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A few words from Harley’s old coach Ross Lyon: ”But Lyon had caught up in Melbourne with another recruit and (now ex) Docker that struggled to get on the field in Harley Bennell, who has been listed by Melbourne. He said Bennell was sprinting in a way that he had never managed as a Docker. Lyon said Bennell, who had a succession of calf injuries at Fremantle, was "going really well" in Melbourne, having had successful surgery to his calf. "He's excited. He's sprinting. He's sprinting at levels he never was able to achieve at Fremantle. Up on his toes sprinting," Lyon said. Source: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/recruiting-jesse-hogan-a-whole-club-not-just-coach-call-lyon-20200309-p548cl.html

Just our luck that the year we have two genuine home game blockbusters that the coronavirus is going to diminish crowd numbers. Last year we had neither Anzac Eve or QB and blew a $1.5 million hole in the accounts because the supposed big drawing home games came at the end of the year when the season was shot. Even if the virus is contained both our blockbusters will suffer lower numbers, maybe 40,000 instead of the anticipated 65,000-plus if the behaviour of the past week is any guide to the resilience and public spiritedness of Australians (Hint; there is none.) So the heat should be on those who sit on the fence every year waiting to see how the season unfolds, and also the estimated 10,000 MCC members who still resist buying even a token membership to do for this club what they demand of the players: go hard and go often. Time to buy a membership folks because the club budget is probably blown without you. NB: Moderators, I didn't put this in the Coronavirus thread because that derailed some time ago.

No but he has a stockpile of thoughts and prayers ready to roll if things get real tough.

I guess those complaining will be buying extra memberships to cover the shortfall. Incrementally its only one or 2 coffees a month after all........... Nobody has the right to pass judgement on others for their financial choices, no matter how "small" they may be. If you are so worried, i guess you can always send the club some extra cash. If you dont, then its nothing but grandstanding to criticise others. MFC has to demand the money by performing. Thats how successful clubs do it.

Surely the only people entering the GWS training facility would be lost and asking for directions?

MFC Supporters: Practicing the art of turning silk purses into sow’s ears, since 1965.

Honestly I just can't wait for AVB to run through and flatten a pack of Collingwood filth for HB to pounce on the loose ball and slot one from 50 out on the boundary in front of the members on queen's birthday.

I assume it is also expected that casual workers who could at any moment have zero income for a month should be ready to stump up the extra cash so that the AFL clubs and their desperately underpaid players don't need to make sacrifices? Otherwise they just aren't committed enough, obviously. So many people love insisting that everyone else should have the same priorities as themselves.

John Travolta was hospitalised for suspected COVID-19, but doctors now confirm that it was only Saturday Night Fever, and they assure everyone that he is Staying Alive.

If you’ve survived being a Melbourne supporter all these years, you’ll survive Corona virus. Covid-19 has nothing on MFCSS

Makes sense. The bigger the ars*hole, the more toilet paper required.

If the AFL lock fans out of games I won't go out of protest

I wouldn't be surprised if the government ban large gatherings. We're at the same point Italy were when they banned most gatherings. Sydney is quickly becoming a hot spot. Just want to say one thing to those saying it's nothing more than a flu. Sure, it has a mortality rate of about 3%, flu has around 1%. It's not that most people will have mild symptoms, it's that fact that our most vulnerable people have no way to combat it. The flu has killed more this year so far because everyone has it, but the sick and elderly can get vaccines to help build up their immunity to it. They can't with the coronavirus, with a vaccine could be as far away as 18 months. Think of all those people getting it and clogging up the health system. That's the problem; that's why health experts are worried and are putting extreme measures in place.

Fantastic news and definitely earned the hard way. Jones receives AFL Life Membership

How embarrassment.

Yeah, but he was probably TBC the week before he was named in the practice match against Adelaide as well. I don't think we are going to get any simple straight answers on the AVB injury front as the year progresses.

Agree. Personally I would rather get the virus than sit next to a Collingwood fan.

I've been a member for 35 years, but I in no way judge others for how they choose to spend their money, particularly in light of the disgraceful efforts on and off field last year. This club has got a lot of work to do to redeem itself in the eyes of many.

Every individual has the right to decide what happens with their money. People will prioritise what happens with their coin, and with the absolute hysteria in the world atm, i can completely understand things like memberships being "de-prioritised" Panic makes people do some very strange things. I get the sentiment ofc, but MFC's financial fortunes wont matter to many except the rusted on die-hards. Your point about our blockbusters is a good one, but we arent there YET....

