Bring-Back-Powell

I said a fortress at finals time when there will be crowds. If the Q Birthday game can be played at the G without a crowd, then why would we play the game interstate? Clubs and the AFL are doing everything they can to not hub interstate, so it’s likely we’ll be in VIC anyway on that long weekend.

Jonathan Brown (On the Couch) stating that Melbourne should play this game at the Gabba for the good of the game. He thinks the fact that’s our home game is completely irrelevant.

I’m glad there’s speculation the Dees v Pies game will still be at the G, even without a crowd. Id rather play at the G in front of nobody than a pointless 1,500 at Giants stadium or Metricon stadium where finals won’t be played. We need to play as many games as possible at the home of footy in order to make the G a fortress come finals.

Don't know how I'd handle watching us win a flag at the GABBA while being in a stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne. It would be a life long dream of so many die hard MFC members/supporters to see the boys win a flag live at the G.

I think this lock down has a 6-8 weeks stench about it. Today's numbers and the settings where the virus spread were a blow IMO. Back at the G in late July. Miss out on seeing Pies, Dons and GWS games.

Agree with is. We got 31,000 to a Melbourne V Collingwood game in late 2019 when we couldn't win a game to save ourselves and even the CFC supporters weren't that interested in attending despite being a top 4 side that year. With the Pies down and out, I think 35K - 40K would be a solid estimate for QB this year. I still think both sides should have their bye in round 13 in the hope that we can play this game on Saturday night 19 June at the MCG and have the big freeze then. We only have one potential big home crowd left and that's against the Dogs on a likely Friday night in late July. GWS, Hawthorn, and Adelaide home gates won't be paying the bills this year.

I don't like it either. On field footy results should always come before finances when we're in a premiership window. This game could be the difference between finishing second (hosting Brisbane in the qualifying final) or finishing third (travelling to Brisbane in week 1). I get Binman's logic about the SCG not really being much more of an advantage over the GABBA but every percent helps. At absolute worst if they want to play this in QLD, play it at Metricon.

Would be bitterly disappointing if Queens birthday won't be happening at the G. As is suggested in another thread, the Dees and Pies should have their bye on round 13 (Q'BDAY weekend) and look to play this game on Saturday night 19 June and have the big freeze that evening. Hopefully attract 45K and recoup some loss earnings.

A bit of left field thinking here but if the situation isn’t looking great (but not dire) by this time next week, why not cancel Queens-birthday and give both sides the bye for the weekend of 11 June - 14 June (round 13) Then fixture the Melb V Pies game on the night of Saturday 19 June and have the big slide on that occasion. Hopefully get 45,000 and recoup a bit lost earnings. A crowd of 750-1,000 at Giants stadium or the SCG on a potential Queens Birthday matchup is just pathetic.

Ch 7 news reported it just then. I think it was Mark Stevens that mentioned Brisbane as an outside chance to host the game. Aside from finances I can’t work out the rationale in conceding a home game to Brisbane.

If Brisbane could get an exemption from their government to fly in - fly out, why can’t this game be at the MCG in front of nobody. I find it hard to believe that we will make a buck in front of 1,500 people at the SCG. May as well lobby to play the game at our home ground and not mess around with travel.

We must be desperate for cash if we’re contemplating “hosting” Brisbane at the Gabba on Friday night. What an absolute home ground advantage that would be for Brisbane- the same side that played 14/17 home and away games in QLD last year.

Absolutely. Giants stadium would be preferable in my book. As long as we don’t cave in and play this game at Metricon to suit Brisbane Lions, then I’ll settle with the SCG. Any chance the NT government will provide some sort of payment to us given that they’re the organisation that won’t let us play there.

Geelong would be asking the same question given how much better a side they are.

Adelaide not being able to back up last weeks performance. I’m flabbergasted.....

It might have been me who wrote that. I said I’d take a loss to Adelaide if it meant we’d beat the Dogs. I certainly didn’t expect to lose to Adelaide though.

Giants stadium please. We were good there last year. Technically lockdown ends on Thursday so why can’t we play it at the MCG (if NT won’t let us in) so we can all go and make up for not going last Friday.

Just watching the pre game show on Fox Footy. Dermott couldn’t be less impressed with us if he tried. Said we only won it because the Dogs continually turned it over in the first quarter and then went on to praise the Dogs as they broke even with us after qtr time. He then went on to say that we had a bunch of players in rare form and implied that it’s not going to be sustainable come September.

Makes winning tonight so important and such a bonus - given we’ll be missing such an important player against Brisbane. The best sides in the business can still win without 3 of their best 22 out. I think it will be Baker that comes in as he’s the closest thing to a winger. We don’t want to be throwing around the magnets too much. Hope this game doesn’t end up being in QLD.

Thought Weideman was a touch quiet that half with the one handball to his name.

Tim English is a big problem for us. Was hoping he’d miss one more week.

Harmes has had a great start. Clean with the footy.

Fantastic start by Jordon. A smother inside 50 that created a goal and then snapped a nice snag himself.

Fritsch is a better player than Hannan no doubt. But forgive me if I’m a bit dirty on Fritta after playing 2 career worst games in the space of 3 weeks. The entire forward line needs to atone from last week.

I think we can confidently assume ANB is not on $950,000 a year. Having a career best year and is nailing some great goals this year, albeit could've sealed the game with 5 mins left last week.