Nascent

Anyone know if the VFL practice match has been played already and possibly details about best players etc..

In: Pickett, Woewodin, Fullarton Out: Bowey, Laurie, Schache Few half forwards lucky we don't have a lot of depth ready to come in.

6. May 5. Viney 4. Tomlinson 3. McVee 2. Fritsch 1. Howes

Was good to see Windsor and Howes. Not sure I can compliment much else except for May's performance for 3 and 1/2 quarters. Hope Boweys injury isn't serious. Still baffles me that such a strong contest/defence team can be so poor in "wet weather" conditions.

Laurie should be in the 22 over Chandler based on their pre-season performance. Would also prefer to have a strong aerobic athlete playing from the start and have an impact player come on later in the game.

Haven't really seen a prediction thread so I thought I would throw a few darts at the wall without too much thought. 1. Brisbane 2. Melbourne 3. Collingwood 4. GWS 5. Carlton 6. Port 7. Bulldogs 8. Adelaide 9. Freo 10. Sydney 11. St Kilda 12. Gold Coast 13. Geelong 14. Kangaroos 15. Essendon 16. Richmond 17. Hawks 18. West Coast Premiers: Melbourne (biased of course) Runners up: GWS Wooden Spoon: Eagles Brownlow: Daicos Rising Star: Sanders Melbourne BnF: Petracca Freo and Sydney are two I'm unsure about. Can see a world where they're both in the 8 but equally I wouldn't be surprised to see them fall further than I have them here.

Also @adonski might contest you on the OG status.

I get where you're coming from. The thought of being within reach of Reid, Duursma, Watson etc.. was tantalising and added an extra element of excitement. For me, this year at least, death riding is less about the potential names thrown up during the year, but the probable improved hand that will enable JT and Lamb to work their magic.

While nowhere near as interesting as the great Freo ride of '23, we have two chances to have an improved draft hand by finishing above both Sydney and the Bulldogs. We hold Sydney's 2nd round pick which can land anywhere between pick 21 - 38 and the bulldogs 3rd rounder which will fall between pick 39 - 56 (pre-FA and other compensation). Get your mobility scooters ready people. It's time to ride, at a medium pace.

I can't believe that Gold Coast haven't updated their ugly as away jumper. Not that their home one is much better.

Geez I know it was only a glimpse but Tholstrup has the makings of a dominant midfield beast in future years.

Tholstrup and Brown look to be getting some game time in the 4th

I like this however wouldn't have minded seeing Rivers get a run through there. Can't see that happening as our back flankers are looking thin if Salem plays more midfield.

Early days but any word or feeling that we will be active in the FA/trade space?

We tried very hard but those clubs weren't budging. Hawks wanted 3 first round picks (6, 13 and f1) just for us to move up two spots. Would have been horrible mismanagement to give so much away. We couldn't beat the bulldogs offer.

2019: Melbourne recruit Luke Jackson - Media "what are they doing, they have Max Gawn" 2022: Melbourne recruit Brodie Grundy - Media "what are they doing, they have Max Gawn: 2023: Melbourne recruit Fullarton as fwd/ruck but gets injured - Media "what are they doing, they only have Max Gawn" I realise it's not this simple and it's far more nuanced, but can't help but feel we can't win with the media. They seem to take any opportunity to have a dig at us even if it contradicts their previous stance.

Hard to watch that interview, you can see the raw devestation. In the end it was the only right move for his health going forward. Wish him nothing but the best and thank him for the memories of '21 and an outstanding career in general.

Yours is a better option however is contracted until 2025. Can't see GWS letting him break contract. From memory we did like him in his draft year. Shame Humphrey re-signed a long term deal last year.

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