I know the Kangas are a bottom 4 side especially with Cunnington out but did we dismantle them or what? Can't see us losing a game all season. Loved the backline. Hibberd and J.Smith impressive. The big 3 starred as usual and Big Benny Brown is in for a massive season.

4 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Meh … how many times have we won practice matches in February/March and gotten excited about the year ahead? I’ll wait for the real thing to start before passing any judgment on where we’re headed in 2022.

Big difference is we are unusually coming off as Premiers ( by a margin) and a sensational 2021 possibly our best team performance in 125 years. Plus plenty of our first choice we're not available and we ( despite your assertion wrongly) that we win practice matches by this large margin frequently it's not the normal result.

I agree it's best not to carry on as if practice matches are absolute evidence of a bumper year again but it's hard not  to be convinced with our talent youth and potential depth that we are ( given no injuries to Clarry or Trac) in for another high quality season by a rapidly developing group of very determined athletes with ultimate success foremost in their minds.

I just saw the highlights on the news. Clarry kicks a replica of his bang bang bang goal.

He kicked exactly the same goal in the last round against Geelong as well.

It's becoming a trade mark.

If he continues this trend I don't think it will be just Melbourne supporters saying he is the best midfielder they have ever seen.

 

What strikes me about this team vs all the others in my 45 years supporting is how much purpose they play with to drive the ball forward at all costs. Old Melbourne sides had me screaming how they’d mess around with the footy and inevitably turn it over, not this one. This must be what supporting a good side feels like.

27 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

What do you mean by "BBB too big"? In a good way, meaning he was too big for North to counter; or in a bad way, meaning he was too immobile or we looked unbalanced in the forward line?

Too big to counter. It’s not exactly a textbook run and jump but his go go gadget arms can’t be stopped at times.

23 minutes ago, loges said:

Had his legs taken out but as reported seemed to walk off unaided, only a couple of minutes to go so no point leaving him on.

Wasn’t much of a walk, and I don’t think the medical team were just sitting him down due to time. He’ll be lucky if he’s avoided a serious injury. 

This is truly the dawn of a new era. How relaxing to experience our team demolishing another in the pre-season, with nothing hanging on the result, and no requirement to read the tea leaves for the upcoming home and away season. Our only problem is how to jam 30 players into 22.

I know it was the premiers vs the wooden spooners but our clean hands, sharp feet and speed of ball movement is unheard of at this time of year for any side. Joel Smiths performance and Benny Browns continued improvement with a big preseason were the key factors other than the standards we now expect from Gawn, Clarry et al. Rivers and Bowey were underwhelming and both would want an improved effort against the Blues to lock themselves in round 1. Chandler aside from 2 goals just has no impact and does not have the manic defence or link up class of Nibbler, Kozzie or Spargo.

Edited February 24, 20223 yr by Lil_red_fire_engine

37 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

gotta be an owl.......there is an owl on both sides

Great man was Monash.

13 minutes ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

Joel Smiths performance

I think that's his dad on the right in this image.

7 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I think that's his dad on the right in this image.

He would be more recognizable standing on someone' s shoulder.

Salem’s injury happened in front of us, he grabbed his knee straight away! It didn’t look good. He walked off the ground ok, I just hope there is no structural damage. 

4 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

He would be more recognizable standing on someone' s shoulder.

Saw Shaun there! Robert Harvey was also wandering around

Edited February 24, 20223 yr by sisso

3 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

20 lobster, 50 pineapple, 100 gremlin 😂

$100 was a Morson!!

26 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I think that's his dad on the right in this image.

Yes, it’s him… 

2 hours ago, binman said:

Maybe. Though he looked good today.

But Smith is more suited to Petty’s role with his ability to zone off, spoliation and take intetcept marks.

Smith was dynamic today 

On today's performance I would think more Bowey back to Casey. Could be 2nd year blues or him just trying too hard to keep his position. Wouldn't do him any harm to go find some "touch" back at Casey.

 

24 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

$100 was a Morson!!

Mawson?

Edited February 24, 20223 yr by leave it to deever

 

47 minutes ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

I know it was the premiers vs the wooden spooners but our clean hands, sharp feet and speed of ball movement is unheard of at this time of year for any side. Joel Smiths performance and Benny Browns continued improvement with a big preseason were the key factors other than the standards we now expect from Gawn, Clarry et al. Rivers and Bowey were underwhelming and both would want an improved effort against the Blues to lock themselves in round 1. Chandler aside from 2 goals just has no impact and does not have the manic defence or link up class of Nibbler, Kozzie or Spargo.

Rivers was the same at the start of last season, he took a couple of games to find his groove, Bowey I'm not so sure about. Let's face it Chandler was just in as a place holder for Fritta. If Fritta isn't ready for the next game I would like to see Toby Bedford given the same time on ground as Chandler.

2 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

 

In fairness to Grandpa Simpson, it WAS the style at the time

1 hour ago, sisso said:

What strikes me about this team vs all the others in my 45 years supporting is how much purpose they play with to drive the ball forward at all costs. Old Melbourne sides had me screaming how they’d mess around with the footy and inevitably turn it over, not this one. This must be what supporting a good side feels like.

So after 45 years of yelling out "Just kick it", the team has finally taken heed. But I agree with you. In times gone past it was considered taboo to kick it long to a contest. The gurus would tell us that you had to keep possession at all costs. Thankfully that seems to be a thing of the past.

6 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

"Salem avoiding damage to his knee" so...he's all good to go?

12 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Christ I want to see this guy with a premiership medallion around his neck

4 minutes ago, dworship said:

Rivers was the same at the start of last season, he took a couple of games to find his groove, Bowey I'm not so sure about. Let's face it Chandler was just in as a place holder for Fritta. If Fritta isn't ready for the next game I would like to see Toby Bedford given the same time on ground as Chandler.

Bowey is a footballing savant, he'll be fine

1 hour ago, Wrecker46 said:

I just saw the highlights on the news. Clarry kicks a replica of his bang bang bang goal.

He kicked exactly the same goal in the last round against Geelong as well.

It's becoming a trade mark.

If he continues this trend I don't think it will be just Melbourne supporters saying he is the best midfielder they have ever seen.

 

how good was it?! it took it one-handed from Weeds out of the ruck

him and Trac could go to another level this year which is just hard to comprehend