Rodney (Balls) Grinter

50 minutes ago, DemonWA said:

Also, Melk playing 250 against the Jabbers is classic

Oh, that is tantalising. Would be great for him to kick a bag, but otherwise, we really need to make sure we get the win done for him.

I have a mate who goes for the Jabbers, who when they traded him claimed that Melksham was 'just a player' and nothing much. I'd say he's the sort of player they would have loved to have had over the past 10 years. Be great to show them what they missed out on and really rub it in.

Honestly dislike both these team so much, I want both of them to loose, but there's more Hawthorn supporters out this way, so would be the lesser of two evils for Geelong to win.

1 hour ago, whatwhat say what said:

i don't think he will tho, cos plugger mac will come out for kentfield to go forward / ruck, and petty will return to being the #1 defender

petty's sticky mitts down the line were fantastic in the second half yesterday when he was playing fwd / ruck

Generally agree with this Re Petty and somewhat Re T Mac. In my view T Mac has done his job well enough and hasn't actually played that poorly, but not sure he's in quite the same great form that he was last season and I'm seeing more and more moments when his lack of mobility and agility makes him look like a potential liabilty. On the flip side, IMHO, he did do his job and stability and winning games are also important to us.

It's something of a luxury that all of a sudden, we have a batch of developing forwards to pick from and a legitimate developing backup for Max. Personally I don't think it would hurt us to let them keep pushing and putting together a string of form before promoting them on our tems / when the opportunity suits.

The other things that haven't really been spoken about Roo's form was just OK yesterday, but a good fight back from where he's been in recent weeks, so we need to keep the faith. Similarly I hardly noticed Mihocek in the second half, but his consistency and experience keeps him in the side for now for me. AJ also put on a pretty good display for Casey yesterday as well. I think we should be looking to unleash the beast against someone like Hawthorn, Geelong and/or Brisbane where a bit of mongral and extra edge could be important.

On 03/03/2026 at 18:52, Dingo said:

On SEN on Monday morning G W was asking Simmo ? How teams would go in the first 6 games.

Melbourne will win 1 and lose 5.

So will Collingwood

Wasn't going to bump this thread for another few weeks, but with yesterday's win, I feel we've well and truly exceeded the expectations the external footy World had on us.

One week at a time I know and for as putrid as they looked against North, Essendon at least put up a fair show on the scoreboard against the Dogs and won't be a push over, but I think we'd have to be favourites against them and now be viewed as at least some chance against Brisbane the following week.

Not sure what to think about 'Gather Round' (South Australia Rd). In one sense, it interrupts our momentum of being MCG specialists, not having lost a game at the home of football all season, on the other hand, I think it could be good for the team to perform in what is more of an away game environment.

Well done and full credit to Kingy and all the team so far for doing the work, committing to the new game style, each other and giving us something more than just hope for the future. Anyways looking forward to the next couple of weeks ahead and then seeing what we can turn this season into (probably the topic of another thread in its self).

On 27/03/2026 at 13:46, BangBnagBang said:

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1484483/the-childhood-melbourne-demon-jai-culley-that-took-setbacks-in-his-stride-and-turned-rejection-into-motivation

Great article.

From the embedded videos:

afl.com.au

Couldn't get a 'GO Eagles' out of him.

Then this in his first MFC game:

afl.com.au

Love this gesture.

Being delisted by the Eagles was just part of the plan. Always a Demons man.

Go Jai!! Heart beats true ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙

BTW, Max might have loved his darts, but Jai was the Charcoal Chicken chips megga box man!!!

4 hours ago, Demon_JB said:

Everytime I see Buckley talking and listening on 'On The Couch' he looks like he's about to swing at anyone that challenges his point of view. I find it very uncomfortable.

I get that, as well as the fig jam, but at the same time, I also think he comes across with a kind of calmness, surety and as one of the more knowledgeable commentators. He's also a fairly good communicator which is more than can be said for some of them.

