and C game plans are; who know when and how to implement them. His job is to pull the strings from the box to ensure they happen during a game. The coach needs to answer for lack of response to momentum swings - even if we don't win the game, some plan and visible response are necessary as going missing for a quarter happens every week. Goodwin will be a good coach but does he have the game day smarts? Time will tell...

Jack has been our most consistent high performer this year. Not the most possessions. Not the most goals. But stood up big time when the team needed him. He has kept us in games. Shame we can't clone him to drop back in defence, play link man between the arcs, play key forward and play ruck. They are all roles he has stood up in when needed. Pray to God he doesn't get injured. He can play so many roles at a high level - the player we can least afford to lose.

Kudos to Jake Spencer! He more than did his job today. Was competitive. Took important marks. Kicked 2 goals. One of our most consistent and best today. No Max was not the reason we lost. Loved the way the players got around Jake when he kicked his goal. That game would be a real confidence boost for him. If he does no more than today he will be an asset for us.

Its true. Very well documented that Jones was told the day before it was announced. He had the good grace to get on with it but he publicly expressed his disappointment and felt it was a 'demotion of sorts'. It was a fait acompli for Jones.

Goodwin didn't consult our reigning captain so what on earth make you think he consulted Viney. Anyway, who would knock it back - not a kid who truly bleeds red and blue and dreamed of captaining the club. Goodwin is the coach and the man - it was his call; it is not his job to ask a kid what he thinks and go with it.

We might agree but he has 'teacher's pet' stamped all over him so I doubt he is going anywhere. He would have been rusty after a year out and while his stats have been ok he has had no impact at all in four games. But as I said I can't see him going out of the team.

Very good summary KDA. Therein is exactly why it was too early to make him co-cap. His game and position in the team is still evolving. He is still a young, inexperienced player B&F notwithstanding. His obvious strengths (aggression aside) are not so obvious anymore. Goodwin should have waited to settle the team and the game plan and get a few runs on the board. There were other ways to stamp his mark on the team. It is too late to turn back the clock on co-cap: to demoralising and too much egg-on-face to change it back.

6 - No - one 5 - No - one 4 - Watts 3 - Spencer 2 - Garlett 1 - Salem

Can't win when we play football for two quarters and circular handball practice for the other two.

Thankfully he has Type 1 - http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-27/going-places-the-medical-diagnosis-that-almost-stopped-draft-prospect-paddy-mccartin-in-his-tracks It doesn't sound like they were on top of it at the time of the draft and he has had a few setbacks. Its probably a case of getting the medication/diet/exercise balance right. A different disease but the circumstances are not dissimilar to the situation we have with Salem and his Thyroid. Perseverance and patience but it must be tough on the player. Paddy needs time and I really hope he makes it and based on your comments there is every reason to think he will.

Hope Jesse turns up at the G to watch the team play, sans cigarette

That is how I recall it. They wanted a club to offer him a mega contract as he was an FA and Carlton were angling for a first round AFL compensation pick ie pick 2. When they learnt there wasn't much interest at a level where they would get pick 2 they took him off the table. (Anyway, the AFL wanted the Lions to have pick 2). Carlton are probably damned please they kept him as he is playing well. There may be more interest in Kreuzer as an FA this time round. I'm in the 'He is not for us' camp.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-04-13/melbourne-and-the-sporting-globe-partner Not sure I've heard of 'Venue Sponsors' but good on mfc for getting this. Good discounts for members eating/drinking at their venues. Seems like thanks go to David Neitz: The partnership announcement comes off the back of The Sporting Globe’s existing relationship with David Neitz and his ‘Brewmanity’ campaign, helping raise money for Cure for MND Foundation. And I like this: “With The Sporting Globe’s growing presence in Victoria and interstate, we think that the partnership allows Melbourne fans a perfect place to watch home and away games live with other supporters.” Its the next best thing to being at the game as the Bentleigh Club just doesn't cut it anymore. Its also good to consolidate our support for Neil Daniher and the MND Campaign.

That Crows game was when people started to take notice. Before then some people were looking at his negatives rather than his positives, especially on DL. He put in a stunning performance a few weeks earlier vs Hawthorn. Threw himself at everything, contested everything and ran like the wind. I didn't see his earlier games as I was overseas. But that Hawks game was a ripper and for mine he announced himself that day.

This didn't sound too good regarding Gawn: “We’re hoping that it is only going to be 12 to 14 weeks.” It reminds me of the Kent injury in 2015. Had 'back tightness' early in the season, did hamstring severely in late April, had surgery and his return kept getting delayed. We didn't see him again in 2015. That Misson is 'hoping it will be only 12-14 weeks...' Hmmm, I'm hoping he is just being cautious and Max makes it back in the shorter timeframe.

Hibberd set to play with Casey this week. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-11/the-injury-list-whos-struggling-ahead-of-r4

Shame that we are unlikely to get Jack T to 100 games. His is a very sporty and athletic family at the elite level so wouldn't mind his sons and daughters playing for the Dees.

But we might just get the 363 needed to break last year's all time record of 39,211 this week (which was achieved at the end of July 2016).

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-11/the-stats-files-are-the-demons-gawn-plus-make-your-september-plans That article shows the impact of Gawn going off. The Cats thrashed us in hitouts and clearances in the second half. But we had to adjust to no Gawn and no Spencer on the run, mid game. It now makes more sense why we played both ruckman in the JLT games - so the team could practice structures and game plan when rucking to Spencer. I don't recall if Gawn was off the field in the JLT games when Spencer rucked but the JLT games show Goodwin has a 'Gawn out' plan ready. What is even more important is 'Spencer in' structures and game plan have been practiced by the team. Bodes well.

They should also be asked why Weitering went back on yesterday after a heavy head clash with Hurley. Weitering was unmoving on the ground for about a minute. Then trainers/medicos stood him up to walk him off unaided. No neck brace no nothing. Apparently, he was assessed for concussion and cleared to play. If I was his parents I wouldn't be too happy. The sooner the AFL brings in independent assessment of concussion at the ground the better and the safer it will be for the players. For those arguing that doctor's are always ethical and act in the best interest of players, look no further than the Essendon drug saga! While we are on the subject of head knocks - kudos to Nathan Fyfe for stopping play after Picken went down hard to ensure the ball didn't get near him.

So Paddy Ryder gets 2 weeks down to 1 whereas our guys get 3 down to 2! Crow's doctors must have given a 'no symptoms' type of report - classed as 'low' impact. The hate I felt for Carlton last week has just gone up a few more notches! They really are scum, big sooks and bad sports.