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Bailey is a massive out for them. Second leading goal kicker this year and kicked 4 against us in that Giants Stadium game last year. Special shout to Sam McClure on 3AW tonight who went with the selection bombshell “Ben Brown dropped” Only to discover he got the wrong Brown.

Bailey out is massive

Speaking of Baxter tavern, one of my top 10 ever gigs was there in aprox 1990. Maybe top 5. Long story, but I had a mate who lived in baxter who I'd often visit. One of the all time great songwriters, Warren zevon was playing solo at, of all places, the Baxter tavern. I went to my mates place with the plan to see the gig with my mate and another friend of ours. Unbelievably, both friends ended up deciding to bail at the ast minute, even though Warren bloody zevon was playing just up the road. So I went solo, and flying high I might add. The first thing Warren would have done after the gig was sack his mananager for booking the gig. The Baxter tavern is a sketchy beer barn that is, or was, in the middle of bloody nowhere, surrounded by paddocks - and it was a freezing winter night I walked in just as Warren say down at a grand piano. There was maybe 15 other people there - and to be honest I felt embarrassed that so few people had comme to see a legend of music. But he was incredible. Played wirh passion and verve, as if there were 10, 000 people there. Masterful. I could walk to the bar, get a pot and back to my spot in under a minuter. And my spot was almost right in front of him, so I could see close up his piano skills and hear his voice direct from the stage. Noone bumping into me, none even close to where I was standing. It felt as if he performing just for me. He almost was. He played for nearly two hours, and never once flagged or went through the motions. Gave me a cool nod when he finished He was a brilliant writer, one of the sharpest and most intelligent in rock. Smart, funny at times, but also acerbic and often angry. And in that environment, so close, and just him and his piano, the lyrics felt so powerful and personal. And his voice was to die for - magnificent depth, so rich and emotive. I feel emotional just thinking about it now, some 30 plus years later. Transcendental experience.

- Reclaim top spot - Beat a genuine contender - Premiership defence is back on Let's [censored] go!

I'm pleased Bedford is getting a start - pace might be critical

Geez. You'd be tempted to name Tommo as the sub considering our defensive woes this year.

Geez this is a big , big game. One of those "eight pointers" I reckon.

Apart from Max this is one of the best balanced teams we have put out on the park this year. Are they ready to go, I bloody hope so.✅✅

If he leaves I will be gutted because he will become the best ruck, and one of tbe best players full stop, within 5 years. Everyone is raving about Tim English and rightly so, his game had gone to a whole new level this year as his body fills out. Tim English turns 25 in two months. Jackson turns 21 in three months.

Fixed.

Bailey and Zorko big outs for Brisbane. Sam Weideman - PLEASE STAND UP

How about Joe Daniher for starters.

Just win please.

So much to love about this post, I don't know where to begin. Brillianly funny. Try reading it aloud in the voice of Ted bullpit from Kingsford country - the comic genius goes up a level. I mean de Goey is 'certainly' finished as a man? Comedy gold. In my mind's eye I can see Rodney Rude, it's 1979 at the Baxter tavern, and he is doing a bit about male emasculation.

Back up ruck is the role Sam plays well in my view. Less pressure to be the focal point, his ruck craft is good for a part timer, and it gets his mindset to be more competitive around the footy.

You'd reckon that Port Adelaide might be a bit nervous about the colours on their jumper. Apparently Mr. Frydenberg isn't particularly keen on teal at this point in time.

This is a 10 out of 10 for how you don't want to run a professional football club. Disrespect one of your employees by offering them "unders" and then turn around and say they 'left for money'. Completely ridiculous.

Disco a bit stiff with the injury. ‘Fractured Face’ sounds like something I’d call my mate.

I hope that the inclusion of Bedford allows Pickett to play closer to goal. We need some movement in that forward line

Montagna had some fantastic vision on AFL360 of Melbourne’s forwards against Collingwood. It seemed that when we generated a turn over in the middle, our forwards were too far up the ground and were just generally disorganised. He hypothesised that our forwards were overcompensating for our defence. Most of the vision was in the 3rd qtr when our defence was short so it’ll be interesting to see if our forwards hold their structure tomorrow better with May back.

The fact is we need a forward to stand up. We can rely on Fritta to sneak couple but if if BBB or Weid kicks 4 - we win

Just a heads up there Jim - we don't rely on the AFL for financial support anymore

Under the circumstances these are the right changes. Now just get it right in the head.

I always enjoy listening to Richo, defends the players and the club and like Goody never gives to much away.!!!

+1 Freo. Followed by Bris, GC the maybe Swans. Everyone else can cram it.

