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A well placed source told me that Blake Howes does some unbelievable things on the training track and is ready to explode. The source compared his fend off and running as looking very similar to Chad Warner.

I want to just balance the views here and point out that those suggesting Schache or Grundy play instead of Tom are in a no lose situation playing Monday morning quarterback. You'll never be proven wrong, but you aren't correct either. Grundy was tried forward and couldn't do it, he couldn't do it even partially. He doesn't know how to play the position, he can't judge the ball well in the air and therefore doesn't reliably bring it to ground when it's in his area. Just look at how Phillips completely outpointed him in the Gather Round last year. Grundy is a ruck only, we know that now, so to pick him in the team or as sub would have been silly as he's only a back up for Gawn. If Gawn plays Grundy doesn't. Schache has been the most unreliable and uncompetitive tall you could imagine at all three AFL clubs he's played for. There is a reason he's at his third. He isn't strong in the air, he isn't strong in the contest and he doesn't play well in high pressure situations such as finals. Why was he picked as a sub? Because he can at least play in multiple positions as a KPB, KBF and ruck, but he does all of these at mediocre VFL level. In a low scoring game against Collingwood, who have a fantastic defense, Tommy kicked one and should have had two. He knows how to compete in the air, the opposition have to cover him and he can play as a defensive tall. These are all things he is better at than Schache or Grundy. He wasn't a poor option, he was just the last option after JvR, Brown and Petty were all injured. And Tommy was only half fit. I reckon that if Grundy or Schache had played that last game the same comments would still be made except it would be Tommy that would be called for at the expense of whoever played. Tommy's positive was that at least he's got the footy IQ to play the position and do a job, Schache and Grundy don't.

I think posters are a year ahead with Windsor, Tholstrup and Brown. Judd played at least one year at Casey. JVR the same. We are a strong team of senior players and I think Melbourne will give these kids a year in the VFL just as a matter of course. They seem to have a pretty good system in place where you learn your craft and build your body year 1. Koltyn would have to be something special to buck that system. I think the guys that are expected to show up and present as AFL players this year are Laurie, Howes, Woey Jnr and Turner. Adams is the one that no-one really expects to play seniors this year and although he has had enough time in the system now, he does have room for another year of building as a tall, so if he came in and played significant AFL time he would fit the brief as a surprise bolter. Of the newbies I really like Kynan Brown

A FINAL NOD TO RON by Whispering Jack I sat down a little while ago to document the Melbourne Football Club’s 2023 in a “That was the Year that Was” format and I soon hit a snag in putting it all together. You see, it was a year that by all rights should have been a shining light in the club’s history after the club achieved such great heights at both men’s and women’s levels that it took out the revamped McClelland Trophy, adding $1m to its coffers. The format now includes the AFLW and is a combined award presented to the 'Champion Club' for the men and women. The Demons finished both competitions with the double chance but failed to make a Preliminary Final in either one of them; a crushing blow for all at the club, from the point of view of the administration, players, staff and supporters alike. Particularly so, because in both competitions, the club was not far off the mark which is a testament to how competitive our game is at the highest level these days. And as if that wasn’t enough, Melbourne suffered a further blow within a day of its semi final exit against Carlton, with the news of the passing of the man who was arguably the greatest player to ever wear the Red and the Blue, Ronald Dale Barassi. Former skipper Stan Alves, who made his debut in 1965 which was the season after Barassi left the club for Carlton, said, “No greater person has been involved in the game than Ron Barassi.” The dark cloud hanging over the club has barely lifted over the past few months with issues facing one of the great players of our present but time will surely heal. The players will be back on the track in no time to begin preparations in earnest for the season. What would the great Ronald Dale Barassi advise the players as they embark on their next campaign after letting the opportunity for greatness slip twice in a row? It would have to be encapsulated by the elements that made him famous — his resilience, his determination and his heroic feats. During his playing days, it was always Barassi who demonstrated the ability to rise to the occasion. He did so throughout his life and his career, both inside and outside of the game. Barassi was born in Castlemaine in the goldfields region of Victoria in 1936 and was five years old when his father, a former Melbourne player Ron Barassi Sr., died in action at Tobruk during World War II. I recently found this news item from the Castlemaine History Group that demonstrated his potential as a young sportsman of 11 years of age. Not long after this, he and his mother moved to the big smoke of the city and when she married and moved to Tasmania, he was taken in by Melbourne’s Coach Norm Smith, the father/son rule was devised and by the time he was 17 years and two months old, he was a senior footballer with the Demons. Two years later, a premiership and on the way to six flags in a decade as a player. Ronald Dale Barassi could turn a game on its head with a single bound. He was a hero to every second kid on the block. From his modest start in life and with the difficult circumstances of losing a father in wartime through his outstanding playing career, his brilliant coaching and even in the later years of his life, by his chivalry in saving a damsel in distress, he was not only the quintessential hero. He was a winner and while he was as tough as nails, played the game in the right spirit, was a happy, personable friend to all. That was Ron - heroism, sportsmanship and resilience personified, the very person for the Melbourne Football Club to honour in the season to come and, in return, his legacy will give inspiration from on high to take us forward to a bright premiership filled future.