I’m still not sure what has caused the toilet paper, tissues etc stampede. I heard from one checkout person that it’s people buying and then sending overseas to the worst hit areas that are in lockdown (Wuhan etc), but I somehow doubt that, as the parcels would not make it out of the country, and if they did, they certainly wouldn’t make it beyond customs at the other end of their journey. If, as I suspect, it is in preparation for going “off the grid” in a lock down situation, then there are going to be a hell of a lot of stinking households, as no one seems to be stocking up on other basic hygiene products such as soap, shampoo etc. Also, people are in a tizz over hand sanitiser, yet no one seems to be interested in anti-bacterial hand soaps that also claim to kill 99.9% of germs... go figure. I just returned from Taiwan where everyone is very coronavirus aware and taking all precautionary measures. They all wear masks (particularly in enclosed spaces and on public transport), most restaurants and shops, cinemas etc have hand sanitiser for you as you enter and many check your temperature; and there is no shortage of any products in supermarkets! Some may dismiss their behavior as overreaction, but if you look at the fact that they have a similar population to ours, but in a far more condensed area (not to mention the fact that the epicenter of the virus is just a hop skip and a jump away), yet they currently have 45 cases to our 93, I think I’d be inclined to think they are doing something right. And lastly, I hope that your friend can find the support and supplies that they obviously need; sending positive thoughts!

This can only benefit our Round 1 chances.

The Adelaide Crows - I vividly recall the handwritten signs being held by their supporters at Football Park in the early nineties saying “Kick A Vic”, and thinking “Whoa, that’s a bit much.” I mean, team rivalry is one thing, but holding signs suggesting random acts of low-level violence against another state’s citizen’s left a bit of a nasty taste in my mouth that often comes back when I’m watching games at Football Park. Hawthorn, Carlton & Essendon - if you grew up in the eighties, then you would have been surrounded by ten year-old twerps who were jumping on one of these team’s smarmy bandwagons in the playground, and lauding it over the other kids who barracked for seemingly non-existent, loser teams. These kids grew up soft. They tasted glory far too easily, far too young, and in their adult years still don’t know the true meaning of pain. I particularly hated Hawthorn amongst these three, because even at a young age before I had any real appreciation for aesthetics, I couldn’t understand how anybody could proudly display the colours of brown and yellow on their person/car/glass-bottomed speedboat. West Coast - Don Johnson and Fabio are walking along on a golden beach together, and stumble across a chest buried in the sand. They open the chest and it’s filled with hair dryers, teeth whitener, cocaine and cash. They take the chest to the nearest house, which belongs to Alan Bond, and the three of them celebrate heavily together for the next fifty years. This is the West Coast Eagles to me. It doesn’t need to make sense. I don’t mind the rest as much. Except perhaps the Sydney Swans. That Edelstein/Capper (both Warwick & Joanne)/Pink Helicopter/Swanettes period was kind of hard-going and a little on the irredeemable side. I dunno, maybe it was great.

I rarely defend the AFL, but reading about the scary (and still largely unknown) post-career effects of repeated concussions on athletes, I've changed my tune on this issue. It's worth reading recent news interviews with our own Shaun Smith for an insight into the impacts it can have. The AFL have no choice but to take action to reduce the risks, and I think they're heading in the right direction with this one. The key is applying the rules consistently (no doubt this is where they will fail).

Essendon. I would barrack for the Taliban over that mob.

Essendon by so much there isn’t a second place. god I hate them. I’m getting angry just thinking about it

Having worked with a particular clubs players - one of the hardest things to do for a player on the cusp, but not fully entrenched (only roughly 5-8 at this club were/are guaranteed staters weekly) is to move the individual away from a notion of what ‘influence looks like. For all players brought up - it is hands on the pill... this changes in club land. It’s a hard rule to break, if Goodwin and co can do it - for those that feel unsure about their role and to compete in a role safe and secure that even if I don’t touch the pill I am safe as there are a plethora of other ways to demonstrate I am doing my job, then the team and the individual will have more consistent performances.

This game is looking after the welfare of those that deliver you your weekly entertainment package...

I heard he had chills that were multiplying...

Stop making excuses The club threw crap at all of us last year if people want to gauge how the season goes before making any commitment, that is their choice

what would Sidney Stack have received if Viney had have been concussed from the bump he dished out? Genuine question....I have no issue with Stack's bump, it was perfectly executed. But, the media were quick to scrutinise Jack for the potential harm a tackle 'could have' caused. If we are heading down that road, its arguable that every bump and/or tackle is in trouble. This is like the old 'attempted striking' debate. There was a reason why they got rid of it. It's a can of worms. Maybe if the umpires were quicker to blow the whistle and stop play sooner there wouldn't be these issues. Hawthorn, in particular' were given an eternity to 'get the ball out' the other night. I understand the AFL want the game to flow, but by allowing the tackled player too much time to dispose of the football, you are forcing players to drive their opponents into the turf, so as to ensure the ball doesn't come out. Just my take.

$20 for all tickets to the final helps

I have had similar concerns. But the T20 final Sunday still clocked over 85000 in the peak of the great toilet paper panic. I think there will be a dip in attendance over the early parts of the year but I'd expect it to be in the range of 5-10% not 30-35%

I wouldn’t. Cripps has poor disposal and kicking for goal.

The bubble just needed an excuse to burst. Trade wars, bushfires, bloated stock market, easy debt and Trump were bound to blow up the economy sooner or later. The virus is just the tipping point.

