Diamond_Jim

Majak a possible inclusion in Defence: "He probably had his best game for North Melbourne in any position, whether it be VFL or AFL level, on the weekend," Scott said. "He's very, very close (to senior selection), but we've got to continue to pick the side that we think provides the best balance. "We want to get Maj to the point where regardless of balance, whether we go tall or small – because he is a great athlete and has great speed – he should play. "We're pretty close to that point to be honest. Whether it's this week (against Melbourne) or in the next few, we'll wait and see, but (he's shown) really promising signs so far." http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-04-04/big-roo-close-to-return-after-his-best-game

mmmmmmm so remind me why we gave up two first round draft picks and are paying big money if we already had an All Australian playing the same role.

the cynic in me says that pokies are on the decline as they are a baby boomer entertainment from my limited observation. Sports betting will be the new scourge

Mustn't be many people with the right skills then. Let's face it .... the problem with sports betting is that it is now pervasive among the young (mainly males) following the game. It will soon attract the same criticism that rightly we give to the pokies.

agree rjay but remember that the Hawks were coming form a position of relative strength. We don't have that luxury. It is a pity that the VFL is a reserves comp where winning is not really the number one priority. Where does a"young coach" go for experience. Being an assistant is the best we can do but it is not the trial by fire required for a match day coach.

Perhaps the AFL could give up on the jolly for Port to China and the AFLX to Hongkers. Would go a long way to making up the short fall across the clubs. Next challenge is to get off the "teat" of the sports betting agencies.

Fantastic news ..... whatever you say the continued reliance on this form of revenue is unsustainable from a social responsibility aspect

hope we don't have to wait as long as Richmond did with Hardwick. MFC needs success if it is to remain financially relevant. Clubs cannot afford to bounce along the bottom for as long as we have. If you want a lesson in failure watch what happens if Carlton have another bad year. We have the list .... just like a player the coach is under scrutiny.. so far it has not been a great success. At present this thread is about what he does as a coach.... game plan... player development... match day tactics. No one is calling for his head.

when we having some mini successes last year Pederson was good for a few goals. Between him and Max G we need say 3 goals. Goldstein is near the end of his career but he cannot be underestimated around the ground. We are a better team if we get a reasonable effort from the players. This is an above the shoulders coaching battle pure and simple.

Let Brown have his 4 or 5 and stop the like of Waites and the others. If you look at many of our wins last year the other side kicked inaccurately which flattered us a little. Our forward line needs to deliver 120 points ... ie 16 goals 12 or thereabouts. Okay Hogan and Garlett might give you 8. Which means we have to get goals out of Melksham, Bugg etc. Petracca needs to play up the field (he is our future) so we cannot rely on him for many. Fritsch will be good for perhaps 2 goals.

Agreed D77 Salem had the lowest time on the ground ... lower even than Fritsch at 69% who was off injured for a while. The bulk of the mids had 80% or thereabouts. Wonder what was up?

Agree Dr G.. Frost has done little to earn a recall. If we had Tom Mc in the side the debate would clearly be about swinging Tom down back for the fist half or the like. I also have a suspicion that Frost like Garland and Dunn before him may not be favoured by Goodwin and his game plan. On the other hand including Frost may have the necessary placebo affect on this skittish team we have come to know. In reality this weekend should be a regulation win.

Lot in this BBO but the reality is that Norf have continually scored against us on the rebound. Nothing wrong with picking a specialist player to give a better opposition match up. Frost in (no other choice) and either Wagner or dare I say Hunt out. Hunt just has not been the same player since that big hit last year (against Adelaide IIRC) and his game is being negated by other teams relatively easily. Might benefit from a few weeks without the AFL level pressure.

interesting watching the kick to handball ratio for this game. Much higher at present than for our game on Saturday night

Thanks D77 As that accords with our position on the ladder at present how apposite. Now to get them both to number 1 !

If we are going anywhere this year next week's game should be a regulation win ... Dees by 38 (I almost believe myself).

Agreed.... Given the game plan played by Melbourne and others Melksham's goal sense and quick reaction is ultra important. One at least hit the post so he was close.

Hard on the television to see running patterns but on at least two occasions WCE had three players running into goal without a Bulldogs opponent. Okay I understand getting caught on the turnover etc but it smacks of over commitment when you let three or more opposition players run back against you. Interested to hear from the tacticians their thoughts on this play. Went along to see GWS v Collingwood on Saturday. GWS were the better side from a skills perspective but just couldn't get their total game going. In a radio interview Pendlebury said that they knew the Giants were a high looping handball side which gives the opposition a chance to spoil

A good coach gets the best out of the players. For the first time in around ten years we have a decent list with a sprinkling of "potential" A graders. Have a look at Collingwood teams under Malthouse and North teams of the last several years. Their lists were okay without being outstanding but you could rely upon them to give you a good game. So far Goodwin's efforts have not clicked with the players. If anything the bulk of them have underperformed (including the last six or so rounds of 2017). The next five-eight weeks are the key. All the games are very winnable. I don't expect to win them all but I expect to win 5 at least of the next 8 as a minimum. North is a good test of coaching skills. We are a better team. Weather predictions are perfect (24 and light winds). No excuses.

The reaction by the Bulldogs player is classic. Akin to a child looking to see if anyone is watching before starting to cry. Not condoning the cheap shot by the Eagles player but the other guy should go for bad acting !

Beautiful weather predicted for next Saturday. Top of 24 and light winds. Points towards a quick game with lots of scoring.

Guys please some perspective ... what happened in the big one ? Did the Zephyr salute?

I assume that is a rhetorical question young Jumbo

Port are better than I thought they were

why not ... the style of game is there for everyone to see