P-man

Love this kid. Kicking also isn't as bad as some reports suggested. Lock him in for Round 1.

I mentioned one aspect of his day. He delivered the ball well inside 50 and on a day like today, that stood out.

Three biggest individual positives were Oliver (clearly), Bugg and Viney looking to go up a level on last year. Michie also looked good when he came on. Beating an old drum but he deserves more opportunity. Grimes was again the engineer of some of our best forward entries. Watts contributed well. Pedo competed hard but undid some of his good work with poor decisions. Harmes is developing nicely. Salem is starting off shakily but you get the sense he's blowing out some early cobwebs. Will hit the season proper with a flourish. Overall the skill level was putrid today. Wasn't just due to the windy conditions, because the younger Dogs were noticeably using the ball better for close to three quarters. Competed well inside but turnovers which shouldn't happen at this level allowed them to remain in the contest. Always looked hurried coming out of the back half which needs to be tidied up quickly. From a team perspective, it was a bad day, but the win is important for team confidence.

I hope critical discussion of T Mac doesn't get immediately shut down on here like it has done to date. He's a good one one one defender, but there are aspects to his game that aren't even AFL standard. Today was NOT a one off.

One of the more bizarre turnovers I've seen. There wasn't a Melbourne player in sight. Just quietly, how annoying are these dogs supporters near the mics?

Great to see Tommy Bugg with 16 touches already. Led the tackle count in NAB 1. Is willing himself into games.

Watts will be a frustrating player til the day he hangs up his boots. Already seen the best and worst of him in this game. Definitely looking stronger in marking contests overall though which is a positive sign.

Nice to hear the commentators cracking jokes over potential injuries. Only when Melbourne are playing.

I heart you Jeffrey.

Dogs just seem to be working harder. Enormously disappointing performance so far.

Oliver is the highlight so far. We've got that pick right. I'd like to be critical of yet another T Mac turnover that resulted in a goal, but then I remember he's not in the side to kick the ball... <end sarcasm>

Going for two wins in a row. Yes, I'll even take them in the pre-season. This is what I've been reduced to.

No idea mate sorry. I pretty much only watch state of origin and the GF.

Just Bernie that was interviewed. Nothing of massive note. Typical generic line of questioning - "Melbourne have been terrible for a while. Here's a graphic showing exactly how terrible. How less terrible will you be this year?" Finals the achievable goal. No rush on Hogan. Enjoying being a leader. Loves playing against Adelaide. Hopes Watts re-signs as he is a barometer for the club.

What questions? The ones about penalties? My previous answer will suffice. The fact they were not handed down after the CAS verdict is largely irrelevant. You should know the convoluted way the AFL works. The facts remains the club has been punished significantly. If you are a long distance away then of course that changes things. I am in the same situation though I should hopefully be able to make it down. I assumed you were local. If however you are mainly choosing not to go because you feel a couple of dollars to Essendon (who are millions in the hole anyway and about buried deeper) outweighes the importance of supporting the MFC, then I'm afraid what you're really boycotting is your right to say that your loyalties lie first and foremost with the club. It is the first game of the season, at our home ground, in a vitally important start to the year, in what is a pivotal season for the team's development, where we will be vastly outnumbered by opposition supporters to begin with. Within THAT context, I believe that your boycott is petty and ill-considered. The one thing I do appreciate is your distaste for the EFC and what they've done to our sport. But this isn't the right way to express it.

Suit yourself. You are your own person. Make no mistake though that your "boycott" only achieves one less voice to cheer on the boys. I can only hope others don't follow your idiotic example.

How are fines and suspensions "self inflicted wounds"? Much like our punishment for "bringing the game into disrepute..but definitely not tanking", Essenson have been punished. There have been some detours along the way, but they've been punished. How do you want to further punish them? More fines? Jail time? The club is stuffed for years to come. I hate them as much as anyone but get serious. Your protest on the grounds they haven't been punished is flimsy at best, and ultimately meaningless. Attend the game and support YOUR team.

Correction, it's on at 6.30 to account for the start of the NAB game.

Fox Footy

A new nightly recap of AFL news. The show is called AFL Tonight. It's a bit meh but Bernie is always good value.

I simply can't believe that they plan to give the players who have been suspended for using banned substances, a standing ovation. It would be hilarious if weren't true. They officially have zero shame. i support Melksham now he's one of ours, but I'm not giving the bloke a standing ovation.

Dwayne commentating GC v WC and has credited Melbourne's second half to the greater number of rotations. You knew he'd be referencing it at some point. Just can't help himself when it comes to the MFC. The only reason he didn't bring it up ten times during the game itself was that he wasn't aware of it.

Set your timer.

I did however vote Richmond

Nothing to do with it actually. Was thinking about the upcoming game against the Dogs, and how I don't mind the Dogs, and how a GF against them one day would be a good thing for football.