Leaderboard

If stability is the key to winning matches then the Dees are near certainties based on who is unavailable. These are the teams that met just 6 weeks ago at Etihad when Melbourne won by 49 points despite giving away a start. WESTERN BULLDOGS B: Matthew Suckling, Jackson Trengove, Ed Richards HB: Bailey Williams, Dale Morris, Easton Wood C : Jason Johannisen, Lachie Hunter, Patrick Lipinski HF: Caleb Daniel, Josh Schache, Tory Dickson F: Luke Dahlhaus, Marcus Bontempelli, Billy Gowers Foll: Tom Boyd, Toby McLean, Jack Macrae I/C: Hayden Crozier, Mitch Honeychurch, Jordan Roughead, Roarke Smith Emg: Tom Campbell, Lin Jong, Lukas Webb, Lewis Young  In: Mitch Honeychurch, Dale Morris Out: Zaine Cordy (concussion), Bailey Dale (foot) MELBOURNE B: Michael Hibberd, Oscar McDonald, Neville Jetta HB: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Lever, Jordan Lewis C : Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Nathan Jones HF: James Harmes, Jesse Hogan, Jake Melksham F: Tim Smith, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca Foll: Max Gawn, Christian Salem, Clayton Oliver I/C: Bayley Fritsch, Mitch Hannan, Alex Neal-Bullen, Charlie Spargo Emg: Tom Bugg, Cameron Pedersen, Joel Smith, Billy Stretch NO CHANGE It's pretty clear that the the Dogs have some quality outs whereas the only compulsory change that the Dees have made to the starting side is Jake Lever. On this basis, we should win and win well - if we don't, we're simply not worthy of going any further this season.

Dusty dreams of being as good as Clarry

I’d say Clayton Oliver can be our Clayton Oliver. All players are unique, especially when you’re talking about the best llayers, so I don’t really understand why there’s this need for the footy media to draw parallels all the time. There’s only one Clayton Oliver and there’s only one Dustin Martin. That said, King makes some compelling arguments. Clarry said in the MFC podcast that he thinks he’ll be rotating more with Petracca between half forward and the midfield. It’s a salivating prospect if they can get to the point where they’re both fully firing.

Why have players on our list for years and years, if we don't play them when the need arises? Sure I would have preferred Kent for some zip, but his hammy blows up every 2 seconds, and he needs conditioning time. As much as finals are on the line, we are not exactly staring at a flag. We have players on our list who we need to find out if they are list cloggers or not. As it stands, we will struggle to clear the necessary amount of players from our list come season's end. We need to find out if some players are worth keeping or not. Stretch did very well last week. Frost did very well last week. JHK may do the same. He may not. But we need to find out one way or another. I still hate Vince and Lewis in the same back half. I hope Vince is in for a tagging role, which in my opinion is where he truly excels. ' I worry about our lack of leg speed again, especially against the Dogs (who pushed us last time due to their speed), and especially at the MCG where we struggle badly for spread. Every game is do or die now. If the players have matured and are serious about success, I would like to see intent and spreading from minute one of the game.

I'm excited to see what JKH can do after so long in the wilderness.

Clayton kicking goals in September That is the month that careers are made in stone.

I'm surprised Goodwin hasn't rested him in the ruck yet

Kennedy-Harris' clean ball use in atrocious conditions last week was amazing. He won't play the Stretch role, but instead I think he'll be used as a pressure forward inside 50. It's his last roll of the dice, so will be interesting to see if he can reinvent himself in a small forward role.

Pace is one thing but building a tank and being able to continually spread, run two ways and make repeated efforts is a much better weapon to have. If JKH has built the tank enough where he can do these things than he needs to grab the opportunity Good luck JKH

Seriously what a pathetic comment. Has earned his chance with really good consistent form. He's a 23yo that has played less than 30 games. You should be ashamed.

Couldn’t find it so this will have to do.

I just had a crack at a few ladder predictor scenarios. Interestingly the more mfc wins I entered, the more chance we have to remain in the 8. Very interesting ?

In one of the TAC cup games Oliver kicked 6 goals playing onball then resting up forward. He'll kick a bag one day.. mark my words.

I love Clayton Oliver. It may have gone beyond a man crush..... my wife is starting to get a little concerned.

Haha. Reminded me of days at Vic park and an old Pies fan Mrs Johnson who would sit on the fence in the outer and try to hit us over the head with her umbrella as we put the banners up. After a couple of years we worked out that the girls would do that part of the ground (and she allowed them to put the banner up - not the guys) as long as she could put her Pie's tea towel over our banner.

Not JKH’s biggest fan but he’s earned his recall. Go get em mate!

