Nasher

Kade Chandler is fast becoming my 2025 favourite. The smother-follow up-hard ball get-dish off combo that lead to the Petracca goal was just outstanding team play and hopefully gets highlighted during the week. He very nearly got on the end of the chain and could have received the pass from Trac, but Trac went for the goal. Really enjoying the next evolution of Chin. He’s having a great season.

The need to protect Gawn from excessive workload can’t be underestimated. This isn’t 2021 where we had the luxury of Luke Jackson who could take over in the ruck and we lost not much, and he’s not getting any younger. The fact that Fullarton struggled only really emphasises the need to take these opportunities to rest Max when we can.

Has to be in the conversation for best Melbourne player ever. Definitely the best in my Millenial lifetime. My partner asked me tonight what Melbourne would do when Gawn finishes up. I changed the topic - honestly I can’t and don’t want to ponder that.

I assume it was about giving Fullarton a good look. We’ve now had a good look.

Out: Sharp, Fullarton In: Melksham, van Rooyen Sub: Melksham (Edited after a rethink)

On playing with Oscar: he stopped short of saying mum would have killed him if he’d put Oscar back on the injury list.

TMac speaks so well. I’d love someone to ask him to talk about what it’s like at footy clubs during periods of success, compared to when they’re really struggling. There aren’t many players who have really traversed the ladder up and down to the extent he has. In his 100th game, he had a 26-74 W-L record. By game 193 he had a flag under his belt. Get him on the pod @Demonland !

No - “personal reason”. Just one 😂

Happy with that. Assuming Melksham is around the short break. Didn’t think Fritsch would be out long. Move the ball like we did against Freo and he’ll get on the end of a few.

It says in the article that he asked for an exemption and was denied.

They did try that:

Underwood called Lindsay “Turner” at least 3 times in the second half, despite the fact that Turner had been subbed out with concussion. I have low expectations of commentators these days. I don’t even mind Brian Taylor in small doses. But please, know who the players are. That’s all I ask.

In: May, McVee Out: Turner (inj), Howes (omit) No “messages”, no dropping the “worst” player, just simple like-for-like role upgrades.

Literally had a charcuterie board for tea. Dunno when I turned in to such a Melbourne supporter.

How strange was it seeing OMac playing? I didn’t realise he was still on an AFL list. Had a pretty good game too.

Meh. We kicked 1.6 and at least 3 of those misses (Gawn, Chandler and Melksham) should have been goals. I think a few rushes of blood under the circumstances are understandable - the fact that we didn’t lie down for the first time this year is very pleasing.

Nice to see we’ve remembered how to play footy. Enjoyed Fullarton’s game so far. I don’t think he’s much of a marking tall but he gets involved in general play. I still think JvR is the long term answer but he hadn’t given a yelp, and if he’s not taking marks he does nothing. Bowey’s been great so far. Best on for mine.

We’re no good right now obviously but I’m so glad I don’t go for West Coast. Been garbage for 4 years now and still not looking even remotely competitive.

Eh? The first three can hop in the bin but Bowey’s having a go.

Hah. My partner goes for Carlton - I said on Wednesday it was good we played on Thursday and Friday night because then we could just enjoy our weekend. Nailed that, unfortunately. We suck.

In: Pickett, Lever, Turner, Spargo Out: Billings, McDonald, Henderson, Lindsay Open to a JvR Casey stint too. If AJ is the second ruck, there’s no justification for carrying Roo if he doesn’t give a yelp as a key forward.

I haven’t missed the feeling of looking at the upcoming match with dread. This is probably the first time I’ve felt it since the flag.

Feels like I’ve traveled 10 years backwards in time. Melbourne are 💩 and Hawthorn are back to their insufferable best. Terrible year to be a footy fan.

Same. I can’t understand why a Melbourne supporter would want to water down the ‘21 flag. We finished on top of the ladder and nobody got remotely close to us in the finals, including the team we supposedly pick-pocketed. It’s almost like a form of self-loathing. Just because we’re crap again now doesn’t mean we weren’t top notch in our flag year.

What chance have our hopeless forward line got when we get so badly spanked out of the middle, which is supposed to be our strength? I’m hopeful we can turn it around quickly with our issues in the guts, we know we have the ingredients for returning this to a strength once again. Pretty demoralising though, to get flogged two weeks in a row and our campaign already ruined so early in the season. I’m not used to it anymore.