old55

Incredible that there is no prominent notice on the homepage of http://www.afl.com.au/ - there's nothing in the carousel at the top, there's only a text link to a story and that's buried 5 down the list. But there still IS a link to "The Finals - Get Tickets" underneath the Match Centre widget (That widget is a disgrace btw - does not update properly when matches are in progress)

Yeah right

WA Optus Oval ticketing is with Ticketmaster and they don't seem to have had any problems. Is it the venue, i.e. the MCG that is with Ticketek?

The AFL and Ticketek send Scarlett Johansson around to your place with a personal notification and apology

How stupid is it that they sell BOTH matches at the same time!?!? With modern cloud computing services like AWS and Azure that can be ramped up on demand there is absolutely no excuse for capacity problems except for total incompetence.

He could have easily kicked 6 yesterday. He is impetuous but he's on the verge of an explosion. Goodwin said the team wasn't far away a few weeks back and he also said the same about Petracca.

I think there's a good chance Gysberts would make it if he arrived at the club now. Development is a lot better and he could play.

Two emergencies held over sounds like late change.

Heave-ho

Stringer is a total joke in the ruck. They'd be better with Tipper in there.

Pretty disappointing that he failed to make the distance from 40m.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theage.com.au/sport/afl/st-kildas-clinton-jones-apologises-for-dwarf-burning-incident-20130902-2t1fz.html?source=images

2A is actually the third level, in the open in front of the corporate boxes - they call them level 3. Level 2 is squeezed in underneath, it's under cover elevated and close to the action but I don't like it because it gives a "letter box" view with the roof quite low - and reserved seating

I'd wing it to 2A at the Punt Road End behind the goals, it's going to be a sunny day, but if you like sitting on the wing (I used to) then go for the upgrade

I've been in the Ponsford vs Hawthorn this year and it is good viewing. Have you tried 2A at the Punt Road End behind the goals?

You can get GA entry into level 2A in the Southern Stand at the Punt Road End. Enter by Gate 4 and go straight up the steps between the stands. I think that is good viewing - agree with @binman that sitting behind the goals slightly elevated gives the best overall perspective.

Kelly is contracted and Geelong said they wont trade him. I believe them too.

If I was West Coast and Gaff nominated MFC I'd match and request a tall in trade. Kennedy is close to retirement age and McGovern can play forward or back. I think OMac, Frost and Weed would be in play if it was me.

The Grand Final is at the MCG until at least 2057.

That's a good example but any post match thread after a loss this year will do. Constructive critical analysis is always welcome and posters like @Lucifer's Hero do provide it in that thread and others. But there is too much poisonous negativity where posters let their own personal historical demons over-ride their reason. Some pause, reflection and perspective would benefit these posters and the club. Here's a quick sample from just a few pages in the Goodwin thread @Nasher references. I'll call it out for what it is.

What a fantastic win against West Coast - the club showed tremendous mental strength after a week of solid bashing in the media to beat the team 2nd on ladder and at their hostile home ground. I recommend a close listen to Simon Goodwin's press conference. He always makes a lot of sense if you listen carefully. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2018-08-19/rd-22-simon-goodwin-media-conference "[Our supporters] have got a team they can really support" There is a whole new generation at the club and they are only responsible for what happens on their watch, not what happened 10, 20 or 50 years ago. This new generation has been unfairly carrying the burden of lack of success over the ages. They are only responsible for their own creation - and yes there have been failures e.g. 2017 R23, but there's been progress too - a lot more progress than failure. We're a young team learning the hard lessons the hard way. Losing culture is just in supporters minds - nowhere else. The club name is the same, the colours are the same, the supporters are the same - but the team is new. The biggest risk is supporters who have experienced disappointment over many years putting their own burden of poisonous negativity onto this group - you don't have to look far to find that here. We supporters need to show some mental strength and not jump off at the first sign of a speed bump. I want to appeal to all Melbourne supporters to really get behind this team through thick and thin. I'm very confident we're coming into a golden era for the club.

Worst thread ever and that's saying something

No JKH either? Pedo and JKH in Perth?

I'm confident we'll be very competitive in a big match against 2nd on the ladder on their home turf even with 3 of our best 5 missing.

There's 8 "forwards" in that line-up. TMac, ANB, Spargo and VDB. Add Weed, Melksham, Kent and Hannan. And that's not counting Petracca. That's a lot. The 7 "backs" are OMac, Frost, Jetta, Hibberd, Salem, Lewis and probably Fritsch. Mids: Gawn, Oliver, Brayshaw, Harmes, Jones, Tyson and probably Petracca. That's not enough. Some of those forwards are going to have to play significant midfield minutes to keep a balance, particularly if Fritsch is part of the back 7. It will be interesting to se how that works.