I thought we could start today's game day with part of JVM's preview of tonight's game.

THE LATE MAIL by JVM

My late mail delivered by Bill Lawry's carrier pigeon returning after fleeing Lords is that Jonathan Brown and Mitch Golby are out of the Brisbane Lions side for the game in Darwin. They join veteran midfielders Simon Black and Brent Moloney on the sidelines for the Lions which probably offsets the fact that former Brisbanite Mitch Clark continues to be missing from the Melbourne line up.

Now, if only Mark Neeld was still around, he would no doubt explain the significance of the absence of the Brisbane quartet in terms of raw numbers of experience as expressed in games played. Leaving aside young Golby who has added some grunt to its defence, Brisbane is missing more than 700 games of AFL experience and almost the same number of goals scored. In economic terms they together comprise the equivalent of the gross national product of some South American banana republics and enough to raise even Alan Stockdale's eyebrows.

What this means is that the game takes on an entirely different complexion. I don't have the precise figures (actually I don't have any figures at all) but I'm guessing that the differential between age, experience and body strength has narrowed markedly while Melbourne's main advantage over Brisbane (average IQ) would have gone through the roof with the absence of Brown and Moloney. This leaves only two considerations - the weather and the superiority of the opposition midfield. These were the two factors that in my view, led to that embarrassing record inside 50 differential against the Cats last week.

I checked the weather report and they're predicting warm, sunny conditions during the day (max 32, min 19) and little or no rain although humidity will be high up to 95%. That means it won't be bucketing down as it did at Simonds Stadium so the Dees will have some respite on the weather front. Unfortunately, the Lions still have the advantage in the midfield even with Black and Moloney missing. Leuenberger should have the edge in terms of experience over Gawn and Fitzpatrick and Rich, Redden and Rockliff are likely to dominate the clearances with Raines sitting on Nathan Jones.

Elsewhere, Melbourne needs to capitalise on the absence of Jonathan Brown who always manages to do a number against the unlucky backman who draws the short straw and has to play on him while the forward line should relish the additional opportunities and score more than four goals.

Notwithstanding, the Lions late surge to come from over 50 points down at the Gabba last month still resonates and the fact that they fancy themselves as finals contenders is enough to convince me that they have the added incentive to get themselves over the line.

Brisbane by 15 points.

I haven't been following the Lions all that closely but another omission in Polkinghorne surprises me a little in that he always seems to cause us some damage when we play them. He kicked 3 goals against us in round 1 last year, had a decent game later in the season at the Gabba and picked up 30 disposals and was close to BOG when we met in round 5 earlier this year.

We're a definite chance if we can fire and get some ball out of the middle.

Tonight is a really good chance to mark any improvement since Craig took over, would have been even more so if the game wasnt being played in 'extreme' conditions.

We are half a chance if we play to our best given Briabane's outs.

How is Jones going to get away from Raines?

Hopefully with a more attacking game mindset it will prove the key to breaking the tag.

It will be interesting because last time we had our chances. Hopefully we can make the most on Moloney being absent in the midfield and Brown in the forward line.

Ah memories from a year ago when I was in Darwin to go to the match as well has having a holiday.

Looking for a huge game from Jack Trengove tonight.

There is no time for excuses any more, he has to start impacting games and getting plenty of the ball.

Looking for a huge game from Jack Trengove tonight.

There is no time for excuses any more, he has to start impacting games and getting plenty of the ball.

And Jack would have some fantastic memories of Darwin having gotten us across the line a few years ago with the one point play from the ball up in the goalsquare against Port Adelaide.

If we can avoid any soft goals from free kicks or turnovers in the first quarter (like Trengove's shocker in the first 5 minutes last week) it will hopefully set the tone and we can build from that.

Edited July 20, 201312 yr by mrtwister

Looking for a huge game from Jack Trengove tonight.

There is no time for excuses any more, he has to start impacting games and getting plenty of the ball.

I'm going to keep giving him excuses until the end of the season, due to his injury in pre-season.

However if he's still not making an impact next year, then the heat and scrutiny must be applied to him.

