Chook

If I were a dockers fan, there's no way I'd miss this - a chance to see the benchmark in the flesh and a chance to see my most hated arch-rivals get torn limb from limb.

Did playing Melbourne over the last 10 years prior to 2018 hurt Hawthorn or Geelong? No, they won billions of flags.

Everything I hear is that Lever by his own admission didn't come back fit enough post 2021, and (this is my own thought) he is paying the price a bit this year in terms of injuries and lack of continuity. He is a very smart player and doesn't need to rack up the kilometres so has been a valuable contributor in games he has played despite the above. Even so, I reckon he would benefit by using the next couple of weeks to get his body right and get a bit of fitness back. If he doesn't he'd probably still get through the year ok and be a very handy player for us - just not the absolute best Jake Lever he can be.

As much as it looked like we’d smash them it’s turned into what looks like it will be another regulation 20-39 win with the 2nd and 3rd quarters swapped around.

Tommy Mac looks lively and his marking is back. Too bad he is a terrible/overly adventurous field kick.

Amateur hour from the Saints and incredible diligence by Petty to touch that on the mark. Fantastic quarter.

Guess he’ll just have to depend on his kicking skills. Oh wait.

Despite how putrid Port has been for most of this year, Sam Powell-Pepper has been just about the only one of them who hasn't dropped off, and has actually turned into a useful footballer rather than just a battler.

I reckon if we were playing a Grand Final tomorrow, the only player we'd want in the side not in this weekend is Salem. Very strong side this one.

Um why not just engage a few alternative new age supports and come back refreshed before winning a premiership?

Pretty sure not kicking the goal so he could start the celebrations earlier would have been the more selfish move.

How bad does Dyl want a flag?

A tiny sniffle embuggerances the winningest team.

The last game I saw Melbourne lose in person was Perth 2018. I gave 2019 up for dead almost immediately, then COVID happened, and after that we came good.

Lions are proving Sydney aren't quite at the level. Seeding: 1. Melbourne 2. Brisbane 3. Fremantle 4. St Kilda Western Bulldogs could make a Grand Final from anywhere in the eight.

The SGC is the absolute worst regular-use ground to watch football being played at. I mean, you can't even fit regulation 50m arcs onto it - it's way too small.

This was my "hold on a moment, we may have something here" game. I got on the dees pretty early last year, and it was the way we responded in the 2nd quarter of this game that really made me notice something had changed.

haha what a scramble that last 10 minutes was. Saints would be absolutely gutted to lose that. Cairns strikes again (hopefully in Melbourne's favour this time around)!

Got there. I reckon we might be bringing a few blokes in next week.

GAZ: "McDonald's gone back. I'm not sure exactly why." Hmm…maybe it's because Smith is subbed out injured mate.

Petracca needs to fix his goalkicking routine. It's the only part of his game that isn't A+.

Melksham used to be so damaging. Now it's like we're playing with 17 out there.

Tommy McDonald going back to cover Smith. Hold onto your hats everyone.

Hunt is in my best 22 for the duration based on his exposed form the last few weeks.