Leaderboard

From the AFL website MELBOURNE B: L.Birch 9 T.Gillard 17 HB: S.Heath 30 M.Gay 3 S.Goldrick 23 C: S.Lampard 8 T.Hanks 5 B.Mackin 31 HF: A.Bannan 16 K.Paxman 4 K.Hore 10 F: D.Pearce - C 6 T.Harris 7 Foll: L.Pearce 15 O.Purcell 2 E.West 11 I/C: M.Chaplin 13 C.Sherriff 18 L.Mithen 14 E.Zanker 29 M.Fitzsimon 24 Emerg: C.Wilson 20 J.Ivey 19 M.Caris 21 In: None Out: None

Last banner-making sesh for the year. 😭 Anyone interested in seeing how we roll watch the ABC news tonight. Film crew just left so now we’re all back to our feral selves. 😁 Some squadders take their love for the Dees to a whole new level…

Well to be honest Bell isn't wrong.. He's right in saying that our entry inside forward 50 is too narrow and it doesn't play to advantage to any of the key forwards that we rolled through there. I mean we recruited a 60 plus goal a season forward to then just bomb it onto his head in a crowded forward line which is exactly the opposite to his strengths. Worries me that this will impact JVR's development with this [censored] forward structure. If this is on Geg Stafford then we simply cannot be rolling with the same forward structure moving into next year, and it immediately needs to be overhauled.

Great we go in with no changes. I saw some vision of the Springfield venue, the surface is looking good. Amazing job by the curators. Earlier in the week I saw some vision, where the waves between the slabs were obvious. Looked like they rolled the area where the slabs join, and have now rolled the entire surface. Lots of sun, has probably also helped. Would have hated to see the surface effect the game. Enjoy the game everybody. I think we are a well balanced team and have what it takes to create a good game. Go Dees.

While Bell is right about our 'narrow' entry i50 he could have kept the criticism to himself and simply talked about how Jackson's role will add to their team which is primarily as a forward. That wasn't his role for us so how we deliver i50 isn't so relevant and didn't need mentioning. He 'won' the trade by some margin No need to prove himself (again) as a snarly, little man.

It's head and heart stuff, tbh. Would never be happier to be proven wrong! To win, I reckon it'd have to be in a close one. We've got what it takes, just have to put it out there when it matters. Re: the surface, apparently the team's official groundskeeper in Zanker has been telling teammates for a while that Springfield could be ready in time. Hopefully she's given it the tick of approval.

Would be lovely if we win the flag, draft a future champion with the LJ pick and Freo finish last, handing us another 2 champions, with their F1and F 2nd picks and LJ has a quiet year in 2023. Is that too much to ask for?

Freo will be lucky if Jackson can match the amount of goals Lobb kicked for them last year, I'm thinking probably not.

He'll be in a corporate box so no need to worry

I did pick this thread to continue, partly as a bit of a stir, but I'd be making the is he worth the money thing as more of a judgment on Freo than Jackson. Personally, I'm happy to take Dogga sincerely that it was mostly about going home. Neither can I really blame him for taking the he extra money or Freo for offering for that matter. I think when clubs wrestle a player away from their current club, there is often an element of paying them a bit overs to get them over the line to make the switch and their club as the preferred destination. I suspect Melbourne generally play this game as much any other club. Mostly Bell's call on Dogga as being a great contested mark/key forward is somewhat over blown. I'm not denying that Dogga wasn't a good mark for us, as he was capable of pulling down some good screamers around the ground on the odd ocation using guys as a step ladder and also took the odd mark for us inside forward 50, but I don't think his marking was on anything like the same level as Gawn's. Dogga being the second decoy option inside forward 50 is a very different option to being the main goto guy getting double or tripple manned by key defenders when you're the man. Will be interesting to see if he steps up or struggles with that sort of pressure and attention. Maybe he's the sort that thrives under external expectations, but I actually think Bell has done a disservice to Dogga by putting even more pressure on him in this regard.

Gut feel is Ed Allan is first priority over Jefferson. Probably makes sense why we are now wanting to go up two spots or so.

