Leaderboard

2nd round pick + Jamar and Matt Jones should get it done.

It's funny how people see things differently. I loved his response. I was thinking "don't sit there and apologise for your actions to a fat slob who has no idea what's it's like on an AFL footy field". Lewis did the crime and he'll cop his right whack, but he didn't need to grovel for forgiveness to placate armchair critics. I want a hard edge at this club and I'm starting to see it. They haven't got the balance right in the first couple of rounds, so hopefully they'll start treading the right side of that fine line. Never complain and never explain.

It's irrelevant if the players liked Roos or not, Roos wasn't at Melbourne for a long time, he was at Melbourne to fix a broken club. He did that, and it took a whole lot of hard truth to get to where we are now. I'm sure lots of players weren't happy to be moved along, or told they weren't working hard enough. Goodwin has the pleasure of taking over from Roos, who laid the foundation and did the really tough work that only someone extremely tough and extremely experienced can do, without breaking the playing team apart. We should be forever greatful for the work Roos did, in setting a foundation for our club and rebuilding not just our list, but the entire level of professionalism of the playing list.

Oliver won the tap as I recall. Watts was deep in the scrap with Lewis, the push and shove with Silvagni came on the tail end after Silvagni dragged Watts out of the scrap.. Some people are never happy - Watts too soft, Watts fighting too much.

Brayshaw was ordinary on the weekend, but he's being played out of position and will be a very good player when he gets a run at it. He showed this in the middle towards the back end of last year. If you're going after Lever, it's draft picks. You don't take from the midfield we're building. We still need to strengthen the midfield, so taking another player from that area is stooopid.

Covering Cockatoo should be easy, he is out injured

I actually don't think the loss of Lewis and Hogan will hurt us too much; while I would rather have them out there, I believe we have enough depth to cover them and still be well and truly in the hunt on Saturday afternoon. The Cats aren't the juggernaut they were, and if we can somehow curb the influence of Dangerfield and Duckingwood to a certain degree, then we are a good chance of winning this game. It's easy to be all doom and gloom, but why can't we be 3-0? We can still make it happen.

I'm calling BS on the Hogan decision having any relation whatsoever to Paul Roos. Everyone knew exactly how long Roos would be at the club. Why would Jesse ever even bring it up as a factor in re-signing?

After we crush Geelong we should storm AFL headquarters and trash the joint.

Great News. Fifteen minutes of fame enough for unlucky Dee

I think our midfield and its depth is being massively overrated if posters think we can afford to trade Brayshaw.

No offence to @stevethemanjordan who I rate on this forum but why, oh why, are we discussing potential trades after only 2 rounds of footy have been played? One could be forgiven if it was looking Like 2013 all over again but it ain't. And those who are suggesting trading Brayshaw need to take a good hard look at themselves in the mirror and then head butt it.

Wow.. Brayshaw for Lever!? April fools right???

This shows two things. One, there is still so much improvement ahead for this list. For many players in that 19-23 age range, they are still working on consistency, building on their strengths and limiting their weaknesses. As they play more together, learn together and improve together, that consistency will come and when it does, the other 17 clubs had better look out. The second is on the same theme - the lack of consistency means we will still have a few losses that will really hurt. That's all part of the process. Hopefully most don't lose sight of the bigger picture and stop themselves from jumping off the West Gate when the opposition kick a few goals in a row or we make a couple of bad turnovers. For the time being it WILL happen, so just accept it and focus on where we're headed as a club - and that's up the ladder.

This is great. To be fair to Slobbo, he did emphasize that both Jordy and Hoges at least were front on with their hits yet the elbow and knee from Thompson was DIRTY. Frustrating that our players copped harsher reprimands when those cheapshots during North V Geee-long got next to nothing.

Lever waiting on CBA before signing contract Get. Him. Here. 2018 backline: FB Jetta Lever Hibberd HB Hunt T-Mac Salem/Vince/Lewis/Jones

Are we the Baby Demons? Young Dees face their biggest test ROUND 2 AGE LADDER Club Age Hawthorn 27.04 West Coast 26.75 Fremantle 26.46 Geelong Cats 26.20 Essendon 25.77 Western Bulldogs 25.61 North Melbourne 25.44 GWS Giants 25.36 Adelaide Crows 25.29 Carlton 24.97 Port Adelaide 24.95 Sydney Swans 24.89 Richmond 24.76 St Kilda 24.73 Collingwood 24.69 Brisbane Lions 24.45 Gold Coast Suns 23.70 Melbourne 23.56 ROUND 2 EXPERIENCE LADDER Club Games Hawthorn 136.2 West Coast 121.9 Fremantle 111.3 Geelong Cats 100.6 Essendon 100.1 GWS Giants 98.5 Western Bulldogs 97.3 Adelaide Crows 90.9 North Melbourne 89.8 Richmond 89.0 Port Adelaide 88.0 Sydney Swans 88.0 Carlton 84.9 Collingwood 84.0 St Kilda 82.8 Brisbane Lions 74.2 Melbourne 70.2 Gold Coast Suns 66.5

Must have been the best 15 minutes of footy ever! This is a real success story though. If he wasn't the son of a past player you'd have to say he was plucked from absolutely nowhere. He looks very impressive and his development has been rapid. Excited for the club and for Joel that it appears to be working out nicely, and excited for us because he looks like he may be another unexpected jet.

