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If we had a premiership window, this would be it.

Agree Skuit. And i've been talking to my avatar, happy Garry Baker and as is his wont he has a positive spin on the postponement of the Essendon game. Garry made the following points: Essendon are in good form at the moment so not a bad time to miss them - with the added bonus of the whole saga being a huge distraction for them It has allowed us to get another good block of training in, effectively extending our preparation period for the rebooted season - with the added bonus of four points in the bag from the blues game For Bennell, VDB and Hannan it is a terrific chance to make sure they are as close to fully fit as possible - with the added bonus of having being selected last week knowing they are a lock this week and the incredible chance to build some synergy with teammates and get some touch in the scratch match The scratch match was an incredible, unique opportunity to play an intra club game that was the closest simulation to a real game any would have experienced - with the added bonus that there were no injuries and there is less need for recovery this week at training meaning they can get get a good aerobic block in The scratch match will have allowed the club to trial their modified game plan, perfect tactics, look at match ups, try players in different positions, create healthy competition and emphasis the squad mentality they are trying to build - with the added bonus of doing all that on the MCG, i mean how awesome would have it been to play on that billiard table, against your mates on a beautiful Melbourne winter's day (and for some it will have been their first time playing on the G) We have close to a full list, ready, prepared and raring to go against the cats, who we play where we just trained, whereas in most years we play them at Kardinia Park at a ground THEY have trained on during the week - with the added bonus of having only played a scratch match, albeit a willing one, whereas they are coming of a pretty brutal slog and will have some pretty sore boys We will get to play Essendon later in the year when we are better prepared and have had the opportunity to have scouted them and worked out our own game plan - with the added bonus that there is every chance it will be on a bye round created to allow for make up games and the impact of the WA hub meaning we won't lose the momentum we have built up by then or have to worry about the impact of the bye and dees fans will have footy to watch that weekend

what a bloody joke! so all the vision we have seen of him tackling his teammates and having his arm around them, no chance of transmission? I don;t want the Dees to playing these ****wits until they are tested again in 4-5 days time. dont want to risk our players

Why are so many people angry that we're not playing the game tomorrow? Why do we need/want to play so soon? For one, as has been mentioned by others, it's not set in stone that our game will need to be crammed mid-week at some point. There is the potential for byes, staggered rounds and other positive tests to create gaps anyway. But assuming it is going to have to be played midweek, why does it have to be this week? Why not aim for a situation in which the AFL gets us to play on a Thursday night, Friday night or Saturday afternoon, then back up to a Wednesday vs Essendon, then back up to the following Sunday or Monday night? Space out our games as much as possible, with notice to us, so we can prepare (rather than putting all 40 of our fit players into a match on a Sunday).

I'm pleased we're not playing tomorrow. Irrespective of the DHHS decision that only Jimmy Stewart is deemed to be a close conatct, I think there is still a level of risk that another Essendon player might have contracted the infection which has not yet shown up in the testing progam. The longer our players stay away from that risk, the better.

What I would give to have The Ox, Neitz and Lyon playing for us now. They would dominate. Of course this is just my opinion, and we all know opinions are neither right nor wrong. Toot toot, old chaps.

Unlikely I would have thought (unless there is absolutely no alternative) as it affects all sorts of things including betting markets on products such as the Brownlow Medal, trigger points in player contracts, etc.

I think that they are holding back on our game as they are expecting others to also be postponed during the season. The AFL could then organise a bye/makeup round for all postponed games.

As far as the first round in the 2020 draft goes, I'm taking the approach that we have already made that selection when we picked up Pickett in last years draft. I'm happy with what Kosi has shown thus far to think that he has the makings of a good player and a worthy first round selection.

Cynically because Saad is a best 22 player and James Stewart is not.

Disappointing to hear that he is going on for surgery on his groin tomorrow and will miss a large chunk of the season. I rate him highly and thought he looked quite promising as Key Position player that can take a contested grab and play either end of the ground. I believe he is out of contract this year so would love to see us sign him up soon.

I for one am quite glad that we dont have our players exposed to their (potentially) disease riddled backline. Let Carlton be the guinea pigs.

Our number 1 forward or the competitions number 1 forward? 1994 Ox would be the best forward in the game today. Thats a guy who kicked 9 goals from true CHF in the last round of the season and then proceeded to tear apart two finals. Booted 60 goals from CHF and led the league in marks.

Maybe Goody needs to tell TMac to stop 'bringing the ball to ground' and actually mark it? ?‍♂️ I still believe deep down that Weid and TMac is the combo we should be going for. TMac operates best when he has a mobile key forward with him who can roam up the ground and help spread the space IMO. Show Weid the same amount of patience as Goody has shown Brayshaw and TMac and it will help his confidence and trust issues, and at least then he can be judged fairly as a prospect for us going forward.

