Rodney (Balls) Grinter

All the media are going the hyped up big name clash of Gawn Vs Grundy. Personally, I'm more interested in the clash of Schache Vs Grundy as the player the later was overlooked for as 12th man in the final against Carlton. I've got to say, going on their last respective preseason games, that Schache has showed the better form for the role that was needed on that night and what we are playing him for as ruck/forward. Both racked up as many possessions in their last preseason game, but Schache kicked 2 useful goals and had a few other marks around the ground, while I felt Grundy struggled to have any real impact on the game. If Schache can continue and build on his form from his last game, he might just play a useful role for us this season.

And also another player that qualifies the father son/daughter rule. Though this period of stability and building games into players, I feel we are also somewhat setting up some good future recruiting opportunities. With something like 4 out of 40 players at the club currently father sons, that makes 10% of our current list.

Full credit to Webster and St Kilda in the they handled the aftermath: The Saints pleaded guilty with Webster saying: “I’m really sorry about what happened on Sunday. It’s something I’m not proud of - I’ve left a lot of people down. “My main concern is for Jy to get back to playing footy and I really hope he’s OK. I understand how bad concussions are and how much we want to see them stamped out of the game.” Asked why he jumped off the ground he replied: “I haven’t got an excuse.” If only we'd seen this kind of humility from Maynard, Collingwood and that F### (Justice has been served) McGuire, no one would need disect the rules and be splitting hairs over the legalities rather than focus on the intent.

Was certainly a good kick off one step that day. But Tommy has always had been a great kick for goal and I'd rate it as one of his strengths. There's few of our players that I'd rather be taking a short in that 35 - 55m zone than Tom Sparrow. Really like his strength and ability to take strong overhead marks and I think this gives us a great foil for the opposition being able to throw all their attention on Tracc when he goes forward or on the ball.

Was woundering where this was going for a while, thought it might have been something to do with swerving to hit Adelaide supporters which would have been just as scientifically credible and morally justifiable.

Great into and summary all in the first para: "Nothing fuels media lust for AFL content like a good off-field controversy. Particularly when it's the off-season and there's nothing else to write about." It does also make me wounder about the weird commercial media landscape we now live in, when some of the only decent reporting comes courtesy of an American sports channel / news outlet.

F#@% Warner Brothers - that they could take out some garbage trademark over one of our national animals is absurd, similar to that of ugg boots (which will probably feature heavily in the official Tassie Devils merchandise).

That's pretty much as I have it. Impressed with our improved delivery into the forward line against Carlton and the scoreline could have looked even more dominant if Fritsch and JVR kicked with their normally elite accuracy. If we can win enough games early and then build towards finals without the consistent injuries we had last season, I think we are right up there again. Yes we've lost Gus, but we played almost half the season without Clarry last year and still managed. Will be interesting to see if Collingwood can back up again. They have the oldest list in the comp and with Scott Pendlebury (36 at the start of the season), Steele Sidebottom (33), who are still pretty key. I think their come from behind mode of winning games is confidence based and could set them up for the wheels to fall off completely if they loose a few on the trot. They now also have to well and truely deal with being the hunted every week and let's see how the deal with that. Brisbane have a good opertuity to finish in top, through having the biggest home ground advantage of all the contenders.

The other not so subtle messaging from the club through out all this turmoil is that the club and it's leaders are right behind supporting Clayton and Joel, as apparent from Goody's presser this morning. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/1499693/opening-round-media-conference-simon-goodwin?videoId=1499693&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1709508015001 Also the usual 'boring' Goody talk of putting in place processes and Oliver needing to demonstrate himself, etc. But all in all I think the united front that our leaders have shown in being behind and supporting Clayton and Joel has been admirable, even if at times challenging and providing some slightly clumsy robotic responses to media questioning.

I've not seen alot of him in seasons past, but in the two practice matches this year, he looks alot like another Judd McVee type - defends his opponent well, then has good composure when he gets his own pill.

