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this was my highlight !!! my son getting asked to be Mascot for the day and my girls did the guard of honour too many thanks to MFC for this , on such a hard day for us

Not sure, probably best to just break up with her.

That Jordan Lewis kid goes ok.

-3 votes to Johannisen's haircut.

Not 1 highlight on the AFL Website..

Salem was terrific today. Got plenty of the footy on the inside, used it well and made good decisions. Stretch was very good too, he is a beautiful user of the footy and he gets himself in the right spots. Melksham did struggle a little but he looked like a bloke who hasn't played competitive footy for 500 days. He'll take time. He did a few good things and a few things that made you cringe, but it's onwards and upwards from here.

Having Jordan Lewis out there in the dying stages will do wonders when the real stuff begins. He was everywhere late.

Love Billy stretch, always seems to make good decisions.

Technically 2 goals. I don't count super goals.

All this blowing smoke up the Dogs backside is giving me the irrits.

We went to pieces mentally in the last five minutes of the second and fourth quarters - I think greater concentration and drilling in what's expected from the senior players will help. From what I saw, the fringe players will struggle to get in due to the greater depth in our side's make-up. Spencer, Smith look likely candidates to be best 22 in our side come round 1 - the waxing and waning btw Spencer and Gawn was exciting to watch, just like at the Cats game a couple of years back. Smith just looks all class coming off half-back, but I guess at the moment it's between him and Hibberd, and for mine Hibberd wins? Interesting with Melksham, he essentially played the 'small defender' role. For mine, Jetta is a walk up start for that gig come Round 1. JKH and ANB were okay, but nothing amazing. They played their roles but didn't strike me as pushing towards the best side. Lewis, Jones and Vince swapping between half-back, wing, and inside mid was really good to see. Jones on the outside was arguably the most threatening of the three for mine, but Lewis and Vince were good too. Some don't like him, but vandenBerg is a monty to be in there come Round 1 for mine. His attack on the ball and the man is really great to watch. Only issues for mine was how easily T Mac got lead up the ground by Cloke and that Wagner got injured, and his loss definitely hurt our structural set-up. Looking forward to the next hit-out.

Brian Lake has absolutely no future as a boundary rider. Hopeless. Look to hearing him for the next 15 years.

It's going to be fun watching the rest of the comp cotton on to how good Salem actually is. Often dismissed as steak knives in the Tyson deal. He's gonna shock a few.

Jonesy looks in fantastic nick.

Like these 'away' jumpers too Looks like Melbourne

This is even better than Barry Prendergast going to North Melbourne.

And in the 1999 draft when he was hampered through Melbourne losing its first round pick (salary cap breach), he drafted future captain Brad Green (19), Paul Wheatley (20), Michael Clark (42 as f/s), Matthew Whelan (50), Shannon O'Brien (63) and Cameron Bruce (64). Not a bad collection either.

North Melbourne signs Barry Prendergast to new recruiting role

Yeah this is the issue. There's no doubt we played an under-strength Dogs side but it's not like last year where we put our best 22 against their worst 22 and fell over the line.

There was one lightening switch of play near the end of the third quarter that took us from inside defensive 50 to inside offensive 50 in less than 10 seconds. It was that speed of ball movement and quick change of direction that really caught the Bulldogs off guard. Exciting stuff. And progress. Clear progress. I only caught the second half, but here are some observations from those quarters: * Oliver solidifies himself as my favourite player. Those hands are so clean and he showed off that beautiful kicking and vision we know he has. * Lewis' experience will be invaluable this season. He knows where to be at the right time, floating back across our defensive goal square twice in the last minute. He also took charge of the kicking duties at the end, which was great leadership. But how was Bernie's typical brainfade that almost gave them another goal at the end there? * Stretch looks in really good nick. He looks tougher and more toned, but doesn't seem to be any slower. Hoping for another step up again from him this season. * Jesse was good in the moments I saw. Bringing the ball to ground and contesting. High work rate and little negative body language. * One thing I noted to my surprise and delight was that we seemed to have numbers and be front of centre at the contests off half back, which never happens. It's usually the opposition. I hope that's a sign of things to come. The Bulldogs smashed us in these areas last season. * Our tackling was ferocious. Our work rate, our numbers around the ball were really, really positive. * Harmes and Bugg still can't kick and Vandenberg can't handball to save his life (even the assist that led to a goal was at the feet of his team mate). The thing though that I like about the state of our list is that all these guys are vying for similar positions and at their best are contributors. If Harmes could kick, he'd be one of our most exciting prospects, because he works hard and knows how to find the ball. * My boy Jake Spencer was excellent from what I saw in the second half. Such a good problem to have. Do we play Spencer and Gawn or do we just play Gawn? I'd say the majority of the time we'd go with one of them, but I think we could really expose certain teams if they're both on form. * Weideman needs to get tougher and he needs to put on some more weight. He's only a kid, but he didn't seem any bigger than last year. Playing up the ground, he gets knocked off the ball too easily. * Great seeing Salem, Petracca and Gus getting through unharmed. Beautiful kick for goal was Gus' last.

The dogs rucks are probably not going to dominate the universe but I loved the fact that Spencer provided a contest and gave Maxie a chop out. This preserves Max for a sustained 4 quarter performance. Plus it means Max provides a decent foil and target in the forward 50.

So for those who don't know, the current rules are clubs can nominate 1 Rookie (A or B) to play senior games before round 1 and nominate another later on in the season, as well as be replacements for long term injuries and retirees. The AFLPA in their new bargaining agreement are looking to make it so there are no restrictions on when rookies can play so that might come into affect for the season.

