BLWNBA

Finally, a common sense approach to injury and player management. Our management of players returning from injury has been really poor since the start of the '22 season. With the cue in the rack regarding finals footy this year, I personally think we should also allow May and Viney time to recover too. I don't think either seem right, and we should be giving both players the opportunity maximise the upcoming preseason and attack next season in full health.

This is extremely disappointing for the Club. ANB was, often at times, undeservingly a whipping boy for many. His form in 2021 was instrumental in assisting us and although he has been prone to the occasional brain fade, what he added to our side far outweighed any deficiencies. He'll be missed by the club and supporters alike. Sadly, I think he's one of those players that is near irreplaceable with reference to what he brings to the group and playing body on gameday. Highly rated, a true clubman. Thank you for the past ten years, Alex!

You’re the hero we all need. Rocks for breakfast, yeah?

I know we often don’t agree on things, and have very opposing viewpoints on the coach, but you are 100% on the money. One thing that fatherhood has taught me is to never, ever judge what other parents may be going through and it makes me so angry when people call out other parents with newborns for ‘weak’ etc. People underestimate just how difficult it is being interstate with no support, especially for a first time parent. My wife and I did this, and we’re getting through it, but it’s nowhere near as easy people make out (for the majority) and I challenge anyone to attempt it and see for themselves.

Tough stuff, big man!

Please go ahead and detail what is, and is not, an illegitimate and legitimate, for attending a game of football, that you are under absolutely no moral, contractual or financial obligation to attend? But I digress. Thank you for displaying conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, above and beyond the call of duty, in being a supporter to the Melbourne Football Club and attending. By your selfless commitment, leadership, and extraordinary devotion to duty as a fan of the MFC, you have not only reflected great credit upon yourself, but also upheld the highest traditions of the Melbourne Football Club. This act shall not be forgotten.

Yep, this is also a fair point. Agree with you r.e best 22.

What do you want those in the media to say? Nothing? Sure, this has been spoken about but you had posters as recently as yesterday pointing Houston’s own commentary as a solid indication he’s staying at Port. Melbourne has the third oldest list on the league with many of our most established and important players rapidly approaching the end of their careers, or at least the twilight. Last year we were the seventh oldest list in the league, so no we’re not younger on average across the board.

Agree with this and he's in a nice age bracket.

He's one player I've been interested in for a lot of this year. As a player, I'd welcome him to the Dees. He's not the big bodied traditional style KPF - but his ball use and shot on goal action is great. He's one of those players who doesn't necessarily do a lot, but does a lot right and can be very damaging from a scoring perspective off limited possessions. My concern about him coming to us doesn't actually relate to him per se, it's more about whether he would be an effective player for us given our forward 50 entries.

It's absolute insanity that we're reportedly looking to part with Pick 7 given we're our list is at. We should be looking to get into the draft as much as sustainably possible, not removing ourselves from it. However, given the verbatim and messaging coming out of the club, I suspect we'll look to top up as much as possible, as the club clearly thinks it is still in premiership window. I'll caveat this comment by saying I would not be entirely against trading in talent in the approx. under 25~ bracket, but Houston isn't helping us to another premiership and the drag of moving that pick (potentially, picks) in order to get him in is too detrimental and great IMO.

Surely at this point we’re all just death-riding our own club.

Standard changes next week. Will likely look along the lines of: In - Laurie, Billings Out - Tholstrup, Woewodin

Isn’t that what he’s been given the past two seasons? How many more opportunities for excuses is he given until his held to some level of responsibility, and when will the Goodwin apologists accept his role in the performances since ‘21? it was absolute insanity his contract was extended, which was flagrant face-saving by the Board. Everyone can see that it was a whitewashed PR exercise. Queue the vomit and facepalm reactions by the Goodwin apologists.

Swings and roundabouts.

Wowee, that’s amazing mate!

No. Of the listed players, only Bedford should still be with us.

Great news about Windsor. Props to the club, I've been pretty impressed with the ability to sign-up the majority of our players in that under 23ish~ bracket. Fingers crossed we get an extension on Tholstrup's contract announced soon too.

It's a fair summation, IMO. For mine the biggest noticeable drop-off has been the impact around the defensive contest. I wouldn't say it's for a lack of trying, but as you pointed it seems more to do with a lack of strength and power, with reference to his historical ability around contests. Obviously, this would also link into the drop-off in a kicks penetration. I still think he has value to us as a club, but he's likely to be of nominal value to another club.

Houston is actually contracted until the end of 2028, not 2027 as readily reported. Melbourne (the only named suitor), would be required to depart with a minimum of one first round draft pick to obtain Houston services and two insiders have confirmed Melbourne is monitoring the situation. There is increasing belief he will request a trade at seasons end and Port Adelaide will likely consider in an effort to increase their draft hand.

Well said.

Generally speaking, I personally doubt whether someone's child romanticism and support for a club lends itself to making a professional decision about their employment, at least to the degree that supporters sometimes expect (or hope). Naturally you have the added impetus of Jeff's career and legacy at the Dees, but from the outside looking in I think there's also a strong pull to him staying on the GC. Time will tell, but FWIW I will be shattered if he's not playing in a Dees jumper.