Whispering_Jack

I know we’re supposed to be taking things one week at a time but suddenly, Queens Birthday is looming large on the horizon ?

Meanwhile, by all reports, Austin Bradtke is motoring along satisfactorily, playing in the ruck for the Dandenong Stingrays. Nothing spectacular but he's getting hitouts and possessions and last week kicked a goal in the team's drawn game against the Geelong Falcons.

I have this feeling in my bones - call it a vibe - that we’re going to win this and win it well. We’re playing poorly but are only a goal behind. We can do much better than this and it’s time to rise to the occasion.

Anyway, we’re not going badly in the NRL -

I'm not going to elaborate because this is in my view a filthy beat up timed by the HUN for today. If they were truly investigative reporters they would look at why the several other clubs who did exactly the same thing as Melbourne (Carlton - the club that Brock McLean went to did far worse) and got away without investigation. The Melbourne angle isn't news any more except for the Essendon interests at the HUN who showed their true colours during the drug saga.

The two rogue clubs of the AFL face off tonight and I’m tipping that they will change their respective roles for the game. The Demons will play as if they have ingested some powerful potion that turns each of them into supermen and the Bombers will ... er, tank it.

The arguments and the counter arguments lie buried in contemporary news items and can be read if one wants to delve into the archives on this site. Some is fact, a great deal is fiction based on supposition including quoting a dead man in a different way to the manner in which he told it. The purpose of the article is clear and needs to be treated with the contempt it deserves - not even as tomorrow’s fish and chip wrapping. That era is over now and I’m looking ahead to tonight’s game.

I’ve just come back from RSEA Park Moorabbin where the SMJFL was holding its 2019 season launch. One of the panel guests was Saints CEO Matt Finnis and he looked very contented with his team sitting 2 - 0. This “news” would have to be pretty big if it’s going to derail their season.

I don’t think that’s ever happened before. Teams usually win by 80 points when they have a 73 - 48 advantage in inside 50s.

In round 18 last year, Geelong kicked 11.1 in the last half at GMHBA Stadium. This time they kicked 8 straight before just kicking a behind.

Welcome to winter. Three new faces today and, at least, the team won’t wilt in hot, humid conditions.

I think you’ll find there’s is no Paddy Rider on the Port Adelaide team sheet for today. However, a Paddy Ryder has been named at full forward.

I would like to think we start off like we did in the JLT game against Richmond and keep it up for four quarters rather than go into a shell as we did that day. Of course, the real thing is all about intensity. I think we have the team to do the job.

Better it happens in the last preseason session than 5 minutes into the first game of the season. Good luck to Tom Sparrow. It’s a great achievement to be breaking into the team this early in the season.

Good to see the current AFL ladder showing Collingwood and Carlton in the bottom two.

