I watched the Ess v GWS mini match replay on the AFL website.

Very underwhelming - if either of those teams make finals I would be astonished.

Either Melksham or Hibberd or both will play in myOP

Goody might have pulled Hibberd early..

I went along with a St.Kilda supporting mate to watch their game against Essendon at the G. The Saints jumped out to a handy lead and then went defensive, it seemed to embolden the Bombers who closed the gap on them. When the Saints regained their attacking verve the Bombers melted away. 

My take-out: Essendon have a very weak defence so back yourself in a shoot-out.

I'm thinking Hibbo out with injury, Jordon in and Laurie sub.

 

If Hibbo is out, Brown isn’t ready and we want to stick to our 3 tall forward, 3 tall-ish backs structure then we have 2 choices.

1. Turner in. He was good at Casey, especially early. But it was his first game back from a few weeks off.

2. Schache in, with Petty back. I think he would’ve played ahead of JvR if not for injury. He’s certainly fit and has nice skills, plus height to ruck. Obviously the question marks are still there over his attack at the contest.

 

While browsing the Ess forums for the 'What they are saying...' I came across this banter:

• Of course we are a chance, but we have had the easiest draw in the comp so far, and when we played a half decent team in the saints…we lost. I think we could stay with them for a qtr or so, but then they’ll over power us.
• Out: Weid, Davey if injured
  • In: filthy weather. Hobbs, Snelling and grabbers into the forward line. No long bombs
• How do the Dees generally handle wet weather footy?
  • You would think well based on their contested ball winning ability.  However I do remember they drew to hawthorn in the wet in 2021 when they were premiers and hawks were near bottom.
  • Better than us.

If the weather info is correct, I hope we are training our wet weather tactics with a greasy, heavy football.  We have been caught out several times in the last few years by slippery conditions.

With this weather forecast and Weideman and Wright out it will be interesting to see how man tall players we take into the game.

Edited April 11, 20232 yr by Lucifers Hero

  On 10/04/2023 at 03:09, WalkingCivilWar said:

It’s another money-making idea of Gil’s.

Thanks heavens Gil's still making money for the AFL.  If not for AFL support and the money they'd made through these evil "money making idea's" we'd be gone years ago and COVID would have decimated the competition.  Many more club staff would have been without a jobs, players wouldn't have been paid and would have looked for other professions, the public wouldn't have had footy as Dan put us into home detention for months on end and as a result many more of us would have suffered mental illness.

Footy survived because the AFL looked for "money-making ideas" and were financially robust enough to maintain the game in the most challenging of circumstances.  We will receive (reportedly) $500,000 to $800,000 for the Gather round.  Maybe some of the phyio's and other player support staff that lost their job during COVID will find their way back into the industry and if it isn't them then others who provide support for our players will take their place.  

What on earth is wrong with making money?  Without it the game dies.  The Gather round provides an extra meaningful game of footy rather than a meaningless practice game. It will provide Adelaide with a fantastic economic boost to business still struggling after COVID, it will make the AFL stronger which makes the whole competition stronger.

Make money Gil, that's what I say.  Who knows when the next pandemic is going to hit or some other circumstance beyond the AFL's control descends upon us.  The prospect of a financially struggling AFL and its impacts are too depressing to think about.

 

Merrett, Parish, Draper and Shiel are no mugs.  Show them respect early. Few times this year opposition midfields have roamed freely (syd game the exception). We rightly back ours to beat theirs but if those Dons midfielders gets easy uncontested ball it will be a lot closer than it needs to be. 

Edited April 11, 20232 yr by Jjrogan

  On 10/04/2023 at 00:29, rpfc said:

They seem comfortable to have JVR as the back up ruck to Grundy so not necessarily. I would go in trying to overwhelm Essendons backs with height and then abandon in the third if not working.

Out: Hibberd (managed/inj)

In: Brown

Petty back.

Unless there is something I am missing -  I would go with this. Harmes doesn’t slot back in anymore, JJ/Sparrow interchangeable almost, Petty experiment can continue soon. 

