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I think that's a very cynical view of a serious condition. There is strong evidence of the effects of concussion, just as there is/was evidence for asbestos, cigarette smoking and now silicosis ... you know, all the other tragic conditions the "ambulance chasers" made us alert to.

We made the stupid mistake of rushing Salem for round 1 last year when he looked completely underdone and it cost him his year. Hopefully history won't repeat himself and we give Jack all the time his knee needs to heal.

I don't mind this week with the anticipation building and our thirst for footy about to be quenched. The pre-finals bye is a dreadful week IMO.

If it means that the umpires, the MRO and the tribunal start to look after Max’s head, then bring it in.

One thing that people overlook- is that Grundy coming over will likely prolong Maxy’s career. Getting another year or 2 out of Max or even an extra 4-5 games a year without injury is invaluable. All hypothetical, but with Jackson gone Max would have rucked 80% of games for the next 2 years at least while developing the young rucks. Teams target him physically because of his importance.

Petty underrated AF, can't get any love from the media experts...🤷🏻‍♂️

Clayton Oliver 9.5 This bloke is a star. Inside bull who draws a crowd, but never lets that faze him. Melbourne’s best first-possession winner at stoppages who kick-starts their attack. A competitor who is hard of head and hard of heart. Let’s not forget he is still only 25. Christian Petracca 9.0 Sorry Trac, we’ve marked you just under Clarry. But if you can change your goal-kicking conversion (19 goals, 31 behinds last year), we’ll have you equal to your midfield partner in crime. Another star who will be motivated to chase that second premiership. Max Gawn 9.0 Tower of strength for Melbourne for so long and leads from the front. The recruitment of Brodie Grundy will mean he will likely spend more time forward with the hope he can hit the scoreboard more regularly. Absolute star and exceptional leader. Steven May 9.0 Is it any wonder Demons fans were cheering his new contract extension, taking him through until the end of the 2025 season. He is a pillar of strength down back, a real traffic cop. He gets the best forward each week and more often than not beats them. Had a few off-field challenges last year, but barely missed a beat when he stepped over the white line. Angus Brayshaw 8.0 Multi-positional player who has seen the ups and downs as a Melbourne player. Now that he has had a taste of success, he will continue to drive high standards for himself and for his club. Brodie Grundy 8.0 This is one of the most fascinating list management decisions of the past decade. If the Demons’ contentious move to unite the two best ruckmen of the past five years works, look out! It might result in a second flag in three seasons for the club. And it looked pretty darn good in the practice match win over Richmond. Jack Viney 8.0 As tough as old teak. This bloke will never shirk an issue with his intent to win the footy and bring his teammates into the contest. Opposition mids always know he is in the vicinity. Forms a strong part of one of the AFL’s best midfield brigades. Bayley Fritsch 7.5 Opportunistic forward who has got it done on the biggest stage of all. Trusted goalkicker (55.22 last year) who can make something out of nothing. Great skills and game awareness. Ed Langdon 7.5 Langdon plays one of the most difficult roles on the wing almost as well as anyone. He has great fitness, enabling him to get up and down the ground with ease. Still a bit underrated. Jake Lever 7.5 His value to the team lies in his intercept ability, but he gets seriously challenged when he has to defend one on one. Like some of his teammates, he had a more modest 2022 off the back of the flag success, and will be looking to bounce back harder this year. Kysaiah Pickett 7.5 Excitement machine who will be given more midfield minutes. Has been a star on the track this preseason. Pickett must get his hands on the ball more as he is better than a 10-disposal per game player. Massive year ahead as he weighs up offers to return home to South Australia, or to remain a one-club player. C’mon Pickett, sign on the dotted line and stay! Christian Salem 7.5 