Older demon

Has anyone considered that the coaching staff whilst saying we are still going hard are in fact working towards next year already. This mornings analysts were surprised we went head to head with Brisbane with the run and gun. It looked good and for a half and we moved the ball well, played a good short game and according to Zorko was NOT what they expected from us. It was bruise free footy with minimal tackles and lots of turnovers. They adjusted their game at half time and we didn't resulting in us getting belted in the second half. Consider that the coaches were trying something different and stuck to it all game in contrast to the long kicking game we have tried unsuccessfully. Petty was left on Hipwood and Zorko, Lyons and Neale were left running riot. Our most experienced mid Jones who was playing well was never moved into the centre. Harmes, Brayshaw, Clarry, Viney and at times Trac got their pants pulled down. Even the coach admitted to this and pretty much said he left Viney on Neale all day and lowered his colours. For Lewis to be promoted it would be for a farewell game, Preuss to cover Max and JKH only if he was getting a contract extension. Petty is interesting as he can take a mark but turns the ball over a lot and hasn't quite adjusted to the pace of senior footy. Play him to get games into him but be careful not to destroy his confidence as I note the opposition play through him and his current opponent . WE badly miss Melksham (our most polished mid) Jetta ( best small back) and Lever. I don't see anyone at Casey belting the door down for a game. As for playing kids we already have 3 first year players in the team, Petty in his 2nd year with 6 game and Bull Smith with only 11 games in his time. There was a big investment in youth with Jordan, Chandler, Sparrow, Lockhart and Dunkley coming in this season

Actually Goody didn't make the move. Steven May was shown on vision talking to Frost and getting him to pick up Hipwood, showed some on field leadership. Very slow to react up in the coaches box...

Brisbane are a very polished settled side with a fantastic midfield. 14 of their players have played every game this year. This has allowed them to grow together, be very cohesive and have a very settled line up. We have all known that Hipwood is a gun. In contract Hore, Lockhart and Baker are first year players and Petty in his second year has 5 games to his name. In the last 2 weeks the opposition have played through Petty taking advantage of his inexperience. He is a good mark reads the play well but hasn't got the strength or poise yet and turns it over. Hipwood took him apart in the third and the start of the fourth and if you watch the vision, it was May who asked frosty to go to Hipwood. Poor form from the coaches box to not make the move in the third and idiotic to leave hime there at the start of the last. I also think the long season may be catching up with More and I like Lockhart and bake has a go. Lets not forget Smith has played 11 games and if he was the answer he would have played a lot more than that. Compounding all that our mids got smashed today. Neale, Lyons and Zork tore us to shreds and won so many centre clearances we could easily have lost by a lot more. The deficiencies are plain to see I hope we can recruit to fill them.

6 Salem hits targets 5 May hits targets 4 Jones Best game for the year 3 Viney Never stopped trying 2 Oliver Gets it a lot but treats it like a hot spud 1 Fritch Did some good things and generally kicks well

In a more elegant time ie long ago ageing rovers and mids went to the back pocket. Think Sam Nankervis, who stayed as captain and played 325 games.

OMac not even selected for Casey must be injured

Personal communication from someone involved. Not at liberty to name but it has been mentioned elsewhere

Interesting thoughts and the only reason I can think of is that some senior players still cannot warm to Macca. Don't forget that when Macca came to MFC Daniel Cross was concerned and wanted nothing to do with Macca. His last stint as senior coach did not finish well and that would influence whether you sent Macca to Casey. I do believe he may have done some line coaching at Geelong and the players loved him and his tough love.

With all due respect to the incumbents this is all about leadership and direction. In the last quarter with us threatening (we were within 3 goals) I noticed Pendlebury position himself down back and direct traffic and get involved in the contest. On this day and not for the first time we got nothing from our co-captains. They were invisible and not a presence. Whilst Max is the leader I think we are short on for dynamic follow me leadership. Think Selwood, Pendles, Cotchin, Crips Ziebel and so on who all can impact a game and influence the outcome. Who do we have that fits this description. Before his knee reco last year Lever was a captain in waiting but with 2 ops is not ready to step up Jones has been a great servant but it is time to step down and Viney doesn’t have enough tricks. He can lead in hard ball gets but only has a left foot, cannot kick more than 40 meters and has limitations in his game.

Despite all the extended bench being named at Casey there is no Oscar Mac selected at Casey. Is he injured rather than omitted? Notable that Lewis is selected at half back for Casey. On the news tonight Lever's selection is subject to him getting through training tomorrow. If fit he plays if not he won't be at Casey

He was and always will be the great orator, the reverend. As he said, he loves to tell a story and what I heard in his message to this playing group was a beautiful story. So you have had a bad year, lots of injuries and fallen short of expectation and even last week lost at the bell. Don't look for blame, own it, take responsibility accept the handball and work your way through it. Rather than motivation I felt as a lesson in life. I have no doubt one of the reasons he has lasted longer than any predictions is his dedication to this cause and to fight MND. No matter what life or footy throws at you, face it and work your way through as best you can. It starts for MFC Monday IMO and who better to take on than the Pies. Neale you are an inspiration to us all.

