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Tweet from Jack T: Melbourne FC Retweeted Jack Trengove✔ @jtren9 That's what it's all about! Turning dreams into reality. The big Bull can seriously give out a bruise or two! Well deserved mate. All class from Trengove. Even as he watches his own dreams evaporate he still finds the time and integrity to encourage teammates. Just love Trengrove...so said that injuries have cruelled his career.

Rubbish post. He had 1 clanger on the weekend, went at 83% DE, and didn't concede a goal. He reads the play beautifully

Congratulations to The Bull, Tim Smith. This was predicted on last nights Demonland Podcast which can be streamed or downloaded here: http://demonland.com/Podcast * * shameless plug

I'm a big Pedo fan but you'd have to say he won't feature much in Goody's plans and seems to only be on the list to make up numbers and for depth. It's a shame because I think he can play. He's not a champion but he's certainly not a dud.

Tim Smith coming in doesn't spell the end for Pedersen. Run an eye over the Casey reports - Pedersen is still working into it after a limited pre-season. I don't know why we need to be so melodramatic about selection.

On that, a little birdy told me Keilty isn't too far off either

I love watching these videos.

Nathan Jones earned a lot less to play for a disaster club and he still managed to care.

Good luck to him. Kept at it and will play his first AFL game. Reward for perseverence. Hope he gets showered with gatorade in the rooms after the game.

I thought that was only me with that approach to players Craft session today, so lots of skills Tim Smith trained as he always does Only one rehabbing today was Hulett, no sign of waliking wounded Hibberd did full session so did JKH, King

See the concussed Cripps and Rowe are named this week Should be an inquiry,Bloody [censored].

YES BULL!!!!! So glad to see the big man get his shot this early in the season! The amount of hard work he has put in over the last 5-6 years has really paid off for him. Really happy for Tim.

Brayshaw is still young - no shame in being dropped back to the VFL to get some touch back. It's development, not punishment.

Dunno, don't care. Sick of hearing about the bugger.

While Kent is a good player, his reputation vs actual output is a little off the mark. I'm not sure he's an automatic selection in a 2-0 team. When a team is playing well, anyone outside of that 22 needs to be banging down the door. Is Kent banging down the door???

I saw the logic. We banked 4 points against a shyte team we've struggled to beat in the past. We were in trouble when that little fracas occured (which is a very old school method of stopping the opposition's momentum). When the going gets tough sometimes you just need to fly the flag. It was illegal, but how many touches did Cripps get and goals did Carlton get after that? Coincidence perhaps, but contrary to most it was the sort of leadership I was hoping for from Lewis. You don't get to push us around anymore. Does his missing three weeks hurts their team - yes it does, but not to the extent that it will be the difference between winning and losing. We have beaten Geelong, Freo and Richmond previously without Lewis. I'm glad he's back for Essendon. When Lewis came to the Dees, I said to a hawks supporter that we don't lose those types of matches to Carlton and Essendon any more and so far we haven't. There was a good chance we could have though without him.

I think the co captaincy thing has lit a fire under Jonesy, because I doubt he's ever had two more effective weeks in winning teams, been a major part of winning. He's doing the right things at the right time. He's carried the team surrounded by the worst midfields the game has seen. Now there's talent around him he seems even better. He's also the only one I'm comfortable with kicking on his non-preferred. There was a time way back when that I didn't want him kicking with either foot. The guy is a champion, universally respected by everyone in footy too because of the way he goes about it. No one deserves success more than Jones.

Great News. Fifteen minutes of fame enough for unlucky Dee

Loved the video. Would love to see a them extending the practical joke a bit more. Like pretend to give someone a game and then say "Dees Candid Camera- sucked in you idiot- you'll never play afl level" or tell someone they'd will be traded to Gold Coast- then tell them it's a joke . Just a few random ideas for where we can take this

You guys have seriously missed your calling as coaches.

Tap it to the side he's not on.

When Weeds took that strong front of the pack overhead mark early in the Blues game I was hoping that that was going to be the breakout game. It's bound to come and I'd love for it to be against the cats.

