Seven weeks ago, the AFL top four was a who's who of Melbourne's blockbuster clubs. Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood were all looking at a double finals chance come September. Now none of the three will even taste finals action. Hello and welcome to the Herald Sun Footy Podcast. I'm Andy Belaiz and Josh Barnes will join me coming up to go through how that has happened and on the flip side, the Hawks have certainly come a long way from an five start of the season. Glenn McFarland charts the astronomical rise in fortunes at Glenn Ferry. But first he's Josh and here on the Herald Sun Footy Podcast. I'm joined by Josh Barnes. Can I barnsy.

Seven weeks ago, the AFL top four was a who's who of Melbourne's blockbuster clubs. Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood were all looking at a double finals chance come September. Now none of the three will even taste finals action. Hello and welcome to the Herald Sun Footy Podcast. I'm Andy Belaiz and Josh Barnes will join me coming up to go through how that has happened and on the flip side, the Hawks have certainly come a long way from an five start of the season. Glenn McFarland charts the astronomical rise in fortunes at Glenn Ferry. But first he's Josh and here on the Herald Sun Footy Podcast. I'm joined by Josh Barnes. Can I barnsy.

Andy, I'm not feeling so good at the Herald Sun at the moment given what we're looking at in September.

Andy, I'm not feeling so good at the Herald Sun at the moment given what we're looking at in September.

Well, let me take you back because we'll get to that. But I want to take you back seven weeks the end of Round fifteen, the Victorian based AFL teams were on top of the world. They were well, the Swans were unassailable on top, though they had already written the syd into the.

Well, let me take you back because we'll get to that. But I want to take you back seven weeks the end of Round fifteen, the Victorian based AFL teams were on top of the world. They were well, the Swans were unassailable on top, though they had already written the syd into the.

Premiership Cup and the old McClellan trophy.

Premiership Cup and the old McClellan trophy.

Yes, and then oh wow, the McClellan Trophy. And then after that came Carlton, then Essendon and then Collingwood. Fast forward seven weeks and where do we Where do those three powerhouse behemoths of the AFL find themselves now? Outside the eight It's incredible.

Yes, and then oh wow, the McClellan Trophy. And then after that came Carlton, then Essendon and then Collingwood. Fast forward seven weeks and where do we Where do those three powerhouse behemoths of the AFL find themselves now? Outside the eight It's incredible.

Yeah, that's nine, ten, eleven is where those three are on the ladder right now. It's been a disaster. We were talking, we were writing stories. I remember j Clark wrote a good story about how there's going to be such pressure on tickets in the final series. It's going to be the most well attended final series ever. We're going to have the three big powerhouse clubs at the MCG week after week after week. Well, as it stands right now, we're not going to have a game in Victoria in the first week of the finals. Geelong will be the only team that will host a final in Victoria. Obviously that might change in the next two weeks and probably will, but it's looking pretty dire at the moment. For September and back then Current had won four, five, one, three and five. Collinwood hadn't been beaten, they only lost one of five, so they were all flying and since then they barely won a game between them, and it's just been one of the all time collapses times three.

Yeah, that's nine, ten, eleven is where those three are on the ladder right now. It's been a disaster. We were talking, we were writing stories. I remember j Clark wrote a good story about how there's going to be such pressure on tickets in the final series. It's going to be the most well attended final series ever. We're going to have the three big powerhouse clubs at the MCG week after week after week. Well, as it stands right now, we're not going to have a game in Victoria in the first week of the finals. Geelong will be the only team that will host a final in Victoria. Obviously that might change in the next two weeks and probably will, but it's looking pretty dire at the moment. For September and back then Current had won four, five, one, three and five. Collinwood hadn't been beaten, they only lost one of five, so they were all flying and since then they barely won a game between them, and it's just been one of the all time collapses times three.

It's incredible. And it's so it's not like, you know, it's not like Gold Coast, GWS and Frio have collapsed. It's the three big tenants of the MCG. I wonder if four and twenty have already made all of those pis that they were needing to have, you know, and then don have made all those hot dogs and all that sort of stuff on what's going to happen to them? But yeah, so the MCG without a final other than the Geelong Final, and you can argue as a Geelong supporter if it should be played at getting your part looking forward to that discussion again then but then, you know, so Carlton were a lock picked at second on the ladder for so much of the season and they've had injury problems, none more so than the weekend's capitulation against Hawthorne, which was stunning in itself the actual margin. What's happened to Collinwood. They've got players back since they were fourth on the Ladder seven weeks ago and Essendon seems like the most stunning sort of destruction of them all.

It's incredible. And it's so it's not like, you know, it's not like Gold Coast, GWS and Frio have collapsed. It's the three big tenants of the MCG. I wonder if four and twenty have already made all of those pis that they were needing to have, you know, and then don have made all those hot dogs and all that sort of stuff on what's going to happen to them? But yeah, so the MCG without a final other than the Geelong Final, and you can argue as a Geelong supporter if it should be played at getting your part looking forward to that discussion again then but then, you know, so Carlton were a lock picked at second on the ladder for so much of the season and they've had injury problems, none more so than the weekend's capitulation against Hawthorne, which was stunning in itself the actual margin. What's happened to Collinwood. They've got players back since they were fourth on the Ladder seven weeks ago and Essendon seems like the most stunning sort of destruction of them all.

