Gator

It's most definitely an undercurrent throughout many of the posts across these 26 pages. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here.

The indigenous players' version of events, or ''their story'' as I keep reading on here, need to be fully tested. There seems to be a presumption that their accounts are beyond scrutiny and are to be accepted as fact. This doesn't sit well with me. I look forward to seeing how these accusations play out with both parties having a fully transparent and fair hearing.

Anything I say about Grundy is done so under one important proviso, his body gets back to being 100% (or very close to it). Grundy is twice AA and twice a Copeland Trophy winner. He's 203cm to Weideman's 195cm. How you can equate their onfield output as being anything remotely similar is not only beyond me, I find it extraordinary.

Aaron Sandilands played until he was 36. He was still playing good footy at 32, but injuries effected his final years. Dean Cox played until he was 33. Shane Mumford played until he was 35. Last good year 33. Paddy Ryder played until he was 34 and looked like he could go again. Todd Goldstein is playing good football at 34. And is going again. Ben McEvoy played until he was 33. Last good year 32. My point ? Not many ruckman are AA at 24 like Cox and Gawn. Most start playing their best footy from 25 onwards. And plenty can be important contributors well into their 30s. Grundy plays all of next year as a 29 year old. For me that doesn't put him near the back end of his career, it puts him smack bang in the middle for a ruckman. How many rucks reach their peak before the age of 26 ? More-so 28+. Our premiership window should be at least the next 4 years. At the end of this period Grundy will be 32 and should still have some years left. Subject to injury he should play at least 100 games. You may not think Grundy will work, or you may wonder how it will work, but if he's injury free his age for our list demographic is not only fine, it's perfect. The only proviso is his injury status. So dismiss Grundy as a good trade target all you want - no problem - but stop using his age as an issue. From an age perspective, he's in the "window" at the exact time we are.

The onus is on you to go through each point and prove their falsehoods. It's entirely unsurprising to me that you're not up to the task. And if you're right, I'm sure those in the wider community (who disagree with him) will be at pains to point out his errors. Perhaps you're waiting for others to show the way.

So Mordy, once a factional member of the ALP and former ALP candidate ruled against Bolt ? Shock horror. If you want to refute the comments in Bolts article you're welcome. But I'm entirely unsurprised in your two posts since some of it was shared you've declined to do so. Unless you share sometning more meaningful don't expect a response.

Yes, I know. So what ? Leftist activist judge (and former terrible VFL footballer) Mordy Bromberg made a shocking judgment. It's Rob Hulls legacy. In fact, one of the complainants subsequently went on Bolt's television show and said he was right, which was a pretty brave thing to do. Leftist judges unbelievably convicted George Pell, only for that verdict to be overturned by all 7 High Court Judges. What an indictment on those pathetic judges.

The Left despise Andrew Bolt, so many on here need to check their blood pressure because I just mentioned his name. 🤣 I won't quote too much of his article in today's HS, but here's a snippet re Pearce. Where did Pearce learn such a string of falsehoods and exaggerations? In school? And how many other young Australians have been coached into such hatred of our past and institutions? In fact, there was no “genocide”, and while land was “stolen”, Aborigines today have some form of control over 49.3 per cent of Australia. Nor has the Aboriginal culture and way of life been “erased” so much as adapted or abandoned. Western civilisation is more attractive and makes for an easier life than foraging for yams and grass seeds. It’s also given Aboriginal women more rights than male-dominated tribes ever did. As for the “stolen generations”, the courts are yet to find a single person “stolen” from their family just because they were Aboriginal, and not abandoned or in perceived danger. Cue the melts, but if you disagree, try using facts over emotion. And try not to argue with me. I take no credit for Bolt's arguments. I share because some may be interested.

You could list 100 chronological events of the past and they would mean precisely nothing when evaluating this potential trade. It's a non sequitur argument. There are legitimate reasons why some aren't sure of a Grundy trade; Lumumba, et al, isn't one of them. As for the trade ? I'm open-minded. The idea that the competition's best core midfield is serviced by multiple AA calibre ruckman for 100% of game-time is somewhat compelling. In and of itself it's a tremendous advantage going into any game. But how would it work ? For the longevity of both players, as well as integrating a workable system, I suspect you'd look to play both for approx. 75% game-time. It feels like Grundy would be the main ruck and perhaps play 60% ruck with Max at 40%. If both are playing 75% game-time then they're on the ground for roughly 90 of 120 minutes, i.e. Grundy 54 minutes as main ruck and Gawn 36 minutes. This would then leave Grundy with 36 minutes not in the main ruck position and Gawn with 54. Btw, this isn't meant to be a precise exercise and their time on ground together would be staggered across 120 minutes. Under the above scenario Gawn has approx. 13.5 minutes per quarter of game-time where he's either in the forward half or behind the ball - just under half a quarter while he's not the main ruckman. The corresponding time for Grundy is 9 minutes per quarter. Is it workable ? Can either hit the scoreboard enough to concern the opposition ? Or are they a liability while they're not the main ruck ? What other tactics does Goodwin have in mind ? For me it's workable IF the forward-line is potent without either player's presence up forward. If the connection is much better, if McDonald gets back to his best, if van Rooyen is somewhat of a revelation, if a key forward trade target comes to fruition, or if Brown returns to form (I have dounts). One expects more of the same from Fritsch and Pickett. But general ball movement from defence to the F50 needs to improve a heap. It can. There are pros and cons for me, and I fully understand the skepticism, but I also see a pretty exciting upside. Imagine it worked while we're in our flag window. Some times you have to take a risk. *I'm assuming both Grundy and Gawn have no ongoing injury concerns. They're both in their prime as ruckman. Many rucks play to 34-35 years of age. Plenty of smart people can't see it working, plenty of smart people can and plenty have an open-mind.

