La Dee-vina Comedia

While there might be no capacity limits at the MCG, crowd numbers might be affected by any other Covid controls that might be in place. For example, measures such as mask-wearing, having to check in with the QR code, having to show a vaccination certificate, etc are all nothing more than annoyances. However, I know many people who have found things like that enough to keep them from going out. Plus, if Omicron is still around, I suspect there will also be a group who don't want to take the risk of being in a crowded place. Finally, many people who previously would have attended will have become used to watching games on TV and may never return to watch matches live.

I'm sure there's a complete list of excruciating lines including Kevin Bartlett's "dances on a dollar", half a dozen Brian Taylorisms and any player's post-match interview when they describe the experience as "surreal"

A fondue? Even if no-one sneezed, we might still have that group missing with food poisoning. By the way, I think you've overstated the abilities of a few players, such as Chandler, Bedford, J Smith and perhaps Weideman. In addition, those first three named plus Daw and Dunstan need more time playing with the core group to be able to fit in seamlessly.

Anyone remember where the expression "shake and bake" originated? And why?

In fact, the club will have to do it another six times. NASA had men land on the moon six times and there are still disbelievers out there.

Not necessarily. The Melbourne City Council has been public about having to remove trees because some had reached their "end of life" and others weren't coping with the effects of climate change. I seem to recall it was primarily the elm trees they were talking about. The Council was speaking generically, not specifically about Gosch's Paddock, though.

Proof that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Which metaphorically seems to be the Board's position with the election candidates, too.

Not quite. You have to buy a Tattslotto ticket and you have to put yourself in the vicinity of the bus to give it a chance! On the other hand, I find it depressing that more people know their star sign than their blood group. Full disclosure: I'm a Scorpio with A+ blood.

Stretching the definition of "embarrassing" here. It's testament to our recent success that most of the "embarrassing" records have been consigned to the bin.

When I read your post it seemed like Goyder was leaving like a King or government going into exile. I could have chosen any one of a number throughout history but chose Norway because it allowed me to equate McGowan (admittedly completely unfairly) with Quisling.

As far as I know, there's no link to Melbourne, but anyone brought up on the old VFA during the 70s would remember the flamboyant Fred Cook, Port Melbourne's full forward. Apparently passed away today aged 74. A great entertainer (in the days when there wasn't much entertainment in being a Melbourne supporter).

You make it sound like it's WWII and Goyder's the King of Norway going into exile while McGowan is Quisling.

You mean permanently? for for the foreseeable future? or that he's on a plane today and who knows how long for?

I'll bet you would have loved it.

Having just read through this thread, I feel the name Corey is to Casey like Bailey is to the Bulldogs.

I can't imagine Mick Nolan playing anywhere other than at Arden Street with the gasometers across the road. I still think the "Galloping Gasometer" is one of the best nicknames ever bestowed upon a V/AFL player.

Has there ever been a team with two players kicking 100 goals each in the same season? If so, I can't recall. I do remember when more than one player in different teams kicked 100 goals in a season. It's hard to believe now, but when we had full forwards like Hudson, Wade, McKenna and Jesaulenko (who wasn't always a full forward) and significantly less defensive pressure, I think it happened a few times.

Wasn't Brown told he wasn't wanted by Rhyce Shaw long before Noble arrived? I'm not suggesting Shaw or North made the wrong decision, just questioning the timing of when that decision was made.

Unless they all kick 100 goals!

I've heard a rumour that for the Melb v North scratch match we'll be playing for the Ben Brown Trophy which will look just like this but with the third finger upright, rather than the second.

Glad they trained in the morning. If they'd left it until this afternoon, they would need to be wearing scuba equipment. That's some storm that has just come through Melbourne. I assume Casey is about 4x worse, because, well, it's Casey.

Eradicating the record 190 point loss can be done in one of two ways. Either somebody else loses by 191 points to another team or they lose to us by that amount. I'd take either, as it gets us out of the record books. However, I wouldn't object if we were the team inflicting the pain for a change.

Do Chico rolls still exist? Or have they gone the way of other fine delicacies like the Polly Waffle?

If you're in Melbourne and still proudly displaying your Melbourne gear, you might get a nice surprise. According to 3AW's Rumour File today (28 January 2022), someone from the club is driving around and stopping at addresses with visible Melbourne paraphernalia, knocking on the door and asking the residents if they'd like their photo taken with the Premiership Cup. If so, the club rep goes back to the car which just happens to have the the Cup in it. Russel Howcroft (who is part of the 3AW Breakfast radio team) indicated that he had confirmed this with a Board Member. The specific house mentioned was somewhere in High Street, Glen Iris. Another fine idea from the club.

Haven't beaten the Dogs in a Grand Final on the MCG, either.