Melbourne will be invincible in 2023, or maybe not

[Dry Rot]

With the recruitment of Grundy, Hunter and their biggest signing Shache, there were some high hopes for Melbourne amongst their fans in 2023.

But this season hasn't quite turned out that way.

I know they have been missing Oliver but otherwise they are pretty complete, but now they're going to miss their best forward Bayley Fritsch for most of the season. https://www.afl.com.au/news/963114/surgery-outs-dees-forward-until-finals-better-news-for-clarry

Is it just me, or does anyone else think Melbourne has been just a bit off of this season and far from invincible?

[Dry Rot]

Oops, posted this in the wrong place.

Can the modes please move this to the AFL Board?

[MrMahatma]

Not their usual selves but still above us on the ladder.

[D Mitchell]

I'll bite, DR. Cordy and Schache in the 2s ? What are Melbourne thinking ? Perhaps they spot that Baker's demoted. No wonder they are just clinging on by their toenails.

[Sedat]

Melbourne are basically 2/3rds of an invincible premiership team. Their work in D50 and midfield is first rate but everything falls apart in their F50 - connection into F50, retention of the ball inside F50 and conversion of opportunities once inside F50 are all worst in the competition or close to it. It will cost them any chance for a premiership push this season if they don't find a solution.

[jeemak]

Melbourne are basically 2/3rds of an invincible premiership team. Their work in D50 and midfield is first rate but everything falls apart in their F50 - connection into F50, retention of the ball inside F50 and conversion of opportunities once inside F50 are all worst in the competition or close to it. It will cost them any chance for a premiership push this season if they don't find a solution.

It really sucked that we got them when it was all clicking in 2021.

Anyway, I can't figure them out at the moment. Everything you say is right, but with a bit more discipline or better coaching, or more commitment do they pull it together? I've seen worse forward combinations do more than they do.

They have two very good/ elite medium/ small forwards in Butthead and Pickett, is it coaching that holds them back or talent?

[Grantysghost]

Melbourne are basically 2/3rds of an invincible premiership team. Their work in D50 and midfield is first rate but everything falls apart in their F50 - connection into F50, retention of the ball inside F50 and conversion of opportunities once inside F50 are all worst in the competition or close to it. It will cost them any chance for a premiership push this season if they don't find a solution.

That's it. Always been their weakness. What they'd give for Marra And Darcy.
Fritsch out will really hurt they need to cobble together a functioning forward line or this season will be another missed opportunity.

[GVGjr]

They're missing Clarry and now Fritsch but are capable of some great footy. Too early to write them off.

[Boots]

I have a significant and unreasonable dislike of Goodwin based on two unrelated data points, both of which are more hearsay than evidence. First, apparently he told a Melbourne fan in a coffee queue in early 2021 that they'd win it that year. Second, he apparently gambles with his players, which strikes me as poor leadership on a number of levels. He reads to me as an arrogant and dislikeable man, and his players seem to have adopted his arrogance (see Steven May's comments to Melksham before the punchup). I also really don't like Petracca, also because of his arrogance. Before he'd achieved anything at all he gave an interview talking about how he thought he would be the best in the league one day. I suspect people (including Petracca himself) over-rate Petracca and severely under-rate Clarry, and I think it's because Petracca is roughly good-looking and Clarry looks like a potato.

Anyway, I am quite enjoying their slide.

I will say that on paper they look awfully similar to us in terms of the sheer number of forward 50 entries required to score, and our defence isn't as good. But I am extremely hopeful our forward stocks click as theirs slide, and we move above them on the ladder.

[bornadog]

Melbourne have lost 4 of the last 6 matches.

[macca]

The thing i like about this is their premiership window is slipping

To have a chance of getting to GF, a lot of moving partd need tobbe any teams favour and a little luck .

[mjp]

Anyway, I am quite enjoying their slide.



I'm 100% with you on so many levels but they're still ahead of us.

I'm on the "lose, Melbourne, lose" band-wagon and I 100% get bad kicking is bad footy BUT they have been a touch unlucky...and without a 70m goal from Josh Kelly last week was a win...

