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Met a mate at the races who knows the Jefferson family well. Family has been running the Jefferson Ford car sales business for about 40 years. They are big supporters of Collegians in the VAFA where the father was a top player. Matthew has been a leading junior footballer both at school (Wesley College) and with Ashburton in the Yarra Valley Junior Football League (he was in their interleague side with Elijah Tsatas and Ollie Sestan) and various representative sides from Oakleigh Chargers to Vic Metro in the National Championships. Reckons he needs 12 months in the AFL system and he’ll be a gun.

Really think we need to start looking at life after Petracca, Oliver's etc. A genuine power inside mid would be top priority for me.

Also photos of Gus from the past 2 trainings. Mountain out of a mole hill. Never been gifted with the rig, and is pretty open about that on podcasts and that stupid interview he did in his towel one game. Will be in the 4 man midfield rotation and have his best year since 2018

To my mind we have gone from Rags to Riches with regards to Talls. We lost LJ, Mitch Brown, our back-up ruckman, Thommo was coming back from ACL plus we weren’t sure that TMac or BBB would make full recoveries in time for 2023. I felt that we were extremely exposed prior to the Trade / Draft period, then miraculously in waltzes Brodie Grundy AA Ruck, Josh Schache 200cm back up fwd / ruck / defender, Matthew Jefferson 195 cm future Star forward, Jed Addams 196 cm future star defender, Rookie Will Verral talented 200cm ruck / forward plus Cat B Rookie Kyah Farris - White 206cm Ruckman ex basketballer.plus Rookie Ollie Seston a real Smokey power fwd.!!! On top of this haul we have a fully fit Adam Tomlinson 195cm Utility, Jacob van Rooyen young tough and talented 194 cm Fwd that is ready to go Plus our Premiership star forwards in TMac and BBB building beautifully for 2023. Now thinking back on my anxiety during those last to Finals and knowing that LJ had checked out I could not have wished for a better Trade / Draft period to help keep us at the top of the heap. Plus a strong hand for 2023 Draft Period, I follow MFC am I dreaming.!!!!!

Did Tom Mcdonald have a great season in 2022, even before he was injured? Not really. Did we lose a game in 2022 while Tom McDonald was in the team? No. Just eyeballing it, "Tom McDonald vs No McDonald" there's about a four goal per game difference in our for/against in 2022. It hopefully matters a little less in 2023 with Van Rooyen matching him for height, size and blondness and Grundy being an extra tall around the ground (the old 'value over replacement' equation a little less dramatic), but McDonald is a top quality structural player who we do well to remind each other of. If anyone knows where to dig, I'd love to see what his "pressure acts / team acts" ratings were like, as well.

For many years I proudly displayed my sticker on my car in France. Of course no one knew what it was. We moved back to Australia and into a new apartment a couple of months ago and we’re gradually meeting neighbours. I got off to a good start with a young couple I met in the car park when I saw the Melbourne sticker on their car. The perfect ice-breaker.

You knew he carried injuries from Round 1 don't you? Like about 7/8 who played below par for half the season Salo was never given a chance to get yo full fitness. He will star again in 2023.

I think Casey this year could be more of a breeding ground for us than last year. The spine will be pretty new which is exciting and and a host of second and third year players like Howes, Laurie, JVR, Woewoedin will be expected to push hard for selection.

Saw what looked to be pretty much the whole list out early in Yarra Park this morning doing an extra fitness session with kettle bells, rowing machine and the like. Didn't stand around and watch as it wasn't exactly footy stuff. For me Gus looks better in person than the training image everyone is talking about but I don't have any further insight. There are still questions about our best midfield mix and fewer sessions in the main group is unfortunately probably not the best prep. Dustin Martin was looking very fit over at Punt rd oval today, and seemed to be a few kgs down from last year. I've caught bits and pieces of the Gosch's sessions over the last couple of weeks. I'd agree that Sestan looks like the most comfortable of the draftees, I'd probably temper expectations for this year given he's pretty raw. You get some good things and some not so good things and I think they will want that gap bridged a bit before he's let loose. Schache has pleasantly surprised me watching how he performs in terms of intensity and tackling during the in-close drills.

My Collingwood supporting mate has a little Demons sticker on the back of his ute. He just doesn't know it's there.

Broody Grundy first Will Verrall second Josh Schache third Dont be such a panic merchant . other's to do throw in's on forward line eg Tmac JVR etc.

