Work just around the corner from the stadium, looking fwd to heading along with some Ess d icks from work.

I'm really annoyed about this too

I work, as do most other people. I'll be lucky to make it home on time to watch the match, let alone get to Etihad with enough time to park etc...

Can't they start at 6:30?!

agree its a buggger

will still be in Tyabb 5-5.30

At least it is on Foxtel this time, lucky i have IQ to tape it. Oh well, just save the voice for the GC match then i suppose.

Will be 24 man squad.

Hoping for a side like this.

Garland Dunn Jetta

Grimes T Mac Salem

Toumpas N Jones Lumumba

Watts Hogan JKH

Garlett Dawes Frost

Jamar Tyson. Viney

Bench Cross Newton Kent Gawn Brayshaw or Stretch Fitzpatrick

Will be 24 man squad.

Hoping for a side like this.

Garland Dunn Jetta

Grimes T Mac Salem

Toumpas N Jones Lumumba

Watts Hogan JKH

Garlett Dawes Frost

Jamar Tyson. Viney

Bench Cross Newton Kent Gawn Brayshaw or Stretch Fitzpatrick

I get the feeling that if Roos is trying to sort out his options for round 1 (and this is probably his last chance to do so in a match scenario), then I think we will see Dawes given a day off and both Pedersen and Fitzpatrick given a run (maybe one half each?).

Love the timing of this game. I finish work at 6 and that's an hour away from Etihad. I actually did want to go along, thinking it would be the usual 7.10 or 7.30 start. Now I see the game will start before I finish for the day. Awesome.

As for the side, I really want to see Fitz given a run. This would be an ideal opportunity for him to show a bit against a pretty weak side. Put Frost in the backline where he belongs, Fitz as the spare forward/extra ruck and bring Brayshaw in as a sub. Watts gets a start. Van Damn gets a week off for concussion, not sure who else would miss. Maybe Hoges is due for a rest before the real stuff starts?

Love the timing of this game. I finish work at 6 and that's an hour away from Etihad. I actually did want to go along, thinking it would be the usual 7.10 or 7.30 start. Now I see the game will start before I finish for the day. Awesome.

As for the side, I really want to see Fitz given a run. This would be an ideal opportunity for him to show a bit against a pretty weak side. Put Frost in the backline where he belongs, Fitz as the spare forward/extra ruck and bring Brayshaw in as a sub. Watts gets a start. Van Damn gets a week off for concussion, not sure who else would miss. Maybe Hoges is due for a rest before the real stuff starts?

I think Hoges will be played again as he needs game time after missing out for so long. Also, if he can kick a bag then he will go into the first round with his confidence sky-high.

I get the feeling that if Roos is trying to sort out his options for round 1 (and this is probably his last chance to do so in a match scenario), then I think we will see Dawes given a day off and both Pedersen and Fitzpatrick given a run (maybe one half each?).

I'm not so sure, yes round 1 is important but there are 21 other games (plus finals) for Dawes to play in and it will be a few weeks between games so I think he will play.

oh sweet, cheers. wtf did you read that?

Read it somewhere.

Then you got me worried, so I phoned the club. You have my permission to attend.

I'm not so sure, yes round 1 is important but there are 21 other games (plus finals) for Dawes to play in and it will be a few weeks between games so I think he will play.

True enough... but I also think Roos knows the history of our round 1 failures and the impact that seems to have on the rest of our season. I think he will be going all out to win first up and so will be using this Friday's game to help him finalise the starting line-up.

See its been bumped from the Australia+ international satellite TV program schedule.

Hope it's just a mistake.

Essendon is no Melbourne. VFL side or not, they'll turn up. Different club down there at Melbourne Airport.

If fortunes were reverse Melbourne would be guaranteed to lose by 150. Essendon, I'm not so sure. They're too proud.

I expect a close one tbh.

Maybe Hoges is due for a rest before the real stuff starts?

I reckon the opposite RM. Hogan needs all the opportunities he can get to blow out the cobwebs.

I expect our best available/closest to round 1 side to be on the park.

I reckon the opposite RM. Hogan needs all the opportunities he can get to blow out the cobwebs.

I expect our best available/closest to round 1 side to be on the park.

I agree. However, I think they will be 'managed' in regards to game time and load.

Essendon is no Melbourne. VFL side or not, they'll turn up. Different club down there at Melbourne Airport.

If fortunes were reverse Melbourne would be guaranteed to lose by 150. Essendon, I'm not so sure. They're too proud.

I expect a close one tbh.

that hurts but I'm afraid I agree

we've made losing by 100+ a matter of routine in parts of the last decade, and we didn't need ASADA's help

See its been bumped from the Australia+ international satellite TV program schedule.

Hope it's just a mistake.

Still scheduled and free to watch on the AFL international streaming site: http://watchafl.afl.com.au/schedule/day_view

I want to see us thrash Essendon with the big redhead in the cheer squad happy at the end of the game.

Still scheduled and free to watch on the AFL international streaming site: http://watchafl.afl.com.au/schedule/day_view

forgive a stupid question but is that only for connections outside Australia?

Im tipping another.close win.. just..

Would be such a Melbourne thing to do to lose this game, we would become more of a laughing stock than we already are but geez I hope we smash them

Amazed anyone is even contemplating the possibility of a loss. I know we're Melbourne, but...

We'll win, comfortably, and learn little in the process.

if we are also treating this like round 1, then anything less than a 40 point win is unacceptable. We should win, and we will win comfortably.

Heart has been broken too many times by my beloved MFC. I just can't trust them.

Afl are trialling a shot clock count down when someone takes a shot and worst of all the umpires will be broadcast over the PA when explaining free kicks.

Good lord! Should we just call it the NFL now?

Hearing the umps yell play on incessantly on to is bad enough!

Can you imagine how much negativity this would place on the club if we lost against this rabble? NAB challenge aside, if we don't go hard on Friday night and thump this mob I will be incredibly disappointed.

Let's remember that the Bombers are our bunnies even when they're at full strength.

It'll be an annihilation.