old55

Two matches we started really well were vs. Geelong and Richmond, we had repeated F50 entries and locked it in there but in both games we weren't able to get scoreboard reward. In both those games we had a proper starting ruck.

Salem has had a lot of interruptions. He has shown some great signs this year. I was a doubter but now I' m a believer. Hard and skillful. He'll be in the top 10 in that list.

Billy Stretch will be a better player. We need a premium, not more soldiers.

I agree that Jones is an uprade on our ins this week - Harmes, ANB and probably Melksham. But 1st rounder?

Just a very ordinary player.

16 months off

Add Lewis, Hibberd and Melksham all in together with Vince and it lifts the average.

Average Attributes Melbourne Attribute Gold Coast 186.8cm Height 187.8cm 87.6kg Weight 86.0kg 25yr 0mth Age 23yr 6mth 90.2 Games 65.7 Total Players By Games Melbourne Games Gold Coast 9 Less than 50 9 5 50 to 99 9 4 100 to 149 3 4 150 or more 1

Ablett out with shoulder injury

They were managing his hamstring but he had a set back so they went for an operation: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-05-24/vandenberg-mckenna-suffer-setbacks

How many HBs is enough? We've had, Jones, Salem, Lewis, Hibberd, Melksham, Vince, Hunt, Jetta, Wagner and J.Smith play there so far and White and McKenna at Casey.

I don't disagree, but it's easier said than done with Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond all in that market and more desperate than us. Who do you suggest we chase?

Yep sounds like Jake is ahead of Max from this ... http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-05-24/vandenberg-mckenna-suffer-setbacks Ruckmen Max Gawn (hamstring) is another four to six matches away and Jake Spencer (shoulder) is two to three weeks from resuming. “Maxy, like Jake Spencer, is doing some really good work in rehab. Both of them are pretty close. Jake is probably a little bit ahead of Max. But again, they’re doing a lot of running and racking up a lot of kilometres,” Misson said. “They’ve started doing some ruck work in their rehab, so they’re tracking really well.”

Max on par with Jake for return now in 3-4 weeks Weeks: 1. GC, 2. Bye, 3. Collingwood, 4. Dogs, 5. West Coast, 6. Sydney Angus Brayshaw Concussion Indefinite Colin Garland* Knee Season Max Gawn Hamstring 3-4 weeks Jesse Hogan Cancer Indefinite Corey Maynard Concussion Test Pat McKenna Hamstring TBC Christian Salem Suspension Round 11 Joel Smith Shoulder 5 weeks Tim Smith Rib/punctured lung Test Jake Spencer Shoulder 3-4 weeks Aaron vandenBerg* Heel 6-8 weeks

I doubt you are

Plapp's write-up will be an interesting read - he usually gives something.

Faux tough guy

Agree. If we think that Oscar is going to make it, then is May really #1 priority? I'm less confident that Brayshaw is going to make it now and Vince and Lewis are near the end. I think midfield class is a greater priority. I'm less confident about Weid and Ruck-Fwd than I am about TMac, OMac and Frost in KPD. I think that's #2 priority ahead of KPB.

The biggest roller coaster is not the team's form - it's supporters' emotions on this site. vs Adelaide was clearly our best but we were very good against St.Kilda and Geelong. If Hawthorn and Freo is our worst then we are in very good shape, I don't think it is the worst we'll play this year and I'm not optimistic about our 3 consecutive 6 day breaks with a trip to Perth in the middle following the break. There'll be some below par performance in that stretch. I think the injury set backs we've had could be good for our medium term flexibility. If we can make the finals then we could win the flag - it is a very weak year. The close losses to both Freo and Hawthorn are going to make it tough though. To make the eight we'll need to get on a roll and that could well continue in the finals. I'm bullish about a flag by 2019.

I've heard horror stories of trips to Football Park. I've been twice to Adelaide Oval for a close loss to the Crows and a win vs Port. In both cases the oppo supporters were very civil. Especially the Port supporters.

I think "no change"

I don't think Melksham was successful down back and with Wagner in favour and J.Smith available soon, I think his future there is very limited. I'd like to see him challenging Bugg and Stretch for the wing role. Bugg was good against Adelaide but I'd prefer to see him as decent depth.

I hope he does - we'll kill them. I think Goldy is enough of a handful along with Brown.

Looks like we wont be luring you to the club then.

I thought Mark Riccuitto was very balanced in his commentary.