Bring-Back-Powell

Port and Adelaide certainly bubbled in SE Queensland between rounds 3 and 7.

Absolutely. I would have no sympathy for Brisbane if they had to hub in VIC this year. They played just 3 games outside of QLD in 2020 and played a bunch of away games in the comfort of Metricon. And interestingly they lost 2 of their 3 interstate trips. They had one of the biggest fixture advantages in recent history and only have themselves to blame for not making the grand final when they had the inside running.

And I’d love to know who was responsible for playing a 7 foot 8 ruckman at full forward in wild tropical conditions for a return of 3 possessions, 1 mark and 0.0. We all saw it as an own goal when the teams were announced to play Freo in a season defining game. Why couldn’t the coaching staff?

All the best mate.

Working from home was pretty damn good though. And some of the wins we had certainly livened up the VIC lockdown (Hawks, Saints, GWS, Pies)

I really hope we’re not hubbing in QLD again this year.

I firmly believe that Richmond and Geelong would’ve got the job done had they been sent to Cairns to play Sydney and Freo instead of us. Why? Because good sides get the job done when the whips are cracking, and they were certainly cracking in the 4th and 3rd last rounds of the season. Case in point being Geelong. The last round of the season they were down all day against Sydney and were playing terribly. However they willed themselves over the line because they had a top 4 spot to play for. I’m positive they also would’ve got the job in the adverse Cairns weather because that’s what high quality sides and coaches manufacture on a regular basis. Conversely, we had a rare finals appearance at stake and the destiny was in our own hands. Unfortunately it took us 3 quarters to wake up on both occasions and the club blew another opportunity on behalf of their supporters. I’m blaming Goodwin first (after a repeat of 2017) and then the playing group second. Another season of missing finals on the back of blowing a crucial game against a bottom 4 side and he’ll need to be replaced.

A high quality side such as Richmond or Geelong simply would've got the job done had they been sent to Cairns to play two pretty damn average sides in Sydney and Freo, no matter the adversity. That's what separates the high quality clubs and high quality coaches from our club and our coach.

Two things that stood out for me about Rivers and why I think he’ll make it: 1) his debut against Carlton in round 2. After fluffing his first disposal he made up for it in his next disposal and totally hit the ground running from there with his composure and crisp disposal from half back. One of the better MFC debuts in recent years. 2) That goal against GWS. With the season on the line the kid stepped up to the plate and snapped an extremely difficult goal in the dying minutes which suggests to me that he’ll be comfortable on the big stage. An excellent debut season by Trent.

Totally agree. Would rather play them at the SCG. Sydney have given us sorts of problems over the years, especially at the MCG and we've beaten them just twice since 2006...Twice!! We've beaten them once at the MCG between 2002 - 2020. 2018 they cost us a top 4 spot when we lost to them at the G. 2019 they beats us by 9 goals in that horrid Friday night game despite them being horribly out of form. 2020 they cost us a top 8 spot. Does Longmire have a special desire to beat Melbourne more than any other side?? You would think so given they always rise to the occasion against us.

You'd imagine Pickett will improve on year 1. He showed some good signs this year, but didn't get involved enough and his inaccuracy was a poor result for a full time forward. We need to add to our small forwards, not replace them. One of St Kilda's strengths is that they have talented small forwards that kick goals.

Severe danger game this one. Freo were fairly impressive last year and were too good for us in Cairns. Would be delighted if we can get a win here.

We got Friday night games in 2019 on the back of finals. One of them against Sydney in 2019 was considered one of the worst games of the season. In the original 2020 fixture before COVID hit we received 3 Friday night games, even on the back of a terrible season. We were also awarded a prime time Thursday night game against Port this year on the back of a couple of promising weeks in the NSW hub, and proceeded to stuff it up badly...and I mean really badly and spoilt the viewing of everyone bar a Port supporter. The AFL likely hasn't forgotten about that debacle when fixturing the first 6 weeks. The bottom line is we can't be trusted on the big stage - by our supporters, the general TV viewer and the networks. Sorry if that sounds harsh.

We'll get them later in the year if we deserve them. A club that's made finals once in 15 years doesn't deserve Friday nights.

On very quick glance: Very good that we keep out home game block busters V's Richmond and Collingwood. 7 interstate trips despite giving up Darwin. North again at Hobart (is there a contract in place that we must play them there) Punishing last 6 or 7 weeks - Port, GC, West Coast and Geelong all on the road from round 17- round 23. Tough double up against Geelong and potentially GWS and Bulldogs if they're any chop next year.

Perfect time slot for the MFC faithful to see their first game since 2019 (all going well) We really need to win this game and go 5-1 or 4-2 to start the season if we want to comfortably finish in the top 6. Our Aprils under Goodwin have been woeful and it feels like we’re always in catch up mode after a poor start. We need to plan on a big start to the season and stay the entire season above .500 so we don’t have to rely on other sides as per 2017 and 2020.

Very good. 100% agreed. This post just about sums up why we've been utter garbage since 2007 and have not fulfilled our so called potential under Goodwin, despite he being gifted a solid list and re-build. The Melksham one I especially agree with. If he gives away another pathetic 50 in round 1 next year, he can go play at Casey Fields until June.

Can't imagine Harmes and Melksham being on the banner given the years they had. Goodwin lucky to be on the banner assuming that's him on the far right.

Nice of the AFL to schedule us a game in Victoria in the first 6 weeks.

I haven't. That guy still gives me nightmares! It's no surprise that Melbourne was the team he kicked most of his goals against. For all the crap Kingsley copped, he still managed a couple of bags of 57. Unlike Brent Grgic who played 11/13 woeful games for Geelong. The 2 not so woeful games happened to be against us.

Doubt it. Knowing our luck we'll back in Perth for round 1 to face Freo and then round 4 to face West Coast - both in the middle of a scorching late March/early April Perth afternoon. Not sure how clubs in any professional sport can stump up the motivation to fly 4 hours across the country for a meaningless trial match - but it is what it is. I feel for Geelong. They're making their big road trip to Moorabbin.

That game was just before COVID really started to hit. Who could’ve predicted that it would be the last game one could attend in VIC.

Friday 26 Feb 4:10pm local - Fremantle V Melbourne - Fremantle Oval Sun 7 March 4:10pm local - Melbourne V North Melb - Casey Fields Full pre season fixture below. Rounds 1-6 of the Home & Away season should be due out any day.

Yeah right on. Who can ever forgot that nobody Beau Wilkes from St Kilda kicking 5 and 3 goals against us in the same year?

Is that the spud that kicked 4 goals against us last year, despite tearing his hammy earlier in the game, on the way to another humiliating 2019 loss for us?