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Hi, Not one to normally start a new thread, and this could possibly have found it's way into an old Jack Viney thread maybe, but I just felt it's worth giving credit where credit is due. Jack had a solid year in 2021, but I believe he has lifted even more this year. With his history of foot injuries he has looked slow and his field kicking frustrated me in recent years. I always felt he was well behind Petracca and Oliver and I questioned whether his body had let him down and would he be able to hold down the midfield role for much longer. However I think in 2022 he's improved significantly, and dare I say it looks quicker and more comfortable running over the turf. Resulting in his output both in running lines and his disposal looking a heap better than I can recall from prior years. He hasn't lost his aggression and love of tackling hitting the player hard. Whilst his possession count isn't up at the possession rate of Oliver and Petracca, Viney just seems to be making the right decisions in games more often and not, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him right up there in the B&F count to this point of the season, just does the things that the coaches would love! He's becoming exciting to watch within out team, and that's something I never thought I'd say :)

Can’t believe the criticism and negatives. Really disappoints me. Unbelievable. Premiers, top of the ladder and undefeated but posters are not happy. I have waited a lifetime yet there are folks who are not happy. Go away.

Pretty pathetic for them to get stuck into Ben Brown who they treated like crap in the hub and while his poor wife lost a baby. Maybe if after 10 years of being a gun key forward for that joke of a club they didn't turn on him the minute he struggled with injury and personal issues, he would still be there kicking them goals and helping them lose by 50 points instead of 100 points each week. If they think he left for money, they obviously have no idea what was happening at their club. He gets paid a lot less at Melbourne than he would have at North. They chose to bottom out and dump good quality senior players. They are where they are because of poor management. Cry me a damn river.

Almost six months down the track and I think it’s fair to say that while JVR still has a long way to go, the Demon recruiters did well in November to select him with their pick at #19 in the National Draft. His performance which involved six goals plus a number of goal assists and classy efforts suggests that he has a bright future as a key position player at AFL level and has even drawn comparisons with a young David Schwarz. The Ox played 173 games (244 goals) for Melbourne between 1991 and 2002 and overcame 3 knee reconstructions to win a club best and fairest and represent Victoria but I had the advantage of seeing him play as a young man prior to his senior debut. In 1990, a couple of players from my eldest son’s footy club were picked to play for Melbourne’s Under 19s and joined a strong team that included a young David Schwarz from Sunbury. The pre-ACL Schwarz was dynamic, strong and athletic for his 195cm and within two years rose through the ranks to a regular senior players and by 1994 was one of the competition’s star key forwards. I’ve seen a lot of that young Ox in JVR. Schwarz made his VFL/AFL debut in 1991 and played 6 games for Melbourne that year. I’m comfortable in comparing JVR with the Ox of 1990 - again, that’s not to guarantee that he’ll make it but I’m buoyed by the fact that at the same stage in terms of age, JVR has played senior WAFL games and now kicked multiple goals at VFL level. The big question is when will he make his AFL debut. If he was at North Melbourne or one of the others at the foot of the ladder, he would probably have already played. But the beauty of being at Melbourne, is that he will get the time necessary for him to be physically and mentally prepared when the day comes.

Did anyone else see the boys stitched him up brilliantly last night and make him lead us off the ground after he did his ‘lap of honour’? I think he’s a Demon for at least the next 3 years. Seems very happy. What’s he going to learn from Nik Nat? How to be under prepared, over eat, and get on the park for 9 games a year?

Without Viney we don’t win the Flag. His work in close at the Center Bounces was exceptional. The definition of “Extractor”

I will never forget the first contest in the 2021 GF -Viney breathing fire absolutely flattens McCrae. I was out of my seat. Brilliant.

Actually, I am getting tired of the lack of love the media and others are giving Jack Viney. He has been super this year. Even against the Eagles, when the game was stuck in a boring holding pattern for 2 quarters I believe it was Viney getting angry and physical around the stoppages that changed the flow of the game. For me it is three things: He is LOVING both footy and the club. He doesn't have to shoulder the weekly pushback of underperforming teammates His kicking has improved out of sight (actually I wish Petracca's kicking would improve as much) He is kicking goals.

Been saying the same thing all year, running on top of the ground now that his foot injury has been remedied. Also his kicking has more penetration and accuracy.

I think I'd be happier, and I suspect Mazer would too, if ding's statement was modified to say "I want Jake Bowey to play over 200 games for Melbourne and go his whole career undefeated".

