Ron Burgundy

This game shows how the competition ever so slightly changes/evolves each year. Not long ago, a club would be derided for not hammering GWS, let alone beating them. Yet now, I'm super nervous about facing them.

Gawn v Mumford is the key to this game. Gawn knows this. He has stated he wants to be AA this year. He is now in the leadership group. He has had a very good pre-season. In short, he is ready. I'll back him in. Dees by not much.

Having regard to Paul Roos' season opening speech, my take on this public statement is that: - Roos reckons there's some serious young talent on this list now - Hogan, Petracca, Brayshaw, Oliver et ors; - notwithstanding this natural talent, the only way they'll unlock greatness is through a disciplined and commited work ethic and approach to preparation - simply winging it on natural ability is not enough; and - Roos takes every opportunity to drill this message into them, publicly and privately. Why? Because Roos has effectively rebuilt this list/club, he knows the list now has massive potential, and he doesn't want these young bucks to stuff it up through non-elite behaviours. They simply have to get this stuff. And live it.

This marketing stunt is plainly ridiculous. However, check out the success of the Big Bash. It was essentially designed by a Yank who'd never seen a game of cricket before.

I hope we finish higher than the Crows. I have a mate who's a passionate Crows' supporter (yep, he's a [censored]) and he always runs down the Demons. He was doing this the other day in front of a group of friends. And me obviously. I said to him, 'cop a tip mate - we'll finish higher on the table this year than your contrivance of a club, the Toyota Camry Crows Inc'. He responded, 'you serious?!'. Me, 'absolutely'. Him, '10 cases of beer on it?'. Me, 'absolutely'. Bring it home for me Dees ...

Not worried about Tom McDonald leaving the club at all. He will stay. As will Jesse Hogan.

The Pies are looking pretty decent.

Paul Roos has saved this club. Pivotal appointment by an extremely competent football CEO. Mr McQueen - certainly seems to stack up.

I agree. 4 weeks is pretty harsh. Glad he received at least 1 week though.

No they're not. Essendon is finals bound this year. Surely.

I'm not sure whether we'll ultimately make the 8 this year. But I definitely think we'll be the surprise packet of the competition this year. Perhaps that's more a reflection on where we're coming from though, and the perception everyone else has of the Melbourne Football Club.

4 years time? Might be earlier than that. Even though the physical and AFL experience development is still ahead of them (i.e. Viney excluded, they're still kids), I wouldn't be surprised to see all 4 of them in the team at some point this year. If so, that's surely going to accelerate things.

Even though he's off to Port next year.

The Viney legacy is building.

Always thought Garland would be reinstated. Roos loves him. Strikes me as a massive clubman, and a smart, thoroughly decent individual. Very surprised about Dunn's omission/non inclusion. Slightly concerned about that. The rest are obvious inclusions. As an aside, I love that Bernie's in the LG. Stoked he's a committed Demon.

He's not my favourite whipping boy. I rate him. Have always wanted him to play his entire career at this club.

This kid's gunna be a gun. Shows that we need to back the judgement of Jason Taylor every day of the week over the blokes who pick the under 18s rep teams. Jason Taylor has been another stellar recruit for this club.

I think Toumpas is probably the better player. Kennedy however offers more to the team we are seeking to become i.e. a tough contested ball side.

The wind affected our performance in the first quarter. We were kicking into a strong wind that had a difficult cross breeze to it. We were ahead on most of the key stats in that quarter yet our disposal off the backline, delivery into the forward 50 and shots at goal were pretty bad. I think the conditions played a big part in that. And no - they were not the same for each team, certainly not withi each quarter. The scoreboard reflects this. I am content with what I saw over 4 quarters. Particularly the endeavour and contested ball stats.

GWS look very good.

Collingwood. Both fielding their strongest teams, respectively. No injuries to key players, or suspensions. The Pies having finished the season on top of the table. The Dees seventh. Pies being red hot favourites, but the Dees gain some momentum having finished the season with a wet sail and having beaten more fancied teams throughout the finals. Would be a massive, old school Grand Final. And, despite being 20 points behind at 3/4 time, we win with a length of the field goal in the last minute of the game to end an absolute cliff hanger. The Dees are back. Finally. Thank you Paul Roos.

They're just practice games. Every single club wants to play them. Every player in every interview I have ever listened to says there's a huge difference between training fitness and match fitness, the latter of which you only get playing games. Whether you have a formalised practice game competition or not (i.e. NAB Cup), clubs will arrange to play a few games against one another before the season proper starts. It's a necessary part of a club's preparations for the season proper. And injuries happen at training too. It's part of the game - it is a contact sport after all, even if this club has traditionally avoided physical contact (i.e. the 'bruise free' period). Injuries will continue to occur.

Old Dee, would you please stop referring to Melksham as the Drug Cheat. He is an MFC player that this club fought hard to attract. I trust Goodwin's judgement on this. Relevantly, he seems to be of very sound character. Also - it makes you sound small minded and 'old' and bigoted, to me at least. And FWIW - I don't believe you are.

Just like Hogan, I'm not worried about the Tom McDonald's desire to at the club. He'll re-sign. And he's an extremely important player for this club. Plainly.

That was a bloody good win. Port wanted to win that game. They are good team with a seriously good midfield. On home turf. Brayshaw down within the first 10 secs. Jones out. Vince out. On the back foot for the first half. We then adjusted a few things and flogged them. With some luck on the injury front, we're playing finals this year. I. Am. Pumped.