Out of contract at the end of the year. Needs to be re-signed asap.

The return game in july will be fun to watch. We wont forget

Mitigating this risk by rotating our stars through the MRP?

IMO one of Smith or Pedersen has to play. Last week's TOG: Gawn: 80%, Watts 70%, Weed 80% That means Watts is in the ruck 20% of the time when Gawn is off and in the forward line 50% of the time. If we go with Weed and Watts as our only 190+ forwards then Weed is the only one in the forward line for 50% of the time when Watts is rucking or off.. Watts and Weed in together 30% and only Watts 20% when Weed is off.. Add Smith or Pedersen and we have 2 190+ 100% of the time.

I like this. I'd like to imagine it wasnt a typo, its just flat out denial

Something I find interesting is that we are very young in an unusual way. Normally the teams at the bottom of the age ladder are there because of three or four teenage draftee coming in at once, often experimentally. For us, our only teenagers on the field are Oliver and Weideman, then Stretch our only 20-year old. But then we've got 16 or so legitimate AFL-level players in the 21yrs to 23yrs range. That's an enormous 'bulge' which gives us 8 years to tinker and shape the list for top achievement, without having to focus on the dismal task of just trying to get competent bodies on the field. Of course, the top priority right now is to get a first rush of energy going and make sure Jones holds up a cup.

I suspect crows will want Gibbs again so maybe a three way deal would be possible, first rounder and bugg to Carlton ( they love gws rejects)

What can we use as leverage?

Those mentioning ANB out have obviously forgotten his first game and did not take note of who may have kept Simpson to 14 touches on the weekend. No way he will be dropped. Hoping to see Smith in with Bernie and possibly Kent for Angus if he is not right.

I get annoyed when media types like Robbo blatantly distort facts, like saying that when Jessie hit Rowe, Rowe wasn't looking at him. Not only was he looking at Jessie he was pushing him in the chest when Jessie lashed out. Also it has been described all week as a strike or punch, until today when it has been admitted on the AFL site to be an open hand. Just prefer the media to try and be accurate, which clearly is very difficult for them.

Have you got contact details?

* vindictive bastards. Two can play that game. Don't expect Mr Nice Guy from any other clubs, you squealers. # risk of serious injury obviously doesn't include an elbow to the jaw of an opponent on the ground, or a deliberate knee into the mid spine

Geelong have quiet a tall back-line - from their normal back 6 - Mackie, Longeran, Hendersen, Tuohy, Ruggles and Stewart (and maybe include Taylor because his forward play isn't great) then 5 of the 7 are over 190, and not all that mobile. If we go small, bring in Vince and Kent only, then as long as were prepared to play smart and not bomb the ball, I think that could be effective. Both Watts and Weid are quiet mobile as well, with neither really happy to just sit in the goal square, so robs them of Longeran and Hendersens strengths as backmen.

That's the equivalent of being rescued from a sinking Titanic, by the Lusitania.

Brayshaw had an outstanding first year in 2015. Last year he did his knee in the first second of the pre-season and was knocked out multiple times. No wonder Lever is ahead of Gus in his development. We are building a deep midfield required to win a flag (as the doggies showed). Every club would kill for someone like Lever but we need the midfield depth first and foremost. It is just plain recency bias in wanting to offload Gus, as he wasn't at his best on the weekend, but he was instrumental in round 1.

Absolutely we can win this! The Cats aren't as strong as what they have been the last few years. Shut down both Selwood and Danger and your close to beating them. They have lost Bartel and Enright who was important contributers last year so there definitely lack that voice and experience down back. Dont underestimate Lonergan and Taylor as they are very calm experienced duo. Their backs are all pretty slow so a big opportunity to really expose them here with Garlett Hannan and potentially Kent. In their midfield other then Danger and Selwood its a hugee drop. Guthrie hasn't played last 2 games due to a calf complaint and when hes up and running his hard running is quite damaging. I can't see him playing and i hope he doesn't. Again, Perfect opportunity for the likes of Oliver Tyson Viney Jones Petracca and Brayshaw to really get on top here. Their forwards worry me here. Hawkins Menzel and Motlop can be damaging when on song so we really need to tighten up this week. Huge task for Tom McDonald. If he can nullify Hawkins with the mids putting enough pressure up field then thats where i can see us winning the game. I have so much confidence in Jetta stopping Motlop and maybe Hunt has to go with Menzel to curb his influence. I think the theme for this week will go for the quicker more agile forward line. Kent comes in for ANB and Tim Smith for Hogan. If anyone has watch Smith you will know that he puts on enormous forward pressure on the defenders and thats why he is call Bull because he tackles to hurt. What Jack Watts and Hogan lack in defensive pressure this bloke makes up for it. His 26 and has X factor. Quick on the lead and so incredibly strong one on one. Big opportunity here.

