Pates

This will probably be an unpopular thought but I actually didn't think Tomlinson played a bad game, and I don't think it's a coincidence that Lever had one of his best games for the year with him in. McKay is a bloody good footballer and was getting regular (and quite often unpressured) service, getting hands on the ball hasn't been his problem it's the finishing that's been his main issue. I personally think Tommo stays, as does Smith. Unless there are absolute gun footballers that are direct replacements (say a Petty or Oliver) I say given them a body of games to prove their worth to the team. Our backline functions better with to key pillars complimenting the Lever interceptor. And JVR and Smith seemed to have space from each other which is actually what Roo needs, space to have his opponent one on one. I would expect more from Smith going forward, but giving him one game and dropping is going to do nothing for him or the team. Bowser for Hibberd Sparrow for for Oliver (Sparrow Sub)

I should be confident about tonight but I haven't seen much in the last month of footy to tell me that we are genuine this season. Hopefully it starts with them tonight. Really hoping Smith can show something. His time is now, he either brings it this season or he's done. Also looking for big games for Kozzie, Fritta, ANB, Spargo, and Chandler. Our small/mid forwards haven't been performing of late, we need our tackling pressure game to come back in a big way, especially leading into next week.

I think the sad thing about him is that he was a part of our program and we definitely would've picked him up had it not been for the rule change after Jamarra Ugle-Hagen. I also don't think he was worth the pick that GC gave up for him, he was a bolter that was boosted in profile because of his connection to us. Staying in our system may well have helped to avoid the situations he's found himself in. GC has a proven track record of failing to keep players on the straight and narrow (doesn't help the culture up that way for young people does centre around gambling, partying, drugs, and alcohol).

I think it would be a fair critique to say they could have a dedicated button on the main menu rather than being in the drop down for "teams". It's not like it doesn't exist it's just a little hidden.

It's funny, I used to kinda enjoy "Frost Ball" when he was with us because it enjoyable seeing someone from our club take the game on. Now I enjoy it even more as an oppo fan because I'd say the success rate is below 50%, and it's utter chaos to the point it unsettles his own team. It's exciting and exhilarating when it comes off, but most of the time it's just insane! I would imagine Frost will be going to JvR, it could actually be an interesting match up. Frost has speed and strength, but JvR is pretty smart for a young pup so I could see him running rings around him if given the chance. I would love for him to kick a bag today.

Death riding Freo's season has become such an enjoyable second storyline to the season. It's not just that it's fun watching their fans go from "Flagmantle" to working out where it's gone wrong, it's that they've paid so much supreme talent after chasing him so hard only to use him so badly that you can see it's affecting him (I don't wish ill on Jacko, just on Freo). I hope after this season they do manage to work it out, it would be sad to see such potential [censored] down the toilet. But for now let it ride!

I have to imagine that Kozzie's drop in form has been the direct result of these negotiations dragging out. I've got no doubt once it's all done and dusted he'll be fine. Really wish he, his manager, and the club had just sorted it out before the start of the season if Melbourne was always going to be his final destination. I think he just needs to get back to basics; tackle, pressure, stay on the ground for a bit, be at the fall of the ball.

We've been playing poorly and only looked to have a bit of flow about us towards the end. But jeez the umpires are killing us. How that ANB 50 isn't paid given EVERYTHING we've seen this year and the soft ones that do get paid is completely beyond me.

So I was at a stag do on Saturday which centred around a mate who's a big Dees fan. After going to one pub for some drinks we then went on another place to watch the Dees, not gonna lie it reminded me that no matter how far we've come our mighty Dees still have the great ability to ruin a party! I can't remember much because we got into a fair bit of booze, but we just looked off in all aspects. 2nd to the ball, not enough 2nd, 3rd and 4th efforts, skills not adapting to the conditions (twice we've been undone when the ball and ground is slick). I think what frustrated me was there seemed to be an element of accepting the day as a loss after a while, there didn't seem to be that hunger to come back. Anyway, alcohol (and since then a stomach virus) has managed to wipe away most of the tripe we witnessed. It makes ANZAC eve a massive match for us, it has to be a statement that we are not to be f---ed with.

I would much prefer to see JVR given a run and keep Harry in the back line. That said I don’t want him to be stay at home, if something in game needs to change I’ve got no issue with throwing him forward. Don’t wait until the final 4min of our season.

