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Jack Watts, Trengove, Toumpas and a 2nd round pick.

Shame. I was at one of my nieces wedding last year and, for a moment, found myself dancing with my sister. I said to her that it was just like playing in an intraclub match. She looked at me very blankly.

As good a player as Ollie is I don't see him as a priority. If we have a weakness it is a bit of outside class & that's not him. Pity we didn't pick him up when we had the chance but that horse has long bolted.

Robbo’s material is meant to be very accessible to all fans and is meant to put a friendly face to the club. He has charm and the fans still hold a great affection toward him; that’s the reason he’s used by the club in an ambassadorial role. There are plenty of avenues for in depth analysis available to footy fans, Robbo (quite intentionally) isn’t one of them.

MFC Women. Simple reason: the 2018 AFLW season concludes before the 2018 AFL season.

He's the club's entertainer. He talks easily, has a relaxed manner (compare this to Burgs, for example), and has an easily recognisable face to Demon supporters. I've always thought the club could do better if they got a trained, experienced media pro to help him prepare for his interviews because he'd often ask the players stupid questions, so I've got absolutely no problem with him referring to a notebook during interviews. Don't agree with your view, but don't think you deserved all the flippant replies you got either.

So just FYI for everyone whose worried about whatever The club focused on using players who will benefit with a low contested/high speed game but also those who need a lighter work load With the shorter field and shorter game times, it's about 3 or 4 times less of a work load playing this game then doing a full preseason training session (hence the use of 3x 1st year players for example) since those selected will do this in place of 1 days full training Hope that made sense

In an alternate universe.

Our women's team will crush all before it this year. Our leadership is so superior to any other women's team that the value of experience for all our players will be maximised, as will the habits of the game plan and working as a team. Throw in that it seems we are the fittest AFLW team, and our advantage will just keep growing over the short season. At this point, it would require some combination of bad luck and shameful overconfidence for our women's team to not win this year's premiership. And after last years slip-ups surely they wouldn't get complacent? Surely... As for the men's team. Well, the issue is what is between their ears, not what is between their hips. The talent is there to achieve absolutely anything. But the big variable, the big uncertainty, is just not possible to scutinise from the outside. T'is inscrutable and intangible I say! It simply cannot be scruted or tanged.

I’d rather keep the second rounder and maybe throw in Dom Barry as the sweetener.

The season can’t start quick enough.

Wow! having spoken to Russell a few times on the phone, he is a good man and a very loyal Demon, who played pretty well too. What you have stated is just plain insulting... i would leave it there if i were you...

I am more than bemused - I am seriously peeved. All the AFL love seems to be going to Carlton. They get the opening marquis game each year and have more FTA telecasts than any other team ie 4 - more than half their season. And 5 of their 7 games are in the cool of night. To top it off they have been gifted another marquis game: The 'Pride' game to be played vs Bulldogs. Atm it isn't a FTA game but I wouldn't be surprised if that changes in the next few weeks. You can bet it will be a marquis FTA game on the fixture next year. To be fair the Bulldogs approached the Blues. (To me it is a joke Carlton play in the 'Pride' game when they wouldn't even endorse the 'Yes' vote to change marriage laws). What really irks me is that Carlton have done absolutely nothing to earn those privileges. These privileges are on top of the equally irksome 6/7 FTA Friday night games their AFL team gets in the men's season. I'm pleased the Bulldogs get the 'Pride' game but for Carlton to get the best of fixtures is just plain wrong - I mean they don't even have that many members! Meanwhile we play on Feb 18 in Perth at 3.35 pm, then a 6 day break to play in NT at 5.40pm, then another 6 day break to play at home. That is 3 games in 13 days in scorching heat, criss crossing the country with 4 long-haul flights!! Did no-one tell the AFL how hot it is in WA and NT during the day!! Without checking all the clubs, I reckon we get the wooden spoon of the fixture. 3 games in 13 days could easily bring our season undone. I sincerely hope not. As a founding team and having played very well last year we deserve a bit more respect. ...Rant over