We ran out of viable forwards (our best forward line as a collective might be rated as B or B+ (A is a bit of a stretch)) The forward line that took the field in both finals was no better than C or C- In defence terms it would have been like losing May, Lever & Rivers (shudder) I've no doubt that the 5 or 6 forwards that took the field gave their best but talent is talent (and that includes a banged up T-Mac) Fritsch wasn't right either and Gawn had lost his mojo up forward As @rjay has said previously, we ran out of options Here's what our forward line might have looked like if everyone was fit (and firing) Pick your best 6 HF Petracca/Kozzie Petty/T-Mac Fritsch F Chandler/Spargo Brown/JVR Melksham Petracca couldn't play forward because with Brayshaw out, we needed him in the midfield full time T-Mac was not match fit and was on 1 leg Fritsch was not match fit and obviously hampered Brown was not available because he was on 1 leg Melksham was out with an ACL Petty was out with a foot injury JVR was out suspended (ok, that's self inflicted) Gawn had become a liability up forward (for whatever reason) Grundy is not a forward (again, that's on the club)

It's hard to fathom how one could think we we are going to bomb this year. Even though we've lost four straight finals, last year we almost won both of the two we played. I was very disappointed and confused about some selections but we almost beat the premiers of last season in our first final. Not one person could say we weren't competitive in that game. Yes we used the ball poorly going fwd at times but in the game prior to it we lost a key player in Milkshake who had been playing some of his best footy and been a competitive fed target. On game day we lost Gus in a very morale deflating manner very early in the game. His loss played a significant part so it's hard to claim the pies won fairly. Our loss against Carlton was a result of some more players missing. But back to 24, anyway you slice it we still have a strong fairly young list that is definitely going to play finals again. We also have a good deal of players we have developed and grown since 21. The betting sites make good money from this game and the fact that we are placed at finishing fourth by all of them is not for nothing. Collingwood are a good side but I don't think they were really much better than us or Brisbane. They only just scraped in winning against the giants. Brisbane will be a genuine threat but seem to be perennial bridemaids. I'm not convinced about Carlton. Too reliant on a few players. There will probably be a new kid on the block as there usually is. If we get a good run regarding fitness and injuries this season, then it would be hard to understand how we cannot be a real contender again. When you read most of the players reviews it seems most of us feel that many were down on their standard form last year and yet we were very close. There have been a few off field distractions and noise in the media but I reckon this will actually work for us and be a genuine catalyst for us raising the cup on our hallowed home turf this year of the Dee. To write a club off after a flag followed by two seasons of finals is just wrong.

I think Goodwin was very creative in cobbling together multiple forward lines last season. In the end the well dried up.

There's a fair bit of crossover. I actually thought the preseason thread on BF was approaching DLand levels of negativity. We are making the GF this year so the Eeyores should be happy with that.

based on performance I think Turner, who is improving like JVR the year before.

Blake Howes.

