Skuit

If he goes to the Gold Coast I give up. It's hard enough trying not to trip up over Sam Day and Steve May without adding a Sam Hayes to the mix. We should concentrate of drafting forward/ruck prospect Max King instead.

Side question: Bugg is commonly labelled a serial pest in the Ballantyne mold. But I actually find Bugg to be a likeable sort. Is this bias? Are there pests from other clubs you quietly enjoy the antics of?

This is what I was saying a couple weeks back. We've never had a player putting up these sorts of numbers (figures mitigated somewhat by changes in football) and yet he's barely got a look-in in the Demonland votes lately. We're either complacent as fans or we're becoming a seriously good footy team.

I'm still not entirely certain on the definition of a clanger. Would a typo in a thread heading be considered an example?

I don't like the pre-finals bye but it's the in-finals bye that has always agitated me (as well as the staggered in-season bye). Positive, negative, whatever - we shouldn't even have to debate the effect. Creating any sporting imbalance is ridiculous for a sport that prides itself on equalisation measures - as is, from a marketing and consumer perspective, having your season's best performing teams sit out a week of your showcase finals' series.

I suppose that's the real question. Will he be good enough as a starting forward and where does he fit in our intended structure? From memory, Martin was moving forward and kicking goals when Jamar was out and then flat-lined as a starting forward. We've seen Pedo as a starting KPF before - I think he provides enough and hopefully his newfound confidence will give him an extra boost - but I don't know in terms of footy dept. thinking.

Was saying that Gawn takes Pedo's position and so Pedo takes Hannan's (or another medium forward - perhaps Watts if he's lame. And Bugg seemed to be another with a heavy limp toward the end of the game). Love Pedo to bits. Equal-high contested possessions, 91% D/E, and three genuine goal assists on the weekend. And just all-out competitive whenever he goes near it. But we do have some things to consider. Is Pedo's resurgence and current form a product of the Stefan Martin Effect? I.e. Does he need to be in the middle as the number one and have freedom of movement to have a full impact? When he has shifted forward during games, he's definitely helped with structure and bringing our other forwards into the play. But half of his own goals and goal assists have come about playing as a medium - roving the fall or hand-balling out from the scrum. With Watts playing shorter than what he is, and Hogan probably more suited to the roaming CHF role (sadly, without the leg for it), we seem to have a forward brigade full of short-to-mediums (who can't bloody kick straight), mediums,or medium-to-talls - and Pedo is competing for one of these spots with Hogan shortly due back. He has the versatility to second-ruck, (and can take a contested grab up the field), but Watts and Tmac can also provide relief. He won't be taking Watts' or Hogan's spots in the long-term, so either he plays taller than them both as a genuine KPF - which in a trickle will squeeze out a medium (the position - which I think Goodwin would be reluctant to do) - or he provides more than one of the mediums. This week is Pedo's true audition. Any unforced selections will tell a tale (as to Simon's thoughts re. structure and forward-planning - although tempered somewhat by where and when we're playing).

Gawn comes in for Pedo (or to share with Cam) and so Pedo/Gawn presumably take a spot in the forward-line ahead of one of our fleet of mediums in Petracca, Harmes, Bugg or Hannan. We all love how Hannan is developing, but get the feeling he'll be the one squeezed. Played every game in his first season. Take a breather.

Jack said in the post-game on-ground interview that Bugg's confidence rubs off on those around him. Tick of approval. And love that he's sold an unknowing Watts into it. Jack looked genuinely keen on the tussle today and had career-high tackle-stats till half-time.

I've always believed in Pedo, but it's as if he's started believing in himself. Playing with absolute confidence at the moment.

Akoo - you could buy a small membership package for the true experience and also be able to boast that you support the oldest continuously-running footballing team in the world. . . check melbournefc.com.au And welcome aboard.

Level of cautious excitement re. the trajectory of development and potential. Just the word on here and elsewhere from track-watchers. The momentum gathered pretty quickly on here toward the end of last year for Joel Smith from many quarters and they were spot-on, with Joel a surprise inclusion in round. 1. Early training reports on Corey were solid and he's been slowly backing that up in the VFL. So who do you think would make our social basketball team?

One area seldom mentioned is another forward-pocket specialist. We were crying out for years before we were gifted Garlett. But Jeff is nearly 28 and is reasonably crucial to our game plan. Our small-medium forward recruits in recent times seem a bit of a bet each way. Would love us to take a punt on another mercurial forward type. No harm in having two in the team and it also brings people to the footy.

Haven't been as keen on a game and win this year with the exception of Adelaide and St Kilda. Our team has shown that it's as good as or better than any if it comes to play - but the Dogs had us bested last year (like the Saints, with a wide spread in the packs and then destroying our zone). We take this one, and then I'm certain we can beat anyone come the crunch bar (for now) GWS. Get it done Dees.

The early vibe on Corey Maynard is reminiscent of the steady growing buzz on J. Hunt (post-injury) and J. Smith from track-watchers. Have we found something here? And the starting five of the Melbourne Demons social basketball team is surely the best in the league now, right?

So the National Enquirer was right all along. John Lennon's death was staged.

I would be happy with this arrangement. We need Tmac in defence vs. the Eagles and can save Max from thrombosis in a cramped seat across the Nullarbor. (Just noticed your favourite-players listings Pates. You should add Bont and Dahlhaus for this week).

This is close to the most dynamic and solid back-six that I can recall in my time following the MFC. And with decent depth and interchangeability. Get it done PJ.

This [censored] club. Another faithful member who has lived their entire life without ever experiencing the ultimate in sporting supporter success. We need to build a memorial. And then another one for those who have somehow stuck with us since 64.

How have hell have Naitanui and Watts played almost the same number of games? NicNat seems to be injured a fair bit, while Watts has the permanence of a gnat.

I'm working on the theory that the football dept. are working on the theory that it's better to either win or lose all the taps than set-up for a random distribution in the middle. Either enjoy the silver-service or concentrate on the sharking. Though I also believe that the lack of a ruckman is putting an extra top-down strain on the team across the board and is a flawed approach for season-long sustainability.

Titanic was a movie about class moreso than icebergs. It's fitting that Jack has taken on the transformative Jack Dawson role from his privileged private-school essence past. Looked like a serious, scruffy footballer on the weekend. Max and Jeffie must have initiated Jackie-boy into the ancient gnostic wisdom of the beard-mojo.

I played my underage stuff for Seaton and Henley. Can't remember a Lockleys at all . . .?

Again, for all the respect Oliver gets it's not nearly enough. Viney stood out in the 4th, but Clarry was crucial.

He really is just a kid still. Imagine when he's Heath Shaw's age. Multiple AA' nods beckon. One out the box, Jayden.