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If the week when preseason training melds into scratch matches with other clubs, is the first marker for the beginning of a new season, then this has certainly been a torrid opener for the Melbourne Football Club in its campaign to remain a leading AFL premiership contender in 2024. The Demons were already under enormous scrutiny from the media and football’s fan base (including their own) after consecutive straight-sets finals exits, with Clayton Oliver’s well documented woes, the Joel Smith ban for a positive drug test, a mounting injury list that is heavily skewed against its forwards as well as the spectre of the off field scuttlebutt surrounding the long running battle in court with a former club chairman. It would be fair to say that very little improvement was seen in the situation during the week although, I do maintain that some small rays of light still presented themselves on the horizon. More of that later. Sunday’s match simulation was a bit like Melbourne’s recent weather. The game against Richmond opened brightly with 20 minutes of magical sunshine and five goals, followed by an hour of drenching rain and ten consecutive goals against, during which time the team’s style and cohesion was neither recognisable nor existent. There were moments of sunshine in the next stanza, the lead regained and lost again, then the heavy weather returned in the final term when the Tigers were more fierce in general play against a team lacking the rhythm of life required to win four points that weren’t even on offer. Jack Viney and Christian Petracca were the standouts and Kozzy Pickett was at times special a la Bruce McAvaney among many others who played out small cameo roles. Like Jacob van Rooyen who was clunking the ball well in the early proceedings. Newcomers Jack Billings, Caleb Windsor and young pup, Kynan Brown all showed something, youthful Will Verrall had nice half leaping around in the ruck (but perhaps not yet ready for senior action) when he replaced skipper Max Gawn who called it a day after two quarters (of seven) but not before booting a late goal at the end of the deluge. He then joined the 14 absentees, the ill, the injured and suspended, sitting on the sidelines as the team limped to a 23-point defeat after four quarters. But all was not lost … yet. Clayton Oliver and Christian Salem returned to the football fray in the fifth quarter, several classes above what was a VFL level after-game in three stanzas. Clarry warmed the cockles of our hearts, picking up hardball gets at will and booting the goal of the year deep on the boundary. Let’s hope he gets himself fully right for the all clear to play ASAP because he has too much talent for it to be wasted. First round draft pick Koltyn Tholstrup impressed in his outing as Melbourne slowly edged closer to Richmond and finished two points in arrears at the final bell. Some people still believed the end of the world had come. The team was given three days off but if you thought the rest period would be uneventful, you were wrong. By Monday morning, the critical reaction to the first up February scratch match loss ranged from indifference to apocalyptic. Some felt for the club’s safety in the wake of its various woes and things got worse on Tuesday with the news that Joel Smith was facing four new anti-doping rule violations from Sport Integrity Australia — three for trafficking cocaine and one for possession after his phone records revealed text messages to other players allegedly offering the drug. A news item appeared in the Murdoch press which quoted an unnamed source suggesting the 28-year-old was being "scapegoated" by the club which prompted the response from the club that "Joel has made it very clear that he has no issues or concerns with anyone at the Melbourne Football Club." Some not unexpected editorialising followed from the usual suspects in the media who appear to have been carrying on a vendetta about the club’s culture for a number of years. Read between the lines and the verdict was that the club’s dynasty was over with only one premiership to show for it. I want to comment about some of the editorialising in the media on the Joel Smith situation and allegations of poor culture at the club. Perhaps the more prominent critics need to take look in the mirror and reflect on their own behaviours in response to other such controversies of the past and, in particular, the way a certain club reacted in not dissimilar circumstances. I expect when the outcome of the current investigation is revealed, that our club faces up to what occurred with the proper responsibility that the situation warrants. No denial, no obfuscation nor blame-shifting as we saw elsewhere a decade ago. The acceptance of responsibility if and when the circumstances so deserve will be one of the measures of our culture. More turbulence on Wednesday with rumours swirling that the career of Angus Brayshaw who played such a pivotal role in the achievements of that dynasty was about to end due to ongoing issues with concussion that have stalked him throughout his career. The hammer blow came on the following day when it was confirmed that the Demon champion was retiring from the sport at the age of 28 after recent scans revealed microscopic changes in his brain after he was knocked out in last year's qualifying final by a mistimed smother from Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard, for which the Pies player somehow avoided suspension. A premiership player highly regarded for his football prowess and strong leadership, Brayshaw, who has been at the Club for nine years is much loved by the players, coaches, staff and supporters. Brayshaw walks away with five more seasons still to run on his multimillion-dollar contract, which expires at the end of the 2028 season, having played 167 games for the club. He finished third in the 2018 Brownlow Medal count and had two top five finishes in the Bluey Truscott Trophy for club champion. He will always be remembered for his courage and resilience epitomised in the goal that put the Demons in front in the third quarter of the 2021 Grand Final, after which the team was never headed. Some quotes from a shattered hero of the club:- “I am devastated that I can no longer play the game that I love, but I respect the verdict of the medical professionals, and the importance of putting my health before my career. “I am really proud of what I have achieved over the past decade. I have been able to live out my childhood dream and while it’s been cut short, I am forever grateful to everyone who has been involved. “Concussion is a massive issue facing our game. I hope from this, a terrible result for me personally, can come some positive outcomes for the future of player safety.” Brayshaw is certain to maintain some role with the club in 2024, his loss as a player will be difficult to cover. The manner of his leaving, his wonderful words in the hour of disappointment at the premature retirement and his positive demeanour together affirmed the solid culture of resilience that his legacy at the club will hold forever. The weekend couldn’t arrive too soon after all that but I did promise some rays of hope on the horizon. There was no apparent sign of any organized training during the week so no new injuries that we know about so far plus … There was a well attended season opener at the MCG which marked a welcome return to football after the venue was used for three concerts by an NFL groupie which decimated the surface of the ground which is now under repair. The Coterie sponsored function, on the other hand, saw a lift in spirits. Firstly, there seemed to be much optimism about the return to training of a number of the injured brigade. I won’t go into any detail because nothing was “official” and therefore best to wait until we see visual evidence of their return. Secondly, the speeches from coach, captain and the club chair were all positive, inspiring and reflective of a fair degree of confidence for the coming season. Similarly, the interviews with players from every line including the newbies. There was a wonderful tribute to Gus who understandably wasn’t in attendance only hours after his retirement announcement. I sense that the composition of next week’s Community Series Practice Match against Carlton at IKON Park will be as close as possible to the expected Round Zero lineup in Sydney, give or take Kozzy Pickett who isn’t available for the latter match up. I think that after all these years, I’m pretty good at reading a room. There seemed to be an undercurrent from players and officials that they are quietly seething at the poor rap, some of it insulting, they’ve received from sections of the media of late and that they are ready to show their resilience emphatically on the field of play which is, of course, the only sane way to respond.

