Bring-Back-Powell

The AFL and government have continually shot this thought down because of supply issues. If Brendan Murphy and the government had of put a bit of urgency on this rather than sit back and deny it was a "race", we may have been in a situation where the fully vaxed across all age segments, not just the over 40's could attend an MCG grand final. We'll leave our race too late. We'll no doubt be COVID free by mid September, but it will be too late.

I know you're referring to me with that comment and fair enough. I said I was "Quite" comfortable with a potential honorable prelim loss, but certainly not satisfied. There's a difference. "quite"" Comfortable means that I take into account a pathetic 5 win season, followed by an inconsistent 9th place finish. To go from 15th to 9th to 3rd/4th is s clear tangible improvement and a very good performance, and a great stepping stone in 2022 with our list profile. That's my definition of comfortable, and you'd be a tough critic if you were angry with a solid prelim loss given we're come from. I'm supremely confident and bullish that we'll be finishing top 2/top 4 next year and right in the mix. So just missing out on a GF this year won't be the end of the world for me like it may be for others. Satisfied is a different meaning altogether. That in my mind means that I'll spend all summer with a warm and fuzzy feeling that we didn't make yet another grand final. No way. Confirming that I certainly won't be satisfied/happy/content with a prelim loss. Being disappointed that I can't attend the grand final, despite having GF guarantees, is fair enough in my book. That's the fundamental purpose and ambition of a keen footballing fan I would've thought - to watch your team live in a grand final as opposed to watching it on TV in lock down 7 or 8. Sometimes it's ok to think of yourself and your own happiness and mental wellbeing on the back of 200 odd days of lockdown.

100% agreed. And Optus stadium is only 5,000 more capacity than AO. It's the media that are pushing the Optus Stadium and not giving any love to Adelaide Oval. The media were infatuated with Dream Time in May.

I would've thought the club were craving a week off (physically and mentally due) to the extremely challenging fortnight we've had to endure. Meanwhile Geelong stroll into finals with 3 straight games at home. I prefer the not to have the pre finals bye as it's frankly boring not having footy that weekend, but it would be good to freshen the side up.

The posters who have suggested this idea of "no jab no entry" are surprisingly fully vaccinated due to their age eligibility and claim that the under 40's have many more opportunities to see a premiership.

That comment was from Caro Wilson, who is the best in the business, so we have every reason to believe that Pert did say it. Having said that, Pert may have been referring to just the week 1 or 2 finals. I’m sure if it was the GF, his opinion would probably change.

Just to clarify, I want the Dees to win the flag just as much as anyone around here. I’ve been on this forum long enough to suggest I’m a passionate paid up Melb supporter. If given the choice between watching the Dees live at the G or at home during lock down with nobody to celebrate the win… I’d probably choose the former if I’m being honest. As for the vaccine argument, yes you’re correct. I did think it was unfair to implement a no jab no entry policy when demand exceeded supply. I have had an A-Z jab as I want to be protected ASAP, irrespective of footy.

Really hoping T Mac’s injury isn’t ongoing and he can be right for the Geelong game. I wonder if he’s had an issue since the bye? His form has been nowhere near as good as the first 12 weeks, aside from the Port game.

Eddie suggested exactly this.

As I mentioned in a subsequent post, a prelim appearance and a gallant loss is a massive improvement from the 2018 prelim disaster and the sign of a club on the right track to contending for premierships, if not this year then certainly within the next 3-4 years given our list profile. I’ll take it. Prefer a flag, but I’ll take it for this year. I’m supremely confident this isn’t our 1 and only shot at it.

I’d have no issue if we had to play Port in Adelaide in a grand final despite us being the higher ranked side. It’s absolutely no different to when Collingwood hosted West Coast in 2018, Richmond hosted Adelaide in the 2017 grand final, Dogs playing in their home state against Sydney in 2016, Hawthorn hosting West Coast in 2015, Hawthorn hosting Sydney in 2014 or even the minor premiers West Coast against Hawthorn in 1991.

Would 1 dose and a confirmed negative test be sufficient?

Caroline Wilson reporting that Gary Pert wants all finals that Melbourne play in to be at the MCG, crowds or no crowds. Wilson has also mooted that Adelaide Oval may be an option if Port make the GF. Eddie reckons the pre finals bye might be scrapped and a MCG GF be held on 18 September.

Caroline Wilson reporting that Gary Pert wants all finals that Melbourne play in to be at the MCG, crowds or no crowds. Wilson has also mooted that Adelaide Oval may be an option if Port make the GF.

Optus only holds 5,000 more than Adelaide.

I said quite comfortable in a respectable prelim loss. Quite comfortable does not mean happy. Me Happy would be winning a flag. Keep in mind that we finished outside the 8 last year and a top 4 finish would’ve been a fantastic proposition if you were given that in March 2021. A 3rd or 4th place finish with a gusty prelim performance would be a terrific achievement and an excellent stepping stone to greater things going forward given our brilliant list profile. I certainly take your point about RDB, the Rev and our older folks.

Firstly, please quote where I said “I don’t want to win the flag this year”. You’re putting words in my mouth. Secondly, I have the first dose of the AZ so not sure where you got that one from. Thirdly, sympathies to your pal, Fourthly, I’ve got two seperate memberships valued at $1,600 that guarantee me GF tickets so pardon me for being a little disappointed if I’m not being able to attend.

Totally emphasise with your thoughts. Particularly for those that usually go week in week out.

Thanks mate. But it looks like it will be elsewhere and the sooner some of us (i.e - me) come to terms with it the better.

A Red Legs and an AFL Gold membership (MFC support) Id back myself in with 2 seperate memberships that guarantee GF tickets ordinarily.

Yeah, I want to go the game desperately. You got an issue with that? Do you expect me to happy about missing a potential grand final and premiership after going week in week out to see Melbourne play since 1990, including fronting up every week, to the Neeld days of 2012 and 2013. All the while dreaming of seeing the boys hold the cup live at the home of football, but at the same time thinking that it would never happen. Add in the continuous lockdowns that Victorians have suffered (a few more than your side of the country) it would’ve been nice to enjoy a finals series at the MCG. So I make no apologies to you for how I’m feeling on this topic.

I’m quite comfortable in the boys putting in a gallant prelim performance (as opposed to 2018) and then going one step further next year at the home of footy.

The irony isn’t delicious.

Whateley reckons if the lockdown gets extended past next Thursday then that’s it for finals in VIC. See ya all next year.

I wonder if they’d look at bringing finals back to the MCG for the prelim if they can get 40K to the game. And then unfortunately move the show back to Optus for the GF. Can’t see crowds for week 1 in VIC but can for 18 Sep if this outbreak dies down by the end of the month. I’m sure the Dees would love to play a home final (if earned the right) at the G in front of the faithful as opposed to Optus.