TeamPlayedFine39

Article lists Oliver 188cm tall and a very, very slender 68kg. A typo surely?!?!

Nothing wrong with fielding a strong side. He does go on to say that it's an eight man bench, so in reality, it's your best side plus four playing emergencies. The idea being to have the team fully firing for round one. We don't have the luxury of easing into the season, nor will we be resting any stars so they're fresh for September. The MFC list, if anything, needs every possible opportunity to play together as a team as there has been such a big list overhaul once more this preseason.

Spencer is huge, aggressive, dirt cheap and if he was required to play during the year, while not a match winner, he wouldn't be smashed in the ruck. We have talls on our list to develop and Spencer is a bit of protection until they emerge. The only issue is that if he and Gawn go down we're in a bit of trouble.

Agreed. Brayshaw was always slated to start the year in the VFL and played the practice match for them the week before round one. His form at that level was irrepressible, so he got the early call-up. Not to put the pressure on Oliver, but it's good that he knows you have to earn your spot through performing in the 2nds.

Obviously I, like everyone else, would love to see Jesse locked down for the long term. However I can't for the life of me see the sense in him signing a 10 year deal. How could Jesse, his manager or the MFC have any idea what sort of money players will be on in ten years time. That'd be two broadcast deals from now when it's not inconceivable that player payments would be significantly higher than they are now. Big money in 2016 won't be big money in 2024.

Good on him and good luck to him. In 2013 it looked like he'd become a cult hero at the MFC, but it never really worked out. He'll get some Home and Away matches for the Hawks, but it's not one that'll come back to bite us.

There is something about Dean Kent. His aggression early against Richmond last year lay the platform for our win and who could forget his running goal against Essendon in 2014. Just needs to find more of the ball. Kent's never had a 20+ possession game in his career. A champion like Chapman was fast, physical, kicked goals but also got plenty of possessons. For Kent to go to the next level and above, he needs to find more of it.

I would say Dennis has a soft spot for all teams. He loves football and it come across in his commentary. Too many in broadcasting today are not enjoying the game they're watching; they feel the need to add fireworks, ego, 'personality' and false bravado. Commetti loves the game- and it shows.

It's not so much that that's a ridiculous conclusion to reach at this stage; it's more that you're basing your 'call' on one line in a Demonland training report.

I'm not sure the general public has really taken notice of Viney. By the end of 2016, everyone will appreciate him as a quality player.

This is fantastic for the club and women in football. I am a little bit confused however regarding Daisy Pearce. We've very much put her front and centre at the club, but with the Women's League starting this year, are we certain she'll be a Dee? Is there any proposed allowance for the MFC and the Western Bulldogs to keep our marquee players..?

Thanks for the training reports and great to see Trac up and running. Looks like he's lost of bit on condition in those legs- got some work to do.

Utter garbage. There is always a push from certain corners (usually the ones that stand to profit) to make pre-season practice matches more than they are. The should be about bringing players up to match-fitness, implementing and refining gameplans, and allowing players to practice with new team mates or positions. That's not to mention the utter absurdity of 'wildcards' where teams are allowed to play off against teams that have earned the privileged. The entire concept cheapens the concept of finals football.

You still trade players you 'rate'. You just ask for a higher return. I rate Dean Kent very highly, but I'd trade him for Jake Lever in a heartbeat.

By trading Trengove to Richmond (which I was against at the time) the MFC would have drafted Jake Lever; who were into in a big way. The fact that Richmond were willing to offer up pick 12 shows that he is/was a very highly regarded player.

Harsh, bordering on cruel. When Trengove's injury was first diagnosed, he said there was a part of him that was almost 'relieved'. He didn't know what was wrong with him, he didn't know why his body wouldn't do the things he wanted it to do; he didn't know where his power, speed or ability to 'push-off' had gone. He was relieved to find out there was actually something wrong and where in his body the problem lay. It was never a matter of him saying 'my foot hurts'. He does deserve a go at his football if for no other reason than no one deserves the terrible luck that he has had this far.

He did, but going by the reports, seems to be in full training.

Great read, much appreciated! Very happy that both Gus and Christian fell into our laps. You get the impression from some of the interviews with players that Petracca is a 'character'. Wright is an interesting case; very highly rated in his draft year but slipped in the order.

By the sounds of it Frost has recovered from the recurrence of his toe injury... touch wood.

Thanks so much for the ripping updates! Is Salem playing defense or midfield?

Good on him for having a go. I know that if I was a recently retired AFL player, who'd just finished up a 10 year + career, I'd be fat as a horse (ala Brian Lake). Well done Russ on staying in shape.

24 year old, big bodied mid fielder with pace who is a proven player at AFL level over a second round pick in a shallow draft. I wasn't doing cartwheels at the time, but I still believed it was a good trade. He's sitting out a year and while disappointing, it doesn't change the fact that we've recruited a player who should be a good contributor for the next seven or so years. I'd take Melksham.

One part of this is crystal clear to me, and seemingly the majority of the community; the medal has to be taken off me. I like Watson as a player and and, from what I can tell, an individual. However, he won an individual award whilst taking an banned substance. There is no conceivable way he should be able to keep it. Regarding what happens to the medal, that's a little bit more grey... I would suggest that is is 'unawarded' for that season. Firstly because so much time has passed, but also because the entire season has been tarnished due the doping of an entire team. It feels like the results are murky regardless of who's awarded the medal. The actions of the EFC have ruined 2012 and a vacant Brownlow where their captains name once stood should stand as a reminder of the shame that club has brought upon themselves.

I've only heard positives about him on the track. I'd say his eyes probably lit up when Petracca broke his toe. Did his chances of slotting into the half forward flank for round one no harm at all.

You won't get an equitable draw in it's current form; you have to take the good with the bad. I'd say Essendon will field a better team this year than we did it 2013.