Pates

It's interesting that despite it sounding like Brown came through the Casey game better that Weid is the one that's categorised as 1 week and Brown is 1-2 weeks. Perhaps the body of work that Weid managed to get through over the pre-season is what is standing him in better stead, but for me if Brown gets through this next week well then get him in for Richmond. If Weid plays a belter, does he come back in as well or would we expect a couple of weeks of solid form? I think May would love to push himself forward for the Tigers but it should always be up to the medico's and he shouldn't play unless his eye has been allowed to properly recover. I can't imagine him getting to play ANZAC weekend, maybe North game, but surely we do what we can to make sure he's good for the Swans.

I totally agree that the use of the word star is way overused by the AFL media. I think it's for a couple of reasons: Firstly as pointed out by others the vocabulary available to a lot for the personalities is not very big, and star is a very easy word to remember and use. It also adds a little bit of meat to the story, instead of the pies giving a first year player a debut they're "unleashing future star". It's basically to create clickbait. The other reason I think is because these people are put up in front of the spotlight the are entertainers, and when pushing a product are you going to pump the product up or keep it real. Naturally they're going to pump them up. Ideally the use of the word "star" would be for those in the elite category.

Yep it's a little weird looking back at games from 20+ years ago and thinking, "well that's holding the ball" or "deliberate out of bounds". Also the fact the Leoncelli was given so much time to hold onto the ball, these days you receive a mark and have to go within 5 seconds! Was funny seeing the Dees players celebrating the point as well, these days while you'd still want to do that at that stage it's a big opportunity for the opposing team to go end to end.

It's funny when the royal blue jumper I think it came back in 2006 and then kept being used as our heritage guernsey for a few of years coinciding with some of the worst years we've ever gone through. So when it went away again I thought good riddance. It came back in 2018 as our alternate top and I think there would've been a fair few Melbourne fans thinking, "oh boy here we go again". But it hasn't been the colours of failure that it was in the past, in fact I've actually grown to like it. I did think that we had gone to another alternate guernsey that was predominantly red on the back which I really liked, is that one no longer in use at all? I think if we can wear our proper colours we should always do it.

This is a huge test for the maturity of the team, we have been guilty of drinking our own bathwater in previous seasons but a loss to the Hawks this week then coming up against the reigning premiers we could be looking at 4-2 very quickly and back into the pack. Ultimately what is getting us wins is pure hard work and working for each other. If we continue that attitude we will get more wins than losses.

I loved Lewis when he played for us, really think he was undervalued by supporters in his role during 2018. But if he was in charge of kicking and skills training last year than clearly he did not do enough of it. This is not so much with the fact that there wasn't much improvement, Langdon pointed to the fact that this season with Williams there has been a specific focus on it as opposed to last season. Perhaps that was a COVID related issue that something had to be dropped but this year Mark has not only made it a focus but also ensured that it's not the same tired old drills but something different to keep them interested and on their toes. I don't mean to sound like I'm potting Lewis, I'm more pumping up that Williams has been a great get.

Just seeing that Carlton has made such a big thing about Ikon Park becoming an elite standard facility for their womens team has got me thinking about whether that should be a carrot that we're pushing with the new location. Make the ground not only the training venue for the men's team but have a section dedicated to the women's team and make the facilities of a good enough standard to host matches there rather than as well as at Casey. EDIT: I think it's a mistake to pull away from Casey too much given the positive inroads we have made in recent years, they should play a mix of home matches there and potentially at the new digs.

Personally I feel like we’ve missed the boat on so many MCG precinct options that being in that area is now seen as a luxury to me. If it happens then great but I don’t think it’s something that should be an absolute requirement. I do think we should be within a close-ish distance from the city but greater Melbourne exists into the outer suburbs. So inner suburbs such as St Kilda, Elwood, Caulfield etc should definitely be on the cards. Hopefully Roffey and he connections gets the job done, god knows we’ve been waiting long enough.

I don't know whether that's also a bit of an indictment on the club that we haven't had that skills focus, but Mark's been a top level recruit for us. Sounds like he's got a great relationship with the players as well.