If he was fit and well, he would be an 8/10, but he has had a difficult preseason as he deals with a thyroid issue. Let’s hope he overcomes it sooner rather than later as he is in the top bracket of talent and importance. His teammates give him the footy for a reason. Lachie Hunter 7.0 Brings experience as a premiership player to an already strong outfit, adding value to the Demons’ wing depth along with Ed Langdon, James Jordon and potentially Angus Brayshaw. Will be reinvigorated at his new club as his practice match form indicated. James Harmes 6.5 Provides the team with great flexibility and can be used in a variety of roles. You could never question his willingness to compete. It’s almost in his DNA. C’mon Goody, we’d love to see him spend more time on the ball, which we saw for periods in the preseason. Tom McDonald 6.5 If anyone doubted his importance to the forward mix, 2022 would have silenced those thoughts. Melbourne won every game he played last season, but a Lisfranc injury stopped him in Round 10. The forward line wasn’t the same without him. A solid preseason gives the Demons hope he can get back to his best - and the forward line can function better. Tom Sparrow 6.5 Adds depth to the midfield, but could win more of his own footy. He is more of an outside mid who runs the lines well. Can get better, and the Demons hope he will. We would love to see him turn low 20s disposal averages into the high 20s, which would boost his overall impact. Michael Hibberd 6.0 Entering the twilight of his career, we hope his body stays sound as he is still an important part of Melbourne’s defence. His organisation skills and match-up capabilities are big assets. Alex Neal-Bullen 6.0 The Demons’ hardest running role player who supports stoppages and creates overlap. An underrated and important part of the team’s structure. Restricted free agent at season’s end. Harrison Petty 6.0 He is an integral part of Melbourne’s three-pronged tall defensive structure, but who’s to say that Goody can’t throw him forward at times to challenge the opposition. It could act as a stimulus to him and the team. Trent Rivers 6.0 Faces a challenge this season after falling out of favour at times in 2022. Must revisit the desperation and competitive spirit which was so evident in 2021. He is too good a player not to become a permanent fixture in this team, but he will have to work for it. Charlie Spargo 6.0 Opportunistic forward who is a beautiful kick, even though his scoreboard tally last year was 10.12. Plays in the role known as ‘starvation corner’ but generally makes the most of his opportunities as he has good footy nous. Jake Bowey 5.5 Didn’t drop off a cliff last year, but plateaued in the second half of the season. Needs to start believing again like when he was the surprise packet of the Demons’ 2021 premiership side. Maybe Christian Salem’s health issues can give him an early opportunity, and he looked good in the preseason win over Richmond. Ben Brown 5.5 Kicked 30 goals from his 19 games in a difficult second season in red and blue. Covid, a VFL suspension and a knee injury impacted on his consistency. Needs to lift as one of the club’s primary forward 50 target players. James Jordon 5.5 Good role player who has graduated from sub to permanent fixture within the team. Will spend much of his time on the wing where he can find the footy and will be motivated after missing last year’s finals due to injury. Jake Melksham 5.0 Can be relied upon when it comes to forward 50 contests and scoring opportunities. Won his spot back in the side late in the season and helped to sink the Blues in Round 22 with four goals. Did enough to guarantee a one-year-deal. The 31-year-old must now justify that faith. Jacob Van Rooyen 5.0 Has come so close to making his AFL debut on multiple occasion, only to just miss out. That looks like being the case in round 1 again. He is a very talented young forward with plenty of scope. But who makes way for him? The Demons love him and have locked him in until the end of 2025. Can he fit in with Ben Brown, Tom McDonald, Bayley Fritsch and even at times Max Gawn? He’ll get his chance at some stage. Kade Chandler 5.0 A fringe player who has filled the gaps in recent seasons who might get a few more opportunities now that Toby Bedford has moved to the Giants. He