Dr. Gonzo

Ultimately it will depend on what he wants out of his career? Team success or personal accolades? If he ends up a multiple premiership player playing on a wing is that preferable to playing midfield in another unsuccessful side? There's role players in successful sides like the Lions & Cats dynasties who could've moved to play greater midfield minutes at other clubs but I think they'd be satisfied with the choice to stay at those club's. Even a guy like Ablett, moved for money but I wonder if he regrets the decision had he stayed at the Cats he could've been a 4 time premiership player (they would likely have won 2013 had he stayed) and be seen as undoubtedly the greatest player of the modern era. Yeah you need to think about money and your own development but ultimately down the road I think players appreciate their legacy more if they play in successful sides. Seeing the way he spoke about the club after the GF with Garry I just can't imagine him leaving but stranger things have happened I guess.

Walsh is going to be a star, will be on of the best mids in the comp in a couple of years if he doesn't get Carltoned (so good to write that about another side haha)

De Goey had a great 2018 and hasn't done a lot since (kind of like the Pies)

Sacrilege! Look at this and tell me it doesn't make you feel warm and fuzzy in the nether regions 😂

Not as good as Max King apparently 😂

I don't know that we are 6 weeks behind. Many of the players seemed to be back training within 2 weeks of the GF and the way they played yesterday (again with the caveat the opposition was poor) was like they were just continuing where they left off. Didn't seem to be that many cobwebs to blow out.

Any Melbourne supporter who could go but decides not to because it is too hard will regret it. I'll be there come hell or high water.

I hope so

I do agree with this somewhat, I thought Gus was one of our most important players in the round 10 win over the Dogs - they just couldn't switch to the "fat" side to get their ball movement going.

Will be interesting to see what the club does. I have a bias because I just don't rate Smith but I can't imagine he would replace Hibberd in the team if Hibbo is fit. You're a long time retired and I don't expect Hibberd to just make way for someone to take his spot, he'll be scrapping and fighting tooth and nail to keep his position now that he's back in the 23 (as of GF day anyway).

Also how many if them select "Melbourne" as their club but aren't really huge footy fans so unlikely to spend extra on a dual membership?

Tomlinson was in the role before injuring his knee last year and had only lost one 1-on-1 contest since being moved to defense in 2020. He is a better footballer than Smith. If Tomlinson is fit and misses out on round 1 behind Smith where does that leave him? What is his position? I don't think the 23 will be picked solely on form in the practice match against the wooden spooners who were missing about 4 first choice players especially considering they were likely playing different roles with Lever out of the side. We'll see how it plays out but as I said I would be very surprised if Smith is picked ahead of Tomlinson.

Yep hopefully we start becoming that ruthless during the season. Create the gap before halftime and put the foot down in the 3rd to snuff it out. Having said that we were playing a bunch of scrubs yesterday - I was surprised to see Josh Walker out there I legit thought he retired about 7 years ago.

Because it's Tomlinson's spot to lose, Tomlinson is a better footballer than Smith and if Tomlinson isn't an automatic replacement with Petty out I'd question what his role is in the team.

And more importantly both clunking marks

That would be a really strange decision if it happens

He did that last year too, particularly in the early rounds.

Any update on May or Salem?

20 lobster, 50 pineapple, 100 gremlin 😂

It's already at $15 on sportsbet

Would be great if other players around the comp took the same approach. You're not paid for 22 games + finals you're paid year round to maintain your body in peak physical condition for those games.

The AFL agreed to extend the contract on the proviso the stand was upgraded. They could have easily put it out to tender amongst the other states when the initial contact expired in 2038, something the non-Vic club's have certainly been agitating for. And I doubt the government will end up holding the can alone, the MCC subs of their 130,000 odd members will go towards it as well.

Weve had more than that many unique members over the last 5-10 years.

As above, the refurb/rebuild is part of the agreement to host the GF at the G for an additional 20 years. How much is that worth to the Victorian economy? As part of that agreement the AFL also secured funding for grassroots football (I think; actually that may have been part of the agreement to buy Docklands early 🤔 - although it would all be tied up into the bargaining and agreement between the AFL and Vic govt)

What's driving this is the AFL wanting improved facilities for its patrons. This was part of the agreement to increase the GF contract until 2057 (now 2059) with the MCG Trust/Vic government agreeing as part of that to upgrade facilities in the southern stand. As an AFL member and therefore someone who sits in the southern stand I can tell you it is certainly outdated even compared with the northern stand including seating and facilities.