Deemania since 56

Yep, that is a good side, fully versatile, Hunt moved intra - match to the HF Flank, others doing several things out of the set positions, the epitome of flexibility, skill and lethal football.

That is a very pertinent thought.

What a great tribute to the inter-team rivalry and history. This brings back wonderful memories - it truly does - of Polly Farmer, Bill Goggin and Co. Goggin was the toughest footballer that I ever played against, without doubt. How well-written was this piece of journalism? It is a gem in the football genre.

Be aware, although he is a noted 'fast healer', it is against his best outcomes to return by Round 2. I'd reckon that he needs another month - even two - to improve the injury with limited training stress placed upon the injury. These days, C-V work and effective strength training to keep in tone can be quite easily and comprehensively managed; he will not lose his ball skills nor his drive. Training stress can then be undertaken with caution (of course) in the latter part of this continuing recovery and healing process. We are all very patient and considerate - no, understanding - of his real needs despite his great enthusiasm to return to the playing field with his team; however, he is too great an asset and personality to risk this rapid recovery and deployment. The MFC is Jay Viney.

That is quite good humour, dry wit and charming. Max, you are a bright light in this darkening world.

Rebound is his strength. Timing is his weakness. Needs more game-time.

Both were phenomenal. Petracca is looking to be our best. Oliver's new workload suits him just fine - watch out, Collingwood!

Absolutely true, Balls.

New role, not well defined or guided, but Hoges did well - very well, great attitude this time.

Both teams, naturally, showed a typical pre-season hit-out with a lack of match practice and communication. MFC were challenged as the Saints settled into the match - but were able to re-group for an effective win. Wagner was impressive, early; Pedersen did some terrific body-on-body work yet was relatively quiet for the remainder of the match; Brayshaw ran himself into some form and tackled superbly all match; we sure did miss Tom McD and ANB, but I also think Harmes' drive, marking and interception was severely missed. Viney into this side would add 'unbeatable' to all descriptors; his ability to bring other teammates into the game, to tackle, to chase and to distribute the possessions was a significant factor we failed to have on our efforts. Let's hope that his recovery from injury is absolutely complete and long-term - for these reasons I do not advocate and early-season return as he is too valuable when the going gets really tough. Oliver is settling into a new tri-lateral role, obviously and showed that he is not far away from excelling in this additional workload. What an asset he is for the team. At the same time, Tyson showed his usual ball-winning abilities but lacks match readiness and smooth disposal at this stage of the year. Similarly for Jetta. Golly, the season, once week-by-week, is going to be very strong and I consider it will also be successful to unprecedented recent levels. Match play will bring so many players to the fore - suppressing under-performances.

Long bombs again, readable, capable of interception and wide clearances, superior fwd talls running free. Loose full back line.

Thought Hannan played well tonight and kicked well to position. Keep him in, I'd reckon.

Big Max was good but a little out of touch with the high balls. Errr, sorry for the pun. Then, suddenly, as Gawny does, several great marks in succession. What it looks like is that any opponent can block, push, hold Gawn in a contest - that is just fine according to the umpires. They can even slap a marked ball out of his hands so that it does not have to be rewarded. That is fine, too, according to the umpires. This forces Gawn to approach the ball late, so that he is alone, and then he does his aerial magic for which the umpires are powerless to handicap/intercede/even-up the competition. We need a backup ruckman to help him by committing acts on the opposition that maim.

Good onyer, Ding. I have a 3/4 bottle of Talisker to accompany me to the Netflix screen and a nice matured cheddar to assist me to overcome the inevitable blues about umpiring decisions against the MFC. Have a ripper night watching the footy.

Hard to determine what you mean, Wiseblood. A static thought can be a very useful tool upon which to ponder for the ongoing edification of the intellect, perspective and many other positivisms, including tolerance of others. Glad that you are working on it - and good luck.

Forgot to mention Skob Bilton - the triple Brownlow medallist, amongst this bus trip to the dark side of the undernourished moon. Sorry Sth Melb supporters ...

Blud oath. Blud oath.

Blud oath.

General admission to home games x 3 matches per year, enter through Gate 3. Sadly. Other than that, if you want a seat called 'reserved', you hafta pay. If you want a seat where you can see the game at the 'G, it costs between $60-75; other 'seats' are reserved down at the Richmond end goals for around $50-60. The Ponsford stand (City end) is better seating but still behind the goals a long way from the far end of the ground, and same price as Richmond-end seats. Arrangements with Ticketeck are not good. Rather get there early and pick up members' tickets at the Demon shop, eliminating the two middlemen: Ticketeck and the AFL, itself. C'est la vie!

Thanks for the info ...

Without a doubt, the best ever was the Four'nTwenty Pies bus trip way back in the 1960s. 'Oh, what a loverly pie, me boys ... oh, what a loverly poy, Lotsa tasty pastry in a Four'nTwenty poy, Lotsa loverly tenda meat, the fynest you can buy! Oh, what a loverly poy, me boys ...oh, what a loverly poy! Oi! Jack Dyer, Ted Whitten, Lou Richards, Kevin Murray, Bob Davis , and all the big names of the game singing their hearts out whilst orally spraying chewed Four'nTwenty pie cud all over the place inside the bus. Phantastique!

ANB could be tweaked - not much needed - to be that outside mid, as could Spargo. They do not have to be absolutely elite, simply competent and capable of ongoing learning in that role.

One would have to come to that conclusion; Viney is too valuable a player to muck around with just to have him on the ground. It horrifies me that he will be missing from the Geelong game, Rnd 1. It terrifies me that he could be risked with regards to his foot (any game is a risk in many ways) by allowing him to play. If we have some depth, a special task or two needs to be allocated to several other players to compensate for Viney's absence, sensibly allowing Viney another week of rest.

Fully agree that is the main point to observe. Therefore, by deduction, it can be seen that for some reason, the umpires get it wrong so often for costly outcomes for innocent, attempting-to-conform-with-the-rules teams striving to play well.

Best wishes, Jeff.