Freddy Fuschia

Just listening to him, I think he’s going to take the gig.

How did the Bulldogs go last year?

The traditional rivalry between Melbourne and Carlton has yielded some captivating contests at the MCG in recent seasons, when both teams were either vying for a finals berth or already participating and competing to advance further into the finals. On each of the last three occasions, the Blues have had the luck on their side winning close encounters through greater accuracy in front of goals. This Saturday night, the narrative will be a different one as both clubs are no longer in contention for the finals. Despite this, they will be eager to make a positive impression, given that their fans have been deprived of the satisfaction of winning and their coaches need to plan for the future, assuming that said coaches have a future with the team. It is likely that Simon Goodwin’s tenure is secure for the remainder of his current coaching contract, given his premiership achievement and apparent strong support and respect from his playing group, who consistently speak highly of him in interviews. Moreover, he is in the process of implementing a new game plan and deserves the opportunity to see this work in progress through another pre season and into next year. Michael Voss, on the other hand, is under considerable pressure. Carlton supporters are known for their high expectations and are exhibiting signs of restlessness and discontent. A loss on Saturday night could potentially lead to significant repercussions and even some bloodletting. The question therefore is how the Carlton playing group will respond, particularly if Melbourne applies pressure on them from the outset (and kicks straight for goal). With the Demons' midfield, spearheaded by Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney, and now Kozzie Pickett, having found the confidence that winning form brings with it, I anticipate further challenges ahead for the struggling Blues.

Jeffo?

So a 196cm key position forward who has “every tool in the box you’d want in a modern-day key forward” and was there right under our noses got drafted to the Gold Coast Suns yesterday. He couldn’t get a game at Casey? Something here doesn’t add up.

Disco’s playing the best football of his life down back, so why move him? Windsor had 24 touches last week - that’s not too shabby. Were you at the game?

Why hasn't Tom McDonald been referred to as "managed" rather than "omitted"?

The order is never going to be realistic while clubs haven't played the same number of games.

6. Max Gawn 5. Jake Bowey 4. Christian Petracca 3. Christian Salem 2. Trent Rivers 1. Ed Langdon

Going by the club's VFL | Match simulation player report - "In three 30-minute terms of VFL football under the baking sun, Jai Culley was a standout performer for the Demons as they fell one point shy of the home side after a slow start," Culley is looking like the favourite, especially in view of the fact that he was considered to be close in the last SSP deliberations before we took Jack Henderson.

Also nothing about whether the local snake population was out and about today.

Does anyone know what ails Caleb Windsor?

There's an article in the Herald Sun about Samoan born Richmond (and former Casey Demons) player Mykelti Lefau going back to Samoa to visit his roots and promote the game. If Melbourne were smart, it would immediately start pushing for players of Samoan heritage to be included in NGA qualification rules in the same way as players from other countries that do meet the current qualifications. There's no logical reason this shouldn't happen and it's just a pity that for some reason Melbourne apparently is never proactive in such things.

Vietnam, Laos, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia ?

Agree, it was a very positive article but why do they highlight it with an video interview with Eric Gulden?