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Yes the FD don't regard AVB as a "depth player", if fit he's guaranteed starting 22, however Kent is a depth player.

Would have been nice if someone had intercepted Brandon Zerk-Thatcher's parents en route to the birth registration office.

Set backs look likely to continue but I still stand by our clubs decision to give him a go even if he never makes it back

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

This is actually pretty funny. I can't believe people on here are getting upset.

The whole club getting around Harley has positive outcomes that already make his selection a success!

It's a joke guys.

Lets be totally honest, KK isn't playing anytime soon more than likely never again, he should be put on LTI list and get someone on the list quick sticks, in fact there should be a rule that you can replace Long Term Concussion sufferers with another player, take their salary off the books, release the pressure on the player and the club and be able to sign a free agent or another player.

Kent is an average inconsistent player who could not stay on the park. We have his spot well covered.

Taking HB was always a risk but one worth taking imo. He cost us nothing to get him and he is being paid as a rookie. If he plays for us it’s a bonus and if he doesn’t at least OUR club has supported him and given him the opportunity. We all just need to stay positive and hope for the best.

No respect for him either on these cyber boards. I recall many here thinking he was absolutely dispensable. Jeremy Howe is a bone-fide All Australian key back. They don't grow on trees. We give it, but can't take it at all. Quick to highlight a negative prediction from a journo, but won't apologise when the journo is inevitably correct. I wonder if Demonland will give Jeremy a warning point for inciting negativity and rage.

Christ. This is like when gus had that last head knock and everyone jumped in with comments like 'he's cooked' 'thats it for Gus' etc. without giving him a diagnosis or time to actually hear how he was! Things we know: - AVB has had a lingering foot issue due to initially getting a stress fracture - He has built his way up but is currently only training with the main group once a week and off legs the other days to manage the foot. It's something he has admitted he will have to manage most likely for the rest of his career - Played a good second half of football against Adelaide and was average against Hawks (maybe due to sore foot) - Post game the only reports we've heard is that he's got a bruised foot

Seriously terrible post. Bidding war? Were you in the negotiation room? Do you know what his contract value is? What would Sydney offer us? 4th round pick? Something/one that we would have to give an automatic 2-year contract to anyway? Yes, it would've been cheaper to spend two years on a late pick, but chances are they would've played as many games as AvB well play in the same time, with a much higher return should AvB actually stay on the park.

At the end of 2018, both Kent and AVB had played 35 games in their prior four seasons. Kent played 20 in 2016 but 4, 6 and 5 in 2015, 2017 and 2018. AVB played 14 in each of 2015 and 2016, 0 in 2017 and 57 in 2018. If Kent wanted more than one year then he wanted at least two. So the difference you've cited is an extra year for AVB in circumstances where, going into 2019, they were essentially equally flaky in getting on the park. I suggest AVB is, when fit, better than Kent. As such, I don't see any irrationality in picking him over 3 years over Kent at 2 years. The fact Kent went on to play 13 games in 2019 doesn't mean our decision at the end of 2018 was wrong (hindsight etc.).

We've not made a lot of big list blunders in the last few years, but IMO signing vB for 3 years while simultaneously ditching Dean Kent (who simply wanted more than 1 year) has been one of them.

Optus Stadium could be empty of spectators if the virus situation doesn't improve. Margetts will be totally confused without the advice of his mates in the stands.

On the brink of 2020 the Dees may again make the 8 but nobody (except Cam Mooney) expects us to win a flag. What is lacking in the side in terms of players to take us to the top? I will kick it off....a Tom Lynch style big key forward who can take a grab, kick goals and is ok when the ball hits the ground. Also a small forward who can bag 39-40 goals Betts style. And a running midfielder who kicks goals- our midfielders don’t do enough damage by foot either hitting lead up forwards or kicking goals.

No injuries.

Too much hysteria about investing in talented injured players. 2/3rds of the list actually play - about 30-32/44. That's 12-14 who don't play. If one of AVB, Bennell, KK or Smith make it then it's worth the risk IMO.

