PaulRB

When do Casey start having some practice matches for those who'll miss out on the JLT, round 1 etc..?

So they're in peak form for Round 1... "Goodwin said Melbourne would pick "a pretty strong team" for Saturday's game..." from Boost for Dees as Viney set for round one

So the Tigers midfield helps drive them to win a Premiership and it's ranked 12th in the competition... Interesting

I'm not a fan of giving the new kids a run in the JLT (aside from Lever), we should play our top 24-26 fit players (what ever the extended bench allows) with the intention to nail downs structures and roles, and to build momentum to hit Round 1 fully primed. So would prefer to see Lewis and Vince playing both games over Spargo, Baker, etc... While many focus on our Round 23 performance as to why we missed finals, early season losses were, obviously, equally damaging to our cause.

You've evidently never watched the womens curling at the olympics!

With Trak going into the middle more and Vanders out indefinitely, there’s an opening for a bullocking physical player who can also take a pack mark and spend time in the ruck. Pedo made big strides last year, if fit he can be also be a link up presence...

Why thank you. Although I can’t take all the credit, as your “original point” was more a subjective imagining than one based on the reality of watching Maxy’s defensive efforts and effect when playing forward. and that’s quite an art too! ?

I actually think that if the teams our womens team plays adopt the "suggestions" from head office we'll win the flag in a canter. Defensive set ups help weak teams slow and even up the play, we're not a weak team.

Actually it is. Gawn resting forward would generally be deep forward, he'd draw at least one tall defender (possibly 2), and our forwards would know the balls likely to come in long and high at Maxy, be at his feat then work hard to apply defensive pressure if theres a turn over... If you're implying Max is unaccountable or disinclined to chase, I disagree.

Im not fussed that the club isn't wasting limited resources pandering to the unending needs of the digital fan base during pre-season. Keep the funds and attention focused on footy, and improving the team, and promoting those teams we have playing and winning (i.e. the Womens Team).

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-31/mcc-reveals-its-top-five-matches-for-2018-season

I was reading on the AFL site the other day about the MCC’s top 5 anticipated games for 2018, and Melbourne are playing in two of them, same as the “power” (gag) clubs... and it occurred to me that we may be more progressed as a team and a club than I’d allowed myself to believe. I read analysis of our list, both on here and in footy sites, and many are genuinely bullish, not just about a couple of players, but a dozen with many already blooming... i fear to acknowledge it, but I’m starting to feel we may be on the cusp of something very special, and I mean more than the Doggies and Tigers of the last couple.

While the expansion clubs and Brissie may not be profitable for decades, I suspect the AFL was able to get those losses well covered through the additional revenue weekly games in NSW and QLD added to the tv rights deal. Making the individual clubs p&l at this stage is irrelevant.

Love Nev as well, and while he's a good kick, he's also very risk-adverse in his kicking choices which helps his stat in this area. Long penertating kicks to the advantage of player on the run are not Nevs standard kick from defence... like the opposite of Travis Johnston, which in a backman is not a bad thing.

You may be confusing him with the French President... Lever did visit France recently ..?

Position: 3rd (16 wins) All Aust: Oliver, Petracca, Gawn, Jetta, Lever. Improvers: OMac, TMac, Harmes Sliders: - Kent Darkhorse and Norm Smith Medalist: Hogan (7 goal in GF thriller, Dees by 3 points)

So, there's no sponsorship problem. All good.

Don't swallow the delusional drivel that drools from Windy Hill. put money on us finishing higher than the Dons this year. That you assess those three new players as "best 22" only highlights how poor their list actually is, especially in close around the ball with Jobe leaving. As PK once said ..."they're all tip and no iceberg!".

I suspect the sudden emergence of Oliver last year as a first rung in and under forced other mids to have to adjust their role in the mix..?

Love the twisted logic on here. the year after we did the camp and then didn’t make finals. Some are now claiming that if we again miss finals that our now not doing the camp will be to blame... ???

Sounds like the 9 on 9 competitive drilling we’ve been doing would be a good prep... I imagine it would be integrated into the general preseason program as another element and players chosen based on their individual programs, and it benefitting their preparation for the season proper..?

I get the feeling that Tomas Bugg is pushing hard to make amends, and take his game and contribution to a new level. I thought he was going ok when he had the brain fade last year, so can play... another level of fitness and intensity as a defensive forward, line breaking runner to receive could have him flourish.

I don’t think our fade outs these past two seasons is an “attitude” issue, more a reflection of the age group where our talent lies. Our young core of very talented players can beat anyone, but until they’re physically and mentally matured they have struggled to maintain it into spring. That we’ve been mid table with the least experienced list indicates talent, but hitting the physical limits of youth. The Tigers age profile also highlights the value of a physically mature list...

I liked this as well. Hogan able to move into the midfield (aka Roughie for the Hawks) for periods allows us more flexibility in the forward line I.e when resting Gawn forward, Hogan goes into the midfield etc... Plus I think he'll thrive on more of an upfield role at times.

There’s aspects of Salem’s game (silk, ability to extract the pill, movement) that reminds me of Adem Yze.