Nascent

We should have some serious cash to play with for an established midfielder. McCluggage making noise about wanting to sign on for the Lions but I would be getting in his ear and see if he could be tempted home.

Cats will be in for some pain this year I reckon.

I think this is the year he needs to start proving himself and he has a real challenge ahead given the number of small/medium forwards on the list. I think being a whipping boy currently is unfair given he was drafted into one of the strongest AFL teams. He's doing what he's supposed to be doing, developing in the twos before earning himself a chance. He's now had 3 full pre-seasons, allegedly putting his best foot forward and impressing the club, and should be looking to be in the starting 22 come round 0 or play a good chunk of the season in the seniors. I'm getting behind him and hoping he cements himself in our team because he has clear skills that can make our forward half better.

Re Oliver, I'm glad his personal issues haven't been published as I can only see that as being detrimental to him. The constant reference to it is unfortunate but won't go away until he plays consistently and shows stable behaviour off the field. Re Laurie, his game was nowhere near as bad as some made it out to be and he showed signs he has the tools to make it at AFL level. He's running has improved and is making it to more contests and winning more of the footy, as well as transitioning into defensive 50 on the turnover. He's just becoming the new whipping boy because he's a first round pick that has barely played and isn't collecting 30 touches and kicking 2-3 goals a game on the hff. He had a couple howlers and a humorous side step against no one when he thought a player was bearing down on him. Otherwise he used the ball cleanly, particularly by hand in the first half, and kicked well into the forward 50 that a couple players dropped or were defended well by the Tigers defence. Would have liked to see him go back and kick the set shot rather than attempt to spot up Fritsch in the goal square. Windsor butchered the ball, McVee had some howlers, Lever and May's kicking were shocking (as was Mays marking), Sparrow was dropping easy marks, Howes was outpositioned multiple times in defense, langdon was barely sighted, anb was ineffective in the centre square... I could go on. But no, Laurie is the whipping boy.

Melbourne season preview: Who steps up to support Max, watch on Clarry - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1076441 Afl season preview for melbourne

Jefferson with his second courtesy of a shepherding free kick.

Tholstrup with his first in red and blue.

Jefferson looks like he's ready to come back on as well.

Salem spending time in the middle it looks like

Oliver sinks a beauty off his left on the boundary

A lot of cobwebs dusted off there. No injuries. Young players getting a run. Could have been worse. I wouldn't be writing anyone off on this performance but not many players excelled either. Skills and ball movement will improve... surely

Conversion was off today but otherwise he's looking ominous as a strong marking forward target for us.

Butterfly couldn't lay a finger on him though

Fatigue becoming a factor exacerbating our already sub-par skills and decision making

Liked what Billings has given us so far as well.

Back in front. Pup has been impressive.

Saviour? I just want to see him (and the other players listed) take the field after having an interrupted pre-season.

Still got Oliver, Jefferson, Adams, Hore, Tholstrup, Verall and Seston to come later in the day.

Generous from the umps there.... back to back goals and our season is alive again

Schache giving the chop out in the ruck. I much prefer this so JvR isn't exposed to extra risk there.

Good to see Howes, Laurie, Windsor and Brown on the field and getting touches early. Nice goal threaded by K Brown on the boundary.

I'll also add the first look at a Schache/JvR combination in the absence of Petty.

Keen to see the younger wave of players get some game time and hopefully put their cases forward for a birth in the best 22 for round 0. Laurie, Howes, Turner and Woewodin in particular. Obviously a good chance to see our fresh draftees in Windsor, Tholstrup and Brown in action as well. Also looking forward to seeing Adams and maybe a bit of Jefferson if he gets some game time after spending a decent time in rehab. Not expecting much but hopefully some hints of their talent to look forward to. Think Billings and McAdam can really do some damage in the front half as well, hopefully they can put their best foot forward.

Off to see Northlane on Sunday.