But if they want to keep it going it might be time for Howes for Hibberd?

Howes, yes get him in. Will be a 2023 Premiership player so may as well start to get him ready now.

After the last 2 weeks i doubt we will see a TMac BBB forward combo again for a while. Its either of these 2 MFC legends with JVR. It has worked well over the last fortnight and for whatever reason it has hardly ever really clicked with the former combo, other than a few games including the most important of the last 57 years so thats cool. 

TMac is the comeback specialist who peaks after returning to seniors then tapers off, maybe injured, to the point of being dropped. Then cycle repeats. BBB also does this so may as well rotate them throughout the year.

  On 10/04/2023 at 22:35, leave it to deever said:

I wonder what the crowds will be like. I reckon they will be akin to some of the covid games we had. At least the Oval holds no fear for us.  I'm not sure this gather thing will not last. They could of least called it the dispersement round.

or the great diaspora round

  On 11/04/2023 at 01:47, Lucifers Hero said:

While browsing the Ess forums for the 'What they are saying...' I came across this banter:

• Of course we are a chance, but we have had the easiest draw in the comp so far, and when we played a half decent team in the saints…we lost. I think we could stay with them for a qtr or so, but then they’ll over power us.
• Out: Weid, Davey if injured
  • In: filthy weather. Hobbs, Snelling and grabbers into the forward line. No long bombs
• How do the Dees generally handle wet weather footy?
  • You would think well based on their contested ball winning ability.  However I do remember they drew to hawthorn in the wet in 2021 when they were premiers and hawks were near bottom.
  • Better than us.

If the weather info is correct, I hope we are training our wet weather tactics with a greasy, heavy football.  We have been caught out several times in the last few years by slippery conditions.

With this weather forecast and Weideman and Wright out it will be interesting to see how man tall players we take into the game.

the wet weather forecast just brings back pleasant memories of when we blitzed the ferals in early 2021 and i knew we had arrived

there will be a minimum of one hour between the two games.

Can't really see many people wanting a seven hour stint at the football especially if it's wet

  On 11/04/2023 at 02:07, Slartibartfast said:

Thanks heavens Gil's still making money for the AFL.  If not for AFL support and the money they'd made through these evil "money making idea's" we'd be gone years ago and COVID would have decimated the competition.  Many more club staff would have been without a jobs, players wouldn't have been paid and would have looked for other professions, the public wouldn't have had footy as Dan put us into home detention for months on end and as a result many more of us would have suffered mental illness.

Footy survived because the AFL looked for "money-making ideas" and were financially robust enough to maintain the game in the most challenging of circumstances.  We will receive (reportedly) $500,000 to $800,000 for the Gather round.  Maybe some of the phyio's and other player support staff that lost their job during COVID will find their way back into the industry and if it isn't them then others who provide support for our players will take their place.  

What on earth is wrong with making money?  Without it the game dies.  The Gather round provides an extra meaningful game of footy rather than a meaningless practice game. It will provide Adelaide with a fantastic economic boost to business still struggling after COVID, it will make the AFL stronger which makes the whole competition stronger.

Make money Gil, that's what I say.  Who knows when the next pandemic is going to hit or some other circumstance beyond the AFL's control descends upon us.  The prospect of a financially struggling AFL and its impacts are too depressing to think about.

 

Not to mention the money made in the mens game allows the women’s game to grow and flourish while it builds itself into a self supporting (financially) competition which further employs large amounts of people.

  On 11/04/2023 at 02:07, Slartibartfast said:

Thanks heavens Gil's still making money for the AFL.  If not for AFL support and the money they'd made through these evil "money making idea's" we'd be gone years ago and COVID would have decimated the competition.  Many more club staff would have been without a jobs, players wouldn't have been paid and would have looked for other professions, the public wouldn't have had footy as Dan put us into home detention for months on end and as a result many more of us would have suffered mental illness.

