Fantastic post. i completely agree. As to the way the game is played I have mentioned it in other posts - teh fact that a once postional game is now a game of 36 midfielders chasing the footy in a pack like a flock of seagulls fighting over a bag of chips. Yes the games can still be exciting if its close and the result of the outcome is meaningful in the sense of ladder position etc, but if its a dead rubber game I find it almost unbearable to watch. In the past, especially the 90's, the footy was fast, very physical but a series of 1on1's or 2on2' contests. , with space for players to get possession and set up play. now its a rolling maul, with space over the back for players to run on to a lucky or rushed kick. really a bit like rugby where the ball will be kicked over the back with the wingers running on to it.

Anyway, my question is why isnt anyone complaining about this state of the game and what could be done to bring it back to the more positional style that used to be so entertaining?

Perhaps limit the rotations per player to discourage trying to be at every contest? this may spread the field out a bit.

The old VFA tried to open the game by having 16 a side with no wingers (old fashioned talk for a type of midfielder)

The old VFA tried to open the game by having 16 a side with no wingers (old fashioned talk for a type of midfielder)

Aahh the old VFA....where men were men and the players tried to kill each other

I'd definitely be in favour of replacing umpires with robots

They are definitely robots. Lance franklin said we was happy to get the '4 points' after the game on friday night ha.

Aahh the old VFA....where men were men and the players tried to kill each other

Sandringham v Port at the beach oval...in the 70's...mmmmmmmm

Sandringham v Port at the beach oval...in the 70's...mmmmmmmm

What about Port Vs Dandenong in the late 60s early 70s...It was like a war...

What about Port Vs Dandenong in the late 60s early 70s...It was like a war...

Only saw them on channel 0 mate. I went to the Beach Oval, it was incredible. Miss those days.. Hate not barracking for the Zebs. Great club.

If that is your own creation Old I am forever in your debt.

I loved watching the game last night.

Tough, creative and team oriented footy.

Agree watching Melb has sucked this year, but to paraphrase the great and wise RR, "We'll be back".

If the chain is Only as strong as it's weakest link, or links, then in AFL the weakest games are a real bore & turnoff.

IMO this Gap between the best, & the Developing sides poor footy, is hurting the game & the support base.

The congestion caused by factors compounding, since the mid 90's,, has finally conspired to allow coaches to over defend in a game of creativity & wow factor.

Our game has been beset by Coaches trying to Shut Down the opposition ahead of just trying to outscore them. Why? IMO, because they can,,, thru the rotations & running power available, thru the interchange bench & Sports Science.

Reduce the coaches Matchday powers, & see & hear the benefits, in all games.

Would Franklin-bot still have that idiotic tatoo sleeve?

No, but he may have a Blueprint along his arm, or a schematic diagram of his inner workings.

If the chain is Only as strong as it's weakest link, or links, then in AFL the weakest games are a real bore & turnoff.

IMO this Gap between the best, & the Developing sides poor footy, is hurting the game & the support base.

The congestion caused by factors compounding, since the mid 90's,, has finally conspired to allow coaches to over defend in a game of creativity & wow factor.

Our game has been beset by Coaches trying to Shut Down the opposition ahead of just trying to outscore them. Why? IMO, because they can,,, thru the rotations & running power available, thru the interchange bench & Sports Science.

Reduce the coaches Matchday powers, & see & hear the benefits, in all games.

Did you go to matches at Moorabin, Witten Oval, or the G pre drop in pitches? If you thought that today's matches are congested, try to find some footage of the mud fests at these grounds. Today's footy is infinitely better. And it's not only the quality of grounds. The skills today are phenomenally better.

A cap on interchange wouldn't be the worst thing in the world but the standard of footy is infinitely better today. GWS would beat most sides of the 80s.