I’d like to vote for Viney’s kick to Frittata in the 2nd when we went coast to coast for a goal as DL video of the week. That kick was sublime.

Forget that Chandler is a Demon and look at the tackle. He brings down Foley at full pace and as shown from the behind vision left side, lets go of him before they hit the ground. It’s not a bump, or a sling and is one action at full pace, where he released the player before ground contact. On that basis he has done everything reasonably expected of a player. According to Simpson, Foley is fine and I am unsure as to whether he was concussed. There is absolutely no basis for a suspension or fine on that tackle and I would say that about any player. That said, the MRO has proven itself to be inconsistent and hypocritical in dealing with incidents.and nothing would surprise me. Given Chandler is not a star player he will be treated differently and harsher than if he was one. If suspended we should appeal.

That’s a disgrace.

Except for Collingwood in 1902 (they lost in 1901) or Fitzory in 1904 (they lost in 1903) or Collingwood in 1919 (they lost in 1918) or Richmond in 1920 (they lost in 1919) or Collingwood in 1927 (they lost in 1926) or Geelong in 1931 (they lost in 1930) or Richmond in 1932 (they lost in 1931) or Richmond in 1934 (they lost in 1933) or Essendon in 1942 (they lost in 1941) or Richmond in 1943 (they lost in 1942) or Essendon in 1949 (they lost in 1948) or Collingwood in 1953 (they lost in 1942) or Melbourne in 1955 (they lost in 1954) or Melbourne in 1959 (they lost in 1958) or St Kilda in 1966 (they lost in 1965) or Carlton in 1970 (they lost in 1969) or Richmond in 1973 (they lost in 1972) or North Melbourne in 1975 (they lost in 1974) or Hawthorn in 1976 (they lost in 1975) or North Melbourne in 1977 (they lost in 1976) Or Essendon in 1984 (they lost in 1983) or Hawthorn in 1986 (they lost in 1985) Or Hawthorn in 1988 (they lost in 1987) Or West Coast in 1992 (they lost in 1991) or North Melbourne in 1999 (they lost in 1998) or West Coast in 2006 (they lost in 2005) or Geelong in 2009 (they lost in 2008) or Hawthorn in 2013 (they lost in 2012)

The MRO will get him on 'potential to cause damage' rule which they invoke when it suits them. Meanwhile the Tom Lynch raised elbow to the head of the Hawks player was judged to 'not be unreasonable!! Ignored the potential for damage rule!! Lynch - premiership player Chandler - a kid starting out. No guessing who will be the sacrificial lamb. Chandler may get a week but if the MRO was consistent so should Lynch, who has a heap of priors.

You opened with "Ridiculous question not even worth debating." Then debated it for nine long paragraphs. So is it worth debating or not?

How good has BBB's ground level work been lately? Few games in a row he's kicked goals on the move, roving off or around a pack. I wonder if it's that his fitness levels have allowed him to execute skills he's always had, or whether he's been doing specific work on it. Prob both. Anyway, it's noticeable and I bloody love it.

From Bigfooty: More doom and gloom. Doesn’t matter. They will kick a cricket score against us next week. Could 186 be under threat? 160 points. Brown will kick 10 They are at least on a 6 day break coming back from Perth. Hopefully they can take it easy on us. Forfeit the round and send the boys on the Kokoda Trail. Lets get everyone on the page, then give them an ounce of coke and 15 boxes of booze. Go! Unless they go easy on us, our infamous Fitzroy defeat of '83 is in danger and BBB will beat his 10 goal haul. If they bring their A game this will be a 150 point margin. I think they'll ease off tho. No point going harder than you need to be. Will be satisfied with anything under 70 points Genuine question - what would people prefer:- total 18 player flood defence leads to final score where we lose 80-13 or play the more traditional structure and lose 166 - 52? The only way our forward structure will score 52 against Melbourne's defensive structure is if they take half a dozen blokes off the ground in pity. But to answer your question, I'd take trying to play proper footy and losing 52-166 any day over not even trying to score for a whole match and still getting thrashed. I literally can't name one player from our team yesterday who would be regularly getting a game for them. If they are at all serious they win by 100. If they put the foot down then it will get very very ugly. Can we just forfeit? Please? Hopefully the D’s just go through the motions and get a routine 80 point win, no injuries, fanfare etc just like we used to for 10 years. Lets pray they’re not in the mood for one of those ‘we owe these campaigners‘ a bloodbath type slaughter fest wins My favourite: If we forfeit the round it will actually increase our percentage!!!! Perfect week for the godees to rest …The whole side I reckon we can beat WC score. We have been living rent free in opp fans heads. I would say the same can be said for opp players and coaches. Not many would fancy their chances against us.

