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Apologies if this has been posted already or if we're not allowed to do so. This is one of the best speeches I've ever heard involving our club.

Truly lovely moment. I lost my mum when I was 38 and have never got over it. Oskar lost his mum before he was 21. He has done it hard. All the best to him and his family. I hope he has a great career with us. Football clubs do sometimes present a window into players lives and this was one that has brought us closer to the player and his family.

Thank you for your insight and your insult. You know I haven't played the game because I have chosen to identify myself as a female , unlike your profile. I have been a member of Melbourne for over 40 years, following my team, and of course females were not allowed to play football when I was young. This may come as a surprise to people living in today's times. My whole point of my post was highlighting Mumford's total disinterest in playing the game and beating anyone on the scoreboard. He doesn't care about winning a game for his team. He is only interested in running through someone, anyone, to hurt them. He said so himself. Many posters on this forum have called for Preuss to be in the side and yet you pick on only certain ones to target to call them clowns and tell them they are talking drivel. Grow up. I am blocking you. So say your worst. You will be ignored by me. And spell Preuss correctly in future.

I can completely see why they went with Smith over Preuss against West Coast, Smith played directly on McGovern and held him completely accountable until he got knocked out. Preuss wouldn't have been able to do that, he's just not type of player, and I don't think we could have risked having another tall in the team (choosing an extra tall down back as well). I think the luxury of having a good attacking ruck/forward means you can bring him in as needs, unless he's in blinding form. I could see him not getting picked this week as Haynes also should be manned up, assuming Davis goes to TMac. So more tall backlines with good interceptors like WCE, GWS, Rich (with Rance), Col etc. Preuss might be left out while when we want to go taller against less expansive talls he becomes a big asset.

Preuss is first at the club for goal average at 2 goals per game. Yeah small sample size, but hes shown he can play forward and has kicked a couple of pearlers. Hes also physical and has mongrel. Its laughable thats hes being played at VFL level. A total waste.

Fair dinkum - I have a tear in my eye. I’ve watched it about 8 times. And sent it to everyone I know. I think my wife’s heart is finally beating true. His Dad is a freakin legend. Baker is a new favourite.

The 5 I'd want in from that side: Hannan Vandenberg Melksham Jetta Hibberd

Maybe a problem with Goody is he is moonlighting fronting King Parrot If you hate traffic cops this clip is for you

I didn’t get to attend that many games last year but this was one of them. imo it was perhaps the best they played all year. They were just so tough and fast. It was reported After the game that a number of GWS players said we were the best side they’d played all year. We played two good finals after this but even so I don’t reckon we touched this place again as a team. And, as last week, we are missing no less than 10 players from that 22.

Probably one of the most enjoyable days at the footy as a Melbourne supporter knowing we were finally in the finals and at the sane time beating up on a contender.

Shane Mumford is not interested in keeping up with anyone. He is not even interested in going for the ball, as shown by his hit on Murphy. This is a direct quote from Mumford after he was asked about his big hit on Mitch Duncan, the Geelong player, when he was a Swan. "I got Kieren Jack with a ripper years ago when I was playing with Geelong, back in the days when you could run through people and not worry about getting suspended. He didn't see me coming and I left him on the ground coughing and wheezing, and that was probably a better one." So, he has a rating system for his assaults on the football field? Only as recently as August 2017 he received a one match ban for a high hit on Max Gawn. He doesn't care if he "struggles" to keep up with Max. He just enjoys running through people and never mind about "back in the days". He is still doing it and getting away with it. It is a disgrace he was not suspended for his hit on Murphy. He had no intention of going for the ball. He only had eyes for the player and what damage he could do. That is the way he thinks. We don't need this b@$tard to take out Max and we are left without a ruckman. That is why Preuss is needed to back him up. Am I talking drivel? The drivel seems to be coming from one direction. Your posts need to be more sociable and less derogatory.

I was 28 Mr Leg, but at least I knew her well. my youngest sister was only 10. Some times life ain't fair.

I saw this before the game. Very emotional. I love a boy who loves his Mum. My best wishes to Oskar and his family.

I'll be absolutely filthy if we do that, we need him but we need him in his right ability. He needs at least one more week at VFL and he should show that he's ready to go.

