After part of round 1 and round zero, you can conclude that ESSENDON , CARLTON , RICHMOND year is over. NTH , WEST COAST year be over soon . The loser between the DEES and SAINTS year will be over.

On 12/03/2026 at 15:00, DubDee said:

So don’t get the swiggle predictor

surely us and the Lions are not favourites?

9 hours ago, Little Goffy said:

Don't discount that there will be games this season where Essendon click and their opponents don't hassle enough, and the Bombers will get momentum going and kick some big scores, even against notionally much better sides.

On the other hand, the scoreboard flattered them significantly and at some point this season a talented, disciplined team is going to absolutely ragdoll them.

Getting a real 'Demons of 2011' vibe about Essendon 2026.

I should have had 'no Scott twins coaching before the end of the season' in the big predictions thread.

Hopefully we’ll all get off Scott free

We are seeing an era where all the northern states and newer teams are getting a leg up and especially with Tassie coming in It’s already too late for teams like Essendon, West coast , North Melbourne and Carlton to get much better.

Weve done the right thing investing in youth over the last couple of years as a long term success strategy.

Edited Friday at 23:283 days by DeeZee

So after r2 finishes, no WA or SA team would have played at home yet

10 hours ago, bing181 said:

We all enjoy seeing a good Essendon thrashing, but for mine this is becoming an issue for the AFL. Essendon, Richmond, West Coast, North, maybe even Carlton ... you just can't have the same teams languishing year after year. It's become pretty clear that rebuilding just through the draft isn't enough, but these club aren't attracting the kind of players they need to turn things around either.

Compare what's going on with those 4 clubs to the 4 north-of-the-border clubs, night and day.

We all need an equitable comp where fans have some kind of hope each week, otherwise they won't turn up. Not good.

I tipped the Lions after watching the Swans and Lions games last week, even knowing that some Lions players would miss through suspension. Just looked at the teams for today’s game and even with some massive names out including Andrews, Bailey, McCluggage and to a lesser extent Gardiner and Morris the Lions are still fielding a very strong side which is capable of winning tonight. It’s scary how good they will be come seasons end.

1 hour ago, dees189227 said:

So after r2 finishes, no WA or SA team would have played at home yet

Adelaide Oval still has a pitch and a recent concert; besides the season starts too early anyway.

Freo need to make a statement today if they’re serious about finishing top 4. Another year of winning home games and beating lower placed Melbourne based sides on the road is a tease for their fans. Cameron and Danger are back but Freo are at full strength, no excuses.

Freo by 27

Is it my imagination, or do the Pies seem to play the Suns on the GC very often in school holidays, making it easier for Pies fans to attend and enjoy a GC family holiday and thereby ensuring a large crowd?

54 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Is it my imagination, or do the Pies seem to play the Suns on the GC very often in school holidays, making it easier for Pies fans to attend and enjoy a GC family holiday and thereby ensuring a large crowd?

Their fans turn up regardless, all Melbourne based clubs request a home game against them for the gate takings. Clubs that don’t have the G as their home ground still request to play them at the G because of more ticket sales. Until other clubs fans step up nothing will change.

Today's games are good. Really looking forward to seeing the dogs v gws.

4 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Interesting point. Are we seeing Essendon and Carlton moving into a downward spiral such as hit Melbourne. I doubt that it will be as bad in that we missed the post 1970 growth phase whereas Essendon and Carlton will simply stagnate membership wise. It is a problem for the AFL in that the theatre goer who make up the bulk of the television audience will fall away. Personally I didn't bother with the Thursday game and watched ten minutes of the Hawthorn game simply to get an idea of Hawthorn's gamestyle for this year (it's different).

West Coast is where the AFL must intervene. That State is growing and they need a vibrant team. Freo really doesn't cut it.

Strange that Saturday (the worst day for TV audiences) has the best games.

But has we know our decline was deliberate fro the VFL by changing our recruitment zones. These teams have a more even chance to build a good list today. But I do acknwledge that the AFL have skewed so much to particualry to the gold coast in giving them all that talent for nothing. I'm guessing once they win their flag or three they'll ease back on the uber assistance as the foundation for ongoing success will be set like the lions and swans. though whether they get decent crodds is another questions.

2 hours ago, dees189227 said:

So after r2 finishes, no WA or SA team would have played at home yet

I'd missed the no SA game. That's weird.

I can perhaps understand WA because of summer time differences back to the East coast and the risk of high daytime temperatures but SA ??

PS: I see Jibroni above has posted a possible answer for SA (late finish to the cricket season)

Edited Saturday at 02:213 days by Diamond_Jim

One ex Demon I am happy for is Oskar Baker. A good guy and was not wanted by us and has gone on to be a Bulldog regular. Just kicked a goal as I was posting and then assisted another..

Edited Saturday at 02:423 days by Redleg

Claz hasn't regained any of the explosiveness/power from his better years

Oskar Baker has done a great job persevering in the AFL. His work ethic and goal assists are top rate. I always thought he was sub AFL standard, but I am glad to be wrong, glad for him, and well done Beveridge for coaching him so well..

4 hours ago, Coolx2 said:

After part of round 1 and round zero, you can conclude that ESSENDON , CARLTON , RICHMOND year is over. NTH , WEST COAST year be over soon . The loser between the DEES and SAINTS year will be over.

calling it a little early don't you think

5 minutes ago, Maldonboy38 said:

Oskar Baker has done a great job persevering in the AFL. His work ethic and goal assists are top rate. I always thought he was sub AFL standard, but I am glad to be wrong, glad for him, and well done Beveridge for coaching him so well..

Agreed.

A player improving by the week and appears to be a regular in their talented best 23.

Has started well today with a goal.

Bont in beast mode so far

Catching a bit of WB v Giants whilst doing some Saturday housework, Doggies looking quite good and possibly the main Vic contender this year?? Seems like an OK crowd for an interstate expansion club. Go Doggies (tipped them in my work tipping comp).

18 minutes ago, Maldonboy38 said:

Oskar Baker has done a great job persevering in the AFL. His work ethic and goal assists are top rate. I always thought he was sub AFL standard, but I am glad to be wrong, glad for him, and well done Beveridge for coaching him so well..

18 minutes ago, Maldonboy38 said:

Oskar Baker has done a great job persevering in the AFL. His work ethic and goal assists are top rate. I always thought he was sub AFL standard, but I am glad to be wrong, glad for him, and well done Beveridge for coaching him so well..

Yep amazing when a coach persists with someone & backs them in

that clayton oliver bloke that plays with GWS throws the ball a lot

Oliver only the 9 touches so far.

Oliver is being torched on rebound and out of the midfield. The lack of pace is very noticeable

Is it wrong to admit I love watching the dogs play & hope they do well & the bont is my favourite outside the Melbourne players