[Mofra]

Oliver is their best player, and he'll get back for finals. No way I'd write them off of he's any chance of playing finals, which it looks like he is

[bornadog]

Oliver is their best player, and he'll get back for finals. No way I'd write them off of he's any chance of playing finals, which it looks like he is

Came off the training track today again he is in trouble with his hammy

[bulldogtragic]

Don’t feel sorry for them. Freo imploding has them right now getting for Jackson (& picks 44 & 67):

Pick 13 last year, Picks 5 & 23 this year.

Outrageous return for Melbourne. Outrageous. **** Melbourne.

Edit: They could even go 5, 15-18 & 23 for Pick 1… (maybe add Melbourne’s F1 for WCE F2)… turn a late first, picks 44 & 67, & Jackson into Pick 1 & Pick 13.

Barass & 37, 55 - to us for Pick 12 & Pick 34. Then WCE hit the draft with current Picks 5, 12, 15, 19 (1st on night 2), 23, 34, 35 & 53 / they need this and not Naughton.

[Grantysghost]

Don’t feel sorry for them. Freo imploding has them right now getting for Jackson (& picks 44 & 67):

Pick 13 last year, Picks 5 & 23 this year.

Outrageous return for Melbourne. Outrageous. **** Melbourne.

And he's been lamentable.

[bulldogtragic]

And he's been lamentable.

I updated the post. They should make a play for Pick 1 now.

[Dry Rot]

Not too flash tonight so far.

[bulldogtragic]

Make that, Melbourne getting picks 4, 13 & 22 for Jackson. Outrageous trade for them.

[Grantysghost]

Make that, Melbourne getting picks 4, 13 & 22 for Jackson. Outrageous trade for them.

What a deal. Freo are a joke.

I hate the idea of gambling with your future picks.

I get at the time they probably thought they'd finish higher, and Jackson looked like a good get.

Bloody Melbourne!

[bulldogtragic]

What a deal. Freo are a joke.

I hate the idea of gambling with your future picks.

I get at the time they probably thought they'd finish higher, and Jackson looked like a good get.

Bloody Melbourne!

I know. Top 4 and right now they have picks 4, 15, 22 & 33.

They could try to trade up to Pick 1. Pursue big name trades or just plunder the top end of a strong draft. They seem perpetually kissed on the **** in recent times.

[Grantysghost]

Anyone else get the feeling these guys are primed to win the flag.
Just feel like they're hitting their straps, got Oliver to come back, Petty is the long lost key forward, Van Rooyen is there as the second kpf.....

It's all coming together.

If I was a betting man. Demons for sure.

[JanLorMill]

Anyone else get the feeling these guys are primed to win the flag.
Just feel like they're hitting their straps, got Oliver to come back, Petty is the long lost key forward, Van Rooyen is there as the second kpf.....

It's all coming together.

If I was a betting man. Demons for sure.
Not sure 1 game makes Petty their lost forward.
They are in with show but they still have vulnerabilities.

[Grantysghost]

Not sure 1 game makes Petty their lost forward.
They are in with show but they still have vulnerabilities.

If you've got money to bet... Throw it on the dees!

[azabob]

Anyone else get the feeling these guys are primed to win the flag.
Just feel like they're hitting their straps, got Oliver to come back, Petty is the long lost key forward, Van Rooyen is there as the second kpf.....

It's all coming together.

If I was a betting man. Demons for sure.

Yep. I’m trying to steel myself for it.

Funnily enough I think Brisbane are still a red hot shot for it also.

[jeemak]

I have real doubts about both of Collingwood and Port to win a prelim. Neither seem like they are grinding teams that will find a way if some of their major tools are taken away from them.

For instance, if a midfield like ours decided to get super physical and committed to stopping Port's midfielders I think they'd lose a lot of their edge. Our guys have beaten a more mature midfield brigade in a prelim on their own deck, does this new incarnate have the resilience to keep escalating effort and aggression?

As much as I don't trust our guys to be capable in those areas consistently, they've at least demonstrated they can do it in consecutive cut throat finals.

