Wiseblood

No doubt that the wind played a factor that quarter - credit to North for flooding back and then hitting us on the rebound with the wind. It's really their only play at the moment but we've allowed them to exploit it far too often. Having said that, there are still some positive signs. We've had more of it, been harder at it and generally dictated play. Harmes and ANB have been good so far, while Hibberd has been composed down back. Tommy Mac and Hogan have been working pretty well in tandem as well. We can't read too much into that second term, other than the fact we need to tighten the screws up defensively.

Good to see us using Trac deep forward when he isn't in the middle. He'll murder opponents all year down there.

ANB has easily been our most improved player over the last 18 months. He's quickly making himself an indispensable member of our side.

Yep, but I don't mind it here. It gives the coaching team a chance to look at problems with us pushing high - when they score, is it because of turnovers, poor position or that we are pushing up too high? I'd rather them find out now than in July when it's too late.

We gave up a very soft goal and responded straight away, which I think is a good sign. Great play from Milkshake to set it up too!

Good to see Hoges get on the board. I feel like he's been around the mark this quarter without getting his hands on it much. What I like is our set up across half forward from a kick out and our pressure around the ball. It's been very good so far.

Could have been 50 as the North bloke was over the mark, but yes, not a great kick. I'll put that down to it being in Feb. Trac just took a super mark one on one from some great transition... and missed. Not like him to miss that!

Absolutely loving this start. Pressure is great, hitting targets and converting.

The VFL is an interesting one, LH. Back in the 90s and even the 2000s it wasn't uncommon to see players come back through the reserves to gain match fitness. The modern game however seems to have all clubs bringing players straight back into the senior team without a run in the twos beforehand (on most occasions). I sometimes wonder if clubs will ever revert back to using the VFL to aid in recovery, or if the demands of the game in the W-L columns will see clubs continue to bring players back in regardless of match fitness.

The squad will be cut to either 24 or 26 (have we worked that out yet?) 90 minutes before game time.

Beating anyone in the pre season series has always counted for nothing, Mr. Brightside. I'm just looking forward to some proper footy being played, seeing us jag a few goals and heading back to the mainland without any injuries. Enjoy the day Hobart Demons.

Gawn was 'gawn' for 10 weeks. I don't exactly see how people are arguing that he was rushed back early.

I actually think it's a good thing neither have been selected - it shows that the bulk of our list is fit and that we don't need to blood any young players before they need to. It's a far cry from 2013 when all we did was play the younger guys as we had little else.

Here is squad for Saturday: MELBOURNE B: J.Wagner 42, O.McDonald 28, J.Lewis 6 HB: J.Lever 8, M.Hibberd 14, B.Vince 23 C: J.Hunt 29, J.Harmes 4, B.Stretch 15 HF: C.Oliver 13, T.McDonald 25, N.Jones 2 F: C.Petracca 5, J.Hogan 1, M.Hannan 19 Foll: M.Gawn 11, J.Melksham 18, A.Neal-Bullen 30 I/C: D.Keilty 45, C.Salem 3, H.Balic 27, A.Brayshaw 10, T.Bugg 32, H.Petty 35, B.Fritsch 31, S.Frost 17, J.Kennedy Harris 24, C.Maynard 20, T.Smith 38, C.Pedersen 21 Notable absentees: Neville Jetta, Jack Viney, Dom Tyson

I'm a Dom Tyson fan, but these stats are a little misleading - yes, he is terrific at getting his hands on the footy. It's what he sometimes does with it that hurts.

I agree with you Chazz - if Jesse is on and looking dominant, then leave him forward and let him do what he does best. However, I think the midfield stints will probably come along when things aren't working as well, or they want to get Jesse more involved in the game. A few stints through the midfield means he can get his hands on the ball a bit and work his way into the contest. He has the footy IQ, stamina, strength and skill to play through there when required and I'm all for giving him a few more opportunities to do so. I don't think it will be all the time, but releasing him to run through there a little is only another adding another strength to the teams bow.

Cheers Dave.

In 2015 and 2016 he regularly beat opponents in one on one situations. I'll give him a pass for 2017 with everything that occurred. He is actually rather clever in those situations, although last year he used it as an 'out' rather than as a way to beat his opponents when he didn't want to get on his bike and run.

I like the move simply for the unpredictability of it. 5 minutes in the middle keeps the forward line fresh, gets Jesse in the action and gives us some more X-Factor through the middle. Maybe during these stints we stick Trac deep at full forward with Garlett at his toes?

@poita - how are things looking for the Ultimate Footy League for 2018?

Training hard over pre-season is one thing, but having match fitness and shaking off the 'rust' is another. Players still need a few games of footy to get themselves going, and these two JLT games will do just that. It's why we are aiming to play our strongest sides over the next fortnight in readiness for the Cats in Round 1.

That is a rip roaring training report, DJ. Fantastic stuff!

*cough* Ryan Ferguson *cough*

Considering the Demonland medicos had him pencilled in to return in June, this is terrific news. I must admit I'm surprised the Demonland medicos got it wrong, as that's never happened before...

Another positive step forward for the club. We all know what a fantastic player Trac is, but he is also a terrific person and just the sort of personality you need at the club. It's more great news for the MFC and I can't wait to see him tearing it up through the middle this season and beyond!