Bring-Back-Powell

Not surprised we didn’t feature in the top 50 games. Over the off season , Fox Footy showed loads and loads of classic games for a good 4-5 months but didn’t even show one Melbourne win. One of the two featured Melbourne games they showed included a 106 point to loss to North in the mid 90’s. Even GC and Fitzroy wins were shown, the latter of whom is dead!

I’d entertain the idea. Back in the 2014 draft I was hoping the Saints would choose Petracca or Brayshaw and therefore allowing us to take McCartin. Had a gut feel he’d be a champion forward. Has been crueled by injury. We also need to bolster our forward line and Paddy could be an option. A far better marking option than Weid. We don’t have a good forward line and we can’t rely on Melksham and Fritsch to kick 8 between them every week. They were both disappointing in round 1 as they only contributed 1 between them against WC. However, they will be much better against lesser teams and lesser defenders. As for T Mac, we all bagged him after round 1 but he still managed 2 goals on the back of a poor performance against pretty much the best side in the league. That suggests to me that he would’ve been on track for a solid 50 goal year if the season went 22 games. To T Mac’s credit he’s a very accurate shot for goal and makes the most of his chances unlike many other forwards around the league.

We were also leading Geelong by 38 points at one stage in the second last game of the year only to fall over the line with a draw. Win that one and just one of the Carlton games you pointed out and top 4 would’ve also been ours. Losing to a pathetic Carlton in round 18 2006 was absolutely unforgivable and came from nowhere considering we’d gone 12-2 leading into the game.

Herald Sun website this morning reporting that the season could be back far sooner than we think. Can anyone get past the pay wall and find out what kind of date they’re speculating about?

You weren’t encouraged by our fresh new tactical look, minimal school-boy errors and Hawthorn (2012-2015) like inside 50 efficiency we showed in round 1?

Correct

Number 3: “Footy sucks sometimes” Someone said it after a loss to North to start the season 0-9 in the mid-late 2000’s.

Absolutely it could work in Bennell’s favour. Instead of maybe getting a token handful of games at the end of what would’ve been a non impacted season, he may end up playing half the season if the planets finally align for HB.

That asterisk next to this year’s premier just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Brayshaw needs a kick in the behind and I wouldn't be 100% shattered if he's dropped for round 2. They could drop Brayshaw, bring back Salem in defence and release Harmes back to the midfield where he plays his best footy. Brayshaw just seems to be going at the moment, and has been since round 1 2019, not adding any point of difference to his game (for someone that has no pace) and even missing shots he'd normally get. eg - he kicked 2 behinds in a minute in the third quarter. Need a serious rocket in him when the league resumes.

I’ve got a feeling Freo will jump out of the gates early. Need to be within 4-5 goals during the third qtr if we’re a snow flakes chance in hell of getting our first win of the season.

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.