Reading that I thought you had to be a troll, I've actually had a quick look through your postings and it really doesn't look like it. I've done a knee, and you are so off the mark it's laughable so instead of scalding you how about I break things down for you. Recovery isn't just the injury itself, particularly with structural injuries like knees. A closer mark would be 6-9 months is what it takes for the knee to "heal", but that doesn't take into account the conditioning your body and in particular that leg loses. The rehab isn't a constant upward trend either, you have setbacks (and I'm 99% sure Jake had one around December that required surgery) and when you have setbacks it really slows you down. Then when you do get the all clear to start loading again you can't go all guns blazing because your muscles aren't used to it, you also have to be careful that you're not overloading one leg over the other, it's not uncommon for people to do their other knee following a return. Then you have to get confidence in your body that it isn't going to break down again, whether that's the knees or the muscles surrounding it. Then he has to return to the game, get back his natural skills, and get a feel for the pace of the game. You try doing something and then returning a year later and see if you are able to jump straight in with no problems. All that is putting aside the psychological side that plays on your mind of "will it all be ok?" Bottom line is I'm just stoked for him that he got through the game unscathed and he will go next week with more confidence.

Pettraca was 2 straight kicks away from being the best forward on the ground. His finishing is extraordinarily frustrating. But he is far from our biggest problem. I'd like to see some more improvement Infront of the sticks but in every other way he has improved this year. He is involved in games longer, his defencive pressure is up and he is elite at ground level. He needs to be greedier sometimes but I think that stems from his troubles finishing. Case and point him trying to handball that shocker of a miss And side note anyone who continues to push this myth that he is overweight is insane.

Cross - eyed.

We could be leaving Mumford on the ground next game as a wasted jumper for his team. We will beat him, tire him and run around him thus keeping him out of the game. We already know that he will have Gawn as a target, to injure, and this is the reason why Preuss needs to be used as a forward and relief ruckman during the game. We should also knock him rotten at any opportunity outside of direct plays. That bag of lard could be in for his last game.

Fair dinkum I'm getting fed up with this sort or rubbish. The way so many so called demon fans on this site insult omac is simply pathetic. This (ridiculous) thread is about teamates not sticking up for max. One of the players that reacts is omac, but still he's not immune from critisism. Our he man that everyone was drooling over pre season gets suspended in a practice game for being a stupid faux tough guy and misses round 1 and who knows costs us the game. Did you watch the game? Meek? Omac attacked contest after contest and despite the fears of darling and Kennedy rag rolling him more than held his own. Laid some big tackles and got smashed plenty of times too. And unlike Frost didn't make any brain dead errors, turnovers or clangers that cost us goals or chances to clear our defence. Don't believe me? Go look at omac's video of his involvement on statspro on tbe AFL website. His best game for the season. Joeboy even called it serviceable, which for him is akin to saying very good game. How about posters get around the young fella, who as is pointed out above is only 23. Still young for a KPD. Many seem to love Sam Collins for gc. Instructive he us older (just) than omac and was towelled up by tmac against us and I think cost them the game. Love him, hate him, ambivalent or simply don't think he is up to the job at least be happy we have him in the side atm while his two highly paid teammates sit out with injury, one for being an undisciplined peanut who despite being a so called leader didn't think to ask his new club what their expectations were for him in terms of getting ready for preseason. Now that's meek.

Few people saying when Jones steps down Gawn will be new co captain. When did it become assumed that captaincy is to be shared these days? What have I missed? Picking a second captain as some sort of injury or leadership insurance policy speaks volumes in itself. Be nice to just have 1 good captain instead of 2 average ones. Viney will have to do for now. I honestly think he’s going to have a very short career and the captaincy will take care of itself in due course, at which point immediately it’s gotta be Gawn, or short-mid term Lever. Tmac is a possibility for mine too, albeit his dreadful lack of form right now. I feel Viney was a good fit for captaincy in recent years past, but the game and team and grown beyond that of which his captaincy compliments. We can’t have our captain constantly missing the side of a barn by foot while struggling to get 15 games a year in due to chronic injuries. Plus as others have said is media performance is normally very cringeworthy. Blokes like Gawn lever and tmac are the complete opposite on that front.

Not thugish stuff just real good Bryon Pickett like hip and shoulder. Not a BUGG hit Give him back some of his own medicine just saying. (ie live by the sword die by the sword) More important of course to get a win. PS still have not and will not forgive LONG for that disgraceful act in 2000 grand final. PS I am not classy.

Preuss is the only one with the size to push big Mummy around. i think he is a lock to come in this week.

How Salem didn’t get a free for tunneling is beyond me. Actually it’s not, because the 3 umpires last night were incompetent and cowards.

wow ! ... that's where they took they're inspiration from, for sure...

