Bring-Back-Powell

The grand final will clearly be played in Perth. I can only imagine the slight hold up to officially calling it is that cases have kind of stabilised over the last couple of days in VIC and they’re giving it one final last crack over the next 7 days. The AGE have got a story online saying that there may be a degree of control over the latest outbreak according to experts. Either that or McGowan has left off a few corporate fat cats, AFL execs and club directors off his invite list and it’s back to the negotiation table.

That’s exactly correct. Low risk means you can quarantine for 14 days in WA for any reason. Medium risk means you must have a special permit to enter. I think there’s going to be some influential Melbourne people that will miss the Gf, as well as the die hard supporters.

If we’re medium risk by GF day, I doubt even the MFC board of directors let alone MFC supporters would even be allowed in.

Single jab would suffice surely with a negative test.

Gil's just confirmed that the grand final will be in Perth or the MCG. So well done Perth.

This game should've been played at the MCG as a reward for our 1st place finish. A qualifying final is a crucial final as winning it is the clear gateway to winning a premiership as opposed to toughing it out for 4 weeks and potentially not having a break since round 14. Brisbane have not won at the MCG since 2014 and have a 9 game losing streak there and lost to Hawthorn of all teams down there last year. Plus they hardly ever play at the G. Tell me that's not an advantage to the MFC! Alas, the AFL caved into the Gerard Whatley's of the world who were visibly offended and upset that a final would be played at the home of footy in front of nobody, and are now going to play the game in front of a whopping 4,000 or so diehards interstate. I'd understand if we were giving up our home ground advantage for a massive money making event where crowds are in the 20,000's or 30,000's, but not for the small crowd that they'll probably end up getting where almost 100% of respective club members can't go (VIC) or won't go (Brisbane fans that have to COVID test every 4 days while in SA). With that being said, I expect to win on Saturday night and win well.

Huge in for Geelong, assuming he's match fit enough. Tuohy would've been really handy for them as well. I give the Cats a white hot chance on Friday night as they'll be stinging from last weekend. Then I can see them making the GF without much fuss.

I assume the pro unvaccinated are happy to live in and out of lockdowns for the rest or their lives and/or be excluded from every day events such as movies, sporting events, concerts, restaurants, pubs etc...

Thanks for clarifying. The herald sun gave a misleading headline that Gawn’s wife may have been due in September.

Definitely feels like we’ve already won the flag.

The similarities between Melbourne of 2004 and the Dogs of 2021 are quite amazing. Both sides were on top of the ladder late in the season. Both sides fell off the cliff losing their last 3-4 games. Both sides finished 5th and played/will play Essendon in their respective years. Will Essendon end their finals wins drought, which ironically commenced the year after they beat the 2004 Melbourne side.

Can we just get rid of the bye given that Melbourne is no hope of hosting the GF? Also, Max's wife is due to give birth in September. I wonder if he'd pull the pin on the finals series to be there with his wife, given that it would be near impossible to fly in/fly out at the drop of a hat?

Very interesting. Didn't realise AZ's efficacy was that much lower than Pfizer to begin with after second dose.

If this year, celebrate in silence so as to not wake the kids up - (assuming it's a 7:30pm EST kick off and we'll be still in lockdown) If next year, celebrate with 50,000 other MFC members at the home of footy and then off to the Richmond Sporting Globe where you'd think the first 100 kegs would be on them.

Hogan playing his first final this week. Be interesting to see how he goes.

That is literally the first positive comment I’ve ever read about Hamish McLachlan. Have to admit he’s growing on me as a commentator.

Can anyone foresee the possibility of us being let out of lockdown by GF day and we can at least watch our boys at the pub or at small outside gatherings? Would be a massive step up from watching it on your own in severe lockdown. Or are we cooked till xmas?

I wouldn't totally be opposed to him being sub but the ship has sailed I reckon. There's worse options than having a 300 gamer as sub who wouldn't be freaked on the occasion of grand final day.

I honestly think WA, SA, TAS and to a lesser extent QLD will be just fine over the next 5 weeks. I'm not sure if it's geography, behavior, culture or just plain luck but it always seems to be the same states that cop it in the neck while other states provide freedom to their citizens. It's quite frankly demoralising being a Victorian IMO.

They won't get 10,000 irrespective of crowd capacity. Who's going to be that fussed on attending a game with two out of town teams? Who has the discretionary cash to pay 50-$100 to watch a game that your club isn't involved in. With that being said, I think we're as good a chance winning a game at AO than MCG. Our form at the G after the Carlton game was pretty uninspiring.

If you could swim from Bass straight to the Southern Ocean you could probably get away with it.

Now it’s become crystal clear as to why Adelaide charged us 2 first rounders to get him. Clearly one of the best defenders in the game, and it’s pretty awesome that we’ve got both Petracca and Lever from the 2014 draft.

Nothing confirmed but it might be 27,000.

What sort of crowd are we expecting? 7,500 - 10,000??