12 hours ago, Yokozuna said:

We will be playing this game on the Gold Coast, then we will fly direct to Perth and quarantine for 7 days before playing WC at Optus.

We need to win both, please!

And then back to.Melbourne and then to Darwin.

Mark my words, we're going to tumble out of the finals and the discussion is going to be centred on our decision to make money vs staying in Victoria and establishing some stability leading into finals. 

3 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I seem to recall many of the players claiming to have enjoyed "hub-life" last year as it gave them a chance to bond better. A two week stint in northern Australia and Perth while all living and working together may help re-bond them at a time when we are looking a little shaky.

The bit in italics above is pure speculation. But it is no different from speculating that two weeks away from home or various long distance trips is going to be detrimental. Or, to pit it in simple Neeld-speak, it is what it is. 

I agree. 

Rather than return to Melb after Perth, if we are able to go straight to NT and spend the week there it significantly reduces travel fatigue and allows plenty of time for recovery and preparation between games. 

The main problem I see with a Qld/WA/NT/Vic round trip (approx 2.5 weeks) is player time away from young families and some may choose to not go for that long.  But I can't see any player missing all three games altho they might miss one leg to be with family which we should be able to cover.

5 minutes ago, praha said:

And then back to.Melbourne and then to Darwin.

Mark my words, we're going to tumble out of the finals and the discussion is going to be centred on our decision to make money vs staying in Victoria and establishing some stability leading into finals. 

 

21 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I agree. 

Rather than return to Melb after Perth, if we are able to go straight to NT and spend the week there it significantly reduces travel fatigue and allows plenty of time for recovery and preparation between games. 

The main problem I see with a Qld/WA/NT/Vic round trip (approx 2.5 weeks) is player time away from young families and some may choose to not go for that long.  But I can't see any player missing all three games altho they might miss one leg to be with family which we should be able to cover.

This. it also saves an extra flight Mel-Darwin-Darwin. Do Perth-Darwin-Mel instead.

21 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

 

I'm highlighting the reality and why the club made the choice. I'm not agreeing with it.

8 minutes ago, praha said:

I'm highlighting the reality and why the club made the choice. I'm not agreeing with it.

Fair enough mate.

1 hour ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

? That is what I said:

 

Yes I was agreeing with you 

Melbourne will enter home quarantine at midday on Thursday in preparation to fly to Queensland on Saturday morning for their Metricon Stadium game against Gold Coast.

The Demons will then fly to Perth directly from Queensland and enter a week of hotel quarantine at the Joondalup Resort before taking on West Coast in Round 21.

The AFL is yet to officially announce that sterile corridor to Queensland but the Suns and Demons have been told they will play that game on Saturday as scheduled.

The Demons players will have to be in their homes in quarantine and their families will not be able to leave the house even to work or go to school.

It means players who want their families to escape their bubbles will spend Thursday and Friday night in hotels before flying to the Gold Coast on Saturday.

The breakthrough means Port Adelaide will also be able to fly to Queensland to take on GWS.

Former coronavirus cabinet member Eddie McGuire suggested on Footy Classified on Wednesday the Demons might still play Adelaide in Darwin in Round 22.

It would mean the huge few weeks on the road in Queensland, Perth and Darwin before playing Geelong in Geelong in Round 23.

Brisbane has been scheduled to take on Hawthorn in Tasmania this weekend instead of playing the game in Melbourne, and Collingwood could fly to Launceston to play the Hawks in Round 21.

On 7/27/2021 at 3:29 PM, Pollyanna said:

It would be very nice if vs Gold Coast was at Docklands

I am reminded of that joke. When the yanks invaded Iraq. It is a pity our oil is under their sand. 

On 7/27/2021 at 3:58 PM, old dee said:

Serious question why? 

Because we play Docklands  well Lookat our past 5 years results OD!! 

Herald  article outlining our gruelling schedule. We quarantine at home from 12noon today before flying to Darwin. AFter the game we fly to Perth and quarantine for another 7 days. Then fly back for Geelong in Geelong (they seem to have forgotten Adelaide in Adealide in the article)

I hope anyone brushing off our pathetic losses to the bottom sides now sees that our season could become a nightmare in the next few weeks.

Yes it could be the making of us but FFS its so unnecessary to be under this stress with our incredible start to the year and amazing run with injuries.

The MFCSS looms large with this outcome.

 

Just now, jnrmac said:

Herald  article outlining our gruelling schedule. We quarantine at home from 12noon today before flying to Darwin. AFter the game we fly to Perth and quarantine for another 7 days. Then fly back for Geelong in Geelong (they seem to have forgotten Adelaide in Adealide in the article)

I hope anyone brushing off our pathetic losses to the bottom sides now sees that our season could become a nightmare in the next few weeks.

Yes it could be the making of us but FFS its so unnecessary to be under this stress with our incredible start to the year and amazing run with injuries.

The MFCSS looms large with this outcome.

 

Adelaide is currently at the MCG, but regrettably looks like it may be moved to Darwin.

This is a gruelling 4 weeks for sure.  even if the crows game is at the G.

BUT - given how we have been playing for 6 weeks, it could be a good thing to focus us and get an 'us against the world' attitude

The lads are looking jaded and a change is as good as a holiday!

This message brought to you by the Ministry of Sunshine and Lollypops.

This might be our sky is falling moment but what a friggen nightmare 4 weeks.Just watch us right royally totally stuff this up and finish bottom of the eight and drop out 1st round of finals! Loses to bottom 6 sides coming back to burn us right on the arrrrrze

We are cooked, especially after the release of the fixture. Season done.

 

6 minutes ago, Nelo said:

We are cooked, especially after the release of the fixture. Season done.

Love your positivity Nelo, make sure you kick the dog on the way out

1 hour ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Adelaide is currently at the MCG, but regrettably looks like it may be moved to Darwin.

Is this so we can get money from the cancelled AS game?

44 minutes ago, picket fence said:

This might be our sky is falling moment but what a friggen nightmare 4 weeks.Just watch us right royally totally stuff this up and finish bottom of the eight and drop out 1st round of finals! Loses to bottom 6 sides coming back to burn us right on the arrrrrze

We have not lost them yet picket but it does not look great. 

And flying to the Gold Coast on the morning of the game is hardly an ideal preparation. Buses and check ins probably make it a 5-6 hour trip? For the benefit of who, GCS sponsors? Make no mistake, we have been shafted here. Sure, it was always a Metricon game but not under these circumstances. 

 

At this stage we fly to the Gold Coast fully packed for a week away as we head post match immediately to Perth for a weeks quarantine. It will be interesting especially as Gus & Gawny briefly mentioned who was the star in the hub last season and who might have struggled. I wonder how many we are allowed to take on the tour?

Like last years cairns fiasco , stuffed this year  , would never happen to tigers or pies late in season

ROUND 20 FIXTURE (all times AEST)

Friday July 30

St Kilda v Carlton, 7.50pm at Marvel Stadium

Saturday July 31

Western Bulldogs v Adelaide, 12.20pm at MARS Stadium

North Melbourne v Geelong, 1.15pm at Blundstone Arena

Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne, 3.10pm at Metricon Stadium

Collingwood v West Coast Eagles, 4.15pm at MCG

Essendon v Sydney Swans, 7.40pm at The Gabba

Sunday August 1

Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions, 2.10pm at UTAS Stadium

GWS Giants v Port Adelaide, 3.10pm at Metricon Stadium

Fremantle v Richmond, 5.10pm at Optus Stadium

Only one game in vic.

Good result for Channels 7 and fox in terms of their coverage.

It's mazing how much a difference crowds make even when watchin on TV