will need to grab any opportunity to lock down a role and has performed well over the trial games. Luke Dunstan 4.5 Imagine trying to break into Melbourne midfield right now? It ain’t easy. He is a depth player who brings experience. Doubt he is in their best 23. His quest to break into the team won’t be easy after he suffered a recent hamstring injury. Joel Smith 4.5 Can be relied upon when needed as he competes well. Injuries have held him back for most of his career. Others looked to have passed him as one of the first-choice defenders, but if the chance arrives, you can be guaranteed he will be ready for it. Josh Schache 4.5 Key forwards are rare commodities, but this is his third AFL club, so he must make a stand. He is contracted until the end of next year, but this has to be his line-in-the-sand moment. He needs to consistently assault the ball as if his footy life depends on it. Daniel Turner 4.5 In the one game he played last year - Queen’s Birthday - we saw a snippet of the attributes he possesses- before he was concussed - they are of AFL standard. His competitiveness and appetite for hard work is something the coach would love. (Rookie) Judd McVee 4.5 Hard to assess as he spent his first season on the rookie list playing with Casey. Got some good grounding in the VFL and has some upside, even if it will be a hard side to break into. But he played in their last practice victory over Richmond. (Rookie) Adam Tomlinson 4.0 Has been in and out of the team, largely due to injuries, which have hurt his overall continuity. Played eight games last year in his return from an ACL. Is he an immediate selection? Has to earn his spot, but gives some defensive insurance. Taj Woewodin 4.0 Hasn’t played AFL footy yet, but had a good grounding in the VFL last season, playing in Casey’s premiership side. Defender/midfielder who is still awaiting that senior call-up, but looked sharp in the practice match against Richmond. Blake Howes 3.5 Possibly a surprise packet for the Demons in 2023. He has been locked in until the end of 2025, a measure of what the club thinks of him. Had some injury issues but got some good game time at VFL level in the back end of the season, playing in Casey’s premiership side. Bailey Laurie 3.5 Still yet to make his AFL debut as he enters his third season in the system, but that could change after a solid year with Casey in the VFL. Kicked 23 goals as part of the VFL’s premiership side and the small forward is already contracted until the end of next year. Matthew Jefferson 3.5 Difficult to see this pick 15 first round draft selection making too much of an impression in year one, but who’s to say he won’t get a look in if injuries strike. He will be soaking up plenty of experience learning from the likes of Brown, Fritsch and McDonald. He might even spend time forward with the captain at some stage. Jed Adams 2.5 Tall defender who was the Demons’ second round draft pick from last year. This is not an easy defence to break into, but he will learn quickly from some established teammates. Andy Moniz-Wakefield 2.0 Next Generation Academy player who was another young Demon to play in the VFL premiership side, which was a great learning curve. Small forward who can improve. (Rookie) Oliver Sestan 2.0 Rookie draft smoky who was taken from outside the traditional pathways. Medium-sized small forward who turned heads when he kicked 24 goals in a game for Mansfield and had to get an earlier flight back from ‘Schoolies’ to join the Demons. Won’t be rushed. (Rookie) Deaklyn Smith 2.0 Next Generation Academy project player who cut his teeth as a defender in the VFL last year before injury ended his season in the back end. (Rookie) Will Verrall 2.0 Young ruckman (199cm) who will learn so much from Gawn and Grundy in his first season in the system, but don’t expect him to play anytime soon. Project player. (Rookie) Kyah Farris-White 2.0 Hard to assess as he is a Category B former basketballer who is unlikely to get a look in this season with Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn leading the ruck stocks. (Rookie) Kye Turner 2.0 Plucked out of obscurity from a mixture of Old Haileybury and Frankston and spent the summer training at the Dees. What a story it would be if he makes the grade. Won’t happen overnight given their depth. (Rookie)

