15 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Plus a $4.05 handling fee.

I suspect the match has technically sold out. The reason being there is construction currently underway on the stands therefore there weren’t many tickets available in the first place.

Pre-construction the ground only held 10k (mostly standing). During construction perhaps 5k at most is my guess.

Strange place to have a match but I suspect there's an agenda.

I would have preferred Wangaratta, Albury or Mildura (maybe too hot) as a venue for promoting football.

21 hours ago, harveylangfordisthegoat said:

anyone know how the parking is around the stadium? any secret parking spots i should know about

This includes parking info…

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2 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Pre-construction the ground only held 10k (mostly standing). During construction perhaps 5k at most is my guess.

Strange place to have a match but I suspect there's an agenda.

The agenda is that the Bulldogs have pulled out of 2 or 3 Ballarat home games, therefore leaving a shortfall for other clubs to pick up the slack by way of 2026 pre season games. Weirdly enough the club that should be picking up the slack is afforded a home game this weekend at their training headquarters.

I know it's a crazy idea but how about having Melbourne and Richmond play a game at Princes Park on a Saturday afternoon so 10,000 to 15,000 can attend as opposed to having the game on during business hours at a severely hampered venue.

With respect to Kozzie, as much we all love our weekly fix, he'll probably be rested this week due to playing 2 full games already.

On 21/02/2026 at 08:39, Demonland said:

Melksham has been back in full training for several weeks and took part in last week’s intraclub match. He was also on the track on Wednesday, so unless there’s been a new setback or recurrence, he was probably just managed this week. I’d expect him to line up against the Tigers.

It's a very long season and at his age and previous injuries I think they are just holding him back. I would not be surprised to see start in round 3. Now in AFL speak that is actually the 4th round because round 1 is actually round 2 and oh hell I give up. He will start a couple of weeks after the much younger players start.

On 21/02/2026 at 14:45, DeeSpencer said:

From the 23 that started the North game:

Out: Heath, Mihocek (inj), Kolt

In: Gawn, Kentfield, Salem

FB: Lever T Mc CJ

HB: Salem Disco Lindsay

C: Langdon Steele Howes

HF: Chandler JVR Fritsch

FF: Jeffo Kentfield L. Pickett

Foll: Gawn Sparrow K. Pickett

Int: Langford, Rivers, Windsor, Laurie, Sharp

Subs: Heath, Kolt, Petty, Melk, X Taylor

Selection questions before round 1:

• Can we play 4 key forwards, 2 rucks or Melk or is the extra runner too vital for the game plan?

• Can Petty dislodge Lever or T Mc?

• Can Kolt or X Taylor dislodge a more proven back flanker

• Will Culley be right to go and how does that rejig the midfield mix

Sharp DS! Surely there are players with more potential.

On 22/02/2026 at 13:09, Demongirl35 said:

Last one before the season.

I’d like to see

B: Taylor* Petty Lever

HB: CJ Turner Lindsey

C: Langdon Steele Howes*

HF: Chandler JVR Melks

F: Fritsch Kentfield* L.Pickett

R: Gawn K.Pickett Langford

Int: Windsor Kolt* Heath Rivers Jeffo*

Players with * are in question for round 1

Unsure if we’ll go with Gawn, Heath, Kentfield, JVR and Mihocek round 1. As much as I’ve never been a fan of that many talls I don’t mind it. Kentfield has some pace and JVR seems to be putting in with his running.

Hopefully Kolt works on his kicking and decision making because he had a few to many turn overs again North. Other teams would make us pay for most of them.

I’m hoping Matthews makes it l, as it will free up Trelly up the ground but not lose a small in the forward line. Trelly seems to have a good tank and speed to burn. Exciting times!

Kolt won't make it. There are a number who are better. There isn't a position for him..

On 21/02/2026 at 14:56, mandeelorian said:

Does anybody know if you need to purchase a ticket for this match?

There was an email a week or two back saying it is a ticketed event.

7 hours ago, The Jackson FIX said:

Playing an AFL match (of any kind) at a rural oval with limited capacity because of construction is one of the sillier decisions I have heard for a while

It's the AFL so llogic rarely surfaces in there decisions.

47 minutes ago, old dee said:

Sharp DS! Surely there are players with more potential.