I missed the interview, is there a link to it ( or someone give the cliff notes)? I’m interested to know what this Choco Williams nickname is about and why it’s disrespectful, I’m totally of the opinion a nickname shouldn’t be designed to do anything other than lift a person so if he doesn’t like it then [censored] it off.

Fantastic news, great stuff from Clarry. Getting big names early will help to stave off any media speculation and the boys can focus on what happens on the field. You’re a gem Clarry!!!!

Every week he’s improving his ruck work (which is the number one reason we got him) and he’s at point we’re no longer losing as much when Gawn needs a rest from ruck duties. Around the ground he’s covering A LOT of territory and does it almost effortlessly. Is he a forward? Only for the purpose of picking a side, he does so much more than just be a second forward target. The important thing that is happening now is that our structure is creating the very thing that Goody and Co wanted last year (but for me didn’t have the right mix and structure). It’s making Fritta our main forward target to hit up a lead and be our leading goal kicker right now. Jackson’s role is helping to create it by making his direct opponent more accountable. What is happening right now is bigger than one 19 year old not kicking a goal a game. Everyone is playing a role that is critical to the success of the team.

He’s on an AFL list = AFL footballer ?‍♂️

Right now he’s thereabouts, in that exactly what Lloyd said, he’s getting involved but his maturity isn’t quite there to make marks stick. I would be really surprised if he didn’t have a big game at least once this year.

Did he say anything interesting?

Pretty amazing fixturing but hardly surprising, we’re coming off a 6 day break though so it’s not a crazy short turnaround. Fingered crossed the Saints push them all the way and batter them.

Yep definitely picturing that, it’s a great asset to have to throw back there if needed. Jackson is building with confidence, still on the cusp of a breakout game. Would love it to be against the Hawks.

Probably jinxing us but it is really nice to see that we’ve been tough but disciplined so we aren’t seeing our players face tribunal scrutiny.

Totally agree with you on the danger of his tackle, one of those classic cases where the fact the player wasn’t injured got him a pass. For me that’s more dangerous than any of the concussion related tackles I’ve seen including Nibbler’s. Could’ve broken the guys neck. As for Nev, that is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen. Genuinely think we should consider appealing, I’m not sure there was much else he could do to mitigate the impact and he didn’t slam him into the ground. I mean Nev gets done for that, and Hawkins gets nothing. I’m not saying Hawkins should get suspended but if we’re looking at severity of incidents Nev’s was barely worth a free kick.

Damn that sucks but there were some suggesting 4-6 or even longer. 2-4 sucks but let’s deal with it and move on, big opportunity for Petty. As for Hawkins, I think it was an accident though his reckon for cheap shots is well known. I won’t lose sleep if he doesn’t get any weeks for it, kind feel like the momentum for May’s tackle played a big part.

Seems as qualified as any president we’ve had in the past and it’s a great progressive move for us to have our first female president. The coterie club might need to be a little sharper on the locations of future functions though! All the best to Bartlett, probably the most stable years off the field we’ve had since I’ve been following the Dees.

6. Petracca - Best game for the year from Trac 5. Lever - Lever was bloody important after May's injury and showed true leadership 4. Fritta - He was brilliant with his kicking for goal 3. Oliver - They tried to tag him, they failed 2. Gawn - Big game from El Capitan 1. Salem - He is having an absolute cracker of a year, I don't think he was beaten once all day

His biggest knock was kicking for goal. Today is tough conditions he was on song. Hopefully it's a boost to his confidence going forward.

I just saw Caleb Daniel's tackle, now the Brisbane player is unhurt (mostly) by it but I have to say that is more dangerous than just about any tackle I have seen sent to the MRO. That is a neck-braking action, he drive the guys head into the ground with all of his weight. It's lucky that he didn't get him flush and that perhaps the ground was a little moist and soft, for me that is a tackle that needs to be eliminated completely. I think he got one week, I think that should be looked at worse the Dangermouse's bump.

I initially had thought that, but I also did think he competed at contests to bring the ball to ground when marking the ball just wasn't going to happen. But he actually did take quite a few marks and played a connector role rather that a forward kicking goals. I think his output needs to be better but 2 good games, one more last week, and one ok-ish today. I think he keeps his spot for next week. Any word on whether we're going to bring BBB straight in after one Casey match?