Sydee

I was pleasantly surprised by that performance although the opposition seemed sub AFL level imho. Love to think it's because we are a top 4 side, but I think we all know its more to do with how crud Norf where/are Quick take on players JVR - tried hard and presented well - looks faster and fitter than previous seasons and think his output will improve this season Salem - cameo performance but looked solid and assured when he came into the game HL - iffy disposals early but showed some real class as the game wore on XL - see above Duke - pretty disappointing tbh looked like he was running with lead weights in his boots - hopefully no injury Lever - played well and his kicking was more assured, and decision making was faster than last year - hopefully back to his best Steele - great first up game in new colors - Mr reliable, no fuss, hard at it and arguably our best field kick Disco - Pretty good game, still think he and Lever play the same role so not sure two of them in the back 6 is ideal. Disco still looks a bit vulnerable as slightly bigger opponents Tholstrup - started very shakily then improved as the game went on - still not convinced he is best 22 but he is improving CJ - looked good while on the ground, has great speed and leap - if his disposal and fitness holds up will be a great addition to our back six Langdon - great run, what we have come to expect Laurie - good game without being outstanding, not sure he is best 22 XT - Only on for the last qtr but showed exactly why we recruited him, has dash , courage, can dispose well - likely a lock in the back six by the end of this year Jefferson - disappointing game and failed to have any real influence, I haven't been a huge fan but I do feel his attack on the ball and speed has improved - hopefully can get on the end of a few next week as his confidence would have taken a belting yesterday Howes - really good effort, like his height, speed and tidy kicking, might be one of our big improvers this year Rivers - solid game - does the hard stuff well and gives 100% TMac - pretty solid game looked a bit iffy when trying to move the ball quickly, still our best bet at FB if May is out and Petty unavailable Adams - brief appearance think he has a way to go before he plays AFL seniors Moose - finally we seem to have a genuine back up for Max, would have been an outstanding debut but for a couple of poor shots on goal. Super impressive though from the young fella Mihocek - looked to be going well until concussed - will make us much more dangerous up forward this season Sharp - did some nice things not sure he's best 22 Fritsch - liked his game he will benefit greatly with Mihocek in the F50 imo Sparrow - good game from Tom he is tough, fast and has a decent kick on him he will be better for getting more midfield time Latrelle - loves a bounce ! great first up game, will make mistakes as he learns to adjust but will also deliver some great highlights - loved the interaction with kozzy Kozzy - BOG by a fair margin - please don't get suspended I'm long on a brownlow victory Chandler - excellent game a super hard worker Kentfield - repeat that effort and lock yourself in for a round debut imho, good hands, decent pace, can kick, happy to got involved in a bit of rough stuff

Tend to agree DrG - I thought it was a fresh start rather than reinforcing some of the old easy beat pompous stereotypes To me it feels like this will age better if the team performs above expectations OR it will look pretty lame if we finish up in the bottom 4 Each to their own opinion and it seems most people here like it so that's a positive I suppose

My expectations are not that high but I really hope we play with more flair and freedom. Our last two seasons have disappointing no doubt, but luck, injury and arguably an overly defensive mindset has left us losing games by narrow margins. The competition is very even imho and most teams can win. My main concern atm is the fact we still have some potential first picked players looking injured or under done for the season ahead - we know how that plays out

seems like loads Post the words in Woiwurrung language so we can all sing along next time

So you want the AFL half time entertainment performed in a foreign language?

Is MAX growing a lid ?

I still have respect for Simon but the last couple of years his post-game pressers were borderline unbearable. He came across as someone who had lost all capacity for creative thought and had nothing left but to repeat the same old cliches. I'm not surprised it was an environment that may have lacked light. We can only hope that this new regime will bring with it a much more enjoyable style of footy and maybe some better results - fingers crossed

Phew - that's a relief we don't need to worry about Flogmantle constantly knocking on his door

Is Penrite the exclusive provider of motoring products to outlawed motorcycle gangs? - asking for a friend

Jake's biggest weakness is his ability to compete when the ball is in dispute on the ground and hitting targets by foot quickly (not dinky loopy kicks) just IMO. These limitations restrict his ability to add much value from an offensive perspective - I suspect it's a big factor in us being attracted to someone like X Taylor

Feel sorry for him but I'm astonished he is still on our list

If we are to compete seriously in the midfield this season Kozzy needs to play primarily as a mid imo. That means we need to find another electric small forward that not only kicks goals but also provides serious defensive pressure to fill the gap he leaves inside F50. Our forward structure is likely to be quite different this year there are a number of tallish contenders, and none are a lock at this point from what I'm seeing/reading. Competition for a spot hopefully drives someone surprising us all.

3 of those 4 are basically yet to fire a shot at AFL level and the other can never get fit enough to get a on the park at any level. I tend to agree there is probably a spot for one or maybe two in the senior team (form permitting) but my concern is not that we have any type of surplus, but we have at least one that can impact meaningfully in that small forward role on a consistent basis. My money is on LSP at this stage mainly due to the fact Koz will try his best to make it work - but I can't say I'm over optimistic on any of them to be the next Bobby Hill/Papley/Watson

Yes, it was a great final I was lucky enough to be there in person (plenty of Polska supporters around me and they were loud and proud - the Polish mixed doubles combo were far too strong. Must admit I was hoping for a Stan Wawrinka win as I just love the way he hits those backhands and of course it's his final year on tour.

It's mid December - give him some time before writing his 2026 season off He is a seasoned professional missing some pre-xmas training runs isn't a big deal

Agree - If the best player in the clubs long and proud history is one that couldn't kick to AFL standards then we truly are a joke. Oliver can get it when fit and handball (I do question how many of those were blatant throws) but the game now relies of kicking ability - his Achilles heel imho

Collingwood GF - what absolute nonsense No chance - BOOKMARK IT

Not sure it's purely speed (neither particularly quick imo) - may have something to do with being able to kick to the advantage of a teammate and not bomb the ball indiscriminately by foot

All I want for Christmas is for Steven King to give us all the "Vision for Melbourne" that Jack Steele found so compelling It will restore faith for many here that are teetering on the edge

Hard to sing along to - maybe that's the idea ?

Why crass and why expected - may I ask?

Yep, sadly I do realise that fact We have had a long line of super talented forwards during my time as a supporter that for a variety of reasons haven't had the stellar careers their talent justified My comment on Jurrah was not that he had a stellar career but more that he was plucked from relative obscurity - the non-traditional pathway and showed very quickly he had all the weapons to compete at the very highest level. Why he failed to translate all that talent into a long career is another story Latrelle is a risk - one I am hoping pays big dividends - it may not - such is life

Perhaps you are? 😄

Good to hear Kentfield impressing - hopefully he gets super fit and makes a big statement this season

Not trying to swing the topic back to heart issues again PF?