Leaderboard

Howie got his wish to spend more time in the Melbourne forward line.

In 2 weeks time we have the bye. Ready yourself for the hysteria when Hogan goes home to visit his parents.

I spoke to Heritier after training today where he was doing mainly kicking and running drills with Daniel Cross. I asked him if he was going to be playing again soon and his words were 'I will be back after the break.' That maybe is his view and the Club may have a different view but he said it in a friendly, happy way that I came away believing him.

I think its great and only sorry I am one or two decades too late. I would have loved to have played competition footy. Nearly all of my family and friends who have young daughters take them to Aus Kick. They all love it and now can aspire to be the next Daisy Pearce. Anything to get kids off their bums and outside.

We are sitting 8th for highest 'Home Game attendance' averages so far. Up 7 places from our 2015 average rank of 15th. Of the Vic clubs we are presently ranked 5th. Last year we finished last. Since last year we are up 10,000 per home game and have leap frogged the following Vic clubs ... Roos, Saints, Dogs, Cats and the Blues!

To say that he's only at minimum levels is a little harsh, but it really depends on how you rate him as a player because he's doing well and truly more than enough to warrant selection each week. In terms of his ceiling, I think he can be a lot better. But he's tracking very well this season. Further to that, it's not just that more quality players around the ball are helping JW. He has found a toughness in the contest that I wasn't so sure he possessed. He's going hard at the ball, chasing harder than every before and it's showing in his overall performance. Jack's development this year has made me very, very happy.

Must be why our professional recruiting team went for him then. Pity they didn't consult you first.

I find many of the reactions to our womens' team on here concerning. I cannot think of a better example as to why so many of our women find us blokes insensitive, boorish and mysoginist. I had hoped we were better than that but clearly many of us have no idea. All I can say is go girls, and the sooner you deliver the red and blue a premiership the better. I for one will be shouting from the rooftops barracking you on. The MFC have distinguished themselves in promoting this, and all power to them. I am really proud of the Club for having such vision in this, in spite of the chauvanisti attitudes of many supporters as has been clearly shown on this thread.

So pumped for this! I hope that those who aren't interested in watching the women's game can keep quiet about it, in much the same way that I don't enjoy golf as a spectator sport and yet strangely have never felt the need to broadcast that among its fans. Inevitably people will treat it as a novelty, but we should try to remember how much this means for women who love our game. Also I think the footy community at large would benefit from entering this new competition with a mindset that recognises 'Doesn't look like men's Aussie Rules' does not equal 'Not as good as men's Aussie Rules'. The game style won't look the same initially or perhaps ever, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that- the skill, guts, teamwork and talent will all be there and the rest will evolve with time (and who knows in what direction?), just like it has since we wrote the rules. The fact that I'm already on the defensive about this probably says something... Anyway, I can't wait to cheer on our team and I'm confident we'll be a powerhouse as much as we'll be pioneers!

Watson has a law degree?!

As a proud father of twin girls, this is very exciting! Just imagining them running around in the red and blue ala Febey brothers....

What a special time for a young girl who wants to test themselves and see where it might lead. To those condescending half the population - they are also half of the AFL's audience and contribute to your club and to your game.

why do I keep checking this thread on the off chance Hogan has signed? this is not good for Dubdee's mental health

I wouldn't agree with Jacks output being at minimum levels, I think he has been a lot better than that.

they can now...in a League of their own !!

There were many people on here underwhelmed by the recruitment of Kennddy and Bugg just quietly... Have some faith in the new FD, they gave barely put a foot wrong the past 2 years

So, Richmond missed out.. guess they finished 9th again!

I honestly struggle with the loyalty thing. If my employer did to me what was done to these guys, it would inspire very little loyalty in me.

Great initiative. Looking forward to watching them play. And to yelling out 'WOMAN UP!"

Watching the pre-game on foxfooty David King was interviewing a pre-recorded segment with Jack Watts. They were hitting golf balls at Albert Park Driving Range and King asked him if the great man (Hogan) has been around to his place. Wattsy laughed and said he's around all the time and it's sickening to watch the lovey-dovey carry on with him and i assume a girlfriend. I don't know whether it's Jack's sister or someone else, however it inferred Hogan was smitten and always coming around to Jacks.

Terrific development, considering not just the fact that women's footy has been the fastest growing participant sport in Australia for the past 5 years, but that gender balance in club support and membership is one of the key points of difference in our game. Amazing in some ways that it's taken this long. It's also interesting that as the two 'foundation' clubs, MFC and the Bulldogs are the two Victorian clubs that have gone the longest time without a flag. Coincidence?! Well done DEES for your forward thinking and social responsibility. A great present day reward for having codified the sport back in 1858. There is no football without the Melbourne Football Club.

