Bang Bang Bang

Kosi for Hibberd. Petty to go back. Another possible out is Sparrow (just 10 touches) but I feel like he was vital in getting centre bounce clearance momentum back. No way can Harmes replace JJ. Jordon was immense today.

Also I know Viney on Maverick Weller exists, but May's tackle today is up there with the best I've seen in our games.

We are a better side than the 2021 version. Doesn't guarantee anything but I'm bloody excited. What a luxury having Brodie Grundy take over the #1 mantle from Max and absolutely dominate. Meanwhile McStay will be Collingwood's #1 ruck for the next month. LOL!

Dogga is going to cop a hiding in the WA media this week. It's one thing dropping marks and having no impact, it's a whole other issue when a zip 2 team has their first pick tied up on the investment. Hope mum's lasagna is worth it.

The journos are running with 4-6 weeks now too. Great news. And probably a lesson there for all of us who’ve been trawling this thread all day.

Harmes is too clumsy for my liking and Melksham plays like he’s not invested. Obviously Gawn will go out for someone. I’d back the rest of them in. Sydney are a real bogey side and in form so I’m concerned about how this one plays out.

I have no doubt if you told me May would be a late out and Max would go down in the opening minutes, then I would have known for sure we’d struggle to beat Brisbane on their own moist dung heap. But it was still a really poor performance, probably our worst effort since the Cairns debacles in 2020. So many clumsy frees against by the usual suspects. Petty has been poor this year and could make way for May. Just saying. His hobbling can’t fool me! Love the guy by the way. On a positive note it’s clear as [censored] day Lachie Hunter makes us better and it’s good to see footy’s most likeable man Big Bad Bustling Benny Brown turning the clock back to 2018. Take the fake margin and move on. We will be right.

I think it got swept under the rug because we won... and.... it's.... Clarry. But it was maybe the dumbest thing I've ever seen a Melbourne player do on the field. Up there with ANB playing on from out of bounds in the 2018 prelim.

Regarding Ben Brown - our new game style is going to suit him to a tee. Already looks like close to the prime North Melbourne version of himself. Speaking of the game style, how good was it to watch? That was way better than how we played at the MCG last year - 10 zip included. Beats me why we bombed it to the pocket for an entire year but good on Goody for switching it up.

MAY TO PLAY AT CASEY NEXT WEEK!!!! That final Ben Brown goal was not safe for work.

It would be good if G&G stopped talking and butting in so much when the guest is on (particuarly Gawny). I feel like Lachie Hunter was an interesting guest and a little on the cheeky side, but he barely got a word in. Chandler spoke well but his news had already been covered earlier in the episode too. Despite those criticisms, I think it's a good podcast with a good dynamic. Lachie didn't even know if the Dogs do one!

Nope. He always carries on a little bit when he cops a knock but he's missed one game in about six years. Lock him in for Round 1.

Kicking 121 points against a supposed contender without Fritsch (who would have kicked at least 4 with that supply) is very pleasing from a connection point of view. Grundy and Gawn, I wasn't sold on the idea, but it is making us look pretty formidable. I loved Jackson, but I'm already thinking [censored] Jackson. The only negatives would be that Chandler and Laurie didn't really take their chances, and Ben Brown is still a bit of a worry. Oh and I should mention that Lachie Hunter was an absolute smirking pest when he played for the Dogs, but he's always been a very good player. This is nothing new. That was the best trade of the off season.

It's hard to predict when a player will start slowing down, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if this isn't the last contract he signs for us. A 34-35 year old Steven May, perhaps playing in a Hibberd-type role, would still be good enough for AFL and in the best 22 most likely. Hope his body can hold up.

3 likely teens picks for 4 and 22 is ok by me. I’m curious who JT is targeting though.

I really like Mitch Wallis. 2020 might be too long ago now to use as an accurate form guide, but he had a great year and towelled us up on the Gold Coast. Excellent 1-on-1 and a deadeye in front of goal. From all reports a great guy to have around the club too. I'd be surprised if we were interested in him as Melksham plays a very similar role and we're keeping him another year. But some food for thought...

I think it was within 24 hours. There’s two of us floating around as @Nashermentioned. All good though, it’s only the best moment ever and all. Here was me thinking Nasher was a big fan of my work knowing all my previous names before letting the cat out of the bag re. How to search for it.

I always read @goodwindees as Goodwin Dees up until about a week ago. Guessing it’s a little play on words or nothing to do with Simon at all now.

One of my most hated players in the league by a mile. Maybe only Weightman and Selwood (retired) ahead of him. Let’s get him anyway.

What’s with all the negativity? Mitch Brown’s stats look very unremarkable on paper but he did his job for us for three seasons. Weid had his moments at times too. We need someone to replace them for those same moments throughout a long season. Schache is about that quality of player. Honestly I’d rather just keep Weid but if he’s out, Schache makes perfect sense. Cam Pederson circa 2018 would be perfect right about now.

Seem to recall a story of Mark Neeld giving him [censored] in his predraft interview in 2012 and Brodie gave it right back to him. Was just a rumour I think but I’m choosing to believe it and say Brodie is a great guy for that alone.

I don't mind the trade from North's perspective. For starters JHF never wanted to be there. Second, his on field form in 2022 was rather underwhelming. He had some good games and was overall pretty solid, but his form nowhere near matched the hype he came with. Daicos and Sam Darcy look like far better prospects from the first round. Rachele too IMO. Thirdly, the guy clearly has an attitude problem. It's pretty rare for those sorts to go on and become the very best players in the game. All in all I think he should have LOST value from 12 months ago but they end up with 2, 3 and an additional first round pick. Of course downgrading 1 isn't ideal but picks 2/3 often turn out better anyway and without the scrutiny.

Honestly, pick 13, a future first tied to Freo (somewhere around 7-14 most likely), and North's future second (19 very likely) is pretty good currency even if we have to send something back. I feel like draft picks are overvalued at this time of year but that's as good as we're going to get. It sucks a bit but that's the market. I loved Dogga and do think he'll be a superstar, but there are a lot more "generational" players out there than there are generations themselves! There are two 'generational' players this period changing clubs alone.

With Mitch Brown retired, Weid on the way out, JVR unproven, Ben Brown about to turn 30 and horribly out of form, Dogga leaving (OK he sucked as a forward but still).... and TMac's foot being no sure thing.... we really need to find a key forward insurance policy in the next few days. Surely we're not putting all our eggs in the Gawn basket.

Freo are douchebags. This is eerily similar to what happened with Hogan in 2018. We wanted two early first rounders, Freo wouldn't budge. We ended up accepting "unders" of pick 6 (May) and 23 (Sparrow). May alone helped get us a flag and Sparrow looks like he'll be a 150 gamer. Freo got two dud years out of Hogan then offloaded him to GWS for a fourth rounder - and now he's rediscovering his best form again with the Giants. Hope the karma bus hits them again. Would be great if they tanked it next year and that future first became a top 5 pick.