Having actually been a coach that built up a side to get to a grand final, I also have a bit more respect for him than some of the has been ex-players that have never really taken on that level of responsibility, but want to preach their expertise on footy analysis to everyone as if they have. Perhaps that's why he comes across a bit condescending to others on the show when they challenge him on stuff and fair enough to an extent.

Meanwhile, conversely we have been such an easy target for the AFL/MRO over the years. Some notable examples I can think of, include:

• ANB and/or maybe Chandler copping multiple weeks for falling forward in tackles - stited for concussion risk/outcomes

• Steven May getting rubbed out running eyes for the ball and deemed not to have exercised enough care

Contrast any of those against Maynard and the bias is so clear.

The AFLs selective care about when players need to exercise care for their opponents is also damming. If you are running for the ball or tackling apparently you need to exercise care, but if you are going for a specky, thrusting your knees into the back/spine or head of an opponent is completely OK.

The other players that I feel have had a charmed life with the AFL tribunal are:

• Darcy Moore

• Tom Hawkins (Geelong nearly as much of a protected species as Collingwood). He actually admitted on the couch that he was something of a dirty player a few weeks back. Still remember that whirlybird arm he threw back while being tackled that broke bones in Steve May's face.

• Marbior Chol - almost every week I see this guy recklessly throw his substantial weight and large frame around in a crude/clumbsy way that endangers others (similar to Collingwood and Geelong, Hawthorn are also an AFL favourite).

I actually find Leigh Montagna one of the most reasonable for balanced well reasoned comments and don't mind his contributions on Fox.

Haven't watched 360 for a while, but at the other end of the spectrum, I find Mark Maclure to be a crusty old know it all that I can't stand anymore.

Thought Cross showed some real go and ability.

Have also been impressed with the season Ed Langdon is building. Seems to be able to work well forward into space and snag some good goals in addition to his overall awsome work rate.

39 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Mmmmm, @picket fence has gone real quiet

He's in awe of Kade Chandler's magnificent clutch goal in the last quarter that put us right back in it!

...add to that, he ended up the game, with 2 goals 16 disposals and 9 tackles (second on the ground for tackles to Steel).

GO THE MIGHTY DEMONS!!!

Got there at quarter time and thought that maybe I should have not bothered, but watching us fight our way back into the game and then dominate it, made it one of the best days at the footy in a few years.

3 minutes ago, Nicko said:

Can’t have scared your neighbours more than we did on a Sunday afternoon in Brisbane!!!! 😂

My neighbours in Ipswich said they knew Melbourne had won, when we beat Geelong last Rd of 2021!!

25 minutes ago, bing181 said:

K Pickett 820 metres gained.

Contract extension?

Paging Kane Cornes - Go F@#k yourself Kane!

2 minutes ago, Ghostwriter said:

Three letters… B Y O

I don’t even buy water at any ground.

Agree. But today I was in a hurry and hungry. Was still a massive shock when that's what the girl on the register told me the price.

At the Lions Saints game.

My gosh food prices at the footy are beyond a joke. $80 for x2 below par sized, very ordinary soovas, HSP chips and x2 Cokes.

Honestly, I'm not surprised Rivers has been dropped. We all know he can definitely play and maybe he was lighting up the track over the summer, but in actual game this year against other opposition (North and Richmond preseason games included), I've been disappointed with how ordinary he's looked.

I'm glad that King has pulled the trigger in Rd 3 rather than waiting until another half a dozen games have gone. I'm sure Riv will respond. I also get the view of @binman that this is also about getting a bit more pace into the side, but if it were just that, then surely there were also others that could have made way as well. I do think this is a bit about sending a message as well.

11 hours ago, picket fence said:

Um ... name names!?

Jeffo for starters...

31 minutes ago, Temporarily Hopeful Demon said:

Stoked for both of them.

I'm particularly happy for Tmac though. He played through the absolute worst of our dark era but he just kept at it. He's also been a highly adaptable player too. There have been multiple phases of his career he looked almost done yet he managed to reinvent himself. I'd say he's been our most reliable defender over the past two years.

And Gawn is Gawn. For me he's the greatest ruckman of all time and our best player over the past 40 years. I still think people take him for granted sometimes. He's a real once in a lifetime sort of player.