Is he? What has he done to be given the title of 'A grader'? All Australian? Nope. Brownlow Medallist? Nope. Best and Fairest winner? Nope. Let's no kid ourselves here Adam. He has shown he has the potential to be a very good player, but he isn't an A grade player. He is a handy player who exhibits potential to get better, but that is no guarantee, and we know that his body is not exactly in top shape either.

My three-word whole game analysis: Beard beats buns.

Shannon Byrnes played in two flags. Even premiership teams contain good ordinary players who play their role.

GOLD

Correct. I also have no time for players who the club took a big risk on (given where we plucked him from), who then gets too big for their own boots and goes on demanding the world. Howe was being selfish and wasted our time. I wish him luck, but he made his own bed.

I just love the fact that with his hard work and loyalty and getting the correct coaches to help develop him that he is now showing us all what he is capable of. Watts would have to be one of the mentally strongest players in the AFL. i feel really proud of him just like one of my own kids as I always have had belief in him.

He had one kick that wasn't as deep as he'd hoped (Varcoe intercept chopped arms) and another poor decision when he went to Jones in the corridor, which resulted in a goal to us, but he's a super smart player, a great tackler, and very clean. Pace was not an issue whatsoever. He's feeling his way after two years and I have zero doubt he'll be best 22 and get better and better.

It's only realistic if you have inside information...it's just an opinion otherwise. Which is it and at what level?

MFC needs more pace in the midfield or back half. Melksham will be a huge IN for 2017.

Don't you worry about Clarrie, he's as much of a gun as Petracca.

Perhaps it is because he has only done 2/3rds of a pre-season coming off a TAC cup year where he was not even a draft contender for half of it due to his (lack of) conditioning. My professional diagnosis would be he is a bit knackered

Instead of being the class dope, annunciate what you disagree with. If you can.

Hopefully he drives into his parents driveway with their new car, courtesy of AHG, as a present for his 5 year extension with the Dees

Looks like we have a Women's Team! Hooray! http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/carlton-collingwood-have-won-womens-team-licenses-ahead-of-st-kilda-north-melbourne-richmond-geelong/news-story/0ac7b446f8bc17436a6fbf1efdaa20a4 The 2017 women’s league: Carlton Collingwood Western Bulldogs Melbourne GWS Brisbane Fremantle Adelaide Well done to everyone involved, over many years! Edit: MFC announcement http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-06-15/melbourne-awarded-womens-team-licence

I would like a 'play' efficency stat. So if you start a play that results in a turnover your stats get effected as well as your teammates. Thinking of Tmac playing on in the first qtr trying to step around for no reason then handballing to Bernie under pressure who was tackled as he kicked, turnover, goal. Goes down as effective handball for Tom and Ineffective kick for Bernie when the fault was clearly with TMac.

And you think 3 of those guys will win us a premiership? Prestia is an A grader. If you have a chance to get an A grader without selling the farm, you pull the trigger.

Can never have enough mids, and it amazes me when people say that Prestia is surplus to requirements. Ridiculous.

Watched the replay last night to confirm Vanders went more than ok and had about 5 goal assists and some great tackles and important blocks so I agree whole heartedly with you gOLLY

And how good was it to watch a game where both teams just play the ball and don't drop their knees or lead with the head looking for cheap frees?

Didn't mind his game yesterday. 5 clearances, 8 tackles and 10 CP is a great return for a 9 gamer. Not sure on his Centre bounce attendances but it seemed every time there was a goal kicked he would be coming off the bench straight into the centre. Stats might show we are most potent with him in there

How about we just keep Hoges! We want to win a premiership don't we?

I laughed when they had him doing the kick outs.

Mahoney to Dodoro...they can walk mate, we don't have to give you a thing. See if the AFL will offer you a couple of picks.

I thought Wagner was good yesterday, am I on my own here?

"We lost by 100 but Howe took mark of the year". If I was to roll up all of the games from the Neeld era and make them one, that's probably how I'd describe it.

Mind-boggling post. Wagner for Grimes? Are you serious? One is beautifully poised and hits targets the majority of the time under extreme pressure. Grimes can't hit the side of a barn under no pressure. And why bring in Matt Jones just for the sake for it? He's not best 22. He's a fringer. Wags is tracking perfectly. Love him.

There is no commentator worse than Brian Taylor he is a shocker. I refuse to listen to him now, simply switch to another station or turn off the sound.