Kevin, love the expression Pettys mongrel. I must admit he reminds me of an English Flight Commander during WW2

Dee Zone Its like having an overrun orchard and suddenly the new trees planted are about to bear fruit next spring. We have got a good mix of styles in those talls some having some X factors and others skills that they can hang their hat on for quality and performance. Some are interchangeable also viz Schache JVR Jed Adams and Tmac. BTW Disco and Maysie say hi as does Rick Lever!! Over to the Fitness Conditioning and Coaching staff to tend to these new plants and to maintain the old ones in a pristine manner which will produce a bumper crop of fruit around September!

We have so many possibles and good first picked players. The dilemma is who to replace if we are going to put some new ones into the 22/23. Last season we went into the games with minimal changes, and not too many new ones getting a look. It appears we have many options this year. I just wonder if the selection committee will be adventurous. If they are, I hope it is early in the season, so we get stability later on. Where do we fit them all and who misses? Agree about Brodie and Hunter, and I can see Schache being useful. Hibbo is such a stable factor down back and reads the play extremely well, Tomlinson is looking very fit and powerful, I haven't seen enough of Adams, JVR is exciting, I believe Turner needs to tear it up at Casey to get a boot in the door, Melky is looking good on the track and Sestan needs to prove himself. Petty is getting better and better, love his mongrel as well (not many left in the modern game). Can't wait to see our 22/23 selections for game 1. Are we adventurous or are we with going with tried and experienced players?

He could be a good line coach

I drive all around Melbourne everyday and without a doubt our Melbourne stickers are seen more than any other team. From the little stickers to "Member (insert year) to Premiership stickers. Rodney I see quite a few tradies utes and they mainly have tiger stickers especially out Ringwood way. Possibly the next largest amount of stickers seen would be St Kilda but most are quite old. Memo to MFC. Why does the "Red" on our stickers seem to fade yet St Kilda's keeps it's brightness.

DFA How long are you going to demerit Tmac for his defensive quirks which ultimately led to his move forward along with some inconsistencies in disposal. He Hasnt done those things since 2017 as he has gone forward since. When he played back twice recently ( only 2 occasions since 2017) vs North at Blundstone replacing Tommo when he suffered his ACL injury in the first quarter.only other time was after Norton got away in the second quarter of the Round1 GF replay kicking 3/4 goals prior to half time and Tommy was sent back and quelled The Astronaut. He never made any of his previous errors and his disposal was in the 75/80% and very controlled. He is bigger physically than Maysie and on the odd occasion Tmac should be used to quieten a beast that Stephen only on a very rare occasion I admit fails. Usually our team game overcomes most rampant potential forwards more likely the smalls in reality.

Assuming it's upside down

Going off pre season report Verrall has barely done any ball work due to his groins. I think he he'll be a fair way off senior action. I was a tad surprised we didn't have a mature age ruckman trial with us for the last rookie spot. Verrall will be behind the 8 ball and the footy club will be seeking a special permission from the AFL for Farris-White to play in the NAB league. Schache and McDonald may be the next one in line.

what part of Dingos post implied panic? a simple question is all. Relax

And can't overstress how important that blondness is either. It's worth at least 6 - 9 Brownlow votes in a good season.

If we lost both Gawn and Grundy I think we'd probably go with Schache/McDonald combo before Verall. He's just a project player ATM. I'm still trying to get my head around having the best two ruckman in the AFL in the same team. It will make it difficult for a prospective ruck to get a game, but maybe Verall is far enough away that he only just comes right as Maxy retires.

Someone uploaded a few flicks to instagram from training recently, he looks in better nick here

Some boys look like they're in unbelievable condition. Gus Brayshaw isn't one of them!

I found it hard. I'm from the era where liking anything to do with Collingwood was grounds for dismissal. Not just from work, but from my own family. It says a lot about how much I admire what he's achieved that I included him in that list. At least the Irishmen all had some experience with Gaelic Football. Cox started a lot further behind than any of them. In my opinion, that means he's arguably a greater success story. It would have been so much easier to like him if he played for any other club. Except Richmond.

I'm waiting for my new stickers to come,.. Especially the ones for the license plate. I do not have a car myself, But I quite enjoy the thrill of sneaking around very late at night and surreptitiously placing them on random license plates in the neighborhood. It is my way of creating new Melbourne supporters.

