Jump to content

Plastic - Not So Fantastic

Featured Replies

Posted

Just enjoyed a spot of lunch in the sunshine and read "the little paper".

Noticed the snippet on page 104 "Lane Lectures AFL". At the annual Bob Rose lecture Lane stated " The crying shame is that the AFL wants a couple of plastic teams in places where there is little support for them, when it could have a team with red blood and a genuine heartbeat, not to mention a soul".

Personally I support Tim Lane's stance on a Tassie side, I think they would generate a supporter base that would be there through thick and thin, I doubt you could say the same about a 2nd Sydney side who were in a "rebuilding phase".

I like his choice of the word "plastic" - artificial, lacking in substance, texture and warmth, pretty much sums up the fundamental attitude flaw the AFL has when it comes to the rank and file supporters.

So what's so plastic about the AFL? In no particular order:

1/ White "away strip" jumpers being imposed on us that hardly anyone wants and many openly are hostile about [me included] is a good start.

2/ Rule changes that are designed to "speed up the game" at the expense of reducing the contest. Example: the arm chop, if its an deliberate arm chop than by all means pay it...if a defender knocks a forward's arm in the process of making a legitimate spoil, then FFS call play on. We go to the game to see a contest, not to hear a whistle!

3/ Rigging the fixturing to make the strong clubs stronger, the weak club's weaker and then making them grovel for handouts...kindergarten bully boy tactics.

4/ Creating Sh1te teams in Sh1te locations - see West Sydney, although I'd recommend you don't.

What is the structure of the AFL management anyway, who are these people accountable to? It doesn't seem to be the clubs and it certainly isn't the supporters.

 
Just enjoyed a spot of lunch in the sunshine and read "the little paper".

.....

.....

What is the structure of the AFL management anyway, who are these people accountable to? It doesn't seem to be the clubs and it certainly isn't the supporters.

You would struggle to disagreee with any of that !!

Unfortunatley Vlad and Co ,as is there want to create regimes and empires like that of old..ought to look very closely at some stories of old.. that little tale of ICARUS springs to mind !! alas.. Vlad and boy-blunder Andy pandy..just DONT GET IT !!

Ought to be very intersting as Tassies Gov calls forth the Imbecilical Brothers for a "please explain "

Batman & Robin are looking and hoping for a Victorian Team to fall to Tassie.

 

I understand Tassie are going to start a 10 team state comp and drop Tassie Devils out of the VFL. Not sure when this is to begin though.

Anyway, I believe a successful state comp will enhance Tassies push into AFL. I hope they succeed but I'm not sure how strong a 10 team state comp will be with their small population.

I would like to see Tassie in the AFL rather than those plastic sides mentioned by Lane.

Then again, I wouldn't care if Jeff Kennett relocated Hawthorn permanently to Tassie either.

If Tassie form their own side and it leaves Hawthorn out in the cold, then perhaps Jeff can relocate as the "West Sydney Plastic Ducks". That should float!


I understand Tassie are going to start a 10 team state comp and drop Tassie Devils out of the VFL. Not sure when this is to begin though.

Anyway, I believe a successful state comp will enhance Tassies push into AFL. I hope they succeed but I'm not sure how strong a 10 team state comp will be with their small population.

State Comp is starting next year. They aren't definitely dropping out of the VFL, but they are prioritising funding towards the state league which will almost certainly mean that they cannot afford to keep the VFL side afloat.

Backwards step from them IMO. There's no way in hell this league is going to be anywhere near the strength of the VFL, SANFL & WAFL and if it's not it all seems a bit inconsequential towards gaining an AFL team.

2/ Rule changes that are designed to "speed up the game" at the expense of reducing the contest. Example: the arm chop, if its an deliberate arm chop than by all means pay it...if a defender knocks a forward's arm in the process of making a legitimate spoil, then FFS call play on. We go to the game to see a contest, not to hear a whistle!

