Bring-Back-Powell

My small Checklist going into a Fox Footy televised game such as this evenings game: Check that Dermie isn’t on special comments ✅ Check that Kellie Underwood isn’t the play by play caller ❌

Tim Gossage (who knows the Brayshaws) reckons Brayshaw would like to live in WA where his brothers and grand parents live. However his girlfriend is dead against a move.

They weren’t boos by Collingwood supporters. It was the Dogs supporters cheering on a potential cult figure in Khamis. Really hoping the Suns can pull off another upset in Ballarat next week and release a bit of air in the Dogs tyres.

I'd say the latter scoreline is more realistic than the former. In reality, I see this game going down a similar path as the North game last year in Hobart. Eagles will be super competitive in the first half and may even lead. We'll cop a rocket at half time, hold a slender lead at 3 qtr time, and then kick 5-6 goals to 0-1 goal in the last quarter...running out winners by 6-8 goals.

Nothing sure than Lever being issued a fine for not wearing a mask.

No.

For those that enjoy reading positive stuff about us from other club supporters, I'd suggest not venturing down to the St Kilda BigFooty post game thread from last weekend. Some incredible jealousy in that thread, including bagging MFC supporters.

There was talk that Gil would give the VIC's one last day GF as a gesture for missing the last two grand finals. Guess not.... Would rather the 2:30 start. It's just so iconic and traditional and is a key feature of my favourite day of the year. Can tolerate a 4:30pm start, but would really dislike a 7pm GF.

This a thousand times. Winning a flag in Perth was good. Winning a flag live at the G - even better.

I had no idea about this, and disappointing if true from a leader. I was under the impression that there was complete buy-in across the club to come back super fit and give 2022 another almighty crack. He's had absolutely no continuity to start the year and seems to be injured every second game. Here's hoping his second half of the year will be more consistent.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is a repeat of the North game last year where they were given no chance. Down at half time by a couple of goals. Cop a rocket at half time. Hold a 2 goal lead at 3 qtr time and then run away with it in the last qtr to win by 6-7 goals. As good as we've been since round 1 2021, we've only dished out one genuine flogging in a game against a bottom side (GC at Marvel). Not sure if that's by design or they can't mentally get themselves up for a four quarter master piece.

Slobbo and Gerard asked him if he saw himself at North long term and he gave the cliché answer that he's a loyal guy that loves the club. But you could tell that he found the question awkward to answer and hates getting flogged week in week out. I don't like North at all but I'd be disappointed if JHF ditched them at the earliest oppo.

As someone else mentioned in this thread, just because Brisbane appointed a 55-60 year old journey man assistant coach/long term administrator that turned out to be a success story, it didn't simply mean that this was the template going forward that North should follow. You'd have to imagine that Noble would not have been even remotely considered if it were not for Fagan's success story (albeit no flag to show yet)

Brilliant interview with May. As per usual. Really liking that the key motivation for this year if for the boys to win a flag at the G in front of their family/friends/MFC faithful. Langdon also mentioned it in this article today: https://www.afl.com.au/news/758220/staying-grounded-dees-secret-weapon-on-coffee-side-hustle-all-aus-chances I kind of feel as though it gets missed a bit around her on how unfortunate it was for the Victorian based faithful who went in week week out for 20, 30 or 40 years to then miss out on the biggest day of their MFC supporting lives.

Yes that's a soft fixture for Geelong but if there was ever a year where we were going to get a tough fixture it's after a flag.

I want Brayshaw staying in defence. His positioning and ability to take an intercept mark is excellent. I also want Hunt staying in defence. I also want JJ staying on the wing. I also want Jordon staying on the wing. I also want Salem returning down back. I'd say Rivers or JJ will be the unlucky player when Salem returns. Probably more likely JJ.

If there was one week to rest Gawn, it would be this week against West Coast rather than the following week against North. WC don't have a recognised ruckman where as North are well stocked for them. I'd like to think we can get the 4 points this week without Gawn and we need to preserve him throughout the year so he's fit and firing in the finals. A rest this week, the bye week, maybe a late season game and then the pre finals bye should be good to get him through the season. If he's got a niggle, then rest him.

It's a yes please from me if we can afford him.

Agreed. Wished the Brisbane game was on a Friday night, but the AFL were always going to give us the Thursday night slot as both sides have a bye the week before. I don't mind the 4:40pm Saturday though.

Carlton will be our only hope of 60K IMO. That game has the potential to have a big crowd but unfortunately won't be on a Friday night as Marvel host three games that weekend. That is unless they do a Friday night double header - St Kilda V Brisbane and Melbourne V Carlton, but they won't do that. I don't think Collingwood will be in the hunt by round 21 so their supporters won't turn up in droves to our home game. (They will for QBday though). Sydney game could get 45k Freo game could get 30K Brisbane game could get 35K The last remaining home game is against Port in Alice which will get about 6K.

35K is a good crowd considering it’s the average attendance since 2000 between the 2 sides at the MCG, and then you factor Mothers Day.

I don’t have the breakdown handy but I believe St Kilda have won 8 of our last 9 meetings at the G.

We’ve beaten this mob once at the MCG since the 2006 elimination final. Saints on an 8 day break should have recovered from their Cairns trip. Really hoping we can bank this win as we have some tough fixtures between rounds 11 and 15. Would love to be 10-0 before we face Sydney and Freo at the G. We can afford to lose 4 games this year IMO in order to finish top 2. Would rather not use one up today.

I’m not buying the Saints will be “buggered tomorrow” narrative. They’ve had good a 8 day break and the resources put into sports science these days should see them recover just fine.

I guess it’s all relative. Freo had 6 COVID outs and had their 2 key forwards out and yet still won by 13 goals when the margin really should’ve been about 7 goals. Perhaps North are really that bad as you pointed out. Freo passed their first passive test of the year against Geelong. If they go 1-1 against Brisbane and MFC, then I’m prepared to label them the real deal.