Yeah, yeah, it's maybe we'll go through the case by case perhaps, and I think Carlton you can say they are the most excuses. As we stand right now, there's I think eighteen players on the injury list, and some of them very important. That a lot of their good players have managed to get through most of the season. But when the injury toll has been so consistent, it's always been in the teams pretty much all year, so eventually that takes its toll. And on Sunday it really all just came to a head. In that monstering at the MCG. It looked bad. I was there covering the game for the herold someon and it looked bad a quart a time. I thought Corple was still within touching distance, but the game didn't look like that kind of game, as Michaelvoss said later on. And it got obviously worse from there as they lost players and just got absolutely mauled and it was the worst possible result for them. They fell out of the eight, they picked up six injuries, and now we believe it just a nightmare and it's hard to see them coming back. I know they were favorite against West Coast. West Coast had a plunge down to two dollars twenty five with the betters yesterday. It's not easy to go over to Perth and beat West Coast when they've won two in a row. They're in better form of Cuptain is well.

Yeah, yeah, it's maybe we'll go through the case by case perhaps, and I think Carlton you can say they are the most excuses. As we stand right now, there's I think eighteen players on the injury list, and some of them very important. That a lot of their good players have managed to get through most of the season. But when the injury toll has been so consistent, it's always been in the teams pretty much all year, so eventually that takes its toll. And on Sunday it really all just came to a head. In that monstering at the MCG. It looked bad. I was there covering the game for the herold someon and it looked bad a quart a time. I thought Corple was still within touching distance, but the game didn't look like that kind of game, as Michaelvoss said later on. And it got obviously worse from there as they lost players and just got absolutely mauled and it was the worst possible result for them. They fell out of the eight, they picked up six injuries, and now we believe it just a nightmare and it's hard to see them coming back. I know they were favorite against West Coast. West Coast had a plunge down to two dollars twenty five with the betters yesterday. It's not easy to go over to Perth and beat West Coast when they've won two in a row. They're in better form of Cuptain is well.

There they are and they've beaten teams above them on the ladder. I mean, you know they beat Melbourne there a couple of months ago. But also for Carlton to go over there without possibly Mackay, without Kerno and all those other injuries that you said, they did look good on the weekend. I'll give Carlton that. That was my ear of jumper, that ninety five style Carlton footy jumper. The throwback was striking. I liked it.

There they are and they've beaten teams above them on the ladder. I mean, you know they beat Melbourne there a couple of months ago. But also for Carlton to go over there without possibly Mackay, without Kerno and all those other injuries that you said, they did look good on the weekend. I'll give Carlton that. That was my ear of jumper, that ninety five style Carlton footy jumper. The throwback was striking. I liked it.

Now look good.

Now look good.

The collars are. I'm a fan of the collars. But we saw a lot of callers walking out at three quart a time. I think it's pretty dire in their last quarter for Carlton fans, and it is. It's obviously a shame for Carlton fans. We saw how huge the finals was last year. When they're playing a couple finals, won a couple. It's sort of awoke the behemoth that is the Blues. But they're going to be pushing up against Uphill to make finals this year and it's a season they were in the premiership window that has gone now essentially and you can blame that on injuries. We know they've had soft issue injuries which sometimes can be avoided depending on your loads, all that sort of stuff. That's been a huge problem for them this year. So it could be a little bit their own fault. And this is for a club that hasn't won a flag for a long long time. To throw away a season like this down the gurga is just a disaster.

The collars are. I'm a fan of the collars. But we saw a lot of callers walking out at three quart a time. I think it's pretty dire in their last quarter for Carlton fans, and it is. It's obviously a shame for Carlton fans. We saw how huge the finals was last year. When they're playing a couple finals, won a couple. It's sort of awoke the behemoth that is the Blues. But they're going to be pushing up against Uphill to make finals this year and it's a season they were in the premiership window that has gone now essentially and you can blame that on injuries. We know they've had soft issue injuries which sometimes can be avoided depending on your loads, all that sort of stuff. That's been a huge problem for them this year. So it could be a little bit their own fault. And this is for a club that hasn't won a flag for a long long time. To throw away a season like this down the gurga is just a disaster.

Well thirty years next year, I think, isn't it since the ninety five premiership. So that is a long time, particularly for Carlton fans who historically have expected more regular success. It is a story that Carlton fans have come to the MCG for their home games in record numbers this year. You just wonder how that will translate next year if they do miss the finals. And really you look at what Hawthorne is facing, which is a games against Richmond and North Melbourne. They're a lock now you would assume, so carl should be Carlton's sort of fighting for eighth position with maybe the Dogs.

Well thirty years next year, I think, isn't it since the ninety five premiership. So that is a long time, particularly for Carlton fans who historically have expected more regular success. It is a story that Carlton fans have come to the MCG for their home games in record numbers this year. You just wonder how that will translate next year if they do miss the finals. And really you look at what Hawthorne is facing, which is a games against Richmond and North Melbourne. They're a lock now you would assume, so carl should be Carlton's sort of fighting for eighth position with maybe the Dogs.

Yeah, they should be on paper, they I don't know on paper, depending who if they have enough players, but they should probably beat West Coast. They should beat some Kilda in the last round and then they possibly still make it. But they're going to be really battling in September, you would think, unless they can miracle get six players, eight players, ten players back on the field in that biwork like the Bulldogs did maybe ten years ago.

