Fat Tony

It still looks to me like our forward line is going to be an issue. We will win games because our midfield and defence are so good but I want to see Petty tried forward early in the year. The training reports on Howes and Wowoedin are encouraging but it's unlikely they will be able to force their way in. Howes needs to put on some muscle and still looks a bit slight. Wowoedin is competing against absolute A-Graders and players like Salem, Jordon, Harmes, Sparrow, Dunstan and Hunter.

Joel Smith, Hibberd and Rivers at a pinch could play the role. I would like to see Bowey tried as a high half forward competing against ANB if he can’t crack it past Salem and Brayshaw as high half backs.

People think because Laurie was a first round pick that he is likely to make it. But they ignore the fact that he averaged 8.3 disposals, 2 tackles and kicked just 1 goal in the VFL finals series (3 games). Sure he is a decent skilled player but he needs to average 23-25 per game at VFL level to be in the picture.

I still think there are a lot of question marks about our forward mix. Our KPFs are either B graders or unproven. Neither Gawn or Grundy have proven to be great forwards. We hope Van Rooyen is the answer. Petty could be a good forward. Jefferson is just a kid.

The only locks of our key position players will be May, Lever and Petty (either in defence or attack). I think our forward line will depend on how we use Gawn and Grundy. I think one of the rucks will need to play 60% game time as a deep forward. Neither is mobile enough to play as a midfielder and any other solution will mess up the rotations. I hope Petty is given more than 5 minutes of the season up forward to see what he can do. He could be our Tom Lynch. Disco Turner and Van Rooyen look likely but it is a big jump from VFL to AFL. I think both have a good chance this year and how they fair will impact which end Petty plays. TMac and Brown are near the end of their careers. I think TMac has more top level footy in him because he is more mobile and fits better alongside Gawn or Grundy at full forward. Casey will be very strong if we have no injuries.

https://themongrelpunt.com/afl-season-2023/2023/01/08/the-big-questions-melbourne-2023-season-preview/

Someone put this in front of Goody and get Petty forward!

I think they will both play 50% ruck and 35% forward.

Howes really moves well and has good AFL attributes (length and dexterity). He obviously needs a bit of muscle (which will come) and he also needs to be a bit more desperate in the contest. There was a bit of Jack Watts about his game when he returned from injury late last year.

Who does he look like? What key defender does he remind you of?

One of Grundy or Gawn needs to play forward. Both will play 80%+ game time which means they will be on the ground together 60% of the game. There is no there option unless we are willing to play with a 5-man forward line or Grundy plays as a ruck rover.

True, but we did get Queens Birthday every year for a long period. And the 80s away strip we have now is fantastic.

Looking forward to the Bombers instalment. It’s a disgrace but I think it often works in our favour as an extra ‘home’ game at the MCG.

We play Perth better than the MCG! My query was more about trying to understand why rather than being too worried about it.

But why not alternate the Eagles and Dockers?

I understand why we get sent to Cat park every year due to our lack of supporters and commercial contracts etc but is there a reason we always play WCE in Perth and the Dockers as a home game?

Nah. We will be underdogs right now. Gamble responsibly 58.

We would be current favourites in 19/23 games. Underdogs against Lions, Power, Cats and Swans away.

Philactides would fit right in at Essendon.

If we can find a way to transplant the weight off Sestan and onto Jefferson in the preseason, we’ll have Charlie Curnow and Dusty in the forward line for Round 1!

The highlights package looks a bit like Rowan Marshall.

Great to see such a ‘big boned’ player get a list spot. Maybe there’s hope for me yet!

Barnett would have to be a special talent to be the right fit for us IMO. We have just signed Grundy for 5 years and another young ruckman will not help us win a flag next season.

I assumed they were doing it like the Hong Kong sevens.

At least we play Adelaide Oval well.