Don't laugh but watching Oscar reminds me very much of a young Brendan Goddard. He is tall, balanced, quick and can kick the ball and hit a target. I remind the group that he was part of the Brisbane academy so they obviously saw something in him. His drop from there coincided with his mom's illness, so maybe it wasn't ability that saw a dip in his form. He may be the best pick up in recent times

Maybe not looking at the longer term. His foot issue is serious and if Jones stands down I think it would be wise to name another co-captain.

My first thought was that he reminded me of Steven Stretch playing on the wing. Tall balanced and quick I hope they persevere with him.

Jack has his deficiencies but he lacks nothing in courage and will to win. His foot is not good and will not get better. He will need to be managed for the remainder of his career however long that may be and I would always have him in my team.

6 Gawn 5 Hunt 4 Harmes 3 Oliver 2 Frost 1. Hore

Fritsch is having the 2nd year blues and doesn't have the game to play down back. He is missing targets and his skill drops when put under pressure. I am sure he will develop into a fine footballer but not down back.

I only wanted the team to show some endeavour and compete as there were some predicting a smashing. No we didn't win but I thought that the best 4 quarter effort for the year. The team took chances and made mistakes but no one can fault the effort. My disappointment is with the established players who just don't stay in the game for long enough. Trac could have been anything tonight but he has a lot of maturing to do in the footy smarts. I loved Maxies game, he was awesome. I loved the run of Hunt and his attack on the ball. Harmes never stops running and Clarry was back running and creating. I was impressed with Marty Hore and noted that Baker shows some poise and speed an. Consider that with so many injuries we have players in the team with limitations but it was TMac, Trac and Garlett who failed in front of goal and they are are go to players. Kennedy rarely misses and two of Shuey's snaps were unbelievable. It was very notable how much better the Eagles field kicking was and ours was horrible. We made the yards and entries by overlap handball and some will not play many more games because they cannot kick. As for the umpires I thought that it was only one who imposed himself on the game, Dean Margetts the other 2 didn't appear to make many decisions it was all Mr W.A. I hope Eddie creates a groundswell of criticism against Margetts a) for pinging Smith for holding the ball and b) for not paying a free for a sling tackle. The scores were level and Smith about to snap for goal.

I wonder if one of our key backs is under a cloud with Petty named in the team and Pruess as an emergency. Wet conditions forecast for Perth. Gee, it is a young team and in the emergencies Pruess & Wagner have some senior experience but Chandler & Sparrow are first year. Will Casey be able to field a team? I suspect emergencies will be on the first flight home Friday night in time for the VFL. Congratulations and good luck to Oskar on his debut

Well done Nathan on achieving 272 games. Nathan showed last night that his best football is still in the middle feeding of Max's taps. Jonesy isn't a winger but gives it all he has but no-one roves to Max as he does. Clarry, Viney and Gus could all learn from Jones on this art. Harmes is IMO the closest to Jones with his reading of the Max tapout. I would rather left sided only, Viney stayed in the forward line and worked on locking the ball in our half

In anyone who is fit and able. Only 6 MFC listed players available for Casey today (and still won). Hibberd definitely out and doubt on Lewis and Melksham doesn’t leave a lot. Only outs are the injuries just for stability Coach loathe to make unforced changes but Pruess was BOG today at Casey.

1. Oliver 2. Salem 3. Melksham 4. Jones 5. Frost 6. Harmes

-At premium members function yesterday the Viney's were guest speakers. Jack referred to Todd as dad, then as the old man and finally started calling him Todd which was funny. Jack was questioned about whether he saw Stack and admitted he did and was happy to take him on. Post-collision was spent crouched on the ground assessing the damage. Todd stated that both May and Lever are ahead of schedule and he expects them back very soon. Jack is hoping to return next week as is Preuss.

Gawn Melksham Brayshaw Stretch Salem Frost

I can add to this story. For the last few years, a mates son Charlie Allen has been the club "Load Manager". What that meant was, he monitored all the players training and health needs, in particular, the GPS units on their backs. He organised blood tests, fitness assessments and whether they were actually doing the work Mission set them. Some stories I cannot tell but Charlie was keeping them honest and kept a keen eye on their activity on and off the field. After the season Charlie was offered fewer hours and eventually let go. He was headhunted by the firm that imports and manages those GPS units as he is one of the few people in Australia with so much experience with the units, their data handling and what it all meant. It was good for Charles as it meant a much better job, greater prospects and more money. He was also good enough to give me all his MFC merchandise, pity we changed sponsors. I have no idea if the club replaced him but his C.V. is impressive and he worked in Canberra with the A.I.S before he came to us and with his number of degrees etc I doubt someone of his expertise would just walk in off the street. It may just be a coincidence but there is enough FUGAZI to suggest some players had a good long Christmas and I ask who was monitoring them as the club no longer lists a "Load Manager" position.