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Beautiful day in a Adelaide and Saturday is meant to be exactly the same.

Taking my son to his first dees game tomorrow. He is 5. We live in Adelaide and the supporters are impossible. Crows supporters I've given up on because they literally have no idea about the game. Hopefully not too much abuse for me and my lad tomorrow. If he lasts a half, I'll consider it a success!

A decade ago! Try last year.

Guess we'll have to wear our clash jumper then. Problem solved.

Great insight into the pathway James has undertaken in getting to this level. https://www.aflplayers.com.au/news-feed/stories/jordons-defining-leap-towards-an-afl-career?fbclid=IwAR2ZwMns04Q8Kosw9krFEFc9QnmSIw0IrySzK9i9nAWsoxghHx6H2MRP7PM

Has been outstanding this year. He showed glimpses of this in 2018, but his skill level has increased significantly and now complements his well know endurance and 1%ers. He and Spargo are significant in our structure and pressure and are now using the ball very, very well.

Looks fantastic! (good to see she's watermarked her work on instagram so Port Adelaide can't use it)

Absolutely beautiful, a complete work of art! (The jumper isn't bad either)

1985 - 2007 at Junction Oval. As you know I was Team Manager of the Dees under Big Carl in 1979 and we trained on the G. Being on the ground with the boys was a time that I will never forget.

Here's another one in a simlar vein. Quite funny actually: https://www.gq.com.au/fitness/sport/weighing-up-the-prospect-of-an-undefeated-melbourne-afl-season/news-story/4f425ea7ab7c7d0712a4b2efe2d98c26

Took my young bloke to his first game when he was a five year old. It was versus Freo at Subiaco oval and Mitch Clark was our best player by a mile. We got pumped in the first quarter and that was enough for him. “Can we go home Dad?” ”Absolutely. Just let me finish my beer.” ?

Good interview with ANB. Speaks well. Given his public persona (headline seeking goose) I was pleasantly surprised by how well Kane Cornes conducts an interview. Alex Neal-Bullen on The Captain's Run (21.05.21)

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/940459/melbourne-unveils-2021-afl-indigenous-guernsey Werte, I love this design, it is a great representation of the artwork in the centre and love the fact it is designed by an artist from Santa Teresa, my favourite community out here, well done Amunda.

I took my daughter to the G for a half when she was still in nappies, sat her on my knee. I got her to sing the song halfway through the last Qtr when the game was well and truly over. In the absence of any other noise, her little voice singing melted the Redlegs members area. I’ll remember it forever. Enjoy the experience with your boy.

I’ll eat humble pie on this one, he has definitely proved me wrong!

What is interesting is how he has become so much more composed and certain with ball in had. Has always had elite endurance and could get to the right spots but was frustrating as he turned the ball over or fumbled so often Credit to him that he has persevered and improved so much. Even his goal kicking now is tremendous. Well done ANB.

Kudos to Nibbler. I was one of those who were frustrated by his fumbling/sloppy disposal, however he has, for the most part, managed to address this weakness in his game. This year's change to 20 minute quarters has helped highlight his great endurance and he's played his part in applying forward-half pressure.

Probably-not

I was going to suggest bringing Melksham for Chandler in but was legit afraid of the Demonland lynch mob. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind Melksham would have offered a lot more than Chandler on the weekend. Didn’t see the Brown change coming though, but I’m pleasantly surprised. Thought they’d prefer him over Weideman, but I’m stoked to see the young bloke get another look at it. Can’t wait for this game now. Both changes make the side stronger.

Think the media is over playing who’s missing from Richmond’s side. Besides nearly all teams almost never have their best 22 available, Richmond had 5 of their best 22 missing tonight (Melbourne missed 3 last week). Of those 5 Cotchin is injury prone and well past his best. Prestia is also often injured and the return of 20 minute quarters might find him out. Shane Edwards still has good footy in him, but he turns 33 this year. Bolton is a star, so that’s definitely hurting them. Lambert is a solid backman, but no star. Brisbane had a few out tonight, but that doesn’t get much attention from the media.

Martin caught twice tonight when attempting the fend off. Could this be signs of the beginning of the end for the Dusty and Richmond dynasty?

Did BT cop many head knocks when he played?

Mmmmm - has some neat stats from around 10 days ago. https://www.statsinsider.com.au/blog/afl/melbournes-best-brownlow-prospect-mightnt-be-who-you-think Key quote "And while Oliver has added a much more expansive, penetrative aspect to his game this season, much like Mitchell and Neale successfully did in their Brownlow seasons, Oliver's also incorporated a more pronounced defensive component to his game as well, the likes of which might have more of an impact on Brownlow night than goals. "

Easily my fav one so far. Looks incredible!!

BB took his marks and slotted his 3 goals v Sydney in a very tight game. I wouldn’t trust the Weid to do that…yet. He really needs to take this chance. No more talk of potential. I think he has what it takes but he’s at an age now where he has to start delivering for us. If he doesn’t fire against Adelaide I reckon we go with the proven goal kicker in BB against the Dogs.

Is it any surprise? He's from the Sheedy school, he was a scumbag as a player and as a coach he's imparting the same to his team.

I feel for Brown, it could have easily have been Weid dropped this week - but it'd be stiff to drop Weid after only one game given his Casey form and potential (much of it known based on some good work last year). Weid is young, has a lot of positives, but has been stunted by injury and a severe lack of delivery from the 'bomb it in' crew of 2019-2020. Our structure and delivery is much, much better this year, and he should benefit from that, especially with Jacko back in the team. This leads to the Melksham call-up. Look, is he the 'gruntiest', most visible stat gatherer on the ground? Nope. Not by a long shot. He sometimes looks a little indifferent and casual. BUT he is also one of the best marks and creative kicks in the team - so even if he only gets 10 touches a game, but creates a few goals from those, I'll take that. That makes a difference in tight games. We have enough ball winner types. What we also need is some creativity. It won't always work, but then again the FF types don't always kick bags or have much of a presence either. Good, but tough changes today - would love to see Sparrow get a gig at some point, and very much looking for Viney to return as he really does make a difference. But only when he is 100%. How good is this? We have depth - and our selection issue is that good players miss out, rather than having to continually rotate and recall spuds because nothing is working. What a time to be alive!

