ignition.

Rhys "Beast Mode" Mathieson was said to call himself the barometer. I guess that's compensation for playing the medi-sub seven games in a row. Surely he has to be one of if not the most over-hyped and useless players in the system. It's a shame to hear the commentators even give him a moment's chat. I'm tempted to say I'm glad he played against us, he wasn't damaging at all (from a football perspective). However, he had a tendency to lay the knees into backs, knock off heads with late contact, and bodyline Gawn with no intent for the ball. I look forward to the day he's delisted.

I'm hoping Fritsch gets a look in for the All Australian team this year. Rarely the medium / third sized forward takes a spot, it's usually taken by a goal kicking mid. Looking at the stats he's equal 6th for the most goals kicked, all of whom before him are tall forwards. Surely McKay and Hawkins will get one and two, Cameron (ranked 8th) will be the small. https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_rankings?year=2021&rt=LT&st=GO One can dare to dream. :)

BRING IN WEIDEMAN PLEASE!

Thanks for the updates.

Tyson - Was rarely sighted ;)

YES! McDonald back and Weideman in!

It was in either the Richmond or Hawthorn game that the commentators were saying Fritsch's younger brother kicked 20-goals for the Coldstream Football Club that weekend (their hometown). Richo had a chuckle and stated it doesn't really count in the juniors (or at least to that effect). I'm curious if any of you local footy diehards know any more about him (name, age, height etc) or this game (and division)? Is he worth keeping an eye and and inviting him to train with the VFL side?

I've been thinking of this for a couple weeks now, with particular emphasis on Sam Weideman. I'll lay my mixed bag of thoughts in bullet points for discussion. - Prior to the season starting I saw Brown and Weideman as our two best tall forwards. Injury set both of them back. - Jackson has been v.impressive as a mobile tall. - McDonald's form has also been surprisingly good and vastly improved from prior seasons (ah la 2018). - Prior to today's match against the Roos, I was going to call out on here to bring Weideman in for McDonald. Despite the winning streak I think he's a better "forward". - Weideman has averaged 4.7 goals, 2 behinds, 15.3 disposals, 8.3 marks, 0.66 tackles in the VFL this season. - I also fear Weideman's contract. It expires at the end of this year. He's too good to play VFL, other clubs are circling with North (from what I've heard) already looking to poach him. We've put 5-years into developing him, he's finally there physically and entering his prime, where I truly think he can become a star forward of the competition. Weideman needs senior games otherwise, he'll go for peanuts. - With Tomlinson going down, McDonald is in a prime position to go back and take that role (as it was done today). McDonald has a similar engine to Tomlinson and can take that role. He's also a better choice than Petty. What are your thoughts? With Tomlinson going down, does that give room for Weideman to come in for McDonald going back? What are your thoughts on his contract and other clubs looking to poach him from our VFL side?

I don't think so. Fine at most. He was defending off a tackle, the north bloke came in low. I'm curious what Zieball did to Fritsch in the first off the ball. Does anyone know what happened there?

The joke will never go, the cheese platter one is merely an addition. The best we can do it embrace it. I do in amongst the banter with colleagues and non-colleagues alike. If I'm the one to raise it, or elaborate on it in response, they've got nothing. I'd rather be the posh wealthy club full of toff than say a toothless and brainless collingwood or drug-doping essendon. These too will never go. But as above, a few premierships will make them subside.

The lack of spread and self flooding is like watching Melbourne 2019-20 football.

We lack a forward line. While In our defensive 50, everyone is back there. Our most offensive player is in the centre circle. I miss seeing Fritsch already just floating on our forward 50 line or deep in the square. Then while in our forward 50 we flood ourselves with every midfielder in every pocket for a forward to lead to. I've seen McDonald and Petty at both ends of the ground. We're missing a dedicated forward.

Should I have put it in a riddle? ? Take it as you will it is just that, a rumour. But considering the Hardwick side came to light, I won't be suprised if something surfaces here. As for the unsubstantiated side, did you want photographic evidence? Otherwise, don't shoot the messenger. Again, take it as you will.

I heard a week or so ago that Damien Hardwick had an affair and separated from his wife as a result of time spent in their sports hub. This coincided with Nathan Buckley's "table tennis match" affair with club physio during his time in the Collingwood hub. Unfortunately, I also heard there was a third being our own Simon Goodwin. With Dimma's coming out today it's only a matter of time if true. I don't know any further details but I hope it doesn't bring our club into disrepute, or alternatively impact the coaching and development of our list.

Found this from a few years back. I hope we can put a case forward to expand into Traralgon, Sale, and Bairnsdale. Some good country footy out that way. We've done a heck of a lot of work promoting the AFL in NT. However, the problem is the AFL love child being Hawthorn.

A bit late to the party once again, but... This is a FANTASTIC initiative from the club and my hat goes off to all those decision makers involved. In what was a compromised lottery-based draft where the young men truly lacked the ability to show their worth at the interstate level, this does wonders for our culture and ongoing support to those in the Melbourne family. Of course, no one is going to get a free ride but we know that Kobe has some skill and I hope he puts his best foot forward and earns himself a spot and subsequent chance for a long career in the red and blue. On the point of culture, it's been fantastic to see some of the interviews with old players that are "red and blue", e.g. Brent Maloney. This mild engagement (such as the support of Jeff Farmer and the interaction with Maloney) reminds me of the Wayne Bennett BBQ culture that formed a unity between past and present players under the brand of the club, which aided in the Brisbane Broncos dynasty that saw many premierships. Shame we can't emulate such simple culture building events in the wake of COVID-19.

Curious how did he nominate for this years draft? The news article (video) on the previous page said he'd be eligible in the 2021 draft. Was there some for of change that allowed him to nominate a year earlier?

Those stats are to be expected when developed by Fremantle ;)

More fiscal stimulus in the way of an unbacked dollar to "boost jobs and the economy". Watch the cost of living rise (inflation) as we all secretly pay for it.

Petty has a lot of potential and I hope we can more games into him but if we're targeting Brown and another wingman (previously Smith) the club is gunning for a premiership with with the list we've got. Tarrant could fill the void if May or Lever goes down, could Petty or Smith? Unlikely at this stage.

Can we target Robbie Tarrant for added depth? Better than Oscar and would come cheap. Would settle nerves regarding depth.

Great to hear, just wish Hore got a little more. He was sensational last year, but I understand based off his injury.

Sorry ladies and gents, late to the party and just caught up on the news. Great to see we're front runners to secure his services. Having him on the list would without doubt improve are premiership potential for the coming years. Regarding trade currency, pick 23 is a no brainer and certainly not overs. The one major thing I'd hope to see from the coaching staff is an alteration of the game plan. Brown is an old-school forward and when provided a paddock (space in F50) he leads and marks superbly. I hope Goodwin and co. realise this and stop flooding our forward 50. Instead leave the two talls forwards with small crumbers in there to let them do what they do best. Then flood at the arc to lock it in there.

I'd happily see him go, he's slowed down the last two years and can't see him getting much more out of himself. With that, I'd hate to see him let go for silverware. If they want him make them pay overs, a late second round pick no less.

Good to see him nominate GWS. Considering Mumford's position, whether he signs on for one more year or not, their clear need for another developed ruckman only improves our negotiating power.