Ted Lasso

I'm reluctant to change a winning team, but i'd be tempted to bring in Melksham for Sparrow, Melkshams field kicking has been a real weapon for us. it could be important against the cats

Geelong in my opinion have very clearly tried to cover the age of their list with a slower game plan, i can't see Langdon and Hunt allowing that to happen this week, we will make them chase us. when the Hawks were able to get some speed on the game, they got on top of the cats. I think it starts in the midfield, if Max gets on top as he should, and Clarry can handle the tag that's no doubt coming and contribute, it'll go a long way to us winning the game. Steven May vs Hawkins should be a great match up.

I've been a very vocal critic of Simon Goodwin, and if i had my way would have replaced him for this season, however it's undeniable that he's significantly changed the game plan and it now looks much better, we look solid behind the ball, dangerous up forward despite key players missing and haven't compromised our midfield which is out greatest strength though i don't underestimate the impact of Mark Williams and Adem Yze in this regard.

Underrated player and so important to our set up, no idea where his negotions are beyond to say the club is desperate to have him as a long term demon, and i've not seen/heard anything to suggest he won't be. of course there is significant interest from the outside, and he's one of the group who was pretty unhappy with the end last year, but i expect him to sign a deal at some stage and stick around, especially with us winning a few games.

from 3-0 we're pretty unlikely to miss finals, but the thing i can't work out is, have we just been not that great, and beaten bad opposition, or have we beaten okay opposition, pretty comortably without getting out of first gear. i have a feeling this team hasn't really had to dig deep yet this year, will be interested how we go against the Cats. I've got a feeling we might come out and smack them.

Interest in Petracca is real, and not just from the Pies, but i'd be staggered if he left, all i've heard on the matter is that Trac is in the same boat as Clarry, ongoing conversations with the club, no indication that he's wanting to wait and see how the clubs going at this stage, it's mostly, and justifiably from his end, about money, he obviously thinks he deserves big $$ and given he's in the best few players in the game i tend to agree. you just look at the way he celebrated goals and got around the boys on the weekend and you can see a bloke who's invested, loves the Melbourne football club and his team mates and given the team is off to a strong start, and the prospective chasing clubs are not, it'd be staggering if he left.

Backing Steven May over Tabs every day of the week, the real question is going to be if Tommy can clunk a few for us, that'll get their key back, in the backline very quickly. you'd imagine Gawn is going to run the dockers rucks off their feet and drift forward, they'll need all the height that they can get while he's down there

Premier: Richmond 3 peat Runner-up: Port Wooden spoon: Hawks Moving up: Fremantle Set to fall: Collingwood Brownlow Medal: Fyfe Coleman Medal: Lynch NAB AFL Rising Star: Rowell Best new Demon: Ben Brown Demon All Australian: Max Gawn, Christian Petracca, Demon B&F: Max Gawn Big call: Simon Goodwin sacked after round 14 - Replaced by Ross Lyon Ladder prediction: 1. Port Adelaide 2. Geelong 3. Meth Coast 4. Richmond 5. Lions 6. Saints 7. Doggies 8. Dockers

Personally i can't see Goodwin coaching the entire year, will be interesting to see who we'd look at as a potential replacement. I'd hope Ross Lyon - Hard work, but i'd guarantee he'd get us back into finals

The team i'd pick against Freo.. B: Jetta Tommlinson May hb: Salo Lever Rivers C: Langdon Clarry Baker HF: Chandler McDonald Fritsch F: Petracca Jackson Pickett Fol: Gawn Jordan Harmes I/C: Brayshaw, Spargo, Hunt, Jones. Sub: Vanders

I don't think too much of that is wrong to be totally honest.. Realistically it's hard to see either team scoring a whole lot, Gawn is likely to dominate the ruck but we've seen that doesn't mean we will do anything with that dominance. I think our best chance is to play Petracca forward quite a lot. pound for pound he's our best avaliable forward, and we've gotta hope Clarry, Gus and Harmes can get on top in the middle.

Couldn't be more thrilled with the off field moves. i think Alan Richardson into the GM role will prove to be a masterstroke, Mark Williams imo is the best development coach in the game outside of Brendan McCartney so very good to fill that role again, and Adem Yze is an absolute gun, he will absolutely sort our midfield out. three experienced and high quality football people walking in the door significantly improve our program. it's now or never for goody, he couldn't have a better team, the club is in good hands.

Serious question Nev, if it's the same group of posters, why not ignore them? chuck them on ignore and then you can get on with talking footy.

I heard LJ is flighty?

the interest was, but saw a thing saying this morning it was all but confirmed, wasn't sure if anyone else saw the post i'm referring to?

Word on the street is Chip Frawley is going to join the Saints

Fortunately the recruiting team who watch these players for years leading up made the decision, they've obviously got some players in mind.

Just reading the play BA. i've heard consistently that several of our key players have been frustrated with not just the way the season ended, but also issues within the FB dept. i think we were able to put those spot fires out this off season, but if we miss the finals in 2021 it'll be much harder. I don't totally agree, i think Petracca was always going to take a little bit of time, and i think he was quite solid in the forward position. in 2019 he was right up the pointy end of the league for score assists i believe. i think the those feeling Petracca underperformed are really just comparing his output to their expectations, which being a dees supporter are always going to be slightly inflated with a good young draft pick.

If we have another bad season next year and underperform, i think there is a live possibility Petracca and Oliver both request trades. that's how important 2021 is for the MFC. i hope they're making the right call backing Goodwin in.

I wouldn't even bother with a phantom draft this year, even the clubs themselves acknowledge that the draft boards are going to be so different due to Vic not seeing games. i think JT and co would have their eyes on some good talents they've seen building for a few years and they'll take a calculated punt that they would have pushed strongly into the first round had games happened, but slipped because they didn't

It's a rumour. nothing connected to any form of inside knowledge or anything, i've just heard it from 3 different people now who all generally know a bit about what's happening, so thought it was worth sharing :)

Something i've now heard from several people, so i thought why not post it in the rumour thread :)

Essendon trying very hard to pry pick 2 out of North Melbourne. they're keen on Logan McDonald and offering multiple top 10 picks for that pick.

Jackson isn't going anywhere in the short term. like Jesse he'll get chased every single off season by both W.A clubs but so will Rivers and Kozzie. any half decent interstate player is going to deal with that most of their career. Everything i've heard about LJ is he's incredibly happy at the club, excited for the future and the club thinks we've got ourselves an incredible talent. I personally think LJ's first 4-5 years are going to be mostly flashes of brilliance with a gradual build in strength, fitness and consistency before absolutely exploding onto the scene and ripping a season apart. gotta keep expectations in check for the young man but he does look the goods

Hibberd May Lever Salem Tommlinson Rivers Harmes Brayshaw Langdon Petracca Weideman Fritsch Pickett Brown Jackson Gawn Viney Oliver I/C: Melksham, Lochart, Baker, Jetta