Yeah, they should be on paper, they I don't know on paper, depending who if they have enough players, but they should probably beat West Coast. They should beat some Kilda in the last round and then they possibly still make it. But they're going to be really battling in September, you would think, unless they can miracle get six players, eight players, ten players back on the field in that biwork like the Bulldogs did maybe ten years ago.

Let's move on to the Pies because their hopes were still alive until Tom mccarton ran across the mark and wasn't given a fifty meter penalty, although fans of seventeen other clubs probably see that a sweet justice for the North Melbourne debarcle a couple of months earlier.

Let's move on to the Pies because their hopes were still alive until Tom mccarton ran across the mark and wasn't given a fifty meter penalty, although fans of seventeen other clubs probably see that a sweet justice for the North Melbourne debarcle a couple of months earlier.

What's your read on that fifty min penalty?

What's your read on that fifty min penalty?

By the way, and everybody seems to be saying it should be an automatic fifty remix sty played on. I think usually the umpire pulls the man back. I don't think it was as automatic as some people think.

By the way, and everybody seems to be saying it should be an automatic fifty remix sty played on. I think usually the umpire pulls the man back. I don't think it was as automatic as some people think.

I think he was getting back because I think when you see the replay in slow motion. He was stumbling forward mccarton. He probably took maybe one or two extra steps. But I would just suggest that maybe as soon as the umpire started blowing his whistle for get back on the mark, he started moving back.

I think he was getting back because I think when you see the replay in slow motion. He was stumbling forward mccarton. He probably took maybe one or two extra steps. But I would just suggest that maybe as soon as the umpire started blowing his whistle for get back on the mark, he started moving back.

It would have been a hot whistle to pay it before mix Day had played on, it would have been very hot.

It would have been a hot whistle to pay it before mix Day had played on, it would have been very hot.

I agree. I think it wasn't as clear cut as the North Melbourne one against Collingwood that cost North, possibly cost North the game a few months ago. But I don't want to I don't want to put my Shouden Freuder glasses on. But there is an argument for non Collingwood fans that seeing Collingwood lose is good, but seeing them lose by a couple of points after a contentious umpiring decision is even better. But you know, I mean, colling would have put themselves in that position. They could have. They could have come come from nowhere to make the finals. But they've been really up against it for at least a month, they sort of having to win almost every game for that period of time, and you know they were able to get across the line against Carlton in Pendlebury's four hundred but it's been a struggle for a while.

I agree. I think it wasn't as clear cut as the North Melbourne one against Collingwood that cost North, possibly cost North the game a few months ago. But I don't want to I don't want to put my Shouden Freuder glasses on. But there is an argument for non Collingwood fans that seeing Collingwood lose is good, but seeing them lose by a couple of points after a contentious umpiring decision is even better. But you know, I mean, colling would have put themselves in that position. They could have. They could have come come from nowhere to make the finals. But they've been really up against it for at least a month, they sort of having to win almost every game for that period of time, and you know they were able to get across the line against Carlton in Pendlebury's four hundred but it's been a struggle for a while.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We've talked a little bit throughout the year about the similarities between Colinwood this year and Gelong last year, and I think it's even coming further along now. They both lost their first few bounce back in the middle of the season. We thought here they come, the champions are coming back, and then faded at the end. It's just so hard to maintain that when you are chasing the season after you've won the flag. Last year they've had injuries. So I know we've got some back, but de Goi's out, Mitchell's out, that their forward line looks very small around next day. They've been working really hard to get those players back and the load becomes too much and eventually the down wall breaks and it feels like the last six weeks now it has sort of broken on them.

We've talked a little bit throughout the year about the similarities between Colinwood this year and Gelong last year, and I think it's even coming further along now. They both lost their first few bounce back in the middle of the season. We thought here they come, the champions are coming back, and then faded at the end. It's just so hard to maintain that when you are chasing the season after you've won the flag. Last year they've had injuries. So I know we've got some back, but de Goi's out, Mitchell's out, that their forward line looks very small around next day. They've been working really hard to get those players back and the load becomes too much and eventually the down wall breaks and it feels like the last six weeks now it has sort of broken on them.

Yeah, and that's what happened to Gelong last year. They were in the eight.

Yeah, and that's what happened to Gelong last year. They were in the eight.

I think we're two weeks ago, had to win their last couple and just couldn't do it because it was just too much for them. So I think that's where Collinwoods at right now. And it is, as you said, it is a little bit rich I think for Craig mccrade to be complaining, I mean, they've won so many close games over the years, and we talked about how good they were in those close games, and I think really a lot of that came down to a bit of luck, and that luck just hasn't wasn't there on the weekend, and it hasn't been there in a couple of other close games this year, and that's all the difference between making the eight or not.

I think we're two weeks ago, had to win their last couple and just couldn't do it because it was just too much for them. So I think that's where Collinwoods at right now. And it is, as you said, it is a little bit rich I think for Craig mccrade to be complaining, I mean, they've won so many close games over the years, and we talked about how good they were in those close games, and I think really a lot of that came down to a bit of luck, and that luck just hasn't wasn't there on the weekend, and it hasn't been there in a couple of other close games this year, and that's all the difference between making the eight or not.

It's interesting you're putting those Geelong and then Collingwood into that context because as a Melbourne supporter, the two straight sets exits from from top four finals to in the two years after Melbourne won the flag, we're bitterly disappointing. But I think history will probably look at those Melbourne teams far more kindly because they were able to back up premiership two years hence with top four finishes, which Geelong and Collingwood haven't been able to do in the years past. So yeah, it's very difficult, and you know, maybe it is somebody else's turn. You know, maybe it's a time for GWS or a freeo to step up in the finals. The last team that we.

