Wunders

Gary Lyon also mentioned the top 8 being set ater the last round in previous years on SEN this monring. But they went on to say that realistically there are still 3 teams outside the 8 who could make it in & that it's not really set as yet (they then went on to say % is a good indicator of the top 8 too).

I think the thumb will need more time to heal than just a week off (think about when you tackle, you may grab with four fingers, but only have the thumb to oppose those & grab the player/arm/jumper... hence i think you don't want to be tackling someone with a broken thumb as 2 weeks off isn't enough time for it to heal). Sure he could just not tackle or handball on that hand, but i think that with a competitive team that's also not an option. Plus Lewis had a small break in a finger, not his thumb, hence quicker turn-around. Lastly, are we actually missing Salem (http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-01/thumbs-down-as-bad-break-sidelines-demon#/)? Kicking efficiency below average (I think hes more effective as a half back than a mid so far this year. I felt his best match was (where he broke his thumb) back as a half back - i think from recollection. as a result, I'd leave Salem out another week or two = no changes or Viney in due to coaches desire to have him in (and praying hes ready).

Interesting to see that Salem's disposal count (18.7) and disposal efficiency (67.9) are below average this year, and Contested possessions 9.8 (average) in that same article. Probably a fact of putting him in the midfield for the first 5 rounds, i'd prefer to have him coming off the half back - rather than being in the middle (feel that we perform worse with him in there unfortunately). Hopefully recovers soon and get's back in to improve the teams kicking efficiency (although 6 rounds of stats imply otherwise).

And we seem to be a contested ball / get hands on it first team, but because we have no forward structure we muck around with it (although we do try and run the (or multiple) spare(s) off the back of the square to get the easy receive), but why not play 1v1 (i.e. to our contested strength) and get that ball forward.. I'm sure im missing some key stuff as per why, but i've always been annoyed at our ability to get hands on the ball and not kick it forward and then stuff up..

In regards to Garlett, I'm a strong believer he is struggling with us playing a non-traditional forward set-up. Garlett is an all Australian crumbing forward. But you play Hogan in the midfield and leave no real 1v1 forward target to kick to that garlett can crumb the pack from and he's less effective. Give me a normal forward line with Hogan, Weid, petracca, garlett and 2 other small forwards. Then we can capitalise on Gawns dominance and do the instinctive thing and kick it (giving our forwards a chance - instead of multiple crappy handballs in slippery conditions for no forward momentum and either a turn-over or a repeat stoppage ball up).

Thisis interesting. I felt we played our best footy last year with Watts/Pederson and McDonald as the Ruckmen & was half hoping Gawn wouldn't be brought back in with them performing so well (in the past now). But yes i agree, it doesn't seem such an advantage at all. I think what would help a lot is Viney, whenever Viney is in the middle we seem to be more proactive and attacking. Without him in i feel we have really dropped in regards to effectiveness.

Forward. If we are struggling in defence i think Petty will be the solution over frost in a few years (doesn't help now). Make our forward line as dangerous as possible.

Brisbane should’ve beaten the saints. The amount of forward 50 attacking/entry poor turnovers by the lions gave the saints the game. Apart from that we’re pretty good.

I’m a Victorian member and also received that email. There must be a reason for the selected emailing (I’ve taken up similar offers before and I’m a concession member - whether either of those contributed not sure). Go dees!

McKenna i agree with (but got a 2 year contract so probably best not to break it after one year of injury). Vandenberg i like (just needs to kick better). Plus i believe someone else posted recently stating that Vandenberg's leadership off-field has been first class and i'd suggest that is why he was retained. Obviously both may be in trouble at the end of this year if they cannot get back on the park.

Originally i didn't care, but the closer it gets the more excited i seem to be :)! Looking forward to it and especially seeing the young talent on the park for the first time (Spargo in particular).

Harrison Petty Concussed at camp. Glad it wasn't anyone else.. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-02/demon-petty-concussed-during-maroochydore-camp

29,053 currently. https://membership.melbournefc.com.au/

I dislike the sound of it. Hopefully doesn't need a clean-up for something like a small meniscus tear. I'm sure we will find out soon enough.

I have a good feeling about Spargo. Reading all the draft reports and how he would've gone higher etc etc i can't help but feel like he may get a game early (but i think i'd like to see some of this potential in the pre-season competition/intra-clubs first). Fritsch is the other i could see playing too.

Anyone know if Balic had an injury that would influence his running? The facebook post said he was at the back with the ruckmen in the running.

I heard that it's a few of the Melbourne players who were close to selection, but playing at Casey, were disgruntled (best word i can think of) that jack was playing ones and not doing the non-negotiables that Goodwin preaches. Yet these melbourne listed players at Casey were doing them, but not getting rewarded. If this was true surely talking to Jack and changing habits is the first action, if he didn't change after repeated discussions about them, then for team morale I'd understand the trade. In the end it's done and i think we would've been too top heavy, and perhaps still are if we want Weed in the team. Hopefully we make finals and beat port in the first final

Thinking if we hadn't of gone for Weid in that draft (a mid or Curnow instead) then Schache would be of interest to us. But how would we know the number 2 pic would turn out like this and possibly be available at say pick 10..

Believe he signed a new contract this year and he took a pay cut for his love of Essendon (~$750,000/year).

Burton sounds like an absolute [censored].. I hope he walks to the draft and they get nothing.

SEN said that 20-25 would be fair for Watts. Be interested to see what we get for him (although still in shock that we are throwing him away).

Just read this article and at the bottom it says: "Adelaide Crows fans feared their club had made an error when Bernie Vince finished third in the best and fairest in his first season with Melbourne before winning it in his second after being traded in 2013. But a few years down the track the compensation this year’s premiership favourite received — the 23rd selection in the draft which they used on now All-Australian midfielder Matt Crouch — looks more than worth the early pain." http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/former-coach-says-mitchell-trade-cost-swans-premiership/news-story/b2bab3c1dc017b01e565e98f094b3b95 I wonder if we would still make the trade now, and i wonder how much more footy Vince has left at him at the top level.

Hawks getting Lachie Whitfield according to shane crawford (didn't know where to post it) https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/08/24/is-a-giant-midfielder-on-his-way-to-the-hawks/

Vision is up. I can't see anything untoward at all, but we accepted it. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2017-08-14/vfl-christian-salem-incident

SEN had someone on talking about this around 630am yesterday and they said that Gatlin appealed the 8 year verdict to another body who overruled their verdict (hence he came back 4 years early, which meant he wasn't to old and able to compete). So from the sounds of that, they were trying to finally clean up the sport and whoever Gatlin appealed to overruled them, so their hands were tied. Very unfortunate