Spencer is up to AFL standard (for a ruck - not a ruck/forward, and certainly not as part of our set-up up front). We just happen to have a well-above standard AA ruckman starving him of any hope of a getting a game. And big Jake being up to AFL standard is part of our problem. With Spencer qualifying for free-agency next year, we have a serious list-management issue on our hands in trying to retain him as a back-up. It's an issue most teams face in an era of run-run and reduced interchanges, but our kids are nowhere near ready, and it's almost impossible to get top-flight ruck games into anyone without sacrificing overall on-field performance. Expect Spencer to have suitors in the off-season - and and unless we can squeeze him in as a regular, which I hope we don't unless it's genuinely warranted - expect him to follow any offer of a decent on-field opportunity and reasonable dollars. It's the nature of contemporary AFL: first-ruck, utility, or bust. Maybe we can chase a undervalued but semi-decent forward-ruck in return.

I know tagging seems to have gone out of favour but Bernie would love to get another crack at Danger I`d reckon, and just pester him like he did against Adelaide 2 years ago until he loses the plot. Only concern is Danger has gone up a notch or 2 whilst Bernie may have dropped a notch. I`m loving the fact the we appear to have very slim chances to win this one by the experts, I think we will surprise many! The ugly win against the Blues was just the wake-up call we needed. The Cats pace might be a concern, but so was The Saints and there pace only worried us for 1 quarter. The fact that North had them on the ropes at the same venue gives me quite a bit of optimism.

Forget Fyfe i think a bigger target for us would be Steven May.

Love Josh Mahoney's attention grabbing refutation; 'That's not how we want to be perceived'. And yet there he was bringing attention to it. It is very clear that this group want to psychologically intimidate other clubs. It's a deliberate aura (Hawthorn-like) that they want to manufacture. And whilst Lewis and Hogan stupidly hurt our chances for on field success over the next 3 weeks, and in no way do I condone their behaviour, I have to (begrudgingly) admit that their actions help build that aura. Like it or not, a big part of success in footy is about physical intimidation and the psychological effect it carries.

Well it was refreshing in that he didn't roll out the usual guff which you might expect. Doesn't mean I liked it. But I'm not sure you can assume that implication. It could be that he accepts the views of Mahoney etc, but he doesn't give two hoots about what outsiders think as a general policy which he holds. And ignoring supporters is not such a bad idea - imagine what a mixed-up schizoid a player would be if he didn't ignore much of what we say here.

Internally, I have no doubt he made the types of comments and showed the sort of leadership you (and I) would have hoped for. Externally, he handled things exactly the way I wanted.

In all of this it befuddles me that only MELBOURNE players came under the scope. Nothing done or seemingly said about any off the ball shenanigans by Carlton. Whole thing is a joke save the ridiculous penalties. MRP and Carlton deserve more scrutiny than us !!

My head is spinning Long story short: Pick Another Key Forward!

I get really frustrated with Oscar but he was good last week. Couldn't fault him one bit. I feel that when he keeps his game simple he plays well and that gives him confidence. We are going to get games where he will be shaky and cost us goals but i have no doubt Goody and Macca would not be worried in the slightest as he is doing his job nullifying his opponent and sticking to his task. Im use to him now being in our best 22 and i think some need to realize that as well. isn't he in the top 10 in the AFL for 1%??

Depends on how we move the ball and who he plays on. If they stick a smaller/mid size back on him and we give him some space then he'll create havoc. If we just bomb it on his head with Lonergan on him? It won't go well. If we were to give him the space to lead, run and jump at the footy then he'll take his share of marks. I like the idea, but I'm not actually sure how Trac will go with it. You're becoming obsessed, Steve. You bring the poor kid up in every thread.

Welcome bringbackthebiff. Do you think it is possible to believe Brayshaw will be a star at the same as thinking he could do with a run in the VFL? Primarily so that he can get his hands on the footy and regain some confidence?

Imo best player in the league. Will get back to his best. Would love to get him. So strong, amazing mark. Driven, wants to win a flag

It was said at the time of the 2014 AFL National Draft that Melbourne was heavily into getting Lever who would have been rated even more highly but was coming back from an ACL injury. The word was that the club offered up Jack Trengove for a trade with Richmond just so that we could get in a position draft Lever (as it turned out the Tigers' pick would have been insufficient). It would be nice to get him to the club but can we do it?

If we get to the finals over the next couple of years, which is looking more likely than not, the MFC should build a statue for Roos. In a decades time his legacy will be spoken of in hushed tones. He dragged our club from being a laughing stock irrelevance to competitive to challengers. The opinions of a couple of disgruntled players matters not one iota.

38,554 and still climbing! 3000 more than 2016 & 6000 more than 2015 at the first week in April!