I know this guy has had his issues along the way, but he’s a Demon now with a fresh start & I’ll be judging him based on what he does as a Demon. He’ll be up there with the best recruits of the season, if not the best. I have know doubt. & for a guy that you barely hear from in the media - I’d like to hear from him more often. A good listen. Lachie Hunter on SEN 14.03.23 https://www.sen.com.au/programs/sportsday/

Why reference AFLW? It shouldn't matter if it is a male or female that has been concussed. No need to wait 20 years for an AFLW player to go to court on this: re-read the article in the op. The lawyers wouldn't go to court or even hope for an out of court settlement if they didn't have a reasonable case and evidence. Judges don't like having their time wasted. The injuries are a lot more than headaches or mood swings and there needs to be losses resulting from those injuries to get compensation.

Not so sure about bankruptcy. But rules and umpiring will be changed. Maybe those who think the game is poorer for having lost some of the "biffo" will be forced to reconsider their position.

Best option is opt in for a physical card, and then you don’t have to deal with Ticketek until finals time.

You lot are depressing.

I wouldn’t risk Viney for Round 1 Tom Sparrow the time is now

Love walking to the G during Autumn. The smell of elm leaves underfoot reminds me of going to the footy as a kid with my old man, sadly no longer alive. We'd have a pie and hot chips and watch Tulip carve up the opposition. Stop by the players rooms after the final siren and peer through the door, hopefully get an autograph. They looked massive to a little kid The next month or two will always be my favourite time of year to go to the footy

This development has been anticipated for some time. It doesn't mention who the other players are apart from Rooke, but I wouldn't be surprised if former Demon Daniel Bell is among them. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/former-geelong-player-rooke-to-lead-class-action-lodged-against-afl-in-supreme-court-20230314-p5crxx.html

My oldest daughter has just recently moved out of home and up to Melbourne for uni, so I'm taking a bootload of of her stuff to her apartment late Saturday arvo. We'll then grab a feed somewhere local to her before training it in to the G where we may or may not meet up with my oldest son who is definetely going, but he's not sure if he'll be hanging with his mates or us. Like everyone here, we've been hanging for the season to start for so long now and have talked about it so much. Can't wait.

They will be terribly undermanned not just from those injuries but also from some of the players being talked up (Darcy, U-H) very inexperienced in age or others in their role: Lobb, Bruce etc. Having to now juggle the pieces will add to the already significant challenge of synergy and cohesion from the list and role changes. Cannot see them winning this.

Doing your own version of holding the ball?

David Schwarz was as good as, if not better, than any comparable player (Carey, Hart) in his prime and would have dominated the 90s. His marking, strength, mobility, ground play and general football smarts had to be seen to be believed. After three knee recos he came back and still managed to win a club B&F, be influential in finals and play in a grand final. In my memory, no-one who has suffered similar injuries has ever achieved this level of sustained comeback brilliance.

‘Doom hopers’?! We. Are. Death Riders.

For various reasons (mostly I don't like the club) I hope they slide but doubt they will slide too far. They may start 5-0 but then have a difficult draw. I wouldn't underestimate GCS (who beat them last year) and Adelaide who are my smokey to rise up the ladder. In the meantime it is good fun to wish and hope they slide...

Clayton Oliver amazes me. I have never seen anyone who contests the ground ball like him. He has a will to win that drives him to continually harass to get the ball, even when it looks like the opposition is going to win. Once he gets it - for a literal microsecond- it is handballed to a teammate before the opposition can react. I have seen some very good players who scrap, but none to the level of Clayton.

I'll do my week best 44 Viney won't play and I think Fritsch should play. B: Lever, May, Bowey HB: Brayshaw, Petty, Rivers C: Hunter, Oliver, Langdon HF: Petracca, McDonald, Neal-Bullen F: Grundy, Brown, Spargo FOLL: Gawn, Harmes, Pickett IC: McVee, Sparrow, Fritsch, Chandler SUB: Laurie EMERG: Woewodin, Schache, D.Turner Reserves B: D.Smith, D.Turner, J.Smith HB: Hibberd, Tomlinson, Buntine C: Howes, Jordon, Burgoyne HF: Sestan, van Rooyen, K.Turner F: Moniz-Wakefield, Schache, Jefferson FOLL: Verrall, Munro, Woewodin IC: Farris-White, Valentine, Baldi, Goonan Not sure if Melksham and Adams are fit enough so I left them out.