Footy survived because the AFL looked for "money-making ideas" and were financially robust enough to maintain the game in the most challenging of circumstances.  We will receive (reportedly) $500,000 to $800,000 for the Gather round.  Maybe some of the phyio's and other player support staff that lost their job during COVID will find their way back into the industry and if it isn't them then others who provide support for our players will take their place.  

What on earth is wrong with making money?  Without it the game dies.  The Gather round provides an extra meaningful game of footy rather than a meaningless practice game. It will provide Adelaide with a fantastic economic boost to business still struggling after COVID, it will make the AFL stronger which makes the whole competition stronger.

Make money Gil, that's what I say.  Who knows when the next pandemic is going to hit or some other circumstance beyond the AFL's control descends upon us.  The prospect of a financially struggling AFL and its impacts are too depressing to think about.

 

Making money is fine, provided its not going to him and the greedy buglers working with him. 

It was only one week gone that a pair of brothers were just affected by something possibly for the rest of their lives, and on top of that we have racial tension popping up again.

If the Association had a mouth they could have quite easily wedged something for the Players Welfares out of this, and the AFL could have made all the noise they wanted. Some sort of Trust or Benevolent Retirement Fund'

 

  On 11/04/2023 at 02:39, Wizard of Koz said:

Howes, yes get him in. Will be a 2023 Premiership player so may as well start to get him ready now.

After the last 2 weeks i doubt we will see a TMac BBB forward combo again for a while. Its either of these 2 MFC legends with JVR. It has worked well over the last fortnight and for whatever reason it has hardly ever really clicked with the former combo, other than a few games including the most important of the last 57 years so thats cool. 

TMac is the comeback specialist who peaks after returning to seniors then tapers off, maybe injured, to the point of being dropped. Then cycle repeats. BBB also does this so may as well rotate them throughout the year.

Curious - Have you watched the Casey games or just going of possession stats or other posters comments?

Howes atm is capable as a receiver and in space, but I haven't seen much in the way of winning a contested ball. That may come but until he offers a more physical presence or ability to regularly win his own footy, I can't think of anyone from the weekend that he represents an upgrade on. Who makes way for him and why? 

I've been on the fence with Laurie so far and had my doubts, but I do recall a game at Geelong last year where he was very clean on a very wet track - he might be considered this week if we needed to rest a small. JVR from memory was good that game too. 

  On 11/04/2023 at 03:20, Willmoy1947 said:

Making money is fine, provided its not going to him and the greedy buglers working with him. 

It was only one week gone that a pair of brothers were just affected by something possibly for the rest of their lives, and on top of that we have racial tension popping up again.

If the Association had a mouth they could have quite easily wedged something for the Players Welfares out of this, and the AFL could have made all the noise they wanted. Some sort of Trust or Benevolent Retirement Fund'

 

The money made from the Gather round allows the AFL to provide more support for the players and social causes. You can nit pick all you like, the big picture is the competition, the players, the clubs are better off for having more money.

 

  On 11/04/2023 at 01:47, Lucifers Hero said:

While browsing the Ess forums for the 'What they are saying...' I came across this banter:

• Of course we are a chance, but we have had the easiest draw in the comp so far, and when we played a half decent team in the saints…we lost. I think we could stay with them for a qtr or so, but then they’ll over power us.
• Out: Weid, Davey if injured
  • In: filthy weather. Hobbs, Snelling and grabbers into the forward line. No long bombs
• How do the Dees generally handle wet weather footy?
  • You would think well based on their contested ball winning ability.  However I do remember they drew to hawthorn in the wet in 2021 when they were premiers and hawks were near bottom.
  • Better than us.

If the weather info is correct, I hope we are training our wet weather tactics with a greasy, heavy football.  We have been caught out several times in the last few years by slippery conditions.

With this weather forecast and Weideman and Wright out it will be interesting to see how man tall players we take into the game.

Really good point re: wet weather footy here.  I was surprised at how much we were falling over & dropping the ball v the Swans and there was a bit of it early v the Eagles too (though the sun blazing peoples eyes out of their sockets may have been a factor).  Long stops for sure.  Need to make sure the Defence is ready for their counters if we cough it up.