Collingwood has the defence, and experienced movers who can take initiative and really attack back to front half. But I struggle to see how their forward line gets it done. We of all supporters know what happens in tight high-pressure games with prime scoring avenues being less than 190cm.

There's something unfinished about Melbourne and I think they can get both of Port and Collingwood. They have their forward issues but are dour enough to fight it out.

[dog town]

It’s an open year, a weak year in my opinion. Melbourne in the box seat with a great list, reasonably healthy and guys that go up a cog under pressure. Doesn’t take much at this time of year to knock you around so pretty hard to predict.

[Grantysghost]

Fritsch and Oliver to come back as well.

[bulldogtragic]

Fritsch and Oliver to come back as well.

And they get rewarded with picks 4, 18 & 23 which could trade them up to Harley Reid as the cherry on top.

I’m not looking forward to seeing what they can do.

If they win it, the pick for Schache (after compo picks) will have NO draft points. Becoming utterly useless…

[bornadog]

Big test this week against Carlton.

[mjp]

For instance, if a midfield like ours decided to get super physical and committed to stopping Port's midfielders I think they'd lose a lot of their edge.

Umm...chances of that actually happening??

[1eyedog]

Anyone else get the feeling these guys are primed to win the flag.
Just feel like they're hitting their straps, got Oliver to come back, Petty is the long lost key forward, Van Rooyen is there as the second kpf.....

It's all coming together.

If I was a betting man. Demons for sure.

Petty is legit now long lost in the truest sense of the word!

[Mantis]

Umm...chances of that actually happening??

There’s a first time for everything!

[jeemak]

Umm...chances of that actually happening??

I don't mean put on a hard tag, rather, just raise the level and work them over.

We're capable of doing it. For instance, if the midfield showed up with the intent it did in the semi against Brisbane then I'd be confident that Port's midfield would have issues with it.

[bornadog]

"Melbourne has rewarded Simon Goodwin with a two-year contract extension through until the end of the 2026 season. Big show of faith from the Demons in their 2021 premiership coach who has taken the group to three successive top 4 finishes."

[bulldogtragic]

Back to back straight sets, and no doubt Grundy demands a trade. Probably not how their fans saw this year ending.

[Sedat]

Back to back straight sets, and no doubt Grundy demands a trade. Probably not how their fans saw this year ending.
Gawn got a real going over from Pittonet and De Koning. He really could have used a chop-out in the ruck tonight.

[bulldogtragic]

Gawn got a real going over from Pittonet and De Koning. He really could have used a chop-out in the ruck tonight.

Could’ve pinched hit Schache, but they didn’t activate him?!?!

[azabob]

Gawn got a real going over from Pittonet and De Koning. He really could have used a chop-out in the ruck tonight.

He was overwhelmed early against Collingwood also

[bornadog]

Back to back straight sets, and no doubt Grundy demands a trade. Probably not how their fans saw this year ending.

Feel sorry for Grundy, Collingwood dumped him because of their inability to manage the salary cap, then Melbourne promise him the world and don't play him

[azabob]

Feel sorry for Grundy, Collingwood dumped him because of their inability to manage the salary cap, then Melbourne promise him the world and don't play him

Grundy and his manager were extremely naive and deserve half the blame.

[bulldogtragic]

Feel sorry for Grundy, Collingwood dumped him because of their inability to manage the salary cap, then Melbourne promise him the world and don't play him

Sydney will get him very, very motivated. I think he will be an excellent pick up.

[Sedat]

Melbourne have as much elite talent as Richmond did during their dynasty, probably even more. They thought after their flag in Perth that they would have a coronation at the MCG end route to multiple flags. Instead they are 0-4 in finals at the home of footy.

[Grantysghost]

Melbourne have as much elite talent as Richmond did during their dynasty, probably even more. They thought after their flag in Perth that they would have a coronation at the MCG end route to multiple flags. Instead they are 0-4 in finals at the home of footy.
Their president said after 21 that the players won’t feel like premiership players until they win one at the G.

Totally agree.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Melbourne have as much elite talent as Richmond did during their dynasty, probably even more. They thought after their flag in Perth that they would have a coronation at the MCG end route to multiple flags. Instead they are 0-4 in finals at the home of footy.

