The serious, and not so serious, reasons to watch Bombers v Blues in MCG mockbuster
Happy Harry
Harry McKay had his best outing of a discombobulated season with seven goals against Port Adelaide last Saturday – an equal career high. The Bombers are terribly undermanned, so McKay could yet have another feast. That's potentially good news for the 2021 Coleman medallist – and Blues – for two reasons. If he stays a Blue, it will give him momentum heading into the pre-season. Or, if there are interested suitors, and he is traded, it could raise his value, as AFL great Nick Riewoldt pointed out, allowing the Blues to secure more for him.
(Broken) Family ties
Like De Koning, Jack Silvagni is expected to be in different colours next season – potentially those of the black and white variety. That's almost as unpalatable for a diehard Blues fan as it would be having to order a vegan pizza on a night out on Lygon St. A sore groin means Silvagni again won't be playing on Thursday but, if he is spotted in the crowd, it's worth a quick clap to thank the Silvagni family – late grandfather Serge, father Steve and Jack himself – for what they have given to the Blues through the decades. For those of us of a certain vintage, it's also going to take some time to get used to seeing Jack's mother Jo in new team colours.
Power failure
If there are Essendon and Carlton fans who are prepared to mingle (at the ground, or on the couch), they can commiserate together about another flag-less season for the one-time power clubs who continue to stumble and bumble along. The Bombers' last flag was in 2000, the year of the Sydney Olympics, when John Howard was prime minister. For the Blues, the drought extends to 1995, when Paul Keating was prime minister, and the West Indies – until Australia's tour of the Caribbean in that same year – still ruled the cricket world. Perhaps it's time to dust off the old VHS tapes – for anyone younger than 20, you can look up what they are – of those last premierships, before flicking on the Fox Footy coverage.
Coach debate
For those with a touch of the Brisbane bloodlines, we have premiership teammates turned senior coaches Brad Scott and Michael Voss going head-to-head. Scott and Voss were flagless in their first coaching incarnations. Who could get there first in their second coming? That's worth a good half-time debate.
Trade machine
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Ahead of what shapes as a busy trade period, there's no harm in going through the entire playing list of each team, or even just the actual teams which take to the field, and tick off who you think won't be at your club next season. A penny for the thoughts of new Blues chief executive Graham Wright if he is shown in the stands. Voss said this week the Blues need players with more speed who can use the ball. When a Blue butches a kick, it's worth penning the three best midfielders you think they could attract.
Making his mark
Mid-season draftee Liam McMahon has been a find for the Bombers. The Blues' former VFL captain booted four goals against Geelong, and three against St Kilda. McMahon is off contract, and will be desperate to continue his great form.
Thank goodness
If this turns into a stinkathon, fans could thank Seven for opting to spare the wider football community of this game, in favour of Sunday night's top-four defining clash between Hawthorn and Brisbane.
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Fellow retiree Rory Atkins also gets a farewell game at his third club after previously playing for Adelaide and Gold Coast. All-Australian Adam Treloar could have played his last game for the Western Bulldogs after not being selected for the final-round showdown against Fremantle. Despite dominating in the VFL last week, the star midfielder has not been picked for the Bulldogs' must-win match on Sunday. Treloar has had a torturous run with calf injuries this season, restricted to just four games with the last coming back in round 15. The 32-year-old is undoubtedly in their best team when fit, but the Bulldogs have decided against risking him for such a big game given his injury history. Treloar doesn't yet have a contract for next year, even though 2024 was the best season of his career. The Dockers have recalled Hayden Young, despite the key playmaker's injury troubles of his own. The match is an effective elimination final in round 24, with the winner to finish inside the top-eight and season over for the loser. Richmond defender Josh Gibcus has been recalled for his first game since round one last year, finally regaining form and fitness following an ACL rupture. Gibcus has played more than a month in the VFL to prove his fitness. He will replace star defender Nick Vlastuin, who will miss the clash with Geelong on Saturday due to injury. Reigning premiers Brisbane have picked Ty Gallop in their extended squad as a replacement for injured forward Eric Hipwood. Teenager Gallop has played just one game, but is likely to make the starting team for the Lions' Sunday night blockbuster against Hawthorn. The winner of the match at the Gabba will likely finish inside the top-four and grab the coveted double chance. Port Adelaide have made three changes for Ken Hinkley's last game as coach, as the Power also farewell club great Travis Boak. Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is out with suspension, while Port have picked debutants Harrison Ramm and Ewan Mackinlay. Fellow retiree Rory Atkins also gets a farewell game at his third club after previously playing for Adelaide and Gold Coast. All-Australian Adam Treloar could have played his last game for the Western Bulldogs after not being selected for the final-round showdown against Fremantle. Despite dominating in the VFL last week, the star midfielder has not been picked for the Bulldogs' must-win match on Sunday. Treloar has had a torturous run with calf injuries this season, restricted to just four games with the last coming back in round 15. The 32-year-old is undoubtedly in their best team when fit, but the Bulldogs have decided against risking him for such a big game given his injury history. Treloar doesn't yet have a contract for next year, even though 2024 was the best season of his career. The Dockers have recalled Hayden Young, despite the key playmaker's injury troubles of his own. The match is an effective elimination final in round 24, with the winner to finish inside the top-eight and season over for the loser. Richmond defender Josh Gibcus has been recalled for his first game since round one last year, finally regaining form and fitness following an ACL rupture. Gibcus has played more than a month in the VFL to prove his fitness. He will replace star defender Nick Vlastuin, who will miss the clash with Geelong on Saturday due to injury. Reigning premiers Brisbane have picked Ty Gallop in their extended squad as a replacement for injured forward Eric Hipwood. Teenager Gallop has played just one game, but is likely to make the starting team for the Lions' Sunday night blockbuster against Hawthorn. The winner of the match at the Gabba will likely finish inside the top-four and grab the coveted double chance. Port Adelaide have made three changes for Ken Hinkley's last game as coach, as the Power also farewell club great Travis Boak. Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines is out with suspension, while Port have picked debutants Harrison Ramm and Ewan Mackinlay. Fellow retiree Rory Atkins also gets a farewell game at his third club after previously playing for Adelaide and Gold Coast.
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