TeamPlayedFine39

I think we should share it - we're grown ups now.

2013 me would slap 2017 me in the face.

People are jumping at shadows a bit regarding injuries in this thread- and honestly, after the year we've had, who can blame them. Id be shocked if Jetta missed with a rolled ankle, Gawn with clear scans, or Viney after playing through so well on the weekend. Im predicting Jones to be held off for at least one more week- he's too important to our September prospects to be rushed and I'll be damned if we make the finals and N.Jones isn't the man to lead us out!

I would say this has been one of the most even and unpredictable seasons that I can remember- and my deplorable tipping results can testify to that! So many close finishes and come from behind victories (even some pearlers involving the dees) - I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the footy this year. This year there doesn't seem to be any safe margin at any stage of the match.

He is a genuine weapon for us. Today was not his best game and he was still able to influence the contest. We are dangerous and unpredictable with the ball in hand.

That's assuming I make it to the ground. F******* Melbourne traffic.

Fly home for one match a year and today's the day! We definitely start underdogs, but I've got a good feeling about this one. Dees by 24pts.

Having never seen Hulett play, I would be interested in what others think of his prospects. Only 20, but doesn't sound like he's been close to selection this year. He was all the rage early last year but receives little to no coverage nowadays. Has he shown any signs that he could develop into a player? Even a rookie lost spot?

Looks good to me - the more the merrier!

I'm proud to say I've believed in Trengove getting back into the team for past three years and have never taken a backward step... until last week when I finally accepted that he'd never play for the MFC again. This game messes with the head/heart/soul! Welcome back Trenners!

Is Kennedy a sneaky chance with Jeffy out? You'd think he'd be ahead of Johnstone on Casey form...

Punching people..?

You have a very valid point, but perhaps it's in keeping with the ideals of reconciliation - that is reconciliation for Jurrah personally. He's served his time and now, hopefully he's genuinely getting his life back together. Having him back at the club doesn't excuse the things he's done, but hopefully it's a sign that he's in a better place and ultimately, a better man. While we can look back at his onfield feats with amazement, he's no hero and that's why his career ended the way he did. Hopefully by having him back at the club there's something that everyone can learn.

Delete history and cookies.

Would be very pleased to see Watts, Tyson and Viney back in the side this week. Am a little concerned by how quickly Salem has gone from '2 weeks' to 'test'. Given his injury history, especially recurring soft tissue injuries in rehab, I would expect the club to err on the side of caution and give him another week. He's very important to the team and we risk losing him for the season if he pings it again. Agree with several posters above- we're finally looking like getting something close to our strongest 22 on the park in the coming 2-3 weeks. This thread has gone from doom and gloom to bright and sunny almost overnight!

And how much 'closer to the pinnacle' will Bernie be getting us in the next two weeks??

I'm assuming you're referring to the quotes in this article: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbourne-cocaptain-nathan-jones-says-bernie-vince-needs-to-smarten-himself-up-20170718-gxd9zj.html "We went through it yesterday with him, obviously he's disappointed by it but he really does need to smarten himself up particularly in that area "It's happened far too often with him over the last 12 or 18 months, he's been done too many times and then we saw on the weekend just due to a poor record last night he's gained the extra week as well." "It's frustrating for us because he's a very important player for us, he did a terrific job on Sloaney [Adelaide's Rory Sloane] on the weekend and we're definitely going to need him, especially with some of the injuries we've got but unfortunately we don't and I'm sure he's pretty remorseful for it. "We're disappointed in it but we have to move on and I'm sure he'll give back to the group as much as he can over the next couple of weeks and repay us when he returns." "He does fire himself up, there's no doubt about that. He's one of the absolute nice guys off the field, he's a ripping fella, one of my real good mates. When he gets out on the field he definitely plays right on the line on the edge and I think too many times he's gone too close to it or just over it and we're feeling the pinch from it because he's going to miss a couple of weeks," Jones said. "He has to tidy up those errant elbows or those errant arms that have cost him in the past ... that intensity of the game in the moment, he's overstepped." So that's what Jones said... where's the bus that he's supposedly thrown Bernie under?? Nothing harsh or unfair and Bernie is one of the most senior and experienced players on our list, he has for the second time this year, disqualified himself from playing due to ill discipline. If anything, he says more positive comments about Bernie than negative in that article. Nathan Jones is the captain of our club, the question was asked about our 'culture' and he demonstrated that our culture and leadership is strong and we don't tolerate players throwing matches away. We need our best 22 on the park. No one plays with more passion than Nathan Jones, but when was the last time he was suspended? I think you're overstepping the mark in questioning his respect for teammates and passion for the club.

I'm very conscious of 'critiquing the content and not the person'... your content is terrible.

That's huge news- this kid is a real weapon! Would love to see him crack the seniors for the last couple of rounds, then... who knows..??

Yep- he's a must delist at the end of the year IMHO. Maybe if a club is willing to pass a fourth rounder our way, we should leap at it. I want a young KPF to 'tear apart' every match they play, including the matches he plays while recovering from cancer. It's almost like his mind's been on things other than footy for slabs of the year??? We should look to emulate Round 5 2016 every week- I want Hogan to kick a bag and Melbourne to lose... anything less is unacceptable.

It's also worth considering that sometimes when you've been dealt a devastating blow- you might ask for people to leave you alone...

I love him. Feels good to get that off my chest.

If they take Dangerfield off they've only got one player on the field.

Having kids/babies in the house is a blessing. Every Friday night I watch the football with the sound off so as not to wake them, right now I'm watching the game while they listen to PlaySchool.

I would agree- it's very rare. My post was aimed more at the general idea that there is weakness in being hurt by words. Words are very hurtful to many.