Roger Mellie

Endurance X

Source AFL: "May will now be assessed under the AFL's new concussion protocols, which state that the earliest a player can return to play is on the 12th day – the same day as the Demons' season-opener against Fremantle on March 20." So if he's recovered he should technically be allowed to play.

Maybe a combination of players to rotate through. Melksham is certainly smart enough to play the role and his delivery into the forward line can be sublime. If he's done the work over some before pinging his string then give him a crack. I don't see him running up and down all day but he is crafty enough to adapt. If he brings last years attitude then he shouldn't be in the team. Let's hope it was just a case of hub cabin fever. I also hope the hamstring injury wasn't an sign that he can't manage the running load. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I like Fritsch in the role but acknowledge he is needed elsewhere. He can certainly spend time on the wing in a shared role. Bowey would also work. He has the skill level, smarts and a bit of speed but I think it's a lot to ask of a first year player. Laurie might also be an option and much later Rosman. Of our inside mids Jordon could spend time there. I think he has the tank and is better at getting to the outside of the contest than the others but he's a bit of a plodder. My choice would be a combination of Bowey , Fritsch, and try Melksham with assistance from others. Not keen on Baker (Casey), TMac (running ability only gets you so far and needed fwd) , Salem (needed elsewhere), Jones for the role.

I'm confident we either couldn't afford Phillips without successfully offloading TMac or he just said NO to us.

Agree, I reckon it was Choco's turn to supply the song list

This will be decided by the AFL who are worryingly accustomed to fixture merry-go-rounds courtesy of COVID last year as well as maximising any opportunity for additional revenue. I believe their priorities will be (in order of importance): - AFL revenue (attendance) - Broadcasters revenue - Essendon revenue - Marvel - MCC - Lol - MFC revenue

Shattered for the kid

Yep, I think Richo said on SEN that they were doing a program for him.

He was terrific I thought - very confident ball use and smarts. He came to the MFC as a winger. I'd have him there ahead of Baker.

I vote for transparency at the board level. Can Peter Jackson be our next Chairman.............. pleeeease!

Boom - tish!

You misinterpreted his post. He's asking two questions: 1) Who is your surprise packet for 2021? - CHF's nominations are Sparrow, Chandler , Spargo 2) Who will be the whipping boy for 2021? - CHF likes Tomlinson 1) I'll go Spargo although I wouldn't be surprised at all. Chandler, maybe and Nieta if his knee holds up 2) It'll be a big challenge to surpass Melksham for whipping boy, particularly if he has niggles all year, but ANB could challenge if he has a fumbly, get in the way kind of season. His preseason form suggests otherwise and he may find himself with some respect. Tommo shows potential too but seems to be holding down his defensive role inconspicuously.

With the forwards i presume

Interesting! Looking at the training gallery pics, I would deduce that the wing positions are down to Rosman, Nieta and Baker - with Langdon a given and cameos from others. My question is, where's Salem? @picket fence didn't mention him and he's not in the midfield photos (but could've been there).

Someone mentioned in a training report (a rumour) that Lachie Ash would be heading back to Vic at the end of his contract (2021) and would be going to Dees or Cats. Whether it's true or not, he can be chucked on top of the list. Just what we need!

With a return to longer quarters, reduced interchanges and our apparent philosophy of running other teams into the ground, we are going to need a lot more midfield rotations. I expect we'll see a lot more of Gus as well as Harmes, Sparrow and a bit of Jordon, Spargo and one or two others in there (eg. Melksham) in there.

Makes sense to me and I could stomach that. The only thing is, when they showed footage of Gawn slotting the mark in the practice match / simulation a couple of weeks ago, didn't he go off his line for a better angle? I could be wrong but IIRC May couldn't do anything but flap and jump. It would infuriate me if players were given license by the umpire to do so.

A bit of perspective Kent: Bradtke came to MFC from a basketball background, not AFL He missed out on a whole year of development in his second year with covid He's something like 206cm FFS Gawn didn't play a game until his third year (3 games). He didn't play a decent game until his 6th year

I hope Burgess can unearth a tank under all that muscle. For the record, I support this decision but have noticed he can conk out pretty quickly in quarters.

Not sure you would sneak option that past the AFLPA

Great report, thanks Fence. Who played on the other wing? Rosman or a mix of players?

Forwards

IIRC Spargo came to the club as a midfielder (mostly). Obviously his size didn't allow for that, but it looks like this year (I've read) he'll get a little time in the middle. I'm excited for him as he has the talent and footy smarts be a very good player. Wishing him all the best to become a genuine forward / mid and to be able to silence his very loud critics. If it's in the Robbie Gray mould, then all the better.

Or MFCSS?

Thanks for the excellent report Deesp. Can you please clarify where Rivers played - with the A grade mids and forwards as mentioned above? Or, did he swap around a bit. Also, where did Neita line up? Did Bradtke play at all? Thanks