The girls are certainly being talked up as flag favourites. Whilst we have a dominant Voss-Black-Lappin midfield in Paxman-Pearce-O’Dea I think the recruiters have done an excellent job this year. On the weekend we had Kate Hore. 20 possessions (2nd highest on ground behind Paxman), 5 marks and 3 tackles. She only started playing footy last year after coming from a basketball background. Fair to say she has a lot of improvement left. Is just 23 y.o. Ashleigh Guest. Equal 5th highest possession winner for Melbourne with 17, 5 marks and a couple of tackles. Has come across from GWS after playing all seven games last year. Bianca Jakobsson. Also 17 possessions on the weekend including 7 marks and 3 tackles. In order to get Taylor Harris the Blues had to give something good away. In a complicated 4 way deal it would be fair to say we came out well on top giving up Deanna Berry for the former number 3 pick. Tegan Cunningham. Kicked two goals on the weekend on top of one in the opening round and three against the Pies in the practice match. Looks a natural forward with good hands, size, speed and athleticism. Would not surprise to find she wins the AFLW goal kicking this year. Was brought in with the number 22 pick from basketball and could be anything. Erin Hoare. Early days but the leagues tallest player hasn’t looked out of place in her two games so far. Apparently loves a contest and the ruck should only improve with time. Yet to debut is our first pick last year, Eden Zanker whilst Maddie Guerin played in round one. Both are only 18. In summary we have added at least four girls who are already in our top ten players. Not bad for a team that only missed the GF last year by percentage.

this is the problem , when Like Crows they low balled some players time will tell but Wines has to be worth as much if not more than most you have mentioned he will get way more if he returns to Vic ... time will tell

I'm not as negative on this as others. I think it's a bit of fun to see some of the guys have a hit out and I think we've named the right kind of squad. I'm keen to see Petracca playing midfield in a shorten version of the game and Tom McDonald up forward. Otherwise I'd like to see the 3 draftees and DJ. It's a televised competitive training exercise before the shortened preseason of 2 games which is the right number.

I’m having trouble containing my excitement.

And like all clubs we have another group of band wagon supporters. They are the group you need to get onboard for large growth

Is he does decide to leave we will be into this up to our proverbial. With the Vineys, close family friends, no doubt discussions will be had.

You dont know that. Its a straight out guess. Best way to do that is stay positive at all times & ignore the negativity by some on Demonland. MFC have some of the best supporters in the AFL they have proved their resilience year after year.

Win that Collingwood game and we are 3000 in front. Need to grow not maintain.

Send Jack Viney to Adelaide for a “coupla days” a quiet word with his mate Mark Neeld has long gone...

Sorry, not. It was foretold. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the messiah, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very members. 25 Behold, I have told you before. 26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the Long Room; go not forth: behold, he is sitting in the cheer squad; believe it not. 27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the blow-in presidents of the MFC be. (Matthew 24)

we definitely need a transgender ambassador to break the sexual imbroglio

I think Robbo does a fantastic job

Disagree Robbo is fantastic at this sorta stuff

We love you Pedo we do We love you Pedo we do oh Pedo how good are you

Yes Macca, I'll be having a keen look early as well. Santos is nominated at Randwick in the Pierro Plate. Will know by tomorrow either way but my mate tells me they should accept. That race will be a difficult one to pick. First starters and a few with one or two starts max. I'm only interested to see how Santos races but in saying that, one of the horses nominated (Irish Bet) won a $500,000 race in its only start back in December.

Being a punter who prefers to outlay small amounts for a reasonable return I'm looking at using our Best bets in various ways (with the end result being a series of 3 pick multi's) Up until now I've usually been a trifecta/first4 punter but I'll give the best bet multi system a go for now and save my trifecta combo's for Sha Tin (there are 4 x 1400m races listed for next Sunday - ideal) As for Flemington, Randwick et al ... the fields, form and barriers should be up on Racenet.com by tomorrow night so I'll be getting an early start as usual!

It will take something special to beat Redzel. I thought our input worked well last weekend with four of us but I do agree with your earlier point of too many selections. It does become a little unworkable. So far it is working really well, I just need to collect once. ?