This is my take too. Chandler verdict regretfully correct. Ryan verdict a ridiculous under-reaction.

Liam Ryan only gets 1 week…. The ball had passed and he lined up Bowey and took him out. This is Corruption 1 Week Get F

What Ryan did was neither reckless nor careless. It was intentional.

This is not how life works. A surgeon who is terrible at their job and kills a patient can't use "Well YOU try and perform an appendectomy without killing the patient!" as a defence. It's my job to do MY job well, and it's her job to do HER job well.

Jackson must have really enjoyed auditioning for the wooden spooners. Who needs another premiership or 3 when you can go out nightclubbing and lose by 10 goals every week?

Jackson is a luxury that we won’t need until Gawn is done 3 years from now. But when that happens the outlay to get a star ruckman and one of the 15 best players in the comp would be ridiculous. If he stays it will be within our cap framework. I am sure his agent would be pushing for more but Jackson himself would have Gawn and co in his ear saying what they have done to keep the band together. The fact that Petracca will average $900k through his prime is stunning. Oh, and lastly, you don’t let players like this go. Kids a unicorn.

Jackson will be harder to replace than Brayshaw. Is he worth the money now? No. will he be next year? Prob not. But in three years time, if he continues his trajectory he will be worth every cent.

I want Jake Bowey to play over 200 games for Melbourne and go his whole career undefeated.

Some Dees fans need to take a step back and have a look at the bigger picture, bigger picture being: - 9-0 - 16 wins on the trot - 1st on ladder - 1st on percentage - Reigning premiers - Arguably the greatest defensive team of the AFL era So we only won by 74 points against a ravaged West Coast? Sure, the 2nd/3rd quarters were boring but the team is made up of humans, not football robots. We won by 12 goals and kept them to 5, not much more you can realistically ask for. Enjoy the ride, it's the most exciting time to be a Dees fan since the introduction of TV in Australia. Go Narrm

A few years ago: "woe is us ... we're getting beaten by 70 points". Now: "woe is us ... we're not winning by more than 70 points". Some here need to get a grip.

What exactly do you mean by "start showing our offensive side"? Do you mean score more? Did you know we are in the top 4 for points scored this year? Ahead of the media's favourite scoring machine, Carlton? Ahead even of Geelong and their power forwards?

But once again, the inconsistency is the issue. If he was a big name, the AFL would say it was a good tackle and an unfortunate outcome. The only way we are going to incentivise players is by actually punishing ALL players in this situation, not just the ones that are not deemed to be big enough names by the AFL.

Chandler should get suspended before Bedford.

Jackson is very important to our structure, look at our game against Hawks when he didn't play. there were long periods of time where we struggled to get it past our half back line. Jackson is usually there as a bail out kick. Weid is just not as effective. And the other reason we need to sign him is Max is 30, and Majak is 31, ruckmen take so long to develop and we have one that is good now and untapped still. Agree we can't break the bank, but we will have to pay much higher than most 3rd year ruckmen have ever got.

I haven't read the game day thread, but apparently people aren't happy. Bizarre. It wasn't flawless and I generally agreed with much of what Jordan Lewis said in terms of forward entries and blazing away at goal when we should have lowered the eyes, but FMD, we played some brilliant football at times. Was it one of Fritsch's or TMac's goals in the last where we chained off half back by hand under real pressure? It was champagne football. As good as that TMac team goal against Brisbane last year in Sydney. Our offence usually comes from our defence, so as a side we tend to strangle sides rather than blow them off the park, but if a side manages to stay with us over 4 quarters, we can win games in 5-10 minutes of burst football. I reckon as supporters we should be happy that we won by 12 goals and could still play much better, and Harmes aside, have a list that can get out on the park every week.

Underwood's pre-game preparation . . . make sure I: mention the 2021 grand final (200 times), remember that Jackson is from WA, note that Brayshaw's brother is at Freeo, remind everyone that Jackson once played basketball, always refer to Ben Brown as Big Ben Brown, say that Jackson used to love Nic Nat, declare that May and Lever are good footballers, mention that Jackson used to support Meth Coke (10 times), observe that Kosi is a good footballer, suggest that Jackson will be keen to drive his price up today (five times).