Absolutely not resiling from Steven May’s line in the MCG turf. The Demons are the ‘better team and should have smoked them’ period. Pessimists, doubters and detractors don’t bother showing up. Those up for the ride, saddle up this side is bound for glory. After near six decades in the doldrums one premiership ain’t enough for this core list. With the exception of Michael Hibberd who has been lost? Last season’s trade and high draft additions must stoke the Demon furnace. Media, league administrators, ‘competitors’ and assorted hangers on take note we’re not going away anytime soon.

The Herald Sun reports today - “The AFL will change its rules so players who lay a high bump on an opponent in the act of smothering will be suspended in response to the controversial Brayden Maynard case last season. “The league has reviewed Maynard's qualifying final bump on Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw and deemed that players in similar situations from next season must take "reasonable steps" to avoid contact or lessen the impact.” I suspect that this will not really help much. Collingwood’s case was that Maynard acted reasonably. The Tribunal could easily have ruled against Maynard on the facts - it refused to do so.

I've seen a few just pot Goodwin without saying what they would have done differently. I think your suggestion is legitimate & wonder why we didn't make that move. All I can think is that they didn't trust Schache in the heat of battle and he was only there in case of injury (to Max in particular). Not saying it's right or wrong but just trying to think it through. I'm one who thought Goodwin coached well last season under a lot of external pressure plus the internal problems with injury. Doesn't mean he is beyond criticism but in my mind it needs to be reasoned and also attached to the rider that we don't really know the situation behind closed doors. The Grundy scenario is another case in point.. Why wasn't he selected? Had he already mentally checked out? Etc..

My post if you look back at it, was directed at bringing a fresh Schache on in the last quarter and was not about the actual selection of Tom to play in the game. I think its a bit unfair to say a criticism of a player is a cheap shot, just because other players made mistakes. If you can only point out things when everyone else is perfect, we should all stop all criticism of our players and Coaches. Can I mention the times when Tom was in the forward line as the second ruck and didn't get to the contest a few times? My point is that we had a fresh bloke on the bench and he could have been used. Would we have won, who knows?

But Schache should have bee bought on mid way through the 3rd quarter vs the Blues. He could hav played a similar plan to Frampton did in the GF. Deliberately just hinder his opponent and other backs. No one will ever know if he could have jagged 1 or 2 or 3 marks and kicked straight. Goody let himself down not trying this at least.

McAdam obviously as a mature player should play from round 1. Woewodin is looking good and a big chance for round 1, likely off the bench. He looked good in limited opportunities in 2023. Really hoping Blake Howes gets to showcase his talent. A big pre season to get his body right and fitness to peak standards. He also loves a goal which could add to our scoring power.

It's natural to feel a bit of entitlement after three straight top 4 finishes and expect it to just happen again but they miss the fact that teams around us are getting better. Our window for the next 2-3 years is still healthy and if a lot goes right we'll be right up there again but with the uncertainty around Clarry, an unknown quantity backing Max up and questions up forward it's not lining up for us the same way it did the last two seasons.

Gus reportedly hit another golfer in the head with a stray tee shot yesterday (drawing blood!). Early speculation that the victim was in fact Bruz was quickly ruled out when it was confirmed the incident took place at Royal Melbourne, not Moe pitch and putt.

Marty Hore for me. Melbourne recruited the 28 year old for a reason so they obviously see a role there for him.

His teammates did - refer the occasional club website interviews during the pre-season (which I linked to in (MB)JMcV's 'Welcome to...' thread). I'll be looking for those again this year. But pending them, I'm going to go out on a (long!) limb: Tom Fullarton!

Koltyn Tholstrup

Judd McVee👍

Woewodin, I thought he showed enough last year in the games he played.

