Bring-Back-Powell

Essendon ending the season as they started it for those that are footy tipping watching.

So it’s either Richmond at the G or Sydney at the SCG in week 1.

The more Collingwood hang around the more likely they are to win this. They love playing from behind from a scoreboard perspective.

De Goey a late out with an injury.

Or a Thursday night. Saturday would be perfect. They will be having a Thursday night week 1 final.

All three scenarios have their strengths and weaknesses. We’ve had awful trouble against both sides at the MCG, with the Pies recent dominance over us since 2017 and Sydney since quite frankly 2002. On the other hand, we’re a largely unproven quantity at the SCG with sporadic games in 2016, 2019 and a disastrous loss to lowly Collingwood last year. Two things I do know: 1) If one of the above scenarios arose, then we’ll be opening our campaign with a side that has the wood over us if you value history. 2) The club’s front office will be hoping for scenario one and three given the devastation of 30,000 odd MFC, MCC and AFL members missing last years grand final/premiership in addition to the other finals that were missed by even more members and supporters. Furthermore, it was rumoured that Pert wanted to play Brisbane at the G in week 1 last year behind empty stands. Thus clearly the admin are hoping for an MCG final over the SCG.

I absolutely despise Collingwood, particularly after beating us twice, however is it actually better for us if they beat Sydney today? If we beat Brisbane and Collingwood win twice then I think we’d play the Pies (2nd v 3rd) at the G in week 1. I’d like to think the boys have learnt a few lesson from our two encounters against them. Conversely, if Sydney beat Collingwood and St Kilda they probably get us on percentage which would mean a trip to Sydney week 1 assuming we beat Lions. Really torn on what’s the better outcome for today. (Ofcourse all of the above will mean nothing if we lose next week)

Fantastic to get a win in front of the faithful after losing 6 out of their last 7 games in VIC. You could’ve written your own ticket for a Melbourne win after Curnow kicked what seemed like the sealer at the time. Carlton supporters don’t bother me as much as others here, the Filth are far worse. However, can someone advise why they were booing Langdon tonight? Pretty sure he was trash talking Collingwood last week and had absolutely nothing to do with Carlton.

Geez Freo hate the wet. Down by 3 pts to WC in a game WC have no business getting within 10 goals.

Low 50’s IMO

Yes.

How good was Rayner tonight and how ordinary were Brisbane?

Whilst Brisbane winning is not a great result, if we beat Brisbane next week we’ll still finish higher than them as they’re percentage is a bit below us. We’d have to lose by around the 7 goal mark against Carlton to be behind Brisbane on percentage.

I wish for three things to make the world a better place: 1. World peace and harmony 2. A clean and safe environment 3. Collingwood losing in straight sets.

Any chance Luke Jackson can produce a game tomorrow night befitting of his reputation and projected contract next year and beyond? Lately, there's been a ton of 3 and 4 out of 10 games coming from the big number 6.

What's Cripps got to do with us? Why would we boo him? It would be as nonsensical as Carlton supporters booing Luke Parker the week after he hurt Dylan Shiel's feelings. In other words what has a Parker-Shiel confrontation go to do with Carlton supporters, much like what Cripps has anything to do with Melbourne. (Although I do recall Doggies supporters giving Jack Viney a mild boo the week after he was successful at the appeals in 2014.)

In the long run is beating a Patrick Cripps less Carlton going do us any favours in September? Basically all the marquee players will be there in September from all opposition, so you need to get used to competing against the best. In addition, I'm so over Collingwood so more than happy for Cripps to play and potentially put his club on his back and beat the Pies.

Cornes and King do the early Friday slot through to 9am on SEN.

Hope Cripps gets the Blues over the line over the Pies. Thats the silver lining in this.

So I’m guessing knocking players into next week is back in fashion if he gets off. Really hoping Cripps doesn’t replicate his 4 goal 30 possession game against us in the pre season, if he’s available.

We have a 2-10-1 record over Sydney since that brilliant day under Bailey. Needless to say we struggle big time against Sydney as you’ve pointed out above. We often go in as favourites and lose to them (see 2018, 2020 and 2022)

Clubs should cop an extra week for wasting everyone’s time if not successful. There should be a disincentive and risk to appeal a tribunal call if it’s just a matter of trying to get your best player to play on the Saturday.

A few.

The optimism in me has us playing Sydney at the MCG in week 1 in a qualifying final, with Collingwood facing the toughest assignment possible first up in the form of Geelong. The pessimist in me has us playing Richmond at the MCG in a week 1 elimination final. Then a date with Brisbane in a GABBA semi final if we get past RIchmond. So much revolves around the Sydney/Collingwood result.

Hate Geelong but more than happy for them to go full 2011 on Collingwood in the GF if we don't make it. That would be 2-11 (and 2 draws) in grand finals since 1966 - happy to be corrected on that stat.