DEE fence

Someone has to say it, so I'll be the [censored], the snow forecast is good btw r14-17. But seriously Carlton with 3rd easiest draw, that is ridiculous.

Wasn't he a part of Team Roos?

Am going to be boring here and repeat myself, but outside of retaining CP5 & CO13, the best news for Melbourne 2024 is JVR fixing his double grab when marking a third of the way through the season. Will be an absolute weapon in 2025.

Who is this boring club you speak of, deadly curious, any club with a pulse has a bin fire somewhere. Only boring club I can think of is Tasmania as they don't have a single contracted player, Just Brendan, Grant, a board and a comms/membership team (who probably misbehave on weekends as well).

I will be watching-awesome crew of players, feels a bit 2020 with these abridged seasons, much more of a sprint than a campaign. If we do fall in, no one will be taking them lightly.

I’m all over his Insta asking him to come back.

I beg to differ, I saw a change in JVR's marking in '24, is one of my season positives, he is much more a 'one grabber' now than before R6. I reckon he added 30-40% to his value with the improvement in his hands (BTW I know we are in furious agreement on how he is tracking as a young fwd).

Justice delayed is justice denied, to be clear, not talking about what justice is denied for. So many double standards in the AFL, I'd really like to see him rehabilitated, he can actually play pretty bloody well and is easily the best of any player going around compared to anyone else on the delisted list. And on the bright side he has been injury free for 12 months.

Good luck to him - I actually think he could play a role at Casey, he always seemed to go ok, and Casey has not had a great couple of years. Have wondered about him as a defender. Not sure how to explain it but I still think he has more to offer than Josh, I'd also have him as a pure back up ruck even if undersized I felt like he did ok rucking.

Am enjoying the AFLW the last few weeks (and previous seasons), Alyssa Bannan is a real favourite, something about her running is such a joy to watch. Overall I like the style they play tough but fair and playing the ball. I also think it will create a pathway for more people to take up the sport (and the Demons), something that can never be taken for granted. Not sure where they finish but you really have to credit the turnaround in perfomance.

Mids, elite disposal please, preferably robust, failing that a key defender if available that can take a year or two to fill out (May replacement). I am not worried about tall forwards I think JVR/Petty/Melks/Kozzie/Turner and of course Fritsch can get it done. Is more about game plan and connection for my money. I think this will be our last good run at high end selections at mids for a few years. They are there to be had. Replacing Gus, and to a lesser extent ANB and making up for the fact that Sparrow seems to have hit a ceiling are all factors. Viney, Clarrie are there to do the tough stuff well, and Trac / Kozzie will both be rotating in and out of the fwd line means we still have plenty of spots to fill. and when I say elite disposal I mean by foot and by hand, I still think our handball is a issue too, not just kicking.

Out of idle interest looked up the team results - (it's my old school), 7 losses 1 win over Marcelin by a goal. I still think Nathan has a clue about what is going on though.

It is an interesting conjecture, you could reasonably argue that Spider Everitt being out in '97 really cruelled it for the Saints, that Keating was a factor for the Lions in '01,'02+'03, and Gawn and Jackson in '21 absolutely stretched Brisbane defensively. I would argue that Grundy not being much chop as an ariel presence is the difference in these Grand final games, that i mention. I still think that (not including where 3rd man is allowed up GFs) a strong ruck is a big part of winning a GF, more so than any regular game, because in many ways a GF becomes a slug fest, with all the emotions involved. Grundy should have had a day out, I feel very sorry for the guy, he's not a bad bloke and I hope he finds some redemption. Much as Lever did after having a shocking '17 and an ace '21. BTW, I love Essendon so much, I wouldn't mind a F.U..... like bidding on Kako at 5, hehhehehe

Agreed and Thank you for the player summaries, Xavier, we need more elite kicks (and handballers), a Bont would be too good to be true, even if he was a 3/4 Bont, would still be a massive win. Tobie as insurance on Salem not getting back to the level (this isn't fat shaming, but I think Salem is not looking well still, like he is carrying weight or fluid) I think JVR and Petty will work, so would have Harry at 4. But honestly I trust JT and the recruiting team so much. We are fine as a team for courage and contested ball, need some players to capitalize on the hard work with good linking play.