Hopefully next year the commentators will pronounce van Rooyen's name correctly. It's pronounced van Royen. In this quick clip it's the first question he's asked. I thought his own supporters would also like to be sure. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1165273/walk-talk-a-minute-with-jacob

It wasn't that Jones thought Jackson had changed his mind, Jones stated that he had changed his owned mind. A subtle but major difference. Even then, it was clear Jones wasn't privy to any new intel.

Clearly, I won't be right, but through assessing games by watching, checking statistics as well as coaches votes I have Oliver and Neale tying on 27 with Petracca on 26. I have Oliver polling in 13 games, Neale 11 and Petracca 12. I have Oliver polling 3 votes in 6 games (rounds 3, 6, 8, 10, 13 and 23) Neale with 3 votes in 7 games (2, 5, 7, 9, 11, 19 and 21) Petracca polling 3 votes in 4 games (1, 2, 9 and 16). But I have Petracca potentially polling 2 votes six times. Unlike others I hope Oliver wins. It won't effect his performance in a GF should we make it. The accolade would be well deserved, so who am I to hope he doesn't ?

Levi Casboult is a limited AFL key forward, but he at least has one trick - pack marking. Weideman is an unathletic key forward with not a single standout AFL attribute. Handy VFL player, but he's done at AFL level.

Against Footscray in slippery conditions he couldn't hold his marks. At the other end Sam Darcy was one-grabbing contested marks in the same greasy conditions. I like JVR and anybody is better than Weideman, but I don't consider him to be presently a strong mark, nor do I think he'll compete well one-on-one against AFL bodies. He is however a very smart player at ground level and very athletic. He's the only 194+cm key forward on our list with a leap. Our key position forward stocks are presently so woeful I'm not against van Rooyen debuting soon.

van Rooyen is a two-grabber. He also dropped an easy chest mark from a perfect pass. Dropping chest marks is my pet hate. Infuriating. He's a smart player with plenty of ability, but he's also a fair way off AFL level for mine. That said, they named him as an emergency, so he may not be far off getting a taste.

Notionally, I'm not overly fussed if Brayshaw leaves, although I don't think he will. He's never finished top 5 in our B&F and in terms of importance I wouldn't have him in our top ten players. I rank him about twelth. For me, he's behind Gawn, Oliver, Petracca, May, Lever, Fritsch, Salem, Viney, Langdon, Pickett, Jackson, and Petty (not in order). He's a solid B grader, maybe B+. He has no dash and doesn't create, but he's terribly brave, smart, and reliable. Unlike DSpencer, I think his kicking off both feet has been very good this year. I'd rather he stay because we won't get commensurate value if he leaves. I attended a Q&A night with Brendan McCartney a few years back and he was no fan of Angus and was very unsure if the ''penny would ever drop''. He was questioning his maturity. Clearly it has and Gus has become a much-loved member of the footy club and also a leader. The fact that he's a Melbourne premiership player is also important to me. From a playing perspective I won't be too perturbed if he departs, but from a cultural aspect I hope and suspect he stays.

I suspect both considered her the best talent available. The AFL have introduced quotas with regards to female coaches and obviously management at 7 thought she'd broaden their audience. She's articulate, personable and if you wanted a female in the commentary box I doubt you'd look further.

Daisy is OK. Doesn't do a lot for me, but there are plenty worse. She does have some good insight. She wasn't selected on merit, more-so her sex, but it is what it is and she's shown enough in the role to suggest she's not misplaced. Garry Lyon annoys me the most, because he never shuts up. He must be paid by the word. He also repeats the same point so many times. I have to mute it. I'm also not mad on Nathan Jones. But he'll get better. It would be daunting in your first year. With experience I'm sure he won't sound so subservient. Kelli Underwood is easily the worst caller I've ever heard. The voice and hackneyed cliches are the pits. Thankfully, she gets the graveyard timeslot. Once again, she's not calling based on merit. Oh for meritocracy. But it's not the world we live in. Clearly ^^^ dubdee will have a conniption at my comments. C'est la vie.

Should have been a 10 goal loss. Fumble fumble fumble. Our fringe players were hopeless. Connection inside 50 deplorable. That said, they can turn things around.

He has one major issue he won't be able to overcome. He's too slow. van Rooyen is athletic. Sam is the opposite. He's a gap filler at best.

So they were a dynasty team during the season of 2017 even before they'd won their first flag since 1980 ? We have different views of what defines the term ''dynasty''.

Good teams with aspirations to be great, or even a dynasty team, don't lose 4 games in a row. Especially at their home ground. They need to find a way to get it done tonight. Much will be revealed.

I know they want Brayshaw to stay back and he's played very well in defence, but it's worth considering moving him back to the wing. Structurally it worked well last year. It also allows us to bring Rivers back, who we need to continue to develop. Hibberd in for Hunt is another consideration. A key forward with presence would also help.

Patent nonsense. Petracca received coaches votes in rounds 7, 8, 9, and 10, including the most votes in round 9 and the second most in round 10. I'm all for pointing out deficiencies in a players game, but I prefer stuff isn't made up.

If Jackson is OK to play and Petty is also right to go, I'd be keeping Weideman over McDonald. A simple decision I would have thought.