Older demon

Well, I didn't like losing, but if that is the way we plan to play, I am sure we will win more than we lose. I can't help feeling we lack a focusing presence up forward. Petty was good, but we got lucky a few times, kicking high and long to Melk & Fritch. Max marking in the goalsquare scares backmen. It is early days, but Kentfield at Casey could be the one. Big, strong, can take a pack mark and takes no prisoners. Culley has been a surprise, but sometimes it is harder playing in a lower team to get a kick. His 2 games have been impressive. Windsor has shown how bad a decision it was to play him down back. He is a mid and adds pace to the midfield, as does Kozzie. Just need to tidy up their disposal. My other take is that 10 disposal nothing games aren't contributing enough, especially if you don't kick goals. Yes I am talking about Chandler & Sparrow. They need to do more and get more involved. It is evident that Goody's game style that won a flag is outdated and you need pace, precise kicking, disciplined structure and run and gun play. P.S. Max is simply awesome.

Gawn Rivers 4. MCDonald 3. Salem 2. Oliver 1. Petty

What has been lost in all the talk of who the HEAD coach will be is that no one has considered who the appointee will have as assistants. Only one poster mentioned Bucks with Sanderson as his tactician. Goodwin and his team were all on the same page with regard to tactics, training, selection etc. Goody did not do all this alone. Yze, when he went to the Tigers, was asked about being the head coach for the first time. He responded that Goody was on the boundary and that he (Yze) was doing all the coaching from the box. With Goody gone, the same coaching team move in and they aren't changing much. The process of the new coach is as much about who the figurehead is as well as who his/her lieutenants will be. Goodwin had Radford, Jones (both relatively inexperienced AFL-level coaches), Bassett, who had been out of the game a while and Jamar as ruck coach. Only Troy Chaplin has been a constant there, and he was moved from the backline to the forward line coach. Include Richardson, the team manager and Griffith as fitness coach, and you have the real scope of the coaching replacement project Newly appointed coaches like to bring in their own team and have to manage (read as deal with)existing coaches bound by contracts. All assistants have to be notified by the end of August if they will be renewed next season. We know Richardson has a year to run. Chocco is out of contract, and I have no idea of the status of the other team members. The combination could be a rookie coach, say Skipworth or Enright, with a new experienced mentor as manager, say Adam Simpson.

Why can't we take the players on face value and see that, as professionals, they can move on quickly? They do it every week. Recovery and review day 1, and move on and plan the next game 2 days later, irrespective of whether we win or lose. They assess and move on. That is what they are trained to do. What we think they are really saying or judging how they feel is more a reflection of our own thoughts and feelings, not theirs. If Max says they have moved on I believe him. I believe that the interim coach, having declared he is not going to apply, has been as open and honest as possible. He isn't going to change much, as it is so late in the season. They may make a few tweeks and have selected a largely unchanged side. Casey played a belter yesterday up north with all of the MFC players showing up. Look at the vision of the players as they announce Adams impending debut. They really don't look like sad, maudlin, woe-is-me victims. 7 of our last 8 quarters have been some of the best football they have played this season. The one shocking quarter has affected us all. I hope they have a red hot go, play good attacking football and start gathering some momentum to take into the pre-season.

Moving on assistants or having them out of contract helps if there is a new coach coming in. The new coach will want to bring their own team of assistants in with them, with a common game plan. Appoint a new coach, let assistants go and bring in the new team. I think there is a deadline in August where assistant coaches must be told if they will be re-employed or if they are to be let go.

After watching bits of the Pies game last night, I made a sigh of relief that we didn't sell the farm for Houston. He must be close to getting dropped, his form is so bad. So glad we got Langford and Lindsay instead

True, but what it did show was if the opposition is off or cannot apply pressure, the kids and the new attacking game plan can be devastating. When was the last time we kicked 10 in a quarter or 21 goals for the game? The week before, for 3 quarters, we played the best footy I have seen all year. The last quarter was bad, but again yesterday they showed it is coming together. Find a tall marking presence up forward and watch where things go, look at how Hawkins, Cameron, Tilthorpe, Walker, Darcy can/could set up the forward structure.

6. Gawn 5. VIney 4. Fritch 3. Oliver 2. Trac 1. Pickett Special mention to Langford and return to form of Windsor, TMac & Turner