So where do McAdam Billing’s and others like AMW Kolt and Caleb Windsor fit into your 2024 plans. McAdam and/or Billing’s wil help our forward line and even Fullarton will get an opportunity. Not all of our 2023 forwards will be there during the season if our recruits live up to expectations. I believe McAdam will be a lock plus Billing's a chance also. And don’t rule out Kolt and Duke (Windsor getting opportunities to debut. Also AMW appeals as does Howes and of course Taj. KP wise we may even get some good service from BBB and Fullarton is a chance of playing in the AFL also. Plenty of chances to assist our forward line and a game plan plus greater connectivity will make a great difference. Also JVR cannot wait to see him further develop his skills and ability plus team play and X factor. 2024 should be a great response to our 2022-23 disappointments

I have really high hopes for Jvr. Our forward line was on a state of constant flux and there was no real time to have everything gel in terms of game plan. It would be wonderful for some consistent key positions covered consistently if that makes sense. Jvr came on in leaps ( literally)and bounds last year and if that trajectory continues into this season he will be a star. Would like to see him settled at chf all year creating a strong leading marking option. Petty played little time up forward but proved that he was a star in his last two games before injury. He his a very hard matchup at full forward. Fritta was plagued by injuries as well. He is a natural fwd pocket player. If these three are firing and the three crumbers in Kozzie, Chandler and Anb can get back to their best then one could expect to see probably one of the best forward lines around. Spargo can play the odd cameo there as well. Also without mentioning names if all goes well maybe Trac can spend more time in our forward line in the other pocket. Although he does need to fix his set shots on goal. Joel Smith would be a good forward sub. I think injury wise we are due for some good luck this year.

Like all the other clubs, much depends on the front 3rd and how it functions Defence is of no real concern and either is our midfield strength but our entries from the midfield to our forwards is all important It's pleasing that we've bolstered our forward line numbers with the acquisition of McAdam & Billings and we might perhaps see some moments from Tholstrup and maybe even Windsor. Jefferson & Fullarton might surprise too adding to the mainstays of Petty, JVR, Kozzie (forward/mid), Petracca (mid/forward), Fritsch and the small brigade And then the connection forward. Our release forward from our midfield and wings needs to be first rate in terms of the mids having lots of time to dispose of the ball forward without being under undue pressure (midfield schemes needs to be B+ at least) and more importantly, the quality of those disposals to the right spots forward If we can achieve 14-18 marks inside 50 per game on average, we'll go a long way towards another top 4 finish. And a number of those marks need to be in and around the hot spot rather than boundary side A more scientific approach heading into our forward line is required and with the acquisition of McQualter, hopefully our F50 entries improve in terms of quality Do all that and we'll finish high up on the ladder again Let's not forget that we've still got a high quality list ... we just need to get the best out of that list

Which player or players do you think can step up and make an impact in 24? I reckon of the younger brigade Laurie will step up and I expect McAdam to play a forward role.

What a story!

There's the reception record for Nacua.

2 years on from this memorable moment.

I hope he gets it, great story. I'd say so. Expect to see Colt McKivitz at LT for amateur hour blindside protection.

Freaking crazy!!!

Eagles stinking the joint out. their form has fallen off a cliff

If both Philly and Dallas lose, Dallas take the NFC East. Huge fall for the Eagles.

My thoughts exactly. Too much talent to miss finals but not convinced that top 4 is a shoe-in. Won't go down well with the flogger wavers on this site but the opinion was asked for.

"bonus points if you can guess his nickname" Johnny

@Macca I did mine here. Texans, Buccs, cowboys. Just in a silly story.

I reckon you'd qualify on two fronts, Ethan. 1. Solving cryptic clues requires a warped mind. 2. You're ET. Your first language is alien.

Judd McVee’s debut season is the exception rather than the rule. Running my ruler along the line rather than through it, to add the millimetre perfect hyphen. In the tradition of Audley Gillespie-Jones, Ivor Warne- Smith, Trent Ormond-Allen, Jay Kennedy-Harris and Alex Neal-Bullen my nomination is Andy Moniz-Wakefield the local lad. Admittedly some wide degrees of auspiciousness on that list. From just about absolute bust to double Brown-Low divinity. But a debut and some on going opportunity would be terrific for AMZ. A young man with a 🔥 desire to succeed.

Laurie - from all reports he’s taken a significant step forward with his fitness (coming 3rd in the 2km time trial), which is what Judd credited for his breakthrough into the senior side last year We’ve been crying out for classier ball users and if Laurie can hold down a spot averaging 15-20 possessions a game (which an increased fitness base should allow him to do) it will go a long way to addressing one of our biggest areas of weakness

Woewodin or Howes. Woey II can do a lot of different things well which should give him more opportunities. Howes is the type of player we could use in terms of physical traits. If he can stay healthy he might surprise as he offers a point of difference.