I hope we select with improvement and goal scoring in mind.

Funny you should mention the fading red. It has been happening for years. I never put my new year sticker on till April so it has a chance of remaining red for the season.

SONS Chandler has to start in the 23. He is training like his life depends upon it and has improved and matured and deserves an opportunity to show he can kick goals as well as perform a defensive role. Goody will lose him if he doesn't play him Also our improvement is vital on the forward line snd Chandler and JVR are our future in this in 2023.

Don't disagree greatly Kev. I don't think we can rule some in or out at this stage. BTW my name Tommo means Adam Tomlinson not Sparrow who could well have his break out year based on the training observers. He has up to now to be frank a very good looking tease who does quality plays but just not quite enough of them. His time should be this year also. Schache if he trains well and shows intensity might put his hands up as an I/C due to his versatility or as a replacement for an injured KPP forward or back. To be honest I hope Turner and Tommo in defence and JVR and Sestan ( if he can get fitness and endurance into his body) up forward are given opportunities as specialists if they have earned it. I see no reason so far that any players who have fitness issues now are ruled out yet but come February would want to be automatic match sim competitors in full scale match approach. Yes Tmac and Salo are vital and I have no doubts that both will fully fit raise our standard in play to more like 2021, and I include Riv in this category plus Tommo to have a stellar year as his ACL year becomes a thing of the past. He and Turner and perhaps Joel Smith ( if he has an extended run at full fitness) might go head to head for a third ( or fourth tall in defence) spot if those positions are ever needed. I hold high hopes also that Jed Adams is a quick developer ( although lightly framed as of now) as his highlight reel shows a real appreciation of how to play in defence at full throttle. I when I first saw Harry Petty's highlight reel earmarked him for a key position role in the future. Time and injury held up his progress but surely his opportunity came up when Tommo unluckily went down and he has never looked like surrendering his spot since. AA may be within his CV in the near future if he continues to mark and defend as safely as any one of his tender age. ANB needs a 2021 style goals total, Hibbo usually performs well once fitness is obtained, BBB needs his fitness to be carefully managed but we know his best is a boon to our goals per game totals. Melky could again be handy but if it was a flip of a coin job between him and Sestan I would give Oliver a go every time earlier in the season if he was AFL fit enough. Brodie and Lachie are virtually A graders who should improve our supply in total and style to our forwards if the game plan is upgraded from 2022. Plenty of hard work for all to replicate 2021 but I am confident we have a greater spread of talent and youth in 2023 than even that flag year. Have other sides like Geelong Brisbane Swans or Pies got their teams at the top gone past us. Not if we play with the culture desperation and demon spirit of 2021 again, along with the little bit of luck with injuries that is needed in a flag year.

Played most of last year less than 100%. Couldn’t settle into his year as he was carrying an injury that was more nuisance than debilitating injury.

Did you clench before writing this?

We already have Jed Adams & Disco in the reserves as potential long term tall defenders

