Bring-Back-Powell

If Hogan requests a trade to Freo, I'd be expecting Nat Fyfe or something of the equivalent value in return. We're talking about a once in a generation key forward that's already kicked 42 goals and top 5 in contested marks in his first year. Sounds like the next 12 months are going to be critical with regards to Hogans future. I reckon we're in trouble if he hadn't re-signed by round 1 next year.

I must be on my own thinking Howe will be a bad loss. i think we'll miss his intercept marking and mostly good disposal from defence. He was/is a better defender than forward but I think everyone remembers his laziness as a forward rather than his effectiveness as a defender. Howe's better games for the MFC were as a defender.

I saw all I needed to see of Kennedy in Collingwood's rd 17 clash with Western Bulldogs at Etihad last year. Couldn't make the distance from 35 mtrs out at the Lockett end goals. If you can't execute that skill, what hope have you got? Buggs played 70 odd games for GWS, I'm pretty sure I've seen a bit of him. He's not bad but a bit of a worry he fell out of GWS's best 22 last year.

I wouldn't be surprised if we only win 3-5 games. As others have mentioned, our list has actually gotten worse with the departures of Howe and Cross. Kennedy and Bugg are ordinary players who will probably be at Casey for at least half the year while Melksham would've helped. Hopefully our ordinary trade period is offset by the natural development of our 19-22 year olds and a better injury run than last year. Im hoping for 8-10 wins but not getting my hopes up like most others are around here.

Geez we have a stack of injury issues for this time of year.

The tragic thing about Cometti retiring is that one of Hamish, Basil or even worse....Luke Darcy will be the face of Friday night footy.

Anyone know when the intra club is? i assume they'll do this during business hours like every other year, when no body turns up and the club misses out on membership purchases and merchandise.

What makes you think Salem won't be right for round 1? Was he in rehab all session? Has he re-done his hammy? if he's copped another bad hammy, than no way he plays round 1.

Dawes retiring before round 1??

Sorry guys I was wrong on a couple of games. The Collingwood game was not the 2010draw but the 2007 7 point queens bday win. I still reckon that draw over the premiers of that year was one of our best performances of our horror recent history. The other I got wrong was the Richmond win. It was from 2009 not last year.

I actually expect to lose to Essendon now. I will pleasantly surprised if we knock off them off. I just hope we can knock off GWS to prevent a 0-3 start to the season, as North in rd 3 is a guaranteed loss.

You can lock that one in. We totally fall to pieces the rare occasion the TAB opens us up as favourites.

Was listening to the Run Home on SEN last night and Jon Ralph and the boys were talking about the possible make up of the final 8 this year. Ralph mentioned 3 teams that simply will not play finals this year - Carlton, Brisbane, and Melbourne. He then went on to mention that while he gives the Dons a slight chance, he said they'll probably miss out in the end. So basically he rates us lower than a side that will be missing 10 of their best 22 all season. Please prove him wrong, Dees!

^^ Hey It's time, Not confirmed at all but I've got a killer memory when it comes to what Round we played a team. For instance, the melb v port game is rd 9 but doesn't say the year. But i remember that we beat port in rd 9 2010 by a point so I'm assuming it's that exact game.

Some games that they'll playing: Geelong V Melbourne - rd 20 2005, Simonds Stadium (1 point win, broke the 17 year Kardina Park hoodoo.) Geelong V Melbourne - rd 12 2015. Simmonds Stadium (best win in recent history) Melbourne V Fremantle - rd 22 1997, MCG (not sure what was so special about that win. Just a random late season win in a dismal season) Melbourne V Fremantle - rd 7, 2008. MCG (50 pt comeback) Melbourne V Collingwood - rd 12 2010. MCG. The draw. Richmond V Melbourne - rd 4 2015 MCG. (Inagural Anzac day eve win) Essendon V Melbourne - rd 13 2014. MCG. (Salem kicks winning goal) Melbourne V W Bulldogs - rd 14 2013. MCG.(one of our 2 wins for the season. Almost blew 7 goal lead) Melbourne V Port - rd 9 2010. Darwin. ( 1 point win in our Darwin debut)

I reckon Dawes is due for a breakout 22 goal season from 19 games.

Nar I think you'll find Toumpas was the sub in round 1 vs GC. I remember he came on for Kent as the concussion sub and he was an absolute disaster area. Was temporarily subbed out after Kent was deemed ok. Then was eventually re-subbed in for good and was even more of a nervous wreck.

That's the exact forward line we had last year Rs 1 vs GC and it worked a treat. Watts was very dangerous with 3 goals, Garlett kicked 2.4, Hogan did his thing, Kent was exciting, VB took a contested mark/goal and Frost was serviceable as the back up second ruck. Then Dawes came back the next week vs GWS and ruined the chemistry in a poor loss. According to the latest Bernie Vince article, it's understood that he may spend more time up fwd due to the removal of the sub.

Yeah had a feeling the sarcasm metre was going off in your post, especially when you mentioned Terlich, but you can never be too sure.

Hopefully T Mac's shoulder is just a stinger. I know this sounds harsh but i don't think anyone would be too fussed on Terlich.

You can probably remove TMac from the round 1 sides. Someone in the training thread mentioned he sustained what could be a serious injury this morning.

Season over for the MFC if he's seriously injured. He's top 3 in terms of importance to the side.

I reckon Grimes is right in the mix. Had a very productive last 3 games where he averaged 24 touches and kicked a goal in each game. His pre-season had been outstanding as evidenced by a great time trial and massive pump up by Roos in the player updates. Combine that with an impressive Nab Challenge (potentially) and he'll just about be over the line.

We've slipped behind St Kilda.

I thought this thread was about Petracca. On SEN this morning Roos was confident he'll be playing somewhere in round 1, which would be a god result.