Its Time for Another

Would love to at least know who of the injured players pre shut down are doing the full training in the main group and are looking fit enough to be picked for the next game. If all players are fit enough with possible exception of Bennell and possibly Hannan, will be really interested to see what the team will be.

Exactly. I'd be very confident if he stays Melbourne he stays at Essendon. He stated his desire to move to Sydney was to get away from the pressure of the Melbourne footy fish bowl. Personally I wouldn't go near him. We're not a team that can afford another trading disaster. He's incredibly injury prone and at his best one of the worst kicks for goal I've seen. When he gets everything right he looks great but that's only happened a couple of times in his career. Too risky for MFC and almost certainly wouldn't come to us anyway.

T Mac's form is a mystery. Does anyone know anything about what's going on with him. From memory he had both ankles operated on at the end of 2018 and was clearly hampered last year and lost form. He looked woefully out of form in round 1. From what I could tell he seemed to have lost pace so that the defenders were easily all over him every time he was going for the ball. Maybe the break will have helped him to get his body right and get some pace back if that is the issue. Otherwise he appears to be following on being really badly out of form following on from last year. If he comes back in form it will make all the difference having one KPF instead of none like round 1.

Plus Melksham who missed most of last year. Fritsch who hasn't been able to play there consistently. AVB if he ever gets back on the park. Hannan after missing over a year. Mind you none of them are KPF's.

If we are successful in getting him over his injuries like Hawks did with Burgoyne it might open the door to very talented injured players choosing to come to us because of the quality of our medical department.

Oi! Let's not waste energy on a discussion of all the theoretical ways me might lose. I'd rather focus on the thought of a positive demonstration of the "Melbourne style of play" and a thumping win. Even if this is the definition of insanity. I'll only start using up negative energy slitting my wrists if we actually lose.

Spargo 173cm. Kossi 170cm. Kossi first game Champion data stats. 11 disposals, Below Average. Goals 2 Elite. A portent of what's to come. Mind you there was nothing wrong with his running power from one end of Optus to the other on a couple of occasions. Anthony MCDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI another contender at 171cm. HIs stats game 1. 11 disposals. Goals "0". Go Kossie.

I have no idea what this Zurich Tiny Team is. Did they put something on the Club website explaining what it is? I never saw it. Am I the only one that doesn't know what this is? Could someone explain it please? Thanks.

There won't be any practice matches. Probably other than intraclub. But if they have the extended benches that are being talked about it wouldn't surprise me if they took the risk if he's fully fit in every other way. They could bring him on for short bursts. Like 7 minutes a quarter and it would be a win. Get dragged as soon as he kicks the required couple of goals a quarter.

I'm not sure with our culture and player development at that time and all his off field issues that we wouldn't have stuffed Martin up. Doubt three rebuilds later he would be the player he is now if we'd recruited him.

SWYL wow. Just saw you list Norm Smith as one of your favourite players. I assume that's because you saw him and given his last game for us was in the 1948 Premiership that must make you one of the oldest on here. I would love to have done that. In the Red Fox there were a lot of quotes from him on leading patterns in the forward line and sacrificing himself as a decoy FF so others could be uncontested targets. A few lessons there for some of our "elite" players nowadays. A lot has changed in our great game but a lot of fundamentals have stayed the same.

There’s some talk of having extended benches if they do the carnival format. This would be perfect for him.

I often wonder whether letters like this get written for the players. Not much doubt Maxy wrote this one. He’s become an exceptional communicator. Uses great humour but it’s not just a joke it has a real point to it. Those are two great examples that really do show he understands what we’ve been through. His B&F speech last year was the best speech in the Club I’ve ever heard. It embraced every aspect of the club so comprehensively with humour, humility, knowledge. Who the Club is and his part in it. Past players, current players, coaches, supporters. Brilliant. Can even play a bit.

A few other facts I read about it years ago. George Cohan's inspiration for the song was an ex Civil War soldier he sat near on a train who was carrying his original confederate flag from the civil war as he was heading to some memorial event. As George mentioned it was written for the musical but it became the number one hit in America. In those days that was assessed by how many copies of the music were bought.