I'm using a plastic cup with the 80s Demons logo on it that may have a crack and leaks water that is probably not potable.

Typical Melbourne... We are now the most impacted club out of this situation all through the actions of an opposing player not following protocol

I still reckon Neitz, Lyon, pre knee David Schwarze and Robbie Flower would still easily get games in today's modern game. The beauty about those guys were that they were all super athletic. Lyon and Neitz especially could just about play anywhere. In fact I think in today's game Lyon would could easily play midfield whereas Neitz is your classic Mr Fix it at both end. Flower would still just be an out and out gun dashing through the wings. He is exactly what we need right now. Before he did his knee Schwarze was ridiculously athletic for such a big guy. He would easily slot into that CHF role quite easy. Jackovich only problem that would hold him back imo would be the fitness demands. We are hearing players clock up around the 14 or 15km per game. Someone mentioned Stevie Johnson before, a good comparison as he was someone who was just naturally freakish.

Robbo makes perfect sense if it's 8pm and you assume he's been at the pub since 11am.

Defended them to the death during the drug cheating saga too. Should have lost his job then.

For the sake of the rest of us, please stop quoting Saty. Thanks.

the afl have no rules....just interpretations

Transparency and the AFL do not occur in the same sentence. Now we are asked to believe that the club who lost all its records could come up with chapter and verse to eliminate from quarantine all players from their best 22. Could be true but frankly they don't deserve to be believed. So the rule is now two hours in an enclosed space as long as you are not in breathing distance. Sounds like open slather for restaurants then.

There is so much to play out in terms of fixturing this season that there's no need to go early with the outrage. Who even knows what the schedule will look like in a fortnight from now? In a way the AFL have backed themselves in a corner by going early on a 17-game season, with the expectation that every club would play each other once. It will create quite the puzzle over time. But they also made it clear they are happy to go deep into the year. I think we can expect a number of byes and staggered rounds. There's a very good chance we won't end up paying a mid-week match. Chances are that establishing further interstate hubs will require a two-week quarantine. That's time when we can play catch-up - meaning probably both us and a lucky Essendon will remain in Melbourne.

Sorry, but you're on the wrong bus there. Not a chance in hell DHHS have done this to appease the AFL.

Gee wiz - hell why don't they let McKenna play on Saturday night? No close contacts deemed at a contact training session, why wouldn't that be the same for a game? Staggering really. Health official advice on this is hard to swallow given what has been said to the community. Looks like this has been done to appease the AFL which is a shame. If they were cautious as they should be they should shut the whole club should down for 14 days. Lets hope no more positive tests come from this. I am actually glad we wont be playing them for a while.

I initially misread, or, at least, misunderstood Ralph's tweet and somehow thought that every person in Australia was at risk of getting Covid-19 from McKenna, either directly or indirectly. Just goes to show how conditioned I've become during this time to subconsciously thinking the worst.

The Age is reporting that: "...the weights session shouldn't be an issue for players potentially contracting COVID-19. According to Essendon, all eight players were socially distanced, wiped gym equipment in between sets and were careful not to complete exercises that would require a teammate to spot them, such as weighted squats or the bench press". Isn't the criteria for indoor 'close contact' being in the same room for 15 minutes? Fair chance that any droplets could easily transfer from McKenna to other players or equipment. And, he only needed to not clean one weight for it to spread to the other seven players in that weight room. If McKenna broke the covid rules outside the club, what confidence is there he followed them inside the club as he has a history of ignoring club rules eg when he went to Ireland for a holiday last year and didn't tell the club. Seriously, how can Ess be believed after the drugs saga. They have a history of lying and 'losing' evidence. They will say anything to save their skins if they didn't follow protocols and if it means quarantining players. Didn't think I could hate them anymore than I did, but I do.

Would rather a 2021 Cam Pedersen

No - the next thing that happens is that they’ll play it down or deny it altogether. They won’t be punished because it would be a bad look for the AFL so expect a whitewash.

You don't get to 38000 posts by worrying about content.

But your opinion is not mine so it’s wrong and I’ve asked all the people I follow around and they form my opinion so neeerrr.

Then the coach has low expectations of a key fwd, but I’m sure as you’ve asked him then you know all. You love to roll out “it’s my opinion, deal with it” but jump on others for having their own opinion.

The level of arrogance from such a low info base as yourself is staggering. James Hird has a rival in the narcissism stakes.

Are they 100% positive that his initial positive test was actually negative or are they saying his negative test was a false positive and actually negative?

