Jaded No More

There is no doubt that of these two, Fritsch is the better player, with more recent runs on the board who will give the team a lot more output. However I can't see them dropping Melksham after kicking 3 goals last week, and he probably deserves a run of games before we put a line through him. Unless Fritsch is 100% fit, there is no point risking him when we have so many other options.

Gawny is gold ?

Explains a lot about what is happening with Oliver’s hair. Thankfully Salem cuts his opponent better than he cuts hair.

If we win 3 flags in 4 years, I too will turn into an arrogant [censored]. I promise. Just give me those flags!

Depends on the severity. Laurie might have a proper fracture. May might only have a hairline crack. Also why rush a first year player from such an injury?

Used my free barcodes from my digital membership to get Junior tickets to sit in M51 #winning Sorry to the 10 Richmond fans who now get to miss out because I got waaay too many tickets ??

I swear that didn’t come up. I’m so annoyed because I grabbed whatever tickets I could thinking maybe the allocation will be exhausted. I wonder if M14 is also a home team allocated bay as it’s coloured the same as the M50 bay I generally sit in Melbourne Cricket Ground Seating Map (MCG) Austadiums.pdf

I didn’t get given that option. I just picked level 1 wing which is where I sit and got given M14

I’m so annoyed. I got allocated some [censored] seats behind the goals on level 2 when every other week we got to sit in our M50 bay. I ended up getting Junior tickets in M14 as well, because I refuse to pay so much for a reserved seat and end up stuck in a crap seat for a home game. I hope we don’t end up surrounded by Richmond supporters because I won’t be happy! No idea why we didn’t just get our normal bay allocation! ?

If May plays I think May takes Dusty when he goes forward. I am not really that fussed about tagging Martin. It's like tagging Trac, pointless. If we tag him he will just play up forward and cause more headaches. A whole team defence is the right approach when playing Richmond. Even if you stop Dusty, they have plenty of other players to win them the game.

Also lets be happy that finally, after Jones carried rubbish teams on his back for a decade, he can finally be carried by his teammates to 300 games. He sure has earnt that right!

May and Fritta, when fit, are walk up starters in our best 18 (hell May is probably first selected each week). I would say Ben Brown is too. All three are too important for us to risk, even if they are only a little bit off full fitness. Given the side is playing beautifully, and given we have other forward options, I think the only player they will rush in even if he's a little underdone, would be May, as with all due respect to Petty, May is irreplaceable, and Richmond have some serious fire power up forward. I would not be opposed to playing May and not dropping Petty, as May could quite easily play on one of Richmond's smalls, or on Dusty when he goes forward. If we could fit May, Petty, Lever and Tomlinson in the same backline, this week would be a good time to do it. On a side note, I think Petty will be a player, and I worry he will try to leave for greater opportunities elsewhere if he can't get games in our jam-packed backline and forwardline.

If this week was a grand final, I would definitely raise the option of dropping Jones on current form, even if it was his 300th game. But this week, the negative impact on the team of dropping Jones, would far far outweigh the positive impact it would have on the entire club when he plays. Losing to Richmond this week would firstly, not be a disaster or a missed opportunity we can never get back (like playing in a grand final), nor would it come down to Jones playing or him being replaced by another marginal player from Casey.

The second best thing for me about attending the footy (after watching us win), is that it is sometimes the only time in my busy life that I get to spend 1 on 1 with my dad, something I will always treasure. Now we have to scream over the music just to have a conversation at the breaks. It has definitely gotten worse this year. As has the 'entertainment' at the breaks. I understand the need for sponsored events, but they used to be so much more fun and interactive. Now they are just dull and loud.

I don't think he can't be a forward, I just think that he would be wasted there as a permanent stay at home forward. He is too agile and creative, and his ruckwork is already so good, that with Gawn being 29, I can see Jackson becoming a true ruck rover in the future. As Gawn slows down, having Jackson play more minutes as first ruck will help us to extend Gawn's career. Already I put down Gawn's extraordinary form this year to finally having real support in the ruck from Jackson.

I also think he’s getting overshadowed by Kosi who is just so exciting and created a buzz. But he, and let’s add in Rivers holding down a defensive spot like a 27 year old!, are just as impressive.

I’m not convinced he’s ever going to be a forward. He will spend a few minutes there like Max does, but his strength will be playing as an extra mid. He does a great job currently at ground level and also bringing ball to ground in the air. Once he starts nailing his marks around the ground, watch out. He can be an amazing winger.

So nice to have the problems of millionaires for once.

Not a problem. A solution.

So he’s all of us working from home during lockdown... my home office is right next to my home bar...

I am more interested to get the game day info to know what time the ceremony will begin so I can plan my day. A tip for anyone who has yet to get to the G this year.... allow plenty of time, as you need to scan a QR code before entering and the lines get backed up.

If we drop ANB and bring in Fritsch, and we also bring in Weideman and Melksham retains his spot (which he surely will), then I think we will really lack that forward pressure that has been so crucial to our success this season. Against Richmond keeping the ball in our forward 50 is going to be extremely important, as I suspect we will likely break even in the middle, and we know their forwards are deadly and could expose our defenders (especially if May is not ready). We need to be careful to get the balance of attack and defence right up forward. It has been the biggest change to our approach this season and probably the biggest factor in our 5-0 start. ANB for all his flaws, has found a really important role in our side. He does the defensive stuff really well and covers a lot of ground. His two way running has been exceptional and has allowed guys like Fritsch to play less accountable footy. He has also been getting his fair share of clearances around the ground, which is not something we will get out of any of his replacements. I don't envy the selectors.

I might be happily married, but I love Langdon. Deeply. He has finally filled an MCG wing- shaped hole in my cold MFCSS heart.

For a decade Melbourne supporters would drag themselves to games knowing we would lose. They would also drag themselves to games knowing that our captain would be giving his all. Nathan Jones is a warrior. A player who has carried himself with quiet dignity through years of working in a toxic, negative and more often than not losing environment. He withstood board meltdowns, countless coaches, and multiple trashings, and he did it all while putting his body on the line every week, getting every inch of skills out of his body, and leading a revolving door of players. In an environment that is often marked by a lack of loyalty, money chasing, and easy premiership grabbing, Jones has stood out as a beacon of a team first player. A player who puts his teammates, his club and the jumper above all else. We are so lucky to have found Jones, to have had him at our lowest moments as our shinning light in endless darkness. What a deserving milestone to play 300 games for a club you fought so hard for, for so long, and to now be playing in a winning side that you helped to nurture. Congratulations Jonesy on 300 wonderful games. Nobody is more deserving of this accolade than you.

Jackson is essentially an extra midfielder and his presence has allowed Gawn to take his game to the next level. I wouldn’t worry about fitting Jackson in. He can interchange with Gawn. He isn’t part of a permanent forward group and I don’t think he ever will be. The one who would be nervous is TMac. To his credit he has taken it all in his stride and has had a good solid start to the season. But to play all 3 of BB, Weid and TMac, one of them has to play further up the ground as a link man. That won’t be BB who will play deep forward. So essentially one of Weid or Tmac will need to prove that they can play a more mobile role and still provide plenty of defensive efforts inside the forward 50. Otherwise one of them won’t be getting a game. Fritsch and Melksham are also vying for the same role and for me Fritsch is the one. I don’t know how we play both of them along with 3 talls and not significantly compromise on our forward pressure game.