Pedersen takes Weideman's spot in the early rounds. i appreciate he did a couple of nice things today including a strong contested mark inside 50 but I don't think he's ready yet.

Much better win than the corresponding fixture last year when we beat the Dogs reserves with plenty of skill errors. Big ticks to the fossils (Jones, Lewis, Vince). Smith had a quieter second half but is firming for round 1. Petracca was good, Melksham is heart in mouth stuff but was OK, slimline Oliver is amazing as is non-stuttering Jesse. I think vandenBerg and Harmes will struggle for games this year. JKH and ANB had their moments but neither confirmed they're up to the grade. I need to mention Oliver again, I think he's in for a Cripps 2015 year. Overall a lot to like.

All I can say is that, once the highlights of the game as a whole are uploaded, you'll enjoy some promising footy from our boys. Joel Smith was another today who stepped up and took his chance. He might find it hard to crack the 22 to begin the year, but he can only continue to develop and get better from here. Moves very well, is strong in the contest and doesn't look to bad with his disposal. One to certainly keep an eye on.

The Doggies will be the like the Warriors of the NBA - they will dominate everything as they are the media darlings. We'll just need to get used to it. We played some great footy today and I don't mind that it will go largely unnoticed, as it doesn't mean a whole lot in February but it will also help us stay under the radar a little.

20sec left in a practice match who cares.

"Neville Jetta would have claims at being in their best 18". FFS. Nev Jetta is nearly first picked. Does Dwayne Russell even watch these games?

That's what happens when you're playing the "better" team. and they're the premiers on top of that. Get used to it.

At least you are spared the commentary team fawning over Cloke and the Doggies. You wouldn't know the Dees were playing.

Looking forward to todays game. Hopeful for no injuries and generally a good showing from the players. Can forgive the skill errors at this stage, just want to see the game plan in action and good intent aroubd the contest.

Pumped for footy to be back today. Amongst a long list of things I am most looking forward to seeing the differences in our tall structures both forward and back, the impact the kicking of Salem and Lewis will make to our midfield ball movement and how much improvement is noticeable in Bray, Clarry and Trac. Result nice but not important, more so the way we go about it and hope for an injury free day.

Absolutely. I remember when I was living in Brussels a few years back, and all the local footy was switched exclusively to internet. Must have made sense financially. The thing that gets me as well is that streaming on a computer or phone is a whole other experience, with other possibilities (technically). They should be offering multiple cameras, your own instant replay, and the biggie I always enjoyed from the dark days of streaming (when it's all there was ...), real-time comments from fellow viewers. At times it was almost like being there: "goooooaaaalllll !!!" (etc. etc.) With the international WatchAFL service, they're also missing out on revenue, because they just stream the Australian ads, which are completely wasted on we expats. Should be a big opportunity for airlines and travel companies etc. to target a niche market, but no-one at the AFL seems to have their heads around the possibilities. They still seem to think that by putting up TV-on-a-computer, they're offering a service.

Thoughts everyone? We played pretty well today, plenty to like and some of the kids showed their flashes of brilliance. Lewis was our top possession winner, already looking like a wonderful acquisition!

that's why it's caledl practice, saty. no doubt he was under instructions to take the game on. that's what we want from him he'll be cherry ripe come round 1

It was a practice match, first serious hit out, I saw some excellent, some good and some horrible Spencer showing the benefit of full pre season, he doesn't know how not to compete Salem another class midfielder Lewis just experience personified Oliver can look horrible on the training track, but put him in a game and with Gus stepping up, Tyson watching the game knows he has a fight on his hands Hogan just getting his touch and range Joel Smith have seen him do this at training now in a game Surrounded by Dogs supporters in the grandstand at the end silence was deafening you would think 4 points was on offer

Am I the only one who thinks we need more out of Trac? He needs to take set shots inside 50 rather then try to pass them off all the time.

Lumumba would free up a spot. Best thing he's ever done for the club.

He's been better than Hunt. He's definitely in the 22 and Goodwin will definitely play him. Everyone on her needs to get used to it and stop hating. He's a decent player and is better than some others running round out there tonight.

If it was up to me he wouldn't be at the club.

Wouldn't surprise me if Gerard confused Wagner for Gawn.

joel smith, tackling supremo

Hogan takes a mark on the wing, plays on to Gawn immediately. Put chills in my spine - Hogan last year always looked far too slow to move it on when playing up the ground. Great signs.

Sorry Balls, I have to disagree. We should never, ever be seen in that insipid royal blue of the 1970s and 80s. It's associated with an era of complete rubbish. It looked as weak as the white jumper. Navy blue and red is Melbourne. Nothing more, nothing less.

Family Day at Luna Park tomorrow too, membership tent always gets smashed on this day so expect some good numbers through the week!

To their credit, the administrators at AFLW ordered a costume change at quarter time (another first in football?). #wecanworkitout GWS changed their shorts but in my book, it's a confusing whitish clash of jumpers. Farce.

Almost spat the crackers !! Alas....a clash jumper thats NOT white. Who'd da thunk Have fo check some hard drives but reckon the idea for trad front and redback might be a few years old lol Still....good to see Go you RED and BLUES !!!

This isn't the bloke that promised Rory Sloane's parents that the MFC would pick him at pick 19 in the 2008 draft??. Then proceeded to overlook him twice- Strauss and then Bennel at pick 35.