Thinker

@kangamerchant The wait won't be long.

Draftee Hugo Mikunda had his best game yet at the level, 25 disposals with some pace to burn.

VFL: Whitlock with the shrug in the centre and slick pass to find Urquhart for his first goal of the season. Whitlock had 19 disposals and 3 scoring shots.

@rootragic11 @NMFCOfficial Yes.

@thoughtfullwon @NMFCOfficial Thinking he could push Powell out-thoughts?

Welcome back Luke Urquhart. Look forward to this young bloke hopefully making his debut for @NMFCOfficial later in the year with a change of luck.

@rootragic11 @NMFCOfficial "Had to adjust to the new no bleached locks look!" Yes at first I thought it was Bamert in disguise😂 I have only watched Q1 so far, but he looked good getting a few 1st possesions, and he got from contest to contest well. Fingers crossed he has some luck.

@thoughtfullwon @NMFCOfficial Played a good first game back v Swans. Had to adjust to the new no bleached locks look! He played 3/4, so being eased back in. Any news on what’s happening with Goater?

@jackster_007 Too many players going into F50 when they should not be in there, some forwards who apply very little defensive pressure, and players not setting up to build the WALL to stop the transition.

@thoughtfullwon That footage of the streaming out of the backline, we gotta get some body checks on. Cant let them get up to speed like that. Doesnt need to be knocking them over, just delay that first step.

Purple wants to have a "Mature Adult conversation". FMD- Mature & Adult would not be 2 words I would use to describe the dribble that comes out of his mouth about NMFC!

@BenHilly94 @Aldersonaldo @giantroo Yes that passage JK should have passed to Blamires. Darling lead was too hard a kick for him. JK is not the only one I wouldn't want kicking into F50. Still to much congestion in F50 and lack of movement- IF Darling can lead, why haven't the other's taken notice of his workrate?

@thoughtfullwon @Aldersonaldo @giantroo If the umpire calls play on he has FOS running past into an open goal. Literally the next clip is JD and Blamires leading at the ball and dopey ass Konstanty again puts it to a pack. It’s impossible for key forwards to be effective with low iq players putting the ball inside 50

Where have you gone, Nick?

@BenHilly94 @Aldersonaldo @giantroo Darling at FF, that is Duursma in the pocket, both Darling & Duursma well positioned to lead at the ball carrier. Larkey comes across in front of Darling demanding the ball- more than likely IF JK kicks to Larkey and he does hold the mark the umpire says play on not 15m.

@thoughtfullwon @Aldersonaldo @giantroo Go to 1.05 in the video and watch what happens when he, Blamires and Darling lead at the ball

@BenHilly94 @Aldersonaldo @giantroo BIG difference is that Wayne Carey, Ablett Snr and Lockett all moved around and led for the ball, they didn't stand there holding hands with the other forwards.

@Aldersonaldo @giantroo You could put Wayne Carey, Ablett Snr and Lockett down there and they aren’t doing much when the ball is getting kicked to a pack of 12 blokes every time

@mitch23bates @theindextracker He has played the last 5 games in the VFL and our backline is crying out for a rebound defender- why hasn't he come in then?

@thoughtfullwon @theindextracker Stiffy comes in before Mikunda

A win gone begging. That said, I think we have meaningful improvement this year. Long way to go but the brand is taking shape. We really need to get to work on our I50 entries. Jesus Christ!! Too many long bombs not enough precision. Started with this in the opening minutes. LDU was 25m in the clear just outside 50. #AFLNorthSwans

@mitch23bates @theindextracker Hardeman just bombs it long also. Hugo Mikunda is the one for the future, he makes better decisions with the ball.

@theindextracker Stiffy hardeman in

@WineGlassTatt Good to see the on-field Captain Xerri on top!

Our top 10 highest-rated players so far this season in order: Xerri Davies-Uniacke Wardlaw O’Sullivan Parker Sheezel Simpkin Darling McKercher Daniel Thoughts?

@kangamerchant What is the Captain doing to set the standard? Lead and create space, one on one and pack marking is not his strength. Forwards coach needs to sort them out all standing together.

This probably sums up where the biggest room for improvement lies at the moment. F50 entry to a big park, many fly, no one at the crumb, opposition rebound with relative ease into a goal. Side note - Logue metres off his man, happened a lot.

@kangamerchant Hopefully Clarko & Co realise he is a FWD/RUCK and not a defender.

Wil Dawson’s 9th career game, 1st of season 2026. 37% TOG, played as a 2nd ruck, not a defender. Loved the competitiveness and he stays for me. 13 hitouts (= with Xerri) 11 disposals 5 score involvements 4 tackles 4 intercepts Again, on 37% TOG!

Has he watched any NM games prior to this one?

@joe_cusenza @M_P_C87 @NMFCOfficial Actually as a junior he modeled his game on LDU with the burst from stoppage.

@M_P_C87 @thoughtfullwon @NMFCOfficial He's no LDU

@M_P_C87 @NMFCOfficial He is quicker and stronger than Powell, probably similar skills to what Powell has shown this year, BUT he is an accountable midfielder that could play the run with role.

@thoughtfullwon @NMFCOfficial Is he another Tom Powell type? Good inside but a bit slow for the modern game? Limited skills?

@aliciaisabelx @adamish1975 @kangamerchant 100% spot on there, considering some of the other contracts that have been HANDED out.

@adamish1975 @kangamerchant I won’t stop hoping for him to make it until it’s officially over. He is only 22. It’s not like we don’t have the time or space on the list to give him every chance.

Anyone have any info about Goater? Thought he’d be back in after a rest last week but not named 🤔

@JontyRalphsmith How many have Melb shown interest in now- Voss, Bamert & Strapoli? Probably take the player they have shown no interest in.

Melbourne among a few clubs to have shown preliminary interest. At this stage he’s probably behind only Ollie Griffin in terms of Mid-Season Draft interest among Talent League players.

@kangamerchant @AzzaDunton @bennington_cj Darling, Duursma, Dovaston, Wardlaw & even Corr have played 50-60% time on ground in some games this year.

@AzzaDunton @thoughtfullwon @bennington_cj Not it matters but we definitely can. It’s common practice with 5 on the bench to save premium time for your best players/runners. Last week - Dovaston 43% TOG. Round 7 - Wardlaw 57% TOG, Darling 58%.

In: Wardlaw, Goater, JK Out: POWELL, Corr, Dovaston