You, like my dear wife, is obviously a Polack. I like the word 'doupas'. Brings back memories...

I do like the idea of an each-way special as well D77 ... your other thoughts are very good too. I will be looking for some other top fancies to couple up with 1, 2 or 3 of our best bets so I suppose we shouldn't be thinking of any restrictions. I also like the idea of looking outside of Melboune & Sydney. For instance, any of the better Hayes horses running at Morphettville are always worth keeping an eye on. 2 of the Hayes horses won at short odds on Saturday (2.30 & 2.45) but those odds are not prohibitive in a multi. In fact 5 short priced favourites won in Adelaide but apart from Itz Invincible the other 4 started at 2.30, 2.40. 3.00 & 3.60. The last 4 winners at the Gold Coast on Saturday were short priced favourites as well (2.10, 2.60, 2.70 & 2.80) Back in the day those odds weren't much value to punters but not necessarily these days with multi-betting across the various race meetings. And by the way ... are any of the other horses going to be able to get anywhere near Redzel in the Lightning Stakes?

I'm happy with a maximum of 4 Macca for the best bets although I'm open to more members joining the fun. The various thoughts on weekend racing makes me look a little deeper into races that I might have skipped in the past. After @binman put his selections through it made me have a look at 'Itz Invincible' and I liked it. If two horses stand out to someone and one of them is at decent odds maybe the member can declare a second horse as an "Each Way" special.

NFI: no [censored] injuries

I will be surprised if Petracca actually plays...

Wait for the season to play out Grasshopper. Much will happen...

Makes total sense. Add the fact that it replaces a jlt game and you can see why i reckon tbe coaches would prefer to play aflx to jlt games and even intra clubs game. The aflx will replace the pre season games from next season. Take it to the bank

As much as I don't like the concept of AFLX, it'll be good to have a look at Spargo, Baker, Fritsch and Johnstone.

as long as you contain your excrement you'll be fine, ethan

He's an enigma... I'm not sure where Cam sits in the best 22. He looks a little lost when he's not the main focus, whether that be in the Ruck or the No 1 Key Forward. His best football seems to be when he's floating around wing and half forward and able to hunt the ball and find some space for himself. Will be interesting to see where he lines up this preseason as a forward line with TMac, Hogan and Pedo, sound a little too big on paper.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-02-13/pedersen-in-a-good-place-with-his-game Let's hope Pedo can pick up in 2018 where he left off last year. It certainly sounds like he has had a great preseason. I hope we at least trial a forward line of Hogan, TMac and Pedo in the preseason to see if we can get it to function.

“With regard to the House Intelligence Committee’s memorandum, the FBI was provided a limited opportunity to review this memo the day before the committee voted to release it,” the statement said. “As expressed during our initial review, we have grave concerns about material omissions of fact that fundamentally impact the memo’s accuracy.” You have also got to ask yourself the question - a Republican "opinion piece" is released however the Democrat rebuttal was not allowed to be released. I don't have a clue as to the accuracy of the memo but it gives you pause to think that a heavily politicised committee allows a Republican majority opinion to be released by won't allow a Democrat rebuttal ? Neither should be released if there is not consensus or both. I just am amused when Wrecker writes with authority that "it is clear". What is clear is nothing is clear.

So much hyperbole, exaggeration and just plain inaccuracy in two little sentences. And no, I won't bite to your next reply - "tell me where I am wrong" - I'd rather go with "Fact checking - zero".

You have no doubt heard the old one that " a week is a long time in politics" same applies to football. Rooster one week feather duster the next.

Tell me that photo is not for real please

If I happen to tune into this circus, even by mischance, I shall give myself a sound flogg ing.

The dwarfs in the St Kilda jumper.

Love this thread. Am currently developing a doc series on youth mental health. Obviously, a massive issue. We need to talk about mental health and too much is left unsaid.

Take out the AFLX cup and we’re favourites to win the season proper Grand Finale.

In the AFL.com Team of the Week for the second straight week http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-22/team-of-the-week-r22-did-we-get-it-right