Bring-Back-Powell

They were getting somewhere in the second half of last year. Had a 3 week stint in Hobart where they beat GC, put 14 goals on GWS in a draw and put in a respectable loss against Brisbane. They also kicked 17 odd goals against Carlton in a classy display at Marvel. They’ve gone massively downhill to start the season, and are desperately missing Cunnington as you pointed out above. Noble could be in trouble if they fail to win another game this year.

The clear answer is no. Not one coach could be as bad as MN.

Are Freo a young flash in the pan side that will run out of gas by round 19, or are they going the distance this year?

Yeah I feel a bit for him. Shouldn't be dropped on that performance but unfortunately for him he's down the pecking order. Hopefully all the boys coming back are fully fit and we don't regret bringing back anyone that's under done. We're playing a good side this week.

Good ins for them.

Prestia ought to cop a bit of heat for heading out on the town given he was under an injury cloud. I thought there was a strict no drinking/going out policy if you're injured.

I hope they do as Brisbane would be forced to play 15 straight games without a rest.

Brisbane's win over Sydney was an excellent performance and silenced their critics who claimed that they can't win the big games away from the GABBA. If you're 40 points up on the Swans at the SCG, you're got something going for you.

I've been watching the Dees since 1989 so can't comment on any coach before Northey, 1) Goodwin 2) Northey 3) Daniher 4) Roos 5) Balme Goodwin is first by default as he's won us a flag but I'd like to see him achieve consistent final appearances and win finals in consecutive years like what Northey achieved in 1987-1991. We have the longest drought in the AFL in terms of winning a final in back to back years, and Northey is the only coach to have achieved this since the dynasty of the 50's and 60's. I couldn't sneak Neeld into the top 5.

All energies must be focussed on re-signing the absolute champion of our footy club and the possible 2022 brownlow winner on a 5-7 year deal. If that means that Jackson won't be offered the $800-$1M a year he's asking for, then so be it and he goes to a club that won't be playing finals for 5 years. And I can't see how West Coast can satisfy us with a trade given they can't trade their current first rounder. We would have to accept a future first rounder and a current second rounder for LJ. Maybe Freo have better assets to trade with?

I know they won't but it would be great if they postponed Brisbane's game this weekend and made them play it in their bye week - round 14. Then they'll be completely gassed by our round 23 meeting after 14 straight weeks of footy. Much like our fate in 2020. (If you can't tell I see Brisbane as our major threat and concerned that this is the year they finally taste success after a few misses)

I recall that the MFC may have given free tickets away to international students that day, or some other like promotion. That game was also the only time we've beaten St Kilda at the MCG during the 2007 - 2021 period. We have a remarkably bad record against St Kilda at the MCG.

If Brisbane are fare dinkum this week then they’re percentage will be miles ahead of ours after this weekendz

Anything less than 30,000 will be unacceptable for this Sunday against St Kilda - a clash of two top 4 teams. The average crowds for Melbourne V St Kilda games since 2000 are 35,000 and obviously some of those years involved one or both sides being complete rubbish. I'll knock 5,000 off for the Mother's Day factor , but I still think it's an average excuse not to turn up to the footy on a decent 16 degree non windy day and your club is 7-0. Yes, we're playing during the lunch time slot, but last time I checked there are two other meals during the day to celebrate, and also the Saturday if needed.

Salem straight down back. Rivers out. His form hasn't been up to his 2021 standards.

I'm guessing here but he's probably asking for a big pay day. And rightly so for what he achieved last year.

It's a cruel irony that it played out that way though. Home and away - GWS rd 16 2021 Pre season - Carlton 2022.

Looking at the remaining home game schedule there is a possibility we could have just one or even no more day games after St Kilda. The Port game is in Alice so it's irrelevant, and I'm sure at least one of the Collingwood and Carlton games will be at night.

39,000 was a good solid crowd for a 4:35 twilight game against a rebuilding side. We may be getting past the COVID hesitant era. If Carlton are still in the hunt in round 22, that could be a massive pay day for us. Maybe 60,000 provided it's not a twilight game.

He's having a great year and should retain his spot once Salem returns.

If Luke wants to hold us over a barrel and ask for a massive pay day for a 3rd year player and thus compromise our ability to re-sign Oliver - one of the MFC’s best ever midfielder, then we shake his hand, thank him for his brief service at the club and seek the best compensation. As Matthew Richardson commented, the money that’s been mooted for LJ should be reserved for players that rip an entire game apart, not for a cameo here and there, or a strong quarter within an otherwise quiet game which is quite common for Jackson at this stage of his career.

Really hope we don’t do a West Coast. Content with one flag and then go backwards at a million knots an hour.

Makes you wonder if any other VIC clubs are going to cop it in the neck like we have. Apparently Collingwood’s entire squad (or most of it) had it in the off season. Wonder if they’ll cop a second round of it?

Unless they have a light does of it. Technically both are permitted to play.

At least Friday night footy will be better next week with Freo V North….