I'm sure someone could do this a lot better than me but: "Gus, MAY your NARateD future read as accomplIShed And as aCcoUNTable as your playing career.

I’m gonna break into the G the night before the game.

Listening to SEN the day after news of Gussy's retirement came through some mole of a Filth supporter was trying to compare the medical retirement of Dayne Beams to the medical retirement of Gus. She was trying to say that MFC shouldn't get any compensation for the loss of Gus in the form of a player replacement, Unbelievable really. She also stated that MFC should have to pay the full amount of his salary through the cap and not outside because filth had to pay his salary inside the cap. To try and even compare the circumstances is quite distasteful and sums up the pure filthiness of filth supporters. Gus has had his career shortened by a Goldberg 'spear' shot to the jaw whilst playing, while 'the chemist' Dayne Beams was releated to a string off field issues away from the field of play. My pure dislike for the Filth has never been stronger, I want a strong response from our lads on the scoreboard and a form of physical retribution.

I completely agree. People may scoff at reserves form, but in periods 5-7 against Richmond Salem played as a pure mid and looked fantastic. He was moving better/quicker than I'd seen him for years, used it well and looked like a point of difference to a midfield that has probably become a little predictable. Yes, a tiny sample size, but I'd love to see him given a crack at a midfield spot. Historically I've been in Dazzle's corner, in that I prefer him behind the ball, but he's far more mature now and I reckon can make a fist of it in the middle, especially after seeing him in the match sim.