Share this sentiment.

I remember early days of a young T Mac, who quickly became one of the elite key backman in the league. Distinctly remember taking great pride in having an up and coming player that the competition respected, at a time the team oscillated between a mid table team and complete rubbish. Tommy was one of the few backman in the league that had the athletisim to run with Nick Reiwoldt in his prime and genuinely restrict his influence on the game, when St Kilda were one of the top teams. Was bemoaned for his deer in the headlights kicking out of defence, but on retrospect, I really feel that was more of a reflection on the team than on T Mac, because I think as time went on and the team around him improved, I think he has showed much more reliable user by foot.

As good as he's been as a backman, for me T Mac's most memorable and defining moments have been as a key forward:

3. Kicking a freak goal to win us the game with seconds to go against West Coast in Perth when they were a half decent team - really gave us belief that put us on the road to a premiership;

2. Combining with Jessie Hogan to both kick bags of goals and hand Carlton a 100 odd point thrashing at the MCG (would love that result to be repeated come Sunday)

1. Kicking the goal after the siren in the 2021 premiership - we didn't need that goal, but what absolutely fantastic full stop to the most glorious game of footy I've ever watched.

As for Max, you could definitely tell I'm his first game against Essendon that he was going to be something special. The ups and downs against Geelong have been something of feature of his career. That real break out game where he dominated and helped us to victory against the Cats at Kardinia Park; missing an absolute sitter that could have won us the game at the G, kicking the after the siren goal to give us top spot against them in 2021 and his role in that demolition job we did against them in the 2021 prelim - couldn't ask for better drama. The official accolades speak for them selves.

I do get the sense that the character of these two leaders of the team has been a massive part of the success we've had over their careers and it's been a bloody sensational ride. Will be bloody awsome to watch them celebrate this milestone together at the MCG on Sunday. I know we had an ordinary result last week, but the MFC faithful should all get to the G on Sunday and get behind these 2 absolute legends of the club, cheer loudly and hopefully the team can get us over the line (I actually think we're way better than Carlton anyway).

9 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

I may have a slightly different view to most of you but I am a little surprised that everyone is saying T-Mac replaces Turner this week.

Given that our emphasis under Kingy is speed of ball movement and on top of that the slight tweaks to rules (quick ball ups, out of bounds etc) have increased speed throughout the AFL game as a whole, I am a little surprised that Jed Adams isn't one of our three tall backmen, especially now that we have lost Turner's pace.

Adams played well last week in VFL (I am reliably told) and is the quickest guy over 100m at the club. Kozzie would easily beat him over 20m though.

King has already shown his liking to prioritise playing the fittest players at our club and that's partly why our best 2km men Kolt and Sharpy are in the side and they have rewarded him by being two of our best players both weeks.

But adding T-Mac alongside Lever and Petty does not imbue our defence with the pace needed to play at such a breakneck level of 2026. I am very happy for T-Mac to come back in because he provides versatility and has a little more height to play on Hudson O'Keefe or McKay. But it should be at the expense of either Lever or Petty. Adams should replace Turner.

And clearly our other defenders should be on notice because Xavier Taylor must play in the very near future because he is our future.

Finally I'd also say that as much as I enjoyed the spark that Latrelle provided against St Kilda, his game against Freo was not up to standard and he should be given a firm reminder over the next two weeks by watching Sunday from the stands and the following week by playing in the VFL.

While Laurie deserves his spot, I'd say it's hard not to bring in the lively and somewhat manic pace of Moniz-Wakefield.

I'd even say there is a case to drop Sparrow for Laurie, but I can't see that happening.

My changes: In: Adams, Moniz-Wakefield, T-Mac, Laurie. Out: Turner (injured), Lever, Latrelle P, Sparrow.

Expected changes: In: T-Mac, Moniz-Wakefield. Out: Turner, Latrelle P

Speed on the ball doesn't just mean quick players everywhere on the ground though. One feature I've noted from T Mac over the past 5 or 6 years is that he has a habit of driving us out of defence with a 50m pass down the ground to a player in space out the back.

