Melbourne V Western Bulldogs R22, Sunday 10/8/25 MCG at 3:15pm

[whythelongface]

Yeah Freijahs ground level touch is elite, he’d have put together quite a highlights package so far this year of just classy pick ups.

hes copped a little bit from supporters recently and definitely been a touch down on his best but he’s still so impactful even off a few possessions. 3-4 direct goal assists on the weekend - I want this guy delivering inside 50 as much as possible

That handball to Cleary was sublime as was Cleary’s vision to run into some space.

[FrediKanoute]

My big beef with the game was the lack of influence some of our players had. It was the usual suspects which makes me worry that in a high pressure finals game they were just not up to it.

Poulter - was a ghost for 3 quarters, but did do a few nice things in the last, but just looked so far off the pace;
McNeil - I like McNeil and what he brings and he was better than his stats suggest, but I question whether it is enough. Almost missed the unmissable goal from the goal square
VdM - had a stinker.
Saunders - better than the 3 above, but not as good as he has been. He kept trying though and generally what he did he did well, just not enough.

Big wraps on Baker, played a great game. Lacks polish but make sup for it in endeavour. That play were he fumbled and then pressured Langdon into giving the ball up which resulted in a goal was icing on the cake.

[Bornadog]

Melbourne have only won 7 games this season but they pushed some top 8 teams, so they aren't easy beats.

• Loss to GWS by 3 points
• Beat Freo
• Won at the Gabba
• Lost to Pies by a point
• Loss to GC at their home by 19

[Flamethrower]

Melbourne have only won 7 games this season but they pushed some top 8 teams, so they aren't easy beats.

• Loss to GWS by 3 points
• Beat Freo
• Won at the Gabba
• Lost to Pies by a point
• Loss to GC at their home by 19

Lets hope that form continues and they do us a solid by knocking off Hawthorn and Collingwood - just one of them would be enough but we are overdue for some other results to go our way this year.

[Countrydog5]

Watched the replay last night after missing the game on Sunday. Pretty much echoing others thoughts on here so i'll just break down some notables.
The Good:
Naughts - Back to his best and sticking marks, lovely he's converting his chances now too.
Bont - Underrated game, was extremely influential all day. His ability to fins space in traffic is incredible.
English - Battled hard in the ruckwork and positioned himself extremely well after the first half to make himself a threat and counter Gawn dropping into the hole. Should have kicked 2 or 3.
Garcia - Perfect sub output. Tackled, chased, used his speed and had a massive impact.
Baker - A good old fashioned scrapper, junkyard dog, whatever you want to call it performance.
West - Just love what he brings, always lifts a notch when the game is on the line.
Buss - I know a few like to can him but i'm a believer. On the rewatch I made notice of his impact and thought he was really solid all game. Getting clean bowled in the 3rd is a cardinal sin for a defender, however i'll let that one slide because the bounce he copped was an absolute shocker for a bloke of 197cm. Skidded low like a 5th day pakistani wicket.
Cleary - I don't think it's possible with his physique, but if he could put on 5kg of muscle we'd have a serious player.

The bad:
Poulter - Genuinely didn't even make an appearance on the tv until the last quarter. Did a couple of standard things in the last but he should be an out this week.
VDM - This guy, man. His best is serviceable, his worst is detrimental. It's too bad we still see his worst as much as his best. We've got to find a way for him not to be best 22 moving forward. Hopefully Dolan is that guy.
Lobb - Was lost at times with his positioning and struggled to impact the contests for large parts of the game. Did a couple nice things in the last quarter though.

That's all that really stands out. it was actually an impressive game from both sides and we did very well to fight back and take the win. We're going to need all that and more in R24 against Freo though, and I can feel the heartbreak coming a mile away.

[Jam Donuts]

Honestly though, why do we persist going in 1-2 men down every week because VDM “runs quick”. It’s literally crazy to me?

I don't like to bag our players but, something needs to be done with VDM and McNeil, we are 2 players down before we start the game, surely we could put the youngsters in for a run or two, anything is better than VDM and McNeil, as much as they try they are not cutting the mustard and haven't for a couple of year's , Bless them both but they should be in the Magoos. Perhaps Sellwood and Buss and Garcia can share the sub duties this year or definitely next year.

[GVGjr]

I don't like to bag our players but, something needs to be done with VDM and McNeil, we are 2 players down before we start the game, surely we could put the youngsters in for a run or two, anything is better than VDM and McNeil, as much as they try they are not cutting the mustard and haven't for a couple of year's , Bless them both but they should be in the Magoos. Perhaps Sellwood and Buss and Garcia can share the sub duties this year or definitely next year.

Is it really that dire? They play specific roles for the team and they'll never be huge stat winners. They both frustrated me at times but saying we start games effectively 2 players short doesn't ring true to me.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Is it really that dire? They play specific roles for the team and they'll never be huge stat winners. They both frustrated me at times but saying we start games effectively 2 players short doesn't ring true to me.

Every side will have a couple players that get whipped by the fan base. Its just the way it is. McNeil was fine on the weekend. VDM had a stinker. They're clearly in the side for pace in that high forward pressure role.

Arty could probably play the same role. They don't need to do much. I prefer McNeil and Arty but thought VDM started the season well. He's been regressing but it's certainly not a dire situation.

[Bornadog]

I don't like to bag our players but, something needs to be done with VDM and McNeil, we are 2 players down before we start the game, surely we could put the youngsters in for a run or two, anything is better than VDM and McNeil, as much as they try they are not cutting the mustard and haven't for a couple of year's , Bless them both but they should be in the Magoos. Perhaps Sellwood and Buss and Garcia can share the sub duties this year or definitely next year.

McNeil has had 31 scoring shots this year - he is doing something right. I have been frustrated by him on occasions, but he is going ok.

[Jeanette54]

Im guessing Johno has been speaking to Kingy not sure a slight change in ball drop is obvious to the eye.

The way it was presented with comparison "before and after" videos, it was quite noticeable. EJ used to achieve a short ball drop by "hunching down" as he prepared for a set shot. Aaron is holding onto the ball longer, and lower, guiding it onto his foot much further into his kicking action. I am talking set shots here.