Older demon

I have been a great supporter of Simon but someone has to take responsibility for the way we repeatedly lose game. Forward line connection has been an issue for 4 year now and it is getting worse. Simon can tout out the same line about improvement and learning, but what has he and the coaching staff done to correct this? 17% efficiency in goal scoring repeatedly more possessions, more inside 50's more behinds than goals has been going on all season. Either players have to be moved on or the coaching restructured and give someone else a go. Change has to happen

Ghostie there is no Sestan named anywhere. Did he train yesterday or did he fail to meet the speed targets he needed to convince Selwyn he is full recovered?

I believe the forward line functioned better because we played 2 tall key forwards even if Roo & Jeffo didn't set the world on fire. It freed up Melk & Fritch to be able to run free and keep the forward lione open. For all the criticism of Jefferson he at least moves and plays like a forward and is prepared to lead and move up the ground. Petty is IMO a backman playing forward who doesn't have the leading patterns of a creative forward.

The elephant in the room is Lever. Rest him for the remainder of the season. 2 serious operations, no preseason have left him struggling to run and compete. TMac stays in andage shouldn't come into consideration form should. Winning is what it is about and not gifting games for the sake of youth. McVee is probably in the same boat . No preseason has left him a shadow of player he can be. May comes in for Lever, Riv to cover Sparrow and Howes to line up down back. I am not sure Petty has fully recovered he was on ly doing run throughs at training last week.

6 Petracca 5 Langford 4 Melksham 3 Gawn 2 T Mac 1 Salem

I cannot see Trac leaving and who is on the list to step up and replace him? The only issue at the moment is that the output of Clayton & Trac doesn't match the size of their contract. Neither are performing at the elite level. Trac I can see improvement and I think he will be better next season. Clayton is only a shadow of himself but he is a Melbourne person and if it was me I would be talking to my manager about re-negotiating my contract, maybe even taking a pay cut commensurate with his current output. That woulkd certainly take some of the sting out of this vitriol

Not sure if the 2 concussed boys return. Drop Fritch and leave him there for the rest of the season. His efforts are not worthy of a senior spot. Sharp can go to Casey and play a full game and KOlt cannot be promoted until he earns his spot with some outstanding form at Casey. Not sure about Lever either he got all his kicks from marks but looked slow and is struggling with any ball below his knees. Clarry I have finally conceded is not the player he was and should probably go to Casey for a stint (mighty expensive VFL player) The trouble is who is breaking down the door at Casey to get promoted. Is there any confirmation about Xierri and a concussion? LDU is definitely out

For 12 minutes today in the second quarter I dared to hope. Kozzie takes a specky and goals. It made me forget the 2 out on the full shots at goal in the first and the 1 goal 6 at quarter time. Then reality bit, and we did not lay a tackle for the rest of the 2nd quarter and let them back into the game. Already mentioned, but what has happened to Knucklke? Rankin took him apart but left on him. Langdon got a million touches and butchered most of them, including his set shot for goal. Fritch leaves me speechless, and for those who criticise Jeffo, look at Fritches' effort. He is either out of the building or disinterested and as far as I am concerned, he can go somewhere else and ply his trade. Chandler offers nothing best summed up by an instance where he tried to handball over the opponent and got smothered, got it back and tried again and still handballed into the same oncoming opposition. What does he bring to the team I ask! Surely we have a more polished skilled forward somewhere? And Clarrie, I am finally admitting that he ain't the player he was, and I cannot see that player ever returning I like the attempt to change the game plan and change direction, play keeping off but some of our players do not have the skill or polish to execute the modern game style. The contested possession beasts are getting left behind. THis one wasn't on the coach it was on the players

Have to agree with most Fritch -Time to trade Langdon - Too many turnovers Tholstrup - Casey for newbies Chandler - Doesn't do enough Oliver- Hate to admit .... Lever - Bad below knees McVee - Rankine kicked 5

May PIcket Turner Rivers Viney Melksham Apologies to Max

What a horror that last game was. Bicep, meniscus and ACL injuries. It appears his body cannot take the rigors of modern AFL? I hope the club does everything to assist in his rehab, as it is hard to imagine he will be on the list next season. Is he out of contract?

