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They sure did! And he’s a very nice man, too. 😁 JK. I did most of the Melksy letters. AND they let me cut out the 200! That’s 4 (FOUR!) circles right there! And it’s shiny silver paper, way harder to work with than cardboard. The pressure was on. But I went into full Demons mode and… nailed it!

Ridiculous comment. Chances are earned, not given. All of those players have had times where they've had to earn another chance. Sparrow's first couple of years were very similar to Baker's, with almost the exact same number of games ('chances'). Do you honestly think their different trajectories since then is due to purely being given opportunities? Rubbish. Jordon's were even tougher due to injury but he earned chances and took them. Spargo's 2nd and 3rd years he had to do the hard yards, Harmes struggled early too. 'Given games'... Please.

Looks like some people arent watching the Grand Final often enough. Gus was enourmous.

Again, GC is growing the game. These markets take decades to bear fruit but kids are playing in record numbers up there.

Build the new stadium and training facility at the port and let China pay for it as part of their 99 year lease.

There's pretty much zero chance Gus leaves. It's just a matter of the contract. Right in the thick of his prime years. I imagine the talks of taking less pay to keep the team together might come into play at some stage. This season he's been in our top 5 most important players most games.

Baker is not even an emergency, so that won’t happen. Melksham is also a far better option than Baker

Would be very surprised if Selectors named Melksham as the Medical Sub in his 200th game. Shouldn’t be done and won’t be done by a Club that is getting most decisions right.

Gus is Top 5 Core Player in my side You would notice a huge hole if he wasn’t there

I still think a new regional Victorian team that plays out of Kardinia Park makes a lot of sense. But I mostly think that because I hate Geelong, and just want to see them have to share a stadium that all Victorians have paid for.

Relocate GCS to Darwin. They have two games there, it is their Academy zone.

Stoked for Bedford getting a full game. Make no mistake, this will be our hardest game of the year due to a number of premiership players we're missing. Salem, Langdon, Harmes and Hibberd to a degree are huge outs for us.

Certainly never implied that Gus would be getting a banner contract. I think he will work out a contract that fits in with MFC's 5 year plan ahead (hopefully!). Gus is a match-winner. Its been well documented but in the heat of the moment, when a contest needs winning he has shown consistently he can perform. The big contests he won or halved in the grand final during crucial moments were match defining. I said he was in our top 5 most important players this year. Certainly doesn't rank as highly overall with a healthy list. But he has performed his 'easy role' down back well with Salem on the sidelines adequately and then some. It's more about how he covers then ground then anything else but around the contest and with ball in air or in hand the statistics back this up. He might not have the foot skills of Salem in terms of sharpness but he uses it pretty well on both these days. His dispoal efficiency % could be better but he generally kicks under more pressure then other backs. All that being said he's: 3rd for effective disposals in the side 2nd for effective kicks 2nd for rebound 50's 3rd for disposals behind Clayton and Trac. Again not unusual with him playing that sweeping half back which Salem usually plays and picks up similar numbers. 1st for uncontested possessions. 2nd for intercept possessions 1st for marks (no.2 in the comp) 2nd Intercept marks There's definitely some room for improvement but he's performed in this new role well. Most of these numbers/ranking within the side are leaning towards elite compared to the rest of the comp. If you consider the position he is playing easy that's fair enough. We can see how he performs back on the wing if that happens when Salem returns and then reassess. If he performs as well as last year I hope we can sign him within the cap constraints we're facing.

That would be the way to go! As for Gus, he is just about our best playmaker, wherever he is on the ground. He adapts to circumstances in a minute or two, starts to dominate by acute interpretation and reading of the game, goes for it by covering distances and selecting the 'right' feed to the 'right' player in the 'right' position. Too valuable to let slip away from our team. He's proven himself over and over again. A great Clubman, too.

I can't see how NT could possibly sustain an AFL team. Very low population. Transient workforce where large numbers of people from interstate will have a team and do not intend to stay in NT long term. Climate. Although the AFL season fits reasonably nicely into their dry season, there would still be some very uncomfortable games at the start of seasons with very high humidity and rainfall.

Shock horror! ABC News Radio in Northern NSW this morning had massive news! The reigning premiers have Viney back in and Langdon recovered better than expected. Beyond the good news I was shocked to have this on a station best known for soccer/rugby news.

The difficulty I have with the V emoji is that it isn't clear whether they object to my comment or to a quote I have included in the post. I find it rather disconcerting at times.

Really? REALLY??? Wtf is wrong with some people?! MELKSY PLAYS FOR US!!!! Save the vomit emoji for opposition players. There’s no shortage of them. Think every single Essendon player, for starters 🤮

Bedford is a ripper. Smart player, good skills, good decision maker and is super fit And has one key attribute that makes him AFL ready - genuine speed.and an ability to maintain that speed over distance.

Will be interesting to see where Bedford plays. Been really impressed by his appearances so far this year. Goody has stated that Tobby is ready to perform at senior level and I'd absolutely agree based on what I've seen. Looks much more confident and assured with the ball compared to appearances he's made in previous years and his pressure has been awsome. Does he play on a wing for us this week? From what I recall hearing he has one of the biggest tanks at the club.