I'm far more worried about the economic and financial ramifications of this virus, than the health ramifications if I'm being honest. Most people will not die from this disease. However how many will lose their jobs, their homes, their livelihoods... their ability to wipe their [censored]...

Yes the 3 x 2pic combined with the 3pic can work well Wadda. Might try it next weekend but that could involve having an exacta in each of the individual races instead of the 3 extra doubles that could be part of the 3pic strategy. That 2pic/3pic also happens to be the favoured strategy of Gator when it involves the short-priced favourites. Makes sense but you've got to get 2 of the 3 home to make a profit. My strategy always involves getting back some collects Wadda (however small if it works out that way) So individual exactas is my preference. For instance, I also collected 3 exactas from our 3 race strategy ... but I didn't put on the 3 doubles (should have?) One also doesn't want to invest too heavily in just a few races so either/or is probably best. But if they're group races where the best are running around then it can be worth the risk. By the way, all our picks tightened in the market so the good odds (as a combo) didn't last much past 12noon on Friday. Still, it's always nice to land a 30-1 shot!

I have worked out I am a very angry man..... I hate them all... Collingwood as it's in our DNA, although my hatred for them has waned in recent years it will always be there Carlton. Just [censored] hate em. Cheats Essendon. And especially their grub supporters. Wish strawberry O'Dwyer could have another go at a bloodbath at windy hill Hawthorn... Played rep footy for them in the juniors in the late 80s and early 90s. Awesome times. Hate em with a [censored] passion - especially the arrogant supporters West Coast - hate em and all they stand for. Especially the arrogant supporters Geelong - felt sorry for them in the handbag decades... Then they got arrogant supporters. [censored] hate em St Kilda - hate them and their cold showers after games at moorabbin - just nongs. Hate em Norf. Nobodies. Why are their supporters arrogant tossers??? Just go to Tassie. Hate em Crows. Arrogant and Adelaidians is there a worse combination? Hate em. Had a wheelchair bound client (bombers fan) go to a crows game there - he had a Pie chucked at him for wearing abombers jacket (ok u understand the sentiment) but just no .. [censored] Port. Bogans from Adelaide. Nuff said Hate Em Bulldogs. How did these Bogans get arrogant... Hate Em Freo... Used to feel sorry for them. Don't now just wish they'd go back under the rock they came from and take there mining money with them. Hate em Sydney.... Just Hate and have done ever since the pink helicopter... Says it all about Sydney in 1 sentence.. Brisbane. Nothing club who won on the back of the merger and the money that went with it. Now their supporters are arrogant too.... Hate em GC..... Couldn't care less if they just disappeared... Nor could anyone else. Hate em GWS.... Do I need a reason. F L O G S Tigers.. Yep hate them too and their now arrogant supporters Seems to be a lot of arrogant supporters out there now I have put it down in words...

Collingwood by the length of the Flemington straight. Then Essendon drug cheats.

Never said they were going to win the flag, but there's lots of comments here implying they're finished before a ball has even been bounced. They have the best coach in the league, have deliberately recruited and have changed their game plan this year. Staggers me that supporters of a club like ours would start bagging them out after a meaningless preseason game. I think they're a brilliantly coached team who have won a premiership on average every 3 years over the last dozen, something we could only dream of and should remember before labeling them the Bradbury's of the AFL.

I hate them all equally. Although I hate Essendon and West Coast a little bit more equally than the others.

I'd never heard Viney called "Vin" until last night.

Sensational production all round by the club. They really nailed everything about it, most importantly the tone of the series. Wasn't too focused on rehashing the negative but didn't overdo the forward looking focus either. Might be too much during the busyness of the season, but would be great to see a mini-doco, about the length of one of these episodes, every month or so, perhaps focusing on a certain player. It'd be great for fan engagement and may even help reduce some of the personal vitriol that gets thrown at players during the year on social media. Anyways, congrats to all involved in putting it together.

You had me until "Whiteboard Wednesday".

I think the description of ANB as "coaches favorite" shows personal bias unfortunately (this isn't just you either!). The coach likes him because he runs better than almost anyone and generates lots of chances at goal. The coach picks him because no one else has been able to offer those qualities in that position. When other players go past him, he'll get dropped.

The precipice stands right in front of the Hawks ATM. Burgoyne unsighted, McEvoy ( 1st game back from injury), no impact. Patten grossly unfit, was completely shot by quarter time. Scully run off his feet firstly by Langdon, then Tomlinson. Smith forced to play on Langdon and then did nothing during the game. Puopolo should be retired as he had as much impact as McEvoy. No forward line apart from Patten.......... Common factor....30ish years of age! Oh how wonderful this is.....Now for Geelong!

Based what has been comuncicated Re the modified training regime of AVB, I get the impression that Burgess and the club have a flexible horses for courses approach. With their somewhat unique abilities, I don't think either of AVB or Harley necessarily need to be in top 5% league fitness to make an important contribution. More important to get them out on the park somewhat reliably than push them too hard and have them break down and so long as the majority of the team has good fitness, I think we can carry a few highly talented freaks of below average fitness.