Try saying that without grinning ear to ear. Spoiler - you can't!

[bornadog]

Melbourne have as much elite talent as Richmond did during their dynasty, probably even more. They thought after their flag in Perth that they would have a coronation at the MCG end route to multiple flags. Instead they are 0-4 in finals at the home of footy.

Their issue is a tall marking forward. McDonald was useless again tonight.

[bulldogtragic]

Melbourne have as much elite talent as Richmond did during their dynasty, probably even more. They thought after their flag in Perth that they would have a coronation at the MCG end route to multiple flags. Instead they are 0-4 in finals at the home of footy.

They need to make a stupid offer to a Naughton type tall forward. Offer up 5, 13-14, 24 & F1. They need a genuine target and should go all in before their window shuts.

[G-Mo77]

Their issue is a tall marking forward. McDonald was useless again tonight.

What happened to Ben Brown?

[jazzadogs]

Their president said after 21 that the players won’t feel like premiership players until they win one at the G.

Totally agree.

A final?

[jazzadogs]

Melbourne have as much elite talent as Richmond did during their dynasty, probably even more. They thought after their flag in Perth that they would have a coronation at the MCG end route to multiple flags. Instead they are 0-4 in finals at the home of footy.

It really feels like they're wasting the Petracca years.

[bornadog]

What happened to Ben Brown?

Not sure, he is still on their list

[Sedat]

Their issue is a tall marking forward. McDonald was useless again tonight.
Richmond won a flag with Riewoldt and 5 midgets up forward. No excuses whatsoever for Melbourne - they have absolute superstars everywhere.

[Sedat]

What happened to Ben Brown?
He stopped getting free kicks just for being unco

[josie]

What happened to Ben Brown?

Injured (knee), listed on their website as ?test? so possibly could have played tonight but with amount of time he has not played was unlikely.

[Dry Rot]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think Melbourne has been just a bit off of this season and far from invincible?

Excellent prescient OP from July.

Who is this footy expert?

[MrMahatma]

Yet they played 2 weeks longer than us and lost both finals on aggregate by 2 points more than we lost to West Coast.

I hate Melbourne. I do.

They did sooooo much better than us this season.

[Dry Rot]

Yet they played 2 weeks longer than us and lost both finals on aggregate by 2 points more than we lost to West Coast.

I hate Melbourne. I do.

They did sooooo much better than us this season.

Not really the point of the OP. It wasn't comparing them to us. We know we are rubbish.

[Scraggers]

I still don't understand the Schache Sub thing ... it doesn't make sense. He's not a player with great versatility. Can't play back or in the guts. And then don't even use him??

[ledge]

Melbourne have underachieved massively the last 5 years with the list they have . I think they will start to drop away after tonight.
I thought we had bad forward structure but they make ours look superb.

[dog town]

The whole underachieving thing is very subjective but I will say their recruiters and off field team rarely miss, it would be a great job to have as a coach. Still I find it incredibly harsh on a coach when we say they have no forwards and it’s a great list in the same sentence.

It’s the same sentiment as Bevo has a top 4 list followed by comments that we have no defenders, no small forwards, no outside run, our ruckmen is timid, our mids are all one paced, the tall forwards don’t take marks and we have no wingers. It’s small margins for a coach and most lists have some gaping holes even in supporters eyes.

[ledge]

The whole underachieving thing is very subjective but I will say their recruiters and off field team rarely miss, it would be a great job to have as a coach. Still I find it incredibly harsh on a coach when we say they have no forwards and it’s a great list in the same sentence.

It’s the same sentiment as Bevo has a top 4 list followed by comments that we have no defenders, no small forwards, no outside run, our ruckmen is timid, our mids are all one paced, the tall forwards don’t take marks and we have no wingers. It’s small margins for a coach and most lists have some gaping holes even in supporters eyes.

