Bring-Back-Powell

Gotta hand it to Spargo. Puts in a round 1 performance at a level not seen since Isaac Weetra circa 2008. Then coerced our premier albeit young small forward into attending a house party via an Uber during pandemic - hence robbing us a key piece of the puzzle in somehow jagging our first win in 11 months. I don’t think we’ll be seeing young Charles for a number of weeks.

Did anyone else breathe a massive sigh of relief that one of the players was Spargo?

Agreed. Hibberd stays in and Lockhart is unlucky because Salem returns. Lockhart hopefully has a bright future while Hibberd is well past his peak. However, I feel as though we need to keep a good balance between rookies and second year players (Kozzie, Rivers, Jackson and J Smith who is still inexperienced) and the importance of having plenty of seniority. If we're cooked by August, then yes you play a Lockhart ahead of a Hibberd or even a Jetta.

Bit harsh on Lockhart having a stinker. Spargo, Brown, Melksham, Fritsch, ANB, Gawn, Brayshaw, Oliver, Bedford and Jetta all had stinkers. Lockhart had a good crack I thought.

Valid point about us breaking even after quarter time, so from that perspective it wasn't "putrid". The thing that concerned me was that the other day I watched Queens birthday last year where our skills hit rock bottom that day. Then compare that to round 1 2020 and our skill level was generally just as bad. How can we expect our skill level to improve dramatically from round 1 to Saturday? If it doesn't we'll likely be 0-2.

Exactly. We're the second worst side in the league at the moment if you factor in the second half of 2019 and round 1 2020. Carlton won 6 of their last 11 games in 2019. We won 2 of our last 11 games in 2019. There's an argument to suggest that Carlton are entitled to go in favourites based on form. We are however favs to win. With that being said, it will be bitterly disappointing if we lose on Saturday and a lot of our supporters will have already given up hope of finals at round 2.

I know corporates, sponsors and fat cats kick in a fair bit of money to the club, but it would be a kick in the teeth to the paid up and passionate club member if they take all the tickets in the first MFC game when crowds are allowed. As for the 350 fat cats allowed into the GWS game in a corporate box this weekend - seriously, how is this news?? The players won't even hear them.

In - Jones, Salem, Bennell, Rivers, Jackson Out - Spargo, Brown, Bedford, Lockhart, ANB Lockhart very stiff, but feel as though Salem is a direct replacement. ANB, aside from kicking our first goal of the year brought nothing else to the table. I still feel as though our forward structure falls down without a second genuine key forward supporting T Mac. I still think Lever might be an out despite Goodwin saying he'll likely play. 5 omissions does seem a lot, although probably warranted.

Bennell’s highly unlikely to play against Carlton - Tom Browne.

Bad news for our depth, but I don't have him in our best 22. If one or 2 of Lever, May and O Mac get injured, then the Hore injury will hurt.

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?