Well, Caro is being Caro. The article is titled an OPINION piece, take it for what it is her opinion. The title "The fractured football club behind Melbourne’s eight seconds of madness" is full of statements, not verifiable facts, none of which explain why we stuffed up in the last 8 seconds, which is what the title implied. That loss was poor coaching, poor on-field management and no composure under pressure, which has been there all year. Max admitted that we have lost 5 close games this year because we haven't managed the last 2 minutes. Why doesn't Caro mention that the midfield coach, Nathan Jones (who I don't like criticising), was appointed with no experience or coaching qualifications? Does anyone believe we have improved our midfield or adapted to a new game style? I think this is where a lot of the problems start In my work history, twice I was acting in a vacant, very senior role, as was my director. I resent the implication that temporary or caretaker roles don't get the job done. We achieved more as acting seniors and introduced change without fear of favour. To imply that Chippendale or Green are lame ducks unable to manage because they are temporary is both insulting and bulltish. It does help to know whose contracts are up for renewal, and on performance, I suspect some of those expiring contracts will not be renewed. Goodwin alone is not responsible for every malady this team has suffered. I would defy Caro on the morale bit. Anybody who has attended a player function or meet and greet would see the group are as tight as any team I have seen. They support each other and dare I say it, share the love. Again, a cheap shot from Caro with no supporting evidence. That Steve Smith goes to the trouble of video conferencing in from Europe is a positive in my view. Guerra may not be in the chair, but I bet he is fed in on everything occurring while he he contractually bound to his old post. Keith Thomas shot himself in the foot, posting, and again, there is no evidence that he would be the best fit for the job. Change is coming; that is inevitable. Do we stage the changes, see out contracts and manage the change over a 3-5 year period or throw all the toys out of the sand pit hoping we can change everything overnight? There is rarely ever a quick fix, especially sacking the coach.

Something that has been lost in all the Goody discussion is that (I hate potting Jones), but our midfield is unimaginative and not for the first time thrashed in the last quarter at Marvel. I am not convinced that the move of Chaplin from back to forward coach has worked and Jones, who has never coached before, has not shown me any flair or innovation in that role.

The killer line in today's interview has to be "I feel incredibly supported by the board." The death knell for any coach occurs when the board states that "They have complete confidence in the coach" That statement does not augur well for Simon. Read in today's Age article by Scott Spits, Goodwin feels the blowtorch.

Here is a different take on the state of play. In the AGE today Michael Gleeson wrote what looks like a prepared statement from the board. "Nothing is off the table except Max & Kossi coaches, players are all under scrutiny". The most interesting statement IMO is that" MFC's midfield since 2021 has been Gawn, Trac, Oliver & Viney and remains that way". We only look dynamic with Picket in there, but the new style of centre square and corridor game doesn't suit the Fab 4. Gawn is there till he decides he has had enough, so who of Trac, Oliver & Viney can you play somewhere else? I would suggest the way to determine who goes is the one who will not be able to adapt to a new role with less time in the guts. Trac can play in the forward line, take an overhead mark and if he learns to kick straight, snag a goal or 5. Viney may be the defensive small forward, tackling machine and try to kick a goal, but then that is Chandler's role. I don't think the team can carry both Clayton doesn't kick goals, isn't a very reliable kicker, but is a tackling machine. Can we afford to pay top dollar for this narrow scope of play? Langford, even in his first year, reminds me of Bont and is destined for the midfield. Langdon was supposed to come off the wing and play as an inside mid. He isn't a great kick and doesn't kick many goals. Riv is dynamic enough; Sparrow should have risen to this role, but hasn't. Who is our Butters, Horne-Francis, Crisp, Pendlebury, Holmes, B. Smith, Merret, Ed Richards, Heeney, Gulden, Tom Green, McCluggage, Jordan Dawson, Josh Daicos? Only Pickett stands up in this company. Trac stays, Clayton is expendable and for Viney or Chin

I think there are 2 messages in Brad's letter dressed up in a lot of waffle. First of his message is "In the last 24 hours, many of you have voiced your disappointment and anger. We understand it and we acknowledge it. " I know from friends working at the club that answering the phone or sifting through the avalanche of emails on the Monday after a bad loss (Sundays comes under that classification). The office staff cop all the vitriol and emotionally charged emails. Brad has acknowledged this, and the hidden message is, please stop. FWIW I wrote a letter addressed to the board and Brad and sent the PDF as an attachment. They have my contact details and maybe even respond to it. I kept it polite and civil. The second message was "I also want to address a serious matter that occurred yesterday. Following the game, the club became aware of an online post directed at our Senior Coach, Simon Goodwin.....what Simon was subjected to was totally unacceptable. No one in our game should ever be made to question their safety as a result of coming to work to do their job." The president is making a statement that no one should be threatened or disrespected at work, and criticism comes with the job. These are the only 2 messages I got from this email

Well, an apology would have been nice. A sincere apology acknowledging that yesterday was unacceptable and continues a run of losing close games. At least Max fronted up on the radio and took ownership and explained some of what went on, especially the 6-6-6 stuff up. I would prefer he kept his powder dry until after tonights board meeting and had a harder edge than we aren't where we would like to be.

Gawn outstanding game and must be tired of carrying this team on his shoulders Viney 16 tackles today Rivers Fritch Chandler Oliver

From the injury report, Sestan copped a serious facial injury at training last week. Does anyone know what happened? Ghosty, did you know Ollie needed surgery?

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