True and we've had our fair share of shrinking violets in the past. We now have a team of competitors and we are developing our own brand of unsociable football. Lewis is instrumental as we are still a young side. Many of them can stand up for themselves, but its guys like Bernie and Jordie that make the opposition hear footsteps. They've been given this remit by Goodie it appears. As PD said though some slight adjustments are required.

What a great problem to have when Brayshaw is pushed out of the side. I know he will be effing filthy but he is playing a role that he isn't suited to, because of the strength of our midfield. And Kent is a much better player in the role that Brayshaw has been playing so he makes way. I understand it - and the pressure is on ANB and Hannan to perform. What a great problem to have.

The vfl season set up is ridiculous

Dean kent is back, you beauty, Still underrated by most, hard as nails, fast, raking left foot kick, coming off a breakout 25 goal season.

Melbourne.

Good luck. May Geelong fans keep saying "who the [censored] is this guy?'

Congrats and give em hell Bull!

I'm with you. But I think we need as many avenues to score as possible so I want Kent in and Hannan retained because he's capable in the air and on the ground and he's a reliable shot. I'm on record - I'm a Brayshaw fan but he goes out for me - ANB and Harmes are providing more right now. If we win this the lid is right off.

Yep - you can't make an omelette without hairline fracturing some jaws or something

I am the opposite vp. I somtimes disagree with pd but not on this occasion. I watched that 360 ep last night (thanks youtube and chromecast) and was totally fine with how lewis responded. I am on record here as saying he was stupid in hitting cripps but he copped his wack. Sure respond to a couple of questions from slobbo - after all he chooses to go on the show. But slobbo was salivating about the chance to grill lewis such was his personal disappointment. Why should lewis have play the contrite card and be forced into a moral inquisition. In fact i admired him and felt for him having to put up with slobbos moralising. It was instructive that wheatley - a proper journo didnt ask him a single question about it. I also like the fact that lewis hinted there was some mitigating factors without expanding. Reiwoldt, who im sure lewis would have spoken to, also raised the issue of the blues niggling at us. Remember lewis was closely tagged all day - a tactic rarely used these days and a reflection of boltons defensive, get under the opponents skin strategy. Which it has to be said was effective in the second and third quarters. That, unlike last year, we overcame it and won means i rate our game higher than some might.

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.

The vfl season set up is ridiculous

Brayshaw deserves to be dropped. Was not mentally switched all game. Turnovers and that dropped chest mark in the square! Don't get me started hell be back, better than ever first times we've had actual competition for spots since I can remember.

For what it's worth (and I don't think it's worth much), Nathan Brown on SEN just said Melbourne 40+ at $13 is the week's best bet. He said Melbourne will win and win comfortably. Told the guys, "I know you're going to laugh at me, and I know they don't have Hogan and Lewis, but they're going to win, and they're going to win well." That might be the first time I've heard a bookie talk like that about Melbourne in about 15 years. EDIT: And just like that it's slashed $3 off the price, down to $10.

Part of what I like about him is he just knows where he sits. He has stuck around on the list and seems very happy to play that backup role. Doesnt pout when he goes out of the team and always gives as good as he gets when he comes into the team. It takes a good character to do that.

Here are some highlights of The Bull. Number 2 Play of the Week (0:44):

Well done Bull! He wont die wondering the way he attacks it and I reckon he'll have an impact too