I’m ignoring the Hawks result, they live up to the colours on their jumper. I don’t have much confidence coming into this match, they’ve had the wood on us for a while. We can’t play anywhere near that poo that we played vs Brisbane, it will be over at half time. The positive part of me is looking at a few things: Our defensive general May is back, Viney and Fritta will be better for their runs last week, Brown is in great form, and I’m hoping that JVR will finally be brought in to add some excitement to the squad. First game of the year for me, so hopefully they put in a good showing.

**** wow, they’re going through the doldrums of a few bad years after a dynasty and already they’re crying about being carp? Get stuffed and have 50+ years of pain, then talk to us.

Ok look, the points system sucked but what I don't understand is can't they have a caution system where repeat offenders that do a number of "small" acts end up getting a one week suspension. It seems the most obvious way to go about it, the caution can hang for 6 weeks before it goes away if people don't want it always there for the entire season. In isolation I would agree that all these incidents don't merit suspension, but give them warnings that leave them open to potential suspension and they might think about doing something idiotic the next time.

While you can't control GETTING injured, you can control management of players and loading through the year. I would be shocked and disappointed if our fitness/injury management team didn't recognise some significant mistakes throughout the season. The most glaring was the decision to take Max over to Perth for the WC game. I get that you should always respect the opposition but there are times when management of players is absolutely critical, Geelong mastered it last season and now it's on the selection team to place faith in the squad to ensure players that are tired or playing through pain are given an opportunity to rest properly. We need to get back to being fast finishers, not limping over the line.

Hope he gets his life back together, but he burnt us so he’s not going to have anything to do with us again.

Can you link to where you’re seeing these comments? Absolutely disgusting and pathetic for people to say a bad word about her; she’s been a champion of women’s footy, a champion of the game, and should go down as a legend of the footy club. I find her special comments far more in line with the modern game compared to the likes of Dermie, Carey, and I’d throw in Gary Lyon as well (just to show I’m not biased 😉). Interestingly I remembered having a debate with an Adelaide person that argued she shouldn’t have the standing in the game that she has. They were arguing Vic based bias, but the fact is that without Daisy pushing the women’s game as much as she has I really doubt they would be in the 18 team position they are now. The Dees B&F will surely be named after her at the least.

I’ll possibly pose the point that rather that torching Griffiths, there should be all praise for how bloody next level Burgo is at his job. It can’t be understated how big a get he was for the club. That said it MUST be an issue corrected over the off season.

Personally I’m happy we’re continuing this. Somethings are more important, and us keeping a close relationship with the communities up there and helping to grow the game there is not only a great thing for the club but a great thing for the people up there. We know the ground better than anyone in the AFL now as well so it’s becoming a special place for us to play.

Sad to see Gibbo go, hope he’s going onto greener pastures. Seems a genuinely good bloke and seemed a good sport with Gus and Gawny.

Too late on that one, it’s being converted into a wetlands/park.

This to me seems like an absolutely plausible reason, social media is toxic at the best of times but throw in racism and it’s so much worse. Some of the garbage he’s been subjected to is disgusting, if he has stepped away from the platform I say good on him.

Yeah from memory that was during Gabriel Szondy’s time as president, and unfortunately our finances at the time were so dire there wouldn’t have been 2 cents to rub together to put in a bid (though that’s where government/AFL funding would have been nice to assist us).

I don’t know if it’s possible but will the feasibility report of possible locations be released? Wasn’t it a multi-million dollar bit of funding to provide us this opportunity at establishing where the base could exist near to the MCG? One area that I can think of where there might be land that could be converted and be utilised for community benefits is around Port Melbourne where there could be some industrial land that we could also make into a hub for our womens team as well as a training facility.

I’m genuinely at a point where I’m thinking we have no option BUT to look elsewhere from the city. We have been at this point of looking for somewhere to be near the MCG since I first started following Melbourne in the bloody 90s! We missed the boat on options that came our way, the likelihood of them coming along again is low, let’s look elsewhere. Still try to keep it near to the city (at least with a view of the city) but we are trying to find the perfect option and it might simply not happen.

I won't go deep into detail but had a pleasure of interacting with Kate Roffey today, expressed to her how bloody proud I am of the club and that everything that's gone on in the last 16 months has been a fantastic ride to be a part of. She's a great operator, really down to earth in the way she speaks to the fans and the media, zero hint of an ego. I remember a few years ago there were laughs from the footy world about our lofty expectations, well here we are.