Copuchas

Radar, I think it's ok to reference things that are on the public record, so we can mention Mick Molloy and Nicole Cornes. I love the front bar in terms of Andy Maher and Sam Pang but Molloy is a base, boorish, bullying oaf in my view that can't disguise in any way, shape or form his loathing for all things MFC. And as for Sam's misogyny, I'm not sure we climb that ladder even one rung when it comes to Molloy.

Not defending the quartet because I don't know what specific parameters were set. However, there is a possibility that the Club put in place a protocol for the 4 games in 18 days for the entire senior list without thinking through that the 6 day turnarounds and travel component didn't apply to the Casey fixture and therefore ought not apply to the Casey players. There is also a possibility that the quartet thought for the same reason, that it didn't apply to them ie misunderstanding. I'm fully supportive of the Club standing firm, would just advocate that the protocols put in place are well thought through.

Not sure if there's a standard rule but there was a specific protocol through the 4 games in 18 days period. Perhaps they thought it ought not reasonably apply to them as they stayed behind in Melbourne...

White promoted off the rookie list and will play http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-06-29/white-to-play-first-game-of-season

Indeed it's not, although everything else being equal, I'd prefer Kent's bigger body against the Swans (provided of course that he's prepared to use it). The team will need to be selected with maximum flexibility in mind this week as there's quite a few variables ie does TMac need to go back if Buddy gets off the chain on Frosty or OMac. In that sense, I'm more comfortable with Kent's ability to role through the midfield if Hunt got swung forward for example, than I am with JKH's ability to make a major impact at half forward. Similarly, Wagner probably a few more strings to his bow at this juncture than White. For us to win, Lewis, Vince, Viney and Tyson will have to play to their full potential I think against Hanneberry, Kennedy, Parker and Heeney.

Jeff's scan came back completely clear as reported in the club's injury update. If he had a hamstring tear, he would not be running laps. But he had / has hamstring tightness. So it becomes a risk assessment as to whether the tightness dissipates sufficiently to be able to play, including running at full speed which is vital to Jeff's game. I don't think he'll get up....

Just back from training. Salient points: - no Watts for the entire session - Garlett joined Jones for run throughs on the boundary for the whole session. Practiced a few snaps at goal but you'd think unlikely to come up - Jones quipped that his quad was feeling significantly better than the previous session - Hogan participated fully in the whole group session - Kent looked sharp and up and about - TMac doing lots of goal kicking practice - Joel Smith training fully with the main group - Hunt looked a bit flat, Pedersen looked a bit sore

I will be there with the mad wheaten terrier known as Fergus....

tomorrow, 6.25pm

Was in at the club yesterday, will attend training this morning and see how Hogan, Watts and Garlett are shaping. I would proffer that sore and tired bodies will be the key determinant of changes this week, followed by team balance / match-ups. Dangerfield's comments on TF were instructive about consecutive 6 day turnarounds and the cumulative toll. Expect to see "rested" or "managed" next to a name or two. Watts will be the key. Going back to Webber's informed comments on hamstrings, you'd conclude that Watts' hamstring isn't the back related variety and hence it would be unlikely he'll get up this week. But here's hoping. I think Hogan will play and that the club was just taking the external expectations pressure off him when they said 2-3 weeks more. The club had the game budgeted at 39k (from start of the season), the AFL are forecasting 42k and the MCC 55K. They settled on 52.5k. 60k wouldn't surprise if the weather is fine (as per the forecast).

This doesn't leave much in doubt I wouldn't have thought...... http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-06-25/rd-14-dom-tyson-postmatch

I think what we're seeing is as a result of the emphasis the MRP now places on consequence instead of the action. If you go back to the round 2 incidents, there is no way that the Hogan and Lewis incidents warranted two weeks, it was purely the medical reports that sunk them. Clearly a medical report for any of these types of incidents has a continuum of potential slants that a Club Doctor can ethically put his name to. The fact that so much emphasis is placed on it by the MRP (rather than the action) has resulted in the medical reports having undue bearing on the outcome. It only needed for one club to exploit that and an arms race was going to ensue. I think that's what we're seeing and I've no doubt the MFC was sufficiently livid after the round 2 outcomes that it resolved firmly there and then for any medical report to be "comprehensive" in nature. Unless and until the competition moves to independent medical assessments by an AFL appointed doctor or the MRP focus returns to the action, it will continue unabated.

