Adam The God

This is the big point. I was debating my sister about Caro today. She was saying Caro gives all women in football a bad name. My argument was that it's not her gender that's the issue, it's her agenda. She clearly has a bias and so whatever good investigative journalism she does undertake at other clubs, this work should be neutered when put beside her lack of perspective on her own club. Bad journalism IMO.

Without Viney and Oliver, we get murdered IMO. It's like taking Selwood and Dangerfield out of Geelong.

And they were pretty much full strength all year. I can't remember the last time a side with such little depth that relies on so few to do the heavy lifting, has gotten as lucky as Richmond did last year. It's why I rate the Bulldogs' 2016 flag so much higher. They were often crippled by injuries that year, but their system stood up. No doubt Richmond had a system last year, but IMO it was right time, right place stuff.

I wouldn't really label AFL journalism fake news TBH. Sports journalists are certainly guilty of hyperbole and sensationalism, but it's more the overly positive and blue sky reporting of the club websites. But then, why would the official club websites report internal problems? It makes more sense for clubs to deal with issues internally and use their articles to excite and attract fans. But knowing this, I treat all MFC media and generally most AFL reporting, as puff pieces.

To be clear, no way I'm paying $300 for it. I'll wait until it is reduced. I'd prefer to spend my money buying a place to live in. Already pay my $700 and whatever it is for MCC/MFC membership.

Shut up, Kane. Haha. Rohan Connelly's prediction is the sweet spot. Top 4. That should be our aspiration. Finishing top of the ladder is too much pressure. Kane is trying to take pressure off Port.

I think I'll get this one. Classy as.

Love it. Thanks for sharing, Z.

Nope. This is your Facebook algorithm, mate. That said, if we're sitting pretty inside the 8 towards the back end of the season, I reckon a few more people will get into us. That's always the sign of relevance for me.

Agreed. And I put PJ in exactly the same box from an administrative level.

I remember those two plays. But as I said, he did get better as the game wore on.

I asked you about the other night against St Kilda. That was what my post referenced. I have no problem with calling Gawn's AA year brilliant. It's everything that surrounds that season I look to, including his form in the JLT. I want him to continue to influence around the ground and convert hit outs to advantage, rather than emulate Jamar's flash in the pan season.

Taps to advantage? What were those stats in the first half in comparison to hit outs? Gawn is one of the tallest ruckmen. He should be winning the majority of hit outs. It's the effectiveness of those hit outs that concerns me. I could go on but it's a new season, so I'll reserve further judgement for a couple of H&A games.

That's because he barely tapped to advantage. Got better as the game wore on, but he's very overrated, our Max.

That Dangerfield video is just plain terrible. Go and ice ya hammy, ya muppet.

Yep, if we can continue to convert and develop our later/rookie picks, our best 22 will be well on the way. Development and the "Melbourne way" game style are key. The elite younger talent we have: Hogan, Oliver, Lever, Petracca, Salem, Viney, Tyson, Brayshaw, Gawn. Convert the later picks such as: Tom McDonald, Oscar McDonald, Hunt, Neal-Bullen, Harmes, Hannan, Fritsch. Couple these with our elite elderstatemen: Lewis, Jones, Vince, Hibberd, Garlett and Jetta. And the consistent role players we have: Melksham, Frost. There's 24 that make weaknesses hard to pick and it's certainly a strong bottom 6. One more year of list clean out and player development and hopefully we should be looking at 25-30 players able to step into the 22.

I've always thought the only thing holding Harmes back is his kicking and decision making. Often I've felt his poor kicking has been tied to his exhaustion. Perhaps now with increased fitness and a few pre seasons under his belt, Harmes' kicking has improved. This will make him a very dangerous prospect and I can certainly see the Dusty comparisons. It's not as ridiculous as it sounds.

I wouldn't have thought we needed to be overly encouraging of Jack or pot him. He's somewhere else now, I wonder when some around these parts will move on.

As for my R1 team: Jetta O. McDonald Hibberd Lewis Lever Hunt Harmes Oliver Brayshaw Neal-Bullen Hogan Melksham Garlett T. McDonald Petracca Gawn Salem Tyson Jones Hannan Vince Fritsch/Frost Neal-Bullen and Melksham are really dangerous half forwards and although Petracca is dangerous up the ground, I'd try and play him deep as often as possible, when not playing him in the midfield. He plays tall and can bring the ball to the ground, even against key defenders (as he exhibited last night). Hogan is a true CHF, but will find himself switching deep at times with TMac. As well as, of course, stints in the midfield. I think Jones' best position in this line up is half back. He's struggled a bit on the wing, whereas he's shone at times at HB. But, gee, he's looked rusty and hampered by that calf complaint. I only have Vince in my team for experience and Dangerfield. Bernie worries me and I'm on record as being surprised by our decision to re-sign him last year. For a senior player, he is a turn over merchant and those ugly dink kicks he plays around with in the back half, almost always turn over. He's cusp 22 and he wouldn't be in this team were a fit Viney available. The only player I'd consider swapping in is Frost for Fritsch. Frost can play small or tall and has the leg speed to get us out of strife when the ball gets over the back. This one is a tough one though, because I'd argue Frost's inclusion allows the MC to give Hunt licence to press further up the ground and play between a more traditional centre wing position and half forward. While Fritsch certainly provides something offensively, but I'd have questions over his ability to sustain the required defensive pressure over four quarters. And I wouldn't have Bugg anywhere near my best 22, all being well with injuries.

I like the formation idea too and I think you'll find Lever, Frost and Hibberd will rotate to play the anchoring role. I don't recall Oscar playing the anchor. Frost and Hibberd have the pace to play the role, while Lever has the smarts and ability to read the play that allow him to play it. I agree with the other end of the ground and much like soccer/football, Hogan/TMac and Garlett/Petracca will rotate forward. I wouldn't be surprised if we try to ring the match ups from the midfield to the forwardline a lot in-season, much like the Bulldogs did against Hawthorn. The more versatility our side has, the more unpredictable we can remain, with our mids and forwards continually rotating, leaving the opposition defence with constant mismatches. This will all come with more maturity too and understanding of the game style.

As can Hannan. We usually have 13-14 guys in the 22 that can at the very least play bursts in the middle. Thought Pedo really struggled to impact during the pre season, particularly in JLT2. May remain handy depth in 2018, but we really missed Tommy Mac yesterday.

The same team means little. The same team that lost to Geelong heavily at the end of 2016 were responsible for great leaps last year. The same team will be responsible for great leaps this year. It's all down to natural development and the evolution of our game style. To my mind, the bolded part is not a strong argument.

That's why Frost will play, boys. He plays small or tall and plays the anchor in the zone...

Nev Jetta barely played last pre season. I reckon Frost's inclusion this week says he'll be well and truly in the mix for Round 1. I wouldn't say Frost is that overrated either. He has his limitations, sure, but he can play big or small, as well as an important sweeping role with his pace. I'm not sure if Wagner will make it, but he has a nice poise about him and with some more confidence would be a nice eventual replacement for Lewis when he hangs up the boots IMO. Either way, Wagner is being given the chance by the MC to put himself forward for Round 1 too.

Bloody impressive bloke, our Nev. Love how he speaks about his family and community.