We've tried this before. It doesn't work defensively and actually derails Levers ability to intercept and for us to springboard effectively. Its a shame Turner is out of action but otherwise we need to use one of TMac or Tomlinson as a deep no frills, big body lock down defender. May and Lever need to play their natural game and the springboard needs to come with more run and dare from Bowey, McVee, Rivers, Salem, Howes.

The herald sun journalists this past week rated our midfield as number 1 in the comp. Today they have rated our defence as number 1.

Agree. Only against VFL players, but i was surprised how natural he looked as a mid. Low centre of gravity, nuggety, and good hands are positives for a mid. Tough too. But there's one thing I really like. Of course we will benefit from him kicking it inside 50 more as a mid than defender. But his ability to hit 15-20 metre targets under pressure would be even more important for us as a mid than defender. Less turnovers, and crucially a mark allows us to control the ball, and hold it up and reset if required. Even some players with good technique struggle with that kick. Clarry, tracc and viney - our starting midfield players - don't have that skill, and almost always handball, or dump kick, under pressure. Which most of time is fine, but can lead to some chaotic ball movement and turnovers.

Yep. Absolute no arguments whatsoever, you play your three defenders. Two teams that played off in the grand final last year had 3 tall defenders playing as did the previous year and so on. The game isn't changing to the point where teams are going away from this, if anything the secondary ruckman that can rest up forward and hit the scoreboard is where the game is shifting towards and you'll find this year a lot of teams with for the 3 tall forwards set up.

I think Salem is such a smart player...his quick hands and thinking around the contest if back to full fitness will be a positive. Plus he is a strong tackler. So, his ball use and defensive pressure could be a real positive in the midfield.

Love this idea. But. Can we call it a celebration instead of a tribute?

For the Simpsons fans...

Can't see that happening, when the AFL ended his footy career themselves.

Good to see you back. How about just “Gus Thanks”.

I generally agree @binman, but are we in danger of making the game a bit soft if we replace bumping with tickling?

10 min mark applause isn’t great as anything could be happening then. Let’s just get him to present Max with the Premiership Cup at the end of the year 🏆!

If they make us keep his salary in the cap for the next 5 years I will lose my mind.

I’d think the club is taking a longer term view to the loss of Gus. We can’t replace him with a player of any worth this late in the season, or next season. At least replace him with a player thru trade or the draft at season’s end

Maynard should have got at least 8, The AFL are going to rue this decision for Decades. for at least 10 years we were told that the Head was sacrasanct. But obviously not when The Filth are involved. Brayshaw had finished his kick and was wide open to the full force It makes me sick to the core

Pretty different acts to me. One was a king hit behind play, the other was a bump to the head sort of in play. One was a criminal assault and the other a bit of rough/dirty play. Collingwood lost John Greening to a king hit years ago by Saint Jim O’Dea. Greening could have been anything, he was brilliant.

Salem has fantastic spatial awareness and peripheral vision, that allows him to stop and use every fraction of a second he has free to assess his options before picking his kick. If used in the middle he won’t be hurried into dump kicks from perceived pressure which will only help our F50 connection.

Tony inherited the "Spud" nickname from his father Adrian, who played over 100 games for Melbourne, including two premierships. I don't know the origin of the nickname.

I think it also stems from having been stuck in our houses and unable to fully savour the flag at the G. Winning the flag was amazing but there's a hollowness to it that won't be erased until I see the Demons win a premiership at the G in the flesh.

Viney, Trac, Salem, Clarry, Rivers, Sparrow, Kozzy is a bloody good midfield. JJ is meat and potatoes and Harmes was fringe the last two years. We have arguably the best midfield and defence in the comp. We need to improve forward of the ball, which may mean we need to give up a little bit of defensive stability to attack more from the back. We've got a new brains trust in the midfield with 3 premierships of IP. The lack of continuity across pre season hasn't been ideal, nor has the cultural and political noise, but we have the cattle if we get some luck with injury and some more dare with ball movement. As I've mentioned previously, I would be trying only two defensive talls in May and Lever, and prior to his retirement I would have played Gus as the intercepting mud sized player releasing Bowey, McVee, Rivers and possibly Howes. With no Gus now, I think our midfield will be fine, but our defensive set up will need some different ideas. I don't see Tomlinson or Tom McDonald as answers. Hore was a turnover merchant in his past MFC life, whilst a good interceptor, Tom McDonaldesque with ball in hand. So midfield problems are being greatly exaggerated. It's defensively and offensively we have work to do.

