Swooper Northey

Max is a brilliant clubman and leader who I'm sure would love to see Kalani at Melbourne, but with a wife and two babies I don't think we should expect him to run a boarding house for potential recruits. There's plenty of good Melbourne people who would could take Kalani under their wing in the hope he will thrive in the red and blue.

Am confident that common sense will prevail and that we'll get the salary cap relief that we're requesting. While we'll never be able to replace Gus as an outstanding player and brilliant team mate, we'll get some room in the cap to either retain or recruit players.

Well written Jack. Sunday's West Coast disaster reminds me of those awful loses to the Swans when they were at their worst in the early 90s. We made a habit of making them look like heroes during what was otherwise a dark chapter in their history.

The challenge for the recruiting team ahead of season 2025 is to bolster our midfield. Right now we're far too reliant on Petracca, Oliver and Viney. A couple of quality, experienced mids to complement our current crop will be really important given how much we miss Brayshaw and how one dimensional we look at times. Add to that the need for smart recruiting that can land us some more genuine outside run like Windsor. With that being the aim, a kid like Angwin could be worth a look.

Thanks binman I was watching Sparrow in the replay but couldn’t work out what his role was, have Salo and Billing’s edged him out a bit.?? Sparrow played on a wing for a large portion of the match. He's definitely not a natural winger and I reckon it robbed our midfield of an important rotation. For mine, Woey would have been a better bet on the wing.

Thanks binman I was watching Sparrow in the replay but couldn’t work out what his role was, have Salo and Billing’s edged him out a bit.?? Sparrow played on a wing for a large portion of the match. He's definitely not a natural winger and I reckon it robbed our midfield of an important rotation. For mine, Woey would have been a better bet on the wing.

Looked like they started Sparrow on a wing which I think robbed the midfield of an important rotation. Should have started Woewodin there and let Sparrow run through the middle.

With Langdon out this week, I thought Taj should have been selected on a wing.

We're overly reliant on Petracca, Oliver and Viney in the midfield which makes us predictable. Over the summer the challenge will be to add another quality experienced mid or two to that group. We've spoken at length about the loss of Gus on this forum, but his absence from the midfield right now is really noticeable.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/operation-oliver-clubs-believe-melbourne-star-could-be-available-20231003-p5e9gf.html

It's not a complaint. I'd just like to know the reason why? As I said at the beginning of this thread, it's a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but I'm curious about the decision. I haven't seen too many games where Melbourne has run onto the G wearing hooped socks.

And how do our socks clash with the Bulldogs?

We didn't in 2020, 2019 or 2018. And prior to that, when we have had to wear alternate socks, it's been when the match was played in Sydney. It should be our home game, our home uniform.

If there is a clash of some sorts, surely it's up to the away side to make a change? It was our home game, yet we were the side that had to alter our uniform.

This piece about the AFL's consistently inconsistent uniform policy is also worth a read from today's The Age. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/clashes-of-the-titans-the-afl-s-murky-uniform-policies-20210506-p57pcm.html

I realise this is minor in the grand scheme of things and in no way detracts from last night's win, but why as the home side did we have to wear hooped red and blue socks against the Swans? Surely if the AFL or the host broadcaster identifies a uniform clash of some kind, it is up to the away side to come up with a solution? We didn't wear these socks in recent seasons so I'm wondering what changed?

Meanwhile, the Dogs have today entered into a multi-million dollar partnership with local council to develop Skinner Reserve in Braybrook as their 'second' training base.

Or Chopper Lovell...

Other than the club's stated desire to have a base in the Melbourne 'sporting precinct', we've yet to see any firm plan. All communication on this issue from the club has been vague and while I understand things can be sensitive when working with state government, City of Melbourne and the Melbourne & Olympic Park Trust, surely the members deserve a more substantial update?

The State Government has announced funding of $15.5m for Richmond to enhance facilities at Punt Road Oval on top of $15m of federal funding. North just received $7.3m to do the same. We're being left behind when it comes to developing our own training base. For years now we've heard about 'confidential stakeholder meetings' without the club showing meaningful signs of progress.

Never thought I'd say it, but I'd also be open to Ross Lyon.

I have always supported Goody but am losing patience with the growing trend of being dictated to by opposition teams and not having the ability to react. From the first bounce it was easy to see Geelong's tactic of chipping it around through the midfield. We did nothing to counter that. Geelong had 54 more uncontested possessions and 60 more marks. How do we let that happen?

Having seen highlights of yesterday's practice match, it begs the question why we couldn't have access to the 'G for training during this period? The ground could surely cope with a few training sessions held throughout the week. There are four lots of changing rooms, underground parking and ample meeting space not being used for corporate functions at the moment that could easily be altered for lockdown purposes. It's wishful thinking, but it would be great if the club could come to an agreement with the MCC for this unusual season.

Weideman for Jackson. I'm not critical of Jackson but he's raw and will take time. Weid has to be ahead of him at this point. Pickett for ANB. OMac for Smith Also need to find a way to get vandenBerg in.

It's seriously concerning that we couldn't wrestle back the momentum at any point. The signs were there in the second quarter and we just didn't respond. 1.2 in the second half in an indictment. A hollow victory.