This is from The Mongrel Punt -

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2026/2026/01/29/2026-melbourne-season-preview-the-big-questions/

It asks a number of questions about the club’s 2026 season. Only five are visible behind the firewall so if anyone can summarize the rest of the story, it would be much appreciated.

Almost tempted to pay to reveal what’s behind the paywall , but I won’t .

I was almost lost after the first paragraph with the reference to our impressive back line, but the remainder of the ‘free’ bits were very insightful and enlightening

I had no idea Kozzie was only a few possessions away from being in the 20 possession 2 goal club. Hasn’t been achieved since 2011.

Unsure of why - but archive.md works if you put in the URL.

It’s not working for me right now as I type for unknown reasons

Will bypass the paywall.

Very detailed analysis questions 1-5, would appreciate questions 6-15 if someone can post it.😁👍

24 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Very detailed analysis questions 1-5, would appreciate questions 6-15 if someone can post it.😁👍

Surely someone with no money concerns can pucker up for the rest of us 😂

The Mongrel is usually on the money but not sure if this is correct...

"Turner started out as a forward, but was wisely moved to defence"

...didn't Turner come to us as a defender?

12 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I had no idea Kozzie was only a few possessions away from being in the 20 possession 2 goal club. Hasn’t been achieved since 2011.

It was basically the only reason I was watching in the latter part of the season. He was on track but dipped in possession numbers late unfortunately. Still, shows how much of a big jump he made last year when up around the ball whilst still maintaining a high goal count!

12 hours ago, rjay said:

The Mongrel is usually on the money but not sure if this is correct...

"Turner started out as a forward, but was wisely moved to defence"

...didn't Turner come to us as a defender?

Didn’t he say the same about Petty, and I’m sure he was being touted as a Half Back Flanker when he was drafted.

Loved the bit about the wolf climbing the hill. Our future depends on the progression on our younger players - we have high expectations for Windsor, Langford and Lindsay but I think if players like JVR, Rivers and Sparrow can go up a level we might just be ok.

13 hours ago, rjay said:

The Mongrel is usually on the money but not sure if this is correct...

"Turner started out as a forward, but was wisely moved to defence"

...didn't Turner come to us as a defender?

I would say you're correct.

Turner played his first 3 AFL games as a defender. One in his 2022 debut on Kings B'day and two late season 2023 games. He played well in round 24 2023 V Sydney and was arguably unlucky to be dropped for the Pies final the following week.

Then in 2024 he played his first game of the year as a forward on Anzac eve and kicked 3, and we all thought "hello, have we got a forward here?"

I would like to see him up forward as he is such a lovely exponent of the set shot, and can kick it a mile.

2 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

It was basically the only reason I was watching in the latter part of the season. He was on track but dipped in possession numbers late unfortunately. Still, shows how much of a big jump he made last year when up around the ball whilst still maintaining a high goal count!

Yeah he cooled down a bit in the last month and couldn't manage a 20 and 2 game in his last 5 which cost him.

His form between the Sydney game (round 11) and Carlton game (round 20) was off the charts and certainly cemented his AA spot.

3 games where he kicked 5 and had 20+ is disgustingly good.

Kozzie is the number 1 on my list of things to look forward to in 2026 and it's not even close.