It's interesting you're putting those Geelong and then Collingwood into that context because as a Melbourne supporter, the two straight sets exits from from top four finals to in the two years after Melbourne won the flag, we're bitterly disappointing. But I think history will probably look at those Melbourne teams far more kindly because they were able to back up premiership two years hence with top four finishes, which Geelong and Collingwood haven't been able to do in the years past. So yeah, it's very difficult, and you know, maybe it is somebody else's turn. You know, maybe it's a time for GWS or a freeo to step up in the finals. The last team that we.

Are all this time yeah, and this is going to the Morguan instead of the Adoctors Office.

Are all this time yeah, and this is going to the Morguan instead of the Adoctors Office.

I'd say it now.

I'd say it now.

It will now be twenty years since Essendon won a final and that's not changing this year because they hate making it.

It will now be twenty years since Essendon won a final and that's not changing this year because they hate making it.

Yeah, it's it's just been a disaster.

Yeah, it's it's just been a disaster.

Really.

Really.

We saw it last year that they faded really badly. At the end of the year.

We saw it last year that they faded really badly. At the end of the year.

Everybody talked about how Brad Scott's going to get the house in order. He's going to pick his players, They're going to do a big preseason camp. They did all those things and they talked about it. They got the free agents in, they got all the people that they wanted. They're going to be better this year. They said it round fifteen or sixteen. We are better this year. I spoke to Corle Langford in the rooms after the lost to Adelaide only three or four weeks ago, and he said, we are a better side this year than last year. We have to prove it now and they just haven't proven it. And I think the big thing for them is they've just lost teams they should beat. So they lost to Melbourne, who really they should beating if they're going to make finals. They lost to Adelaide by a kick. Adelaide's been out of the pitcher for a long time now, even though they're playing better.

Everybody talked about how Brad Scott's going to get the house in order. He's going to pick his players, They're going to do a big preseason camp. They did all those things and they talked about it. They got the free agents in, they got all the people that they wanted. They're going to be better this year. They said it round fifteen or sixteen. We are better this year. I spoke to Corle Langford in the rooms after the lost to Adelaide only three or four weeks ago, and he said, we are a better side this year than last year. We have to prove it now and they just haven't proven it. And I think the big thing for them is they've just lost teams they should beat. So they lost to Melbourne, who really they should beating if they're going to make finals. They lost to Adelaide by a kick. Adelaide's been out of the pitcher for a long time now, even though they're playing better.

They got smashed by some Kilda.

They got smashed by some Kilda.

They beat Freemantle and that was really just ten minutes of good foot in the last quarter. Outside of that, they were losing that game the whole way and probably shouldn't have won that. And then they lost a Gold Coast when they kicked one goal nine in the last quarter against a team that hasn't won on the road for seventeen games. It's just embarrassing really to have this happen again and again when everybody in the world was saying, please, don't let it happen again, and they've gone over the cliff once more.

They beat Freemantle and that was really just ten minutes of good foot in the last quarter. Outside of that, they were losing that game the whole way and probably shouldn't have won that. And then they lost a Gold Coast when they kicked one goal nine in the last quarter against a team that hasn't won on the road for seventeen games. It's just embarrassing really to have this happen again and again when everybody in the world was saying, please, don't let it happen again, and they've gone over the cliff once more.

Yeah, I mean, there's not much more you can say about Essendon. And you know, if I didn't sit and watch the two thousand and Grand Final, i'd actually feel sorry for us and our supporters. But no, it's a yeah, what more can you say? Because they have promised their supporters so much and two years in a row they've looked at least top eight, if not top four quality for much of the season and then when push came to shove, they just couldn't get it done. So Yeah, it's I guess twenty twenty five for Brad Scott and his men and hopeful of another season. It's it really is an incredible last month for three very popular, heavily supported, you know, powerhouse teams to sort of just get taken over by injury and poor form and to miss the AID altogether. I mean as a supporter of one of the other teams sometimes you say, well, my team doesn't make the AID at least Essington, Collingwood, Hawth or Carlton don't make it. And for all three not to make it. Yeah, what a footy season we have and what a final season we have ahead of us.

Yeah, I mean, there's not much more you can say about Essendon. And you know, if I didn't sit and watch the two thousand and Grand Final, i'd actually feel sorry for us and our supporters. But no, it's a yeah, what more can you say? Because they have promised their supporters so much and two years in a row they've looked at least top eight, if not top four quality for much of the season and then when push came to shove, they just couldn't get it done. So Yeah, it's I guess twenty twenty five for Brad Scott and his men and hopeful of another season. It's it really is an incredible last month for three very popular, heavily supported, you know, powerhouse teams to sort of just get taken over by injury and poor form and to miss the AID altogether. I mean as a supporter of one of the other teams sometimes you say, well, my team doesn't make the AID at least Essington, Collingwood, Hawth or Carlton don't make it. And for all three not to make it. Yeah, what a footy season we have and what a final season we have ahead of us.