I know stats aren't the be all and end all but his 2022 is better than his 2021 on most factors. And 2021 included his finals series. So not sure why folks think his form has dropped. #LJ myths

The winds of change have blown through the Melbourne Football Club over the past month or so as the team previously known for applying relentless pressure on opponents dramatically fell from its pedestal to a low not seen for some three years. This is a team that had the luxury of going through last season with one of the healthiest lists in the competition. And that health was not only reflected in a weekly injury list that revealed very few key players missing, but importantly, even fewer injuries during games. As a consequence, the Demons of 2021 were mostly able to retain their structure and to apply high levels of pressure whenever needed. It got them through a few games that ultimately made the difference between a top two placing and a more difficult series of battles in the finals. However, things have been different in recent times with injuries suffered during the course of matches becoming one of the main factors behind the Demons’ current woes. With a team that relies so heavily on its strong defensive game, it simply can’t afford to have two or three key defenders out of the game or missing large slabs of the action by half time as it has over its past three matches. With limited rotations as a result, we’ve witnessed a disturbing fall off in pressure in each final half. If the pattern continues, it will spell disaster for the team’s aspirations in going for back to back flags. This week the team takes one step forward regaining Steven May, fresh from his experiences with concussion and some fisticuffs with Jake Melksham at the Entrecôte Restaurant in Grenville Street and one step back with the loss of skipper Max Gawn. The loss of Maxy will be huge but his absence opens up other prospects and adds some unpredictability to the team makeup which might not be such a bad thing. Hopefully, the worst case scenario is that the two will balance each other out and as long as the team can stay on their feet throughout the game, their prospects for a return to winning form are good. A number of Demons who have been out of sorts and down on form will relish the brief break and should be supercharged to return to their best form. In particular Ed Langdon, Christian Salem and Ben Brown who are all due to stand up and take responsibility as they did at this juncture and then later in the finals of last year. There’s an ongoing debate about whether the Demons are loading for the run home to the finals but it has to be said that the Lions weren’t traveling all that well before the break either. They’ve lost two of their last four games, looked out of sorts against the Giants and appeared to be blowing hard against the Saints in their last game. The MCG hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for them in recent years - they haven’t won a game there since 2014. Melbourne last won there on 8 May so I’m going for the Demons to win on the basis of home ground advantage which against this opponent has historically been strong. Melbourne to win by 10 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at The MCG, Thursday 23 June, 2022 at 7.20pm HEAD TO HEAD * Overall: Melbourne 27 wins Brisbane Lions 22 wins At MCG: Melbourne 14 wins, Brisbane 3 wins Last Five Meetings: Melbourne 3 wins Brisbane Lions 2 wins The Coaches: Goodwin 4 wins Fagan 2 wins * does not include Brisbane Bears or Fitzroy games MEDIA TV live and on demand on Kayo and live on Foxtel. Check your local guides. Radio - check your local guides. LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 13.15.93 defeated Brisbane Lions 9.6.60 at Adelaide Oval, Qualifying Final, 2021 A superhuman effort by Lachie Neale (46 touches) and 5 goals from Charlie Cameron weren’t enough to keep the accurate Lions from being any more than pests as the Demons ploughed their way into the finals series. Mind you, it was the skipper who dominated with 37 hit outs but the Demon stars were shining brightly at Adelaide Oval in the first week of the final series. THE TEAMS MELBOURNE B: .Harmes 4 H.Petty 35 S.May 1 HB: J.Jordon 23 J.Lever 8 C.Salem 3 
C: A.Brayshaw 10 C.Petracca 5 E.Langdon 15 HF: B.Brown 50 B.Fritsch 31 T.Sparrow 32 F: A.Neal-Bullen 30 S.Weideman 26 C.Spargo 9 Foll: L.Jackson 6 C.Oliver 13 J.Viney 7 I/C: T.Bedford 12 J.Bowey 17 M.Hibberd 14 K.Pickett 36 Sub: J.Hunt 29 Emerg: M.Brown 38 L.Dunstan 27 A.Tomlinson 20 In: T.Bedford J.Hunt S.May S.Weideman 
 Out: M.Brown (omitted) K.Chandler (omitted) M.Gawn (ankle) D.Turner (face) BRISBANE B: J.Payne 40 H.Andrews 31 M.Adams 24 HB: B.Starcevich 37 D.Rich 10 N.Answerth 43 C: J.Berry 7 T.Berry 13 H.McCluggage 6 HF: C.Rayner 16 E.Hipwood 30 L.McCarthy 11 F: D.McStay 25 J.Daniher 3 C.Cameron 23 Foll: O.McInerney 46 J.Lyons 17 L.Neale 9 I/C: K.Coleman 18 D.Robertson 2 M.Robinson 5 J.Tunstill 29 Sub: C.Ah Chee 4 Emerg: D.Fort 32 R.Lester 35 J.Madden 14 In: C.Ah Chee T.Berry J.Payne D.Tunstill Out: Z.Bailey (H&S Protocol) D.Fort (omitted) D.Gardiner (lungs) D.Zorko (hamstring) Injury List: Round 15 Max Gawn - Ankle | 2-4 Weeks Daniel Turner - Face | 3-4 Weeks Blake Howes - Foot | 3-5 Weeks Joel Smith - Ankle | 3-5 Weeks Majak Daw - Pectoral | 4 Weeks Tom McDonald - Foot | 10-12 Weeks

Yes, he is clearly not a recognised tap ruckman. That may come as he fills out over the years and is able to hold his ground better. What he adds is his follow up and presence at stoppage as an extra midfielder. The aim of the game is to win stoppage not to win hit outs to advantage.

