Ouch!

That’s bull. Clubs should not be able to pull a player out for ‘general soreness’ to create a mismatch. People can say Goodwin has had the wool pulled over his eyes, bollocks! WCE should get fined the same as a club staying to pull a player in from outside the emergency listed players. Surprised we didn’t play Pruess, but that’s not the point!

Hey Binman, I couldn't easily tell from the replay, but did he get pushed as he kicked/shinned it? or did the contact happen after it hit his boot?

Omac played on Roughhead didn't he? other than Roughy kicking that goal from outside 50 he was poor enough on the day to force Clarkson's hand and drop him to the VFL. Omac deserved to be dropped earlier in the year, since coming back in his game has improved. OMac is likely to lose his spot to May when he is given a chance to return to the AFL. But that's more due to Frost's form has been stronger than OMac. Not sure there is a like for like replacement for Hibberd in the VFL, Hore and Wagner are the most similar and they are already in the side.

I think the people calling for OMac head are just missing having the chance to bag out Jack Watts! OMac won't be dropped, he has not been bad in the last two weeks, West Coast have 3 key targets in Kennedy and Darling and Oscar Allen. We also lose Hibberd from the back line. Smith in for Keilty, ANB for Milkshake , and maybe Baker/Sparrow if Lewis doesn't get up, or bring in Pruess if we want to change our structure up a bit, and allow Gawn to float back into defence as required.

I read somewhere, and can't remember where I saw it that lower scores are in part to do with the new 666 rule, but also that teams accuracy is significantly lower i.e more points are being scored than goals. Not sure how easy it would be to pull stats down to correlate that. I'm generally in favour of the new rules, the only one that I one attached 50m penalties where another one can be issued for being 'close'. Penalty is too harsh, needs working or throwing out.

Listening to the Inside Melbourne Podcast this morning. Viney sounded doubtful that he will get up for this week, said there are a few things still to tick off.... but I think he's getting better at listening to the medicos and fitness staff at the club. He's trying to get fit, but I reckon he knows he's not right.

He is taking Hogan’s position on our list a little bit too literally !

Pretty sure Keilty was listed as an emergency.

Ummm... perhaps because he doesn't NEED to have surgery? 99% sure it's just the journo's phrasing, not because the MFC is trying to avoid surgery. ?

... virtually one of our best in that first quarter!

Preuss's value wasn't just being a big man in the forward line that could ruck, I think it was more the physical presence around the ball and the contest. Not exactly sure Keilty provides that same big physical presence does he? Which is not a slight on Declan, but I don't see him just as a ready replacement for Preuss.

Loving Hunts game...Dees need to get score pressure here... attcking hard! Just have to convert one!

Great goal trac! How strong thru the hips is he?

Here comes the feeling of false hope!

Oscar is just done. No confidence, time to bring in Petty.

Seriously..... we just chip the ball into the 50 with no attempt to spot anyone up... no leads! Can’t understand it. Horrible start to this game. Pruess, Max and Hore look ok... that’s about it so far ?

Shhhhh.... don’t focus on me.... watch the footy for me!

.... is it sad that I prefer watching the forums than the actual game? I can’t stomach watching the team when they are playing so crap.... so I am here watching you all vent instead . Feels so much safer !

.... did you see the bombers playing GWS? They are no guarantee of beating the saints this week! Sydney were terrible for 80% of the game against the doggies on Sat night as well. Lets wait until we are 1-1 or 0-2 after this weekend before looking too far ahead!

Goodwin indicated that he thought Sparrow was one of the better players on the ground for our team, it's unlikely he'll be dropped if Lewis stays out (which is likely if he has a hammy issue) May will come straight in for Frost or Hore you would think, and unless Goody wants to provide better support for Max, I can't see too much beyond bringing May into the team.

Last one has to be Goody surely. .... but I'm trying to work out if TMac is holding Goody's leg, or kicking around the corner and actually it's his own leg? leaning to the latter.

Might be a little controversial, but I want to see Oliver's Kick to Handball ratio improve slightly this year which hopefully takes his game up another level. He still prefers to handball in preference to kicking... Still think he's one the best I've seen at Melbourne, and was in the top 4-5 midfielders in the comp last year! Which considering his age is incredible

Just found an article from back in 2013, it actually states that clubs are not permitted to track or monitor players fitness over the mandated break. Does not state anything about players and clubs not permitted to have contact with each other. Players have to stay or improve their fitness, they can chose to do things by themselves, using running coaches, or other things away from the club to keep it fresh and different, but equally if a player wants to come in and use the staff who are there to help the players, also fine I guess...

I was listening to SEN radio a week or so back, and I think the collective bargaining agreement might mandate a certain amount of time away from the club, but the player being interviewed seemed to indicate that a number of players would head back to the club even only after a few weeks or so away to start doing weights and fitness. It didn't sound like they were not allowed to engage with the training and fitness staff. He went as far as indicating that he went back to the club for that exact reason, he had the physio and others that could help him improve. (I can't recall the player nor the club btw) I suspect that the players that have had surgery over the offseason would still remain in contact with the club, physios and the medical team. I would imagine that it's more that the CBA states that the club is not able to mandate these things. But the doors would remain open for the players if they chose to be there.

... still have the rookie draft.