Wiseblood

Reckon we're a sneaky chance. The first 15 minutes will tell us plenty - if we allow Port too much room and let them win it out of the middle then we're in big trouble. Rectify this and put some pressure on and we can win it.

Yep. They look totally directionless without Kennedy and Darling. But that's to be expected as we would struggle big time without Hogan and Tommy Mac. Reckon the Eagles will still get themselves back into the game.

So they're not allowed to make a mistake? Ever? That makes sense...

We might have some faith in them because they've pretty much gotten it right since Round 2.

If you throw a dart out a window enough times you're bound to hit somebody one day. Today was that day.

True, but Cox is a different player to Dixon. Oscar was beaten by his height, not necessarily through his strength in the contest, something Oscar has improved upon this year. I think he is a good match up for Dixon. Their forward line looks pretty darn good though so we'll have to be at our best to contain them, and that starts with the improvement through the midfield and our clearance work.

Fair changes this week. I reckon they will play Harmes predominantly at half forward with Tyson going in to the midfield rotation. I know some wanted Jeffy in the side but I don't think his form at Casey has warranted a recall.

That's until we get an injury in the warm up and have to bring in someone not up to the job and we bemoan the fact someone of decent quality wasn't on standby. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

I'd have a dip at Braydon Preuss, but he may want the number 1 ruck role which a club like Geelong may offer him. Not sure he would be happy playing second fiddle to Gawn like he is to Goldy.

This is the persona he projects to the media. Clearly he is a different person at training, in meetings etc. When he speaks to the media he protects the players and re-inforces the culture and the expectations he wants to associate with the club. What is wrong with that? Nothing. In fact, it's exactly what we need. He never got carried away after 4,5,6 wins in a row. Instead he said that we're doing things right and that we need to continue to do so. We'll have bumps in the road (ie. Collingwood) but I like the fact Goodwin is working hard to keep them grounded and to play the 'Melbourne way' no matter who the opposition is.

Even though we have won our fair share of them? They haven't been our best quarter, but deplorable is way over the top.

Spot on mate. I reckon Port will be tough to beat, but we can knock them off. Last time I felt we couldn't win games before they started was in 2013. That feeling, thankfully, is long gone!

It'll happen. It will be confirmed by the end of the footy season.* *I have no tomato source, just a gut feel. I can't see us leaking this sort of stuff it we aren't in advanced talks to get it off the ground*

Here is a picture of roughly where it would go when completed. I will add that in the article it says no formal decision has been made, but we have been in talks with the state government over this option for some time.

Here is the article: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/demons-grand-plan-for-yarra-park-training-ground-revealed/news-story/2b03a10790eb2d8e7fda2a34eaa0aef6 Here is a little snippet for those who cannot get around the paywall. This sounds pretty sensational: The Herald Sun can reveal the ­Demons are eyeing a prized parcel of parkland, in the northeastern corner of the MCG precinct, for a full-sized football oval. The bold proposal would also see a six-storey complex boasting an ­office wing, a world-class gym and medical facilities, built on top of rail tracks next to Jolimont Station

Is that what Rehn actually said? All I got was that we were 'rumoured' to be interested, nothing about big offers being tabled.

If we're looking to get out of it then I take it as a sign that we won't be affected financially by this decision. It's the right one to make as well. I understood why we agreed to play games there, but now that the MFC machine is running well we don't need to play games there anymore.

Good on him for signing a new deal. Always like seeing players show loyalty to the club that drafted him. I hope he also looks forward to have Clayton Oliver crap all over him on Friday night as well.

Dees by 48 points.

I actually see it as a positive stat, and one we can rectify. We are clearly getting our hands on the ball - it's what happens after that that is challenging. We aren't able to get the next disposal off effectively, although prior to our last fortnight of football we were ranked highly in terms of general clearances, so it's not a huge problem. But it's one we have the ability to fix, so I'm not worried about it. If we were ranked last in skills, conversion inside 50 etc then I'd be worried. But we have the talent to change this stat, beginning with this week.

Those three might have pushed their claims, but Port blew the Dogs away on the weekend. I highly doubt they'll make wholesale changes to a winning side.

And the year before that he was restricted to 10 games, and has played just the 4 this year. Otherwise he has generally been pretty good in terms of games played, but his body is not as durable as it once was.

Still haven't answered Bob's question about how you know this, yet earlier made the bold statement that he had never won a B&F for the Eagles. If you knew it already, it stands to reason you would know he had won a best and fairest.

Your fascination with his efforts on Friday night is interesting. It's like you're basing your entire feelings around Gaff on one game. His year has been stellar outside of that game and he has shown, numerous times, that he can perform when the heat is on. With so many in and under types he would complement our midfield group superbly. Billy Stretch has been on our list for years now and, if anything, his contributions have gone backwards. He doesn't have the footy IQ or running capacity to be on a level like Gaff's. I'd love for him to do it, but on the output I've seen I highly doubt it will come to fruition.