Honestly I'm starting to think that's the best outcome out of all this. The end of Gil and his cronies is exactly what the AFL needs.

Tuned in to 360 last night and Robbo was really flying the Essendon flag. Gerard was saying how all the clubs were warned before the restart about groups of 8 possibly being unavailable if someone tests positive, and the coaches need to group them accordingly. They were well warned. Then Robbo was saying nah it's unfair.... After a while my wife goes "Who's this guy on the right? He sounds drunk!" ?

Not to mention draft order, match payments, sponsorship agreements and more.

reckon most players from the past would find ways to adapt to the modern game they were the best in the country playing in 12 team competitions; as if they wouldn't be in the best in the 18-team one we have now

Nice glass half-full! Too many people here are still searching for the glass.

I thought it was meant to be a weak draft because so many of the better prospects are either father-sons or Academy selections. This was apparently the logic behind trading our first pick to North for the chance to draft Pickett.

Gerard Whateley he is friends with everybody .A good Catholic boy.. True.

Absolutely. Its beyond ridiculous to suggest that players with such talent wouldn't thrive in today's game, assuming of course they had the drive and desire to do the increased training loads modern players have to do. And how many players of the that ilk do not have the drive and desire to do what is required? In fact if i was to pick four dees players from the time i've followed footy who would thrive in today's game i would struggle to go past Flower, Shwartz, Lyon and Neitz (in that order). Stynes would be in the discussion too, as would Stretch, the Wiz and Lovett. Footy has circled back to needing great wingers and Robbie was the greatest of the modern wingers (apologies to Wood, Shimma and Greig). Flower would be like a Hill or Jetta. But better as he could go forward and be like Fritter. Or even play off the half back if needed (what were you thinking barrassi!) As you say Lyon could play anywhere, including the middle. I reckon he is probably the same height as Bontempelli. Image Lyon streaming out of the centre hitting up a leading forward. But his best position now would be high half forward, with a licence to roam up the ground like Melksham or how we will play Bennell. His frame, build and athleticism (he was terrific runner at school - he was the year above me at Melbourne High) would be perfect for today's footy. And he wouldn't be smashed week in, week out trying to play at CHF. Neita bulked up to play as a key forward but if he played now he wouldn't and would be an out and out star (who none the less would go though periods where he simply couldn't mark!). Hogan would be a good comparison. The Ox. Forget about it. Easily the most talented footballer outside Robbie i have ever seen before he did his first knee injury. If he had remained uninjured he would have rivaled Carey and in fact would be a better fit for the modern game because he was more athletic. Would be the best player in the league right now. The other thing is that if the Ox played now they would have fixed his knee properly after that first injury and he would have a better chance of getting back to his best and certainly have been less likely to do it again. My son plays basketball, as does his and i ran into him in Geelong earlier this year before a game and we had a chat. Top bloke. He played a lot of basketball and he said he was close to pursuing it. We talked about injury and he said he never had a single injury playing basketball. He also said that his first knee surgery screwed him completely and could never move laterally or jump properly after it. The query for Jackovich would be his application to training. But lets say he had that desire he would be a phenomenon now, just as he was when he played. Small forward lines are suddenly in vogue now and he is arguably the best medium forward in the last 40 years. Certainly on goals per game. The modern equivalent would be Stringer at his very, very best and De Goey. The other thing all five players have that elevate them and set them apart in today's game is brilliant kicking skills. Everyone of them elite. And two sided. What i would give to have five players with that skill level in our team at the moment.

Connor doesn't release sweat or breath out droplets of moisture amazing!

On paper at least we have an elite back line and on all brigade, but our forward line is bereft of anyone trustworthy enough to perform well on a weekly basis. We CAN finish # 5-7 , but alarmingly if nobody stands up regularly to kick 3-4 goals a week, we are potentially a # 12-14 position side

I wish we had a go for Finlayson at the time

No change. It's the best team we have formed for a long while, why change it?

Still not a single cluster from the protests. Isolated cases only. The debacle are the stupid [censored] who knew they had the virus and still went to visit family. Those are the big clusters now that have spread across Melbourne. Apparently one family had a 100 person party with infected family members. Absolute f’ing stupidity. Should be named, shamed, and thrown in jail for 14 days.

Hard to tell where any team is at the moment with everything so messy.

You don't have to read them, of course you could try and enter the debate, there is always a first time for everything Just trying to get a couple of posters to back up their opinions, hang on, isn't that what a forum should be I personally think the Club has handled the pile of [censored] handed to them on Saturday morning as well as they could Can't see anything relevant that Pert or Bartlett could add

We're playing Geelong though, OD.