I believe we have a very good list too but it doesn’t automatically win games . It’s the structure and how you bring out the best in the players and that’s the coaches job .
We didn’t have a great list in 2016 but we won through the coaches instilling belief and using the players in the best way that suited the list .
Two ways a coach can go . Play a game plan to suit the list you have or build a list to suit your game plan.
Melbourne’s forward line is extremely talented but they have wasted shots on goal and the delivery into it them had been shocking ( sound familiar )
Us and Melbourne under achieved for the same reason and it’s not the talent that is the problem it’s the way the coaches don’t connect from mid to forward .
Both teams forwards run into each other . Geelongs two big forwards don’t .

[macca]

Glad melbourne lost . They have wasted another year with the list they have. They are crying out for a big strong ANGRY forward, Schache 2024 is your year.

[G-Mo77]

I still don't understand the Schache Sub thing ... it doesn't make sense. He's not a player with great versatility. Can't play back or in the guts. And then don't even use him??

My guess is that Gawn was close to missing and would have came on if he went down? Seriously it's the only thing I can come up with. McDonald absolutely doing nothing you'd think Schache would have came on

[GVGjr]

Grundy and his manager were extremely naive and deserve half the blame.

A strange decision no doubt but Melbourne must have been convincing in their sales pitch.

[GVGjr]

What happened to Ben Brown?

Injuries really hampered him this year

[azabob]

A strange decision no doubt but Melbourne must have been convincing in their sales pitch.

A couple of weekends ago I watched the afl trade doco on Stan. Grundy was a central figure in it. His arrogant management team jokingly said just imagine during finals Grundy is playing VFL.

What is even more damning is that Melbourne already tried and failed with the Gawn forward experiment when Braydon Pruess went from North to Melbourne with exactly the promise they gave Grundy.

[Grantysghost]

How do we rate Burgess and his fitness program?

Since he went to Crows, Demons can't overwhelm for as long imo.

God we should throw the sink at him, although I think he's from SA so will be hard to pry him out.

[jazzadogs]

I think they win if Grundy plays ahead of McDonald.

[Grantysghost]

Btw Lachie Hunter somehow is now an elite kick.

[jazzadogs]

Btw Lachie Hunter somehow is now an elite kick.

One of his best games in the last 2 or 3 years. He was excellent for them (and has been very good all year tbf).

[GVGjr]

How do we rate Burgess and his fitness program?

Since he went to Crows, Demons can't overwhelm for as long imo.

God we should throw the sink at him, although I think he's from SA so will be hard to pry him out.

This year it started to become more evident to me that some teams had an edge on us in terms of fitness so we probably can't underestimate the importance of the head of fitness position at clubs. Dee's have slipped back to the field just a bit.

[jeemak]

Btw Lachie Hunter somehow is now an elite kick.


One of his best games in the last 2 or 3 years. He was excellent for them (and has been very good all year tbf).

It's amazing what you can achieve when you knuckle down and feel you have to prove yourself.

What we need from all of our players is an urgency to keep proving themselves. They seem way too comfortable.

[GVGjr]

It's amazing what you can achieve when you knuckle down and feel you have to prove yourself.

What we need from all of our players is an urgency to keep proving themselves. They seem way too comfortable.

Spot on, we need to put some players on notice so they don't take things for granted and become somewhat complacent.

[Grantysghost]

One of his best games in the last 2 or 3 years. He was excellent for them (and has been very good all year tbf).

Yes had a great year. Been better than Langdon.

[Grantysghost]

It's amazing what you can achieve when you knuckle down and feel you have to prove yourself.

What we need from all of our players is an urgency to keep proving themselves. They seem way too comfortable.

Competition for spots is a way to achieve this.

Problem is we were so borderline all year we couldn't or wouldn't take a risk with dropping bigger names.

Macrae for Khamis for eg.

It's one thing Rafa Benetiz believes in and it always stuck with me.

You have to create a culture where that's OK though, where success is evident through this method otherwise players will sad up and leave.

[jeemak]

Competition for spots is a way to achieve this.

Problem is we were so borderline all year we couldn't or wouldn't take a risk with dropping bigger names.

Macrae for Khamis for eg.

It's one thing Rafa Benetiz believes in and it always stuck with me.

You have to create a culture where that's OK though, where success is evident through this method otherwise players will sad up and leave.

