THE FOOTBALL public has been debating the style of play from last Saturday night's Hawthorn and St Kilda clash.

The reality is that footy has drastically changed since the 1980s and '90s and it will be forever evolving. But what makes our game so great is that it can throw up several styles of play and teams can win whether it's attacking or defensive.

Last season Richmond was under the pump, but it followed up with an upset win over Adelaide. The Tigers flooded back and the Crows weren't able to combat it.

So getting back onto last weekend's game … what were the coaches supposed to do? Are they there to coach their sides to victory or entertain? Coaches are there to win matches – that's what they are paid for and four points brings a greater smile to the face.

However, there is a catch-22. While winning matches is paramount, we are in the sports entertainment business – and that's the issue we are now facing.

At the moment teams such as Geelong and the Western Bulldogs are great to watch due to their attacking style. I hope people view Melbourne as an attacking team because that's what we're trying to achieve, particularly when we have our players up and firing.

We're not a tempo-style of team. We like to get the ball to our forwards as quickly as possible. Sometimes it might not seem that way, but that's our intention, although teams can force you into other styles of play.

For example, teams try to slow us up when we are trying to deliver the ball to David Neitz as quickly as possible. What teams are trying to achieve is counter-attack to the opposition's style of play.

With Neitz and Russell Robertson sidelined with injury recently it's been difficult for us to play the style of play we've wanted to use. This forced us to send the ball inside 50 to players on a chip-up lead, rather than bombing into our attacking zone.

We also had to slow the game up, simply because we didn't have the personnel available, and that's where teams have to change their style.

Flooding and getting numbers back into defence is an amazing tactic, but you'd always rather see attacking football on a regular basis.

From a purist’s point of view, I know I don't want to see two goals each at half-time; but if it gets you the four points, then by all means.

I'm stuck in the middle to be honest. I like watching attacking football, but I'd rather gain the four points, even if it means scragging out a win. We'd all love to see attacking football all of the time, but that will never happen.

We're in the business of winning premierships, which ultimately means gaining four points from each match throughout the season.

The reality is that any team will use legal tactics in order to gain a win.