Vipercrunch

We were +5 in hit outs to advantage so no concerns imo

The last 30 seconds or so clears up excatly what happened with that Gawn goal.

I've finally had a listen to Yze's press conference from Saturday's game. Very informative. Sounds like Fritta is the most likely to return for R1, with Viney also quite likely. Salem is looking like being 2 or 3 weeks after that. He also said although it's easier to spread the midfield minutes with younger players in the practice games, it's important that they continue to do so during the main season. Both to reduce the workload of our elite midfielders, but to also develop the younger ones, so it seems that as a general rules, that will continue during the year. https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1279179/tested-and-ready-for-round-1-yze

Who does he least want to room with when they go to Brisbane in round 2 (ie biggest pest in the team)?

I assume the controlling umpire totally missed the part where the ball hit the post and then go over the line and only saw Max kick it through, and thought calling it as an advantage was the way to go. And as you say, same result in the end.

Is he an avid footy watcher when not playing, and if so, what did he make of the 2021 GF?

Putting my one-eyed, rose coloured glasses on here, but perhaps that WAS our half intensity. Look out competetion when we actually switch on.

Which MFC players did he (and as an extension Collingwood's coaching panel) rate really highly? And which MFC players are actually much better and more important now that he understands their different roles and skills.

I wish it was much harder to march a player to the preseason draft. Even the threat of that puts all the power with the club the player wants to get to. Maybe have a rule that players can't register in a preseason draft until 5 years after they were picked in a national draft? Allow them register for the National Draft again without nominating a contract like they can in the preseason draft. Also, Wikipedia says Kozzy is the nephew of Byron Pickett (which we all know) AND Neville Jetta. Can anyone confirm or deny that? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kysaiah_Pickett

These are the Hit Outs to Advantage numbers which confirms my impressions of the ruck battle. The stats people may have given lots of ineffectual taps to Richmond, but we were 13-8 when it came to clean hitouts which led to many clean and deep clearances, Sparrow in particular was able to sink his sizeable legs into some which ended up 30m out from our goal.

I think it's hair envy. Bald guys like Robbo would love a bufont like Frittas.

I watched a bit of his game on Saturday and he performed way better than I had ever seen him perform at AFL or VFL level, so perhaps he has taken the step. His disposal was particularly impressive. Time will tell of course. I've always felt their midfield was very much a team of champions rather than a champion team. Given their individual reputations and awards like AA selection, the team as a whole has badly underperformed.

What did you think of Oliver swapping into a role across half back to allow Gus midfield minutes? I think we all expected the midfield to forward rotation with Trac and Kozzy, but the Gus/Clarry one was a surprise, but it looked effective to me.

Pretty boring episode today. Thought they would have discussed the practice games, but instead focused on "Bevos land of the giants" in the first half of the episode. Can't wait to dismantle it in 12 days time. The second half was about the fact that the Melbourne vs Bulldogs round 1 game will be the 3000th game at the MCG, so those of us lucky enough to attend can be part of history which may excite some. Dammo and Nat then discussed their best games or moments at the 'G. Boring.

Taj only played the last quarter but looked liked he belonged. After playing most of 2022 at Casey across half back, he played out of the middle when he came on in the 5th period against the Saints last weekend and was one of our best. Was played out of the middle again in the Q4 against Richmond. He has developed really fast, and if he continues on this trajectory looks like he could contribute at AFL level if required by mid-year. Laurie had one great moment when he cleverly tapped the ball on to a team mate which set up a fast chain, but on the whole looked some way off. A clumsy tackle that gave away a free early on was a real poor moment for him.

Typical AFL.com sensationalising things. Good to hear 👍

Anyone close enough to the bench to see what’s the story here?

62-24 about to start second half

Yep. Had to be one. Gawn was tackled during a marking contest prior to that with no free also.

Brown and TMac are just decoys now

Great team goal to ANB after swift ball movement through the middle which started by a 45 kick by Gawn.

Got away with a big and obvious jumper hold. Not sure how none of the 4 umps saw it.

Give our big boys some grippo

You’d think he’ll play round one based one his first half today. Looked very good. Could be Lachie Hunter vs Sauce on one wing and Bailey Smith vs Lingers on the other.

From what I’ve heard on footy commentary and talk shows, the day of opposition players deliberately targeting know injuries is over. The AFL don’t want a repeat of some of the well publicised incidents from the past (and they really are well and truly long past now) and have made it known big suspensions would follow.