  On 11/04/2023 at 03:41, Slartibartfast said:

The money made from the Gather round allows the AFL to provide more support for the players and social causes. You can nit pick all you like, the big picture is the competition, the players, the clubs are better off for having more money.

 

My only real objection with the Gather Round is the 23rd H&A game. I'd rather keep the season to 22 H&A games even though it would result in about half the competition losing a home game. But over the course of two years, that should even out anyway.

Edit: Oh, my other objection is that the teams that play each other in the Gather Round should play each other twice in the season so at least one of the games is at "home". Under the current construction with us only playing Essendon once in 2023 it means unless you live in Adelaide or can get to Adelaide specially for this game, there is no chance of seeing these two teams play live in the H&A series in Melbourne. That seems to be bad fixturing. 

Edited April 11, 20232 yr by La Dee-vina Comedia

  On 10/04/2023 at 18:59, AzzKikA said:

Any SA people here? What are your thoughts on gather round? You guys have to put up with PA & Crows all year with maybe seeing the dees twice. Bring able to see the dees play without the feral crowd must be a bonus? Is it worth having all the other teams there?

Well be great for your economy either way.

Yep. Dees fan living in Adelaide. Get to at least 2-3 games in Melbourne each year and then try and get to the 1, sometimes 2 games where we play Port or the Crows here. Crows supporters are far worse. No idea of the rules and the incessant booing for no reason at all. 

Excited about gather round, taking my son along to the game due to the timeslot. Heading to another couple of games across the weekend too. Should be good. 

  On 10/04/2023 at 00:45, Dee Zephyr said:

How predictable is SA weather? Saying 80% chance of showers on Saturday.

To be honest they're pretty bad. The BoM's percentage range of rain system reminds me of Brian Fantana's Anchorman quote of "60% of the time it works every time". 

  On 11/04/2023 at 03:59, HBDee said:

Yep. Dees fan living in Adelaide. Get to at least 2-3 games in Melbourne each year and then try and get to the 1, sometimes 2 games where we play Port or the Crows here. Crows supporters are far worse. No idea of the rules and the incessant booing for no reason at all. 

Excited about gather round, taking my son along to the game due to the timeslot. Heading to another couple of games across the weekend too. Should be good. 

Well at least there's something positive about it. I hope you enjoy watching us beat the Don's.

Ps are you the woo hoo man?

Edited April 11, 20232 yr by leave it to deever

  On 09/04/2023 at 22:21, leave it to deever said:

Why do we have this Gather round and what does it represent?

Seriously curious.

 

Not sure it represents anything other than a rip-off of the NRL's "Magic Round" https://www.nrl.com/tickets/magic-round-brisbane/

Potential revenge for them making a success of the State of Origin concept?

  On 11/04/2023 at 03:59, HBDee said:

Yep. Dees fan living in Adelaide. Get to at least 2-3 games in Melbourne each year and then try and get to the 1, sometimes 2 games where we play Port or the Crows here. Crows supporters are far worse. No idea of the rules and the incessant booing for no reason at all. 

Excited about gather round, taking my son along to the game due to the timeslot. Heading to another couple of games across the weekend too. Should be good. 

Agree re your comments about Crows fans. Their as bad as you get. By comparison Port fans are lovely people. Crow fans seem to retain the arrogance of their glory years. 

  On 11/04/2023 at 03:59, HBDee said:

Yep. Dees fan living in Adelaide. Get to at least 2-3 games in Melbourne each year and then try and get to the 1, sometimes 2 games where we play Port or the Crows here. Crows supporters are far worse. No idea of the rules and the incessant booing for no reason at all. 

Excited about gather round, taking my son along to the game due to the timeslot. Heading to another couple of games across the weekend too. Should be good. 

That's brilliant, us Victorians tend to take the ease of going to games for granted.

Edited April 11, 20232 yr by AzzKikA

23oC and sunny on Saturday 

would have been a great day at the G but no we have to play in fricken adelaide for some dumb reason