The Elephant in the Room

[Maldonboy38 5,850]

The close games are brilliant, as is the form of the Dees. The tough in and under contests of modern footy can be brilliant when 2 teams are evenly matched.

But the constant congestion, almost no-one forward of the ball, and reduced one-on-ond contests are tough on the eyes. Perhaps the bad games are the worst they have ever been. 

[Engorged Onion 9,262]

1 hour ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Not sure why, But Dermott has always had a soft spot for the Demons. 

I think it may stem from the 2 games in 1990 when we beat Whorethorn 2 weeks running

Toughest 8 quarters of Football i have ever been to

Certainly has a lot of love for Frosty... which I don't mind.

Also love that G Healy spruiks us a bit also!

[deebug 1,754]

1 minute ago, Danelska said:

Certainly has a lot of love for Frosty... which I don't mind.

Also love that G Healy spruiks us a bit also!

It's great to be on the other side for once; lets hope the dark days are over for our great club?

[Stretch Johnson 2,568]

1 hour ago, deebug said:

Speaking of that did any one else hear last night on SEN when Dermit Breaton said the Dee's are the best placed side in the eight to win the GF OX almost feel off his chair he was that happy. Hope he is right?

Wasn't quite what he said.  

He said "Melbourne has the most upside of any team in the top 8 leading toward the end of the year" or similar.

[deebug 1,754]

It's still good, means we are right up there with in reach, which is hell of a lot better then past years.

[hells bells 2,022]

5 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

Is how boring and predictable the game is becoming.  Its becoming like a bad game of rugby union.  Its mostly congested and horrible.  The second half of the game against Port was boooring in the extreme.

I used to watch 3 or 4 games on the weekend now I can't be bothered unless the Dees are on TV.  I predict crowds will drop and less people will attend games.  Then sponsors will offer less $$ and when this happens the AFL will look at the rules to minimise congestion.

My teenage boys who were brought up on AFl now prefer to watch the Rugby League.

 

 

I used to watch nearly every game on tv on a weekend but now I only really watch Dees games and will occasionally flick on the Friday/Saturday night from time to time.

My issue isn't with the standard of the games or the congestion, I just cannot stand to listen to the god awful bombastic [censored] artists that call themselves commentators these days.

10 years ago if you wanted to listen have a bit of a laugh and put up with a bit of schtick you could put the radio and listen to Rex Hunt on 3AW or Triple M, but you always had the option of getting a fairly simplistic but informative coverage on the ABC.  The critical point here is that you had a choice. 

On free to air TV coverage you just have to sit and take whatever collection of misfits CH7 throw at you.  Bruce has completely lost perspective, BT is just about unbearable and the special comments are barely special, mostly more blokey chest thumping. 

The shining light at the moment is the new guy Jason Bennett.  At least he calls the game and knows the players names.

RANT OVER...

i feel much better now.

[Demon trucker 1,745]

4 hours ago, deebug said:

Speaking of that did any one else hear last night on SEN when Dermit Breaton said the Dee's are the best placed side in the eight to win the GF OX almost feel off his chair he was that happy. Hope he is right?

Well in the last 11 rounds we are 3 3 nd  on the form ladder.

[jnrmac 18,953]

7 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Congestion is the biggest issue with the sport and because of the open nature of the game it is impossible to police (without creating zones).

However, AFL crowds are on the increase whereas NRL crowds are on the way down and Super Rugby is on its knees so your assessment is incorrect.

It's still the best sport in the world, albeit too crowded at times.

Crowd growth is a furphy. there are 1500 ppl a week moving to Melbourne and the population is increasing rapidly. I'd wager crowds were bigger per capita in the 40s and 50s

[Fork 'em 6,507]

And all turning up to 6 different games on a saturday arvo in Melbourne.
Not just one or 2 games per timeslot per city.

 

[Chook 14,471]

3 hours ago, don't make me angry said:

Well in the last 11 rounds we are 3 3 nd  on the form ladder.

33nd? Is that bad?

[Dr. Gonzo 22,412]

15 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Its easy. Stop the Interchange rotations. 

All of these modern problems have begun from the interchange rotation numbers...

K.B. Is dead right on this one

I agree and I'd also reduce the number of players on the ground to somewhere between 14-16.

