Roger Mellie

Thanks Gator - excellent report again. If you don't mind me asking, who were you before you were swallowed by a crocodile?

A petless friend of mine signed up my dog as a Hawthorn member years ago 🤮 Livid

They took a fair old beating with the injury stick in 2022. They haven't started 2023 well in that regard.

Not quite. According to the club, he had his best game in the VFL grand final, which for me says he stands up and performs when the pressure is really on. IMO the club see something in him and I'd expect gradual improvement - I think we've seen this over the preseason. Having said that, there's no way he replaces Salem ahead of Bowey.

Is Woey training in defense now? Last year he played on the wing at Casey Thanks

I think it's a big step forward without Zorko at the helm. He is Captain Faux Tough, but has this been confirmed yet? I haven't seen it anywhere

You could easily call this thread 'the Ed Langdon file'

Again, love your work @grazman. I thought Dunkley might balance the toughness ledger a little. I really like Payne - there is a lot of potential/talent there but I see him as still a little raw and prone to the odd brain fart. I have to agree with your backline assessment, particularly without Adams. I still find Hipwood and Daniher to be potential liabilities when they either don't show up or crack the sads/wobblies. Having Gunston could make all the difference.

That comment was before they lost Adams

Didn't happen to notice Rivers in the midfield?

True but tenancy agreements are also about the $, which explains why Collingwood has so many games written in the contract. If we average lower crowds will that then be justification for Carlton/Essendon demanding more games? If we no longer have a presence in the City of Melbourne (other than game day), is that further justification? I hope not. Having said that, I will attempt to dial back the cynicism.

Just a question. If we move our headquarters away from the G area, do we risk losing it as our home ground over time? Could our home games there be whittled away and relocated to Marvel? The game is all about the dollar now and we don't always pull crowds particularly given the number of interstate sides we play there. For what it's worth, I don't care where our base is, so long as it's all under the one roof and equal to or better than the facilities of other sides. If moving out of the G precinct has any implications for where our home ground is down the track (noting Marvel is also in the City of Melbourne) then, no thanks. I'm happy to play the odd game there, but if it crept up to four or five games a year.... yes, I'm cynical but I really don't trust the AFL.

Enjoyable and inciteful read thanks Grazman. I look forward to the next installment.

Fixed!

The Cats also have Deakin University at their disposal in the off-season. Deakin got $8m+ funding to convert their footy ground to MCG proportions because they definitely need that at Deakin for the Deakin Ducks Football Club (Soccer).

I can see why this was doomed to failure. It would be the equivalent of us plonking a social club in Fitzroy or something. Looking at other clubs, the social clubs appear to be little more than a game day operation.

Yes, I recall seeing Chris Scott interviewed prior to finals where he said - everything had been planned to the minute so the players were fresh for the finals. I think we could have planned a lot better for finals rather than limping to the line.

I just got the email from the club offering this deal. They also throw in an armchair membership. Great value at $22 per month but a little more expensive than other clubs ($19?). The info is listed under the membership categories under KAO Digital Membership: https://membership.melbournefc.com.au/packages The club should hopefully advertise this on the main page so non-members will can find it.

If it means keeping Kossie, I'm prepared to sign him up

IIRC, Daisy was offered a role at the club. Geelong's offer was better or took her further. I think it's good for budding coach's to gain experience in other AFL or AFLW environments. I just hope we get her back.

Hey Trackwatchers, Was there any sense of Brayshaw's position in the sims? I.e. Was he with the back line, the mids or too hard to tell? Thanks

Forward line function Geelong game moved to G or Etihad The team is fresh for finals

No I don't blame our fans for the reduced ticket allocation. That should be significantly increased. I would also be appalled if we play them at their home when the grounds under construction with a supposed max. capacity of 17,000. If that happens to be the case the club should be kicking up a stink to get it moved - even to the dome When I refer to MFC fans not being good travelers, I refer to your average fan as opposed to the die hards on here.

Not that I'm bitter or anything, but I wouldn't mind seeing this a few times in weekly line-up: Freo In: Corbett Out: Jackson

It's a bit like Furphy's Premiership beer. Excellent idea ....... until no one could get any