Bring-Back-Powell

My prediction is that Melksham will be back for the North game in round 15 or Brisbane game in round 16. https://www.afl.com.au/news/1074815/brisbane-lions-tom-doedee-on-track-to-return-from-acl-injury-as-early-as-round-three-against-collingwood Using Tom Doedee (Brisbane defender) as an example above, he's targeting the final weekend of March as his return AFL game since doing his ACL in early June 2023. Essentially 10 months. Melksham did his knee in late August 2023. If you use Doedee's recovery time as an example, that puts Jake in the frame for a mid-late June AFL return. To add to that, I don't believe they'll be conservative with his recovery time due to his age, it might be his last chance at a flag and our forward line functions better to far better when he's in the side.

I reckon Max Gawn has been injured "in game" twice in his career. The Geelong game at Marvel in 2017 when he did his hammy and of course the Lions game in round 2 last year. Instead of using Schache as sub to serve only as a "break glass" for Gawn, the club should have played the odds and assumed Gawn would not get injured and play a smaller running type player - as Carlton did with Hollands. It was a warm night and we could have done with some fresh run late. However, as @old55 touched on earlier, we blew our premiership chances in the Pies final rather than the Carlton final. Collingwood were too good and too tough for us prior to the Maynard incident when finals are at their hottest, and also had all the answers in the third quarter when we were trying to come back. They were too good for us that night despite popular opinion.

Unfortunately Sam Walsh was phenomenal against us in the semi which didn't help matters.

Anyone know if Foxtel are showing the match simulations (Melbourne V Richmond on 18 Feb) even though they are exclusively KAYO telecasts? Last year the answer was yes, but not in 2022.

If Hunter misses and Windsor were to play round zero, I could see Brayshaw (thanks to his versatility) and Windsor sharing/rotating on one of the wings. When Windsor's on the wing, Brayshaw spends time in the centre or on the bench. I would imagine Windsor would get low minutes and then be subbed off if he isn't dominating. I couldn't see Windsor having a full game on the wing based on what I saw last Friday, and probably not a game full stop. Having said that, Laurie played the final praccy game against Richmond, looked miles off the pace, but was selected for round 1 last year. Billings could also be an option to play minutes on Hunter's vacant wing.

I thought these 4 guys had quiet match simulations last Friday, good to see positive signs today.

The SCG is really easy to get to from the CBD on game day. Just hop on a light rail tram in the city and it virtually takes you right to the front door. Getting back to the city on the other hand after the game.....massive lines to get back onto the light rail. Last year (round 24) I cheated by walking over the bridge and somehow getting a bus on Anzac Parade straight away.

And that's why the majority of the Port fan base are in disbelief that Hinkley is still in charge.

Hope not. Surely other clubs are copping niggles every other training session. A corky is a relief for Viney. May is injured every pre season Petty is however a concern for the early rounds given he's still not in full training. Hopefully Hunter gets himself right. He was good in the Carlton final.

He was also outstanding in last Friday's match sim. Looks ready for a big year.

Where did most people have us in Feb 2021? Maybe the players might perform better with lesser expectations. All the pressure is on Carlton to win the flag. Are they up to it?

Even though it feels like it's the end for BBB, he technically should be available for Casey for the VFL season opener, and if all goes well, AFL selection by say round 4/Gather Round. That's if Richo's 6-8 week recovery is on the money.

I watched 3x 15 minutes quarters and he probably took 1 or 2 marks for the entire game up forward and missed a set shot. Maybe he fired up in the last quarter. Interesting to note that PF has talked him up 2 or 3 times this year in his training reports. There is definitely an opening for him if he's good enough to take it.

Sounds like these two have a bit of work to do if they want to be in round zero calculations. McAdam was stationed at full forward in Friday's match sim and was very quiet unless the ball was in his area. Compare that to his days in Adelaide where he often played further up the ground.

Needs to be our “quarter back” this year. He needs to use his elite kicking from defensive 50 and make that surgical pass into the middle of the ground to set up our next goal from defence. I’ve got a feeling that he and Laurie are going to have big years.

Maybe they had an agreement that if he can’t make it to June without surgery, rehab and constant management, then both parties will part ways and we can get a pick in the mid season draft.

That was my main take from the day as well. Goal kicking single handedly ruined our finals campaign last year (and robbed us of top 2 with some deplorable home and away scores) so it was nice to see some crisp goal kicking today, albeit under minimal stress. Fritta was automatic from 40-50. Laurie nailed a set shot from the boundary (as did Langdon) and kicked another from 45 after taking on an opponent who was asleep. Chandler kicked 3 or 4 and looked assured in front of the sticks JVR nailed the set shot of the day, 45 out near the boundary. I hope we respect our opportunities on goal more this year.

I agree with your assessment of Windsor and that there’s no chance he’ll be in the side for the Sydney game. You can see what he’ll become but not yet. For example there was a passage of play where he tried to take an opponent on near the boundary line at half back which would’ve opened up the field for his teammates, but ended up getting pinged for holding the ball. Tholstrupp was quiet as well.

Impressed with Chandler today. 3 goals and set another up.

Very impressed with Laurie today. 2 nice goals and been heavily involved. My tip for most improved this year.

The goal kicking has been elite today so far. Nibbler with a mark and play on goal from 45 or so. 4.1 to 2.0 May it continue.

Laurie a lovely set shot goal from the boundary on the back of a good contested mark from McAdam who passed it to him.

Trac with a regulation set shot goal from 45 in front.

McAdam with an opportunistic snap and goal for the white team.

Chandler two nice goals to commence match sim in the first 4 minutes.