Maldonboy38

Hot arvo, thought I would glance at the Freo v Eagles game. Kayo deciding to do its usual error carp and can't see any of the game.

He was really good, back to directing traffic, positioning brilliantly, and knowing when to be third man up and when to hold off. His brains across half back were a treat. Not quit at his best, but then North's midfield gave our backs a relatively easy day.

6 Kozzie 5 Moose 4 Steele 3 Lever 2 Howes 1 Sparrow

With North being so so meek and poor, it is difficult to rate that preseason game. Any decent defense like Swans or Cats would have stifled half of our run and carry in transition today. Our big boys looked steady & strong in both defense and attack. I can't believe that we might have position pressure in the forward line between Jeffo, Kentfield, big Moose, JVR, etc... Looks like Scarlett's role in helping our big forwards and defenders is already having a huge effect. Our kicking was poor but did improve throughout the game, until the last quarter when everyone was exhausted in the heat. Our gameplan is going to rely heavily on the kicking skills of Salem, Lindsay, Bowey (when he is back) from half back.

XTaylor is going to be a star. No room for him yet, but he is aware, courageous and has good skills.

Apart from the big boys, a lot of players moving around getting a run making it difficult to see who is playing well for extended minutes. Salem - immediate impact. Steady, Initiating many transitions I am LOVING the big moose. If we got him AND Steele from St Kilda for basically nothing then it is a great move. Kentfield has surprised me - looking good. Latrelle moves well, and is beginning to adjust to the pace and intensity of AFL. His kicking is under par so far. Laurie hasn't had a lot of it but he is very good with ball in hand.

NM 4.6 MFC 11.8

Jeffo getting involved. Kozzie is just taking the mickey out of everyone now. Lindsay isa gun - so steady and uses the ball well.

You can clearly see our game plan is based on quick transition from half back. At this stage we might not have the kicking skills to do it consistently but it is there to see. Lever, TMac and Disco ruling the B50. And North might be in some serious trouble. Once we take possession and add some pace to the transition, they are nowhere to be seen. They are only getting the ball back when we miss a target. Heath the standout addition to our list so far. Kozzie is a star.

Impressed by Max Heath. Doing really well against Xerri who is a very good ruckman.

Outstanding team goal coast to coast.

Commentators repeating the comment about the Dees "play on at all costs, attacking from half back".

Lever on fire. Tholstrup decision-making far too slow. Midfield getting beaten but just starting to get some ball.

We are getting some help from the umps so far. 2 howling decisions in our favour.

Once they get it at their half back, we are struggling to stop their transition through their wing and half forward. Some poor foot skills not helping.

I will have my eyes on: The quality of the new young midfielders and how quickly, how well, they defensively spread. I am liking the look of our forward options and back options, but if our new midfield can't switch to defense quickly, we might see opposition midfields kick goals against us. Jack Steele is vital to us with Viney out. I remain bullish about Jeffo, and will watch his preseason closely. Our forward leading and repeat leading patterns. Our lack of movement and nouse inside F50 has been appalling since BBB left. Will our new gameplan be clearly noticeable, especially pace of transition.

We have been waiting a long time for our MFC media and PR dept to leave Windows 95 behind and produce contemporary, crisp, professional & engaging content. Worth the wait. This is brilliant.

I had a massive soft spot for Harmes, although he was often referred to in the condemnation of faint praise "a hard working battler who got the most out of himself". His peak only lasted about 3 years but he was a whole lot better than a hard working battler during his peak. Loved him. I was gutted when he moved on but understood why. Another "personal story". The best game in the world at elite level is gathering a horrendous resume of ruined lives. I have absolutely no idea what his circumstances are, but I hope he heals, recovers, and finds peace and purpose. One day I would love him to walk back in the MFC where he will be welcomed and celebrated.

Immediate replacement for Bowey? He probably wont take the role of "designated kicker off half back" which Bowey fills so well because of his vision and kicking skills, but he looks a ready made HB Flanker.

2026 - Gawn & Rivers co-captains. Vice captains - Lever, Viney, Chandler and Turner. 2027 - Gawn steps aside, then Lever and Viney also step aside Captain - Rivers. Vice-captains Chandler, Turner & one of Lindsay, Langford or JVR.

I have vague memories of his last couple of playing years, but I was just a bit too young to understand how great he was in his own time. I think my mum (a mental Dees supporter) had a secret crush on him. He always comes across as a gentleman AND a great bloke - a difficult combination to uphold. And he still takes great joy in all things MFC, which is a joy to observe.

Amid the raffle that is AFL drafting, the Rory Sloane one is probably the one that I feel most ashamed about as a Dees follower. I know there are no guarantees, but MFC gave solid assurances to Sloane and his family, only to renege. Poor form. Recruiting Heffernan from the Bombers was an absolute howling trade. The hype around Diamond Jim Tilbrook was an epic fail. The Kozzie/Jackson/ draft was one of our best - had a direct impact on us winning a flag.

That surprises and excites me. It sounds like Kozzie was going heavy on speaking him up and it has worked. Some serious talent, mature body, and our outstanding Indigenous program under Matty Whelan will be in full swing.

Although his last 18 months have not been his best, it is rivers by a mile for me. I have heard him speak to the media multiple times and he is a clear, articulate, club man. Also, the more I think about it, in quite a few games he has stood up in key moments (even initiating some) which has lead to a surge in performance during a game or quarter. Moving into the midfield also suits. Lever, Disco & ??? into the leadership group Gawn and Viney as mentors. I need to know more about Chandler and the others of the 22-25 yo.

I can see round 1 being versus GWS or Gold Coast, to play up Trac and Clarry leaving. The media will be insufferable abut this. Please no Thursday night games, or at the worst, as few as possible.