Agreed. On a related note, the new colours on Jack Ginnivan look even more putrid than the old ones!

I'm on board the Sydney death ride for sure. Still good odds that a pick in the late 20s early 30s could bring us a quality player. A good reference point for me is that we got Tommy Sparrow with pick 27. The other great value that I get out of a death ride like this is the satisfaction of seeing a side that I despise do badly, without getting the full return for the low ladder position via the draft. I'm still somewhat seething with the way the Swans beat us in the 2022 finals series and think they have been over pandered to in recent years. Unless the Dogs totally tank, finish on the absolute bottom (not going to happen) death riding them is pointless. Even then, it would likely end up mid third round by the time all the compensation and accademey picks have well and truely diluted the draft. As an asides, from my research for this post, I learnt that Tom Sparrow's middle name is Frank.

I agree with all the above, but I think one key differentiator between Clarry and all those others mentioned is that he's got the most 'Star Power' of any of the aforementioned and to a certain extent that makes him a bigger story for the media to get their claws into.

But there's no way Rodney would have played the next week if he did what Maynard did. Equally, there's no way Maynard would have played the next week if he did what he did and Rodney was out there.

You are dealing alot in 'rumors' with these 'strong connections' here. Who are these suposed connections? Richo and the boys are playing a Team game, something the Ox didn't do off feild at his time at the club, so he should bit his tounge or get behind them. I don't give a flying what the media say. Media said we were metally weak wouldn't make finals in 2021. I'll rate our pre-season, post seaon - based on on feild results, not media rubbish.

I'm thinking we're ending up at an agree to disagree kinda place here SWYL. If he's well connected and he cares so much, then why don't he have the info Richo had and/or isn't he talking the same tune as the leadership? Max, Viney and Goody & Co are the leaders that took us to a flag and 3 top 4 finishes in as many years - something we never really came close to in Schwartz's time at the club. I'll back them over anything Schwartz has to bleat on about.

Yeah, nah. Read the article it says he has no real knowledge to speak of, he's just assuming and adding to the pile on. If he loves the place, he needs to learn not to be such a loose cannon and just adding to the external pressure. If he's really concerned, why not get more involved and have a chat to Maxy or Richo?

Itching for this game and the season to begin. It's been a long off season without alot of joy as a supporter this year, but I did really like some of the signs we showed against Carlton in particular. Backs to the wall, it's time to stand up and let our footy do some talking. Won't be getting too carried away whether we win or loose this one game, but looking for us to build another dominant season where we are in control for most of the year and build into finals like in 2021 - just hope we don't get decimated by injuries again like last year.

I hope this guy is saving him self for the real deal kicks a bit straighter in front of goal against Sydney than his pre-season games.

I think it's about time the AFL step up and defend the MFC a bit more on this one - but they won't, because they'd rather leave us as scape goat than deal with things than have more open and reasonable discussion that spoke about recreational drug use across the industry and comunity in general.

Thanks. Haven't listened yet - what's was Garry Lyons take? It's been somewhat disappointing for one of our past greats in David Schwarz to go adding to the pile on without any real evidence to speak of: https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/news-2024-melbourne-demons-david-schwarz-clayton-oliver-joel-smith-troubles/15b35324-f219-45f1-8be9-49553ebbb778 BTW, from what I recall of the story of Schwartz's influence on club culture with gambling, he's the last one that should be having go at the club on this basis or blasting other player's for their off feild problems - apparently some forms of addiction and abuse are more forgivable than others. Loved him as a player (On feild), but from what I can see, I think his contribution to the club since has been overly negative and critical at times, which is disappointing.

Well I certainly hope Taj doesn't take Gus's role in that way.

Agree. Incidentally, I don't recall seeing him in the Richmond scratch match in either game. Is he injured at the moment or did I just miss him. Reckon he's got star quality and character written all over him - both things that Gus played with from day dot.

Do Collingwood supporters have teeth?

Are you for real? Is this sarcasm? Or actually a post by a Collingwood supporter trolling?