Dr. Gonzo

Extremely tough tipping week 1, I found it hard to pick a 3rd road team but opted for the Cowboys even though I think they'll struggle this year. I initially had Steelers but just can't bring myself to back Russell Wilson. Falcons always struggle though and Tomlin has proven himself over many years, I guess Cousins is also an unknown coming off the achilles. Speaking of achilles, I wasn't getting my hopes up for the Jets this year but have listened to a couple of podcasts who have been talking us up and now really excited for the season to start! Tough game first up, if CMC doesn't play it makes things a bit easier but will still be pushing it uphill to win away against last year's runner up. Let's hope the season lasts longer than 4 plays this year 🙄

Packers Cowboys Texans

100% would've meant Roo/Petty didn't have to chop out Max either. Was annoyed we didn't go for him just like I'll be annoyed if we don't for for Peter Wright for the same reason. Will come cheap too.

Lol how bogan can you get

I just find it amazing that that part of it (a 30-60 second video showing him having fun in Noosa) would even be an issue, it's akin to saying "how can that person be depressed, I saw them laughing over a coffee with friends". It's so far removed from my experience but then again I've never been or associated with a large group of young professional athletes, I would've hoped our senior players would be able to provide the context for the rest of the group though, that's why I'm hoping they weren't part of the playing group perplexed by his absence.

He's not just honest, he is humble, vulnerable, witty, genuine. A remarkable leader, Jimmy Stynes would be so proud of not just the player but the leader and the man he has become.

If you can get paid the same or more to do the same job in the location of your choice, why wouldn't you move?

It's an indictment on the playing group and leadership group if they allowed that kind of commentary to fester. Petracca had every right to take a mental break after what he went through. I'm seriously questioning the MFC players here, all the talk about culture, supporting each other etc and then they snipe one of their own behind his back after suffering a significant trauma.

Yes but if he has had further time to reflect he may have changed his opinion since then. I can understand how someone who suffered a traumatic injury may be in that thankful/lovey dovey mindset shortly after but then change their tune down the track once they've had more time to process and dwell on things. I'm not saying it's the reality but it may be his perception.

The most perplexing thing for me in all this is the whole "players couldn't understand why Petracca was in Noosa posting Instagram vids" - if they couldn't figure this out for themselves and had to rely on communication from the club to explain it I really worry about the IQ/EI of our players. I'm also worried about which players it was who were questioning it, is was it from our leadership group/senior players?

If his feelings have changed since that interview it is really irrelevant what he said 2 months ago.

Longer contracts are better for the clubs when you have free agency and clubs unable to trade players against their will. If Petracca was out of contract he would have just left as a free agent and we would get pick 6 and nothing more.

"Average attendance" is a rubbish stat when we play other Vic teams half the time and also includes games in Perth and Adelaide etc Look at our average attendances vs interstate sides compared to other clubs, that is a better reflection of our pulling power.

I'll continue my AFL membership with MFC club support but was just discussing this today with my family at father's day lunch. My dad was considering cancelling the AFL membership and getting an MFC membership only. I told him he's better off keeping the AFL membership (as gets you better/cheaper access to finals tickets) but adding on MFC reserved seats. AFL membership is good but when you're an MFC supporter it feels like every game is an away game, even when we play interstate sides. Gonna have to look into how much this would all cost and where we could get reserved MFC seats, I currently pay for AFL memberships for my 2 kids and as well and one of them doesn't really like attending games but I've kept him on the waitlist for full AFL membership in case that changes when he's a bit older. If we can get reserved seats in the northern stand level 1 right next to the MCC I'll consider it but if it's in the southern stand there's no point, could probably just rock up and sit in those seats anyway. Been an MFC membership since 1989 and won't stop now. I'll probably buy MFC kids memberships for my nephews next time they have one of those $30 deals (like they did when Kozzie and Kolt re-signed). They're pretty young but interested in coming to a game (their parents aren't into footy) so could be an opportunity to rope them in.

Same, now they can wear their number 5 Demons guernseys to footy colours day next week without worrying about copping it from Blues and Pies supporters

No chance - the pregame for our round 23 match had a segment in "Collingwood's youth" and were glowing in how bright the future looked. Proceeded to list a bunch of names I'd barely heard of. I was literally arguing with the TV about how pathetic it was trying to blow smoke up Collingwood's [censored] and asking what about Melbourne's youth, you know the kids who have actually shown something at AFL level? My wife and her family who were over all think I'm a lunatic 🤣

Thank God for that

Scott Thompson did 😔

If they're not, that's a concern and is a reason why we should undertake an external review preferably headed by Peter Jackson if he's willing.

I wish Peter Jackson had have stuck around a while longer. I was against Mahoney being given the job as his successor but seems it may have been the right move after all.

Who cares about the other clubs. This "pat on the back" mentality is what leads to decades of mediocrity.

We didn't finish top 4. The season doesn't end after round 22. It's been a successful few years relative to the 57 that came before but when you're talking highly successful you're talking Geelong 2007-2011, Hawks 2012-2015, Richmond 2017-2020. Those are highly successful periods.

Cliff notes for those of us who can't access?

I seriously can't believe we are back here again. It feels like the Schwab days all over again.