Demon17

Thanks Binman. As ScoMo said yesterday, ignore anything on social media putting forward 'facts'. Take note SWYL please

I am sympathetic to your views also, and at the risk of trolling also think in these times, the Top level AFL will be a huge comfort to many as the only link to normalcy. Aussie rules has a major sociological impact, even to those not interested. It must however only be done if safe. Two examples, again, not related to the current situation or comparable, but to illustrate (sort of) the game's use: 1. In World War 2, the Australia forces attack on the Italians lines in Libya commenced with the assies kicking a football into no-man's-land as a signal to attack. Just an example. 2. Another is Chicken Smallhorn winning the Changi Brownlow.

Thanks. Much appreciated

The marketing Dept. will be thrilled about last night. They have a monumental task after 2019's efforts on field. However the membership weekly numbers trends are turning interesting, with the tally now moving over Feb from 4000 down on last year to half that, and better than 2018 equivalent timing. I am wondering if a join-up recovery might be a coincidence with the efforts of the club's sales pitch re: To hell and Back", the Family Day and importantly all the good news coning out of the club in Feb. (no injures (sort of) c.f.2019, Burgess, gawn) AND the Marsh series performance. I am way more optimistic now than end of last season on retaining the growth - provided on-field it doesn't all go belly up. The team needs to be, and should be, at least 3 wins and 2 losses on worst case after Round 5, and then could be on its way, further helping sales.

Ecellent call . Was disgraceful.

Couldn't watch any of the game. A poster talked about how good defence looks. What role did May have in this re organising etc. Same query for lever? Thoughts?

Agree. I just felt TGR needed to fully describe the act, rather than tell us how good Stack is. Viney getting up off the canvas was more meaningful to me character-wise than taking cheap shots like Stack.

You forget to add Cowardly, as are many 'famous' hits in AFL. e.g. Mark Yates on Brereton. In years to come when more is known about concussion long term, your attitude will be ranked with those climate change deniers and others of similiar ilk.,

In April 2019 the Roar predicted the final 8 and had only one place correct. They correctly tipped 6 of the 8 finalists although those 6 picked themselves and had this gem of a prognostication about the Dees. I loved the nothing had happened in pre-season comment. Melbourne tops the ladder with at least 17 wins And here we go. This column has already covered its feelings towards the Dees, and nothing that happened in the preseason has changed its mind. Melbourne will start the year with a couple of its key pieces on the sidelines, but it won’t matter given the strength of its midfield, and the aggressiveness of coach Simon Goodwin and his crew’s strategies.

Agree. Its how we perform in the first 2 games that counts. Close losses will make everyone afraid, and the team could/should easily go to 3 - 2 up(Freo, saints, Gold Coast) and then onward and upward

Sure has. Brett Lovett.

One thing we know is that all of these Top 8 predictions on membership will be wrong as they ignore historical trend of at least 2 and usually 3 changes each year. Again, journalists and others looking at history with little thought. (a la Champion Data) Cam Mooney's prediction of the Dees as Premiers is at least based on past lived experience and evaluation of potential, not looking at 2019 in isolation. David King will be closest to the pin with 2 changes, but clearly Dees will take Roos entrance

Priceless comment.!

I think this is his major weakness, apart from kicking to position. He doesn't have the tricks, despite his speed to evade an oncoming tackler.

I call him Splinters. Always sitting on the fence and predicting a no change to the 8 regardless of historical trends is an example. Cornes has admitted he was wrong on a number of occasions and is aggressively opinionated which is more than most in the media. Doesn't' see himself as part of the club like Dal Santo.

interestingly this is in line with historical trends with around 3 changes to the Final 8 each season. Based on his commentary and effusive praise of Melb this morning I think he is clearly Believer.

At the Pies game you could only get food etc inside the Holden centre and the queues were so long I gave up . Nothing available around the ground, but likely a sales strategy by Eddie. North may be more working class and actually look after the fans??

Good point LDVC on the 2 year term requirement by Petracca - perfectly understandable. But the huge upside for the club in this deal , is that he will absolutely pull out all stops to have a stellar few seasons to 2022, then at the age of 26- ish and a huge payday, deservedly, beckons. I suspect that won't be the key motivation next to team success and camaraderie, but all incentives help. And if the club has to pay him a Mill. from 2023 imagine what he will have done to deserve this! This player could be the highlight for supporters this season.

I think Jack will show what he thinks when he crunches his first tackle in the first minute of the first game this season. He knows no other way and this minor setback - if he sees it as such - will be the making of him.

A beautiful set of reminiscences Moonshadow. I reckon I saw all of these. Good luck to Frost , and " Frostball", although coined last year was maybe said in just, just didn't fit the modern game and the team's objectives. I think there is still hope for Oscar and his kicking is underrated.

Absolutely DG. The story is Max and the non-leadership group thing as explained by Goodwin. Anything else would have been a distraction for the lazy journos in the room. I also felt the interviews showed out a solid relationship between Goodwin and Gawn which is important. Albeit on a number of occasions whist Max was speaking it was all Goodwin could do to hide a smile and not look too amused by Max's utterings. Lots of air time coming up this season which the club and the AFL will love. I also suspect most journos will take a press opportunity with Max than most or any other skippers around.

Another quality off-season call by the club. Having seen the Ep 3 of the series to hell and Back, they'll all lead at times during the course of a game IMO.

Excellent observation by Brown. Garbage comment by Fagan from whom I expected more. Should have qualified his statement at the time, thus rendering it meaningless

Disagree on field kicking. One of our poorest IMO. And it is football after all

Can someone give a short summary of vanders game. I was unable to see any of the match.