Yeah, it's fascinating to see where es and sort of goes from here. It's going to be probably the same chat as we had twelve months ago that Brad Scott's going to get the house in order and he's going to sort everything out. He's going to pick the players that he wants. But how many years does this happen and where do they go as a list because as Sam Lensberger wrote a couple of weeks ago, they've gone from one of the youngest listen in the comp to one of the oldest now they bring in players almost every year. They seem to win the trade period and bring to experienced players, but they don't go anywhere with those players. I like their younger players that they have played this year. I think Archie Roberts has been fantastic in his first two games. Nate Cady has everybody salivating over what a prospect he is up forward. They need to find more of those players and less of a guy that's twenty eight or twenty nine like Jade gresham or Ben McKay or Todd Goldstein who has done a role. But they need less of those and more of the eighteen year olds, think, because even if they do take a step forward, I find it hard to see how they get into a premiership window with the least they have unless they bring in a grade young talent.

Yeah, it's fascinating to see where es and sort of goes from here. It's going to be probably the same chat as we had twelve months ago that Brad Scott's going to get the house in order and he's going to sort everything out. He's going to pick the players that he wants. But how many years does this happen and where do they go as a list because as Sam Lensberger wrote a couple of weeks ago, they've gone from one of the youngest listen in the comp to one of the oldest now they bring in players almost every year. They seem to win the trade period and bring to experienced players, but they don't go anywhere with those players. I like their younger players that they have played this year. I think Archie Roberts has been fantastic in his first two games. Nate Cady has everybody salivating over what a prospect he is up forward. They need to find more of those players and less of a guy that's twenty eight or twenty nine like Jade gresham or Ben McKay or Todd Goldstein who has done a role. But they need less of those and more of the eighteen year olds, think, because even if they do take a step forward, I find it hard to see how they get into a premiership window with the least they have unless they bring in a grade young talent.

Well, Adrian Dedor will have an answer for that. I'm sure trade and draft period as he always has. Josh has been fascinating chatting about it. We'll catch you next time. Hopefully you get some good chat after me the Herald Sun Footy podcast. Well, we've talked the disappointment of the Blues, the Pies and the Bombers let's talk the excitement of the Hawks, and Glenn McFarland joins me, mack.

Well, Adrian Dedor will have an answer for that. I'm sure trade and draft period as he always has. Josh has been fascinating chatting about it. We'll catch you next time. Hopefully you get some good chat after me the Herald Sun Footy podcast. Well, we've talked the disappointment of the Blues, the Pies and the Bombers let's talk the excitement of the Hawks, and Glenn McFarland joins me, mack.

Andy, how are you? How exciting are they? They are just so good to watch.

Andy, how are you? How exciting are they? They are just so good to watch.

They are they are It's a bit early. I would have preferred that they stayed in the bottom half of the ladder for a few more years.

They are they are It's a bit early. I would have preferred that they stayed in the bottom half of the ladder for a few more years.

Long time since they've won apprentical.

Long time since they've won apprentical.

It's their fans that you know, they've been through thick and thick, those Hawthorne fans. But the current crop under sad Mitchell are humming at the moment and with Richmond and nor to come, Yeah, they seem to be an absolute lock for the top eight.

It's their fans that you know, they've been through thick and thick, those Hawthorne fans. But the current crop under sad Mitchell are humming at the moment and with Richmond and nor to come, Yeah, they seem to be an absolute lock for the top eight.

Absolutely, and you couldn't believe that this would be the situation when they're Zip five, Zip five and you know they were incredibly frustrated because they didn't know what was going wrong, Like the confidence was down. The coach was getting a little bit aggressive. You could see that he doesn't like losing. The coach, he's not used to losing. But the way they've been able to turn it around from the top, from Sam Mitchell through to the players, and just the almost intoxicating way they play their footy, it's just it's much watch TV. If I'm the AFL now and I'm thinking about the draw for twenty twenty five, I'm already putting Hawthorne to a lot of Friday night games, a lot of really big marquee games because they are so exciting.

Absolutely, and you couldn't believe that this would be the situation when they're Zip five, Zip five and you know they were incredibly frustrated because they didn't know what was going wrong, Like the confidence was down. The coach was getting a little bit aggressive. You could see that he doesn't like losing. The coach, he's not used to losing. But the way they've been able to turn it around from the top, from Sam Mitchell through to the players, and just the almost intoxicating way they play their footy, it's just it's much watch TV. If I'm the AFL now and I'm thinking about the draw for twenty twenty five, I'm already putting Hawthorne to a lot of Friday night games, a lot of really big marquee games because they are so exciting.

To watch, and their fans will come out too. They've shown that, you know that they've got a big fan base who will come when Hawthorne is playing.

To watch, and their fans will come out too. They've shown that, you know that they've got a big fan base who will come when Hawthorne is playing.

Well, those seagulls there at games for the MCG for no, that was a bit that was below the belt, that wasn't it.

Well, those seagulls there at games for the MCG for no, that was a bit that was below the belt, that wasn't it.

So I lot to see them more seagulls than Melbourne fans on Saturday night. Those wires are supposed to do something.

So I lot to see them more seagulls than Melbourne fans on Saturday night. Those wires are supposed to do something.

Yeah, well they always say I did references to the MCC They basically reckon when the lower the crowd, the seagulls still the wires don't impact on them.

Yeah, well they always say I did references to the MCC They basically reckon when the lower the crowd, the seagulls still the wires don't impact on them.

Maybe the wires keep the Melbourne fans out.

Maybe the wires keep the Melbourne fans out.

There, you go exactly, But Hawthorne.

There, you go exactly, But Hawthorne.

The Hawthorne fans are back and if they ever were away, it's quite incredible to watch the way they're playing.

