Bring-Back-Powell

Ben King with a steadier- 68-51 12 minute mark 3rd qtr.

Credit to LJ. Took a nice mark/set shot to halt GC’s momentum. 49-37 suns

Suns looking half ok here.

That’s better Suns, converting goals they’re supposed to. 28-18 GC Longmuir wouldn’t be ecstatic that his 32 year old veteran is responsible for all of his 3 goals.

Wagner’s legitimately gifted GC 2 goals with sloppy disposals but the Suns can’t convert little league conversions.

Freo will probably win this game but my lord they look like half the side they were last year. Sonny Walters with both goals.

A Freo supporter just yelled out “you’re not worth 2 first round draft picks Jackson” Sheesh, the game hasn’t even started yet and they’re already getting stuck into him.

At the ground today at Norwood and there’s a surprisingly healthy contingent of Suns supporters at the ground. Certainly more than the 20 I was expecting. Also a few Dees supporters in the house clearly here for one objective.

I’ve got the under/over line for LJ to take a mark at 0.5 Let’s go the mighty Suns!!

I was being facetious. The MFC website advertised open training on Saturday afternoon, despite the fact that we play on that same afternoon. The comms department needs to proof read their news releases.

200% he goes back. I can’t fathom a forward line of BBB, T Mac, JVR and Petty. Even without Petty that forward line looks too tall if the heavy rain comes in the arvo. At the moment it’s looking like a very wet second half.

Any of the faithful around here heading to Norwood on Friday?

In exciting news, we’re holding an open training session at 2:15pm on Saturday afternoon at North Adelaide football club, according to MFC media. I make that 85 minutes before we play Essendon, assuming our media department are on point. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1305603/demons-set-to-host-open-training-session-in-adelaide

The AFL and CH 7 had no idea in December that Esssendon and St Kilda would be a combined 7-1 between them. And not once has the AFL moved a game “in season” so that channel 7 can get the favourable game. (Fox has a fair bit of skin in the TV rights too) Most people can get Kayo at a reasonable price if they can’t afford Foxtel so I don’t see this as a major issue.

Lever very borderline for Saturday according to CH 10 news. How many ankle injuries has be had since round 1 2022??

Agree, it's Grundy's first big test since the Brisbane game. Sydney and West Coast didn't have a back up ruck but Essendon will have Draper and Phillips going at him for most of the day. I feel we'll lose some ascendancy when Grundy is resting. But he's been outstanding the last fortnight.

Between 2010-2018 Brad Scott 11 Melbourne FC 1

In order to get the best out of Grundy I’d imagine he’ll be our number 1 ruck even when Gawn returns. Say 75/25 ruckwork. As we’ve seen the last fortnight, he’s a magnificent ruckman, and ruck only.

It’s a no thanks for me. He’s a way better contested mark when playing defence, and Lyon and Brown pointed out in the telecast that May and Lever would greatly appreciate his support in defence. I think he’s a fill in for Gawn, and will return to defence upon his return.

Saints travel once in the first 8 weeks and you can’t really call Gather round a genuine road trip given the neutral venue V Collingwood. The fixture sets St Kilda up really well for a crack at finals. Meanwhile we’ll travel 4 times in 8 weeks. The complete inverse of last year.

They have a brutal run over the next month. Us, Pies, Geelong and Port away. If they can win 2/4 then they’ll be in finals discussion.

Concussed and will likely miss our game next week.

I could be jumping gun here but they absolutely reek of Melbourne 2019.

Bulldogs are in the thick of the action and are likely to be a good side, while Freo are talented and could still play finals. I’m not sure I agree that St Kilda haven’t beat a reasonable side.

St Kilda have looked more impressive than Carlton and yet Carlton are 3rd favourites to win the flag. Aside from Sam Walsh, Carlton aren’t getting any better while the Saints have got some big guns to come back. If St Kilda beat Collingwood next week, I’m declaring them a premiership chance. It’s not as if they’ve fallen over the line in their 4 games, they’ve completely blown their opponents away by the final siren.