Skuit

So as most of us are aware, Lever didn't play in that game. How did his prognosis stretch out so dramatically without any other official word from the club? Could the 12 - 16 weeks be an error, or is there a secondary source?

Again, an excellent wrap-up Baghdad Bob, kudos. So I'm yet to see a pre-season match, but a to-date early summary of our most recent lesser-light recruits (i.e exc. May, Pruess and KK) might perhaps follow as: Jordan: showing a lot for an under-ager - composed with the ball. Chandler: a bolter, loves to fly and playing above his weight. Bedford: willing and talented if nor wayward, but needs to get more of the ball. Bradtke: could be anything, but still a long way off. Sparrow: has the body, but has so far under-performed as might be expected for an albeit spec 27 pick. C. Wagner: going okay, nothing sensational and unlikely to crack the big-leagues. Hore: in the words of Joeboy, 'nothing to recommend' above VFL level. Walker/ Nietschke: N/A Is this a fair summary for those who have been in attendance at the training and practice matches?

Can someone explain what happened to Lever's prognosis being pushed out to another potential 15 weeks? Is it in the news or another thread somewhere? I thought he was due back around Round 5/6, with everything going swimmingly except for that minor recent scrape?

Makes sense to fill that spot now - with the odds suggesting another spot could open up before the bye (and if not, we can take a pretend bat to JHK's knee). Jake Neade or Mitch Grigg if they're eligible (although the latter has said he would turn down another AFL opportunity). Or, seriously, as has been suggested, get Lewis on the phone to Cyril.

With Lever and Frost now parked in the garage for Round 1, I find it extra fitting we've brought in Jaguar as our primary sponsor.

Nathan Jones modelling the Demon's jumper for our round 17 clash against the Dogs. 1750 × 2500

We need short-term though. Was calling for it a couple of years ago after we erred in recruiting JKH etc. as hedged two-way options. Never mind potential midfield ability, a forward pocket specialist is a necessity - and Bedford is apparently so far off that we didn't even bother giving him a taste in any of the trials.

Smith coupled with Fritsch make for a rather springy medium forward combo to cover if we can clear out some space and craft the leading patterns to advantage. Need a small crumber to complement though.

I reckon the tribunal threads are possibly the most demented on here outside of the no-go game-day efforts - including most of the one-off reactionary post-loss flare-ups, is 'Goodwin the right guy?' withstanding. Good job team.

Haha. May suspended in his first outing with the MFC. We need a more gangland look for our logo.

Edited for greater MFCSS accuracy - with projections gleaned from the match-day thread.

Reality-check - we're now only missing Viney, Lever and Milkshake from our confirmed 2019 core crew. Anything less than a ten-goal win is unacceptable in my opinion. Remember that time Hawthorm pummeled us by 90-something points in the pre-season - I want that. In reverse, obviously. And IDGAF about injuries TBH - we'll cop them at some stage - let's go hard from the outset, come what may.

At the risk of unsettling the MFCSS-superstitious masses prior to the season proper, my predicted 80-point win over a travelling BrisVegas outfit should see to that percentage deficit quick-smart.

Jebus: 'Casey Fields is located approximately 50km from Melbourne CBD in Cranbourne East.' Not only does Cranbourne East sound like a truly horrible place, but I had no idea it was so far from Melbourne, you know, the name on our can. It's basically an away game. Someone needs to take the blame for this travesty - and I doubt it's Jack Watts' fault, as there doesn't seem to be much in the way of top-shelf swimming and [censored] opportunities in the near vicinity.

According to my calculations we're still a massive chance for Jalapeno top-four - and even a sneaky shot at runners up behind Carton (hehe) or, as official moral pre-season premiers, Collingwood. Go Dees! (Damn - forgot about Radelaide)

Clarry won't be needing a mouthguard . . .

Kennedy-Harris - forward-pocket-elect - has a kicked a sum-total of three goals since 2014. Even I've managed that many goals since then: save up for some Google goggles, learn the ancient art of origami, and don't choke on my own vomit. Go Dees!

Write to deadline and word-count and 'it's understood' is a valuable journalistic loophole. Although the available resources and second-hand reports suggest that Melbourne have hired or intend to hire five new people in its membership department, it can't yet be confirmed if there are already five new people employed or if one of the positions is still being interviewed for. Further, one of the new people shares a name with an employee who has previously worked in the club canteen, and as such may be an internally transferred employee rather than new one. The Melbourne Football has not replied to a request for comment.

My take as well. I didn't see last week's performance, and I'm not necessarily sold on the combo approach - but Preuss needs to develop his craft and practice playing number one in the event of an injury and Max and the midfield brigade need to get some time in the middle together - with Max also needing the conditioning to play more minutes in the middle should we go with the sole ruck option. Preuss dropping down seems a sensible approach to me rather than a signal. Other than that, I would have liked to have seen Bedford thrown in the deep-end in exchange for JKH - for a number of reasons I won't bother documenting, other than that we need to develop a confidence forward-pocket specialist who can provide real forward pressure alongside U-turn Tomald and fat-Trac, and JKH is unlikely competing for a spot. I also hope Frost is left in, as I imagine he will fair much better in the long-run alongside May, and eventually Lever, rather than having to take one of the accountable defensive roles.

Number 3 Stretch? In a game of small margins it can't be good over the space of 25 weeks being the most tackled and dumped team. Although we have the ball the most and play the game in close so I'm hoping the high numbers just reflect a lot of stoppage wrap-ups. Still, it's usually one of our boys at the bottom of a stacks-on.

Including his own drafts.

@ding - do you have any hi-res close-ups of Cristian Petracca's waist?

AFL site says Hore is off with an injury?

I've decided that this game is super-important and I hope we go out a smash some bones to make a statement for the forthcoming season, injuries be damned. Disappointed that AVB, May, Viney and Jets are on the sideline in this regard. [censored] team that somehow won a flag. Let's shut down these ridiculous wannabees and their stupid supporter base before they find a voice again. Go hard Dees!

The European petanque circuit has also been rocked by recent drug allegations. Interestingly, the suggestion of a recreational drug being performance enhancing. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/petanque-drug-allegations-cocaine-belgian-players