Roger Mellie

Ahead of his 'run in the firsts' is Taylor, Buckley, Idun, Himmelberg and Aleer. I'd be happy to take a punt given our key defensive stocks.

The main thing I want to see is: Out: Lever (managed) Dress up his omission with 'managed,' give him the week off. He can come back via Casey. He's clearly lost mobility. May or Adams to replace. Kolt and Windsor have no fitness/form but are our future. Spargo for Sparrow. Not sure about the rest.

Agree with your thoughts on Howes. I thought he defended well, tackled strongly and intercepted everything. He controlled the backline (I'd like to see Adams do the same). My knock on Howes game was he didn't really do much with the footy after he won it. Sideways kicks or turnovers down the line. He came to the Dees with strong kicking skills and needs to add that polish to his game going forward.

I read somewhere that Worpel is going to Geelong. Either way, he's a questionable kick and we have an oversupply of those.

+1 Couldn't agree more Swooper

Laurie

I understand where you're coming from too DOF - the logic was I assume to top up the miles in his legs at Casey.

Not sure how Harry Sharp gets a gig here. He was unsighted at Casey last game. I assume it's the sub vest again for him on the back of his casual jog v Essendon VFL.

The article on the AFL website mentions conducting AFL umpire programs at Waverley. I was hoping that would be a factor in getting Caulfield over the line for us. afl.com.auBack in AFL hands: League buys Waverley Park from HawksThe historic venue has returned to the AFL's possession after a deal to purchase the Hawks' training base

Cameron Schwabb was even more strongly favoured by the AFL. That ended up well!

Guerra has a massive commitment overseeing the World Chamber of Commerce Conference (or whatever it is) event to be hosted by Melbourne Chamber of Commerce. I suspect the MFC has deferred his involvement in the Caulfield Racecourse developments (or is keeping him at arms length) until he is clear of this. But if you wanted to write a sensationalist article, you could frame it as The Age has. As Superunknown has suggested, there may be other complicating things in play too. As Garry Lyon has stated more than once, we sooo need to ferret out the leaks in this club.

When the coaches go through the game footage with each player as they do, surely May would see himself gobbing off, left, right and centre as he always does and think 'Geez, I look like a prize [censored],' but clearly, he doesn't.

Geez, I watched the first half and yet to see the second, but I'm a bit gobsmacked as the players listed above didn't stretch statistician in the first half - Fritsch, Bowey, Howes! I look forward to the second half (apart from the outcome).

K. White was encouraging. Looked lost to start with but came alive in the last quarter to have a real impact on the game. I look forward to seeing him in about +20kgs, hopefully at the Dees. While he was only rucking against a cramping first gamer in Monteith (who was also very impressive before cramping) and Jackson Shorty Hately, he looked a bit of a natural. Laurie wasn't as impressive as last week but still solid and too good for this level. Brown has a crack and has some speed but his kicking is horrid. Jeffo got better as the game progressed and should earn a call-up very soon. He risks getting pummelled given his lack of physicality but he's proving smart enough to get around that. I worry he won't apply enough pressure which makes it hard to have him and Fritta in the same forward line. Sharp was largely unsighted which was disappointing. While he buzzes around at senior level, it's largely ineffectual. Adams was well-beaten, but took some nice marks. Kentfield took some excellent grabs but really doesn't find much of the pill. That may come with getting comfy in the backline. He's also a little slow. Verrall had a great game and started to dominate the ruck contest as the game progressed. I'm not convinced he has the height to ruck at AFL level or play any other position but he's improved hugely under Jamar. Woey's looked better the last couple of weeks. Hitting more targets and playing with a bit of confidence. Culley did some nice things but disposal was bog ordinary. Mentha zipped in and out of the play but is definitely growing his game and has some top-notch skills. I look forward to his continued development.

6 - Melksham 5 - Bowey 4 - Rivers 3 - Gawn 2 - Pickett 1 - Oliver Stiff - Lindsay, Lingers, Chandler, T-Mac

At AFL level? Most of his games were as the sub.

The AFL run the VFL. They are responsible for its demise.

I wouldn't mind seeing Laurie come in to put a hard tag on Neale - play the Viney role. I think he's had his papers stamped though.

I wouldn't be blown away if it was Geelong instigating this [censored].

I watched a little of On the Couch last night (I think it was ONC) and they highlighted that Sicily was out of form. So if he's playing poorly and loses the plot - double bonus!

He's had two games back at Casey and done less than squat. I don't mind the notion of giving him a go, but not on the back of those performances.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1314062/match-review-melbourne-demons-forward-jake-melksham-cleared-after-jeremy-mcgovern-incident-young-eagle-bo-allan-cops-a-ban

+1 👍

Assuming we don't have an early first round pick, I'd like Louis Emmet: Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central2025 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Louis EmmettOakleigh Chargers ruck Louis Emmett is potentially the best key position prospect of this year's draft, but could he also be the best overall?

I hope the Hawk's new training base has to be reclaimed for the SRL.