Could be as many as five players forward that didn't play in the last final. McAdam, Billings, Petty, JVR, BBB if fit, also Fritta who was barely fit enough to get on the ground for the last few weeks. Should be enough options to tweak the forward line somewhat.

All the best KF's were/are strong on the lead but as you said, the game has changed and it's much harder for forwards to lead into space (but not impossible) Quick ball movement further afield and quick f50 entries is the key And that's what the Pies do. They catch out teams on the counter so it often looks like they've got an open forward line with their f50 entries They are quick and it's nearly every time. Thus, their forwards have got space to lead into What we do has been much discussed and we have to change We do a lot right though with a tremendous zone defence and we have real talent in our backline. The midfield is fine as well with plenty of talent It's just our ball movement which is not corridor-centric which leads to slow inside f50 entries So we need to be quick from HB, stoppages or centre-breaks and we should back ourselves to use the corridor ... turn it over and we've got the stellar defence as back-up Footnote: Pound for pound we've got a better list of players than Collingwood but their system takes them a long way. They play high-risk football knowing that mistakes & clangers are going to happen, no matter which way they play And the best way for us to pay them back for the act of thuggery is to beat them on the scoreboard (although we could send out a goon as well - Ice Hockey style!!)

Let's see how long it takes for that information to be available on the Clubs website.......perhaps the work experience kids aren't back in school yet?

I promise I'm not setting out to be a contrarian but I feel like this year the forward line is the least of my worries oddly enough. There are so many question marks going into this season. I trust this side to be competitive no matter who is on or off the field but this is the least confident I have been in having a settled team to build continuity heading into next season. Forwards Yes there is perhaps, system, method, positioning et al that needs improving but much of this as has been noted by @binman and others, until the midfield and wings can improve their disposal and decision making, then this will continue to be an issue. Personel wise I expect JVR to improve, Fritta to have a better run at it health wise, McAdam to provide more options and the smalls to find some better consistency and continuity playing with each other to create and hit the scoreboard more. Of course Petty is the biggest IF regarding his health. If he can play the majority of the season I genuinely think he is the most imposing, physical and natural tall forward we've had since Hogan and should be the focal point. If the somewhat of a pipe dream in Brown being fit enough again to impact a full game is true then that's a bonus. Double bonus would be Jefferson working his way into the main side and performing as I think he has the tools. Backs I know a lot of people talk about depth but I think we're a little bit more thin down back then we have been previously. I think our tall stocks with Tomlinson, McDonald, Turner and Hore are 'OK'. But with Hibberd gone, Smiths uncertainties, Rivers potentially spending more time in the middle, I'm a bit worried about our mid-sized players. The biggest IF for me is can Salem finally get some luck and fitness back to play consistently again. Mids It has been our constant and biggest strength these last few years and right now its the biggest concern right now. Elephant in the room I know its only January but in eight weeks we have our first game and one of our two best midfielders isn't training. Gus rightly so is being eased back in and there won't be pressure on him to slot straight back in. I actually think the period without Clayton last year gave us a different look in the middle that I liked a lot. But will Gus be ok? Can Sparrow be a 20+ disp, impactful consistent midfielder? Can Trac go up a notch again (defensive improvements?). Without Jackson or Grundy what happens if Max goes down? Sorry for the long post. As much as there's many concerns I'm also excited to see how the team tackles all of this. Sometimes adversity brings upon more change and dynamic which this team has lacked in recent years. Go dees!!!

6th - 8th with an elimination final win is my tip. I have Collingwood, Carlton Brisbane, GWS, Sydney and Adelaide ahead of us this year.

The crew here at Control are Angus’s platinum sponsor and we’re so looking forward to catching up with him again. We won’t be discussing the concussion, that’s history. His insights on the team prove to be very insightful, he picked Judd Mc as a possible surprise team inclusion during the January catch up last year.