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The AFLW fixture has to be the biggest joke the afl as an organisation has come up with. Hawthorn sit in 2nd and will only end up playing 3 of the top 8 from 11 games. Of the other 8 games, 4 were against the bottom 5 teams. If we also look at Brisbane, their main competitor for the McLelland trophy, they are the reigning premiers and will only play 2 games against top 8 sides! Compare that to us, we will end up playing 7 of our 11 games against the top 8 and only 2 v the bottom 5 sides.

Absolutely agree. Everyone in the AFL world knows we have midfield- forward line connection issues. Goodwin has admitted it. With our draft hand we have a great opportunity to finally do something about solving this issue which has held us back over the last few years. I genuinely hope we get two midfielders with picks 5 and 9 but they must be balanced picks. One of those picks must be elite by foot, speed, X factor. I hope Smith is there at 5 and is our first pick. If not then best midfielder available at that selection eg Langford, Lalor, Smilie. Would love Draper but there is no way her gets past the Crows pick. Pick 9 if we get the big bodies mid at 5 should be Lindsay, Travaglia, Reid. Our midfield is same, same. We need someone who can consistently hit that kick into the forward 50. Someone that can break the lines and make good decisions with ball in hand to solve the connection problem which has been an anchor. We are a contest, defence based team. JT and Goodwin love the big bodied mids. The selection of Windsor last year with our first pick gives me hope that we go away from the “Melbourne player” of the contested bull. It is time to balance our list, we have a great opportunity to do so and I hope we take that opportunity with both hands. If we can get our disposal efficiency up into a functioning forward line we can turn things around very quickly. It’s time to fix the missing link.

Take out henney and the Swans donr make the GF

I mighhhht get to Casey providing no bulltish gates locked stuff, coz. Whats the piont???, Also, I have invested in a new Tournequet, anti Snake venom, fly swat, and a yowie anti mating kit!🤩

We need more runners If we go with a big bodied mid for pick 5, that doubles down on the need for speed with 9 imo

This is where I'm at as well. I think Langford is similar to what we currently have in our big bodied mids that use their size and strength to win contests but sans some of the explosiveness (Trac, Clayton, Sparrow, Rivers). Langford will be steady work horse midfielder but I think we need something with more spark. Jagga is that point of difference in many ways and would give us something we're missing in that midfield group. The attributes I like most about Smith is his agility, evasive skills, decision making, quick feet, clean disposal and decision making. He is terrific at winning his own ball and swiftly finding a team mates, only to keep running forward himself to receive again and link up to find the best forward entries he can manufacture. He might be a little handball heavy with his disposal at this stage but what you want see him doing often is throwing it on his boot for easy turnovers. He is always looking to release to players in space using hand balls and uses his pace to keep relocating and a live option. I think he has already learnt that this is what is most effective in the modern game offensively as a strategy for best ball movement. I know people will complain about his small frame but he'll build his body over time and right now can rely on his strong hips and balance to slip his way out pressure and get the hands free. Would be over the moon if we landed this kid. From all accounts he shows terrific leadership qualities and just love his hunger and competitiveness.

I've been fortunate enough to see the design of the two proposed ovals. Here it is.

The announcement of the 2025 AFL fixture imminent. You can tell that it’s not far off when you hear leaks about more Thursday night matches, an extra game this season for Geelong at the Cattery and clubs selling their home games. From Melbourne’s point of view, one of the advantages of finishing so low on the ladder should be a favourable draw. However, after seeing how the club was stitched up by this year’s AFLW fixture, I have my doubts. Let’s see.

If we can get Lalor/Smith, Travaglia/Lindsay double I'd go nuts

Manifest the Jagga and Lindsay double!

I had Langford ahead of Smith for a while but I’m coming around to taking him if he’s available (even if Langford is still there) Imagine if we had a Daicos or Sheezel type in our midfield the last few years? Smith might not be at their levels but I could definitely see him coming in and playing a similar role to those two - perhaps coming off half back or sitting off the back of stoppages and then using his skills and ball winning to set us up in transition

We’ve been on the AFL’s favourites list the last few years with thurs fri sat night games I’m personally really looking forward to Sat and Sun day games at the G

I've worked myself up over taking Langford over Smith and regardless of the fact I'm just a foolish fan I'm absolutely adamant we should take Smith over Langford. I can't believe we would pass on Smith if he was available at 5. Langford is another Sparrow. Good solid footballer, strong body, kicks it a mile and can take a forward grab. Smith is the speed in the midfield we need. Imagine if we start winning midfield clearances. Smith is the answer. Langford is same same.

I reckon the censor is actually fascist. I mean, it's right there in the name - auto censor. As in Autocratic Censor. Wake up people. Do your own research.

