hardtack

Puopolo a late out for the Hawks.

Isn’t that what we were thinking in 2018 when he’d had a similar lay off? He came in and tore it up. He’s worth the risk. I think we’ll see him and Pickett come in for Jones and Smith.

Oops, my apology... I misread your comment. Perhaps it needed a "We..." or "The MFC..." in front, for the benefit of old farts like me ?.

He may not be playing his best football now (but he was not the worst on Saturday), but your post is just unnecessarily disrespectful of someone who has served this club well and who stuck with the club despite (I assume) lucrative offers from other clubs. Perhaps your forum name is appropriate?

And in that one small sentence, you've encapsulated what it means to be a Melbourne supporter.

For anyone else who may have taken the GF Guarantee, I wrote to the club some time back with regards to the above. They have finally got back to me with the club's decision as to what will happen with these payments: "It appears that those with a Grand Final Guarantee this year will have one credited for 2021. This information will be confirmed with renewals for 2021 when that information is sent out. You still have options around your guarantee this year in terms of refunds etc so if you want to discuss you can call us on 1300 336 667." I will definitely NOT be requesting a refund, but I am happy that they've decided to credit members with the payment for next year.

I'm not overly concerned about Pickett not playing and ANB replacing him... yes he's an excitement machine, but I think a few here have him pegged already as the new messiah. Go back to round one and despite his two goals, he was actually pretty ordinary for most of the game. Sure I would rather have seen Lockhart, Hannan or Bedford come in for Pickett, and I know we can't put too much faith in Fantasy Footy points, but ANB did outscore Pickett there, no doubt due to his pressure acts that everyone seems to overlook (not everyone can be flash nick from Jindivik); I think he's unfairly maligned. The most interest in this game for me is going to be seeing just how intense Harley will be in a real contest. I'm also excited to see how Hunt will perform now that he's been given a chance.

BIG difference... the players in the games are all isolated in the “bubble”. The punishment meted out to Pickett and Spargo could also be considered a form of enforced isolation, as they had been in contact with people outside the players “bubble”... why is this starting to sound like an episode from Seinfeld? I blame the moops!!

What a surprise...Frost free kicked for holding!

Is it possible that Hannan might get a run?

From memory that was the thing that I didn't like about the VFA back in the day. It made it a faster game, but lacked a lot of the nuances of the main game (VFL).

Um, you're talking about a TV show. Unless you want to start your own TV show, then there's not really any other way you're going to be able to respond anyway... try yelling at your TV; that might help.

He's doubly negative?

Hey, at least I said "should be" and not "will be"... I always leave myself with an escape clause ?

I should probably rewatch the game I suppose... my memory of it was that although he had something like 21 disposals, his efficiency wasn't particularly good, and he had been off his game for some time up to that point (last season's performances). Maybe I'm being too harsh.

No, as the article said: "Wednesday morning’s session at Casey Fields finished on a high as Simon Goodwin revealed the trio would be pulling on the red and blue against Carlton this weekend." "The remainder of Melbourne’s side will be confirmed on Thursday evening in the lead up to the AFL’s return to play this weekend." They will definitely be playing.

I think Werridee has got it wrong with the omission of Jetta (I doubt they'll dump him when he's about to play his 150th game), but otherwise it's looking pretty good. Hibberd is the one I'm a bit iffy about... he's been playing well below his best in recent times (late last year and round one this year), so do they risk him in the hope that he finds form in what should be a relatively easy game, or do they sit him out?

Don't forget that VDB came back to play around finals time in 2018 and it was as if he hadn't been out at all; he had an immediate impact. The guy has incredible, seemingly natural, stamina and if his foot is not hindering him, I would put him straight in as top 22, if not top 10.

I'm pretty sure I saw the Big Freeze TV coverage listed somewhere for different states at different times of the day (on 7 Mate). Anyway, for those of us in Sydney at least, the coverage begins from just before 2pm. Prior to that, from 12pm midday, they are showing one of the Queen's Birthday games, but don't say which one it is (hopefully one that we won). Edit: it’s the 2017 match.

I've experienced this kind of excitement for a club debut a couple of times in the not too distant past... Aaron Davey and Liam Jurrah. Davey... well, we all know what he was capable of and what he became. Jurrah on the other hand could have been anything. He was a player who through his own failings (more than anything else), never got the chance to show what he was really capable of; but the glimpses that he did show, were stunning (I was fortunate enough to see him at his best in the China game).

Thanks Ding... the second is actually one of my favourites, just because it's such a bizarre topic. I take it that you won't be live streaming any shows from your shower ?

@drysdale demon Believe that if you wish. General Mattis has a good take on this. For the Trumpet supporters, they could do with listening to the good general and many other thinking conservatives (not democrats or left wingers) who can see the damage being done by this President. The sensationalist headlines unfortunately don't look deep into the issues. Trouble is we will get caught up in it, we are not immune. General James Mattis was one of Donald Trump's most high-profile appointments. Mattis resigned as Trump's secretary of defence in December of 2018, but has largely kept quiet about his former boss … until today. Mattis has issued a pretty extraordinary statement just now, saying Mr Trump makes a "mockery of the Constitution": Mr Mattis said he was "angry and appalled" by what he had watched this week, and threw his support behind those at peaceful protests: And what does Trump come back with... the kind of response one would expect if a 12 year old were running the country...

Not sure how I managed to sneak into your quotes... I've spent very little time on this.

Then perhaps Nelo's question should be rephrased to "What has he got to lose?"; after all, it is Bennell who is going to have to manage any such chronic injury after his football career is over. Hopefully the MFC aren't quite so bloody minded.

Of course.