martin

JKH was recontracted for a reason. Smashed it at Casey the last two weeks and Rawlings has been glowing in his assessment. He provides run and carry. If not now its probably never. Needs a few games to prove himself.

Mmm. 8 days to come up.

Sidebottom knee injury?

No i don't. He has been a massive advocate for NT games and has scoffed at suggestions that it has in any way detrimental. In fact, in an interview, he st ated that Demon supporters should be more than satisfied with two replacement games for NT matches.Also,he was quizzed at consecutive AGM's and was dismissive of the subject Peter gas done great thibgs for this club. This ain't one of them.

Apologies, 8v6. Still not good enough. You're comfortable with that? Warm in AP exacerbateds the situation. Regardless,the bigger issue is the lack of a bye afetr the sapping conditions and travel to Darwin. Jackson suddenly thinks it's an issue.

Agree but could be extremely detrimental this year when it matters. Disappointing and avoidable. Surely if forced upon us we had some leverage in achieving longer breaks.Jackson sounds as if this has just dawned on him.

Jackson has just worked out tha the lack of a bye is an issue? Hard to believe.What about a 6 day break after Alice Springs to face the Dogs who have 9? We couldn't have negotiated at least 7? If this NT nonsense is to continue these issues need to be addressed as a priority.

Baker getting plenty of it is very encouraging.

I'll leave you to work it out.

Off season issues clearly having an effect.

How is it that we elect to play the Crows in Alice Springs and return to Melbourne off a six day break to face the Bulldogs at Etihad? To rub salt in the wound they will have a nine day rest. Peter Jackson has done amazing job but the NT experiment is a blot on his CV.How is it even imaginable that we elect to promote the game yet can't negotiate a favourable fixture? Staggering!

Hard to change a winning team but the fourth game in 18 days is a concern. Also 6v7day break. Two or three fresh Casey players might have been worth a thought.

Six day break that completes a gruelling stretch. Need fresh bodies. In:Viney, Salem, Pederson/Frost Out:ANB, Hannan, Weideman (tough)

Surely he comes straight back in the team? 10% of Jack Viney is better than 100% of ANB!

Thanks

Hogan could be rested. Looked sore and weary. Not ideal but Petracca comes in. Is Viney any chance at all?

Not sure that some are fully grasping the conceept here. I'll do my best. Redleg/ Trident members pay a premium to have a reserved seat in a deignated MFC area. For the record, this seaon set three of us back just shy of $2000. In the main, most of these members pay this tariff for the following reasons: 1. A reserved seat in a good vantage point. 2. To sit amongst Melbourne supporters. 3. To not have opposition fans in the vicinity. Whilst I don't necessarily disagree with the ultrauistic notion of opposing fans sitting side by side, paying a premium is the choice these members make and are promised these conditions by the MFC on an annual basis. I have had numerous correspondence with the club in the last few seasons with plenty of promises and reassurances with no action.I'll do my best to summarise what the club has stated: 1. Premium/Redleg seats are reserved and strictly non transferable. This is not policed. As a matter of interest, similar transfer of membership in the MCC usually leads to automatic expulsion.Nobody other han the named card holder should be sitting in that seat. 2. Redleg/Trident members are entitled to guest passes for family and fiends whom are meant to sit in a separate, non reserved, designated area. Thankfully most adhere to this system. 3. MCC officials on duty are commissioned to enforce the rules on match day, however, it rarely occurs. Not only are they generally disinterested, attendants change weekly and few, if any, have little knowledge of the system. The simple solution would be to have MFC stafff in attendance to work with MCC however, despite suggestions this will occur, it has yet to happen. Unfortunately I have been witness to some ugly scenes in the reserved area. Yes, this could happen anywhere. The main difference here is that Redleg/ Trident members have forked out for the aforementioned reasons and feel short changed. Added to this, when opposition supporters infiltrate into reseved areas they are in the minority and it would appear the 'Us Against Them' mentality is heightened. Also,In my experience, being small in number appears to make them even more antagonistic and seem to enjoy baiting MFC supporters. The MFC profits greatly from the Redleg/Trident members and I think all would agree that they are more than happy to support the club. This is an issue that coud be easily fixed, however, the club has little or no interest in doing so.

Bigger yawn.

Not as many as you'd have of your 'greatest coach of the modern era' Terry Wallet.Or perhaps your Nobel Prize nominee Derryn Hinch. Laughable. Credibility below zero.

Yawn?

I agree with all the ins but highly unlikely to make 5 changes. Lever won't be dropped. So Pedo misses out and Frost pinch hits in the ruck!

Timid

Gee, wasn't the private training session a masterstroke!

In pre season previews the much maligned Mark Robinson left us out of the 8 because we cant be trusted. Dont like him but its hard to argue after this insipid performance.

Ever!