Preview Changes: Round 3 v Essendon

[00Stinger]

May and Lever cost us 3 first round draft picks

So far they have delivered sweet **** all, that is a fact

I have no idea why May was still taking the kickins from FB when he had shanked about 3 in a row, why wasn't Salem given the kick in duties?
While on May, I have no issue with him going for the marks, but what is the point of him doing that if he doesn't take them and they cost us goals?


Lever was pretty ****ing average again, he would want to start showing something for the massive contract we are paying him not to mention the two first rounders we gave up for him

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

He played in the 14 v 14 practise match on the weekend. First game back after injury.

The reserves practice match | All 17 players reviewed

Get up to date with all the details from Saturday’s hit-out

www.melbournefc.com.au

Also, completely off topic, I noticed that the MFC website spelled it 'practice' instead of 'practise'. I would have thought that it was spelt with an 's'... because they were practising. But I may have it wrong.

Yeah... I'm bored and distracted. This working-from-home crap needs to end soon.

Sounds like Lockhart mostly missed senior selection bc of injury which makes sense. Should come back in. Good to hear also that we’re playing Dunkley and Baker as wingers. They’ll probably never make it anywhere anyway so might as well try and develop them to fit specific roles that we don’t want to draft for, maybe they’ll hit their niche there by some miracle.

 

[dee_mac]

He played in the 14 v 14 practise match on the weekend. First game back after injury.

The reserves practice match | All 17 players reviewed

Get up to date with all the details from Saturday’s hit-out

www.melbournefc.com.au

Also, completely off topic, I noticed that the MFC website spelled it 'practice' instead of 'practise'. I would have thought that it was spelt with an 's'... because they were practising. But I may have it wrong.

Yeah... I'm bored and distracted. This working-from-home crap needs to end soon.

Should be about 17 changes on form this week reading that review

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Should be about 17 changes on form this week reading that review

Mitch Brown inside mid.

 

[TheBoss]

May and Lever cost us 3 first round draft picks

So far they have delivered sweet fu** all, that is a fact

I have no idea why May was still taking the kickins from FB when he had shanked about 3 in a row, why wasn't Salem given the kick in duties?
While on May, I have no issue with him going for the marks, but what is the point of him doing that if he doesn't take them and they cost us goals?


Lever was pretty ******* average again, he would want to start showing something for the massive contract we are paying him not to mention the two first rounders we gave up for him

This is the problem.

May and Lever are among the clubs highest paid players.

The football department bring in two KPD on massive coin, as well as 3x 1st round picks, and our backline is still f'n awful!

With the amount Lever is being paid, I'd expect regular BOG performances. He's never been close to BOG once in his career.

 

[Topkent]

May and Lever cost us 3 first round draft picks

So far they have delivered sweet fu** all, that is a fact

I have no idea why May was still taking the kickins from FB when he had shanked about 3 in a row, why wasn't Salem given the kick in duties?
While on May, I have no issue with him going for the marks, but what is the point of him doing that if he doesn't take them and they cost us goals?


Lever was pretty ******* average again, he would want to start showing something for the massive contract we are paying him not to mention the two first rounders we gave up for him

I'm a big fan of May so happy to accept I've got the blinkers with him but I reckon he has played better games for us then Lever. Lever hasnt had a single good game for us I can remember and hasn't influenced marking contests. Mays atleast nullified opponents. Both have alot to pay back thought no doubt.

I don't think our talls have been the issue. We don't concede a heap of marks. Our ground ball defending is atrocious. Teams score of poor entries way too often

 

[Dory_77]

I'm a big fan of May so happy to accept I've got the blinkers with him but I reckon he has played better games for us then Lever. Lever hasnt had a single good game for us I can remember and hasn't influenced marking contests. Mays atleast nullified opponents. Both have alot to pay back thought no doubt.

I don't think our talls have been the issue. We don't concede a heap of marks. Our ground ball defending is atrocious. Teams score of poor entries way too often

Lever had a solid patch before doing his knee in 2018. Not necessarily BOG each week but played as the interceptor really well and had us organised down back for once.
Each has had about a month's worth of good games for us which is shit on both accounts.

Agree that smalls are usually our kryptonite (bar an Oscar v Hawkins situation). We defend ground balls so poorly, partly because everyone flies at a contest and also our reading of the drop is so poor and we give too much space.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

I'd probably wait until they've both played more than a few weeks of consistent footy while fully fit before worrying given how poor our around the ground defensive set up is.

 

[mrmonkey]

Lever looked ok in 2018 until he did his knee. Hasn't really been good since mind you the team as a whole hasn't performed well. Feels like the only player that has shown improvement is petracca. The player's have either stagnated or gone backwards or are falling off a cliff. If we don't so some signs of improvement or reverting to something that resembles 2018 then I feel we have to take action. Look at port they made some tough decisions got rid of players like polec and wingard and refreshed their list.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Lever looked ok in 2018 until he did his knee. Hasn't really been good since mind you the team as a whole hasn't performed well. Feels like the only player that has shown improvement is petracca. The player's have either stagnated or gone backwards or are falling off a cliff. If we don't so some signs of improvement or reverting to something that resembles 2018 then I feel we have to take action. Look at port they made some tough decisions got rid of players like polec and wingard and refreshed their list.