Happy to see Melksham play his 200 for us at the G. Really hope the boys turn it on, win for him to make it one to remember and keep our winning ways going.

I think Baker's time is up he is a long way from being selected.

1. Melbourne Ruck Duo: Max Gawn and Luke Jackson Just like our winger's list, the winner in this catalogue comes without too much question. While other teams' ruck duos are much closer in quality than their wingers, the duo of Gawn and Jackson has been an almighty success after their premiership-winning season last year. On ability, Max Gawn is the best ruckman in the league and has been for the last few seasons. Gawn has played all 10 games this year, averaging 19.1 disposals, 5.4 marks, five clearances, 25.8 hit outs and 0.8 goals a game. The bearded skipper's ability to influence not only the ruck contest but everywhere else around the ground makes him such a luxury for the Demons. He can become an extra defender, midfielder or forward whenever called upon ... scary stuff! Last year's Rising Star winner Luke Jacksoncontinues to make himself a star of the competition as he develops into another ruckman/midfielder/forward. Jackson has missed the one game this year due to COVID Protocols, but in his nine games, he has averaged 14.8 disposals, 3.7 marks, 2.6 tackles, 10 hit outs and 2.4 clearances. At only 20, Jackson looks set to be a difficult match-up for teams and he is relishing in his role as Gawn's deputy in 2022. Both could be set to become dual premiership players if the Demons' scarily good start to the season is anything to go by. 2. St Kilda Ruck Duo: Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder 3. Fremantle Ruck Duo: Sean Darcy and Lloyd Meek 4. Western Bulldogs Ruck duo: Tim English and Stefan Martin 5. Brisbane Lions Ruck Duo: Darcy Fort and Oscar McInerney 6. GWS Ruck Duo: Braydon Preuss and Matt Flynn 7. Gold Coast Ruck Duo: Jarrod Witts and Mabior Chol 8. Richmond Ruck Duo: Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo 9. Sydney Ruck Duo: Tom Hickey and Peter Ladhams 10. Collingwood Ruck Duo: Brodie Grundy and Darcy Cameron 11. Carlton Ruck Duo: Marc Pittonet and Tom De Koning 12. Adelaide Ruck Duo: Reilly O'Brien and Kieran Strachan 13. North Melbourne Ruck Duo: Tristan Xerri and Todd Goldstein 14. Port Adelaide Ruck Duo: Scott Lycett and Sam Hayes 15. West Coast Ruck Duo: Nic Naitanui and Bailey Williams 16. Hawthorn Ruck Duo: Ned Reeves and Ben McEvoy 17. Essendon Ruck Duo: Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips 18. Geelong Ruck Duo: Rhys Stanley and Mark Blicavs

Gus is on Par with Jake Lever

I understand totally where you are coming from, but Gus is a leader and from a cultural point of view it is extremely important that we keep him. He knows he can walk for more money and a midfield role, so we definitely need to do something to lure him to stay.

A bit of bf focus on the game: I'm breaking out in sweats knowing what's going to happen in that Thursday team. I'm really hoping it's not a blood bath but just heard JLo on the Radio saying some of the boys are low in confidence at the moment If Langdon plays, his ribs should be tested first time he goes for a mark above his head. Melbourne by 35 points. I'm already prepared mentally. The fact that Goodwin has felt the need to manufacture some motivation for the Dee's says he's (somewhat) worried about them struggling in that dept. We've got far too many softish players Let's back them in and I think we can win in the dry. Freo by 15 points. If it stays dry, not sure we have enough firepower to outscore the Dees, but I guess we'll see....... Oh God I can't believe Goodwin is talking up this game. That their players have been looking forward to it. Without our one and only genuinely classy player forward of centre in Switta this will be over by quarter time. We'll be lucky to kick more than 3 goals for the match against their defence. Good test for our defence though to see if they can get their mojo back on big ground. Keep them under 100 would be something. Not Dees Game related but worth including: Ginnavin is a graduate from the Selwood acadamy of ducking for free kicks. The combination of ducker and show pony is nauseous. Building, creating & sustaining a culture sure can be hard work for the fans. My favourite: You almost want them (Demons) to win the tap, so they stream forward, we win the turn over and expose them out the back... ...yeah that's not gonna happen - it will be more like they win the tap, stream forward, we miss the tackle and then they kick a goal.

The more analogous situation is our "nursing" Jones to his 300 game milestone early last year, after which excepting a couple of medi subs he barely played again. I'll be surprised if we see much more of Melksham after this weekend, though I'llalways have a soft spot for him for coming to us and playing great footy that simultaneously served an "F U" to Dons fans who derided him at the time of the trade and lit up our breakthrough 2018 campaign.

Is it all about money? What about supporting and growing football in Tasmanian?

