Bring-Back-Powell

Stephen Powell played 2 fantastic seasons for us (2000 and 2002) and is the exact type of midfielder we lack today - a midfielder that kicks goals. Kicked 32 goals in 2000 including 7 over the prelim and GF fortnight. Left the club at the end of 2002 over a finance dispute I believe, which was poor management by us. Can’t make the list due to his brief tenure, but he was fantastic player that was picked up on the cheap (both for us and then St Kilda).

Given Collingwood and Richmond are 2 of the 4 clubs that are allegedly bullet proof financially, I would hope that Melbourne are scheduled at least one home blockbuster next year - either Anzac eve or QBday. I know we’re not scheduled to host either marquee game next year, but it would be a kick in the guts if the other mobs get the gate revenue for both events. Perhaps Collingwood and Richmond will agree to split the gate with us just for next year. And then business as usual after that.

So on the one hand we're playing games from Thursday 11 June, and on the other hand the doomsayers reckon it's 18 months until we can leave our houses when the vaccine is ready.

I fear that’s the very game they’ll show. One of the most humiliating losses of the decade.

Or what about Melbourne V Freo - 2008. A bit of a come from behind win to say the least. The home teams from round 2 were the winners in each classic game they showed last week, aside from the North V Brisbane 2003 draw. So I expect a Melbourne win will be shown. Conversely next week for St Kilda V Melboune they'll show a St Kilda win.

If the entire season is played behind closed doors, then Casey should absolutely be an option, to save us a few bucks and utilise that shocking wind out there to our advantage (local knowledge!) They've played annual pre season games there since 2017, and most years since 2008, so they've already had a foot in the door in terms of hosting top flight games. Under absolutely no circumstances can they play a game there in front of a crowd. There is no elevation, per most suburban/country pre season venues.

What about AFL members - can they expect a refund if all games are played behind closed doors this coming spring?

It was a poor performance by the club despite the positives that Gawn was banging on about post game. Eagles led by 38 points late in the third quarter and the game was essentially over by quarter time. The turnovers and inside 50 entries were appalling, and it was essentially round 24 2019. But I'll cut them slack. 32 degrees against a team that's 21-6 at their home venue. Not to mention the COVID-19 dramas while flying across the country. They need to tinker with their game plane if we're going to be any chance of finals this year.

Sadly, all of the round 1 games will be etched into history. So, unfortunately Spargo's 7 clangers will remain. I like your idea otherwise, but would assume the AFL would be keen to stick to the 17 game plan that was announced prior to round 1. If I was to take a stab in the dark, I reckon it will be a September - November home and away season spanning 13 weekends with 3 mid week games per club, in order to get the remaining 16 games in. Then December finals.

He was so disappointing for us considering what a good player he was at Essendon, particularly during their dominant 2000.

Why on earth would they consider a best of 3 grand final series this year when they'll be lucky to sneak in 5 weeks of footy at the back end of the year.

I know you shouldn't overreact over one game, but please add Charles Spargo to the chopping list. I'd keep Jones on the list and delist lesser skilled players such as the Wagners and ANB's of the club

GWS threw that game away due to their inaccuracy. Normally it’s us giving the game away to the oppo.

The forward line looked more potent back then with Hogan, Watts, Pedo and Garlett.

Any idea how much Scully’s paying for first goal?

Be massive if we get the 4 points to open the season. We’ll go 2-0 next week as we’re only playing Essendon’s VFL side next week....Not even Melbourne could drop a game like that, right?

Our forward line would function so much better with Hogan. I’ve come to the realisation that it was a fluke and an anomaly that we won from round 22- semi final 2018 with the T Mac - Weid combo.

So do I. Used to love going to Waverley 3 or 4 times a year as an alternative to the G.

Spot on, in that you never see MFC on the Fox Footy classic games. The entire summer just passed they showed just 2 Melbourne games and they were a 100 point loss to North in 1996 and the 1 point loss to Hawthorn later that year. Every other side was afforded a ‘classic win’ - even Gold Coast. I almost made a complaint.

Double headers eh? Did anyone here go to the double headers in 1986 and can share their memory of them? I think we were involved in both double headers - vs Sydney (loss) and Geelong (win) and both games were the ‘curtain raiser’.

I have a feeling Ben Kennedy’s going to have an impact today, and he’s going to be that small forward we’ve been craving for, for the next 8-10 years.

I give us a sniff. We went 3-0 in the JLT series including a great win over Port over there. Watch out for that Oliver kid making his debut today. I know we all think we should’ve taken Parish in last year’s draft but you never know, he might surprise us all. Should be a nice day, overcast and in the low 20’s.

Agree Doc. Do the Cowboys even need a GM with old mate Jerry running the show?

Hard to believe that the Corona Virus can actually benefit a professional, but Goodwin is a massive beneficiary of it. Hard to fire a coach if you've got no money to pay him out He had six months to revolutionize our diabolical inside 50 entries, and all we got was round 24 2019.

Don't agree with the sentiment of your post but you're right in that the players may have to get a day job to supplement a potential pay cut going forward. I also think we should explore the idea (as should other clubs) of playing a few home games down at GMHBA stadium against poor drawing sides - if we're in dire financial trouble next year, and on the assumption we can receive a nice cheque for the game. The stadium will soon hold 40,000 people so it should be utilised more than 9 times a season. I don't think we'll be able to afford to play certain games at the G if we can't make a profit from those games. I also sincerely hope the AFL will give us one of Queens Birthday or Anzac Eve as a home game next year, despite 2021 being our turn to be the away side for both marquee events.