WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - ALEX NEAL-BULLEN

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,525]

After the bye for mine.

No rush at this stage but love his form and attitude.

[spirit of norm smith 16,655]

yes after the bye round for ANBs debut

[Wadda We Sing 10,685]

Agree if we get done by the filth, then its time to start playing the kids.....

[Nasher 33,617]

Agree if we get done by the filth, then its time to start playing the kids.....

The result of one game is not going to drive the selection strategy for the year.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,289]

Get him in ASAP so that he is ready for the finals.

[Whispering_Jack 31,299]

While I don't believe in rushing players, I also think that the right time to strike is while the iron's hot. ANB has continued to put in consecutive high quality performances at Casey and must be in the mix. The only misgiving I have is the question of balancing the midfield with the strong ball winning types and those with pace and in this regard we're suffering to an extent from not having Kent and JKH at the moment and Stretch being probably a season away from the football maturity to be a regular at this level. However, if these blokes can kick on next year and Petracca recovers fully from his ACL, we look like being healthier in the midfield than we have been for some time.

[Gator 18,018]

Would rather we didn't throw ANB to the wolves, but for some reason I could see him having a breakout match against another young team in the Saints.

It won't be "throwing him to the wolves", he would have earnt it. Playing in the AFL will also be beneficial for his development.

[G-max 154]

He's had a chance to prove that he's fit after recovering from a knee injury. Give him a run as the sub and see what he can do. Similar to how Brayshaw and Stretch. I'm on board with a St Kilda call-up. They aren't exactly the wolves.

[Ron Burgundy 8,588]

ANB looks like the type of midfielder that the Swans are adept at landing with later picks.

Seems a safe bet that he'll make it.

[hells bells 2,023]

The next coming of Lenny Hayes

[jnrmac 20,307]

A bit surprised this thread hasn't been updated since the win over Geelong. In the euphoria we seem to have missed that we have a very promising player in ANB. I see prior to his debut there was a lot of talk that he wasn't ready and hasn't had enough game time since coming back from injury etc but his game on the weekend was outstanding.

When was the last time a 2nd gamer kicked 3 goals for us? Watching the replay again I was more impressed than my first impressions. Thought he contested well, seemd to run all day without a problem and certainly knew where the goals were. He looked very composed.

The goal in the 1st quarter was a cracker. He was alongside Lumumba on the wing and kept running as the ball was moved down the boundary line. The ball was kick inside to Jones on the 50m line and there was ANB tellnig Jones to move it on quickly to Watts all alone about 15m out. He kept running and when watts played on and got himself intotrouble he handballed over the top to ANB who had run around 100m and finished off a great team goal.

If we didn't have so many good players on the day there would be much more written about this guy. Its early but might have unearthed another player.

[rpfc 28,966]

Just looks a footy player. Smart reading of plays and a decent decision maker for a kid. Solid skills and tough in close.

Again, who knew drafting kids with these traits was the way to go...

[Gorgoroth 13,188]

Def a good game and people have mentioned it, but I think most are trying not to get too excited after his second game, if he plays that well vs Meth Coast then they will start with the four Brownlow expectations.

[hemingway 7,633]

Super impressed with that interview with the twins. A really refreshing interview. Their enthusiasm and passion for the MFC and its future was palpable. No guarded comments or footy speak, just full on enthusiasm. Two very genuine boys with no tickets. What you see with these boys you get. No bull merde.

[PaulRB 6,435]

I think he may be good, but only one of his three goals show real class (the snap), with the other two kind of lucky (Jack Watts brain fade and a cheap push in back when he wasn't close to contesting the mark).

I though Stretch had a better game, with his solid passing especially to Howe for his two goals, and his shot for goal in the last.

I like ANB's moxy though and hope he continues to develop.

[Moonshadow 17,678]

Does ANB have a mentor like Jones/Brayshaw?

[Adam The God 30,644]

Just watching the replay again on FOX and I'll tell you. ANB won a couple of really good hard balls. In his second game, that's very impressive. As was his mate SOS, who provided some great outside run. I like 'em both!

