Looking at the VFL game of the week.  Young Buzza doesn't look bad.  I don't think he has much in the way of pace, but he's well built and kicking a few. 

One of the Geelong mids just ran in from the pocket, sidestepped a defender and then missed from dead in front.  Quality.

Swans are playing well can see them getting on a run now 

Looks like the Swans are back. Winning lots of ball and competing strongly again like we're used to. They'll knock over a few teams and move up the ladder now, not enough for finals though obviously unless they go absolutely berserk. Shame we didn't play them already when they were playing poorly.

Zac Jones having another good game to continue his great year. He's become Sydneys main attacking weapon off half back. He's got decent pace and the same aggressive attitude as his older brother. Would be a good addition to our team but would cost a first rounder so not going to happen.

1 minute ago, Lord Travis said:

Looks like the Swans are back. Winning lots of ball and competing strongly again like we're used to. They'll knock over a few teams and move up the ladder now, not enough for finals though obviously unless they go absolutely berserk. Shame we didn't play them already when they were playing poorly.

Still think we will  beat them Friday night at the G. Hopefully Hogan and Gawn back.

Joel Selwood can milk a high contact free kick like no other ... the umps can't pick up how he is doing it, nor the supporters, viewers or the commentators.  The ruling was always going to be exploited by the players as the game became more professional and that is what we're seeing.  Exacerbating the issue is that tacklers often no longer target the hips because that type of tackle leaves the arms free to dispose of the ball.

The solution is to simply never pay high contact free kicks where the contact is incidental.  Rugby League, Union & even soccer allows incidental contact around the neck or head area but we've always had an interpretation that is far too ticky-touchwood.

I reckon the original ruling (way back when) was more aimed at stiff-arm tackles to the neck/head area or if the intent was to tackle high.

The rules committee (or it's equivalent) is where we should be pointing the finger. 

Edited May 20, 20178 yr by Macca

With the evenness through the middle of the ladder at the moment, it might be a year where 13-9 is required to make the top 8.

Sydney's 6 losses already make their task hard, and they still have to play us, GWS, Geelong and Adelaide all on the road, as well as the Dogs at home (who've beaten them there both of the last two years).

Still, I am quite confident they are going to win more than they lose from here on out. Would have been nice to get them in that opening six weeks where they had injuries and just didn't gel together for whatever reason.

Meanwhile, assuming St Kilda doesn't pull this one out in the fourth, this is a good opportunity for us to keep pace with the sides around us who are going to compete for a top 8 spot. A win tomorrow draws us level with them and the Dogs.

A win tommorow and we would be 6th if tigers lose 

Dogs and Saints losing gives us an opportunity tomorrow to jump into the 8. If we account for North, Freo will probably beat Carlton, so we will likely finish the weekend 7th on the ladder. Let's hope the boys bring the same work ethic and intensity they did last week against Adelaide.

Fire up Dees!

Edited May 20, 20178 yr by Lord Travis

Really liking the look of McCartin. 

 

Especially compared to Petracca. 

13 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Zac Jones having another good game to continue his great year. He's become Sydneys main attacking weapon off half back. He's got decent pace and the same aggressive attitude as his older brother. Would be a good addition to our team but would cost a first rounder so not going to happen.

Been very good today. 

2 minutes ago, Deestroy All said:

Really liking the look of McCartin. 

 

Especially compared to Petracca. 

This is thoroughly enjoyable.

16 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Zac Jones having another good game to continue his great year. He's become Sydneys main attacking weapon off half back. He's got decent pace and the same aggressive attitude as his older brother. Would be a good addition to our team but would cost a first rounder so not going to happen.

Would you not give up 1st rounder for jones, I would his run would be good for us 

Just now, brendan said:

Would you not give up 1st rounder for jones, I would his run would be good for us 

He's worth that, but we have bigger needs. If I was going to trade a first rounder I'd spend it on a key position player like Steven May, rather than a small runner like Jones. 

2 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

He's worth that, but we have bigger needs. If I was going to trade a first rounder I'd spend it on a key position player like Steven May, rather than a small runner like Jones. 

Yes fair call if he wanted to come to us I'm sure a deal would get done possibly next years pick 

14 minutes ago, Macca said:

Joel Selwood can milk a high contact free kick like no other ... the umps can't pick up how he is doing it, nor the supporters, viewers or the commentators.  The ruling was always going to be exploited by the players as the game became more professional and that is what we're seeing.

The solution is to simply never pay high contact free kicks where the contact is incidental.  I had the same view more than 20 years ago.  Rugby League, Union & even soccer allows incidental contact around the neck or head area but we've always had an interpretation that is far too ticky-touchwood.

I reckon the original ruling way back when was more aimed at stiff-arm tackles to the neck/head area or if the intent was to tackle high.

The rules committee (or it's equivalent) is where we should be pointing the finger. 

macca, i think with selwood it is just an optical illusion. when players see his neck they think it is his waist  he should be made to wear something obvious around his neck to avoid this illusion. 

50 points now that's a set back for the saints 

Edited May 20, 20178 yr by brendan

25 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Looks like the Swans are back. Winning lots of ball and competing strongly again like we're used to. They'll knock over a few teams and move up the ladder now, not enough for finals though obviously unless they go absolutely berserk. Shame we didn't play them already when they were playing poorly.

1

I still see them making finals. Their injured players are back and their midfield is back playing their best, maybe aside from Parker. Look out if they sneak in the 8!

20 minutes ago, Macca said:

Joel Selwood can milk a high contact free kick like no other ... the umps can't pick up how he is doing it, nor the supporters, viewers or the commentators.  

I normally agree he milks them but i think he genuinely copped a few around the head and neck last night without ducking his head or dipping his knees.

Tomorrow is a real chance for us...

Just now, daisycutter said:

macca, i think with selwood it is just an optical illusion. when players see his neck they think it is his waist  he should be made to wear something obvious around his neck to avoid this illusion. 

Ha!  I just edited my post to include the would-be target area for the tackler.  For years players were told to target the hips but doing that now allows the player being tackled to have his arms free to handpass.  So the tacklers are trying to pin the arms which  just exacerbates the issue.

I can see the issue getting worse as more and more players become more adept at milking high contact.

As stated previously, if they cut out the ticky-touchwood high contact free, the issue may be remedied.

Saints took a hit today and have dropped to 8th on percentage 

Well done Bloods. 

Now, carn *ahem* Giants..

3 minutes ago, Wrecker45 said:

I normally agree he milks them but i think he genuinely copped a few around the head and neck last night without ducking his head or dipping his knees.

I watch him closely on a regular basis and he's so clever at milking high contact, it can't be seen with the naked eye.  The only way to pick up what he and others are doing is with slo-mo vision.

Opposition players are not targeting his head or neck area yet he (and others) continue to receive copious quantities of high contact free kicks.  McLean is another who is most adept at it.

Anyway, most high contact free kicks should never be paid in the first place.  It's always been an over-adjudicated decision that I've always detested.  And I don't and won't blame the umpires either.