Bring-Back-Powell

2,200 odd allowed in to the Showdown. 1,400 odd Port members will go in a ballot. Should be first in best dressed rather than a ballot.

I'm not so sure about that. (Not that O Mac is a good player either) O Mac put together 45 games over the 2017 and 2018 seasons including playing all those games when we had the 6 games winning streak in the first half of 2018 as well as the magical month we had between round 22- week 2 finals. He had a stinking bad 2019 - no arguments here. He's also one of about 6 players on the list that can competently kick a football and hit a team mate. That is why we're such a poor footy side because we can't hit targets. Smith has a bit of potential but it's hard to argue that he's a better player than O Mac on the back of 10 or 11 career games.

LOL! Demonland’s number one whipping boy on track for a third placing in the B&F.

On reflection Langdon was much better than 2 votes. Provided the outside run we desperately needed and had it 31 times. The media slammed him for a couple of miss kicks inside 50, but name me a player that goes 31/31 in effective disposal. If his 2 behinds were actually goals it would’ve been an excellent performance. Good signs going forward for Langdon.

Smith was starting time show a few signs by round 19/20 of 2018 but as usual got injured at the wrong time for him. He also played a belter of a game in defence against the Bulldogs in the 2017 pre season series. There’s something there but he needs a good 12 weeks in the seniors to determine if the hype is actually warranted.

I reckon Oliver would be keen for a big one on Saturday regardless of whether he spends time on Cripps or not. Had a slightly sub par 2019, a very sub par round 1 and is now clearly behind Cripps in terms of who is the better player - after a close call in 2017/2018.

Spot on. Harmes sniffs the goals more than the likes of our regular mids in Viney, Brayshaw and particularly Oliver. Yet the coach of the second most impotent attacking side in the league deploys him down back, hence robbing us of a goal kicking option.

Careful with the criticism of Goodwin. Apparently he’s untouchable according to a few around here, despite guiding us to second last and overseeing one of the worst seasons in modern day MFC history. I agree with you in that our forward line structure and personnel down there is probably going to hold us back from winning too many games this year. The club is now unrecognisable to the one that won 6 in a row in 2018 while scoring 100 points without fail.

6) Viney 5) May 4) O Mac 3) Lever 2) Langdon 1) Pickett Most of our midfield and forward line were atrocious.

Lever would have to be in a bit of doubt. Missed today’s intra-club and channel 7 reported he also missed a training session during the week.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Lockhart’s a regular this year.

Hopefully his 150th has a similar result to his 100th which was a win over Essendon at the same venue.

Goodwin received the head coaching gig on a silver platter. Not many assistant coaches receive an initial 5 year deal with the promise of taking the reigns in year 3. He has a record of 5-19 over the last 24 games and there was absolutely no visible improvement in round 1 in terms of game style, inside 50 entries and defensive accountability. Six months of promised atonement, only for the game to be over at quarter time. The apologists will say that the players were distracted due the impending suspension of the season, but it was still an official game of footy and you can only judge what they dished up. I think supporters are entitled to go hard at him and ask if he’s the right man to take us forward if we’re no better than 1-4 after round 5 despite playing a bunch of winnable games on paper.

Your provide some good ideas except I’d change one thing: Tier 2 is for members - first in best dressed rather than a lottery which you suggested.. Tickets go on sale on the Monday morning for members only and first in first served rather than a lottery. This would also apply for AFL and MCC members, given how large the MCG is.

Richo and the number 32. Could it happen this or next season?

Absolute non news story. A few hundred corporates, sponsors and fat cats allowed to watch a game with a glass of red behind a glass window from next weekend. I guess we'll all be able to go to the Geelong game at $1,000 a head.

I think it's an atrocious move by Goodwin to turn a goal kicking midfielder into a defender and I reckon the player himself would not be happy with the move. From the round 1 defensive line up - include Salem, retain Lockhart and release Harmes further up the field. Like others have mentioned, Hibberd's on thin ice. His disposals aren't counting for much any more, isn't a great defender and is past his 2017 peak as a league footballer. Jetta was rusty in round 1 but I hope he'll build into the season as he's clearly our best small defender. O Mac stays as we'll have talls in McKay, Casboult and McGovern to deal with.

I'm honestly thinking Goodwin's a seriously out of form coach at the moment, from a tactical point of view. Let's turn our best goal kicking midfielder (aside from Petracca who's yet to prove himself as a mid) into a half back flanker and watch the likes of Viney, Oliver and Brayshaw kick their 6 goals a year.

Any idea when real human fans are allowed in?

It's a fair point you make. Since 2018, we've been pathetic in the marquee blockbusters against Collingwood and Richmond and haven't done the events any justice. The last two Anzac eve games have been a complete yawn fest for the general viewer after an exciting 2017 game. The AFL has done their part in granting us the public holiday blockbusters but we haven't held our end of the bargain. And yes, we showed the world what a power house we could possible become in 2018. We outnumbered Hawthorn supporters in a final and well out numbered Geelong supporters!

We had a good strong key forward in J Hogan - sans the leadership. Just our luck another forward talent (post 1994) slipped through our fingers.

Nobody’s mentioned Hunt as a possibility. Kicked 3 goals the last time we played them including the winner from outside 50. Seems to have fallen away since about round 19 last year and aside from his debut year of 2016, he can’t put a full season together. A shame as he has much needed pace and a long kick for goal.

Even though he wants to play full time midfield I hope he still plays a percentage of the game up forward. We need all the fire power we can get in the forward line and it will allow Harmes and Brayshaw more time in the midfield.

Pretty grim but expected reading. I’m blown away by the Bulldogs. One of the very few clubs that isn’t reliant on the AFL. They were always the first club to be talked about re:mergers or going bust, and now they’re financially independent. Was this mainly due to winning a flag, Peter Gordon or a combo of both? I note that every side to win a flag since 2013 is financially viable. Can Bartlett and Pert weave their magic and get us through this?

I’d go back to the 2018 model with the addition of a healthy Viney who was excellent in round 1: Oliver Viney Harmes (head to head with gun oppo) Brayshaw (mostly mid, bit of wing) Petracca (20 mid / 80 forward)