Credit to their opening poster. A sense of humor goes a long way to getting thru those long lonely years supporting a rubbish team. I approve.

I cant remember which commentator/journo said a couple of weeks ago that BBB was struggling to get separation from his direct opponent on leads. I think his knee has caused him to lose the pace he needs to get some separation from his opponent. He’s always been a leading forward type. If he can’t get in front on a lead then he’s in trouble. I feel for him as I think he’s a really good quality person, and he’s had a lot to deal with emotionally over the last year. I hope he can go to the TMac school of agility training and get his body right. His composure ball in hand, and consistent leading at the ball player is exactly what we need in big games.

Me too Doug, took the family for a weekend away. Loved the ground, esp. the walk over the bridge across the Torrens at dusk. Also loved yelling out "how good was that" to Clarry's goal from the top of the (very quiet) grandstand.

Unless you are colour blind, that is not a clash. What a joke. To be honest though, it seems more appropriate to wear it against the Lions in our game up in the territory.

Unfortunate that we can't wear it in the actual Indigenous round due to a perceived clash. Less of a clash I'd have said than Anzac Day which was flagged prior and deemed to be all good.

And in all this hype about Kosi how come we don't hear more about how he's ridiculously good looking? ?

I said this before Mac Andrew was a thing, and will now say it again. I believe that the MFC must lobby the AFL for a more equitable phase out of the NGA, where clubs should continue to be able to match bids at any stage of the draft until they tally the equivalent in discounted points as whichever club has spent/saved the most to date (exc. the Northern Academies). It could even be tied to just the first round. A much slower phase out, but the draft will become less compromised each year and the actual intended benefits from the NGA will be realised as much as they are today for longer. Clubs may even be hesitant to spend their small, one-time allotment of points if there are promising prospects coming through, meaning greater longer-term engagement. As only a handful of clubs have benefitted to date, one would imagine the majority would readily agree to the proposal. It's ridiculous that a couple of clubs should gain an advantage in such a tight competition to such a random extent. I really do believe it would be a worthwhile exercise for the club to gain support and make its case to AFL HQ.

Fritsch only needs 1 goal to tie his best for a season (22 last year). I think its a safe bet he will beat that this year. ?

I agree that it's a really good one. The idea of community, the journey, and the many layers of people and support that it takes to make a club is a great message. I really like the indigenous guernseys. Each artwork tells a story and it's wonderful for the broader public (myself included) to be exposed to the significance of them.

These are my fav threads these days. Oh how the tables have turned

Without doubt, the best Indigenous guernsey so far! It looks fantastic! I love the theme of community too uniting everyone who is proud to be a Demon!

the port adelaide one is a brilliant design...shame it's not original! https://www.afl.com.au/news/616916/jumper-design-rip-off-port-investigating-social-media-claim

Brown had 3 games to prove himself and despite looking pretty good against the swans, he played poorly against Carlton. It is completely reasonable to give Weideman more than one game to prove himself. He took a couple of contested marks in the wet on the weekend and looks fit. He deserves a run of games to prove himself

Add long sleeve footy jumpers to the list of things they need.

VFL play Sunday, so the sub could get a flight back on Saturday night or Sunday morning and play at Casey if they don’t get a run.

It’s a dangerous thing to assume supporters of any club know what they’re talking about though. You only have to look at some of the garbage that gets posted on here. For example, you might actually work with the Geelong equivalent of Dr.D.

Last week I liked Chandler in for Melksham given we had two tall forwards with less skill at ground level than Jackson. With Brown out and Jackson back, we effectively get a tall player who is very good when the ball is on the deck. Chandler has less value. Melksham’s marking ability comes back into play with Brown out and Jackson not being a stay at home forward. I also didn’t think Melksham’s form was terrible before he was dropped. Chandler was far worse. Sparrow is showing promise, but isn’t a forward. That’s about the only way I can see Melk back in. Brown has not looked particularly fit, whereas I thought the Weid covered the ground well and looked in good condition. Let BB know he’s not an automatic selection, might get the best out of him. We suddenly go from looking a bit tall and immobile to really flexible and better balanced. We still don’t have the mix quite right but in an amazing position to keep tweaking before the hard road begins.

We don’t know what the basis was for Melksham being left out in the first place. Everyone’s assumed it’s for this, that and the other behavioural type stuff, but it could have just been a horses for courses change. Perhaps with the different mix of talls, we thought we also needed a different mix of mediums and smalls; now that the tall mix is more like before, we put the medium-small mix back to how it was. If that’s the case, the message to Bedford and whoever else is plugging away at Casey is that Goodwin and team will pick the team that suits whatever we’re trying to deliver, so make sure you’re putting your best foot forward. We can only guess the reasoning, but if this change is mystifying in the context of your guess, then maybe the assumptions around why he was left out in the first place need revisiting.

I predicted Brown out but I didn't think they would have the balls to do it. Good changes We look very dangerous with Jacko/Weed and T Mac

Actually pretty funny. one of my adelaide mates said they are a chance because "we are due for a loss" and "the crowd really gets behind the crows at home games" I think he's got to come up with better reasons than that.

Just as long as no one points at the scoreboard... then Jack Riewoldt will have to take them aside for a quiet word.