Jaded No More

Lewis is there because he knows what it takes to be successful, and he is the only player on our list who has won a flag... make that flags. He is setting a standard the others can't really set. I think Gawn is a bit of a 'players leader', in that he will be the most representative voice of the playing group as a whole, especially the younger players. Jones and Viney no brainers. Good solid streamlined approach. Would be interesting to note if we have a 'young leadership group' type deal happening as well, where the club is grooming certain young players into leadership roles for future. Anyone know?

Although it's only a practice game, my desire to beat North is as strong as ever. It might not mean much, but psychologically getting a win over them will be really important ahead of our round 3 clash. As such I hope we play as strong a team as possible, obviously leaving aside anyone who isn't 110% ready to go physically.

Could just be a load thing? He tends to really slow down towards the end of a season, so maybe they are not pushing him so hard this early to try and sustain him for the later stages of the year? Just a guess.

I sometimes name my products after our players... the Bernie skirt is a current best seller

I travel a lot for my job, but in my current job I get to mostly dictate when I travel so have planned many an overseas trip to fit within a week that means I do not miss football games in Victoria. I also sat through a meeting in China once while secretly watching the football on my phone (we won). Have been to football on crutches with a broken knee and broken toes. Have also left hospital early after an operation so I can go to the football (that was by far the stupid thing I've done). Sadly this year I am going away on a personal holiday and will be missing 3 matches, including Queens Birthday... but it was a better option than taking leave in September like I did last year, and spent the entire season dreading missing finals. I also permanently scarred my boyfriend last year, when I accidentally elbowed him in the arm during a game due to over excitement (or rage?). He had just got a tattoo, and I elbowed him straight on the same spot. There's a tiny little bit of skin/tattoo missing now, which he enjoys showing me every time I ask him why he doesn't enjoy the footy with me.... Lucky he loves me!

I take back everything bad I ever said about AFLX. If we can just switch the seasons around and make grand finals every year, I’m in!

Not gonna be able to watch our next game but I hope we smash Norf, because whether AFL or AFLX, my hatred for them knows no bounds.

I mean he’s awesome haha Maynard has been good.

Bugg is rubbish even at AFLX

I just spotted Neeld in the background. This game is officially dead to me!

Melksham was born for this game

The best part about AFLX is the tweets

Not since the days of Melbourne getting smashed by 12+ goals, or the good old Freo flooding days, have I actually been bored watching a game of football. It just had no excitement what so ever. At least when we were getting smashed, the opposition was good to watch!

I’ve seen a quarter. I’m about ready to watch darts instead. May have fallen into a coma there at one stage. Soooooo dull!

Great news on Viney! Thanks for the reports.

We've changed our seats for this season, and have been waiting on new cards for over a month now... they've apparently been sent out twice yet never received. Not great considering we forked out over a grand.

Heaven help us if any of these guys sustain a serious injury... All best 22 and all core players, especially Jetta and Tom. I assume McDonald will play as the ruck? I'll watch our first match on TV as I have plans later on, and my other half was definitely not keen on a romantic AFLX date for the night.

This is the first off season where I have barely given footy a second thought. Not just due to being extremely busy with life and work, but I guess because the older I get the more I try to separate footy from life. Being a Melbourne supporter is tough, emotionally and mentally and the way we ended last year just about broke me. So I’ve tried to not think about footy and where I think this season will take us. I’m going to go into this season with tempered expectations... at least until we win a match and then the lid’s off! And as much as I’m not expecting a lot, I’ve still upgraded my membership and have kept September clear.... because if the last 2 seasons have shown us anything it’s that premierships are more gettable than ever. Do I think we can win the flag? Yes. Do I think we will? No.

Seems a pretty perfect crap fest to be represented by Norf and Saints to be honest.

Is this poop being televised? Been overseas for work and have no idea what is even happening.

Geelong are going to want to pull something big this year and win a flag, because these 3 are one concussion away from retirement. I don’t think that 3 players make a team. Geelong are severely lacking both down back and up forward and having lost Motlop they are also lacking some leg speed.

I think the betting agencies are betting (pun intended) on people jumping on board mid-range promising young lists in the wake the Dogs and Tigers unprecedented premiership success. It's 'on trend', and they think people will take those odds now.

When god blessed him with football talent, he clearly forgot to bless him with a brain cell or two... or some human decency. What an absolute idiot!

Great news to have such a long standing company on board. Good work Melbourne and PJ!

So who is officially still in the rehab group?