Chook

I was 50/50 on whether I wanted to see Brown back. I was curious as to what our small forward line setup would look like, but it's pretty clear we've gotten used to the 2 tall setup, and we're playing as if we're expecting McDonald to be there for the long kick in, when he's busy running up and down the ground. Brown in next week regardless of the result for mine.

What's the result if we beat everyone in the 8 but lose 2 games to lowly cellar dwellers (not that that would ever happen this season).

This game really feels like the first of a new era. Goodwin’s 100th game, top of the ladder but coming off a loss, after a week off to reset. A talisman of the club in Viney back in for the first time in a while, on our home deck after a month on the road, playing a team that could easily scalp us. So many factors at play. Are we just early season front runners, or are we in this thing for the long haul. Tonight will tell us all so much, and set this club on one of two very different paths I feel, depending on the outcome.

Viney is a force of nature and Ben Brown is a sideshow, bub.

In case you're being sarcastic, Gary gave us Neeld.

2 things: 1. Geelong won't do anything in September 2. Joe Daniher is a spud

Absolutely loving this game right now. The Lions at the Gabba is the purest football I've seen this year. Melbourne must avoid that visit in finals.

Uh, we have Jack Viney in this week.

My body is SO ready for a Thursday night footy event that promises to be a great clash.

THE UNIVERSE: Halfway through the year your team is on top of the ladder but lost two winnable games to crap teams. Are you happy now mate? ME: Hell no who'd we lose to? I bet it's probably Adelaide and a team whose coach has just quit wtf man, this sucks!

I'm not normal, but I'd follow Lever. I'd be afraid of Jack, and not trust his judgment. EDIT: I should add, I'd follow Max above both of them.

We've been playing with one hand tied behind our back with Wiedemann. I'm not sure Brown is the answer (he might be). I'd love to see us go back to one permanent tall (McDonald), with Gawn and Jackson rotating in there.

lol imagine the hubris of calling the result that keeps your team on top of the ladder "terrible"

Not until we win more clearances.

Melbourne supporters faced with the prospect of a game against Essendon in Geelong:

A case of Asahi, 1 Coles chicken, and a batch of pork spare ribs if it comes to that.

I would've liked one of the leaders from Richmond just go over to young Riewoldt and say "you're better than that mate, that's not what we're about." ?

2018 Melksham and Hogan are the only 2 players from that year I'd take over our current list I reckon.

Called it (sort of).

No wonder we lost to this juggernaut. Crows a sneaky chance for the 8? Mathematically possible?

That's captaincy big boy

2 quick goals and adelaide are less than 4 goals down with a half to play. And with the way they're playing they could get a lot closer than that.

What's wrong with this stadium? The stadium isn't to blame for Adelaide being shocking, and us ruining our chances after flying up on the day.

I don't think I'll ever stop being annoyed that we lost that game against Adelaide. I mean, it may be the last thing I say before I die "I wish we hadn't lost to the bloody croowwssss…" Then I cark it.