19 hours ago, Leopold Bloom said:

Goody sighted in Bali late last week.

Hopefully Goody wasn’t trying to outcompete de Gooey at the bar 

55 minutes ago, kev martin said:

I can see him improving even more. His capacity to lead to unusual spaces, his snaps are getting better and he is primed as one of the first picked, is durable and has some swagger going on. I predict this will be his year.

William's is working hard on them getting their set shots right. If Tracc, Vines and Oliver become "dead eyes", watch out,

as taking our opportunities will hurt the oppositions. Some appear to flourish under the tutelage of Choco.

So happy Choco was lured to North. He is so important to our team.

Exciting to hear positive reviews re Jefferson & Howes

5 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

Each kick, be it long or short, was towards a leading Brown, McDonald or Fritsch, mostly moving back into an empty forward zone. This was very different to our long kicks into pockets last year.

A very welcome observation. We play best when we do this. 

4 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I wonder how much better it is for a premium ruckman to be training with (or against) another premium ruckman rather than a second stringer? We see it all the time with the best forwards having to battle the best defenders. But most clubs don't have a quality second ruckman to put up against their first choice big man.

A very valid point regarding the ruckman pitted against each other..Also how lucky for the up and coming two younger ones as well as JVR learning some skill sets.

10 hours ago, cantstandyasam said:

So happy Choco was lured to North. He is so important to our team.

Agree happy to retain him should sign him up for another 3 years.

 

I would love to see Chandler or Laurie crack into the team for ANB or Spargo I know they play a row but feel they lack input

Um, and I emphasize, um, I am getting a 'vibe' that the sins of 2022 have been addressed by both the recruiters and the sheer luck of injury incidence. Fingers crossed the latter continues, and I feel so much for Sean's son who seems to have been cursed...

The vibe I am getting is similar to the Richmond response to falling after premiership success. Posters have mentioned Griffith and his 'sins' compared to his 'defector', but in the end, injury management is a contest between the gods and sheer natural serendipity. Touch wood, the tea leaves seem benign at the moment. Long may they continue to fall this way.

More than that, the vibe from the players feels better than at any time in my long years as a Melbourne supporter.

 

 

22 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Seems like the boys are back at Gosch.

Theres far too many Birkenstocks on display here for my liking. 

12 minutes ago, Deemac said:

I would love to see Chandler or Laurie crack into the team for ANB or Spargo I know they play a row but feel they lack input

Laurie may have to do more but agree with Chandler…

27 minutes ago, jayceebee31 said:

Laurie may have to do more but agree with Chandler…

ANB goal tally was so low because he missed so many shots. If he had kicked straighter he could have easily kicked 20 goals but Spargo has to do more on the scoreboard. 

48 minutes ago, Deemac said:

I would love to see Chandler or Laurie crack into the team for ANB or Spargo I know they play a row but feel they lack input

I think that it will be on for young and old this year Deemac we have some great kids coming through the ranks and I won’t be surprised if 4-5 players debut this year.!!

1 minute ago, DeeZone said:

I think that it will be on for young and old this year Deemac we have some great kids coming through the ranks and I won’t be surprised if 4-5 players debut this year.!!

I would. van Rooyen is the only 1 that should debut. If we have a good year it would be hard to see any youngster get a gig. It will be tough for spots.

3 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

I would. van Rooyen is the only 1 that should debut. If we have a good year it would be hard to see any youngster get a gig. It will be tough for spots.

Sorry WD I said debut but include new faces such as Chandler & Turner, the debutantes are JVR, Laurie and Howes, they will need to knock the door down but we must have a degree of refresh in the team and fierce competition for spots.

24 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

I think that it will be on for young and old this year Deemac we have some great kids coming through the ranks and I won’t be surprised if 4-5 players debut this year.!!

Agree, I think McVee, Turner, Howes, JVR and even Jefferson and Woewodin. 

Chandler looks like he will do just about anything to get a run. 

With so many ready to go recruits, Schache, Grundy, Hunter plus a few experienced (Melksham was looking good) and 2 to 4 year players on the periphery, there will be plenty of pressure for positions. 

Still think we will blood a few this season. We ran out of steam last year. Hoping we rest the not quite right players. 

Edited January 9, 20232 yr by kev martin

Thank you for all the reports, Round 1 will be here before we know it.

Do we know what's going on with the Community series this year? 

Edited January 9, 20232 yr by Dee Zephyr

21 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Thank you for all the reports, Round 1 will be here before we know it.

Do we know what's going on with the Community series this year? 

I could be wrong about this but isn't it up to clubs now to organise their own practice games??

Thought they changed thay last year??

35 minutes ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Thank you for all the reports, Round 1 will be here before we know it.

Do we know what's going on with the Community series this year? 

Pretty sure it is one formal praccie match and then game on!

10 hours ago, The heart beats true said:

Theres far too many Birkenstocks on display here for my liking. 

They might not be pretty, but for athletes who value their feet, they are probably the best 'open' shoe option they can wear.

Sure beats thongs. 

12 hours ago, The heart beats true said:

Theres far too many Birkenstocks on display here for my liking. 

Well, they do play for the dees. 

12 hours ago, The heart beats true said:

Theres far too many Birkenstocks on display here for my liking. 

should be using Crocs

18 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

should be using Crocs

That be Bulldogs and Norf's domain.

13 hours ago, The heart beats true said:

Theres far too many Birkenstocks on display here for my liking. 

Birkenstocks will, in many cases,  fix and/or prevent planta fasciatis. Thongs should be banned from any player use.  Worst footwear possible.

 

13 hours ago, Monbon said:

Um, and I emphasize, um, I am getting a 'vibe' that the sins of 2022 have been addressed by both the recruiters and the sheer luck of injury incidence. Fingers crossed the latter continues, and I feel so much for Sean's son who seems to have been cursed...

The vibe I am getting is similar to the Richmond response to falling after premiership success. Posters have mentioned Griffith and his 'sins' compared to his 'defector', but in the end, injury management is a contest between the gods and sheer natural serendipity. Touch wood, the tea leaves seem benign at the moment. Long may they continue to fall this way.

More than that, the vibe from the players feels better than at any time in my long years as a Melbourne supporter.

 

 

I'm with you Monbon.  I have never been more optimistic before a season than this year. Many reasons for that, but I ssupect even the players know they faded in finals for probably health reasons, and that a Flag is there to be won this year.

14 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

ANB goal tally was so low because he missed so many shots. If he had kicked straighter he could have easily kicked 20 goals but Spargo has to do more on the scoreboard. 

It's more difficult to hit the scoreboard if he's playing higher up the field, as he was last season compared to the premiership year.