DeezNuts

1. Listened to Macquarie Sports Radio everyday in case they mentioned Melbourne.. (love ya schwarta) 2. Pretended to like cricket for about a week... 3. Read demonland more than I did during the season...

Uniforms are funny things, they let you focus on everything else but yourself. They let you identify with your team mates, they let you think that putting the greater good above ones own interests is more important, they galvanise the collective will and they equalise stature, allowing those who are new to recognise the privilege to be wearing the colours. But don’t believe the hype about uniforms stemming individuality, I’ve witnessed some of the most wonderful Aussie Larrikin characters truly flourish whilst wearing a uniform, mostly because it is harder to get noticed when you look the same as everyone else. Sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad, but the last thing a uniform does is stymie individuality..

Yeah true, but Vince really made the inertia real, and introduced a style of play that the Dees could be proud of!

Despite the hype, I’d just love to see us hold our own (top 4) until Lever comes back in! To stop the sieve of our backbone last year, and then rocket forward! ?

As with any new player, he’s primed for a 2nd year drought. But my gut feeling is that he’ll continue on quietly as a largely underrated contributor, to which he will ultimately be recognised when he gets the nod in this years finals series! Go for it you good thing you!!!

Take the immediate heat away from the issue and they’ll be operating at a higher density altitude than they’re used to .. I.e. they’ll be effectively playing at a higher altitude, slightly starved of the usual oxygen concentration that they’re used to.. Nothing an EFC “supplement injection” or two couldn’t fix..

So many there, but one special game that comes to mind is one that we lost. A few years ago we gained Burnie Vince. I still loved the way that we played when Dangerfield was taken for ‘a weekend at Burnies’, to the point where Danger was dragged and was visibly upset. I thought that particular game was a real turning point for our modern play-style. When the chips were down, we gained respect by showing a relentless style of play, all inspired by BV! Not a win, but still burns in my memory and with a big smile ? made me proud!

Clever ?

1. Pies 2. West coast 3. Dees 4. GWS Happy if we’re higher. Our list is better and more experienced this year, but others will improve also. Keen to see the Saints, Brissy and Carlton improve. Super keen to see Hawks, Swans and Richmond decline..

Why does Hunt have two kneecaps on the same leg?

Both...

He needs a haircut..

Claret .. ? Kingy could only ignore it for so long, welcome to reality!

Can’t wait for the new Land Rover Defender (Jag yeah?)

Didn’t we suffer injuries attributed to AFLX last year? How did we go with scratch matches? Not sure the verdict is out on which one is riskier yet..

Best news I’ve heard since his AFLX selection!

I think both teams will have a reasonably good gentleman’s agreement not to hurt each other. It doesn’t benefit either of the two 2019 grand finalists ?. I suspect they just want to see how advantageous a dual ruck combo will work with the new rules. So they can optimise the bench rotations, floating forward rucks, and other aspects. Dees and Pies are fairly well matched up this year, the pies coach has always been a bit of an understudy of Roos and now Goody, and respects Melbourne. I think it’s ok, much better and safer than the completely arbitrary AFL X and is a good opportunity for both clubs to test the new system.

First hit out for the season.. both teams would need to iron out some wrinkles, and get used to a new set of rules if anything - I hope I can get down for Rd 1! But, Port do have a team of champions right?

The more I think about it, the more it appears that the combination of a dominant ruck punching forward and long to an uncontested and lightening fast lead receiver from the fwd line will benefit us. As others have said, maybe this might be a new light for Garlett, to contribute to our i50’s, to our (also fast) TMAC on the lead as a set play? Maxy might need a glove if he’s going to be punching long and forward regularly!

I know I’m gonna watch it (reluctantly) if there’s dees players - only because the footy drought is killing me... I wanna see how the lads are looking after their pre-season. A gimmick, yes.. a risk to players in what is already a hugely taxing season proper, yes..

Nah mate, we’re all just hungry AF!!! Can’t wait for the season, just want a little more (no training secrets revealed for exploitation) engagement coz we really feel strong about 2019 and where we’re heading. We want to celebrate pre, during and post season!!!

@picket fence thats actually a great looking team. Just need to swap Garlett with Spargo. Spargo provides excellent forward pressure, and has a cool head in congestion

Just so glad I got to see it in the flesh! Being the one game I attended (living in Sydney), it was the right choice! Such a great game!!!

I still remember how much praise Garry Lyon used to give Toumpas.. it was getting to the point of embarrassing

Last year we thought it was tough for players on the fringe (e.g. Tyson, Garlett) to get a run. This year I think it’s going to be even mor competitive. Good problems to have, but I just hope that a relatively fixed team gets a lot of game time together.