At the break of Gawn

I'm certainly no meteorologist but there's no signs at all that there's a cool change coming Saturday which means it's going to come some time on Sunday. Given it's 27 forecasted with a low of 22, I wouldn't be surprised if it comes quite late in the day. Maybe even in the evening which means there's a chance we might miss the rain altogether.

When did he start unfollowing the club on insta? I noticed he hasn't liked a post from the club since about August.

There's always a few teams that will completely surprise the "experts". It was us and the Dogs in 2021. The aging Cats and the Pies' ridiculous close win run in '22. The Giants resurgence in '23 and the Hawks in '24 are just to name a few. I know there has to be positivity from the club, but the messages I'm hearing sound eerily similar to 2021. I'm not saying we'll go all the way this year, but my gut feels is we will win a big final at the G this year.

The behavioral issues being talked about with him are a major concern. He'd be better off getting away from Vic and playing for Brisbane as a Daniher replacement.

Mind games I'm thinking from Kingsley. Doesn't want to give up selection news yet, but knows both Green and Hogan won't play.

I'm still doubtful he had strapping still on this weekend.

This is so grim for Collingwood, and I love it.

I think we need to make it a high stoppage game. Gawn, Oliver, Petracca and Viney did some of the best clearance work I've seen since 2021. If we win it at the source, they won't be able to get their run and carry game going. The Pies also play a very aggressive press, so once you get through the initial numbers, you have paddocks of space. I can't see us being opened up like that. I'm actually expecting us to win by 4-5 goals with the outs the Giants have.

With Hogan, Green and Riccardi out surely we have to absolutely go in for the kill on this. Other teams won't get this luxury.

We're on the same page regarding the forward line. I just find it hard to believe we are going to worry really good defensive sides without some more talent with our tall forwards. Turner has some potential in that he's a great competitor and usually a straight kick for goal, but his issue is his height and athleticism. I honestly think we need to throw Petracca forward more, he'll draw a really good defender which may make it easier for Fritsch or Turner.

IIRC, Tmac played on Hogan most of the game when we last played them. Surely May takes Hogan this time. I think with our improved forward handball game, and a dominant stoppage set up, we should ultimately break them. My only concern is the talent of their tall backs. We need big games out of Fritsch and our other smalls as I think JvR and Turner are going to find it difficult.

Also just to add, Freo only missed 7 shots on goal (6 of their points were rushed). We missed 16 shots on goal...

I thought we started the game really well, but once Freo got their transition game going we really struggled and they piled on 6 in a row. Once we started to dominate in the middle again it looked much much better. Overall I thought our back 6 were really poor, and we really struggled against Freo's forward pressure by the likes of Bolton and others leading to a heap of uncharacteristic defensive 50 turn overs. The positives were that we smashed them in clearance which is something they've done to us over the last couple of times we've played them. Our mix looks much more dynamic and I really liked our forward handballs. I think Adam Simpson said at the end "I've probably walked away a lot more impressed with what Melbourne is capable of this year" and I have a similar sentiment. I think we're absolutely capable of having a big year this year if our top liners can stay on the park

Maybe they're focused on just the new game style because there looks like no oppo work has been done. Doing nothing to stop Freo's transition game.

Freo are our kryptonite so I think there's no better team to play to finish our preparation for 2025. It will be a great test for the coaches and players to put into practice some of the tweaks over the off season My first wish for today is no injuries. My second wish is to stay with Freo the whole time and even a win would be nice to show we've closed the gap on Freo. If we get smashed in clearance and lose by 6-7 goals, I feel like we might be heading into a disappointing 2025.

Goodwin will be appearing every fortnight (Every second Wednesday) on AFL360 this season. Goodwin has agreed to join the show every two weeks, a marked departure from recent years when he chose to do few media appearances other than his mandated ones. "This is important to him," Lyon said. "He had been through a rollercoaster, professional and probably personal. "I think this is about the coach (as a person), as opposed to the Melbourne Football Club coach. Just to talk about coaching and the pressure and where it can take you in the highest of moments and where it can take you in the darkest of moments.

I'm liking what Brad is doing, although I'm not sure putting a specific high price on Kozzy was such a good idea. I get that it was probably an exaggeration, but it would have been smarter to say "If Kozzy does desperately want to go home at season's end, then whichever club he nominates needs to understand we will not be compromised on any deal, which could involve multiple high draft picks or an A grader with a similar age profile."

I firmly believe the Pies will miss the 8 again. They just don't have the depth to cover the usual injuries that will come with their aging list. Heck, if N Daicos had a season ending injury they would probably finish bottom 4. Watch for a suite of retirements and trades come season's end.

Has Mick Warner written an article yet?

I get your point, but someone needs to call out Sam McClure’s employers. It’s getting beyond responsible what he’s been allowed to “report” lately.

100% correct.

Has there ever been a story more driven by the media than this?

That’s got about as much credibility as a spam email from Russia.

Very good get for Carlton. I’m annoyed we didn’t throw our hat in the ring as replacement for Pert.

It was a power move because he wasn’t there.