Thank you for sharing. It comes as no surprise that Goody is on notice and has to achieve certain targets to retain his position. I have heard something similar. Nor am I surprised to hear the assessment of Richardson. He seems a nice bloke but only the board would know if he is performing as the board demands. It sounds like the review presented many problems and solutions, with the club addressing the easy ones and waiting for contracts to lapse before tackling the more challenging ones. Only the board know

Petracca bu the length of the MCG. Dont believe any of the rubbish in the media. At club functions, he is available to talk, passionate about the club and IMO the events have had a profound change in his attitude. The injury, ,hospitalisation and close up view of others seriously injured when he got to see real patients in the hospital. He is a model trainer, sets the standards and I believe would grow into the job.

Petty & Howes, and in the last 5 minutes, Turner was hobbled and could not move. It could get worse. Here's an idea, play JVR at CHB and play a 2nd ruck who can relieve Max and not make either Jeffo or JVR go anywhere near the ruck. Play Verrall and let us see what he's got. Kentfield showed a bit up forward, and before this showed something down back. Only BIllings showed enough to deserve a game

To quote the external reviewer. "It is never as bad as it seems" Without having any knowledge of the aims and goals for this season, I don't think anyone has any idea of what goals have been reached, how improvement has been measured or any of the parameters the club is looking for and not just this year in isolation but moving forward. What we do know is that the club has invested heavily in Trac, Oliver, Picket, Viney, Langdon, Lever THolstrup, Windsor, & Van Rooyen for the long term and Gawn, Langford, Lindsay, Petty & Rivers until 2027. That has to be the core of the team moving forward. Goodwin is contracted this year and the next, and only the board will know if he is meeting their expectation. Everything else is our opinion, the optics of the team and scuttlebutt from journos. I hope the board and the new CEO look after governance, finance and set up a football department that is organised, inventive and oversees the men's and women's programs. They (and I have no idea what this department thinks of the season, player and coach performance and health and fitness issues) should be getting regular feedback and reports from the football dept. Simon today correctly stated that AFL is a results-based sport, and good 3-quarter performances don't excite people, but in an 18-team comp, there is only 1 premier. I want a CEO who keeps out of football matters and runs the club, and overseas on-field and off-field performance. I want a president who communicates, gets the right people in the best positions, demands the best and makes sure the club isn't bullied or misrepresented. As angry and frustrated as I am with the losses, the goal kicking, the losses, and that diabolical first quarter today, I believe we have to trust those in charge to manage the here and now and the future. If I was the list manager I think that Fullarton, TMac, K Brown, M Hore will not have their contracts renewed. Billings & Woewodin may be on the cusp and with McVee yet to sign a new contract a little worried

The first quarter was unacceptable; we all accept that. But it's not like this hasn't happened before, 6 goals down at quarter time. The concern is that both Howes & petty will be in concussion protocol, Petty for the 2nd time this year. I hope they throw the book at Fiorini that is precisely the bump they are trying to take out of the game. I cannot stand Fritch not tackling, and in the 1st quarter, Noble, his opponent, got leather poisoning. I don't know where Langdon was today, but the time he dropped his heady and fumbled was not his finest moment. Leaving it to Langford, Kolt and Lindsay to contest is a big ask of three 19 year 19-year-olds. The remainder of the season is time to try every youngster on the list. Leave Jeffo up forward, he wasn't the worst today. Give Verral a go so Max has a recognised ruckman as his backup. We need more run-and-gun from halfback. You only have to look at GCS halfbacks and how many score involvements they have. The gaiun meters with their run and kick. Sadly from what I saw today there was no one at casey busting the door down to get a game.

6 to Melk a remarkable game and thrashed MacAndrew 5 to Kozzie for being the spark, run & carry 4 Bowey the modern day half back 3 Trac his effort was outstanding 2 Max must be tired of carrying this team. 1 Viney frantic once he realised he was in a game

To be honest, our skill level is not up to standard. Kynan is not up to it, and neither is Henderson. Too small, too slow and ball handling under pressure is not up to standard. Lever is a worry, and he certainly could not expect to return to the seniors on that game. I suspect Laurie fits into the same category. Swallow lifted when needed and impacted the last 10 minutes, while Billings showed that he still has some class and knows where to get the ball. Kentfield impressed, and Fullarton didn't, while JVR showed signs and thankfully didn't ruck. Mentha jnr is very raw, runs like the wind, but is a deer in the headlights when in possession, worth putting the time into. Windsor proved he is a mid, but his kicking has gone off. Ran into an open goal late and missed. Adams, I fear, for he doesn't impose himself enough. It is obvious with Disco & Howes in the seniors that they will be the preferred backs, with Petty perhaps going back, and TMac seeing out the season at Casey. Verral was hardly used, as I suspect Campbell was required to contest against Moyle, who is a giant. That was winnable, but in the end, missed set shots, skill errors, and turnovers cost us. I hope Sestan gets back quickly, as his skills are required, and like it or not Spargo is a better player than those I saw up forward today.