Port refresh their list every year and yet they've still only made finals once since 2014.

 

[00Stinger]

Lever looked ok in 2018 until he did his knee. Hasn't really been good since mind you the team as a whole hasn't performed well.

tbf he was pretty awful his first 4-5 games for Melbourne. He played well v Richmond then had a good game before doing his knee.

Time is still on his side but for what we gave up for him and what we are paying him he would want to improve drastically

 

[00Stinger]

I'm a big fan of May so happy to accept I've got the blinkers with him but I reckon he has played better games for us then Lever. Lever hasnt had a single good game for us I can remember and hasn't influenced marking contests. Mays atleast nullified opponents. Both have alot to pay back thought no doubt.

I don't think our talls have been the issue. We don't concede a heap of marks. Our ground ball defending is atrocious. Teams score of poor entries way too often

May and Lever are the supposed leaders down back, they need to organise the defense better if that is the case

Agree to an extent that May has been better than Lever, but neither has lived up to their price (injuries haven't helped them in that regard to be fair)

I'm harsher on may as he is 28 and should be at his peak, at least Lever is 24 and has more time on his side

On a side note, why the **** was Jetta matched up against McKay for the first half? the ball didn't go down there a hell of a lot which saved us from being severely exposed

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

May and Lever are the supposed leaders down back, they need to organise the defense better if that is the case

Agree to an extent that May has been better than Lever, but neither has lived up to their price (injuries haven't helped them in that regard to be fair)

I'm harsher on may as he is 28 and should be at his peak, at least Lever is 24 and has more time on his side

On a side note, why the fu** was Jetta matched up against McKay for the first half? the ball didn't go down there a hell of a lot which saved us from being severely exposed

Jetta still beat McKay two out of the three times they were 1v1 which I found to be hilarious.

 

[stEdy]

THe DeeS wIlL HaVe No MaTChuP FoR HaRrRry MCCKay

 

[mrmonkey]

Port refresh their list every year and yet they've still only made finals once since 2014.

I'm talking about the last few years. I know port have tried to bring in players like watts and motlop because they probably felt they were close to a premiership. They realised they weren't and have actually recruited well through drafting and got rid of players with currency. Port had 2 reasonable season in 13 and 14 but have been average since but starting to look good again. After 2018 we should be a top 4 team at the moment we are looking bottom 4. I know it's early and a weird 2020 season but how long do we go accepting mediocrity? Until the end of 21? 22? My faith in this playing list is fading. I'm not sure if blaming the coaching staff argument is holding up anymore. I'm sure the coaches aren't telling the players to go into their shells or hack to ball forward.

 

[djpaulydemon]

I'm talking about the last few years. I know port have tried to bring in players like watts and motlop because they probably felt they were close to a premiership. They realised they weren't and have actually recruited well through drafting and got rid of players with currency. Port had 2 reasonable season in 13 and 14 but have been average since but starting to look good again. After 2018 we should be a top 4 team at the moment we are looking bottom 4. I know it's early and a weird 2020 season but how long do we go accepting mediocrity? Until the end of 21? 22? My faith in this playing list is fading. I'm not sure if blaming the coaching staff argument is holding up anymore. I'm sure the coaches aren't telling the players to go into their shells or hack to ball forward.

I empathise with you looking at the performance of our list and coming to the conclusion that it is no good. But if you look at the 22 we put out on the weekend almost every player has played BOG level footy and looked like a solid player in their careers, yet we still can't get the team to click.

You mentioned accepting mediocrity and I think our coaches are the biggest example of that, which in turn filters through the players. Clarkson has no problem calling his team they are fourth rate and Roos would shit on our team when we played badly. The coaches have to take ownership of the players performance but usually you can tell when the team plays differently to the directions with most coaches. The biggest bake Goodwin has given the team is saying we "didn't live up to our brand" and "weren't strong at the contest".

You would think we would start to see some anger or resentment if the coaches were giving clear directions that the players weren't following over and over again. I think the coaches accept mediocrity because their tactical nous and coaching ability is mediocre.

 

[saj_21]

May and Lever cost us 3 first round draft picks

So far they have delivered sweet fu** all, that is a fact

I have no idea why May was still taking the kickins from FB when he had shanked about 3 in a row, why wasn't Salem given the kick in duties?
While on May, I have no issue with him going for the marks, but what is the point of him doing that if he doesn't take them and they cost us goals?


Lever was pretty ******* average again, he would want to start showing something for the massive contract we are paying him not to mention the two first rounders we gave up for him

FFS he dropped one mark, do you think he did it on purpose. Won’t be the first time nor the last time.

Agree on Salem but he is not always on the ground/bear the goals to take the kick ins.

mays kicking was poor on the weekend but his kicking can be a real weapon and he hit some nice kick outs in the preseason

 

[00Stinger]

FFS he dropped one mark, do you think he did it on purpose. Won’t be the first time nor the last time.