I'm going to keep giving him excuses until the end of the season, due to his injury in pre-season.

However if he's still not making an impact next year, then the heat and scrutiny must be applied to him.

He's been back for 13 weeks. No excuses.

If he's not right, he shouldnt be playing. It's literally painful watching him run.

not every player is fast, trenners need to adapt

Limit the turnovers and the game is ours.

Bring it on

How is this game not on free to air in melourne? Port Adelaide v St Kilda takes precedence?

Showing 2 games already played in Melb on FTA but not a game in Darwin.

Edited July 20, 201312 yr by olisik

95% humidity during the game.

Absolute lunacy that this game is going ahead.

It's no wonder only the desperate clubs chase this dragon.

Next weeks opponent will be licking their lips watching tonights game.

Are we allowed an extended bench for this waterworld extravaganza?

95% humidity during the game.

Absolute lunacy that this game is going ahead.

It's no wonder only the desperate clubs chase this dragon.

Next weeks opponent will be licking their lips watching tonights game.

Are we allowed an extended bench for this waterworld extravaganza?

Whinge whinge whinge f'KIn whinge. You are like a woman. They're athletes I'm sure they'll cope.

Whinge whinge whinge f'KIn whinge. You are like a woman. They're athletes I'm sure they'll cope.

Easy to say when sitting in a lounge chair with a beer.

I have spent a fair amount of time in 95% humidity.

This game should at least cover Schwab's contract pay out so i will take that as a positive.

95% humidity during the game.

Absolute lunacy that this game is going ahead.

It's no wonder only the desperate clubs chase this dragon.

Next weeks opponent will be licking their lips watching tonights game.

Are we allowed an extended bench for this waterworld extravaganza?

Couldn't be any wetter than last week surely?

Maybe it's a chance to see if we learnt anything.

Couldn't be any wetter than last week surely?

Maybe it's a chance to see if we learnt anything.

breathing in 95% humid oxygen whilst playing footy would sap all energy in 5 minutes.

It will be interesting from that point of view.

Like increasing the gravity pull 10-20% is the best way to describe it for those who have not tasted tropical weather.

Next weeks opponent will be licking their lips watching tonights game.

As opposed to cowering in the corner like they usually do?

As opposed to cowering in the corner like they usually do?

Nought Melbourne at Etihad.

Considering their season died last night it could be a nil all draw!!

I wonder how Craig will view the Docklands drought??

Like increasing the gravity pull 10-20% is the best way to describe it for those who have not tasted tropical weather.

Maybe we should take some Senzu beans and get Goku to coach us then.

P.S. I don't blame you if you don't get the reference.

95% humidity during the game.

Absolute lunacy that this game is going ahead.

It's no wonder only the desperate clubs chase this dragon.

Next weeks opponent will be licking their lips watching tonights game.

Are we allowed an extended bench for this waterworld extravaganza?

Relative humidity in Darwin currently 45% as at 1:54 pm.

Champion teams win anywhere, anytime, anyhow.

I'm concerned that Melbourne still have a relatively tall side and the conditions will be slippery.

Relative humidity in Darwin currently 45% as at 1:54 pm.

Champion teams win anywhere, anytime, anyhow.

1.54PM is a lot different to the evening.

When were we last a Champion team?

I'm 50 and i cannot recall that team!!

Swooper got close Bless him.

How is this game not on free to air in melourne? Port Adelaide v St Kilda takes precedence?

Showing 2 games already played in Melb on FTA but not a game in Darwin.

Not sure if you have missed it or not olisik but free to air shows games that rate!

The ratings for port and SK would be ten times our game.

We have been crap for six years and Brisbane in Melbourne has 5000 x fitzroy supporters.

We are a terrible team two thirds of Dees supporters won't watch tonight.

Win games and the whole world changes

1.54PM is a lot different to the evening.

When were we last a Champion team?

I'm 50 and i cannot recall that team!!

Swooper got close Bless him.

Ok so your expert advice is that by game time it will be 90% humidity? I am up here and it does not feel that humid. And yes I too have experience of the tropics.