I think that's spot on Ted. Notably there was lots of encouragement for Kent at training from his team mates and Stretch too, including a reassuring arm around Billy's waste from the senior coach at one point. I've no doubt that everyone on the list knows what they need to work on, whether in the starting 22 currently or not.

Just back from training. Observations: Watts was stretching and manipulating his tender hamstring throughout the portion of the session he completed prior to leaving early as per the previous posts / SEN. It doesn't look like it will come up but I think he'd be right for next week. Hogan doing left foot snap practice with Daniel Cross whilst the main group warmed up. Left afterwards. Looked to be in good spirit. Wagner, Trengove and JKH in the middle at one point kicking in a triangle under the watchful eye of Goodwin Hibberd trained fully with no sign of discomfort Brayshaw and Smith joined in the training sessions and moved well great camaraderie amongst the entire group I suspect TMAC may play forward in Watts' absence but we'll see on Sat night.

I loathe Selwood as much as the next guy and maybe my eyes aren't as good as they once were but the vision I've seen on this seems to show his forearm striking Mitchell's back and then sliding up to the back of his head. I haven't endeavoured to do a frame by frame analysis though. Did they grade it as high or to the body?

The Hibberd talk arose because the media pack wanting to report on the status of Jones and Watts got images of Hibberd limping on the Tuesday morning. I'd suggest there's plenty of sore bodies the day after a game of AFL. Nothing in it whatsoever.

Probably not an abductor strain as we haven't stolen the premiership just yet. But an adductor strain might be a possibility! Put Vince in the midfield (to tag Mitchell) and bring in Wagner as the first of the changes.

Steady on! Paul Roos is totally biased to the Dees when commentating on Fox and Ox is unashamedly a Dees tragic on SEN.

Jim, I see it the polar opposite. I think the Dogs defence is a large chunk of their current problem. Boyd out of form and dropped, Suckling lucky to stay in, Murphy and Adams injured (and Morris only back in today). Biggs very ordinary and Johannisen shown up last week for his soft underbelly and now under huge pressure to stand up. Wood is the only consistent performer in recent times.

JKH will get another chance next week or the week after and so will a couple of others (Stretch, Wagner, Kent and maybe Trengove). The back to back to back 6 day breaks and a long road trip will ensure this is the case. Am amazed if all the Dogs' emergencies in fact played.

The other thing that has escaped the ferals is that, rightfully or wrongfully, the umpires are instructed to pay nothing but irrefutable free kicks in the dying minutes of a tight contest. Consistency with what has been paid in the game to date is jettisoned at that juncture. This is a long standing convention in AFL footy.

Would have been better if Bernie had said "not sure what'Collingwood's done since he's been there" !! Never mind, added spice all around. Bring it on

Have seen the AFL.com.au article quoting Josh Mahoney but just get the sense there's possibly some mind games being played here and Hogan might play. I assume team selection won't be until Saturday so there's some scope to draw things out for a few days yet. Appreciate an update on training this morning if anyone braved the cold and wet and got along!

No, no, no! Adams said Dunn hasn't been part of a successful club. That goes to core culture and administration of the MFC. I think you are missing that subtext which Adams most probably picked up from his President - they think we have been and always will be a rabble. From top to bottom. I trust that Jackson and Goodwin will leverage this fully on the biggest of stages, along with the ongoing references to it being "our Grand Final".

Am putting aside all my biases and just hoping all the sides currently in the 8 get beaten (with Geelong beating Adelaide so as to lessen the probability of Crows home finals). I still haven't given up a top four finish for the Dees but we'd want to get a ruckman back (as well as Hogan) pretty promptly and get on our bike!