Neil Crompton

I just wanted to respond to some of the earlier posters who almost tried to shame members who do not attend matches regularly. Well I’m putting my hand up to admit that I am a member and I rarely go to matches. That’s not to say I don’t care - far from it. I love the MFC (I’d be an [censored] to be on DL if I didn’t), but I also love my wife, my children, my grandchild, my friends, and my house, amongst other things, including work. All these things I want and need to spend my time on at the weekends. So it’s not always so easy to prioritise the MFC above the other needs. I also love golf, but can rarely prioritise the time to play. Therefore I can understand the outside pressures that prevent members attending regularly. So no need to shame those of us who cannot spare/prioritise anywhere from 4-6 hours to go to the football every other week. It’s not that we are lazy or we don’t care. Far from it. I also know that a great many of you have these same competing elements and yet are still able to attend regularly. Perhaps you can tell me how you manage it.

Can we have a game or 2 with both Kozzie and Bedford in the forward line? They seemed to combine brilliantly on a couple of occasions in a pre-season game. Not sure how we'd fit him in if all 5 covids come back, but perhaps ANB to the wing, Jordon to the mids, and maybe Harmes has a rest? Not sure if it can be done, but would just love to see these 2 excitement machines playing together.

No one has mentioned that with two key forwards, on their own, virtually in the goal square, why Harmes didn’t pass it to them, rather than take the shot. Kicking to the forwards would have made a certainty of the goal. Of late, Harmes kicking on the run hasn’t been great, so could have easily missed. Both were not team first decisions in my view.

No, I believe he said that about going to the Eagles.

Does Lever look like he’s lost about 4 m of pace? He really struggled to get moving yesterday. The fumbles and mistakes I can put down to lack of match practice, but to me his foot injury has slowed him down considerably.

Please someone wake me up when there is some real news on his contract.

No wonder you’re cranky.

I thought we were wanting Weideman to succeed at CHF. Why do posters now want to put him into the ruck in place of Jacko? I think he needs consistency in the role he was drafted for. Surely there are other options - TMac or Daw - to replace Jacko.

I thought Gus was really, really good again tonight. I think he has really found his spot. Despite Lever and Salem still to come back into the side, It will take a brave coach to move Gus away from the backline.

Hasn’t Bedford played every game at Casey this year despite being medi sub?

I am hoping that the selectors use either Gus or JJ to fill Vineys role, and not Dunstan. Both deserve that chance on form alone well before Dunstan IMO.

If the selected 18 is fixed, then I don’t believe TMac will play in the forward line - as per Goodies press conference today where he stated he would not play 3 talls on the forward line. I think TMac will play as the 7th backman. If the selected 18 is not fixed then I think TMac will be dropped and Tomlinson will come in as the 7th back.

I give Gus credit for having some intelligence. WTF then would he give some hint of a WA future on some obscure podcast? Simply, it doesn’t make sense to me, and not sure why some posters would even consider this scenario a possibility, given the setting and the audience.

Thanks to Luci for including this one. My absolute favourite positive comment: Actually, I think the underdog has won every one of our games this year. We might be a chance.

Sports turf is an incredible science these days. And the best stadiums use a combination of natural and synthetic grass (for stability and hardiness) and it comes in a thick profile which results in the turf being ready for play almost immediately. The redevelopment of the MCG and the new Optus stadium used a proprietary pre-grown product called Eclipse Stabilized Turf. Not sure if our construction budget allows for this type of product - but would be great if it did, as we would be able to train on the oval pretty soon after it is laid. Mazer’s pics don’t seem to indicate that there is allowance for a thick profile turf to be installed on top of the current levels, but I don’t know enough about it to say definitely either way. I guess we will know soon enough.

If (and I say if) the rumours are true that Gus is wanting more mid time, and if Trac is rested, and if we pick Dunstan to replace him, how do you think Gus would be feeling? I’d suggest he’d be pretty peeved which may not help his contract negotiations. You could argue that we should do what’s best for the team - yet Gus has been really performing at AFL level (possibly the best form of his career to date) while Dunstan has not been a standout in the VFL. With the option of both of Petty and Smith being available this week, that could free Gus to play in the mid, without weakening the backline. I believe Gus deserves first crack at the mid spot, if it’s available, and certainly well before Dunstan.

If Trac was to get a rest, then I’d put Gus into the mid mix and bring Smith into the backline. Dunstan doesn’t impress me on performances so Far.

I’m confident the selectors will bring Smith back in this week if he is available. I’m not confident as to who will make way for him.

Maybe he didn’t want to face Gawny this week.

Picket Fence was raving about Bowey for weeks, saving he was ready for AFL, and he was correct. At this stage no one is raving that any of our current VFL players are ready for AFL yet. I think there is some future potential, but in my opinion, no one now ready to replace our main guys.

It might be just me but after watching the Casey games, I cannot yet get too excited about our talent at Casey. Given the strength of our seniors, I don’t see anyone currently knocking down the door to get in. The difference in standards between AFL and VFL is huge, and to me, unless you are dominating at VFL you are unlikely to make in the AFL. No one is dominating that I can see.

Where they finished last year has little to do with this year FB, IMO. when/if we beat Geelong and Brisbane then I’ll feel more comfortable boasting that we are the best side.

So far this year we have beaten teams placed 11, 14, 17 and 18. I think it is way too early to be making those sort of comments. (although I hope you are right)

So disappointed for the ladies, especially for Daisy. Unfortunately until our ball handling and kicking skills improve dramatically, we are likely to remain without a premiership.

If it wasn't for Max, I'd think Gus would make an excellent captain - and I'm sure that leadership qualities are what other clubs see in him, in addition to his football ability. He is a "must keep" man IMO.