As I understand it, he's probably dropped back a few spots, but from what I understand T Mac is still one of the top 10 if endurance athletes at the club. Maybe not great agility these days, but his other strengths in defence is reading the play and taking strong intercept marks, so I think there's still a place in the side for him on that basis.

Glad to hear your review that Adams is performing well at Casey, because we do need that key back depth for the future. Other reviews I've heard of his performance of late have not been great, but it's a long season and I hope these negative assessments aren't on the money and he works his way into the team.

1 hour ago, DeeZone said:

That would be very fitting for Max and TMac Rodney dual 250th games has that ever happened before but probably keep them separate so they can enjoy the limelight .

I'm struggling to see a better oppertunity. I'd rather ensure that we do get T Mac to the 250 games. Having him stranded on 249 at the end of last season for a guy at his point of his career wasn't ideal.

In alot of ways, I know milestones are just another game, but they also do have cultural significance to clubs/teams and I think it's important they be recognised and celebrated as such and that the club does actually put a priority on giving it's veterans thr opportunity to achieve these milestones. Like I suggest, T Mac really should have played his last season rather than being dropped for Jake Lever who in retrospect wasn't quite right.

Asides from all that, I think T Mac's preseson form and track record of standing up when it counts is such that his place in the team would be well justified. Comming off from a week off should also see him hit the game physically fresh. I'm guessing the only thing that might influence the decision on his selection is the mix of talls and smalls in the backline we think we need for Carlton and/or if Heath comes in, our overall tall and small ballance. Again personally, I'd like to see T Mac in, because I think he's a rock in defence arialy and we could do with that after last week. I also think he helps us play a fast open game style, because he has a booming kick, that he often uses to put players into space with 50m passes out of defense.

... I'm not a selector, but I'll be fascinated to see what the outcome is.

Not sure if it's been mentioned already in the thread, but with Disco out injured, does that get T Mac a game on Sunday?

Would be somewhat fitting for both him and Gawn to play game 250 together, given they are our two longest serving players at the club and journey at the club over this time.

5 hours ago, Bendigo_Demon2 said:

I always like to see Oskar do well, but if he is in your team, you’re not winning a flag. Seems like a ripping bloke though.

As others have pointed out the Dog look kinda like a potential premiership winning team at the moment and he's in that team, so I wouldn't be writing him off.

Some players mature late and he's clearly found his fit and an enviroment where he's thriving so good on him.

Not every player in a premiership is an absolute star and every premiership team needs players that do the team thing and sacrifice their game for the benifit of the team.

Excited for this game. I think it's a tough ask beating the WA teams over there when they are in form and they probably deserve to be favourites, but I'm not writing us off.

If we do loose, so long as we're compeditive and show something, then that will be OK enough with me.

Mostly I'm looking forward to us playing some good opposition to get a better feel for where we are at right now.

For what it's worth, I thought Ryan had spilled the mark at the time, but in retrospect he did clearly control the mark until the point he hit the ground.

Was a great mark, which in a sence showed great courage, but I actually think it also shows a level of contempt for you own well-being when you repeatedly jump for marks without caring hoe you land like that. He had a sore shoulder after that effort, but could just have easily concussed himself or done serious neck injury. Shaun Smith use to do it all the time and I got my sister a great photo form the age, which I got developed into an A1 poster size of him landing pretty much on his head following a similar mark.

On 15/03/2026 at 12:41, whatwhat say what said:

they both walked out on us for more opportunity elsewhere

at the time they were clearly fringe players in a side that had won a premiership and was a top 4 side

chandler was preferred to bedford (rightly so) while sparrow was prioritised over jordon (neither here nor there imo - both average at best)

The thing that really hurt about Jordon though is that 5 months after he left for Sydney, we lost Brayshaw through concussion and he would have had more opportunities that would have kept him on our list. I know Jordon probably isn't ever going to be an absolute A Grade / dominant player, but he the kind of solid player that great teams all need. That he's been best 23 up at Sydney ever since and played in a grand final for them shows that he's defiantly an AFL standard player.