Roger Mellie

100% Just dreaming, but if we'd had Hogan and Bedford in our side last night, we win. Apart from many other impressive aspects of their game, they seem to have put a huge amount of work into getting rid of the pill to advantage when tackled. Loving their work. Love that they're tearing the 'never tear us apart' Port apart and that they perform so well with eff all supporters. Now that we're out of it, I hope they go all the way.

Stop saying "likely" when it's just your opinion. Thanks

He's referring to umpire No. 22

Hmmm, I thought Grundy was a monte to be sub. Recent form 32 touches and 3 goals at Casey. Schache diddley squat although he had some good form a couple of months ago. While Schache is versatile and immensely talented, Grundy is a true competitor...A Competitor! That's what I want in a final. Go Dees

Disco has to be upgraded too, but not sure if it's this year or next.

I was thinking of Smith and Turner as both starting 22 to give us options. Smith starts forward and Turner back. They can then swap if it's not working and one can be subbed out if it's really not working. It gives us a little versatility with Hibbo too. I really don't think TMac or Brown offer much and Brown hasn't played for quite some time. I'd like Grundy in the team, but I don't see how. I think Goodie's put a line through him 🙁 Spargo could potentially add plenty and find options in the forward line. He's so often in space but mostly ignored or not seen. If Jordon plays, I'd expect him to be used sparingly, putting a bit more pressure on the mids. I thought last week, we'd win this if we could kick goals. Same goes for this week. If we have the same mess of forward line delivery, same result. Go Dees!

I would add Brayshaw to your duo. His 'get the ball forward' style of footy is just made for finals

I'm confident Mason Cox has a single instruction for the game - inflict as much damage to Max, so I hope when Cox is in the forward line and Max drops back, he can return the favour.

I assume he's been told he's not playing (short of injury) so is free to look at his future.

No idea. My only thought was hearing of people with partial tears. It might be something like that or just not a complicated case. I know in AFL, even though players might be ready after 10 months or so, they're often held back a full 12 months. With Jake near the end of his career, it might be a risk he'd like to take. Maybe one of our resident physio's could enlighten - with thanks @Webber

Paul Connors on "Gettable" was saying the ACL injury wasn't as bad as it could be and that Jake could be playing again by July next year. He said it's given him something to think about 🤞

I like the look of Fullarton. He's very raw but could continue to develop as a forward ruck until Max retires. A big no to Hayes. He could have all the talent in the world but he hasn't developed a tank (STILL) in the 6 odd years he's been in the system. If he did, he'd be the natural successor to Lycett. The fact that they chased Grundy last year and are doing so now says it all. I like the look of Nick Bryan too. He's mobile, has decent skills. While I haven't seen a huge amount of his ruck work, he appears super athletic for a 203cm player. Is he out of contract?

Just shattered for him and I hope he's OK

Good for him. It didn't say what his role is. Anyone know?

Before we put a line through Grundy, he seems to be in red hot form. How was his last game against the Pies? IIRC he played pretty well. Do we consider him if Cox is playing? Cox has played as sub more than once. Is that a consideration for Grundy? Whatever we do, our forward line will have to adapt to a new look again with Melksham going down. I feel for the poor bloke. He so deserved to be part of our finals campaign. My main concerns are Moore and Elliot. McCrae said a few days ago that Moore would be ready next week and would be playing if not for the bye. So, I'm assuming he's playing. Elliot is a big game player and his ability to get off the leash has me pondering if Hibberd comes back in. If not him, who else? I thought Disco played well apart from a few errors and showed he could mix it at this level. Just lobbing out a few questions.

It's the vibe LDC! I think we'll have a few surprises if our fixed plan, doesn't work. Disco might be the first. The changes I'm thinking are more a specific game plan for Collingwood as opposed to the other finalists, how we react if clubs and negate May and Lever's intercept game, switching from being attacking to defensive, how high players are playing up the ground or not and other situations. For eg. I would expect coaches such as either Scott twin, to expose Melksham's lack of pace by putting a quick defender on him. It's happened before, so how do we deal with it? I think that's why our largely medium forward set-up will be interesting to see today. Like I said, I'm just mulling things over.

I'm pretty sure he was injured during his first game and concussed in his second. I suspect the club may have tried him earlier had he not broken his wrist/arm/hand. It's a little surprising, but he gives us more speed and mobility than Tommo.

Weetra was a total guess but I got 15/15. Clearly, none of you saw my Pick-A-Dee thread 🤨

I think it came from the likelihood that we and 16 other clubs (give or take) have approached WCE and said "How 'bout it?" WCE said 'Nope' and, here we are.

I think you missed the bit where I said I'm not advocating for Grundy to be retained. Rather, that we aren't left high and dry without a (DECENT) back-up ruckman or chop-out forward ruck. I don't think we can ask Max to do it alone next year with a 5-minute break here and there. Nor can we expect Verrall to be ready (but I think he has a future). Where on earth did you think I said I wanted Grundy to be rucking in the finals ahead of Gawn? Seriously WTF?

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.