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It’s almost as if The AFL as an entity can’t see/refuse to see the link between player health and thus the best exponent of their ‘product’ in display. Or at least are happy to wear the cost of disregarding it in favour of tv rights 🤑. I’ll never forget Andrew Dimitrous condescending comments around High Performance Managers being ‘phys-Eders’ in the public domain. Granted that comment was about other happenings in another context, but I wonder whether it’s a pervasive way of thinking, detached from the the realities of the game

i would enjoy having maynard on the stand under oath and asking if he intended to hurt people during that game and if he did all he could to exercise his duty of care to other players

I take your point that a can't do attitude is probably the biggest barrier! What would be the benefit to clubs though? If Melbourne could use the MCG to train, I reckon they'd prefer it to be a closed session, away from other eyes. The opportunity to test some things in secret and also time to work on full ground zones and positioning that is difficult on grounds with different dimensions. Interaction with fans would be difficult, there is a large fence and supporters are back in the stands, in one pocket only. Whereas at Casey and Gosh's we can much more easily interact with the fans who attend, run parallel social activities and "fan activations" etc. Im just not sure what the benefits are apart from "but it's the MCG".

Off topic question. What's Max King's contract situation? The Saints look like a perennial middle of the road team, perhaps we can persuade him to come here?

The AFL just needs to get better than this. It’s a real reason why teams just can’t get up for a game. It’s not a good advertisement for The game watching 2 completely one sided games last 2 Thursdays that really should have been neck and neck talent wise.

There was pick trading up until and on draft night wasn't there? I remember at the time thinking the Petty trade could work if we packaged all our picks to WCE for Pick 1, otherwise we still go into the draft with a big hand. I was excited about his great form up forward too, I won't lie - but prior to that he was playing poorly in defence and I remember advocating for Tomlinson over him after 5 rounds.

It's not coincidental that both Melbourne and St Kilda looked exhausted from the first quarter of their third match after consecutive 6 and 5 day gaps. That's accumulative fatigue playing out right there. Not heart, not effort, not game plan, not coaching, not personnel.

AFL website Western Bulldogs: Naughton, Treloar, Dale, Weightman, Macrae, Johannisen No Bont??? I think umps give him 3 Brownlow votes

Agree. The whole attack on Bevo was way over the top. On statistics alone, Bevo has been the the most successful Dogs coach in 140 years of football. That team needs to be given a kick up the proverbial and Bevo has done that with Daniel, McCrae, Dale and others. He is an innovator but also a players coach. Cornes, Wilson and Barrett all did hatchet jobs this week. Shameful. He's a good Melbourne man and best mates with Jason Taylor so he's alright with me!

Was the second 5 day break for the Saints this season. They couldn’t keep up with the Dogs after only 5 minutes. Rowan Marshall was absolutely gassed, only had 11 possessions and he’s been averaging 20.

Yep the Saints had 3 games in 11 days while we had 3 in 13. For Melbourne supporters solely or mostly blaming our recent schedule for our loss to Brisbane, then I think it’s more than fair that those same supporters absolutely excuse St Kilda’s performance last night.

Media last fortnight - Wilson and Cornes, 'Bevo's lost the players'. & 'Lyon the super coach' Dogs, 'Hold my Beer'. Have always thought these two snipers play the man and not the ball. Really glad the Dogs pulled together. I have no great love of the team, but always felt the coach was a stand up guy and cops a few low blows. And Sam Darcy is going to give Jackson a run for his money in the hybrid ruck stakes, amazingly well composed young man.

Jessy Hogan also says hi.

Anecdotal evidence, but I think most of the hurling talent also grew up kicking a round ball. No less than Mason Cox and some Sudanese migrants for example. I also took to smacking a 'slither' quite naturally. For me, hurling more closely matches the multi-skill-set and vision and athleticism required for AFL than what Gaelic footy does. My take.

And '150 Heroes' a good reading for oldies and maybe youngies.

Which jones was that. There are two out there but only one Williams.

So, if you haven’t been suspended, even if fined multiple times for striking, you can never be suspended?? Dill is just as bad as Gill, and Christian and Gleason for that matter. My grapevine says that it is already well in process.

hore francis

I'm not so sure. Your argument is sound enough and along with Dee Dee on the previous page you cover well the reasons the ground isn't open for training. the other one being the grounds people would prefer as little traffic as possible on the surface, but I still maintain it is very doable and it's your negative attitude that is the same as those in charge and the reason it doesn't happen. As with most things in life, things generally don't happen when there is no financial benefit to the people in charge. Just open one gate and keep people in one area. Security could be covered mainly by cameras that are already in place and staffing wouldn't need to be a lot. I agree a lot of the training sessions wouldn't attract a lot of people but the lead in to Anzac Day and finals would and it is an iconic stadium, a chance to see players training there would be a very positive attraction for the game.

Jeff Gleeson KC AFL Tribunal Chair FWIW A brief browse of the internet shows 1. Senior counsel for Racing Victoria during the Cobalt positive saga. Racing Victoria was widely criticised for it’s handling of the long running matter. 2. Independent Commissioner for the ‘Melbourne Response’. A scheme set up by the Catholic archdiocese to compensate victims of sexual abuse. The Melbourne Response was “criticised by the Royal Commission” Oh, and allegedly he is a Collingwood supporter.

And he didn't even bring Lever flowers and a bottle of wine 🙄

Saints are pretenders, a pretty B grade list overall. Dogs had the heat on all week, were gonna come out firing, glad I backed them (and didn't make the mistake of flipping last minute like I did last week when I initially backed the Bombers 🤬) Dogs aren't going anywhere either mind you, two really vanilla teams who put on a snooze fest. Compromising the fixture with 5 day breaks so we can put on games like this no one wants to watch?

The game was a complete snorefest.

They were certainly getting into him 'Rob'. Aligned with his lack of preseason & not getting a clear run with injury, his confidence is well down. His kicking is a symptom of that.

@binman I was convinced that the saints had a bye next week after watching this performance.