I for one support the chopping of the arms rule. Nothing used to annoy me more, thna watching the like of a Dustin Fletcher or Ashley McIntosh be nowhere near Neita on a lead, but get bailed out by just chopping his arms.

  • Author
I for one support the chopping of the arms rule. Nothing used to annoy me more, thna watching the like of a Dustin Fletcher or Ashley McIntosh be nowhere near Neita on a lead, but get bailed out by just chopping his arms.

The rule's fine, the edict in regards to the umpires interpretation of the rule sucks! <_<

 
I for one support the chopping of the arms rule. Nothing used to annoy me more, thna watching the like of a Dustin Fletcher or Ashley McIntosh be nowhere near Neita on a lead, but get bailed out by just chopping his arms.

I agree, but sometimes we're getting similar to basketball shooting fouls where the arm might be touched in a legitimate attempted spoil. Unless it is an 'arm take away' I think it should be play-on in the interests of having less umpire shootouts. I'm not interested in games decided by attention seeking umpires.

I guess it's like most rules, it comes down to whether the umpire interperets it the right way.

eg.

- His hands were in his back, but did he actually push him

- He chopped his arms, but was it a legitimate attempt to spoil

- He dragged the ball in, but did the other player jump on top him and hold it to him.

etc...


If I were the Tasmanian government I'd be pulling out of the Sponsorship deal with Hawthorn as quick as possible within contracts.

They're shooting themselves in the foot by allowing the half-measure to take the sting out of the demand for the real thing.

Keep inviting teams to play in Tassie, definately. That actually gets more people wanting a team of their own. But don't go pretending that the Hawks are in any way Tasmania's club - Jeff Kennett Sure as %$^ doesn't think they are. Hawks are laughing all the way to the bank with no further thoughts than bringing in the dollars.

Should look at it like Gold coast looked at Kangaroos - 'if your not coming all the way, don't come at all'.

The money would be better off going into Tassie's own leagues, establishing a quality primary stadium, marketing and lobbying for a Tassie club, and establishing a slush-fund to build up a financial base ready for a new club to kick start with.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Featured Content

  • PREGAME: St. Kilda

    The Demons come face to face with St. Kilda for the second time this season for their return clash at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. Who comes in and who goes out?

      • Like
    • 82 replies
  • PODCAST: Carlton

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Tuesday, 22nd July @ 8:00pm. Join Binman & I as we dissect the Dees disappointing loss to Carlton at the MCG.
    Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
    Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

    • 19 replies
  • VOTES: Carlton

    Captain Max Gawn still has a massive lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award from Christian Petracca, Jake Bowey, Kozzy Pickett & Clayton Oliver. Your votes please; 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

    • 21 replies
  • POSTGAME: Carlton

    A near full strength Demons were outplayed all night against a Blues outfit that was under the pump and missing at least 9 or 10 of the best players. Time for some hard decisions to be made across the board.

    • 289 replies
  • GAMEDAY: Carlton

    It's Game Day and Clarry's 200th game and for anyone who hates Carlton as much as I do this is our Grand Final. Go Dees.

      • Haha
    • 669 replies
  • PREVIEW: Carlton

    Good evening, Demon fans and welcome back to the Demonland Podcast ... it’s time to discuss this week’s game against the Blues. Will the Demons celebrate Clayton Oliver’s 200th game with a victory? We have a number of callers waiting on line … Leopold Bloom: Carlton and Melbourne are both out of finals contention with six wins and eleven losses, and are undoubtedly the two most underwhelming and disappointing teams of 2025. Both had high expectations at the start of participating and advancing deep into the finals, but instead, they have consistently underperformed and disappointed themselves and their supporters throughout the year. However, I am inclined to give the Demons the benefit of the doubt, as they have made some progress in addressing their issues after a disastrous start. In contrast, the Blues are struggling across the board and do not appear to be making any notable improvements. They are regressing, and a significant loss is looming on Saturday night. Max Gawn in the ruck will be huge and the Demon midfield have a point to prove after lowering their colours in so many close calls.

    • 0 replies