Farmer

Not every new young player is an immediate star. True we have recruited 4 dashing, talented, 200 game players, all of whom played today. But I feel Howes, who has been slower to develop could turn out to be a very good defender . In future I can see him played on tall half forwards- he has been nervous under pressure thus far but with some confidence I believe he will make it . Did well today in an undersized defence after Turner went dowb.. Talikibg of which how about Kelly Underwood? Decided that Disco was number 20 and repeatedly confused him with Howes, Lindsay and others even after Disco had been subbed out . Fearful error by a well paid journalist .

I absolutely agree with this! He repeatedly dominates as a Mid at Casey. He must be told he is in the team for, say a month, so he can show his real ability in the 1s

Notwithstanding his 2 goals, I still think playing Jefferson in those conditions was a mistake. Johnson does bring his bollocking, rucking skills

I agree with this. No reflection on either Johnson or Jefferson, but instead of removing Howes, I would have had Langford on quite early in place of , I think, Jefferson. Johnson was a little helpful in the ruck

The idea that Henderson or Curley be played without a single practice match seems ridiculous . If JVR can’t play, by all means give Jefferson a run, but, either way, Johnson should be in the 22. I don’t want to see JVR or Jefferson in the ruck

Hasn’t Chandler had an interrupted preseason.? I think that at his best he is a pretty good forward. Sharp shooter

And I thought the key forwards for GWS were pretty ordinary v Collingwood

Bugger, that’s awful news for AMW and MFC . And not great about Hore who was in my preferred 22

Well, seeing as I started this topic, I should indicate that I have changed my mind . I appreciate that by Q4 NM were tired and had their big ruckman off the field. But I thought Johnson was a revelation . I expected him to compete fearlessly without much effect . But I was amazed at his ball getting ability apart from his v adequate ruckwork. I agree, best keep JVR out of the ruck. The best way to achieve this is to have Johnson in the 22, to let him ruck for 5-8 minutes a quarter, and otherwise ,make some mischief. At times at CHF where he played the entire season with Werribee. At other times in the forward pocket alongside JVR, while Turner is at CHF The big loser yesterday was Jefferson , I just can’t see where, at this stage, he brings as much to the team as Johnson . And I dunno where this leaves Tom MCD or Petty!

Well we know one thing! He can slot a goal from a set shot at 50m

How often has he done that? Once?

As everyone picks their starting 22, and Petty, May and Lever fill the key backline positions, I say we play Tom at CHF. IMV none of the key forward contenders are showing much except JVR who must play FF. Make Turner , Johnson, Jefferson, etc fight for their spot. At least we know we get a great contest with Tom who had an excellent year in 24, admittedly on the backline . Turner shows flashes but, really, how many disposals a match will he get? 8 or 10? If Tom plays, is told to move around to offer targets from the middle of the ground, I’d rather have him at this stage

With the exception of Johnson all the bigs were with us in 2024. I’d love to hear of determined work on lowering the eyes when entering the Forward Line. I would also love to hear that JVR, Turner and Jefferson are being taught by a specialist in leading . There is real skill in leading. I saw an undersized FF at school , turned into a real gun once he learnt timing etc . He was barely six ft yet went on to a great career as a FF in Amateur A Grade

Gosh! I admire your comparison but pre AFL Wilson averaged 3 plus goals per game . Our bloke, from memory averaged about .5 goals per game . Tho I accept that one year in the O and M League when he was very young, he did better .

