Some highlights reels of MFC players from Saturday night have popped up on YT

I watched with little expectation and found myself loving it, the skills on display were great and both sides played attacking footy, as much as I love footy, some of the defensive strategies are hard to love, and seeing the best of the likes of Dangerfield, Daicos and Bont go at it and stream forward, was a lot like taking a superbike out on the Great Ocean road, back when you could go for an early ride and not worry about tin tops or the TMU.

Lots of funny moments, Serong kicking a goal, and the crowd swallowing a cheer because it was the Vics was a grin. And you can’t tell me seeing a super coach dream team running around doesn’t fill you with a little bit of awe.

Kozzie first clearance was huge btw, really excited for this season. Don’t get the negative comments about Gawn, did his job, was a very different game style to what he normally plays and he still got into the game.

Throw the farm at Butters end of ‘26, would dearly love him at the Dees, btw you reckon Scott was in the ear of any of the players??? Seeing some ex demons did hurt a little, Jackson and Hogan would certainly have us a couple of wins better during a season.

Overall a big YES from me, it was like 80s/90s footy without the thuggery, and the players certainly showed they were invested. Also keep it preseason, after an AFL season 80% minimum of those players today would have been carrying an injury more likely to be exacerbated by a origin game.

On 16/02/2026 at 01:36, GS_1905 said:

To be honest, if the commentators didn’t go on and on about him I wouldn’t notice his impact on the game as it wasn’t all that significant, whilst Ash’s drove out of d50 was very noticeable to me.

Daicos just has lots of cheap disposals and hence why he probably didn’t get the medal. Bont and McCluggae were the same, didn’t really have a major influence.

I thought Butters and Ash were the Vics best.

Daicos is an overated, cheap posession, bruise free footballer!

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

Daicos is an overated, cheap posession, bruise free footballer!

How often do you think he's just been ok or even poor then look up the stats and see 38 touches?

He'd have the world record for that I reckon.

1 hour ago, layzie said:

How often do you think he's just been ok or even poor then look up the stats and see 38 touches?

He'd have the world record for that I reckon.

Exactly my piont, cheap, easy possessions, yes he is quick and runs but he shows zero accountability and hardly gets his own ball. Thats why he will never win a Brownlow and shock horror even Ruckman Cameron an average player as a ruckman won the Filth B&F.Eddie can beef all he likes but there were 5 better players than him on the night. 38 possesions aw yeah but many were gimmees/freebies

Edited February 16Feb 16 by picket fence

Another Origin casualty ...

Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell is set to miss Gold Coast's opening fixtures after suffering a broken finger during the State of Origin contest.

Rowell sat out the back-end of the final term as Victoria ran out winners over WA in Perth, with reports of a sore finger confirmed after scans in Queensland on Monday.

The superstar midfielder will undergo surgery on his left hand later this week, ruling him out of Opening Round against Geelong, and potentially weeks beyond.

He joins Jacob Weitering (fractured rib) and Sam Taylor (high-grade hamstring) as players suffering long-term concerns during the AFL's State of Origin return.

One thing that stood out was Kozzie and his 1st or 2nd possession of the match

Dashed out of the middle but then pumped it long to an eventual pack and a loss of possession

It looked great but in practical terms it was a waste of a possession and a net loss to a forward foray

King needs to coach the long bomb out of our players. Good luck!

Edited February 18Feb 18 by Macca

On 15/02/2026 at 19:38, old dee said:

It’s amazing that we change the rules because umpires cannot bounce the ball. Something they have been doing for 150 years.

I don't disagree with you Old Dee but we have so much time wasted with recalls for a secondary bounce. Todays umps haven't got the skills of Beitzel or Mc Murray have they?

11 hours ago, Bobby McKenzie 2 said:

I don't disagree with you Old Dee but we have so much time wasted with recalls for a secondary bounce. Todays umps haven't got the skills of Beitzel or Mc Murray have they?

Far from it Bobby, of course back then there was only one central umpire. Now they need 4 to get the job done. The talent pool is poor imo.

Edited February 21Feb 21 by old dee