The Hawthorne fans are back and if they ever were away, it's quite incredible to watch the way they're playing.

At the moment. They're going to play finals.

At the moment. They're going to play finals.

Unless something extraordinary happens, you would expect them to win both of those games.

Unless something extraordinary happens, you would expect them to win both of those games.

And to come back from where they are.

And to come back from where they are.

And I think if you're investing in a team like stock market is a little wobbly at the moment. It's not really my area. But if you're investing, you're investing in that jumper at the moment going forward, because I think they've got a premiership there. I'm not sure how soon it can be, whether twenty twenty five might be a year or two soon, but gee, they're a good side to watch for the future.

And I think if you're investing in a team like stock market is a little wobbly at the moment. It's not really my area. But if you're investing, you're investing in that jumper at the moment going forward, because I think they've got a premiership there. I'm not sure how soon it can be, whether twenty twenty five might be a year or two soon, but gee, they're a good side to watch for the future.

I was there when in round two when that first quarter of Melbourne against Hawthorne, that Hawthorne looked like they were a junior team. They didn't know what to do. They were they kept going back crossing the ground more times than Burke and Wills in the defensive half of the ground and they couldn't get it forward. And then from there to turn that into the not just winning, but as you said, the excitement that they play, they play with and how they can blow even the better teams away.

I was there when in round two when that first quarter of Melbourne against Hawthorne, that Hawthorne looked like they were a junior team. They didn't know what to do. They were they kept going back crossing the ground more times than Burke and Wills in the defensive half of the ground and they couldn't get it forward. And then from there to turn that into the not just winning, but as you said, the excitement that they play, they play with and how they can blow even the better teams away.

Yeah, and it's sort of crept up a little bit in the sense like the losses certainly did early on, and then they will the losses were still going on that gather around game against Collingwood where they flew home against Collingwood. Of course they lost the week after. We think it was the Gold Coast game the week after. But then they got on that role starting with North Melbourne. I think the one that probably smacked them when Sydney smacked them in I think it was round about round seven or something like that. That was a sort of a tipping point whereas your season can go either way. You can either fall by the wayside and struggle to play finals, or you can kick back.

Yeah, and it's sort of crept up a little bit in the sense like the losses certainly did early on, and then they will the losses were still going on that gather around game against Collingwood where they flew home against Collingwood. Of course they lost the week after. We think it was the Gold Coast game the week after. But then they got on that role starting with North Melbourne. I think the one that probably smacked them when Sydney smacked them in I think it was round about round seven or something like that. That was a sort of a tipping point whereas your season can go either way. You can either fall by the wayside and struggle to play finals, or you can kick back.

And see they've kicked back, haven't they?

And see they've kicked back, haven't they?

They really have And there's some players have surprised. Number one for me is Kalsha to you, he is surprised. I thought he was in some ways. I thought he was a development, you know, a father son picking. He was a good news story. He was he was going to develop for a long time and if he made it, well, all well and good. But it wasn't going to be this year.

They really have And there's some players have surprised. Number one for me is Kalsha to you, he is surprised. I thought he was in some ways. I thought he was a development, you know, a father son picking. He was a good news story. He was he was going to develop for a long time and if he made it, well, all well and good. But it wasn't going to be this year.

No, not at all.

No, not at all.

And you're not meant to do what he's doing as a tall player, you know, coming into the system.

And you're not meant to do what he's doing as a tall player, you know, coming into the system.

So he's been I think that's the thing.

So he's been I think that's the thing.

They're recruiting and they're trading, and certainly Mark McKenzie deserves a big tick here as do you know some of the recruiting guys in there as well, and the coaching, I think the development to be able to get those players to do what they've been able to do so early. But look at their trading last year. It probably slipped a little bit through the radar in a sense of the players they went after. We were like, oh, you know, does Jack Gunston you know, would you give him another chance?

They're recruiting and they're trading, and certainly Mark McKenzie deserves a big tick here as do you know some of the recruiting guys in there as well, and the coaching, I think the development to be able to get those players to do what they've been able to do so early. But look at their trading last year. It probably slipped a little bit through the radar in a sense of the players they went after. We were like, oh, you know, does Jack Gunston you know, would you give him another chance?

Now?

Now?

He's a chance to play on next year. That'll be decided at the end of the year. But you know, Marby ol Choll, was he going to make it? Was he that you know? Was he the player that was going to take Hawthorne forward?

He's a chance to play on next year. That'll be decided at the end of the year. But you know, Marby ol Choll, was he going to make it? Was he that you know? Was he the player that was going to take Hawthorne forward?

You don't know.

You don't know.

Massimo Dean Brosio has been outstanding. If you're in incidence of Porter, you're shaken yead. If you're a calling with supporter, you're thinking, gee, Jack Ininevan, couldn't he be headed?

Massimo Dean Brosio has been outstanding. If you're in incidence of Porter, you're shaken yead. If you're a calling with supporter, you're thinking, gee, Jack Ininevan, couldn't he be headed?

Could we have tried?

Could we have tried?

And the thing about Jack Ginevan I reckon now is that he's probably found his niche in terms of the excitement levels and being able to express himself. But he looks fitter, he looks leaner, fitter. He doesn't look like the early Jack Inavan. He looks like a different model of.

And the thing about Jack Ginevan I reckon now is that he's probably found his niche in terms of the excitement levels and being able to express himself. But he looks fitter, he looks leaner, fitter. He doesn't look like the early Jack Inavan. He looks like a different model of.