Ben Waterworth from Fox Footy who is a keen draft water and commentates on the under 18's championships has done a phantom draft. PICK 15: MELBOURNE — MATT JEFFERSON Position: Key forward Size: 195cm, 78kg Clubs: Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro AFL player comparison: Harry Jones A former Victorian basketball rep champion, Jefferson possesses outstanding overhead marking ability, great forward craft and competitiveness in the air – the latter trait being one recruiters were pleased to see develop this year. Jefferson is a classic example of how a strong showing at national championships level can significantly boost your draft prospects. He surged into the top-10 draft mix after starring for Vic Metro and producing a consistent NAB League campaign, kicking 27 goals in 10 matches across both competitions – including a seven-goal bag against WA. In the mix: There’s a view among sources that the Demons, who’ve also held a long interest in Ed Allan, might look to get ahead of the Eagles on draft night via a live trade so they can pounce on Allan. The Demons’ proactive nature in flagging trades with other teams over recent weeks suggests they’re open to a move up. If they go for a slightly smaller forward, Murray Bushrangers star Brayden George would be a chance. Melbourne has also been linked to South Australian Harry Barnett — regarded as the best ruck in the draft class — but would probably only consider him if they moved down the order on the night. '; };

2022 AFL Draft Preview: Melbourne https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2022/11/25/2022-afl-draft-preview-melbourne/

And won the premiership that same year. And BBB kicked 3 in the GF. The ball wasn't bombed to him that game and our game plan isn't just bombing it in every time. If there isn't a quality option on then yes it's about retention, but if we're on and the option is on, then we're hitting targets in good goal scoring positions.

I hope one of the following happens: - Hewett gets picked before us, and someone slides - WC picks Ginbey, and thinks they can get get Hewett at their third pick, which leads to them picking a different type (Jefferson) at their second pick, leaving us Allan

Fair enough. Then it’s a certain possibility, or even a possible certainty.

“nearly guarantee” doesn’t count.

Yes please to these selections.

Probably fits in with the age old Ipswich tradition of betting on dog fights. We're pumped for tomorrow. Just been to Logan and bought a tricked up twin turbo Hyundai excel. We've fitted a brand new set of retreads to the rear. We'll be lighting her up with some victory donughts in the Springfield shopping centre car park after we win. Booked in for a southern cross neck tatt this arvo. Go Dees

Probs a good thing I can’t be there tomorrow. There’s not a sunscreen in the world strong enough to stop me from being burned to a crisp in 35 degree weather. That’s what I’m telling myself, anyways 😢 #RangaLife

Spot on Rodney. Silly public comment by Bell even if he thinks it's true. One thing I agree with Kane Cornes on is that Luke is not a key forward , more of a tall athletic mid-fielder, which is how he made his 15 minutes of fame in the GF. Will be very good , but he's no messiah. But as others on here bemoan, our overall forard structure is another matter and I expect a full re-build in Round 1 or will be worried.

Yep, thought the same. He needs to worry about his own (yet to win anything) club. If he wants to make commentary on other clubs then he should quit his job and join the media.

I think Bell is desperate for a key forward at Freo and is trying to sell his message to the members as they have one of the least potent attacks on paper of all the contenders. The fact they were around the 12-13th mark last year in scores “for” underscored this, and they won’t be going near a flag next year if they don’t improve in that area. Jackson couldn’t catch an over sized beach ball in the 2022 finals when playing as a key forward. Either he mentally checked out of his footy club by finals time, or Bell is incorrect by claiming his best footy will be as a key forward.

Fingers crossed Jacko kicks 70 next year so we can get Goody sacked

I think Peter Jackson was well worth the money...

Finally a phantom without the groupthink of us taking Jefferson.

A lot more will be known when Cal Twomey drops his phantom draft which has been promised for this evening. I don’t know what I’ll be doing first - catch up with the state elections, watch Australia v Tunisia or watch for the Cal Twomey Phantom Draft.

A point of difference - no Jefferson at 13 and Foster at 37

Declan Reeve’s Final Phantom AFL Draft - First Two Rounds

Probably doesn't know how to find the place.

Like Geelong got last year.?? EVERY FRIGGEN YEAR THEY GET A DREAM RUN😱🤢🤬🤮🤮

This is the bloke we want but we can’t get to him.