It's amazing he's only 50 games in, I just take for granted that he's going to win clearance after clearance and get the ball out cleanly to teammates. May have to work on putting the ball in front of players a bit more instead of directing it at them but that's nitpicking. He's a freak and as he grows he will add those other strings to his bow such as goal kicking. He is easily the best mid I've seen play for the Demons (I'm 36) and it's not close.

Loved Chris Coached his brother great family lovely guy Should have played more games Was very good at Sandringham

Your font is too big, I could still read it. More like this,

You can’t take a team seriously if they turn up for a night game wearing pajamas.

Priceless.

Yeah they say that every year but you never hear any stories (well I don't). I'll probably give them away anyway. Also, a Pie supporter is no friend of mine mate!

You beat me to it! Oliver only played 67% of game time in his first year compared to 80% for Cripps in his first full season (stats from Footywire) Oliver second year 77% Cripps 83% If Oliver had played closer to 80% for his first season he would be leading Contested possessions (by a country mile) Tackles (also by the proverbial) Handballs by possibly close to 200!!! and would be getting close to Diesel and Chris McDermott for total possessions (they were both significantly older then Oliver when they started (Diesel 21 and Mcdermott 31) and the gap to Cripps for centre clearances would drop significantly. Utter Freak BTW Cripps is a also freak who is currently having to run at 90% of time on the ground this season. What would carlton do if he went down.

There you go!

I seem to recall him contesting at a centre bounce once... was it last year? I feel like he held his own too

It’s a team sheet

Saints reduced tickets down to $13. Wait for an hour before the game and I'm sure you will be able to snap them up for $5. Bargain - maybe not. Yawnfest coming up.

CHATANOOGA CHOO CHOO CLARRY OLIVER EXPRESSSSSSSSSS!!

Clayton @ 20 years of age >>>>>>> Dustin @ 20 years of age

Was a very good game to watch last night. Didn't seem to be over umpired and the game flowed. The break aways on the scoreboard followed by Geelong reeling it back added to the excitement in that it wasn't your classic arm wrestle where only a few points separate the teams. Just wondering if anyone knows why it felt so open as a game? Was there a particular tactic or was it just luck.

These types comparisons/hypotheses get thrown up so frequently to players without much sample size. It's great click bate! That being said Oliver was a terrific mark at jnr level and while I certainly want him spending most of his time in the midfield I do prefer the swap with Petracca from mid to forward then I did with Trac/Hogan. It gives the midfield more balance and seems to allow better cohesion in the midfield with who is winning the ball at ground level and who is playing the outside mid role.

That's incredible ! Even Sloane wasn't certain he was going to stay, but you were. Amazing

I urge all MFC supporters to attend this game, as it's a massively important game in our season. And I think we can handle a few old ducks knitting scarves, even if they have been drinking all arvo.

Just a note The club has an ex player invited to every main training session now, The Wizard was last week

Yes, we get it, you reckon he’s slow.

It was a disgrace he wasnt in the AA squad last season, let alone the AA team. If he isnt in the AA team this year they should replace the entire selection committee.

where's the one handed pick up against the hawkers in the highlights package ☹️

His face gives me the [censored].

I'm not sure what to take away from that game last night. Is our game against the Cats more achievable ?? or the game against the Crows more daunting ?? Talk about swings and roundabouts .

Chautauqua – He jumped! The horse now needs to complete a barrier trial at Rosehill and then will be set for a comeback race on August 4th (Missile Stakes) ... and then 'The Everest' where a slot is apparently assured - confirmed by the owner, Rupert Lee. Great news! The jockey (Tommy Berry) reckons it was the best he's ever jumped - and the speed was still there.

Frost, the blanket, to cover the purple patch.

Bruce, just retire already. You're an embarrassment. Although he fits right in with the entire stable full of embarrassments at Channel 7's commentary team. Abysmal.

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether or not JKH will add pace to the side?

As much as I loathe Selwood - Pannell calls “play on” for the spear tackle. Overruled! This clown and his 2 50 metre penalties cost us the 4 points against St Kilda. Don’t worry about ladder position this costs us.

Just not quickly

He has been in good form I'll back him to do well.

At Casey where, for now, he belongs. There is no need to blood him with 7 weeks left and finals on the line unless we absolutely have to. I can understand the changes being underwhelming for some, but they make the most sense.

I also noticed him taking the final mark on the siren to seal the victory, as well as winning a contested ball that got it inside 50 which eventually lead to the match winning goal. I guess we see what we want to see.

There's also a clue to our next CEO on the advertising. If only we'd seen it...

Jordie McKenzie just behind Oliver in the tackles stat!