I personally believe that season 2019 is over in terms of making the finals & threatening to win a premiership as the season started out. Some may believe that there is still hope but realistically it is over. For some positivity I thought we could have a thread which focuses on what people are looking forward to for the rest of 2019 & then into 2020.. I will start off with my list: 1. Hunts development as a forward 2. Marty Hores continual improvement 3. Return of Jake Lever 4. Addition of Steven May 5. Getting games into Baker 6. More games into Preuss 7. How Goodwin & the players tackle the remainder of the season, whether they wilt or stand up & respond to the poor start As for 2020 really looking forward to how our backline will look with Jetta, Lever, May, Hibberd, Hore, Salem & Petty. The potential addition of a top draft pick. Hoping for a Conor Rozee type from Port. There is a lot to look forward too, the side & list is still so young. I honestly believe this is just a small blimp on the radar towards a successful period for the Dees.

Good training wrap here https://m.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-05-21/training-wrap-with-mitch-hannan

Your post said the last 3 years. Last time I looked 2017 was a bare 18 months ago... Anyway, I can see that you aren't interested in facts so I am not going to bother with this any longer.

Hope someone really crashes Mumford this week. He is well over due. Cannnot see any one at our club doing it . Where is Byron Pickett when you need him. Mumford needs to be put to sleep Match review weak as

Do you have the stats to back this up or is the 'bump' of this thread another way of beating up on him?

There are any number of reasons why they might publically say they didn't review that game when in fact they had. And much nuance in rhe statement the club did not review it. Apply some intelligence and thought to it and you will work out what those reasons might be and what the nuances might be.

Core issues in the Gawn-Preuss combo ... and it may well be an awesome duo, both carrying out a couple of roles other than just ruckwork.

A while back I noticed that one of our players bears a striking resemblance to Sebastion d' Avis, the last great king of the Avis dynasty of Portugal, who legend has it will one day rise again on a foggy morning, to restore the glory of Portugal. I present to you, his royal highness Clayton d' Oliver! (c1570)

Why do so many people believe we didn't review the Preliminary Final loss? Surely we all know by now that everyone in the AFL system doesn't always tell the truth. (To put it more bluntly, everyone in the AFL lies.) Just because it has been said, doesn't make it so.

Come on Martin. its concussion related. That issue seriously affects and can in some cases really ruin lives. Stkilda are no better with McCartin. We should never have picked him up thats the error ...not how many weeks his out for. Has to be delisted. I say put him on the long term injury list in time for the mid season draft...at least we get back an active player on our list.

At what level have you played the game?

Couldn't agree more Nelo, let"s hope at season end the club gets the right people in to prevent such thing ever happening again? Players get injured, but for it to drag on like in Smith"s case makes your wonder what the hell the are doing, or more to the what the club is not doing?

Bailey Fritsch is shockingly out of form and if we didn't have such a big injury list he would be dropped, but again, he is played out of position, like Brayshaw is at the moment. Bailey should be High HF / Wing. Anyway this weeks changes should be minimal.. expecting Tim Smith out for Pruess, but if Smith is fit i would keep him in, its pretty amazing the bad run he has had. ANB might be crook from concussion, if so Corey Wagner in for him. Thats it, cannot, i repeat, cannot bring Jordan Lewis back in. this will test Goodwins resolve.. we dont need him in the side at all. not for any purpose, especially against a side as fleet footed as the Giants.

Agree - it was very Toby Greene and I thought the AFL were trying to stamp that out.

Disagree. Smith going off had a massive structural effect - it freed up an intercept marker for them in our D50. We were also down 2 rotations (soon to be 3). The AFL have confirmed the free kick was a wrong decision. We actually needed to focus on the roles, and cover back across in defence. We didn’t do this, and looked to run out of legs. We tactically failed to deliver it clear into 50 away from their (now free) intercept markers. A bit of a ‘sugar high’ from some faux aggression was way less important that proper attention to the gameplan. It is a game, and encouraging violence for the sake of ‘being a tough guy’ is a bit silly, especially when one punch acts and stuff like the fights in the crowd are a serious topic at the moment. Play the game fairly but strongly is fine, encouraging violence to intimidate or interfere with another’s capability to play is pretty [censored] weak.

