Engorged Onion

Check his last quarter tackle from the game against the Bulldogs - tackle - pick up and pushed with a few steps - could have been Stringer - but certainly someone bigger then him - akin to a rugby league pick up and drop...he's tougher than we have seen...but for me that was an inkling of what he can bring - and I always thought he was purely outside...he is clearly not.

According to some, he's never displayed it...

How cliched of you as a MFC member/supporter. Happy wife happy life and all that.

Why do we get invested emotionally in some players and not others, or is it more about some individual supporters inherently like fairness, equality and people to have a fair go? I suspect the same people who want Brayshaw to stay also have a love for JKH (myself included)... Personally I was upset Craig Smoker was delisted...

Welcome to a Victorian club Lacccchiiieee Whiiiittfield..... Just on this, there is clearly a shift generationally to move away from being one club players and like any industry, going where you can prolong your career on the park, coupled with earning as much as you can in a short space of time that your career may ultimately be - just like ALL recent generations in other sector. Personally, we can use terms of 'lack of loyalty' or 'mercenary' - I think its great for the game and profoundly generates more interest. The above quote attributed to Lachie, whilst it may be true, is ultimately meaningless from both parties perspective. And I think we will see less and less of players stating these absolutes. Back to Gus...he aint no list clogger and if the support around him has been anything to go by, I can't see why he would want a fresh start elsewhere, considering he has barely started at MFC, so to speak.

I think one of the great things about the win against the Bulldogs, thus what holds us in good stead for this week and ongoing, is that we are able to get ahead, and stay ahead (against a damn fine team) - that was a completely different style of win to the rest of the year - personally, its a sign of growing maturity, and capacity. Belief, confidence et al, fluctuates dramatically in games, there is no better evidence for competence, than competence. This team of young skilled dudes is really really coming together, guided by the leadership of the players on the ground and the FD. Prediction, Melbourne by 20 points.

Better play well Pig, otherwise people will think you've got tickets on yerrrself.

I hope you're not drawing a direct line to the fact the Petracca was drinking his own bath water. Personally I think its damn lazy that people think - an article has appeared in the media about 'said' player, therefore they must have tickets on themselves. Just remember its not the player ringing up the media for a interview. And For what its worth, correlation is never causation.

Fkn oath

People love post hoc analysis to make sense that are actually made up of a multitude of factors -that confirm biases one way or another...AND THEN - these beliefs be it at a supporter or athlete level, actually start to perpetuate the outcome of the game because of the perceived influence and meaning that this has on stresss, cause and effect and output of behaviours. In effect people don't know what they don't know - and yes I am pontificating that I do... and am happy to provide examples and scientific evidence (not just 'theories) as to why this works...

Brilliant @Ted Fidge

Well your moniker is 'Proper' so it's hardly surprising...

Not that I sign off on any of these - but personal preference so far Swans's = Cola's Freo = Wanchors GWS = the first six swear words that pop into my head. Carton = Carltank

Sure I'll get howled down here - and maybe told to f-off and go find another forum... and that's great. BUT I can't help but roll my eyes at some of the trash the comes up with 13yo kid versions of club names Essendrug for example, or $hitihad Stadium. Now most of the posters on here can be bloody hilarious at times. (I'm not one of them) and figured some of you would have some gold. So I thought I'd get the ball rolling..(really putting myself out on a limb here). GWS = Demitriou's Franchise WCE = (methcoke is ok) Western Bulldogs = 2016's Flavour of the Year. You get the idea... feel free to add some input. If anyone has ever read The Fiver in The Guardian, you'll know what I mean.

What's the latest on Gus, did he play in the VFL - or still simply training at this stage?

That'll be the talking point - as it is alreadyfrom the AFL websites 'Things we learned this week'. In all seriousness - whilst no one can fault the dogs finals series last year, they did finish 7th - not 1st - and the competition has had roughly a decade of premiers being a powerhouse team - you just can't look at the Dogs of '16 through the same lens and suggest that they have a premiership hangover... its not fair on them in actuality.

Body of work this year for Watts has been tremendous - yet again today in clutch moments he delivers... he is silk, and will be the reason we win a premiership, both during the season and on the day.

Just watched some of the replay - geez its great we can physically and skill wise ruffle feathers... I'll repeat that T Bugg is not the pest he is made out to be in the media...and final thoughts, you can't touch N.Jetta - 2 weeks for Stringer...such a flogggggg.

Ironic comment with an understanding of Demon supporters cultural view of attending Colonial Stadium? or Naive comment without an understanding of Demon supporters cultural view of attending Colonial Stadium?

fkn harsh mate..

I'm surprised no one is mentioning their early morning urge to vomit heftily...tis a big game and all that jazz.

Personally I can wear a loss today - mind, it'll be a great reality check for where we are, and as always all I want us is to continue to be competitive week in and week out. I presume the FD have pencilled in WC and Swans (as no gawn) as must wins more so than this one. This would be a bit of cream.

if you were an icy pole....

I know what you're saying - personally I'm a believer if you're good enough -you'll always need to beat the best team - as most likely you'll play them in the big dance anyway.

Interesting that neither co captain is automatic top 5... just an observation...