spalding

I love being a good team. Underwhelmed by a 10 goal win in Perth

Pretty good - although I think you are way overvaluing Brown. If Brett Lovett was finished by 94, then I think Salem has easily got Brown covered, and Bowey will too pretty soon.

I really rate JJ. Having watched Adelaide play Port on the weekend, they are setting up nicely to be a force in a few years. The midfield depth is their weakness and I could see him being a good replacement for Rory Sloane (who really wound back the clock last weekend). Sparrow could also be a target. Previously I thought that Sparrow would be the one to keep, and have been expecting him to breakout, but I think he might not have the game awareness and craft of JJ. It might be a fascinating watch this year as to who progresses further. I see Harmes as being “I’m Melbourne, Tony”, but maybe we do have to be supportive of him finding a new home if it means we keep both the SA boys

I’d rest Hibberd - to make sure he’s fresh for Stringer and Martin (possibly bring back Tommo), and leave out BBB (no risk and no flight). Go with the same forward line as yesterday after half time and have May and Hibbo for Oscar Allen and Darling, and cover Waterman with Lever. Riv actually played the Lever role really well yesterday (I reckon he had at least 3-4 intercept marks in the Third quarter when the swans were coming) so we can actually use him in that time if they are trying to stop Jake.

JJ has obviously addressed some of the issues from last year and should not be considered for demotion any time soon from what I saw yesterday

20 games to go in the home and away season after this one. Just saying! pies and swans look like the two teams to beat atm, but we know this changes through the season. We we were 10-0 last year (and the year before). Couldn’t sustain that momentum either year, but recovered it in 2021 (helped by a good run with injuries). it would be great to win without Max and Kozi, and would give us some confidence that we probably need to have when we play the Swans later in the year when it counts for more. But, jeez, some perspective on this site would be nice!

I sort of get the mfcss being a 50+ year demon supporter, but c’mon everyone can be we just try and enjoy the next few years at least rather than default to glass half empty every time? although we were [censored] last night we were still favourites before the game (fair enough given our recent interstate record). That in itself seems weird to type!

I was out last night and missed the game until the last 5 minutes (luckily) cane on here to find out about Max - is it a confirmed ACL and he’s out for a year, or is it just rampant MFCSS atm?

Both seemed very ordinary

So easy in hindsight. I was one who advocated that we try and rest more players during 2022, but in the end we were fighting for top4 and couldn’t risk a loss. Geelong got it tight, but are gifted wins at home in the lead up to the finals versus mainly [censored] Victorian sides or disinterested interstate teams - who they could probably beat with most of their senior backline, Hawkins or Cameron and rest from VFL. All teams would have injured players in finals and would roll the dice to some extent. Sometimes it works (ie Brisbane in 2003) and sometimes it doesn’t.

I’m a 4th generation MFC member who now owns quite a bit of hawks gear (thanks to the vagaries of the draft). At least they know how [censored] their colours are by using navy in all their merchandising. It’s sort of like we own them now (at least in a football sense) anyway.

Gone for scans too mfcss rampant for many

7 news - apparently Brayshaw is cooked too

Great signing. Could be the messiah or a very naughty boy, but definitely worth the risk/reward. Wouldn’t swap him for anyone else I saw in the vfl.

The comparison of our player management versus Geelong’s player management is problematic for me, as Geelong have about 8 games a year that they know they can win at 80% of rat power thanks to playing mainly [censored] teams at welfare park

It may come down to keeping one of Toby or Kade Chandler. I think Chandler could be a more skillful version of ANB, depending on whether he can build a similar tank - i thought some of his kicking in the VFL GF was elite given the conditions (passes over 40m within a metre of the boundary). Never really seen how quick he is relative to Toby. Has anyone seen a comparison at training? I am assuming Toby is quicker, but I not 100% sure.

all summer there will be the usual suspects on Demonland bemoaning the fact that we draft incompetently, our coaching team is stubborn and wont tweak our game plan, our medical and conditioning team is second rate since Burgess went to Adelaide, Kosi is going to Port next year, and our premiership window has already closed.

I reckon Grundy still might be top of the podium

Some people have way too much spare time

Would Rutten be a potential replacement for Yze? maybe yesterdays comments by Goody was part of scenario planning by MFC as per speaking with Gundy. Heady days for us! reigning premiers quietly working away in the background without in-fighting and leaks. Even the stuff the Warner was agitating with earlier in the year has been met with a collective and consistent response

Ever heard of having a plan B ?

was my favourite melbourne highlight (Brett Bailey Night GF was a very close second) until Bang; Bang, Bang

i'm flip flopping too. As much as I want to keep him, I would rather let him go and trust our list management to use the collateral wisely to ensure we are in the premiership window for a few more years given we have locked up our stars. I think there would have been more damage to the culture of the club, and our chances or multiple premierships, if we lost Gus to keep LJ. I sort of feel the same way about the likes of Harmes and anyone else we feel is important to the soul of the club or the future who could be colateral damage to his contract. If he wants to stay, and will accept what we can offer for 2 years, then great. I don't think we can afford to blow up our list to keep him by trying to match the dockers. Lets be a Geelong, Hawthorn, Richmond - not a 1 off wonder like Pies, Dogs, WCE etc.

When he played in the midfield in 2018 with Viney, Trac and clarry, our losses tended to come when they were all ball chasing at contests and we got killed on the outside. The Pies have probably exploited this tactic better against us than any other team. I think the last couple of years on the wing and in defence will make Gus a better midfielder. Great timing for the test coming this week - as I reckon this will be something cats will also try to exploit.

At some point, if we are to win this thing, I think we will need to beat Geelong at the MCG in September. May as well do it in Week 1 of the the finals from 4th. Then the cats will probably have a 1st Semi versus one of WB, Tigers, Carl or Pies (none of which they would be comfortable about), and then an away prelim to one of Brisbane, Freo, or Sydney. We can then wait for our Preliminary final opponent (most likely an interstate team - of which the most concerning would probably be Sydney),