Great gesture by Max on his 100th

The inspiration for today’s game is persistence and dedication. 100 games to Max Gawn - a terrific achievement after undergoing so much hardship with injury in his early years at the club. Debut matches at the club for Marty Hore and Corey Wagner who had to do it the hard way to get their chances today. Bring it on! .Countdown Round One Melbourne v Port Adelaide Saturday, March 23, 1.45pm AEDT MCG 11.30am: MCC Reserve 12.00pm: AFL Reserve 12.00pm: General public This week's match will be Melbourne's annual Welcome Game - an inclusive event that promotes a message of welcoming everyone to Australian Rules football, the MCG and the Melbourne Football Club. Here's what will be happening around the MCG and nearby during the day: Scarf drive Following the success of the Melbourne Scarf Drive at the 2018 Welcome Game, Melbourne is pleased to be bringing back the initiative for this year’s game. By donating old membership scarves, existing fans can play a key role in welcoming new audiences to the club. Members and supporters can donate pre-loved scarves to new fans on the day by dropping them in the donation box located in Yarra Park, outside Gate 3. Victorian Multicultural Festival at Federation Square Experience the Victorian Multicultural Festival at Fed Square pre-game from 12.00pm before heading to the MCG. The festival is a vibrant and joyous showcase of Victoria's rich cultural traditions in a free one-day program featuring music, performance, food and art for all ages! Read more about the Multicultural Festival and Culture Waves here. Culture Waves 2019 Post-match, make sure to visit Culture Waves 2019 which will be held at Federation Square after the Multicultural Festival. Culture Waves is a special music event planned featuring some of Victoria’s most acclaimed young artists. This free evening of incredible music celebrates how cultural diversity is influencing Victoria’s local music scene. Members You can use your Memberships to gain access to the game. If you’re an unrenewed member who received their card in the mail, visit a membership tent to activate the card. If you’re a new member and sign up at the ground, you will receive a ticket to gain entry. General Public Tickets to the game can be purchased via Ticketek. General admission seating Ponsford Stand Level 1 M28-M32 M33 rows DD-NN M34-M36 Level 4 Q29-Q36 Olympic Stand Level 1 M53 & M54 rows A-W M55-M57 Level 4 Q49-Q57 Southern Stand Level 1 M1 rows A-Y M2 (Demon Heartland – DRY) M3-M12 M13 rows A-Z (DRY) Level 4 Q1-Q15½ Cheer squad allocations Melbourne: M3 Rows A–T Port Adelaide: M33 Rows A-S Public reserved seating Public reserved seat sales available at all Public Gates, as well as at the Ticketek box office at Gate 3. Arrive early Security measures such as bag checks and patron scanning will again be in place as fans make their way into the stadium. This process will take time, so please be patient - and limit the number of bags you bring. Each bag will be inspected, so the more bags you bring the longer it will take. It is recommended that fans arrive early, as those who arrive later may miss the teams run out and/or the start of the match. Public transport Buses will be replacing trains on the Mernda, Frankston, Sandringham, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines this Saturday. See more info on travel disruptions on Victoria's Big Build website. Use the MCG Journey Planner to find your best way to get to the game. The MCG is serviced by multiple tram lines from the city and is in close proximity to Richmond and Jolimont Stations. Car parking Car parking capacity in Yarra Park will be limited. We encourage fans to take public transport to the match or park in the CBD. Gate 3: 9.00am Gate 5: 11.30am Gate 6: 10.30am Gate 7: CLOSED For the latest parking information, please visit the MCG website. Rod Laver Arena footbridge closure The footbridge linking Rod Laver Arena and the MCG will be closed for development until 2023. Fans are encouraged to use alternative pathways such as the Edwin Flack Bridge and William Barak Bridge to get to the MCG. Our Membership team will be set up around the ground on Saturday from 11.00am for Membership purchases queries and scarf collections. You can find them at: Gate 2 - inside and outside Gate 3 - outside Gate 5 - outside To find out which Membership is best for you, view our packages HERE. The Demon Shop will be open from 10.30am until half an after the game and is located on Brunton Avenue next to carpark Entrance E. All 2019 Members will receive 10% off full priced merchandise on presentation of their Membership card. Can't make it to the store? Browse the whole range online HERE. If you're at the game early, make sure to take part in our Match Predictor competition, exclusively in the Melbourne FC mobile app. At each MCG home game, we'll pit you with five questions - such as how many goals Melbourne will score, which players will get the most touches and how many hit-outs Max Gawn could rack up. Your challenge will be to select the most correct outcomes before the bounce, with a $75 New Balance voucher on offer for the person who guesses the most correct outcomes first. To take part make sure you're at the MCG between 1.05pm - 1.35pm, with location settings enabled in your copy of the app. To play: Download the Melbourne FC app to your iOS or Android device. Ensure your location services are turned on to take part - if you have them turned off, head to the Settings section to enable location settings. Open up the Match Predictor on the main menu. Enter your details and make your predictions for the match ahead. TV times Melbourne: Fox Footy - 1.30pm Sydney: Fox Footy - 1.30pm Brisbane: Fox Footy - 12.30pm Adelaide: Channel 7 + Fox Footy - 1.00pm Perth: Fox Footy - 10.30am Tasmania: Fox Footy - 1.30pm Darwin: Fox Footy - 12.00pm For all other regions and radio info, refer to the AFL Broadcast Guide. Mobile app Live scores, stats and match highlights are available at the tap of a finger in the club's mobile app. Download it for iOS or Android. Social media Match hashtag: #AFLDeesPower Follow the club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for live match coverage and a behind-the-scenes insight into match day.

Is anyone enjoying this?

I’ve realised since writing the preview that today is the 7th anniversary of the passing of Jim Stynes. How sad it is that he’s missed out on the club’s improvement since then and that his family have missed out on having him with them. Best wishes to the Stynes family on this sad occasion.

With the elevation of Lockhart to the MFC rookie list, it does leave open a further spot on Casey’s list. There’s a chance for a ruckman to be sourced for them with a view to the mid season draft should it become necessary.

I’ve been told that the Demons were doing laps at Caulfield Park this morning. Anyone go?

Could I please have the final score so I can add the result to the JLT ladder? ?

The squad:- 1. Stephen May 3. Christian Salem 4. James Harmes 5. Christian Petracca 6. Jordan Lewis 9. Charlie Spargo 10. Angus Brayshaw 11. Max Gawn 13. Clayton Oliver 14. Michael Hibberd 15. Billy Stretch 17. Sam Frost 22. Aaron Vandenberg 24. Jay Kennedy-Harris 25. Tom McDonald 26. Sam Weideman 28. Oscar McDonald 29. Jayden Hunt 30. Alex Neal-Bullen 31. Bayley Fritsch 33. Harrison Petty 34. Marty Hore 39. Neville Jetta 40. Corey Wagner 44. Joel Smith 45. Declan Keilty

Relax. We all know that we sent the Casey team out on the field last week. Our JLT season starts on Saturday.