Bring-Back-Powell

It’s not as if the men’s league has been covering themselves in glory in this department. Last year we had just 3 AFL games were the losing side scored 100 points (we were involved in 2 of these) Conversely in 2000, we already had three 100-100 games by Sunday night of round 1. The lack of scoring is an epidemic across both leagues.

Who remembers the St Kilda game at Waverley that year? It was a very significant game in 87’

That is 150% true. It's an indictment on the club website that I come to Demonland for all the training and injury news. I doubt the other clubs are any better in terms of keeping their supporters in the loop.

Brayshaw Melksham Weid Gawn

Assuming he plays every game, it would be V's GC Suns in round 15, Sat arvo at the G.

Even though there was only 17,108 in attendance?

No. It was technically called a behind by the umpire with 1 or 2 seconds left.

Not anymore. Carlton and Collingwood met just once last year. And Richmond and Essendon only met once as well last year.

I walked out of that game livid despite actually getting 4 points. I should've been doing cartwheels considering we'd go on to win a whopping 2 of the next 14 games.

I agree. Having Richmond V Carlton as the season opener since 2008 (excluding 2014 which had an even worse opener in Pies V Freo) is an absolute farce and an embarrassment by the AFL. This fixture should belong to two high premium finalist from the previous year that will put on one almighty show for the public. Eg - Richmond V Collingwood would be tremendous. Instead, each year we have to put up with a dominant Richmond that never gets out of second gear playing a serial garbage side that wins 4 games a year in a yawn fest. Does the AFL think the general viewer actually enjoys this?

I must admit I've fallen into that trap of being excited that J Smith is training and may make a huge difference to the team this year. However the reality is that he is largely unproven at AFL level, but has shown glimpses in his handful of games. Would love for him to become a dangerous high leaping medium-tall forward for us like his Dad who kicked 50 goals for us in the mid 90's.

Does T Mac's fumble and bumble against Gold Coast last year count? That was close enough to after the siren.

We opened the thing in 1996 and lost by 127 pints. Never again please.

Oliver T Mac Fritsch Lockhart

Wasn't Templeton the biggest coup of all time - at the time (before my time!) Aside from the usual suspects like Dangerfield, Fyfe and Martin, I can't think of a player that the MFC needs more than a fit and healthy Bennell. Would provide something that our club is sorely lacking - a genuine classy and outrageously skilled forward.

I'm no expert on ground dimensions but would the LA Coliseum be an option? The old Olympic stadium. The stadium (used for NFL and college football) holds 77,000, so perhaps they remove some seats for the event and make the field longer - if possible?? Surely the game would be played during the useless weekend off after the final week of the Marsh Series and before round 1. As mentioned before, I hope we're not involved. We do enough travelling with our 7 games interstate a year.

Can't like this post enough. Thanks for the insight. The original aim was to have in full training end Jan/early Feb so the schedule is almost going to plan.

The general yank's knowledge of our game is less than nothing. I recall being in Seattle watching the 2009 grand final in a pub. A few of the locals demanded that the "Rugby be switched off" in favour of a division 8 college football game. They had no idea that A) - the game was AFL football and B) the game was actually our showpiece event. Really hope we're not involved. Send the Essendon's, Collingwood's or Richmond's of the world to do the dirty work for once.

"The 49ers have 2 head coaches. Kyle Shanahan and his father Mike Shanahan" - Skip Bayless last week (leading US journo, the Slobbo of AFL) I wonder if the narrative will be that Daddy helped coach Kyle win a superbowl if the SF win?

Very interested in this super bowl as finally the Patriots aren’t participating. Kind of akin to 2016 when the AFL grand final didn’t involve Hawthorn which was a breath of fresh air. Couldn’t care less who wins tomorrow, just hope it goes down to the wire. I’ve been to a couple of Seattle Seahawks games in 2009/2010 and the atmosphere was electric. Fans spend most of the game standing. Cheapest seat was $50 in the nose bleeds. Contrast that to the next door neighbour Mariners (baseball) where you can score a seat for $10 and the product and recent record is more woeful than the Dees.

ANB (sympathy vote. Predicting an inglorious exit for the poor lad) Jones Hibbo Petty

Good news. Seemed like an unnecessary change in my book. Next, the AFL will now try to sell shorter quarters to the fans.

Guttered and shattered he might be unavailable for the Victoria v All Stars game....

For such a high profile player, I reckon we'll hear something tonight, or tomorrow at latest.

That's what scares me. He knows all too well what an ACL feels like. Hopefully it's only a 4-8 week injury and Preuss can take his role in the very early rounds.