Forest Demon

Looks like a team picked by Demonland. Bail, Jones and Grimes all out. Very refreshing. Although I think Grimes is the slightly unlucky one. His last two Nab Challenge games were decent.

I think Richmond are middle of the road, and I think Carlton are terrible. Richmond by 34 points.

An underdone Ablett will play and because he is short of a gallop, Nathan Jones goes one on one with him and destroys him. And that mini victory will set the tone for a 7 goal win for the dees. There it is.

Did have to chuckle at the "nobody remembers round 1" line. Some of the spankings we have copped in round 1 recently are some of my darkest days following the club. I remember looking so pathetically static and off the pace against the likes of Brisbane and Port. And the thing I find most remarkable about all these round 1 losses, is that we went in as favourites in many of them.

Unfortunately not, I started following in the 90's, saw a few seasons in premier league, but that is about it. Actually watched Forest play Stoke at the City Ground about 10 years back now. That was a rough old crowd that one.

Hopefully the club doesn't lose touch and forget how much these little things can mean to kids. Sometimes, it can be just a small thing like this which will make a kid a supporter for life. I got given a Nottingham Forest flag when I was a kid, and have supported them ever since, and let me tell you, it has been every bit as testing as supporting Melbourne.

Mitch Clark is looking prett bloody good off re-occurring foot injuries and a hammy for good measure. I know it doesn't mean much, but just trying to point out the average punter has no idea about this sort of thing.

I had Matt Jones in my best 22, but he played himself out of it during the pre-season. He will still play though I'm sure. If people don't believe he is a bad kick, that's fine, but don't go calling it groupthink or some other denigrating term. Personally, I think his disposal has been terrible this pre-season, and I think I am reasonably open minded and unbiased. For example, I would say Tom MacDonald has been using the ball really well this pre-season, whereas he was butchering far too many last year.

My issue with Viney is he always tries to burst away from congestion like a Dangerfield but he is neither powerful or quick enough to do so at this level. He gets the ball in tight but needs to look to use his hands more in that situation. Saying that, he still provides plenty, just an improvement I think he could make.

I just don't get the panic after that loss. There side still had some very good players, and they were well up for it, you could see what it meant to them after the siren. I expected a win still, but was hardly an earth shattering loss.

I thought this as well. It seems to me they are grooming Frost to play forward while Dawes is suspended and given many of GCs talls missing. I would rather settle Frost down back and play Pedersen personally.

Let's just bring on round one, I am usually a bit of a panic merchant but I am honestly not that fussed by last night. When I saw Essendon's team I thought they looked stronger than people were making out. Still expected a win but hardly the earth shattering loss people are making out.

Toumpas was good today but I would love to see a bit of agility and evasiveness to break a tackle and give him a yard to use his skills.

We lost ascendancy in the midfield second half? I didn't notice Tyson after half time, was he subbed? And Nathan Jones went quiet also. Perhaps giving others a run through the middle, they failed miserably.

Those sledging Grimes today are wrong, Matt Jones on the other hand was butchering it all day even when we were well on top.

Deplorable second half

Honestly, how could anyone possibly complain, I know they are under strength (still M.Boyd, Minson, Morris, Bontempelli etc.), but we are absolutely killing them and ball use is very good, especially considering windy conditions. Some people will never be happy.

I have heard lots of rumours, but nothing concrete. Would love to know.

The less I say about my thoughts on Clark's departure the better, but he is looking good. And if he stays fit, he will be very good this year. Must admit, I wasn't expecting to see him up and about so early, just makes it all even fishier to me.

This. Last year was his best statistically, and stats alone would have him in the top handful. He uses the ball well (very underrated part of his game). The only knock on him would be to kick 15-20 goals a season rather than 5-10. Easily in the best 20 midfielders last year for me.

Seems like many supporters want to keep the toy in the wrapping to avoid getting a scratch on it, crazy.

Actually four time the votes of all others combined

All this talk of budget is a bit much, when there were a large amount of people there, many willing to part with cash on memberships, merchandise etc. I believe someone said the club was surprised at the amount of people there, so they must not have realised the interest in such an event, so the figures might not have added up based on their estimates. I think a well marketed open session for families could be a good revenue raiser if done correctly, and hopefully those at the club might think the same now and do it properly next time.

This. Apparently 40 odd players, 10 coaches and a group of club staff trying to rip Jesse Hogan off the bench press.

Sounds like Essendon. They had the full hydroponic setup going on.