He looks like an adult Jack Invan. He was a kid, you know, he's a cheeky kid playing for Collingwood. He could bob up and kick a couple of goals, but now he's.

He looks like an adult Jack Invan. He was a kid, you know, he's a cheeky kid playing for Collingwood. He could bob up and kick a couple of goals, but now he's.

A definitely attacking I think they're going forward, like their coaching is outstanding, their list is really really developing well, and I think they have expression of freedom. I think that's the thing that I really like that they don't care about the situation and the pressure.

A definitely attacking I think they're going forward, like their coaching is outstanding, their list is really really developing well, and I think they have expression of freedom. I think that's the thing that I really like that they don't care about the situation and the pressure.

They embrace it. It's playing foot just playing footy.

They embrace it. It's playing foot just playing footy.

Like The other one that has really impressed me is Lloyd Meek because I think he promised a bit when he was at Freeo it was obviously behind Darcy, and then when Jackson came in, he was never going to see, you know, a long first career. But to come to Hawthorne and the rule changes that.

Like The other one that has really impressed me is Lloyd Meek because I think he promised a bit when he was at Freeo it was obviously behind Darcy, and then when Jackson came in, he was never going to see, you know, a long first career. But to come to Hawthorne and the rule changes that.

Have helped him absolutely helped him.

Have helped him absolutely helped him.

Did He's taken his chance.

Did He's taken his chance.

He's another one like he was the year before, you know. So they've been able to structure this over a number of years now and there were stages of last year where I thought, I don't know, I think ned Reeves has got your spot. I'm not sure, but he's been outstanding. As you say, the rule changes and the interpretation changes have certainly helped him in that regard. But he's taken it on board and he's taling up some pretty good players now.

He's another one like he was the year before, you know. So they've been able to structure this over a number of years now and there were stages of last year where I thought, I don't know, I think ned Reeves has got your spot. I'm not sure, but he's been outstanding. As you say, the rule changes and the interpretation changes have certainly helped him in that regard. But he's taken it on board and he's taling up some pretty good players now.

Yeah, and the other one is Sam Frost.

Yeah, and the other one is Sam Frost.

Yeah, he just keeps on keeping.

Yeah, he just keeps on keeping.

And to be honest, we've all been harsh at times on Sam Frost. I know that, But I mean that was the area that I was really worried, Like having a chat with Sam Mitchell ere in the year. The thing that came through was we need defender, We need a defender. How close they were to Ben MacKaye. They were shattered, They didn't get Ben mckaye. They had a crack at a sava trying to get a sava in. Now they're double downing and Tom barrass looks like he's a really strong chance to go there. Josh Battle's trying to work out whether he stays at St. Kilda or goes to Hawthorne. Do you be hard to say no to Hawthorne?

And to be honest, we've all been harsh at times on Sam Frost. I know that, But I mean that was the area that I was really worried, Like having a chat with Sam Mitchell ere in the year. The thing that came through was we need defender, We need a defender. How close they were to Ben MacKaye. They were shattered, They didn't get Ben mckaye. They had a crack at a sava trying to get a sava in. Now they're double downing and Tom barrass looks like he's a really strong chance to go there. Josh Battle's trying to work out whether he stays at St. Kilda or goes to Hawthorne. Do you be hard to say no to Hawthorne?

In that sense? It's a linebold decision.

In that sense? It's a linebold decision.

But this is the one here area that I thought you talked about Sam Frost is the one area I thought that was an area that was a concern for Hawthorne. It's not a concern at the moment. They're doing so well, Scrimshaw's playing so well, They're back half Cecily, Sam Frost.

But this is the one here area that I thought you talked about Sam Frost is the one area I thought that was an area that was a concern for Hawthorne. It's not a concern at the moment. They're doing so well, Scrimshaw's playing so well, They're back half Cecily, Sam Frost.

I feel like I feel like I'm ready to jump ship. I'm not. But they are great, good fun to watch.

I feel like I feel like I'm ready to jump ship. I'm not. But they are great, good fun to watch.

I don't think you'd look good in young brown.

I don't think you'd look good in young brown.

Strong color for me.

Strong color for me.

Let's quickly touch on the d's because Christian Patarka. We know the sort of the trauma that he's been through since that horrible incident accident in the Collingwood Queen's Birthday game with the spleen and the ribs and the collapsed lung. But now there are reports that he's disgruntled. Well you can't it. Don't blame him slightly.

Let's quickly touch on the d's because Christian Patarka. We know the sort of the trauma that he's been through since that horrible incident accident in the Collingwood Queen's Birthday game with the spleen and the ribs and the collapsed lung. But now there are reports that he's disgruntled. Well you can't it. Don't blame him slightly.

Disgruntled, now you don't.

Disgruntled, now you don't.

And the talk of him potentially going elsewhere, I would tend to find that's going to be hard to do in any way, shape or form, given.

And the talk of him potentially going elsewhere, I would tend to find that's going to be hard to do in any way, shape or form, given.

That he's got five years.

That he's got five years.

But you know what this might have been the shootover the bows that the Melbourne footy club needs to get its act into order. There's clearly some things within that footy club, certainly some in a footy sense and certainly some outside of a footy sense, that he really wants cleaned up. And if I'm the Melbourne Football Club, I'm cleaning it up and I'm doing it really quickly. I'm going to have zero tolerance or any other issues that are not professional to the sense that you know, and I'm not saying like Christian's going to take a while to get back. We know that it's not going to. The mental demons he's going to face next year are huge, But you want to meet your footy club. He's an outstanding player and he'll be there. But I think this is a really good shot over the bows.