Agree on Salem but he is not always on the ground/bear the goals to take the kick ins.

mays kicking was poor on the weekend but his kicking can be a real weapon and he hit some nice kick outs in the preseason

I wouldn't think any player makes a deliberate mistake to be honest so not sure what your point is. Should all players be excused for making mistakes or just the ones you like?

Plenty of pre season specialists, at his price he would want to be doing it in the real stuff

 

[mrmonkey]

I empathise with you looking at the performance of our list and coming to the conclusion that it is no good. But if you look at the 22 we put out on the weekend almost every player has played BOG level footy and looked like a solid player in their careers, yet we still can't get the team to click.

You mentioned accepting mediocrity and I think our coaches are the biggest example of that, which in turn filters through the players. Clarkson has no problem calling his team they are fourth rate and Roos would shit on our team when we played badly. The coaches have to take ownership of the players performance but usually you can tell when the team plays differently to the directions with most coaches. The biggest bake Goodwin has given the team is saying we "didn't live up to our brand" and "weren't strong at the contest".

You would think we would start to see some anger or resentment if the coaches were giving clear directions that the players weren't following over and over again. I think the coaches accept mediocrity because their tactical nous and coaching ability is mediocre.

I actually think the list is in pretty good shape well certainly not bottom 4. I'm not sure if our bad preparation for 2019 was the main reason why we had such a poor season I think this year will tell a better story. I'm not saying the coaching is great eithrr but I am definitely starting to change my mindset. After a bad performance in the past I would mainly lay the blame at the coach but after Saturday I'm thinking more 50/50. We should have been able to stop Carlton and then at least break even should have been a comfortable 20 point win. Will be interesting to see how the year pans out.

 

[Tulip]

FFS he dropped one mark, do you think he did it on purpose. Won’t be the first time nor the last time.

Agree on Salem but he is not always on the ground/bear the goals to take the kick ins.

mays kicking was poor on the weekend but his kicking can be a real weapon and he hit some nice kick outs in the preseason

He dropped the mark but its ok because he usually is good at marks. He shanked the kicks but its ok because he usually kicks well.

Nobody is calling for him to be executed, just rightfully pointing out that he had a shit game and needs to do more to help us turn it around.

 

[Crusty Demon]

May and Lever cost us 3 first round draft picks

So far they have delivered sweet fu** all, that is a fact

I have no idea why May was still taking the kickins from FB when he had shanked about 3 in a row, why wasn't Salem given the kick in duties?
While on May, I have no issue with him going for the marks, but what is the point of him doing that if he doesn't take them and they cost us goals?


Lever was pretty ******* average again, he would want to start showing something for the massive contract we are paying him not to mention the two first rounders we gave up for him

I think part of the problem is that Lever is no good one on one. We paid overs to have him as a third up defender, sweeping in and taking marks. However for this to be effective, OMac has to play or we send TMac back to defence. May and OMac/TMac has to take the best two tall forwards which allows Lever to play the role we got him for. I still think TMac will end up back in defence. I just don't see him working as a forward long term. He's been far too inconsistent since the finals in 2018. TMac/May/Lever defence is solid IMO. Weids simply has to arrive. This will take pressure off TMac. I still think Petty will be a bloody decent tall forward as well.

 

[markm106]

I was surprised.

While stats may look good, you need to actually watch the game and see his decision making an constantly bombing floaters down the throats of Barrass and McGovern in round 1 was unacceptable.

Also i was told due to his brothers death, he probably didn't come back in the best of nick (club fully understand and really supportive) hence why Rivers who got the gig as he turned up in super condition which forced the coaching staff to pick him.

And what an inspired pick that was.

Was going to pretty much say the same. His kicking just hasn’t been right since last year. Before they was a beautiful kick. I pretty sure we’ll see him back in the side this season. But Rivers is stating I the side. Doesn’t look at all out of place.

 

[saj_21]

I wouldn't think any player makes a deliberate mistake to be honest so not sure what your point is. Should all players be excused for making mistakes or just the ones you like?

Plenty of pre season specialists, at his price he would want to be doing it in the real stuff

Rhetorical question really.

He should of marked the ball, but didn’t. The way you keep going on about it, it’s like May ran over your dog.

I can forgive a player for having the right intent but not executing the skill (within reason)

 

[saj_21]

He dropped the mark but its ok because he usually is good at marks. He shanked the kicks but its ok because he usually kicks well.

Nobody is calling for him to be executed, just rightfully pointing out that he had a shit game and needs to do more to help us turn it around.

He was really good round 1, but was poor in round 2. Needs to have a good year after what he served up in 2018.

The decision to mark the ball was the correct one, he just dropped it.

 

[00Stinger]

Rhetorical question really.

He should of marked the ball, but didn’t. The way you keep going on about it, it’s like May ran over your dog.

I can forgive a player for having the right intent but not executing the skill (within reason)

To be fair i had two negative comments about May and Lever on the shitful games they had.

Hardly going on about it

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