A Herald-Sun article by Chris Cavanagh “DID YOUR NUMBERS COME UP?” (pages 76 & 77 yesterday) examined which club has the strongest draft hand going into the 2023 National Draft. Of course, it’s a long way off till November and the draft picks are dependent upon how each individual team fares in the coming season but the verdict has Melbourne ahead of the pack. Here are the picks each club holds – and why. ADELAIDE Rd 1: Own Rd 2: 1 x linked to North Melbourne, 1 x linked to Gold Coast Rd 3: None Rd 4: None BRISBANE Rd 1: None Rd 2: 1 x linked to Geelong Rd 3: Own, 1 x linked to Geelong Rd 4: 1 x linked to Fremantle CARLTON Rd 1: Own Rd 2: None Rd 3: None Rd 4: Own, 1 x linked to Essendon COLLINGWOOD Rd 1: Own Rd 2: 1 x linked to Carlton Rd 3: None Rd 4: Own ESSENDON R 1: Own Rd 2: Own Rd 3: Own Rd 4: Linked to Sydney FREMANTLE Rd 1: None Rd 2: 1 x linked to North Melbourne Rd 3: 1 x linked to North Melbourne, 1 x linked to Carlton Rd 4: 1 x linked to North Melbourne GEELONG Rd 1: Own Rd 2: None Rd 3: None Rd 4: None GOLD COAST Rd 1: Own Rd 2: 1 x linked to GWS, 1 x linked to Adelaide Rd 3: 1 x linked to Adelaide, 1 x linked to Collingwood Rd 4: Own, 1 x linked to Adelaide, 1 x linked to St Kilda GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Rd 1: Own, 1 x linked to Richmond Rd 2: None Rd 3: Own Rd 4: Own, 1 x linked to Brisbane HAWTHORN Rd 1: Own Rd 2: 1 x linked to Western Bulldogs Rd 3: 1 x linked to Western Bulldogs Rd 4: None MELBOURNE Rd 1: Own, 1 x linked to Fremantle Rd 2: Own, 1 x linked to Fremantle Rd 3: None Rd 4: None “The Demons hold the best draft hand of any club with four picks in the first two rounds. Not only do they still have their own selections for those rounds, but they also have Fremantle’s as part of the trade that sent young ruckman Luke Jackson to the Dockers. Melbourne’s third-rounder went to the Western Bulldogs in exchange for Lachie Hunter, while their fourth-rounder also found its way to Whitten Oval in a swap for utility Josh Schache.” NORTH MELBOURNE Rd 1: Own, 1 x linked to Port Adelaide Rd 2: None Rd 3: Own, 1 x linked to Melbourne Rd 4: 1 x linked to Hawthorn PORT ADELAIDE NNRd 1: None NNRd 2: 1 x linked 
to Collingwood NNRd 3: 1 x linked 
to Fremantle NNRd 4: Own RICHMOND Rd 1: None Rd 2: Own Rd 3: Own Rd 4: Own ST KILDA Rd 1: Own Rd 2: Own Rd 3: Own Rd 4: None SYDNEY SWANS Rd 1: Own Rd 2: Own, 1 x linked to Hawthorn Rd 3: Own, 1 x linked to Hawthorn Rd 4: None WEST COAST EAGLES Rd 1: Own Rd 2: Own, 1 x linked to Port Adelaide Rd 3: Own, 1 x linked to Port Adelaide Rd 4: Own WESTERN BULLDOGS Rd 1: Own, 1 x linked to Brisbane Rd 2: 1 x linked to Brisbane Rd 3: None Rd 4: Own, 1 x linked to Melbourne, 1 x linked to Geelong

Sounds terrific but i doubt MFC dominates in the bumper sticker competition. When i was still in Melbourne Essendon and Collingwood dominated everything even more so than Carl/ Rich. If we win a few more flags things will change. Ive never understood why Stkilda has such a large following One flag in 130 years. Theyre on 57 years now without a flag.

Disastrous start for Lawrence! Not sure they announce next weeks schedule until after the remaining games, here's hoping for another Sunday game for the Niners, was great to be able to watch this morning!

Bit of an aside….saw such a Ute this week, with 2 bumper stickers. One side of the bumper had “[censored] VEGANS”, the other “[censored] CYCLISTS”. Sent me into hysterics, as I am both. 😂 Agree about the seeming dominance of Dees stickers, although it always makes me wonder if we’re just attuned to see them.

Ben Cousins better

was automatic selection last season and was well off the pace Really needs to show he still has it in the preseason

I know Jack McLean was the Strength and conditioning Coach at the Demons. Before that he was strength and conditioning coach for the VFA side. It would appear Jack is moving onto other areas. Been at the Demons I think a very short time. In fact I don't think he ever saw a game out at the Club. . Lives in Highett.

Love the Tmac. What you get is what you see. One of the most intelligent footballers around. Great clubman also.

So accurately put Balls. BBB is a different Cat but skill is different but necessary for us to excel. JVR and Fritsch can both work with both or either.

One of the real strengths of Tmac's game is his areobic capasity to work up and down the ground for a big man. As well has his strength and contested work forward of centre, he contributes in other ways. I think he plays a pretty important part structurally comming out of defense as he pushes up between the wing - half back and often provides a reliable outlet option for one of our defenders. Even if he doesn't take clean possession, his size and competitiveness mean he's rarely beaten and at the least usually forces the ball across the boundary and allows us to reset our team defense and players forward of the ball. If he wins the possession, he often uses his strength to break tackles and move the ball forward quickly with long penetrating kicks deep inside 50 for our other forwards to make use of.

Cheers DD agree to disagree. Let's hope Tmac continues his practice form so far ha has revealed in the matches in 2033.

Fair enough mate. Agree to disagree