Melbourne v Essendon - NAB Challenge - 20 March, 2015

[Bring-Back-Powell 15,066]

St Kilda seeking certainty from AFL that NAB Challenge match against Essendon will go ahead

Article about Essendon possibly withdrawing from the NAB Challenge. The article mentions that St Kilda has seeked assurances from the AFL as to whether their match against Essendon on March 7 will go ahead. There is also mention of Melbourne considering its own contingency plan should our match against Essendon be cancelled.

What do you think our contingency plan could be:

1) A full scale intra-club game that weekend;

2) Fill the Casey Scorpions team with 20 or so MFC players against another VFL team;

3) Option 1, AND arrange a practice match with either St Kilda or GWS on March 27 or 28, who also may have their games cancelled against Essendon. The problem with this is we (and the opposition) won't have a rest before round 1, but then again our rest will be on the weekend of March 20-22.

Less than ideal match practice preparation thanks to the Dons.

[sue 9,151]

I expect it is not practical in terms of ground, plane and hotel bookings etc, but the best plan would be for the AFL to totally recast the NAB draw. The odd number of teams would still be a problem.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Wait, what's happening with Essendon?

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,950]

My biggest fear is that we are forced to play a sub-standard Essendon team made up of young kids and some of their VFL team...and we lose.

Actually, it could be worse. Someone might get injured, too.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Play Bomberblitz?

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Play Bomberblitz?

lol, nice 'avatar'.

Well played.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

lol, nice 'avatar'.

Well played.

Lol that wasn't even a play, I didn't even make that connection.. I just bloody love that animation!

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Lol that wasn't even a play, I didn't even make that connection.. I just bloody love that animation!

Aw here I was thinking it was a great pun.

I still haven't finished season 1 yet, it's pretty good so far though.

WTF is with the cabbages guy?

[jabberwocky 2,301]

I say that we get on the front foot.

Boycott it on account of not wanting to play against drug cheats.

[jnrmac 20,207]

I expect it is not practical in terms of ground, plane and hotel bookings etc, but the best plan would be for the AFL to totally recast the NAB draw. The odd number of teams would still be a problem.

Hey we could always hire a dc3 aircraft and fly low to avoid any altitude sickness...oh, wait......

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Aw here I was thinking it was a great pun.

I still haven't finished season 1 yet, it's pretty good so far though.

WTF is with the cabbages guy?

Just a little running gag they have. Well you have some very memorable viewing ahead of you my friend, Toph and Princess Azula come in season 2 and it just gets better and better!

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Just a little running gag they have. Well you have some very memorable viewing ahead of you my friend, Toph and Princess Azula come in season 2 and it just gets better and better!

Must get onto it again then :D

Thanks for the reminder.

Back on topic, it'd be hilarious to see teams boycott Essendon games as Jabberwocky suggests. Would never happen, but would be funny to see.

[Whispering_Jack 30,949]

The AFL will no doubt have a contingency plan in the event of Essendon forfeiting - the NAB Challenge programme can surely be rejigged to ensure that every team gets at least three of these games in before the start of the season.

It's interesting that Essendon was drawn to play their three NAB Challenge games against St. Kilda, Melbourne and GWS who finished 18th, 17th and 16th respectively in 2014.

I simply cannot believe that it just happened at random that a club under the pump like Essendon would receive that sort of draw in their circumstances.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

That's fine, I'm going to watch it from the start again. Anyway I digress, it would be funny to see other teams boycott their games against that drug taking mob but it will ruin the season. Just introduce a bye and be done with it. Let Essendrug and the television stations deal with the fallout.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

The AFL will no doubt have a contingency plan in the event of Essendon forfeiting - the NAB Challenge programme can surely be rejigged to ensure that every team gets at least three of these games in before the start of the season.

It's interesting that Essendon was drawn to play their three NAB Challenge games against St. Kilda, Melbourne and GWS who finished 18th, 17th and 16th respectively in 2014.

I simply cannot believe that it just happened at random that a club under the pump like Essendon would receive that sort of draw in their circumstances.

Surely you're not suggesting the NAB cup draw was fixed! No way, I won't have it!

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

Surely you're not suggesting the NAB cup draw was fixed! No way, I won't have it!

Indeed!

The AFL is nothing if not fair and consistent to all parties.

You're jumping at ghosts WJ, surely.

[rjay 25,202]

The AFL will no doubt have a contingency plan in the event of Essendon forfeiting - the NAB Challenge programme can surely be rejigged to ensure that every team gets at least three of these games in before the start of the season.

It's interesting that Essendon was drawn to play their three NAB Challenge games against St. Kilda, Melbourne and GWS who finished 18th, 17th and 16th respectively in 2014.

I simply cannot believe that it just happened at random that a club under the pump like Essendon would receive that sort of draw in their circumstances.

Be interesting to see what happens.

[FireOath 290]

I'd like to see most of the players fill in for casey, a smashing (you'd hope) of a weaker team might give them a big confidence boost.

[Machsy 2,858]

It's not ideal for our contingency plan to be a match against VFL level opposition, but if the 22 or so Essendon players are still suspended and we play them, that's essentially what they will be also.

I think we drew the short straw having to play a preseason match against them, but in the end it's pretty much an unavoidable circle jerk.

[Hulett Packard III 166]

What about an All Star VFL team with the best of their players?

[Sir Why You Little 37,242]

Play the Aints

Fcuk Essendrug

Simple

[beelzebub 23,388]

Play the Aints

Fcuk Essendrug

Simple

play each other twice.......agree ...the simple answer

[Sir Why You Little 37,242]

play each other twice.......agree ...the simple answer

Absolutely. Rotate the side

No problem

2 hit outs different venues...

[biggestred 5,193]

Problem is when we are meant to play essendon the other 16 teams will have games.

Unless we join with 2 other teams and do that 6 quarter thing they did a few years ago

[Sir Why You Little 37,242]

Problem is when we are meant to play essendon the other 16 teams will have games.

Unless we join with 2 other teams and do that 6 quarter thing they did a few years ago

If Dill has any balls he will request a re jig of the fixture next week

It's not as if Essendrugs situation is going to change