Robbie87

Given his career trajectory, I have nothing but admiration for Tmac, his longevity in the game, and the outstanding player he has become - seemingly better year on year. He had to endure the horrors of beginning his career at a Club that was a basketcase, struggled on, moved forward, won a flag, then back, and now is probably our most reliable defender in all aspects of the game. I remember going to watch him at an early preseason training session (which might have been at Sandringham) after being drafted, and he looked like the worst kick of a football I had seen for some time (and that was saying a lot in those days!). It was like watching a kick in slow motion, and very few hit the target. Thought he was a dud pick - mind you he was a regular misser of targets game day for some time and a leading generator of groans from the crowd. But fast forward and he deserves his current lofty stats status... not bad for a kid from Edenhope!! Congrats Tommy on your resigning.

JVR stiff - our forward entries hardly encourage our fwds to lead. Fritsch dropped for Turner is a week too late. Fullarton also should have played last week. Let's play some guys with some evidence of form. Johnson should have been a consideration last week too. Goody says we are not going hard enough at it, not enough fight - AJ has a serious crack and unsettles his opponents, and does a fair job giving Max a chop out. I vowed I was not going to watch a team with Spargo in it - what is the ongoing love affair selectors have for Spargo - surely Laurie or Brown have more attributes? Come to think of it, I think I do! Spargs has the Coach, selectors and half his teams mates (those who keep kicking high balls to him when he has an opponent) hypnotised.

Whilst not shying away from the increasingly regular and signicant woes of our midfied (continuously losing clearances is a major recipe for defeat), no-one seems to really consider our long injury list, and how that might have played into our game style plans for this year - we are some way from optimum in terms of available players, and the consequences of having to shift players around who trained a different role over summer to cover holes. We have had around 13 on the injury list most of the season so far (second only to Carlton and Geelong) - not all stars or walk up starts admittedly, but eg losing McVee and probably his understudy in AMW had the magnets coming out in the defence and most likely shifted Rivers and even Lindsay to the backline. And there should be no underestimating the effect of the loss of a couple of our senior 'spiritual' leaders in Brayshaw and ANB - not just leaders but warriors who knew how to do a job and respond when the chips were down. Pickett's absence has highlighted our lack of x factor, highly skilled players. All this instability while blooding young players and trying to implement a different method of ball movement must be a coaching nightmare, and it doesn't take much for confidence to evaporate. Not feeling good about tonight's game....

Billings is no certainty from there...good chance for out of bounds on the full.

Totally agree - there was no need to draw attention to Max's issues - the press didn't instigate this one. Nice of Goody, but not very wise IMO.

Apparently he has indicated he wants to play midfield - may not be a match.

Depends on where you coming from AoB - if you are coming in on the Craigeburn line and don't want to hop trains at North Melbourne you might go Kensington or just continue on to North Melbourne station - 10 minutes walk also.

There is also Kensington Station (Craigeburn line) - both are about a 20 minute walk, but I would suggest Kensington Station might be a slightly easier and more straight forward walk, plus I also believe trains don't always stop at South Kensington...check that.

Great Melbourne man - he and Arthur Wilkinson guarded the change room door like their lives depended on it - should be nominated for the Defenders of Team of the Century! Barry had a gruff demeanour when on duty, but was a lovely bloke. Worked out along the way that he lived just near me on those days, so used to give him the occasional lift home after a game, and got to know him a bit better than just his doorman duties. Generally, Barry took public transport to and from games, making for very long days for him, especially in his later days. One of the old-time good guys, Melbourne through and through. RIP Barry, and condolences to friends and family.

Fritta probably still recovering from last session's Clarrie tackle...

Thanks Ghostwriter - should be a nice day for it...

Does anyone know if it is on at Gosch's at the usual time? Nothing on club website about it.

Great report Deespicable - thanks. Here is hoping Jed Adams can take a step forward. The absence of Tomlinson down back at VFL level might be just what he needs - more responsibility on key forwards. Windsor observations are interesting - I keep getting flashbacks of Robbie Flower when I watch this bloke on the move. Stick the number 2 on him?

WC website: Taken with the first pick in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft in June 2022, Culley arrived in the west from Dandenong with a mature, AFL-ready body and made an impact in the second half of the year. After four games in the WAFL, Culley was called up to debut for the round 18 clash with Hawthorn at the MCG and laid 11 tackles. He tallied four games in his first half-season in the AFL and returned to pre-season trimmed down and extremely fit ahead of his first full campaign in blue and gold. Culley found his place in the Eagles’ forward line early in 2023, earning himself a Rising Star Nomination for his career-high four goals in round six. Unfortunately, Culley suffered a season-ending ACL injury in round eight and was moved to the inactive list. He was re-signed on a one-year deal for the 2024 season. At a Glance: Junior Club: Langwarrin (VIC)/Elizabeth Murdoch College (VIC). Debut: Round 18, 2022. Recruited from: Gippsland U18 (VIC). Brownlow Votes: 0. 194cm. Forward or mid in other bios.

For all the talk of being an elite kick, his ability to regularly turn something into nothing (especially with any heat on, perceived or otherwise) was very evident. A depth player at best - would rather have seen a younger project player in that spot. Not a contest player and as an outside runner, not enough speed. Been largely disappointing and probably would have had a lot less games if Hunter or even Spargo were available. Admittedly he was a bit better in the last few games but agree with Biggestred on his likely status in 2025.