Older demon

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

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