We can always count on you WCW to bring some clarity to some of the comments on here. The vitriol against Melksham on here is similar to that was aimed at Jay Kennedy Harris some years ago. Everyone understands that Jake is not playing to the same level as he did a couple of years ago but does that mean he should be subjected to the spiteful comments that are being made by the same old landers. As I commented when Jay was being targeted that there are family members who read the "Land" and are mortified by what was/is being said. Maybe think before typing. Now when it comes to Collingwood - go for your life🤣

I have some blues supporters friends who claim we don’t have 15 wins in a row because they beat us in a practice match. The stupidity in some people beggars belief

We can disagree. You undervalue Gus. Both of them are Top Shelf

Yes. Then you have muppets like Tom Rockcliff(good ex teammate of mine and a pretty simple dude) who think otherwise.

Expose us at the back? Gee whiz

You're not on your own. They're massive watch for me. I still think we're better team and can get them when they fade during quarters. Their midfield can certainly match up to ours. I thought Cripps was going to be cooked this year but he's gone to another new level. The likes of Kennedy, Cerra (still dirty we didn't gave the have trade capital last year) Walsh and Hewett has the potential to be quiet potential for the next few years. I like their forward line. Both Curnow and McKay are stars. Both are still only 25 and have many years left which is scary. Our current forward line of Brown and McDonald are both nearly 30 years of age and coming towards the end of their careers so it's a little concerning we have no up and coming talls coming through except Jacob Van Rooyen who is yet to be tested at AFL level. Their defence is shaky and if they can add another gun defender alongside Weitering then they'll be set. He's the next best defender behind Steven May. Carlton is the only club I fear come September. Their significant bigger fan base is like a 23rd man. They'll certainly come in numbers..

Hope to see this on Saturday… JM18 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣❤️💙

Thanks for calling it out WCW. Milkshake always has a place in my heart for the sealer he kicked in the 2018 semi final v Hawthorn when I was just starting to get nervous. Sure he might not be best 22 for many of the reasons highlighted, but when he gets an opportunity and plays he invariably pops up and does something really good. I hope he plays, has a ripper 200th and is rightly celebrated for the body of his overall work.

JKH got off lightly compared to a few other players. I won't mention them for fear of setting off a retro whipping-boy frenzy. The red and blue is sacrosanct imv. Wear it and the player should be respected.

It's not always about the position a player plays in that determines his value. It's very often how good he plays in that position and how good a player he is. So you may have a player at half back say Salem, Angus that may earn more than Petty at CHB for instance. And how do you rate Fritta ? Plays at HF FP and FF at times. So he rates highly and his next contract will be a very good one because of his excellence and versatility. So let's not underestimate Angus either at HB Wing or on the ball. I can say for sure he would be deserving of more in most people's eyes if he was a midfielder not a flanker. But he plays so well there he deserves a healthy reward for his excellence and team attitude.

have to be the barras wouldn't it?

… and Essendon. We mustn’t forget Essendon. 😝 Thank you LSNM, nice to know someone else sees this for what it is. Vitriolic comments aimed at any of our players is nasty and serves no purpose whatsoever. Especially when it comes to Jake. He doesn’t get a fraction of the love the “shining lights” get. And that’s cool. If you’re not feeling it, you’re not feeling it. But to go to the other extreme is unacceptable! PS: so glad I wasn’t on DL when the same treatment was being doled out to JKH. 😡

Then you'll need to persuade 40 young, well paid, professional athletes to live there and turn down enticing contracts from the major cities that promise fame, big stadiums, big crowds and the glitz and glamour that their peers enjoy. Tough sell for Tasmania; very tough sell for the NT.

The Chinese Whispers?

Demonland if Jackson hasn't re-signed by the time our bye comes along ...

I spent several months of Victorian lockdown in Darwin after Howard Springs quarantine. The heat at times is hard to survive. In Darwin’s Main Street at some crossings there are “shade shelters” to afford pedestrians some sun protection while waiting for green light. I like warm weather and live Vietnam. Darwin heat is next level.

I don’t like 19 or 20 teams, and I don’t like state governments forking out 20 million a year to have one. A few games a year of AFL teams and a strong local comp is enough for the Nt/Darwin.

I think the vomit emoji has its place and purpose. But NEVER for one of our own players ffs. I’m over the disdain shown for Jake. I mean, I hated him with a passion when he played for “them” nothing personal, just comes with the territory. BUT… the nanosecond he pulled on a Melb guernsey that all changed. As it should. ❤️💙

On this. A Tassie team might stretch the talent pool, but if there is no Tassie team, what will the talent pool look like in 10/20 years when Tassie kids all play basketball instead of Aussie rules? GC kids all play soccer? Etc. Expanding the AFL comp to GWS/GC is a pre-emptive defensive measure to protect the game. The AFL are enacting it aggressively, but it's either expand or shrink.

Having a 20 team competition could in theory be the answer re: allowing Tasmania in. But if there's question marks over how Tasmania could financially support an AFL club, there would certainly have to be the same, if not more question marks over NT.

I don't think they cared to much for us Dees when they were beating us 17 times in a row. Fugg em. Should have taken the 100 million and run.