I doubt supporters blubbering on a forum have that much impact in our season.

Time to stop the blubbering, before our season is derailed by it.

It is an interesting question re which party takes on the risk of player being injured when signing a player on a long term deal. I think the difference between a medical retirement and retirement due to injury is that rehab is always possible with an injury, where as a medical retirement is where the medical condition creates a situation where continuing to play would create an unacceptable risk. I cannot think of a situation where an injury in itself is career ending. Usually a player might suffer a recurring injury which means they eventually retire as it becomes too hard to get back to a condition where they can play. Re medical retirement while brain injury is the most topical there would be other scenarios such as heart irregularities and potentially other conditions that cause seizures etc that could result in medical retirement. Even the eye condition that Mason Cox has would have resulted in medical retirement if he wasn't able to wear goggles. I think its reasonable for the AFL to share in the risk of medical retirements given it is a workplace health and safety decision that is entirely outside the control of the football department. Obviously the salary should be outside of the salary cap and the AFL or insurance should contribute towards the contract payout and the retirement frees up a list spot. I think there is also a good case for draft pick compensation given the medical retirement is fully outside of the control of the football department and that the free agency compo formula is probably a good basis to work from.

If the AFL and Players Association are serious about creating an environment that puts players safety and welfare at the forefront, then for a medically retired player the balance of the contract should be treated outside of a club salary cap. If not, what would this mean for future contracts for players with concussion histories and would clubs be prioritising medical observation?

On second thoughts how about what you ( and 300,000 other Demon fans ) and I at Optus Stadium on 25/09/21 were thinking at the 19 minute mark of the 3rd quarter? Certainly not a dynasty or how we got out of that little hole with a bang bang bang twice split by the Brayshaw heroics. And that’s why I will never rule out our Club while we have champions like Trac, Clarry JV and Gawny plus a guy that kicked 6 goals in a GF. Oh and a stellar defense for the ages with 2 other champs!! Just remember Round 23 vs Cats 2021 44 pts down and vs Brisbane Round 18 or last season 27 pts down in final quarter 7/8 mins in. Both those efforts are not flukes as were against Top4 teams who have been around for 5 years or more! There is half a dozen or more new Demons waiting their chance to join our other 15 heroes to make another chapter in our history. How really do we know how well they will gel in this mix in 2023. Might just be as surprising as much as many are already predicting disappointing. That’s the great thing about sport no guarantees as those 2 examples of Demon heroism and magic in 2021 and 2023.

A standing ovation at the 10 minute mark sounds good WCW. Maybe we can all light a cigar at the same time like Gus did in the middle of Optus. They won’t be able to kick all of us out for smoking.

Do we deserve one for Gus, given the AFL medically retired him, 3 days after the Supp pick time ended? A pick 3 Premiership player, who has finished top 5 in the B& F last 2 years.

Me too my seething has gone deep now and if this all doesn't galvanise the whole and complete club from top to bottom then I don't what would

Agreed this is squarely on the AFL. After all that was said and done re head high contact, the fact that Maynard gets off is laughable. If I’m a legal team positioning for a class action on concussion, that goes in as evidence item number #1.

The feeling right at the moment is that both Florent & Hayward are more likely to leave than stay. Remarkably, the Blues are heavily into both.

Disgusted with how our preseason has gone? Disgusted? For pete's sake we've had one player get pinged last season (the news came out post season). And with clarry, the club has handled a tricky situation super well and he has gone off and worked his backside off to get into AFL level shape. The club has reintegrated him super well and a player many feared might take months to get back, IF AT ALL, is in the frame for round one selection. Huge tick to clarry and the club. Gus has had to retire through no fault of his own - or the clubs. And we've had a handful of bog standard injuries, none from mismanagement as far as I'm aware. All that after was generally accepted to be a successful trade and drafting period. And that disgusts you? Seriously, get a grip. And perhaps turn of SEN, get off twitter, put down the hun and stop slavishly buying into the media's hysteria theatre.