As we've seen with these sorts of injuries it takes a lot of time and there are ALWAYS setbacks. Good examples being Viney who only just now seems like he's got his foot right (touch wood) and AVB who just had another set back on Friday night. The guy is 27. Its a set back not a tear. Give the lad time (even if the media wont)

I have no problem with people refraining from buying memberships because it's a difficult financial decision for them. Breaking it down into "two coffees per week" is not a fair way of looking at it - it's one of many weekly expenses and for some people those two coffees need to go towards a bill or another household expense instead. I do, however, have a bit of a problem with people who have the money and can afford a membership but chose not to buy one because they want to make a statement or something like that. I accept that doing this (i.e. making a statement by not buying a membership) is important for some people but IMO it is counterproductive and unhelpful.

I'm pretty sure it's targeted at a different demographic to the average Demonlander.

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

I just want to chip in to confirm that I also do not know anything about VanDenberg's foot, and I feel very strongly about that.

I’m sorry LN but about now you should probably just admit your post was poorly thought through and move on rather than trying to defend it. Clearly every player’s contract is managed based on who that player is and what they can bring to the team. Injury concerns will of course be a big factor but suggesting that we should negotiate the same contract for both Kent and AVB based on the fact that they simply share that both have had a history of injuries is kind of absurd.

I'm a big fan of TMac but we need him to have a strong consistent season otherwise that's what we need a potent key forward.

Might finally have a use for the Herald Sun

The NBA season seems to be doing fine with all games open to fans. They have a hundred games a week too. Gil mclachlan needs to ignore the hysteria and get on with things as normal.

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

You guys are kidding yourselves if you think opposition coaches won't have exploiting Lever as their number 1 avenue to victory against Melbourne this year. He will be dragged back to the goal square at every opportunity and teams will play through his opponent as much as possible. He simply has to get better in this respect. The alternative is that May or McDonald has to beat their own man and Lever's as well.

Yes she was the best.

Maybe she was just a very good wrestler?

It's an AFL-made ad FFS. Geez the glow of the preseason wears off quick here hey.

Do think Dante was just venting, Ding?

I'm not disagreeing, but aren't basing that a bit on hindsight? AVB had a brilliant Finals series in 2018, while Kent could barely get on the park for most of that year. The decision was based on output at the time. No one could predict what would happen to AVB afterwards.

I think HB will be indefinite until he has a good 5-6 weeks of solid running. It is a risk but I feel Goody is a genuine guy who is trying to resurrect Harley and give him every chance. For the good of MFC but importantly for Harley as a young man.

If all clubs training sessions become closed as part of preventive measures does it mean we finally get to train on the G?

A plus for loyalty. A grade player. Be great to see him get to 300 and play finals in 2020. Will be able to provide value off the bench this season, and would love to see him chase opposition players, as a leader been my greatest frustration with him, a pity when he has done so many things exceptionally well!

Umm...just maybe it is not intended to appeal to the older generation Melbourne supporter.

Cool little clip, and nothing wrong with it. Perfect for sharing on social media to new generations of mfc supporters. Recall a number of initially negative reactions to the doco series also and most now agree it was will done

Would be nice to close boo stadium for our 1st match umpires wouldn’t know what to do

All opposition teams Specific opposition players (these generally vary, but there are a few constants) Opposition supporters Umpires The Football “Media” Andy Maher I also carry a fair amount of self loathing. So it’s all encompassing.

When one attended an “away” ground, one hated the entire experience, unless of course The Demons won, then it was fabulous One hates opposition clubs and their supporters as one entity. Today the Fan experience is like Disneyland compared to what it used to be. Gillian and Little Hamish would poo their pants in fear if they had to catch the train home from Windy Hill or Victoria Park in the 70’s and early 80’s. But back then we were not subtly trained to become a compulsive gambler either, which i find abhorrent. there is nothing sadder than hearing young school kids talk about punting. Shame on you AFL

Essendon by a fair way. I am always taken back when I am chatting with a seemingly decent human who reveals they support Essendon. It’s like them revealing they are a Scientologist, only more shameful.

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.