At left: Luke Jackson during his time at Melbourne At right: Luke Jackson after going to Fremantle

3 of the 5 were in the last quarter. We had no Lever that day. At the other end we no Brown or McDonald. Nonetheless, we had them at 3/4 time but like many other games last year we faded in the last. UH won't get 5 again this week.

Fritsch only 7.5 after kicking 55.22 last season and 6 in the granny in 21. Criminally underrated player

Doing your own version of holding the ball? In my case, I'd get pinged for wasting time.

Bowey too low at 5.5. That kid will be a rock in defence this year. I’d be willing to grade him a 7 after that Tigers showing.

Petty 6.0 ????????? Oh ....FFS Same ranking as Spargo and Rivers. Actually the fact that Petty drops under the corporate media radar will help Harro House . No outside pressure on him. Can concentrate on cementing his spot at CHB if he hasnt already. Yet another newspaper article about Carlton making finals this year. Apparently its time!! No it isnt.

His knee was heavily strapped and was proppy when he ran out into the ground before the bounce of the ball. He was absolutely not 100% fit and simply should not have played.

Yeah this week is a good one for footy fans. A new season, new possibilities. Enjoy it for what it is before the 6 months of stress each weekend kicks in.

Greg Wells very under rated.

Don’t forget the Marks taken by these two in last quarters when their opponents are fatigued from Rucking all day Both Max and Reg need to work on goal kicking to maximize any advantage

Not too sure. I'm no lawyer but I would think the 'injured' has to 1) show cause and effect between the events and the injury, 2) there was negligence on the part of the accused and 3) that the injury caused or will cause quantifiable losses. There may be other criteria that come into play... Not sure what the level of proof is for those three things (and any other criteria) but I would think it has to be reasonably substantial. Should be an interesting test case.

Early autumn when the leaves start to change colour, red and dark ales reappear on tap and a new footy season is within touching distance is easily the best time of the year to be alive.

Petty 6.0?! Author should be jailed.

The Greatest Showman

For those with a statistical interest, the combination of Collingwood v Essendon in a Grand Final has happened 6 times. The most common occurrence is Melbourne v Collingwood with 7. There are a number of combinations which have happened 6 times, including Melbourne v Essendon plus Carlton/Colingwood, Richmond/Collingwood and Geelong/Collingwood.

Ok so I finally got into the club and the below error message is correct, so long as it shows the games when I log in everything is fine. Only shows tickets 72 hours prior to the game. I suggested to the membership bloke maybe not have an error message but a screen starting that barcodes only available 72 hours prior to the game and he responded with "that's controlled by tickettek" so no hope of being properly informed lol. Thanks for the help and suggestions @layzie

I think Jordon may be in the 23 - reliable mid-field depth in the absence of Viney.

That is the creamiest puff of all cream puff fixtures. What a way to ease into the season!

Spot on.

I love the building excitement of this week, and besides, we’ve got the Demonland Season Preview poddy tonight, and that just adds to the sense of anticipation. Go Demons!

Saints are heading for bottom four. Freo should get a huge % boost. A so-so win won't say much for their credentials this year.

Absolutely nothing wrong with fibreglass!

Ha! I am in a Pool of Liver Hotel right now

Had a good feeling about Sparrow in the last few weeks. Will back him in

Might be wrong but I think Eldiablo meant he lacks consistency with his general foot skills.

TRAINING MONDAY, 13 MARCH 2023, was a bit of a photo shoot. The media was there. Most of the players having shots over the manequins, many hanging them from the shaded area on the boundary. Fritta doing laps, had one kick at goal, and wearing his normal training jersey (the one with their number on it) . Viney still in rehab, pushing himself in the laps. He did a few with Salem, half ways, and more full laps. Looks like he is working to be match fit. As he ended up bent over a couple of times. Oliver was working closely with Moniz-wakefield. J.Smith was in his training jersey as well, looking free to go and happy. BBB was kicking long 40 m goals from straight out. He and Vines the last on the paddock