Billings has lifted and all of a sudden we are running. Kentfield looks the good with his marking

For those not watching, after getting close Leo Lombard unleashed in the middle. He is fast and skilful, showing up both Brown & Laurie for their lack of speed. Lever is busy pointing holes in the air but should perhaps consider getting the ball. With so many AFL-listed players, I hate to say we are getting pantsed. Lets hope they have the right combination in the firsts because this combination is not quick enough or skilled enough. GCS system is much better as well and they run to space and sprint to it.

Having just seen the injury report and noting Johnson has had ankle surgery, I think Will Verral will be a sneaky chance thgis week. GW made the suggestion and now the opportunity arises. Let Jeff or JVR play a key position and have Verral as Max's support.

Love your work GW. I thought Verral had a cracking game last week and hope he gets a chance. IMO he is the 2nd best tap ruckman at the club. RE Sesto was he only throwing balls or allowed to do some running (asking for a friend Jane)

For those who mentioned structure, you are right on the money. Fritch is the only natural forward who moves around. Melk can do this, but in the goalsquare, he tries to outmark players a foot taller than him. There is NO forward who leads up the ground and Fritch always leads to the pocket. Not since Ben Brown have we had a leading forward who runs up the ground and makes space behind him up forward. Regarding Petty, he is a good contested mark, has limited forward craft and never leads, and much the same can be said about JVR, who is a mark and kick, but at least he kicks accurately. Conclusion: why the hell haven't our highly paid brains trust coaching seen this? JVR & Petty cannot both play in the same forward line: Look at MIhoceck who leads up the ground and takes one on ones on the wing. Cameron at Geelong will wander up to the wing for a kick. Naughton runs far and wide as do Curnow and McKay. Petty just doesn't do this and I don't hold that against him as he is a backman. Neither he nor JVR do enough running up and down the ground in my opinion Having watched Jefferson learn his craft over 3 seasons, he at least moves like a forward. He can lead is a reasonable kick but has been stifled by the expectation that he must take pack marks in the square from long bombs. And here is a radical one. Will Verral is a better ruck than either Roo or Petty or Johnson, now the season is shot, play him. Who knows he may even kick a few snags

Well, that was a stinker and Goodwin knows it as refelected in his presser. He cannot be responsible for Stupidity and complete lack of discipline. Melk gives away a 50 metre, Viney is just dumb. May undiciplined and McVee sucked in 30 meters out before the ball goes back to the middle. You cannot coach that level of stupid Melk has had some success on taller backs, but Ratagolea had his best game ever today. Stop trying to take hangers and lead better, still give Jefferson a go for the rest of the year 10 bounces to 3 indicates run and carry, something we don't do or are capable of doing Running to space and putting the ball out in front is different from chip kicking. 42 one percenters to 29. Port were more desperate, tried harder and showed us up. A classic example is Petty racing down the wing has 2 options and kicks to Melk. Rosee busts a gut, spoils Melk, wins the ground ball, and sets up the ball flashing to the other end If you kick continually to the goalsquare where 2 of the best intercept marks are lurking, they will probably outmark you. Especially if you are playing a small forward line. Of course, you can repeatedly do this for the last 2 years just to prove we are slow learners. 16% goal kicking efficiency is never going to end well Even the greatest optimist has to concede that this season is gone. Why did they rush Lever back when TMac was in the form of his life. Now Tommy is loitering on the emergency bench while Lever is just loitering and poking holes in the air. Jefferson has to be allowed to play every remaining game. He leads and is prepared to run up and down the ground. Melk, thanks for your service. Lever and Salo have a break and let's see if there is anyone worthy of a game. Stop playing JVR as a ruckman and let him settle into one role The last 3 weeks have just been so hard to take

6, Max then daylight 5. Pickett 4. Bowie 3. Fritch 2. Howes best game yet 1. Turner