TeamPlayedFine39

Whilst I understand the sentiment that it wasn't a 'classic' for Melbourne supporters, that night was the best individual performance I've ever seen by a player: Wayne Carey: 15 marks, 31 disposals, 11 goals 2 behinds... could play.

I wouldn’t have thought that water skiing was a particularly ‘dangerous’ or ‘wreckless’ activity for someone to undertake. May be a case of Kane Cornes being Kane Cornes and over-dramatising things, big I too have read some angry Port supporters slamming Wines online. FWIW I was also surprised by many Melbourne supporters and even Paul Roos’ comments about Petracca’s ankle injury whilst playing backyard basketball...

I always try not to sweat the small things in life or lose sleep over the things in this world out of my control, but for some reason AFLX makes me furious. It is purely an exploitative corporate bastardisation of our game from the kitsch format down to the tacky ‘Marvel’ superhero themed teams. Its genuinely worrying for the future of the game that the AFL wants to see this format succeed.

Hogan was an exceptional player and I doubt that the move west will diminish his powers at all. However, if our structure can hold up and function as well as it did for the final two rounds of the H&A and the first two weeks of the Finals, then we’re onto a good thing.

Very happy to see all the youngsters developing in the VFL this year. Will be watching Hore and Petty closely in the JLT and am excited by the prospect of Spargo with another pre-season under his belt and Baker finding a spot on the wing at some stage in 2019.

That team would wallop the 2012-13 line-ups.

Robbo kicked 73 in 2005. Nietz kicked 68 in 2006. TMac kicked 53 in 2018.

Exactly. It’s ongoing management rather than a flare-up or recurrence.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-01-18/dancing-demons-ballet-helping-prevent-foot-injuries Refers to the video of him exercising his toe on the morning of Jack Viney's wedding.

I don't understand the offence that so many are taking to the comments of Petracca's physique. I haven't seen posters saying that he is fat, undisciplined or lazy; it's not a skin-folds issue with him. I am however of the belief that he would have a much more consistent impact on matches if he was lugging around 90kg frame as apposed to a 96kg one. He's the 7th heaviest player on our list and the 22nd tallest...

Was living in Fremantle for this match- was a great day! That, and the win against the Lions were epic!

I doubt they would say that he is perfect and everything they could ever hope he could be. If you asked the fitness team if they would like him to have the aerobic capabilities of Josh Kennedy, I think they’d say ‘Yes please.’ Trac is a gun and I adore him; but he’s not perfect... yet.

I wouldn’t say he’s ‘overweight’ as in out condition. I would say I think he’d be more value if he lost some of his bulk. His current build is reminiscent of a young Jobe Watson of Josh Kennedy (syd); they became elite midfielders when they lost the extra ‘bulk’.

Good that this thread has led to a few more people signing on to Demonland. This site is a godsend for so many people living away from home, missing that connnection with footy.

Thanks for the training reports- much appreciated! Any observations on how Jeff Garlett has been training?

Hong Kong. Have a very accommodating local bar that had no idea they had AFL on their cable package until I told them. Always happy to have it on the big or small screen for us (usually just me and the wife) whilst everyone looks on confused.

Saw that one- think it was on Petracca’s insta-story. I thought it was interesting but not shocking or surprising as it could be ongoing maintenance for the toe. There are dozens of photos and images from that wedding where TMac is in shiny, pointy brown shoes- can’t imagine him being allowed to wear them at all if there was an issue...

How do the AFL manage to take something that absolutely no one liked, then remodel it and produce something that absolutely no one liked..?

“Angus Brayshaw was also on light duties, but it's understood he has been sick this week, while Jake Lever is set to return to the track on Monday following a minor procedure on his left knee.” Dees endure brutal session in summer scorcher

Have Gawn and Preuss gone head to head in any rucking drills?? How’s Preuss compare?

I think Petracca is judged very harshly and is the victim of media hype and supporter expectation. 24 disposals, a goal and 3 tackles a game plus making the AFLPA best 22 Under 22 team - all in a supposedly average season that saw him hospitalised with blood poisoning... At 22, he's still years off his peak and when compared to a player like Dustin Martin, his statistical output at this stage of their respective careers is comparable. I think he'd find life a lot easier on the field if he was able to shed 5kg, but while at times he looks laid back, he's never struck me as a 'lazy'.

I don't think it is an 'indigenous' issue. He never looked settled, comfortable or happy out there this year. There was no spark, no joy in his football. He's a very, very talented player and when someone who was in All Australian contention for much of 2017, can't even get a game in 2018, we look to injury or private life for a possible reason. As he played out the year in the 2s, and there was no apparent injury issue, that leaves one logical conclusion to allude to. IMHO he can get back into the team and have a huge impact on the side. When he's 'on', he is a fast, agile, creative, one-touch player who can turn a match. There's room in any side for a player of that quality. However, we didn't see that player out there this year...

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-11-26/gallery-draftees-begin-life-at-melbourne MFC site has the gallery up. (Kade Chandler is up against it trying to take down Maynard on his first day.)

I'll take the coward's way out and reserve my best 22 until after Christmas. What I am very pleased about however is the fact that we aren't posting teams of new draftees. It wasn't that long ago that the teams posted in this thread would have had all of Sparrow, Jordan, Nietschke and Bedford in the '22. It's incredible to think the weight of pressure and expectation that we as fans and a club used to lump on these young kids. Hopefully a full and productive year in the VFL to grow and develop as footballers.

Or a VFL player like Fritsch.