Not sure I drop a guy who's sacrificed his A-game for the benefit of the team (more so to meet the wants of a midfield coach to practice a lack of diversity), but I take the point and it's a good one.

Solid depth was a major boon for us in 2016 and in some respects 2021. Talk about Bevo being a great motovator all you like, the players knew that someone was in the wings waiting to take their spots if they didn't perform.

[Grantysghost]

Not sure I drop a guy who's sacrificed his A-game for the benefit of the team (more so to meet the wants of a midfield coach to practice a lack of diversity), but I take the point and it's a good one.

Solid depth was a major boon for us in 2016 and in some respects 2021. Talk about Bevo being a great motovator all you like, the players knew that someone was in the wings waiting to take their spots if they didn't perform.

It wasn't a great example by me.

I guess we did drop Lobb, and it worked.

[Grantysghost]

Talk about rubbing it in MCG

https://i.postimg.cc/mDCJNKz9/Screenshot-20230916-105246-2.png (https://postimg.cc/yg6L7QT6)

[Testekill]

The Melbourne defence is going to collapse the instant May starts to fall off. Lever is very protected by May being elite and Salem has been exposed since 2021 much like JJ was.

[EasternWest]

Their issue is a tall marking forward. McDonald was useless again tonight.

Not enough red meat and misogyny.

[Testekill]

Their issue is a tall marking forward. McDonald was useless again tonight.
Baffles the mind that they didn't chase Lobb.

[bornadog]

Baffles the mind that they didn't chase Lobb.

Not sure why McDonald was picked over Grundy. Grundy in ruck for stints and Gawn up forward. Even Griundy up there would have kept Weitering busy. bad coaching.

[Grantysghost]

Ron Barrassi has died.

Sad news.

[Happy Days]

Not enough red meat and misogyny.

He needs to move on to prescription pain killers like his mate Jordan.

[Twodogs]

They need to make a stupid offer to a Naughton type tall forward. Offer up 5, 13-14, 24 & F1. They need a genuine target and should go all in before their window shuts.

I think that while Goodwin is coach their window is well and truly shut. In 2021 they ran over the top of an exhasted team that had played all over the country in the previous month. Instead of thinking "we were bloody fortunate to get them when we did" they carried on like they just had to remember what ground they had to be at to chalk up a threepeat.

[Sedat]

It wasn't all bad news for Melbourne this weekend. One of their young key forward draft picks from a few years ago had 8 scoring shots en route to a match winning finals performance.

[Grantysghost]

It wasn't all bad news for Melbourne this weekend. One of their young key forward draft picks from a few years ago had 8 scoring shots en route to a match winning finals performance.

Oh what they'd give for Hogan now.

Btw Sedat, you still in Port ;)

[Sedat]

Oh what they'd give for Hogan now.

Btw Sedat, you still in Port ;)
That bandwagon has gone the same way as the Ed Barlow one

[Grantysghost]

That bandwagon has gone the same way as the Ed Barlow one

Thought butters was good last night, however Rozee couldn't get rolling.

As for Wines, can you believe that guy beat the Bont for a Brownlow!

[macca]

Thought butters was good last night, however Rozee couldn't get rolling.

As for Wines, can you believe that guy beat the Bont for a Brownlow!
Yes I can as the A#&@!FFL hate us
Bonts robbed of rising star gave to lewis Taylor (???? Where is he now ??? )

What did Wines do that year he won the brownlow ???

[Dry Rot]

Thought butters was good last night, however Rozee couldn't get rolling.

As for Wines, can you believe that guy beat the Bont for a Brownlow!

I thought Wines was injured and not playing. Didn't sight him all night.

[G-Mo77]

Yes I can as the A#&@!FFL hate us
Bonts robbed of rising star gave to lewis Taylor (???? Where is he now ??? )

What did Wines do that year he won the brownlow ???

Bont has a Premiership medal. The other 2 will be trivia questions which no one will know the answer.

[bornadog]

DEES AND GOODWIN SLAMMED FOR ?CRAZY? SCHACHE SUB CALL IN SEMI FINAL LOSS (https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/09/18/dees-and-goodwin-slammed-for-crazy-schache-sub-call-in-semi-final-loss/)

extract from article - full story in link:

?That's one of the worst pre-game coaching decisions that we've seen for a long time.