But you know what this might have been the shootover the bows that the Melbourne footy club needs to get its act into order. There's clearly some things within that footy club, certainly some in a footy sense and certainly some outside of a footy sense, that he really wants cleaned up. And if I'm the Melbourne Football Club, I'm cleaning it up and I'm doing it really quickly. I'm going to have zero tolerance or any other issues that are not professional to the sense that you know, and I'm not saying like Christian's going to take a while to get back. We know that it's not going to. The mental demons he's going to face next year are huge, But you want to meet your footy club. He's an outstanding player and he'll be there. But I think this is a really good shot over the bows.

Now.

Now.

He hasn't come out and said anything as such, but there's no question that there's a little bit of concern behind the scenes.

He hasn't come out and said anything as such, but there's no question that there's a little bit of concern behind the scenes.

And it's all well and good to come out, you know, you see her come out and say the greatest culture that he's seen in forty years when you finished top four, But when you miss the finals altogether, those questions are going to start being asked more often, and there's going to be more heat behind it, and they're actually going to have to think they're going to have to be upfront about changing.

And it's all well and good to come out, you know, you see her come out and say the greatest culture that he's seen in forty years when you finished top four, But when you miss the finals altogether, those questions are going to start being asked more often, and there's going to be more heat behind it, and they're actually going to have to think they're going to have to be upfront about changing.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Absolutely, and I think there's some good young talent there which we've seen developed through this year. I worry about the way that they play and you would see this more than I the style of the way that is it conducive to winning a premiership? Now, I'm not sure it was a few years ago we saw that. Do they need to be a bit more dynamic? Do they need well, certainly they need to kick more goals, there's no question about that.

Absolutely, and I think there's some good young talent there which we've seen developed through this year. I worry about the way that they play and you would see this more than I the style of the way that is it conducive to winning a premiership? Now, I'm not sure it was a few years ago we saw that. Do they need to be a bit more dynamic? Do they need well, certainly they need to kick more goals, there's no question about that.

Is it an area that they do need to look at it? I think it is, well.

Is it an area that they do need to look at it? I think it is, well.

I think it has to be. And you know they've talked for years now about the disconnecting the forward line. You know there was obviously you win a premiership and you finished top four in the next three years, you're doing a lot of things right, But that's that forward line connection has been something that's gone back to twenty eighteen, correct, you know it's basically Melbourne hasn't had an effective key forward other than a couple year and ago. The Tom McDonald's sort of burst onto the scene since Jesse Hogan.

I think it has to be. And you know they've talked for years now about the disconnecting the forward line. You know there was obviously you win a premiership and you finished top four in the next three years, you're doing a lot of things right, But that's that forward line connection has been something that's gone back to twenty eighteen, correct, you know it's basically Melbourne hasn't had an effective key forward other than a couple year and ago. The Tom McDonald's sort of burst onto the scene since Jesse Hogan.

Correct, and you look at Jesse Hogan now potentially going to win a common medal.

Correct, and you look at Jesse Hogan now potentially going to win a common medal.

Yeah, Melbourne just hasn't been able to get it right. And I don't know if it's forward personnel as much as the game what the style of getting bringing the ball forward. But we've that's been talking well.

Yeah, Melbourne just hasn't been able to get it right. And I don't know if it's forward personnel as much as the game what the style of getting bringing the ball forward. But we've that's been talking well.

Yeah, and there certainly could be some changes in that area, and certainly they're on the lookout for trying to bring it forward in but gee, they're hard to find.

Yeah, and there certainly could be some changes in that area, and certainly they're on the lookout for trying to bring it forward in but gee, they're hard to find.

I've been looking for years.

I've been looking for years.

So the search for the holy Grail, isn't it. I think Comin has been of a similar sort of scenario there as well.

So the search for the holy Grail, isn't it. I think Comin has been of a similar sort of scenario there as well.

Yeah, Mecca, it's you know, all powder Hawk supporters, as you said, they've they've suffered for too long.

Yeah, Mecca, it's you know, all powder Hawk supporters, as you said, they've they've suffered for too long.

They have it's in the pain.

They have it's in the pain.

It's time. It's time for Sam Mitchell to bring it bring it home.

It's time. It's time for Sam Mitchell to bring it bring it home.

MAGA.

MAGA.

Thanks for your time, pleasure.

Thanks for your time, pleasure.

Thanks Andy, that'll do us.

Thanks Andy, that'll do us.

On today's Herald's On Footy podcast, I'm Andy blaz and my thanks to Josh Barnes and Glenn McFarlan for joining me today. Make sure you keep an eye out for trade buzz from a huge moneyball on Wednesday morning, Mick mcgua on Thursday, all the game day coverage over the weekend, and then As always, Robbos can't mistackle on Sunday night. I'll catch you next week.

On today's Herald's On Footy podcast, I'm Andy blaz and my thanks to Josh Barnes and Glenn McFarlan for joining me today. Make sure you keep an eye out for trade buzz from a huge moneyball on Wednesday morning, Mick mcgua on Thursday, all the game day coverage over the weekend, and then As always, Robbos can't mistackle on Sunday night. I'll catch you next week.