Blumin hell Mick Sinnear is good. Lost by points, season 95% done and dusted and he delivers pretty much the perfect post match speech. Doesn’t sugar coat it, tells truths and says we will go hard against the Pies next week. Love it.

No self respecting Yowie would mate with you picket !!!!

Nothing against Armstrong but we have lost Brayshaw, Harmes, JJ, Dunstan etc and we replaced them with?????The midfield cupboard is bare at Casey. You can have JVR, Jefferson, Armstrong and Jesus Christ in our forward line but if we persist with slow ball movement and blindly bombing the ball into a congested forwardline I don’t care who you are, you are going to struggle to score. And we do. I get where you are coming from it is a bit of what comes first the chicken or the egg. I think we need midfield depth with quality ball users. We have the personnel in our forward line to get the job done, however there is no doubt we need a better system down there or players having clearly defined roles and they need to be made accountable for playing their role.

I can’t speak for anyone else but personally I haven’t seen enough from him to suggest that he has the competitiveness and aggression to make it as a key fwd at AFL level And while he’s solidly built for his age he’s not coming in as physically developed as a say a Jed Walter type, another first round pick who struggled at AFL level in his first year I think a lot of Dees fans are just worried about using a first round pick and ending up with another Weid (and potentially Jefferson) Whereas we have the opportunity to draft more likely midfield types with both 5 and 9, and set our midfield up for the next decade alongside Rivers, Windsor and Tholstrup

Take Brayshaw out of Melbourne... #maintaintherage

Cody Angove is now probably back in our thoughts with this pick.

Didn't the Geelong interest predate the club gauging interest from others?

I love my night games but I’ll have a one year old next year so I’d low key be okay with day games. He is obsessed with the Melbourne theme song and it also calms him down during a crying fit so would love for him to hear it at the games. Hopefully at the end of the game also!

What’s not to like? I know it’s just a highlight reel, but he looks on par with some of the higher preferred choices from this little grab. Great goal sense, pace, good one grab mark, good kick. Like I said, what’s not to like? Why isn’t he ranked higher?

One of the most incredible careers in any sport I reckon. Massive whipping boy in defence. Swings forward - premiership. Light on in defence but coach says he's never going back again. Goes back and rips it up. Long may it continue!

Already looking forward to your training reports @kev martin

JT might go with a youngster who shows definite AFL qualities in his footy IQ, goal sense, pace and run as well as his ability to produce the special. I’d recommend Ned Bowman might fit the mould. Definitely has some X factor. His classic “screamer” mark certainly showed his talent. He’s not laconic but hard working and talented. Draft combine results also impressed. Ran flat 3.0secs in 20 metre sprint to show his pace (top 20 ranked) and I think he did a 6:35 in the 2km trial. Ned Bowman shapes as a potential available later draft pick and could appeal for the Dees.

I don’t see this as an issue… no one builds a facility like this with 100% cash. The club will have $30m from cash reserves and members donations. Assume they will be able to raise another $25m from governments, the AFL, the Melbourne Cricket Club and private investors and benefactors. It will leave a $45m shortfall which would be borrowed and paid down over decades. The club generates $60m in revenue. Paying the debt off at $3m annually isn’t a concern.

Me when we leave Smith and Langford on the board at 5 only to take Armstrong

Yeah, well they were 2 wins and 5 losses (your point I'm guessing) after a bunch of almost seasons. If only Picket was in charge of the Lions maybe a decent coach could have been put in charge and won them the flag!

I think that was Sloane. Don’t think there’s been any further communication regarding Teague.

Don’t assume anything we will get screwed by the afl as per usual. I think it’s in their mission statement. If I am betting man I would think we will get a lot of Sunday and late afternoon Sunday games because we play such attractive football and the AFL hate us.

What’s a future fund for if it isn’t to secure a home base for your club for the next 50 years?

With the news that Andy Moniz-Wakefield needs to be moved out of Category B rookie status, there are definite vacancies at the club for players in this category. The club might also be restricted to only two primary list selections in the main draft, so it’s the perfect time to revive the club’s interest in the Irish experiment for men which we started forty years ago. Let’s do it!

I thought it was related to indigenous smoking ceremonies. As in, an autochthonous censer.

First...we don't have 70K members. There are only about 40K adult individual members. Take away duplicate memberships, children etc. Second...All those people don't have a spare $200 available, especially today. Third...the Board has said they will not spend the proceeds from Bentleigh Club, Leighoak on a base. ( why for heavens sake?) The MCC owes us heaps and should contribute after 160+ years of bleeding the football public, mainly MFC. The big opportunity was fluffed by the Board post the premiership. No fundraising toward a future base, when supporters were throwing money at the club with merchandise sales.

Option C which has been posted is to trade up 5 to get access to the very top end. 9 to GWS for 15 and 16 5 and 16 to North for 2 (better than Richmond are likely to offer) 2 and 15 in the draft.