Forum topic

Yeah. Not entirely sure what to say either. We've discussed the poor goalkicking at length in previous weeks. Defence on turnover was also a huge problem today. Since you mention winning the ball in the middle, I decided to take a look at the clearance numbers. I'd had the impression we were losing the clearances more often in recent weeks, so I checked to see if the numbers back that up (I think they somewhat do, but it was a problem early as well, with some improvement midseason).

We've lost the clearances in 9 of the 17 games we've played so far,  in rounds 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 15, 17, 19, 20. Two of those games - round 8 against Geelong and round 19 vs Preston - we won anyway. We have just had a run of 5 games in which we've lost the clearances 4 times (the exception, oddly enough, being the game against Frankston that was also our biggest loss of the season). Perhaps fitness is an issue there, and that will hopefully improve with another preseason under McCartney. But it is also true that our longest streak of winning clearances was only 3 games long (rounds 12-14).

Our biggest clearance losses are -9 in round 4 against Essendon, -8 in round 15 against Williamstown, and -10 in round 17 against Gold Coast. So we've also had two of our biggest clearance losses in the past 5 games, though one came very early in the season.

It's interesting since the midfield has some of our best players. I'm guessing that Heppell, Hird, Hooper, and Lazzaro will be top 4 in the best and fairest - not sure in what order (I just listed them alphabetically here) - and they've all spent a fair bit of time in the midfield (Hooper and Lazzaro for just about the entire season, Hird since the North Melbourne game in round 12, and Heppell for a number of games as well). But although Hird has improved a lot as a midfielder he's not a big clearance player and often does seem to be used more defensively at the centre bounces and stoppages (he's been tackling well in recent weeks - 11 today). And my impression is that Lazzaro's biggest impact with clearances came earlier in the season, although I think his overall impact has increased again in recent weeks. Green has had some big games for clearances but hasn't been as consistent overall as the four I just mentioned.

Our lack of composure in key moments was really on display with the whole chain of events that began with Archi Manton having a free kick that should have been a shot at goal from the boundary when we were up by a goal about 18-19 minute into the fourth and inexplicably deciding to kick out to the 50 metre line and ended with Coburg getting the ball to a forward out in space who then scored a goal to tie the game. I don't entirely want to single out Manton when he was far from the only one who made mistakes even in that particular sequence of play (Lazzaro kicking it less than 15 so that Heppell had to get rid of it straightaway, Hird not finding an option quickly enough and getting caught, a number of players failing to lock down the loose ball after Coburg kicked to a contest and didn't get a mark, nobody being on the Coburg forward who marked and kicked the goal...), but at the same time I really have no idea what he was thinking not taking the shot or even kicking to the top of the square.

So many of the losses have been very winnable games, which makes next season difficult to predict. I recall Mega saying in another thread that McCartney wasn't expecting many list changes, but it will be very interesting to see what changes are made.

(edited to add:) Does anyone know how bad Fraser Rosman's knee injury is?

If Frankston beat Brisbane next week they finish fourth and a coveted double chance. Williamstown must beat Richmond if they are to replace coburg. Seagulls have lost 4 straight. With Richmond afl playing in Hobart they will take an extra 2 players as emergencies. Williamstown fresh and coming off a bye should win at home. Interesting last round coming up. Port Melbourne will beat Collingwood. I'll be tipping the borough. Box hill if loses to Casey will drop to second. Don't want any afl winning the flag this year. Would rather Frankston, Williamstown, coburg or Southport. The dolphins are a serious threat and can go all the way. Might be worth a bet. Today's coburg v port Melbourne clash was a great game. Coburg lifted last 15min. Port Melbourne were looking good early in the last quarter but were beaten by a more desperate coburg. In 2027 the old VFA turns 150. Think it's high time it was recognised with an official formal function. Plenty of time to organise. Watch this space. All old VFA clubs past and present to be represented. Time to plan now for 2027. With past and current players, officials, supporters and vfa followers from all eras. I'd be very confident to fill up crown palladium. There was around 900 for both Williamstown and port Melbourne team of the century dinners. I went to both. Clubs like Camberwell, Geelong west, Yarraville, oakleigh etc do have past players functions, facebook pages, meetings. Easy to organise and get hold of many of the old VFA clubs. 

Frankston paying $21 for the flag......I don't want to invoke the mozz, but am thinking I need to put a few bucks down. Possible serious knee injury to Blake O'Leary yesterday is going to hurt if as bad as it seemed. Dolphins showed some real character against a desperate North team who jumped us, then kept coming back at us all day long. Game was in dispute until the 30 minute mark, but the Dolphs were composed and organised. Don't know where it will end, but gee it's one hell of a ride to this point.

the other day I was thinking of that comment about player retention and tend to think if he was going to do a clear out of players he wouldn’t be mentioning it to the fans as if word gets out it’ll create unrest. My got feeling is that their will be at least 10 changes which will include vfl retirement and players getting better options from other clubs. No way of saying this without sounding negative but if I was a player and offered a position in a successful side i think ild be tempted as I feel hope of better days  is diminishing with every loss. Had we succeeded this season under our coaching staff we would be a attractive club to those wanting to sign for us however after 5 wins that drawing factor has been tarnished.

On the positive though I was talking to one of the players at training last week who said it’s a very tight knit group. 

Frankston $23 for the flag is very tempting. Win against Brisbane and they get the double chance and a final against box hill or Footscray. 

Thanks, NorthPort. Fitness should improve with more preseasons under McCartney, so hopefully the midfield dropoff won't occur again.

Having AJ for another season would be great. That is true that there have been some good signs with forward delivery in recent weeks. I've liked what I've seen of Polkinghorne and hope that he also stays and is able to make a more consistent impact next season.

Apparently there was recently a paywalled article in CodeSports about VFL players that AFL recruiters are looking at that mentioned some recruiters liking Drew Lloyd's marking and kicking while having concerns about his fitness not being quite up to VFL standard yet. With AFL recruiters looking at him, he'll presumably want to stay in the VFL system; I've mentioned before that I like his tackling and intensity in the contest, so I'm hoping that he stays and is able to improve his fitness so he can nail down a spot in the side, although competition for small forward spots could be tough depending on how things go with Charlie Clarke, Roy George, and Ned Cahill (though Cahill has been in the midfield lately). (Edited to add: should clarify I haven't read the article as I don't have a CodeSports subscription, just saw an excerpt mentioning Lloyd. Am surprised AFL recruiters would be looking at him already but do think he has promise at least at VFL level if he can build fitness.)

That is a good point, Mega, about the player retention comment. But hopefully players think improvement next season is likely and will be inclined to back themselves in to stay and have success.

Unfortunately I'm only in Australia for the one year, so next season I won't be contributing to crowd numbers although I will certainly still be following the Borough (as I was doing before arriving in Australia for the year). If I were going to be here I would (selfishly) suggest chocolate cupcakes at every game! :D Seriously, hope crowd numbers do improve and wish I could be attending in person for future seasons.

Most immediately France, but I'm actually American and will most likely end up back there - would love to return to Melbourne, but no idea if that will be possible. I was able to get around the geolocking of the channel 7 games with a VPN with location set to Australia. The annoying part is the time difference placing most games in the middle of the night and not having any way to avoid seeing the score prior to watching a replay; admittedly when watching from abroad I have not been as motivated to watch games I already know are losses.... (ETA: still planning to watch games regardless, but I do prefer to have the element of surprise - if we make finals I will hopefully be able to arrange my schedule so as to watch those live in the middle of the night.)

Went to UK, Germany and France in 2023. Mont saint michel was sensational place to visit in France. Well worth visiting.