Melbourne v GWS - Round 1, 2016

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Good to see the precedent for the season has been set again, we get a home game against a low drawing side so we can make little money, and the Pies travel at a time where they are well rested and it will impact them the least. Lets hope it isn't a sign of the whole draw ahead.

Actually, we are being given a soft first game to get our season started against an interstate team and the chance to draw a decent crowd when we usually we would be lucky to get 20,000.

[Chris 2,892]

Actually, we are being given a soft first game to get our season started against an interstate team and the chance to draw a decent crowd when we usually we would be lucky to get 20,000.

Good point, will be interesting to see if we get any home games against big drawing crowds, outside of Collingwood, this year or if we will be politely asked to deal with it as it is the price to pay for AFL support. Of course the AFL aren't clever enough to work out that without the bad draw, financially, we may not need the support, but then again maybe they like having a punching bag on hand.

[What 18,810]

Actually, we are being given a soft first game to get our season started against an interstate team and the chance to draw a decent crowd when we usually we would be lucky to get 20,000.

Hardly a soft game though Clint, GWS certainly arent easy beats anymore and thankfully we wont be either.

If the league had given us an opening game vs Brisbane id agree with you

Edited October 26, 2015 by Petraccattack

[CBDees 3,162]

Hardly a soft game though Clint, GWS certainly arent easy beats anymore and thankfully we wont be either.

If the league had given us an opening game vs Brisbane id agree with you

Actually I would have preferred Carlton as:

1) they are no more competitive than Brissie,

2) they would pull a bigger crowd, and

3) I would get more satisfaction beating them!

[Red and Bluebeard 2,030]

In related news: AFL Fixture 2016: Melbourne and Richmond to play Anzac Eve

The sweetest line of all: "In a move which is expected to irritate Collingwood ..."

I doubt that I will ever say that I have heard those words spoken too often

[binman 37,806]

In related news: AFL Fixture 2016: Melbourne and Richmond to play Anzac Eve

The sweetest line of all: "In a move which is expected to irritate Collingwood ..."

I doubt that I will ever say that I have heard those words spoken too often

Brilliant. It was a great night last season. If we can win a couple of early games it could be a big game

[What 18,810]

In related news: AFL Fixture 2016: Melbourne and Richmond to play Anzac Eve

The sweetest line of all: "In a move which is expected to irritate Collingwood ..."

I doubt that I will ever say that I have heard those words spoken too often

thats brilliant news... its quite the stage, lots of exposure.

[Dee-Nee 91]

Brayshaw has to play mid-field. He is one of the few who can use speed and run straight into the forward line from the middle and break up the defence.

Yes a really interesting year for Jetta coming up I suspect.

He was a revelation in 2014, but in 2015 had his moments (another great game on Betts), had his concussions (Howey's gone now so less likely to happen) and had his games where he didn't provide enough dash from defence - which ultimately as a small defender is a key part of your role.

He has to be careful that he doesn't slip back into thinking he can be a bit passive on offensive transition.

I suspect that's part of the reason why Melksham was recruited, because at the moment only Lumumba, Salem (when fit) and T-Mac take the game on out of defence, although Grimes tries but is limited by his kicking depth.

Given we now have so much midfield depth (I even inadvertently left out Tyson), I suspect and hope that Brayshaw is sent back to defence this year because we know he has good aerial skills on top of his tackling and he can play down the left side - unlike most of our guys.

If it was up to me, I'd have Brayshaw slotted in already for HBF, because I doubt he is ready to take a midfield slot permanently, and that way he plays most of the game and can provide more run off the back line.

But I can't see Roosy going down that path yet because ultimately he is pretty conservative.

[Lucifers Hero 36,985]

Good to see the precedent for the season has been set again, we get a home game against a low drawing side so we can make little money, and the Pies travel at a time where they are well rested and it will impact them the least. Lets hope it isn't a sign of the whole draw ahead.

Lets hope we get a bye after the Darwin game so we have time to freshen up because usually the bye is before Darwin...crazy stuff!

Edited October 26, 2015 by Lucifer's Hero

[Mazer Rackham 14,968]

In related news: AFL Fixture 2016: Melbourne and Richmond to play Anzac Eve

The sweetest line of all: "In a move which is expected to irritate Collingwood ..."

I doubt that I will ever say that I have heard those words spoken too often

Ha ha ha! Suck on that, Eddie!

[Lucifers Hero 36,985]

In related news: AFL Fixture 2016: Melbourne and Richmond to play Anzac Eve

The sweetest line of all: "In a move which is expected to irritate Collingwood ..."

I doubt that I will ever say that I have heard those words spoken too often

What a cheek! Quote: 'However, the Magpies opposed the new fixture, describing the Anzac Day calendar as already over-subscribed . Club president Eddie McGuire likened the April 24 night game at the MCG to "having Christmas twice." '

On the whole Eddie is good for football but he sure is galling at times!!

Glad the AFL backed the Dees and Tiges to deliver on the showcase game.

Last year's Anzac Eve game was a highlight of the season: Great occassion, moving ceremony and we won.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,106]

Hope its our home game on Anzac eve.

[Jaded No More 57,725]

Hope its our home game on Anzac eve.

It should be. Was an away game last year. Only fair we share it.

[Snags for Jesse 0]

Aah to see Tom $cully do an ACL on The Members Wing

Santa please read this post and make my dreams come true!

[P-man 13,154]

"However, the Magpies opposed the new fixture, describing the Anzac Day calendar as already over-subscribed . Club president Eddie McGuire likened the April 24 night game at the MCG to "having Christmas twice"."

I really don't dislike Ed the way so many others do, but that analogy is in very poor taste.

[Snags for Jesse 0]

I agree, P-man. Strange that he doesn't kick up a fuss about the Saturday night fixture either.. just a jealous Ed IMO - if it were up to him the Pies fixture would be Fri-Mon.

[titan_uranus 22,221]

Hosting GWS in Round 1 is a good thing - with a strong NAB Challenge we could quadruple this year's crowd against them. I'd rather get that game out of the way in Round 1 than leave it until one or both clubs are out of the finals race.

The two things I'm most interested in with our 2016 fixture are how many home games we get against Victorian sides (I'd love to see home games against Hawthorn, Essendon, Richmond, Geelong and/or Carlton) and Friday nights - we were the 'best' of the bottom 6 so I'd like to think we would get no fewer Friday nights than Essendon or St Kilda get, though I expect us to get 0 again.

[titan_uranus 22,221]

We've also got the Alice Springs home game against Port Adelaide in Round 10 (indigenous round) on a Saturday afternoon.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-28/indigenous-round-honour-for-one-of-the-games-aboriginal-pioneers