Lucifer, bit of a correction required here. Springfield is only around 30mins from Brisbane CBD and 45mins from the airport in good traffic. Speaking from somewhat of a biased perspective here, having lived near the Ipswich CBD (which is closer to an hour from Brisbane), but I think the overwhelming negative commentary around this venue is a complete disservice to the opertuity it also presents for exposure of AFL in the broader Brisbane area. The Gabba is a pain to get to from Ipswich and the western side of Brisbane (hopefull this might get better once cross river rail project is complete and the Gabba gets it's own well connected railway station), so having the Brisbane Lions training facility and social club in Springfield is a real boon for AFL and growth of the game in the side Western of Brisbane. Ipswich, Sprinfield and it's surrounds are big population growth areas of Brisbane and have reasonable and growing senior and jnr partisipation for both men and women's game. Having the AFLW GF to launch the opening of the ground should be an awsome publicity for the facility that money probably couldn't buy. I don't see much of an issue with the 8,000 capasity or whatever it is. Realistically AFLW games rarely draw more than this and playing in front of a capasity crowd at this venue would be a better atmosphere than playing in a 3/4 empty Gabba, Metricon or Marvel IMHO. As an asides, to highlight the potential for AFLW to grow the game beyond it's traditional base, I have a Qld born and bread rugby mate (who coincidentally lives in Springfield), who has followed AFLW this whole season to the extent of attending many home Lions games, because his daughter is into the AFLW Lions team.

No surprise. Clearly the AFLW is not high on his list of priorities.

Yep, not smart for players and senior club officials to be taking public swipes at opponents. Sure Justin Longmiur isn't real happy about Bell's comments. It's not quite a Lingger's moment, but for a senior official to be making it, it's not that far off either.

I don't think the narrow kick to the pocket forward 50 entry game that we played for the first 3/4 or 2021 and alot of 2022 is the destination in our game style. For alot of the back half of 2021, Goody and the coaches spoke about working on the attacking part of our game (or the phase when we were in possession or whatever the lingo is these days). The lead up into finals 2021 and that finals series, we played a far more effective attacking game when we had the momentum and I think that is actually the game style we aim to play. Of course you also need the toops to play it and back half of 2022, we had no T Mac etc. The recruiting of Hunter is another sign we know we need to correct our entry and that's the type of game plan we are really targeting. That said, it is also a key plank of our game style to kick to the forward pocket, retain the ball and defend from within our forward 50 that helps keep us in games even when we might not be in our best form and help us win games more consistently and set us up deep inside the top 4 in genuine positions to win premierships. After having watched some great attacking MFC sides over the decades, I'll take the one that finished with home and away ladder positions of 1st and 2nd, including a premiership over consecutive seasons than the ones that would scrape into finals, but always behind the 8 ball to actually get into the GF, let alone win a premiership.

If Jackson believes the hype getting around about him he should have stayed at the Dees for another year maybe two and then signed a ten year mega deal. If Jackson does not believe the about him then he has done the right thing grabbing the money now. Of course money might not be the reason he is going home.

suggest you watch the replays from last year then we were gone before round 10 forward line was woeful, bit hard to lead into space when you only play the left side of the ground and force forwards to lead into pockets, as they say harder the angle harder kick for goal.

60 goals then

Get real.

Ye grand reveal. Here is what LINKS these players: Sale(M)a(Y)ze Ellingwort(H)ardema(N)ewport etc

Summarises very well all that seems to be said and heard about what we might do. Only thing missing is players we may target around the 37 range if our pick stays around that mark.

The FAQs include "can I bring my dog to the Grand final" haha

No, that’s Sophie our esteemed leader. She told me she’s had randoms approach her at matches, training sessions etc. asking her, “are you WCW?” 😁

I know it's laughable to make any comments off photos but....... his kicking action in that photo looks like someone who knows how to kick a footy. While he might look skinny from my point of view he also looks pretty cut for an 18 yr old. Skin folds already look pretty good. He doesn't look like he's coming in from a zero base like some other Rookie B's I've seen.

I still recall in Kozzies first season, sitting behind some feral Carlton supporters, who stopped short of racially abusing him, but at best, kept calling him Cyril. I just couldn’t understand why you would knock a first year player. Anyway, after Kozzie kicked a great goal, I jumped up screaming “go Cyril.” Then again after his second goal and every time he touched it. It drove the ferals mad. They went very quiet and we won, a good day at the footy.

Gomer Pyle was a fictional character but boy could Jim Nabors sing. If Kyah could play football as good as Jim Nabors could sing we have a winner.

The media will also always use star players as a comparison because they're the players that people know. The comparison that Sheahan was previously making for Jefferson was Harry Jones. It's no surprise that they're now using Max King as the comparison, since most casual fans would say 'who the hell is Harry Jones?' It's why every year some slowish player with great composure is compared with Scott Pendlebury but not many compared with Harley Balic or Dom Tyson. It's more about giving the casual fan a general idea of the player's style, rather than their quality.