?Why play a guy that you don't trust to bring on as your sub? Or not play a guy because you don't think he's going to be adding much? That?s crazy stuff to me.

?We?ll see if anyone says anything about that, but I think that's one of the key elements of that last eight or nine minutes.

?Melbourne didn't have a sub to bring on with fresh legs like Carlton did.

?It was 22 versus 23.?

[jazzadogs]

DEES AND GOODWIN SLAMMED FOR ?CRAZY? SCHACHE SUB CALL IN SEMI FINAL LOSS (https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/09/18/dees-and-goodwin-slammed-for-crazy-schache-sub-call-in-semi-final-loss/)

extract from article - full story in link:

?That's one of the worst pre-game coaching decisions that we've seen for a long time.

?Why play a guy that you don't trust to bring on as your sub? Or not play a guy because you don't think he's going to be adding much? That?s crazy stuff to me.

?We?ll see if anyone says anything about that, but I think that's one of the key elements of that last eight or nine minutes.

?Melbourne didn't have a sub to bring on with fresh legs like Carlton did.

?It was 22 versus 23.?

It was unbelievable. Even if you were playing a tall as the sub because of questions over Gawn, wouldn't it be Grundy?

The game definitely would have been different if they could have subbed off McDonald for a runner.

I don't rate Goodwin at all highly.

[mjp]

?It was 22 versus 23.?

They kicked 9.17.

Did anyone watch the game? Melbourne were DOMINATING that last quarter sub or no-sub...and kicked 5-points in a row.

Definitely pile on to Goodwin but piling hate on because of the sub? If Voss watch such a genius and Hollands so good, why didn't he put him in the starting 22.

[jeemak]

Yeah a bit of extra run wouldn't have straightened up the kicking. Melbourne did what we've done in the past, burned opportunities only to be punished by more efficient opposition.

Simple as that.

[macca]

Melbourne was terrible wasteful and it was a pleasure to watch them lose and the supporters on the ground lamenting .

I do feel sorry for Schache , his could become the whippling boy for their supporters through no fault of his own.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

A better question is why did they bother with McDonald?

[Rocket Science]

DEES AND GOODWIN SLAMMED FOR ?CRAZY? SCHACHE SUB CALL IN SEMI FINAL LOSS (https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/09/18/dees-and-goodwin-slammed-for-crazy-schache-sub-call-in-semi-final-loss/)

extract from article - full story in link:

?That's one of the worst pre-game coaching decisions that we've seen for a long time.

?Why play a guy that you don't trust to bring on as your sub? Or not play a guy because you don't think he's going to be adding much? That?s crazy stuff to me.

?We?ll see if anyone says anything about that, but I think that's one of the key elements of that last eight or nine minutes.

?Melbourne didn't have a sub to bring on with fresh legs like Carlton did.

?It was 22 versus 23.?

"Dwayne Russell can't wrap his head around ..." is a certainly a bold opening if the intention is that you keep reading.

Finger crossed this is a recurring series.

[MrMahatma]

Max’s touch on the line and missed shots hurt.

On the couch they showed that Gawn (worst), Viney (3rd worst) and Oliver (7th worst) kick efficiency in the league!

[jazzadogs]

Max’s touch on the line and missed shots hurt.

On the couch they showed that Gawn (worst), Viney (3rd worst) and Oliver (7th worst) kick efficiency in the league!

Gawn worst kick efficiency, but also ranks highest in the comp for 'gobsmacked looks after the umpire pays a free kick against them'.

[EasternWest]

Gawn worst kick efficiency, but also ranks highest in the comp for 'gobsmacked looks after the umpire pays a free kick against them'.

That's gold Jerry. Gold.

[bornadog]

Gawn worst kick efficiency, but also ranks highest in the comp for 'gobsmacked looks after the umpire pays a free kick against them'.

My wife calls him the over grown Gnome with that look.

[jeemak]

My wife calls him the over grown Gnome with that look.

Mrs BAD. That's the best moniker of all time.