Gator

Tom McDonald kick 5 goals in a game last year having trained as a defender for years. Sam Blease kicked 5 in a game. I couldn't care if he kicks 10 and wins their B&F. The MFC outgrew Watts.

They've run out of diversity bollards.

It's pretty clear that the club isn't rushing Viney, so I'm not sure why there are so many concerns on here and people that have zero clue as to his body and where's it's at saying he should hardly play in the first half of the season. They wouldn't have the foggiest when it's right for him to play.

Prior to JLT1 Lewis hadn't missed a session all preseason. And with about 15 preseasons under his belt I suspect he'll be fine as long as he's getting in plenty of match simulation sessions at training.

Without question.

We can beat anyone anywhere, but we're unlikely to. I'm aware where we won, but I'm also aware of Geelong's record at home. We're not going to win all 22 games, fella. We need to win round 1, because we're unlikely to win at Kardinia Park.

You won't have to worry. Gawn highlighted in his commentary on AFLX how good and competitive he was in "one on one contests". It was the first thing he highlighted about him and needless to he wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. And you would have already noticed his courage in the air at Casey and JLT games.

It's a very important game, because the reality is we're unlikely to beat them down at Kardinia Park later in the year. I don't want this mob beating us twice this year.

Far from panicking. I'd prefer him to Pedersen, but it's hardly wrist slashing material if he doesn't play the first few rounds.

I feel like cutting and pasting my comments from months ago, as all I'm doing is rehashing what I've said previously. Whatever Watts does or doesn't do at Port it was the right decision to move him on. Goodwin has been at the club for 3 years, so he knows how much Watts dedicated himself to his football. The decision to jettison a talented player isn't taken lightly, so Goodwin's belief is that the club and team are better off without him on the list. I believe it's as much a cultural decision as his insipid efforts on the footy field. I believe we're a better chance to win a flag with him off our list. Fritsch has the courage in the air that Watts doesn't and he's also very good one v one in a contest, which was hardly Watts' forte. Goodwin knows the message he wants to deliver to the group and talented yet lazy players like Watts, who had a major influence within the playing group due to his outgoing personality (especially impressionable young players), can impede those messages. Goodwin didn't get rid of Watts because he thought we'd be worse off. Obviously, the opposite is true. It won't be surprising if Watts has a good year. He's in his peak years and just had a rocket shoved up his clacker. But he couldn't be trusted to deliver on Goodwin's non negotiables. And that's the thing to remember here. He couldn't be trusted. Trust is huge at a footy club. Btw, I'm very excited by our forward-line. Hogan, McDonald, Garlett, Melksham, Fritsch, Hannan, Neal-Bullen with forays from Petracca, Harmes and others is just about as exciting as it gets for me. X-factor players galore. I'll be amazed if they collectively don't have a brilliant year, but even if they don't I won't be lamenting the loss of Watts for a nano second.

If you appreciated his departure was about more than just his deeds on a footy field I think you'd find it far easier to accept. He was a half dedicated footballer. His standards weren't elite. He didn't do all of the extras that the great players do to be the best they can be. And worse than that he came back from preseason not as conditioned as he should have been. Your gripe isn't with the Melbourne Football Club, your gripe is with Jack Watts.

These predictions were done before any of the JLT. Lloyd was asked on 3AW's Sports Today where Melbourne would finish and he said outside the eight because he couldn't trust them. After the JLT he flipped and said we could finish top 4.

That's a separate issue. You said it "discredits" the whole thing, which, of course, it doesn't. But I'd add that he's suffered greatly from his obstinance and lack of accepting responsibility for his actions. So I agree that it's self inflicted. But I'd also ask, what is he allowed to do ?

Why ? His opinion on football is not sullied. The guy never took ownership over his contribution to Essendon's drugs regime, but I fail to understand how that in any way invalidates his knowledge of the code. It's ridiculous to suggest his general footy IQ, i.e. watching the game, is in any way diminished. Especially when he was one of the smartest players on a footy field I've seen.

Interesting points. Viney apparently ran slightly differently after the plantar fascia (which led to the stress fracture in his third metatarsal), so one does wonder whether McDonald's ankle surgery has led to a slightly different running pattern also, which could perhaps have meant he favoured a part of the foot, which in turn led to a "hotspot". Is it coming back to soon, or the body (mind) over compensating for a recent injury in the biomechanics of running ? I'm not equipped to know.

Even if it's a stress fracture (and they're saying "hotspot") they're supposedly a 6-8 week injury. Which is why I think Viney must have suffered a setback (pain) at some stage.

It was reported on 3AW at 6.30pm. I have little doubt the reports are accurate. It is what it is. No biggie. Pedersen can cover McDonald for a couple of games if need be. It's not like he's Tony Lockett.

He was obviously talking about a "mindset". You overthink things.

I wish him no luck at all. I don't wish any opposition player "luck". When his career is over I'll have some fond memories and respect him as a former MFC player. But for now he wears colours I can't stand.

Rocking up to his 9th season (2017) he was still half dedicated to the cause. He'd run out of time. The right decision was made. Best you let it go.

You're going to need a far thicker skin if he ever makes it.

I think what you and others fail to appreciate is that Watts was let go for cultural reasons more than his footballing prowess.

It was unbearable when Watts was a listed Melbourne Football Club player, but I never thought it could be worse with him gone.

Get Fritsched.

Goodwin on the ground interview after the game with David King: David King: "Some fresh faces for round one ?" Simon Goodwin: "Yeah it looks like it, yeah look, Bayley Fritsch is playing some really good footy, so he's one guy I could nearly say that he's going to be pretty close to selection for round one". He was nodding his head as he was speaking. I read (heard) it as he's in.