TeamPlayedFine39

I don't have time to read through every post. Is the general vibe positive..?

I think we all need to get comfortable with this because we'll be hearing about that game and his performance for the next 25 years.

I'm 43yo and been watching very closely since '93. Max stands head and shoulders (figuratively and literally) above everyone else in that time.

The best defender I've seen at Melbourne in my time and one of the most influential on-field players. Has single-handedly won matches for us with almost superhuman efforts. With that said, there a bit of Akermanis about him; in that success covers up a lot of of problems. When the success dries up, people's tolerance of off field issues wears very thin, very quickly.

The 30s aint what they used to be! Great to see two players going round again after very solid years.

Unless the new coach is six time All-Australian half back flanker Corey Enright.

This is a sad day and it's nothing to celebrate. There was probably a sense of inevitability about the decision but Goody was a key factor in bringing us something that most of us had never experienced before. His careers should be, and will be, celebrated in time as one of the greats of the Melbourne Football Club.

Anything related to management is not what I was responding to.

Barely a player on our list that hasn’t been written of by Demonland in their first few years- including players who have left the club and are player regular football elsewhere. ANB was a liability. Beford was not a ball winner. Jordon had no weapons. Don’t get me started on the impatience with Gawn, McDonald, Brayshaw, or the huge error of drafting Kossie over Weightman. Gameday thread in Petracc’s first game referred to him a a one speed ‘plodder’. Most kids take time; few burst out of the blocks and sustain it. Some will make it and some won’t, but two thirds of the way through their second year, following a massive injury lay off is too early to make a statement one way or the other. Of our many issues, Kolt ain’t one of them.

Like Salem, struggles to return from injury. Was in excellent form last year, prior to injury; struggled on return.

I don’t immediately like this idea. Has proven to make some odd, emotional decisions in the past when their team isn’t performing. In a similar vein to Goodwin, aside from his flag season, not sure he’s got the best out of the lists that he’s had.

I'd agree. I'm advocating for 'shopping them around', rather looking for a silver lining if they were to insist on a move. I'm glad we held Petracca and Oliver to their contracts, but if it comes around again, and the offer is equitable I'd say take it.

If Petracca and Kossie were to leave and we were to get close to their value in draft picks, the rebuild is pretty close to done. Add three more Top 10 picks to our 24 and unders and you've got a decent core of youth.

The players have spoken. Something is rotten in the club.

Historically, the Dees thrive when expectations are low and, well… expectations are low. Melbourne by 25.

Our 2021 fixture was bog-ordinary but I had a great time!

Thanks for the updates! Anyone know if there’s a site posting the stats?

Practice matches for us have an added importance this year with GWS already playing in 'Opening Round'. They would already have had an intense game to build match fitness and practice their gameplan against genuine opposition. I think we ran over the top of the Bulldogs in R1 2024 due to already having an Opening Round match under our belts.

If I disregard the 90s and only considered performances this century, my team would look something like this… Jetta May Frawley Brayshaw Lever Salem Bruce Oliver Yze Petracca Hogan Pickett Davey Neitz Fritsch Gawn Viney Woewodin Int: J.McDonald Jones Robertson Green Sub: Hibberd T.McDonald, Langdon, Johnstone, White, J.Rivers, Vince and Whelan all unlucky.

This is impossible - he was traded to Port Adelaide two years ago!

You can only be ruled ineligible if you commit the offense in a home and away match from that season. Basically, only matches that count toward that Brownlow. You can be suspended in Finals and preseason matches and still be eligible for the Brownlow.

Great content! But it’s now clear, as someone who doesn’t like being touched, I never would have made it in the AFL.

Bit off buzz in the forum today! Great reading - thanks everyone!

Glad to see Christian is healthy and training hard and I hope he has a great year. I honestly wish him only the best. There’s no logic to barracking for a football team; logic collapses immediately when we ask ourselves why we do what we do. We cheer kids kicking a ball around a field…. It’s absurd. The fact of the matter is, if Petracca had what he wanted, he’d be at AIA and not Gosch’s. That hurts the heart, even if my head can understand it. And, in footy, the heart trumps the head every time. I’d love to go bananas every time Petracca gets his hands on the ball next year but, truth be told, my heart has checked out on him. That’s 100% personal and, in all honestly, I’d hate to change anyone’s mind on the topic, but I’ve kinda checked out in him. Which is sad - he’s been a favourite of mine. But the love has gone for now.

I don’t know if Clayton Oliver spends any time thinking about ‘Brand Oliver’, but his off season should be studied in the curriculum of anyone entering into sports management and online promotions. I feel nothing but love for Clarry after he has had a very similar offseason to a teammate who is very conscious of his brand off the field. Two players, both explored their options… one has come back, an absolute darling, the other’s standing is (imho) sadly tainted.