Message received - you are better off lining someone up off the ball and collecting them in the head rather than risk tackling them

Looked very deliberate did Ryan's action. Should have been at least two weeks. Chandler hard done by. Thats how you are supposed to tackle. We are not playing netball here. No offence girls, Netball is a great game.

Lynch getting off...again. That's also a disgrace

Yes and yes. Melbourne's biggest wins v West Coast 74 - 2022, Optus Stadium 70 - 2000, Subiaco 61 - 1987, MCG 61 - 2000, Colonial Stadium (Marvel Stadium) West Coast's lowest scores in Western Australia 5.8.38 v Melbourne - 2022, Optus Stadium 6.5.41 v Geelong - 2013, Subiaco 6.6.42 v Richmond - 2014, Subiaco 5.13.43 v Adelaide - 2013, Subiaco West Coast's lowest scores v Melbourne 5.8.38 - 2022, Optus Stadium 5.15.45 - 2008, MCG 9.7.61 - 1990, MCG 9.9.63 - 2021, Optus Stadium

My favourite. The Washington Generals would have a better chance of winning. In a twist, the AFL are going announce a combined team on Thursday night made up of the best of our available list and theirs. They're going to call it "Melbourne".

Hello Deedubs, and thanks for returning to your old form. In case you hadn't noticed last night, West Coast's sole aim was to stop us scoring, as largely was St Klada's the week before and Port's earlier in the year. In turned out brilliantly for all those sides, didn't it. I've got better things to do with my time than go back and look at all your old posts (I don't need that much negativity in my life), but I'm just assuming after we beat Western Bulldogs in Round 1 you were disappointed because we didn't beat them by a larger margin than we did in last year's Grand Final. I'm not quite sure what your expectations are but we've won 9 from 9, have a percentage of 159% (which would be 179% if we'd kicked half-straight), are a game and 8% clear of the next best team (and 2 games & 20% ahead of the 3rd team), are playing North next week (who have already played Brisbane & Fremantle). Our game is based on all-team defence. We have the best defensive record, yet have the 4th best record in attack. Fremantle have a similarly miserly defence, yet have scored 100 points less than Melbourne. After North we have 4 games at the MCG including games against Brisbane, Fremantle & Sydney (also Collingwood). We will be deserved favourites in all those games, Yes, we have some tough games to come but, rest assured, all those teams will be more afraid of Melbourne than we are of them.

The Charlie Cameron duel in a few weeks is going to a real measure of how far he has come in the role...

Yes and doing a remarkable job. The fact he's changed his role from an aggressive half back flanker who at times kills us with turnovers, to a defined simple role in locking down the best small forward and attacking at the right time. Well done Hunty. Crazy to also think that he's never tasted any finals even though he's played over 100 games. I believe he is also out of contract this year.

Is (premiership player and Grand Final momentum turner) Luke Jackson the right guy? #ISayItWithAHeavyWallet

Yep, you certainly differ from everyone else.

Well we can disagree, but Trengove slung Dangerfield and that is different. Also, just to highlight some of the inconsistencies, the Tribunal was told that Dangerfield was injured and wouldn’t play the next game. He in fact did and was BOG. So poor Jack got a very heavy penalty for a new rule infringement, based on incorrect evidence. 4 weeks for that sling was an absolute joke. ANB will agree, after his suspension was completely out of kilter with his offence as well. Anyway we will see what happens.

Speaking of Viney what a game yesterday. Unlike a number of his mates his was a four quarter effort.

I cheer heartily for the increasing-involvement of non-male people across all levels of the AFL, but listening to Kelli Underwood today, I had the terrible realisation that she will only become more unbearable as her confidence grows. God I wish we could adopt the Premier League approach of having only one announcer in the commentary box. They just call the play, relay useful information, and if there’s a lull in proceedings they just…don’t say anything. It’s great. The current AFL commentary-model is just wall-to-wall blah, with what feels like twelve different people trying to out-do each other with boring stats, pointless observations, unsolicited opinions and tedious puns.

Re Lever: Yep, first minute poor. Then rest of game masterful. Gee, we are hard on players. Appreciate this team, I've not seen better.

So proud of the Melbourne Football Club! 9 wins no losses. 2 years in a row. Top of the ladder. A game clear of anyone. Best percentage. Biggest winning margin against WCE. Happy days. Long may they linger.