Bring-Back-Powell

Collingwood have also beaten both of last year’s Grand finalists.

Agreed but it's a pity we can't take 4 points off GWS on the run home.

I'm getting 1993 Geelong vibes about us this year. For those that know their footy history will know what I'm referring to.

We need to be 7-7 at the bye to be any chance. And then go at least 6-3 but probably 7-2 with our poor percentage. That’s a tough task. Can’t see too many teams currently in the 8 going into a potential free fall, although Hawthorn could be showing signs, Adelaide are unproven with respect to sustaining an entire season (although they came close to this in 2023) and GWS have been inconsistent. Need to take care of business against St Kilda at a venue where we’ve lost our last 2 game at.

Unless there's a serious humanitarian issue in place that calls for Kozzie to move to Western Australia, then he simply just doesn't get traded. End of story.

Maynard could miss Kings Birthday with a foot injury. Hopefully he does as the mild booing by our supporter base which is drowned out by the imbecile Filth brigade’s cheering is cringeworthy and annoying. Happy that Hawthorn lost yesterday.

I heard that too. I just reckon the young fella is one of the most unpolished media performers going around so I wouldn’t read too much into anything he says. As I’ve mentioned a few times, the only we’re getting Luke Jackson is if Kozzie heads the other way.

Although it’s disappointing that T Mac was dropped, it does speak volumes that we have some defensive depth and that 4 can’t go into 3. A few clubs would like to be in our position. I’ll think we’ll all riot though if Lever hobbles off with his obligatory rolled ankle.

The match committee would be wanting Jake Lever to have an above average performance more than anyone else. You're bringing back a defender that's missed 8 consecutive AFL games while dropping a match hardened fine defender.

The words Tom McDonald and omitted shouldn't be anywhere near each other given the service he's provided since the start of last year.

Yeah his 150th was funnily enough also against Sydney in the 2022 week 1 final. The 100th game was that yuck 2020 Cairns game V Freo. 50th was a 2018 thumping from the Pies on Queens birthday.

Sydney were also the beneficiaries of having Kozzie out suspended for the early season meetings of 2023 and 2024. Unfortunately for them they won't have that luxury on Sunday. Interestingly in both meetings above Gawn was either out injured (rd 3 2023) or was reportedly playing ill (Rd 0 2024). Again, Sydney more than likely won't have that luxury on Sunday as Gawn in in objectively career best form.

You're not wrong. We have the second worst membership (currently 52,000) of all VIC clubs ahead of only North.

It would be unacceptable and getting way too cute at selection if we drop Turner. He’s already harshly been dropped once this year. either: 1) rest one of T Mac or May and retain Turner down back. 2) drop AJ and send Turner forward. I would have a second ruck committee of Turner and Petty and concede a few hit outs to Ladhams which won’t be the end of the world. Prefer option 2. Sharp the other player to be dropped.

Not surprised we were after Worpel before he recorded a BOG against us 2 weeks ago. Especially not surprised we are still after Worpol after he recorded a BOG against us 2 weeks ago.

I think Sydney have been pretty rock solid this year as evidenced by a competitive percentage of 99 amidst a bad run with injury and suspension. There's only two games that they've let themselves down in and that's the second of the GC game and the first half of the Essendon game. The rest of the games they've been fine. In fact it's a little hard to believe we're on the same amount of wins as them. Therefore, I'd expect Sydney to be a very hard nut to crack Sunday and we need to lead early and be accurate. Despite our tremendous win last week, I think the bookies have it correct with Sydney slight favs.

We've averaged 38,000 people for Melbourne V Sydney games at the MCG since 2017 when Goodwin took over. However, that average is brought down by a deplorable Friday night crowd in late 2019 when both sides were planning their end of season footy trip. So, you would hope and expect a minimum of 40,000. @FearTheBeard any indication if the top level of the Warne stand will be operating on Sunday? It will be nonsense if they close it as Sydney have a strong following in the AFL members.

How good is it that 2 weeks running we've had two first year players that you could legitimately stake a claim as being the Rising star winner. These two fellas are genuine AFL ready and we could and probably will have two top 5 place getters by season's end. Lalor is the most talented of the group and Reid has been consistent but Langford and Lindsay are well and truly in the frame.

Knock on wood here, but we've had a good recent record when our boys have played their 200th. T Mac - win over St Kilda in 2022 at the G Gawn - win over Hawthorn in late 2023 at the G Viney - close win over Port during the "business trip" of 2024. T Mac and Clarry are scheduled to play their 250th and 200th on the same night against Carlton (or maybe the game before or after??) Salem will play his 200th during week 1 of the finals 😀

I reckon Brisbane supporters are hoping Jake Melksham retires before next year. The last 2 times he's played Brisbane, he's been the key reason behind our defeat of them. In 2023 he kicked 2 of our 4 goals in the last quarter, including the winner with 30 seconds left. And obviously on the weekend, he was the dominant forward from start to finish. Incidentally, we lost to Brisbane twice in 2024 in his absence. He may have been the difference in the 6 point loss at the GABBA.

Ken Hinkley farewell game against us? You just know we'll be the bunnies.

If we had the accuracy of North Melbourne we might go places as a side. 5.0 already today. Their ability to convert is elite and they’ve only had one game that they’ve kicked more behinds than goals.

We average 22 scoring shots a game this year. Imagine, in a parallel universe, if today we respect our set shots a little and end up with a score line of 13.9 rather than the 7.15 that we’ll actually score. The last quarter might end up interesting.

We average 22 scoring shots a game which is essentially what we managed last week against a good Hawthorn side. I wonder what would happen tomorrow if we pay a bit of respect to our set shots (after the player has had a 20 second breather) and end up with a scoreline of 13.9.87 I would imagine we‘d be looking at a very exciting last 10 minutes of the game.

Yes 100% agree. It’s purely on the umpires that JVR has gone backwards at a million knots an hour this year.