[Adam The God 30,644]

A bit surprised this thread hasn't been updated since the win over Geelong. In the euphoria we seem to have missed that we have a very promising player in ANB. I see prior to his debut there was a lot of talk that he wasn't ready and hasn't had enough game time since coming back from injury etc but his game on the weekend was outstanding.

When was the last time a 2nd gamer kicked 3 goals for us? Watching the replay again I was more impressed than my first impressions. Thought he contested well, seemd to run all day without a problem and certainly knew where the goals were. He looked very composed.

The goal in the 1st quarter was a cracker. He was alongside Lumumba on the wing and kept running as the ball was moved down the boundary line. The ball was kick inside to Jones on the 50m line and there was ANB tellnig Jones to move it on quickly to Watts all alone about 15m out. He kept running and when watts played on and got himself intotrouble he handballed over the top to ANB who had run around 100m and finished off a great team goal.

If we didn't have so many good players on the day there would be much more written about this guy. Its early but might have unearthed another player.

Shows great leadership, doesn't he? Really impressive.

EDIT. Also, loved his thumping of his heart/jumper when he kicked his third. Brings goosebumps every time. I want players loving that jumper.

[praha 11,253]

Def a good game and people have mentioned it, but I think most are trying not to get too excited after his second game, if he plays that well vs Meth Coast then they will start with the four Brownlow expectations.

You mean to say he's not already leading the Brownlow?

[jnrmac 20,307]

I think he may be good, but only one of his three goals show real class (the snap), with the other two kind of lucky (Jack Watts brain fade and a cheap push in back when he wasn't close to contesting the mark).

I though Stretch had a better game, with his solid passing especially to Howe for his two goals, and his shot for goal in the last.

I like ANB's moxy though and hope he continues to develop.

The goal might have been a bit lucky but his 100m run was fantastic as was a 2nd game player telling the Captain where to kick it. Good players make their own luck don't they?

[monoccular 17,699]

A bit surprised this thread hasn't been updated since the win over Geelong. In the euphoria we seem to have missed that we have a very promising player in ANB. I see prior to his debut there was a lot of talk that he wasn't ready and hasn't had enough game time since coming back from injury etc but his game on the weekend was outstanding.

When was the last time a 2nd gamer kicked 3 goals for us? Watching the replay again I was more impressed than my first impressions. Thought he contested well, seemd to run all day without a problem and certainly knew where the goals were. He looked very composed.

The goal in the 1st quarter was a cracker. He was alongside Lumumba on the wing and kept running as the ball was moved down the boundary line. The ball was kick inside to Jones on the 50m line and there was ANB tellnig Jones to move it on quickly to Watts all alone about 15m out. He kept running and when watts played on and got himself intotrouble he handballed over the top to ANB who had run around 100m and finished off a great team goal.

If we didn't have so many good players on the day there would be much more written about this guy. Its early but might have unearthed another player.

Very impressive reading of the play, and hard gut running such as we haven't seen in any player or any ability or seniority at MFC for a hell of a long time.

I think he may be good, but only one of his three goals show real class (the snap), with the other two kind of lucky (Jack Watts brain fade and a cheap push in back when he wasn't close to contesting the mark).

I though Stretch had a better game, with his solid passing especially to Howe for his two goals, and his shot for goal in the last.

I like ANB's moxy though and hope he continues to develop.

See my comments above. Don't you really think his positioning and planning for a possible hand ball receive or even fumble was exemplary?? I thought it was bloody amazing, especially from a second gamer.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Can someone explain "Scratcher" nickname?

I missed something there.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Scratcher Neal I would guess

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Yeah, Robert Neal.

Played for Geelong moons ago.

A third of ANB's name is Neal and he happened to be in Geelong, isn't it obvious CB, you !diot.

[Hellish Inferno 992]

"Very impressive reading of the play, and hard gut running such as we haven't seen in any player or any ability or seniority at MFC for a hell of a long time."

Bit harsh on Bail monoccular, as he is the epitome of gut running and has often been the player on the end of a long chain to score in the goal square.

Come to think of it, I think ANB is the replacement/upgrade for Bail. Can run all day with the difference that he is actually skilled