36 minutes 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

Agree 100%. Amazing planning AFL, allegedly trying to het fans interested. No other rural ovals available, if you don't look hard.

MELBOURNE

Easy pickings: All Dees fans drove away from Casey Fields talking about the Pickett pairing, as cousins Latrelle and Kysaiah tore up the Roos. Kysaiah bagged five goals and had his way with the game, while Latrelle added the exact exciting energy Steven King is after as coach. Expect Latrelle to play in round 1, it’s impossible to keep him out now, surely.

Max factor: Could we have the first double Max ruck pairing? Max Heath, already known as the ‘Moose’ at Melbourne, jumped all over Tristan Xerri and impressed in his first outing as a Demon, and appears primed to give a chop out to Max Gawn this year. Dwayne Russell is already listing puns for his commentary. Supermax, maximum impact, Maxibomb …

Luker’s leap: If some questions were answered by the scratch match, the tall forward mix clearly wasn’t. Brody Mihocek didn’t make it to quarter-time due to concussion, but he should be fine to play round 1. Jacob van Rooyen and Matthew Jefferson were quiet, while Luker Kentfield shone with three goals to put his hand up. If Heath is picked, that means van Rooyen, Jefferson and Kentfield are likely fighting for one spot, which surely goes to van Rooyen to start.

Man of Steele: Jack Steele’s composure and smarts stood out in a new-look Melbourne midfield without Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver or Jack Viney. He could be one of the bargain pick-ups of the year. Harvey Langford is set for more centre minutes, and Caleb Windsor has had a strong summer. With Trent Rivers also floating through, the Dees batted deep enough to be able to rotate Kysaiah Pickett forward whenever needed. It looked a good mix against the Roos.

Attacking flair: We’re not going crazy about a scratch match but the signs were all positive for Steven King’s new attacking style as the Dees booted 19 goals. Only once last year did Melbourne kick more in a game.

- Josh Barnes

RICHMOND

Do not panic: The Tigers were thrashed at stoppages by Essendon on Friday and suffered a heavy 50-point loss, but their heavily managed first-choice midfield group was only together for the first quarter. In that opening term, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Sam Lalor seized early control of the game and were well supported by Jack Ross, Kane McAuliffe and Taj Hotton. Richmond will be far more competitive come round 1, as they were this time last year after a heavy pre-season defeat to Collingwood sparked concern they would go winless in 2025.

Ready to ‘sizzle’: Top-10 pick Sam Grlj looks ready to play across halfback after he was the Tigers’ go-to rebounder for much of his pre-season debut. Grlj was always going to catch the eye with his speed, but he was also clean and composed against a competitive Bombers forward line.

Nasty rules for Nank: Captain Toby Nankervis looks among the ruckmen least suited to the new rules preventing players from crossing the centre line at ball-ups. The 31-year-old struggled against the high-jumping Lachie Blakiston and gave away a free kick early in the contest trying to block his run. Ollie Hayes-Brown appears to be improving, but the Tigers are very thin on ruck depth and will need their skipper to work out a method against the leapers.

Lefau is very good: Richmond supporters who have watched his 11 games would already know this, but Mykelti Lefau is just a very good footballer. The New Zealand-born tall issued an early reminder of his lovely set shot kicking against the Bombers, and it looks like he will be able to handle the second-ruck duties. Because his defensive pressure is so strong, it means the Tigers can also play both Harry Armstrong and Jonty Faull alongside Tom Lynch in attack.

Defensive squeeze: Adem Yze has his work cut out for him trying to strike the right backline balance with Nathan Broad, Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta and Sam Banks all missing from the line-up against Essendon. It could be Josh Gibcus against WA Origin representative Broad for the third tall spot, while Tom Brown is no selection certainty after 23 games last year.

- Ed Bourke

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…

AFL Community Series In Ballarat

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 3 hours ago3 hr by old dee