The players have gotten exponentially fitter but the grounds haven't changed size in 150 years (give or take)

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

8 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Crowd growth is a furphy. there are 1500 ppl a week moving to Melbourne and the population is increasing rapidly. I'd wager crowds were bigger per capita in the 40s and 50s

The inference was that people will go and watch NRL as a result, if the population is growing and their crowds are down then that is even worse.

[ManDee 7,077]

10 hours ago, hells bells said:

.............................BT is just about unbearable .......................

 

Just about! He is a boorish, moronic, dimwit and that is on a good day.

[Mazer Rackham 14,969]

A few years back it was the same or even worse.

Then interchange was capped. Game opened up and was more attractive.

Now players fitness levels have adjusted and it's back to the rolling maul. Like seagulls fighting over a chip.

Reduce interchange.10 per quarter max (with no credits -- use it or lose it).

[Bluey's Dad 3,419]

11 minutes ago, ManDee said:

Just about! He is a boorish, moronic, dimwit and that is on a good day.

It's made even worse by the constant tyre pumping he gets from his peers.

"Oooh BT is on today!" "Listen to BT!" "Good call BT!"

His head gets bigger and his calls get worse.

[Sir Why You Little 34,436]

5 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I agree and I'd also reduce the number of players on the ground to somewhere between 14-16.

The players have gotten exponentially fitter but the grounds haven't changed size in 150 years (give or take)

Aussie Rules Football is an 18 a side game, reduce interchange rotations and players will stay in an area of the ground far more, than the current up and back sweeps. 

It angers me that the AFL custodians refuse to wipe out this failed rule

[daisycutter 28,494]

13 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Crowd growth is a furphy. there are 1500 ppl a week moving to Melbourne and the population is increasing rapidly. I'd wager crowds were bigger per capita in the 40s and 50s

no doubt about it

but......there were a lot less sporting and entertainment options then

[daisycutter 28,494]

5 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I agree and I'd also reduce the number of players on the ground to somewhere between 14-16.

The players have gotten exponentially fitter but the grounds haven't changed size in 150 years (give or take)

must need bigger grounds then 

[Vipercrunch 2,804]

I LOVE seeing skills getting executed under pressure, which is what occurs when the best teams play with congestion.

I HATE with a passion basic skill errors made with little pressure, a big contributor to that being fatigue.

Leave the interchange alone!!

 

The thing that I feel turns most people off watching as much footy as they may have once is inconsistent and illogical umpiring.

Improve the umpiring standards and/or tweak the way they interpret holding the ball, holding the man and illegal disposal.

 

[Engorged Onion 9,262]

Just now, S_T said:

I LOVE seeing skills getting executed under pressure, which is what occurs when the best teams play with congestion.

I HATE with a passion basic skill errors made with little pressure, a big contributor to that being fatigue.

Leave the interchange alone!!

 

The thing that I feel turns most people off watching as much footy as they may have once is inconsistent and illogical umpiring.

Improve the umpiring standards and/or tweak the way they interpret holding the ball, holding the man and illegal disposal.

 

Remember when tunnelling was the go to rule. Or no hands in the back (including in a hanger) .... I rage at rules that come in and are not enforced personally....

[leave it to deever 15,327]

22 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Any second half when the Demons are winning all day is awesome from where i sit. Bring on 30 years of Domination, we have all seen quite enough of the alternative. 

Greatest game in the world by miles has gotten better by us winning again.

[Diamond_Jim 11,743]

7 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

I agree and I'd also reduce the number of players on the ground to somewhere between 14-16.

The players have gotten exponentially fitter but the grounds haven't changed size in 150 years (give or take)

As you know VFA used to play 16 a side (no wings).

Would be interesting to trial 16 a side at VFL level for a few years. It would have the benefit of improving list quality.

The con is that the style of game might differ to that of the AFL and therefore lessen its use as a "training ground."

Worth discussion though.

[leave it to deever 15,327]

In the last few weeks, I have seen Hunt defy gravity with a 70 metre torpedo.

Galett bend time and space with his miracle goals.

Smothers that make me wince.

Jetta perform great feats of acrobatic skill.

Oliver fly without wings.

Max to break a pole vault jump record without a pole.

The 50m dash smashed.

Feel free to add some more.

 

[Demons1858 1,658]

Sorry wrong thread, thought this was going to be about the James Harmes and his terrible hair style.