Roger Mellie

Thanks for the reality check LT! I assume the AFL media will continue to pump up his tyres with these comments - right up until Free Agency Week/Month: one of the League's best lockdown and intercept defenders across his 70-game and eight-year North Melbourne career, so us nuffies (the footy fans) will keep reading what a great player he is and eventually assume he must be a gun and therefore deserving of a Round One compensation pick. Yep, I have total faith in the AFL system!

If it's all about the team, we need to come to the realisation that Gawn is 32 at the end of the year. If Grundy hadn't carried a good chunk of the ruck load, Gawn wouldn't be as fresh for finals as he will be. He'd be even more banged up than he was last year and at (near enough) 32, he might not have too many years left in him and even less if he's carrying 90+% of the load. I'm not saying Grundy stays, but we sure as hell need someone who can give him a meaningful chop out, not just 5 minutes here and there. I wouldn't be settling for NQR ruckman like Ladhams, Hayes, Flynn and the eternally injured Preuss.

https://www.zerohanger.com/quiz-random-melbourne-players-from-the-2000s-141612/ No need to enter your email address for the answers, just click the small print below where it says to show the results anyway. Not bragging much but I got 15/15.

Not quite Jaded. The AFL are outdoing themselves with even more BS today through their media arm: North Melbourne also remains hopeful of retaining McKay, with the club's list manager Brady Rawlings telling Gettable earlier this month that the Kangaroos would consider forcing a trade if they didn't receive first-round compensation for his exit. McKay's potential departure could help North Melbourne lands picks No.1 and No.2 at the upcoming national draft, should it receive tier one compensation in return. The club is currently last on the AFL ladder with one game to play in the year. McKay, who stands at 202cm, has established himself as one of the League's best lockdown and intercept defenders across his 70-game and eight-year North Melbourne career. The Kangaroos have the ability to match any rival bid for him, given his status as a restricted free agent. – Riley Beveridge Is there any stat that puts him in the top echelon of defenders? No mention of his injury history either.

I'm running with the one tall and three medium forward set-up, with Max to visit the forward line where possible. I don't think T-Mac's turning circle cuts it anymore. JVR, Fritsch, Melksham and Smith with Kos, Chandler and Nibbler as the rotating smalls. I don't like JVR one out but I don't think we have much of a choice. The three mediums might make us a little more dynamic. Smith and Melksham can both take a leap too. Not sure of the Sydney tall forward set-up without Buddy, but Tommo presumedly stays in with the sub options of Grundy, T-Mac or Shack to send Smith to the backline if the three tall backs aren't working. Alternatively, a smaller sub if we think we need more run. I think Hibbo is out with concussion, so not a consideration. This might put Jordon (meh), Harmes ('managed?'), Spargo or Wee Wowey in the frame. Lots to mull over but I'm expecting some surprises from the MFC in the finals, not so much with selection, but with player's roles switching and a specific game plan with the filth in particular.

Gun

He's taken a massive leap forward this season. I can't wait to see what happens after the preseason - more midfield time or will he continue to steam out of the back line?

Hunter would be in the best 6 every week based on touches and ground covered. Unfortunately, his touches are often wasted through poor decisions and poor delivery.

Rivers Viney Brayshaw Lever Sparrow Melksham (6 votes had he slotted them) Stiff - Lingers, Nibbler

Laurie can hit a target

I'd like to hear that the Liam Henry to Melb rumour is back on

North have said they won't release him unless they get the equivalent of a first-round compensation pick for him. Bad luck Ben!

100% agree. I was just looking at the Colby McKercher highlights thinking - yep he looks a bit like LDU with a tiny dash of Marc Murphy. Then I read other posters say he plays like Toby Greene, then Luke Shuey and Sam Walsh. I'm happy to concede I have NFI and will continue to glean the info of the very decent talent scouts on DL.

I lifted this from Big Footy so can't prove accuracy, but if it is, Dee's are doing a fantastic job pulling the crowds considering: * 3 games where capacity was less than 21K (Hobart, Geelong [censored]-hole and Alice Springs). Not sure about Metricon. * The number of home games we play at the G v interstate sides * The massive leg up the top 4 are given with their fixtures and prime-time exposure (add Geelong next year when their [censored] stadium is finished). Go Dees! I say again. Why are we still playing Geelong in Geelong every [censored] year when the G and Marvel are vacant? Enough of this [censored].

