poita

If we ever needed proof that our depth is non-existent, this weeks potential inclusions (and the retention of Howes) are exhibit A1. Billings and Campbell should have been considered ahead of any of those five. I assume Turner & Woewodin for Johnson & Windsor, unless they are set on Rivers playing 100% in defence.

Our stocks of small-medium defenders are at critically low levels. It is absolutely essential that we lock McVee away as soon as possible, ideally on a long term deal. We are not going to be winning finals with any combination of Bowey, Howes and AMW in these roles, as was shown clearly on Sunday with Bowey and Howes being destroyed by Greene and Coniglio.

Luke Jackson seems to change his mind more often than he changes his underwear. He has a contract until 2029. Why sign on for so long if you want to change the terms five minutes later? What exactly has he achieved in the past three years that would justify a higher salary? The phrase "caveat emptor" springs immediately to mind every time Jackson's name comes up. Presumably any club seeking his services needs to sign him up beyond 2029 at a much higher salary. That's a clear pass for me.

I don't think the club does enough to recognise long term members full stop, but particularly those who are attending 9+ home games each year. It is way more effective to look after the supporters you already have, rather than trying to sign up 3 game members who will drop off a year or two later.

I didn't expect a win yesterday given that the opposition had played opening round and finished about ten positions above us last year. I did expect to see signs of improved ball movement, more efficient entries into the forward line and signs of improved depth. Overall I was disappointed on all three of these markers, although the effort was very good to excellent all day. The reality is that we have now won 5 of our last 16 games. We are genuinely a mediocre side, and I don't think we have the personnel or the coaching nous to fix this in the short term. It is going to be a long and frustrating season, particularly if we lose Gawn or Petracca at any stage. The good: Petty & McDonald were excellent in defence. Petracca was almost back to his best form immediately. Oliver was much improved on last season. Lindsay looks to be a great find. Windsor did some excellent things, although played out of position. Salem looks fitter and more composed. Gawn seems to have dodged Father Time for another year, although our reliance on him remains a concern. The bad: Johnson's diabolical ruck work makes him a dubious selection, despite his aggression and competitiveness up forward. Langford looks way off the required fitness and awareness levels at this point. Henderson needs time to find the pace of the game, and needs to stop looking sideways and backwards. The way Langdon was brushed aside at the last centre bounce, convinces me he is wasted as an onballer. Fritsch has zero confidence and is playing out of position. The ugly: Howes, Bowey and Lever are all terrible defenders, and Howes is not an AFL level player. Chandler spent his afternoon running up and down the ground for zero impact. Sparrow remains a mediocre player. Jefferson lacks conviction and presence, and shouldn't have been played in those conditions. I would have played Billings, but there is precious little else at Casey to bring in.

I'm not sure what sort of crowd people expected. I said in the membership thread last week that most memberships sold by all clubs are rubbish, and that maybe 1/3 of the total members are legitimate supporters. For us, that means we have 15K - 20K who turn up each week, plus whatever the opposition brings (~ zero this week), plus however many fairweather fans decide to make the effort (slightly more than zero this week). We won't see a decent crowd for either Gold Coast or Fremantle, and will struggle to reach 60K on Anzac Eve if we don't start winning.

I say this every year - membership numbers are a complete w@nk. I'd be amazed if anything more than 50% of club memberships are legitimate 11 game plus memberships. The rest are pets, babies, freebies, gifts or for 3 games or less. My son is counted in St Kilda's membership number because the SMJFL gives out free 2 game memberships when you register each year. He has zero interest in St Kilda. We only take it up so we can get into the game for free if St Kilda host Melbourne. The membership numbers might give the clubs a brief sugar high, but it is the membership dollars and the match day attendances that truly matter.

I would have thought we had better uses for the soft cap than a specialist ruck coach for two incredibly experienced ruckmen, but fair enough.

There are two separate issues here: 1. There are clear cost of living and lifestyle benefits to living in Geelong and surrounds compared with living in inner Melbourne. I'm guessing the equivalent house in Geelong costs 20 - 25% less, and comes with the benefits of shorter commutes, less traffic and closer proximity to amenities. So, yes, it is very easy to attract players to the club, particularly those who have grown up in rural environments, when they know their money will go much further. 2. Where there is smoke, there is generally fire and there has been plenty of rumours of dodgy land deals and sponsorships at Geelong in recent decades. The Chris Scott sponsorship is just the latest example. Hopefully the AFL will be able to definitively determine whether something is going on here.

Melksham, Hore & McAdam - that's three list spots wasted on players who are constantly injured. Spargo entering that territory as well. We're just lucky the AFL allowed us to replace McAdam.

Reserves team plays before the senior team. Theme songs and pre/post match interviews are broadcast at a higher volume than the ads. Multiple balls on the ground during the last five minutes of each quarter. Membership scarf comes with years of membership printed.

Very, very disappointing that we couldn't find a suitable role to keep him at the club.

I didn't see the game but my key takeaways after reading reports from various sources are: 1. Playing defenders who can't defend (eg Lever, Bowey, Howes) and forwards who don't kick goals (eg Chandler, Spargo (when fit), Tholstrup (when fit)) is a recipe for failure. Please don't let this be another season ruined by terrible team selection. 2. Goalkicking is the most important skill in football and we are just plain woeful at it. 3. Having failed to turn over enough players in the draft / trade period, we are now trying to artificially create depth in key roles by stuffing around with things that weren't broken (eg playing Langdon and Windsor out of position). The Bowey as a defender experiment should have ended two years ago as well. Obviously it is fantastic to see Oliver and Petracca looking fit and playing well, but we are still overly reliant on those two and Gawn.

Beating Robbo to the punch, ESPN have released their list: The 50 best AFL players heading into season 2025 Petracca at 5 and Gawn at 21, but no other Demons. Cripps at 1, followed by Bontempelli and Daicos. More Kangaroos than Demons on the list. Discuss.

250 games, 2 x B&F, All Australian & Club Captain. That's a pretty solid resume, particularly for a guy who fought his way off the rookie list.

I'm not sure why McDonald's place in the team is in doubt. Lever is the one who should be made to earn his spot after his dismal 2024 season. I much prefer to play defenders who can beat their direct opponent.

You mean the MFC website that has these brilliant, up to date head shots of our star recruits? And no mention of Jack Henderson?

It's almost as though they don't want anyone to come. Why couldn't they have it Saturday or Sunday?

Completely underwhelming selection. We should have left the spot free and invited some kids down to audition over the pre season. 193cm ruckmen are about as pointless as 32 year old backup ruckmen.

If McAdam was in anyway serious about being an AFL player, he would have fronted up to train with the kids this week after the year he just had. Whether he wants to retire or not, the club should be thinking about paying him out and freeing up a list spot for someone who wants to be there for the right reasons.

No point having depth players as injury cover who are always injured themselves. Poor decision.

You are seriously comparing a 29 year old VFL player to the premiership player and life member who just came third in the B&F? You are a fool.

That's what I thought. Why the heck would he have got a 3 year contract?

In the least surprising development ever, a player who was lazy, half hearted and injury prone at Adelaide became a lazy, half hearted and injury prone player at Melbourne. A shocking recruitment decision that we have to live with for another two years. My biggest regret is that we can't make him play in a local league until he gets serious.

This is huge for the game. My son played in a under 14s team this year. Of 24 kids in the team, most who have been playing for 6-7 years, I reckon less than 5 would attend games regularly despite loving the game. We have to accept that this is an entertainment issue, not a sport issue, and these kids get more enjoyment from doing than watching, even if it is sitting playing video games. That said, I would much prefer afternoon games to night games.