It's looking pretty likely there will be games by I'd say second half of June. Personally I think they should have controlled crowds too but it won't happen. At the rate we are going there will be almost no live cases by then. As recoveries increase live cases are decreasing by the day even with new daily cases. It's something like 4300 recoveries versus 2300 live cases. In my opinion it should be possible to say we'll allow 5000 or 10000 spectators into the MCG suitably socially distanced. No food or beverage outlets. Have a lottery for members of teams up to that amount. Would be great for members and players and coverage. Surely that wouldn't be that hard to police at a large venue like that and some of the other large venues. Members get some value for their memberships this year.

Jack Mueller retired and was recalled to come back and play for the team just for the finals in 1948 and was instrumental in the Premiership win. He kicked 8 goals in the Prelim and 6 each in the first Grand Final against Essendon which was a draw and in the win the next week. The other key forward was Norm Smith in his last game for MFC before he finished his career playing for Fitzroy for two years. Something I didn't remember until I just read it.

Enjoying this OP. 2014 Draft. Petracca Brayshaw Lever O Mac Langdon ANB Stretch This is these players 6th season in the system. More than half way through what would be regarded on the law of averages an outstanding career of 10 or more years. You'd have to think this year is the one they either reach their potential or won't.

Never forget him literally running between big Carl's legs and shooting out a handball during a stoppage. Great little competitor. Was a reason for going to games.

According to Nick Smart in HS they are flying over on Saturday in a chartered VIrgin plane so no risk from public. Wonder if lack of crowds will help the debutants settle in and not get overawed. What a surreal way to start a career.

I spoke to him at training during the 2018/19 pre season and told him no matter what happens in his career he'll always have this. I said many great players waited a whole career to play in a final and didn't even have a memory like this. He burst into the biggest grin and said thanks mate. I spoke to him again in Feb at Maroochydore when they were heading back. He was about to order something and I said I'd leave him in peace and he said no worries mate just let me order and I'm happy to have a chat. Couldn't have been nicer. Special guy. Really hope his career takes off again. He has plenty to offer on and off field. We could all be queuing up for some mental health tips in a month or two of isolation. I've just got through 3 months of self isolating with recovery from an Op so unfortunately already have experience. Can 't believe I'm about to go through it for the second time in six months. There are worse things to deal with. Demonland's going to take a hammering.

Hope we are smart enough to dress players up with makeup to make them all look like they've got the virus and have them start coughing as they line up against their opponents. Oh! Hope this post is PC. This thing is stripping us from all our advantages this year we've got to claw something back. First easy draw gone. Now fitness advantage at end of quarters gone. Nasty. Wonder how much shorter 16 minute instead of 20 minute quarters plus time on will make the quarters.

So are Richmond

This is posted just now on afl.com.au There hasn't been anything from the Club for a while. For some reason Joel Smith hasn't been even listed on the injury list for weeks. Wonder what the story is and why he's never even listed. PLAYER INJURY ESTIMATED RETURN Harley Bennell Calf TBC Kade Chandler Wrist 1 week Kyle Dunkley Foot Test Mitch Hannan Groin TBC Kade Kolodjashnij Concussion TBC Harry Petty Groin TBC Braydon Preuss Knee 3-5 weeks Christian Salem Glandular fever Test Aaron vandenBerg Foot TBC Updated: Tuesday, March 17 Early prognosis The club has been optimistic Salem will be available for round one but a recent bout of glandular fever has him in doubt. Sam Weideman should be available after rolling his ankle in the second Marsh Community Series game. Max Gawn and Steven May have declared themselves starters after pre-season knee injuries. The long game continues for Bennell after another calf strain while Joel Smith has had an interrupted summer and mystery surrounds what's been troubling him following an infected foot over the New Year period. - Jennifer Phelan

I had tickets and flights from Sydney.

Oi! Bought flights from Syd there in Nov when fixture came out. Fought tooth and nail to get tickets. Oh well. We live in unprecedented times. Eagles won't cope without home ground feral supporters and umpires.