When Harmes was on top of his game a few years ago, I remember an interview at the time where he attributed his great form all to confidence. Clearly he has none now, which is very sad, but he can't come back in the side until he gets it back. Way too many turnovers at VFL level. He's racking up possessions in the VFL, but they're mostly rubbish. Even when he played his last game for us 2 weeks ago, I can't recall him hitting a target in the first half (with minor improvement in the second half). It's too late in the season to attempt to play him back into form and we just can't afford his turnovers and fumbles. At his best, he's a walk-up start and who wouldn't want to see that? My team for this week would be Smith forward, Spargo in for Jordon, Hibbo in or sub. Grundy stays to give Gawn (and JVR) one last serious chop-out for the year before finals and ideally slot a goal or two. Alternatively, Tomlinson for Grundy depending on whether Hawks go for 3 tall forwards or a second ruck.

Mackenzie Arnold, Matildas Jamie Elliot, Filth

Short for ARCHAIC

I share your conflict and I don't know what the answer is. One thing I do know is Gawn's 32 and other than Grundy, there's no obvious replacement waiting in the wings.

You're kidding aren't you? You didn't manage to notice he was the better ruckman tonight? He certainly isn't a forward, but neither is Gawn

His kicking was off all game

Mahoney has always been the ultimate professional and is a quality person. It's Essendon's loss. Until they can shed themselves of Sheedy and Dodoro, they won't get that last piece of the puzzle to find success IMO. But, because it's Essendon, that's fine.

You can add Errol Gulden to that list

I'm a fan of Toby Greene now he's grown up a bit, so it would have to be JDG or Tom Papley.

From this, I can deduce 83% of all football fans have beards and 100% are male. What a revelation! I feel I can take the rest of the day off now and process.

Fun fact - Adrian Anderson is not only on the MCC Committee but is Vice-President. Did not know that! The three below are seeking re-election. It's odd that they are seeking re-election so soon: James Cain Joined the Committee – 2022 James has a 30-year professional background in property, infrastructure, and major capital works in the public and private sectors. Over that time, he has worked as an executive, non-executive director and independent consultant. James’ experience includes 12 years with property and construction company Lendlease in various roles including General Manager for Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia; five years with the Victorian Government as Executive Director of Major Projects Victoria, the Victorian Government’s primary capital works agency, and 16 years at M21 Advisory, a commercial advisory consultancy he established in 2006. James has extensive non-executive experience having previously held the position of Chair of Industry Superannuation Property Trust, Chair of the Victorian Ports Corporation and Deputy Chair of the Port of Melbourne Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Planning and Design and Bachelor of Building and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management. Alice Robinson Joined the Committee – 2023 Alice has had over 25 years of experience in senior operational experience in fast-paced, global and commercial roles. Now a non-executive director and independent consultant, prior she was Senior Vice President at Hong Kong headquartered Fung Group, whose diverse businesses operate across the entire consumer goods global supply chain including trading, logistics, distribution and retail. She has an extensive understanding of cross border/cross cultural nuances and a deep insight in global macroeconomics particularly between East and West. Alice has a history of delivering profitable results across business operations, risk management, strategic and technology transformations and M&A for significant multinational organisations and entrepreneurial startups. She has lived or worked in Hong Kong, across Asia, Europe and the USA. Alice holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering and Commerce at The University of Melbourne and an MBA from Melbourne Business School. She is a non-executive director of Trinity College and a member of its Finance, Audit and Pathways Committees. She was previously a non-executive director for Lauriston Girls’ School and Chair of the Lauriston Foundation. Tony Johnson Joined the Committee – 2023 Tony is a company director and adviser, and previously a Partner and CEO of EY in Oceania, and member of EY Asia Pacific and global leadership teams. Over 34 years he combined firm leadership roles with client work at large Australian and global organisations. Currently a Director of Bupa ANZ and E&P Financial, Advisory Board member of Fujitsu ANZ (Chair) and Kieser Australia, member of The Royal Melbourne Hospital Foundation Committee, Melbourne Theatre Company Management Board and the Executive Committee of UNSW Business Advisory Council. Tony is a passionate follower of sport, particularly cricket which he played in regional Victoria and then in Melbourne’s Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association before coaching and supporting juniors. Tony was formerly a member of Champions of Change Coalition, Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity, Business Council of Australia Committees, Business Advisory Board of Monash Business School and Board of ABCN. Tony has a Bachelor of Economics, Master of Business Administration (Executive), Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance & Investment, Graduate and Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and recipient of a Distinguished Alumni Award from Monash University. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand and a Fellow of FINSIA. Not sure about the other two, but it would be nice to have a shred of info about them.