I FEEL I should agree with the optimism. And in a very long interview with Clarry Oliver last year, he also expressed the view that the team had plenty of decent forwards— it was up to him and others to deliver to them. This has apparently been an issue during preseason, better delivery to Van Rooyen, Turner and others, but has it really improved? Nate Jones, great chap that he is, doesn’t inspire me with confidence. Great delivery to the forward line was not exactly his forte So I still don’t get the impression the problem is solved . I’m certain JVR will end up a very good player but IMV just yet he is not. We really have no idea whether Jefferson will. I don’t get the impression Turner is starring in the match sims. So, who will be the key forwards? I don’t believe the club yet knows . It does seem that Fritsch is training impressively . I would love to believe that the match Committee has a clear handle on all of this but I see no evidence it has

Must say I’m puzzled by the controversy re Windsor. I thought he had a fabulous first season on the wing . We have heaps of half back flankers and I can’t see the point of adding him to that list. I regard Monez Wakefield as v promising. I rate Marty Hore as very capable tho he struggles to get a game. I thought Howes’ end of 2024 was very promising . Salem is still an excellent defender with supreme kicking skills. Bowey, now fully recovered from injury might have a great year, and when fit his disposal is great. And then we have both McVee and Rivers. I’m keen to see more of McVee in the middle , but it’s unlikely any of Petracca, Oliver, Viney, Sparrow will make room for him and I think he will at least initially start as a HBF. So why move Windsor?

We understood that! Don’t worry!

My suggestion that MFC might get to Caulfield in, or shortly after 2030 has drawn scorn from Dees fans who are friends. One directed me to The Age of 3 June 2015 when the Hawks announced they had bought the land at Dingley and hoped to move there in 4/5 years. Now, they expect to finish at Waverley at the end of 2025. Thus their expectation as to timing was 100 percent wrong . The other matter raised by the same friends is that MFC clearly expects a contribution from the VIC Govt for the Caulfield development . We find it very hard to imagine that in the present circumstances there will be any such contribution.

But when? Not before 2030. And I sense that MRC under Kanga are less keen on MFC than the previous admin

I think the article raises many issues worthy of thought. Gosch’s Paddock we share with Storm and Victory. Quite unsatisfactory, we must have our own space and facility. Waverley apparently available pre season 2026 Caulfield available when? Likely next decade. Ever heard of VCAT? Even if we have broad support, any local individual or sporting association can issue proceedings in VCAT which takes 2 years . none of our present top line players will get to use the facilities at Caulfield. Hawks are leaving W because, like all AFL teams, they need 2 ovals so they are going to Dingley— further from the CBD. They are NOT leaving because of poor facilities. The facilities have enabled them to win 4 flags ! Whether we go to Caulfield or Waverley we will keep Casey ( upon which we have spent a lot ). A combination of Waverley/ Casey works fine. Surface conditions at W are apparently first rate . Lighting? AFL players train during the daytime , not at night. Lights are needed for matches at night. There won’t be matches at night at Waverley ( or Caulfield) when we all struggled to get to and from Waverley it was due to the fact that 20,00 to 40,000 others were trying to do likewise. Waverley is very close to the freeway, in fact easier for most MFC supporters to get to than will be Caulfield . Admittedly there will be public transport access to C . Ryan’s piece mentioned 2 options, buying Waverley or leasing it . I’m concerned that putting all eggs into the C basket makes us vulnerable to pressure from anyone wanting to make the most of the situation. If my suggestions as to the drawn out timetable are accurate, why not lease Waverley for, say 3/4 years . Suck it and see. If Caulfield becomes just too hard we are not bound to it . And finally cost! Do we really need to spend $100m for training facilities ? I suspect that the Waverley option would cost less than one third of that

I recall Max saying that Fullarton was very close to selection for around 1 2024

Where does this information come from ?

Exactly. He might well end up a key defender . At #70 or whatever we’ve picked up a bloke who kicked 53 goals at Laverton and then played a whole year at Werribee as CHF, and they won the flag. I think it’s a great selection

Plainly some senior players believe that Goodwin’s increased anxiety and seriousness have not assisted him, or the playing group. IMV that’s entirely understandable in the light of the year we’ve just experienced. I think that all of these developments playing out now, rather than in Feb/ March give us every prospect of a much better year

Too cynical by far mate! Like most supporters we are keen to hear asap what the two Reviews have found. They are hardly leaks as Steve Smith is openly referring to them