Jordon left as a Free Agent. Dunstan retired. Neither were MFC list management decisions.

Bulldogs biggest one hit wonders. we had no forwards last year. sweet jesus these headlines are getting ridiculous

Didn’t Port go straight sets two years in a row before winning in 04? Anyway, they certainly lost home finals before winning the flag and they must’ve been under intense scrutiny in Adelaide heading into 04. Just shows anything can happen.

Mentioned last year our engine room was heading towards a cliff. Petracca is beast mode - when fit, but last year showed he can't sustain a full year in the guts (which is understandable given how intense he plays) spending some time forward late in the year. Viney - solid but getting on and at some stage will slow up. Done a lot of enforcer work over the years. Oliver - unknown as to how many games he plays. Sparrow - hasn't taken next step. The rest are either wingers or makeshifters from other positions or kids who haven't played a game. Jordon was not A-grade but he is a loss. Used mostly in guts and was building. He will be serviceable at Sydney. Hop on the Dees website and look at the players breakdown by position. 19 listed as forwards FFS. Sure, some might get some mid time like Pickett and ANB but Pickett will be managed timewise and ANB is not engine room calibre full stop. IMO we have flirted with the last two off-seasons trade and draft wise. Goodwin has ridden on the shoulders of Gawn , Trac , Oliver for too long and I think it will catch up with us in 2024. I'm not saying some of the players we've picked up over the last few years are no good but we are too short on specialist mids. If 1 of Trac, Oliver or Viney goes down we are getting chopped up week in week out.

Really hope they keep him around the club

Some comments about the incident are getting very silly. Maynards actions were reckless & similar to Cripps & Rioli in recent times who both managed to get off due to "technicalities". It was nothing remotely like the Wright/ Somerville incident. The fault rests totally with the AFL & the way the rules were written and interpreted.

Maynard would be close to a criminal assault charge in my view The AFLAre a gutless corrupt organisation

Too bloody right - well said Two things particularly annoy me about rubbish like claiming the dees will have failed if we don't get another flag from this group. One, it is widely accepted as fact (repeated ad nausea by the media, coaches and ex players) that it IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO WIN A FLAG. It is also accepted as fact that this is even more so the case with equalization than say 20 years ago (bombers say hi). Two, many of those same pundits (and lets be honest, some DL posters) think our list is over rated. Yet somehow us winning only one flag is some sort of failure? Please. Talk about having your cake and eating it too. Where is the narrative about the Cats taking 11 years to win flag after 2011 despite being in the top 4 or 8 the entire time? And having the most ridiculous home ground advantage in the competition? And the discussion also provides the haters a convenient out of we do win the flag this year - well they should have snagged another with their list. People are quick to knock Pies, Blues and Tigers fans for being so one eyed and 'feral'. Well, i wish we had more fans willing to fly the flag and push back against the nonsense constantly directed at our club. We are an easy target in part because some of our fans be like: 'oh, yeah, you're right one flag would be a waste given how talented our list is, which by the way isn't actually that good, over rated in fact by rose coloured glasses nuffy set, and nowhere near as good as that of the pies - by the way don't you just love Macrae, at least he knows how to talk to the media, unlike straight sets Simon'

Damn those stand alone flags!

Melbourne is a shocking one hit wonder club. The premierships of 1900, 1926, 1939, 1948, and 2021 were just awful.

This situation is yet another reflection of the current state of our society. When an individual or entity faces adversity, there is a tendency for others to join in criticism and scrutiny. A good old pile on. Let’s just prove them wrong.

What do you expect? We were a laughing stock for all of my generation, we finally crack it and then we're back to being a failure after a flag and consecutive top 4 finishes in the two years since - really? I'm proud of my club and I say a big F U to any that want to keep sh##ing on us. Yes we're still to forfill that illusive premiership on the G, but not for lack of being in the race. Biggrst one hit wonder, pfft. Yeah nah. And I'll say, we're down right now, but not out of the race for another just yet either, so a premature call at best.

“One hit” likely cost us a Premiership. It has cost us a much loved Premiership Player.

There seems to be a significant misunderstanding between ‘forward connection’ and ‘goal kicking accuracy’ The latter is the biggest issue, for mine