Wow .... that's awesome. A true legend ... RIP. Not quite the same, but I had an awesome experience on Friday night. Went to a corporate function (CEO was retiring) at Crown Palladium, 800 there ... they had a special surprise guest. The CEO told everyone to get on the dance floor. Then doors behind him opened ... It was Robbie Williams, with full band/dancers!! At first I thought it was an impersonator, but no ... it was actually Robbie Williams! Flew out especially for the private show. Even Triplechins (MC for the night) was on the dancefloor, and was videoing the show. I'm still in shock.

Even Oliver, Gawn and May shouldn’t ‘break the bank’… The fact Petracca mid way last year signed an 8 year extension that will take him through his prime and doesn’t average more than $900k is testament to what our best players have agreed to to keep the list together. I have heard both Gawn and Petracca talk about this. Jackson would be no different, especially with Oliver OOC at the end of 2023.

Genuinely surprised we are favourites for this game. I predict one of two things are going to happen on Thursday: 1) We get off to a good start and then get overrun again to further confirm we are still way off it and our season is in real danger 2) We play a sustained brand of footy and beat them and it actually looks like we’re back (despite missing Max)

If he leaves it’s because he wants to go home. The money will not be much more. Let’s just ease up on the kid.

Now leave Bedford in there for the next month ffs. Weideman was a given, but have zero faith he'll do much on the night. For all the [censored] that May has caused I'm so bloody happy to see him back in the team. Bailey is a huge out for them. He gives a point of difference and genuine X factor that some clubs don't have.

I like those ins. May you owe us and the team. Tomlinson has to be sub. The way our backline is cursed

Their ins aren't a patch on their outs. Weakens them considerably. The three ins have barely 80 games between them. I think Tunstill is a debutant. It shows they have very little depth beyond their best 22. Dees by 3 goals!!

We should be going after De Goey (free agent) if Jackson leaves, then spending the draft capital on talls Simon 'Dog Whisperer' Goodwin will throw his arm around de Googs and bring out the best in him

Had a quick look on Lions bf. All calm still. Slight optimism no pessimism. The awe and fear has certainly disappeared from opp fans. A bit of chat about going to the G: This will be my first time seeing the Lions play at the MCG. Can't wait!!! Jealous. I have still never been to the MCG. Same. Waiting for a grand final - first time at MCG =premiership. Same - we're trying to save for the GF if we re fortunate enough to get in Got my September membership ready to go. It will be my first time in the mcc area - managed to snag a guest seat. very keen. Go lions!! It is easy to forget how lucky we are to play and go to the G every few weeks. My favourite: My wife and I went to a game at the MCG back in 2011 while we down in Melbourne and were seated (inadvertently) about 10m from the edge of the Richmond cheer squad. My wife ended up hoping the Tigers would win (they did) as she wasn't sure we would get out alive if they lost.

Keep purely political attacks and name calling out of the thread please or it will be closed and you may face a stint on the sidelines.

Zorko out for the lions

Will feel just as good if not better than the last time we beat them, given the adversity we've been under.

A bit superficial by 'Fantasy Freako'. I doubt LJ's role will be to win the hit outs or hit outs to advantage as often Max does. LJ's role will be stop McInerney from getting clean hits to the ball at stoppages and disrupt their clearance work. Or he plays to allow our mids to 'shark' McInerney's work. While talented, Silvagni, Dunkley etc aren't ruckman but they do a pretty good job of enabling stoppage clearances. And I'm confident LJ will do the same.

De Goey would think that Gregorian was a reference to the Chappell brothers.

I honestly think we won’t be breaking the bank over Jackson. They would be making an offer with Brayshaw and Oliver in mind plus others coming OOC over the next few years.

I’d offer him unders. Stay with club at a rate which fits in with our salary - or leave for money. It’s actually not a great look to leave. The club should just do the right thing by the team. We have Brayshaw out of contract this season, and I’d offer him around fair value. If players leave for money then so be it. Anyone who leaves for money isn’t going to be there to grind when needed if they stay anyway. We need overly committed football players. Outside for Gawn, Oliver, and May, we shouldn’t ever break the bank of any of our players.

Absolutely zero chance Spargo is dropped. He is being played out of position atm but he is a critical player for us and our forward line

I'll keep the red and blue paraphernalia on the front of the house.

In: May, Weid, Bedford. Out: Gawn, M.Brown, Turner. Need some dash from Bedford.

The conservative, and likely, changes are May for Turner and Weideman for Gawn. The issue with those changes is that it means we go in with B Brown, M Brown and Weideman, who at times are all going to be in the same forward line, which inspires zero confidence. An option is to drop M Brown, who hasn't done much if anything in the seniors to warrant retaining his spot, and replacing him with a small (e.g. Bedford, Melksham), or perhaps using Petracca more as a forward with, for example, Jordon getting more midfield time, Brayshaw going back to the wing, and Hunt coming back into the backline. But if we drop M Brown, there will be periods of the game where Weid's rucking and Jackson's on the bench, and we'll be down to B Brown only. This all goes to show how valuable Gawn is beyond simple ruck craft.