Straight Sets Simon

No it doesn't. Valenti will get his chance.

Valenti must get a game this week.

I do, if there are players there to kick it to.

One of the few positives that came to mind when Roughead kicked the winning goal.

The problem is that from watching it on TV we can't see if there is a forward line. Not kicking the ball long has been a problem of recent years, but not having anyone (literally) in the forward line to kick it to has been an even bigger problem as I brought up in round 1, 2007.

Best: Bate, Green, Garland, Martin, Grimes Better: Whelan, McLean, Spencer, Miller, Petterd, Warnock, Bartram, Bail Average: Bruce, Davey, Cheney, Bell, Morton, Dunn Worst: Jones, Johnson, Sylvia, Newton N/A: Wonaeamirri, McDonald

I registered after the close date, but I'm fairly sure it still went through. Anyone else from here going?

Didn't Maxwell shirtfront the West Coast player? If so, wasn't the shirtfront deemed illegal a few years ago (possibly because of Pickett)?

The red would be really good if it had the MFC monogram, like the one produced by Mero. I guess there's red and then there's red...

Well done hoopla.

Red, but only just because it would work better with the MFC monogram.

My 22 for Round 1 at this stage (sure to change). FB: Whelan Martin Warnock HB: Garland Rivers Petterd C: Morton McDonald Green HF: Sylvia Bate Bruce FF: Wonaeamirri Miller Davey Foll: Johnson McLean Jones Int: Jamar Buckley Strauss Dunn

Again, the game hasn't changed. The way that some teams choose to play it has changed. I don't see the change in the way teams are playing as an evolution, but rather a trend or fashion. The way that Hawthorn of '08 played is different to that of Brisbane of '01, but I don't necessarily see it as any better.

What a load of rubbish. The game hasn't changed. A few rules have changed and the way some teams choose to play has changed. That's now up there with "he bleeds red and blue" and "a Ryan O'Keefe type player". This idea that Rivers now all o the sudden won't know what to do is just wrong. He may take a few weeks to adjust but if he can remain fit Rivers will be as good as ever. He won the Rising Star in 2004 for a reason and when fit and firing would be one of the best five defenders in the competition.

This is the outline that I was thinking of. By Mero over at BigFooty. I really wish the club went with the MFC monogram. Out of the two jumpers I almost prefer the white one, but would love the monogram. Also by Mero over at BigFooty.

Interesting.

Dees' new clash guernsey unveiled Would have preferred the MFC monogram as the Demon can be brought back in other ways and the logo really needs a fine outline to make it stand out.

I hope that's the case and if it is they still have time to put a white outline around the logo!

Matthew Bate's kicking technique looks sublime compared to Spencer.

This isn't by any means the most pressing issue at the moment, but a little pet peeve of mine. I really don't like the Reebok jumpers. They are loose, baggy and have that stupid shape where the back and front hang lower than the sides. For a skinny team like Melbourne, the problem seemed to be accentuated even more. Not only do the jumpers look terrible but when they are so loose it makes it easier for opposition teams to grab them. To be honest I didn't want to buy a new jumper last year because they looked so terrible. Melbourne seemed to have gone backwards from their Asics jumpers which were much better fitting. Now compare these with the Puma jumpers which are a better fit and look great as well as with the new Adidas jumpers which fit well but look a little odd (but still better). When Port Adelaide announced their new clash jumper I got excited because the Reebok design looked to have improve, but after seeing the photos from the intra-club game it looks as though Melbourne may have the same design as last year. Port's new terrible clash jumper with good Reebok design. Melbourne with same old design?

The red jumper really needs a fine white outline around the logo

I feel dirty for saying this, but the white jumper actually looks quite good. Thanks for all of the reports everyone. Glad to hear that Aussie, Petterd and Valenti played well.

With the jumper than Green is wearing, I think it needs a thin white outline or something to make the logo stand out.

It is just me or is the off-field gear the players are wearing absolutely hideous? I just thought I'd throw it out there.

This would be the best looking sponsor on a jumper out of any team.