No. 31

I would say it is a 50/50 prospect myself. I think Demonland is going to be a lonely place for me this week 😁

#FellowshipOfTheNavyBlue* Think I might even wear my Navy Blue Demons polo top when watching the game on tv tonight. (*does NOT include Geelong or Adelaide ... i really loathe the Adelaide Crows and am ambivalent about Geelong the team despite liking Geelong the city) 😁

I caught the train to Murrumbeena from Richmond last night but today it is only trains to Caulfield then you can switch to Frankston Line heading into the city, so minimal extra time for the Cranbourne/Pakenham Lines travellers.

Dangerfield being out gives Melbourne a real chance tonight. Carn the Dees!

88,500 is still a big crowd for a Friday night.

Was at the MCG last night. Other than the first quarter, Collingwood out tackled, out pressured a fairly listless Carlton. Quite simply the Pies were hungrier, wanted it more and Carlton had too many passengers. The worst performance by the Blues this season and amazingly still only lost by one late goal (mostly due to the goals of McKay and Owies). If the Blues bring that level of intensity on Thursday the Dees will win. I think McGovern is back for next week so perhaps a bit more stability in defence might be seen for the Blues. Still, I think the Blues are playing better than last season at the same time and being competitive and a chance to win even when not switched on.

Rozee should not have been playing and should not have come on for a second time either. The insanity is partially explained by the fact that Port hate, hate the Crows. Its not some puffed up faux rivalry, they really can't stand each other (I have a work colleague who supports the Crows and another who follows Port).

Port are such a flakey side, never know what you will get from them. As for the Crows, they are always up for playing Port.

No, it is the Lord's wish 🙏

But was one of the main immigrant hubs in late 19th and early 20th centuries which saw waves of different ethnic groups come through the suburb and eventually disperse to other suburbs ...

Historically, North Melbourne was always squeezed in geographically between Carlton to the East and Essendon to the North and never made inroads into the West as Footscray was there. They were always limited by their traditional geography in Melbourne. They really should have pursued interstate options when you can do it on your own terms and have some bargaining power ratger than circumstances forcing you into it.

Yes, I understand the forces that lead to it but it does impact on integrity of the competition.

Taking into account Dangerfield out injured, Max will likely dominate the ruck giving the Dees mids plenty of opporrunities and the Dees organised defence, I think MFC are in with a real shot against Geelong. Kicking for goal accuracy is the uncertain variable ...

Agreed. I always thought that each team playing each other once with an additional cup comptetion to help fill out the lost rounds would be a fairer system. Could call the cup competition the Championship of Australia, reviving an old name: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Championship_of_Australia Could even have WAFL & SANFL clubs participating in a first round giving these clubs some extra exposure and revenue. Just an idea, not carefully thought out mind you 😁

Yes, the AFL fixturing really is absurd.

Agreed. And he seems to be a player thst thrives on the big stage in big moments. Something he didn't have much of a chance at St Kilda and Fremantle. Was an awesome pickup for the Blues. I can put up with his occasional wayward kicking because he provides so much in other areas. He is becoming a cult figure at Princes Park.

The Blues have McGovern, Marchbank, Saad, Cerra, Fogarty, Docherty, Motlop & Martin out. They all played in the second half of last year and last September. Only Docherty (and Silvagni) are out for the whole season. All the others are returning over the next month. Carlton get to play Geelong again on 21 June, it is not that far away, a lot more about the prospects of all contenders will be known by then 😊

I say in most instances it is a genuine passion for club, its good to see, wasn't always the case. I reckon it played a part in the crazy run into September last year and this Blues side has developed a real esprit de corps in 2023 [repeatedly punches the CFC monogram on my polo shirt as I sip my chamomile tea 😁]

Maybe some truth to that 🤞 Was at the MCG today so I haven't seen highlights or the replay yet. The Blues kicked 2.8 in the 1st quarter. Some real profligacy in front of goals. Too many green footballers in for Carlton at the moment. Still largely pleased with the Blues effort, lacking a bit in execution and football IQ in parts though. A Carlton with McGovern, Saad, Marchbank, Cerra, Martin, Motlop and Fogarty would have certainly accounted for Geelong today. Sure the Cats are a polished and capable side but not so sure how they will fare later in the season when the wear and tear of the season takes its toll and the whips are cracking in September ... 🤔

Might be because it is a Geelong home game at the MCG and allows more Cats supporters to travel up from Sleepy Hollow. I think Geelong complained to the AFL about their MCG home games being at night in previous years. If it was a Carlton home game it would be the evening match. Still, I don't mind a Carlton away game at the MCG on a late Saturday arvo, works for me. Up the Baggers!! [Selecting which navy blue scarf to wear 😁] Still, for neutrals watching on tv, Cats v Blues would definitely be more appealing!

It was a cheap shot that deserves a week or two.

I would have thought that the Dees would be vying with the Hawks for the #5 spot in Melbourne (in terms of supporter base size)?

Any other Evertonians here? I watched the derby against Liverpool yesterday. The Toffees went a long way to avoiding the drop and also put a serious dent in Liverpool's title hopes. Love it! 💙⚽️😁 Now I am waiting for a third round of points deduction for Everton ... they are clearly to blame for global warming and the conflict in Gaza!

Or North Melbourne relocate there. The Northern Kangaroos ...

Another draw wouldn't go astray 😁 PS - have no issue with draws, seen my fair share in soccer over the years.