#15 Angus Hanrahan Starting on the wing, the top—ager showcased his signature class and polish but also his two-way running in another strong performance. Finishing with 27 disposals and nine marks, perhaps the most telling stats for Hanrahan was his four rebounds and six inside 50s, highlighting a willingness to work both ways for the Dragons. Kicked a show-stopping goal on his opposite foot from the boundary and would’ve had a day out had he taken two opportunities running into the goals in the second and last quarters. Was a class above in the first half and was the leading disposal winner at the main break but drifted out early in the 4th when the game was in the balance. Sound performance from the wingman and is building a strong case to be selected in the mid-season/end of season draft. #5 Ryan Byrnes The zippy midfielder continued his strong form, finishing with a team-high 28 disposals and five inside 50s. Byrnes trademark explosive burst out of the stoppage was on show all day, easily manoeuvring his way past his Eastern opponents and driving the ball long inside 50. Used the ball well when others let themselves down in this department and never stopped trying. Byrnes looks a well-rounded prospect, who covers the ground well and is adept at winning the ball from the inside of the contest and utilising his speed to run and carry the ball. Overall was outstanding for the Dragons and was just about their best player. #13 Jay Rantall Best player on the ground. Key in the Rebels moving the ball effectively out of the backline and midfield and one of the few players who wanted to take the game on and make the play instead of just kicking to a pack. His link up run and intelligent handballing were extremely impressive, and broke the game open. Good overhead, good below his knees, and hit most of his targets on the day. 10/10 game. Australian basketballer Jay Rantall among Hampden footballers chasing TAC Cup spot in 2019 https://www.standard.net.au/story/5771191/aussie-basketballer-chasing-a-kick-of-the-sherrin-photos-video/ MULTI-TALENTED teenager Jay Rantall is throwing himself into TAC Cup pre-season with Greater Western Victoria Rebels. The South Warrnambool footballer is vying for a spot as a top-age player in 2019 after spending most of this year dedicating himself to basketball. Rantall, 17, represented Australia in basketball at the FIBA Under 17 World Cup in July, donning the green and gold jersey as a shooting guard. South Warrnambool footballer Jay Rantall collects 37 disposals for NAB League side GWV Rebels https://www.standard.net.au/story/6119214/rebels-rantall-racks-up-touches/ SOUTH Warrnambool footballer Jay Rantall remains one of the NAB League's in-form players. The midfielder collected a game-high 37 disposals in the Greater Western Victoria Rebels' 14.10 (94) to 9.8 (62) loss to Northern Knights at Ballarat's Mars Stadium on Sunday. Rantall, 17, had 13 kicks and 24 handballs. The former Australian junior basketballer has averaged 25 possessions across his six games this season after choosing to focus on football.

Funny you say inside 50s and forwards. I re-watched the 4th qtr and Jack Viney kicked directly to McGovern/Hurn for an intercept mark on 3 occasions in the space of 10-15 minutes. It’s not just his kicking, it’s his decision making, too. On two of those occasions he had handball options over the top which would have allowed the next player to kick behind Hurn/McGovern which is one strategy to beat them. A captain just can’t be making such fundamental poor decisions. Fixing Jack Viney leads to better inside 50s and better forwards.

Some social issue outside football that Gill sorry the AFL should champion. Are there any rounds left for a new theme weekend?

Wow. Mumford got off? Completely? Not even a 'reckless'? Yep, for the sake of the game, he needs to be pummeled back into retirement. And I'm sure any regulars on here know I'm no fan of any unnecessary roughness. It was a clearly deliberate hit, by a known repeat offender, with no approach to or eyes on the ball, against the exposed flank/torso of a 30cm shorter player who was already low to the ground and facing the other way, which sent the target to hospital with broken ribs. If the AFL is going to let that wash, then I really think the players have a responsibility to step in. At best Mumford spends the game sore, distracted and limited, at worst it slows Mumford from his own sniping. I think everyone -except- Gawn should be taking opportunities to casually bump Mumford at every chance they get. Gawn should be 100% focused on beating him in a purely football sense. Team instruction: bump, harass, sledge Mumford any time the moment comes up. Line in the sand, for us and for the game.

needs a Preuss suppository

Maxy tires as the game goes on which is understandable. Having Preuss in the side will help a lot with this so to will his aggression.

For some time I have been ending my posts with 2020 Go dees. I explained in an earlier post that 2020 was the year when the core of our best team will have played about 70 games together as a group (Oliver, Harmes, Gawn, Tracca, Brayshaw, Hunt, TMac, OMac, Jones, Salem Jetta, and some others) and fulfill the late Dean Bailey's prediction that it takes 70 games together as a group to blend as a team. Further, 2020 is the year when most of the above will have been in the AFL system for at least 5 years thereby fulfilling Brendan MacCartney's comment (made to me at a family day) that it takes 5 years to create an AFL footballer. Cats and Tiges experience is instructive and may work for us as well but the development of our team rates higher. So I continue to say 2020 Go dees.

Steven May would not have put up with that.