I’m far from a Sharp fan and I might rejig the team to have Kolt or X Taylor in and play Rivers on ball more.

There’s also a likelihood Laurie or Sharp are filling a spot for Culley to be right for round 1.

I am a little skeptical that we can play taller with Melk or another ruck/forward too for that 5th bench spot. Worth a try at some stage but probably not round 1.

There’s also the reality that unless Onley, Matthews or Mentha take a big step up we’re going to see guys like Sharp and Laurie a fair bit. We don’t have anyone else!

Richmond’s Lefau (forward) who booted three in practice match against Bombers has been suspended for two games re drink driving. One game against us (practice match).

Don’t love that we’re playing Kolt at half back over Xavier Taylor just get games into him would’ve been my thought

A big blow for Richmond with Mykelti Lefau copping a fine and a two-game suspension after being caught by the police driving while more than double the legal alcohol limit. He misses this week’s game at Ballarat as well as the Round 1 game vs Carlton.

Why a “big blow”? Well, the former Casey Demon who was drafted and turned into a Tiger did blow into a machine that delivered a blood alcohol reading of .108.

That’s what I call a big blow.

He's henceforth to be referred to as Myki Lefau.

2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I’m far from a Sharp fan and I might rejig the team to have Kolt or X Taylor in and play Rivers on ball more.

There’s also a likelihood Laurie or Sharp are filling a spot for Culley to be right for round 1.

I am a little skeptical that we can play taller with Melk or another ruck/forward too for that 5th bench spot. Worth a try at some stage but probably not round 1.

There’s also the reality that unless Onley, Matthews or Mentha take a big step up we’re going to see guys like Sharp and Laurie a fair bit. We don’t have anyone else!

You could be right but Sharp and Lawrie would need to make big improvements to be regulars in the senior side. Sadly I think they both fall into that group who are too good for VFL but NQR at senior level.

1 hour ago, Greg Schneider said:

Don’t love that we’re playing Kolt at half back over Xavier Taylor just get games into him would’ve been my thought

Imo Kolt won't make it. So a waste as you say.

Edited February 23Feb 23 by old dee

3 hours ago, old dee said:

Imo Kolt won't make it. So a waste as you say.

Too early to say. In any case, the club has an obligation to leave no stone unturned in trying to maximise their return and make an AFL player out of him. Blake Howes had decent raps on him as a draftee, but it's only now in his 5th season that he seems to be about to cement a place. Some players take time.

53 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Too early to say. In any case, the club has an obligation to leave no stone unturned in trying to maximise their return and make an AFL player out of him. Blake Howes had decent raps on him as a draftee, but it's only now in his 5th season that he seems to be about to cement a place. Some players take time.

I understand that bing. I am just making a comment on what I have seen so far. Just my opinion.

On 23/02/2026 at 13:42, old dee said:

Kolt won't make it. There are a number who are better. There isn't a position for him..

I reckon Kolt is King's Chapman, and they will persevere.

Did I just "nap" that?

13 minutes ago, Willmoy1947 said:

I reckon Kolt is King's Chapman, and they will persevere.

Did I just "nap" that?

Where are you playing him?

Richmond first-round draftee Taj Hotton is facing months on the sidelines following post-match scans on a sore hip. Obviously, he will miss Friday’s practice match.

14 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Richmond first-round draftee Taj Hotton is facing months on the sidelines following post-match scans on a sore hip. Obviously, he will miss Friday’s practice match.

44 minutes ago, old dee said:

Where are you playing him?

I think it was the 50mtr plus goal when drifting in to 50 gap that made me think that. So it could be a spell on the ball.

51 minutes ago, old dee said:

Where are you playing him?

The best he has looked at any level has been as a physical defensive midfielder

He should be modelling his game on Steele

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Apologies as this is the wrong thread, but could someone please let me know which end the Melbourne cheer squad typically is for the Freo game in round two, I’m trying to buy tickets. Thanks in advance.

3 hours ago, Pickettup said:

Apologies as this is the wrong thread, but could someone please let me know which end the Melbourne cheer squad typically is for the Freo game in round two, I’m trying to buy tickets. Thanks in advance.

We sit in Bay 105 Eastern, closest to Perth Stadium train station