So this whole week theres been alot of debate around who deserves/doesn't deseve to go out. So lets break it down a bit. This is the way I think most of us see it at this stage (assuming the rumor that smith is in is true): Vince for Lewis, Smith for Hogan and Kent is best 22, but who goes out? Kent is primarily a small forward who can spend some short stints in the midfield. That means he could play any of the following players role: Garlett Petracca ANB Hannan Brayshaw Harmes I think we all agree Garlett and Petracca are as good as 0 risk of being dropped. So out of the remaining 4 who is most at risk? Harmes has only played 1 of the 2 games and the last in, first out model is likely how the club would have looked at it if they had all been brilliant, he was essentially just filling in for Salem while he played Vince's role. But IMO his performance was 2nd only to Garlett on the above list. Brayshaw had a shocker there's no denying it. But of the 4 most at risk has the biggest upside and the club likely thinks he needs more game time, particularly given his injury struggles last year. ANB is arguably the least talented player on this list but has twice gotten praise for his defencive efforts and is second only to Oliver in tackles. Given Oliver stands side by side with his man at most contests and ANB doesnt, his numbers are great. Geelong's defencive retirement village could really be troubled by his pressure. That leaves Hannan. This bloke was a rather shock inclusion, played beyond expectations in round 1 then was quiet but tried hard in round 2. He has shown that he could maybe be a player, but despite his best efforts he really struggled to have an impact in round 2. I'm glad I'm not the one actually making this decision, there is a reasonable case for any one of them to stay or to go. Personally I think that you have to go in with the most talented side available and that would mean ANB goes out. However I suspect the club wont go with that approach. I think the club will most likely drop Hannan. Most important thing here regardless of who goes out: There's no need to panic! they will still get plenty of opportunities throughout the rest of the year. Form/injury/suspension something will give them another chance. Any of the guys that stay in will be on thin ice and have alot of pressure to perform on any given week. Fact of the matter is Hogan, Lewis and Hibbard are walk up starts when available almost regardless of others form. If we play well in the next couple of weeks, these selection decisions are only going to get harder. And this whole post hasn't even mentioned Buggy who was apparently BOG or close to it at Casey

When one reads articles like this admiration for Jones goes sky high. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/poor-form-gold-coast-champion-gary-abletts-tv-spot-says-it-all-really-20170405-gvejsx.html Ablett did a sook last weekend when he was given a role he didn't like. And not happy that his traditionally lack of defensive game was highlighted by the media. His management 'blame poor coaching, recruiting, player development, medical and high-performance personnel. And they blame the poor culture at the Suns'. Compare that to Jones. He played thru the worst period and culture a club could have with never a complaint. Gave his all on the field regardless of how tough it became. Helped change the cultlurle. Set a great example even when we were losing and he was a warrior before even having the captaincy. Endured the most demoralising of losses. Played injured. Now he takes the disappointment of co-captaincy in his stride. . Gary may have the brownlows and medals and no doubt has been a champion player. But in my mind it is Jones who is the greater champion in terms of bottom of the pack play, fortitude, team player, loyalty, captain, leadership etc etc. So much respect for Jones, not so much for Ablett. I just hope we win a premiership while Jones is still playing.

Used spend time up forward as a jnr and showed he was a very good 1 v 1 mark, would like to see him thrown forward every once in a while. Was also compared to Luke Hodge when he was coming through, and I think all of the reasons why were on display on Saturday. Hopefully that has set the standard for Christian.

I actually thought ANB was better round 2 than round 1. When none of our half forwards could lay a tackle, he had 4 on the board. He finished with 5 (equal with Harmes, who came from nowhere in the last quarter). ANB laid the third most tackles on the ground. No way he goes out. Do people actually watch the game?

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

That is exciting seeing more kids get a go and our depth increasing as a result.

According to the Casey coach... “I thought Tim Smith was a very good player. He really competed at an exceptional level,” Plapp told melbournefc.com.au. “He played some different roles on the weekend, but he did some really strong competitive work, in and around the contest, which was a real highlight. His ability to be able to mark the ball when forward was also really strong." I think I'll go with that one and it looks like Smith is playing this weekend. Congratulations to him, he's worked hard for it and kept the faith in his own ability when it would have been easy to go back and make a bit of cash in the lower leagues.

Lewis had a perfect explanation for his actions. He felt like hitting Cripps so he did.

Only if you own a police box or a Delorean.

Came on here to check the teams, wasn't until I noticed they weren't up yet that I realised today is Wednesday and not Thursday. Bloody shift work has ruined my sense of time.

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