Leaderboard

Enjoy ==> https://six6six.smugmug.com/frame/slideshow?key=DjdmJ2&autoStart=1&captions=0&navigation=0&playButton=0&randomize=0&speed=2&transition=fade&transitionSpeed=2&clickable=1

Agree on both points. The one advantage Tmac has over Hogan - and it is an important one - is that he is a much, much more reliable set shot at goal and not coincidentally has better technique, one that is more likely to hold up under pressure. I know which player i'd like to have the ball shooting for win after the siren. I also think tmac is a marginally better one on one and contested mark. Though perhaps that's bit tough on Hogan.

I attended the match out at Casey yesterday and I gotta say the standard was a big step up from previous years. The girls really put in, worked hard, had great intensity, and we were the better team and dominated the play...but our gameplan let us down. We repeatedly kicked the ball out wide to the back flank and wing, which slowed our movement and turned it over due to AFLW rules of last kick before out of bounds being a free against. Late in the third quarter we were smashing them, had the ball at CHB with free players in the middle. Inexplicably we elected to kick to contests on the wing and ruined our own momentum. Yes the umpiring was not in our favour, but if we played more direct footy we would've won by 3-4 goals comfortably yesterday. Was one of the most frustrating game I've watched live in a few years, as we were clearly better and lost due to gameplan and nothing else. It was like watching our mens team from 3-4 years ago dominate without scoring (similar to when we lost to West Coast a few years back despite having twice as many inside 50s). Over all though, the standard has improved and if this was a glimpse at the quality we can expect in future, the AFL would be wise to invest more heavily into AFLW as opposed to AFLX.

Yes to TMac winning the Coleman. Won't play in the ruck at all i wouldn't have thought (except for some forward 50 throw ins) Hogan won't take goals off him (though he will get the opposition's best defender), He uses his hands a lot to push players so that rule change will help him Any increase in one on one marking opportunities as a result of other rule changes will help him He is the best kick for goal of any forward We are the highest scoring team in the league, a trend that i have little doubt will continue this year We will win more games this year and therefore kick more goals If the rule changes do make blow outs more common (which i'm not convinced about) we could kick some big scores this year By the by currently $10 on Sportsbet so reasonable value and worth a flutter if you are that way inclined. Daniher is $12 which is ridiculously short given he practically didn't play last year and bombers will struggle this year. Kennedy and Franklin share favoritism at $5. Also way too short as that price would be fair enough if they play the whole season but a lot has to go right for that to occur. A bookies sucker punch, akin to long range bets on favorites for the Melbourne Cup.

The club goes to train in Maroochydore in the heat and humidity to get used to it. The players are much more conditioned than ever before. The first 4 rounds in Perth are usually played in mid 30’s. They’ll be fine but I recommend to whoever’s going to take extra beers.

I am surprised you are surprised wiseblood. Have you not noticed how embolded the racists are in 2019? They hold meetings in public that are attended by thousands across Australia and the world. That a few put up their hands at AFL is hardly surprising to me.

He's a star.

With Lyons outdated game plan and freos slow ball movement I reckon he'll find it tough. Gonna have 3 blokes standing next to him whenever the ball comes in and we know how Hogan loves that.

yadda yadda yadda - who cares?

I think there should be a no tolerance policy for those caught. I have never been a fan of a three strikes policy.

It's only 311.15 Kelvins.

I've not been a fan of the AFLW in the past but watched a little bit of the first and second Q's today. I thought the standard had lifted significantly from what I'd seen before and would have liked to watch a bit more. Life gets in the way at times. The handball game was really poor in previous years but seems to have picked up markedly. I thought if anything we over used it and sold ourselves into trouble when I was watching but the intent was good. ...as you say it was a glimpse into the future and I was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps the AFL could now forget about AFLX and really get on board to make this a proper competition...

Meh

You’re not wrong, placing stickers on apples can be more dangerous than people think.

Reads like he wrote that at the end of 2017. Tom McDonald got the better defender 9 times out of 10 last year, that's all you need to know. That said, they are pretty similar in a lot of ways: Both excellent runners who get up the ground and back Tom the better kick for goal but Hoges better than he looks Hogan with deft hands at ground level but Tom follows up well Both not ideal ball users kicking inside 50, Tom can shank his field kicks whilst Hoges chips around his body with a bad action Both lacking a bit of agility and pace to cause forward 50 turnovers, Tom a bit more effort but Hoges a bit more agility Tom a pack mark clunker but Hoges a natural at using his body to bullock The main advantage Tom had the last couple of years is better and more confident leading patterns. For whatever reason particularly at the MCG Hogan really struggled to create space and direct his team mates where to kick it.

Unfortunately non performance enhancing drug use is rife in the AFL...fact. I've been reliably told the figure is above 60% at one top club, so you can take it to the bank it's similar across the board including our club. The only reason the AFL should be involved in policing non performance enhancing drugs is the issue it may cause down the track with gambling. In other words players getting involved with criminals. Any punitive actions taking on drug use are counterproductive to my way of thinking. Get serious on the performance enhancing stuff and the opportunities to fix matches or outcomes.

Hogan is a more talented footballer than McDonald, however, McDonald is just as effective as a forward, as his 76 goals from the last 31 games he's played as a forward attests. Note: there were a few games at the end of 2016 after his move forward where he went back and played as a defender. The Inside Football records are handy for showing this. By comparison, Hogan has 68 from his last 31 games. That said, many variables come into goals kicked, so I'm not reading anything into McDonald's slight lead.

So i guess he has had no interruptions to his interrupted preseason.

Nick's comments that Hogan looked so unhappy over the last two years. Really, I couldn't guess why. Then to say now that he is at home he is far more settled. Such lightweight comments.

Not sure Nick has his facts right. Tom started playing forward in mid 2017. This time last year he was injured but when he did play it was as a forward. So he has been a forward (not a swingman) for the best of 18 months. Reckon there are some biases in his top 10 rankings. But he is right about Tom thriving this year being the main man. Agree that Tom can win the Coleman this year, especially if the high level of forward deliveries are more accurate than the past. Dittto don't see Jessie winning it especially as he seems to be playing a high forward/mid role at Freo.

Just wanted to say how proud I am of our AFLW team. Another close loss, it happens so often it seems. So I thought I'd check the records. In our short history, we have played 18 games for 11 wins and 7 losses. 5 of those losses have been by less than a kick. In every one of those 5 losses we had more scoring shots than the opposition. The cumulative scores are; Opposition 29.12 Melbourne 22.34 In another loss we kicked 1.4 to 4.1. Only against Collingwood last year have we been comprehensively defeated in our history. It is frustrating to say the least.

We had it on as background noise LDC, the two eldest occasionally looked up at the TV. 12yr old girl’s enthusiasm perked up only when Fritta appeared as he’s become her favourite, 10yr old boy was totally confused with all the rules and basically tuned off. Their words “ this is silly Dad.” They were a lot more involved and excited in our ladies’ match yesterday. A night out last year for the family at AFLX was a lot more entertaining as the team was running around then. Big fail in my opinion this year.

Yes. By their own stats female participation is where the growth is. https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-02-24/females-lead-big-rise-in-footy-participation-rate AFLW is already being played internationally and it will do more for AFL international exposure than AFLX ever will. An anecdote. My niece lives in Hong Kong and her team won their local AFLW comp last year. I was surprised they even had a comp. It was made up primarily of expats. The expat's kids are playing the game and the families will eventually go back to their home country. This is what will help spread the game internationally not AFLX. (My delight was not only that her team won but her team wears our Demon colours and she is a staunch Pies supporter ? )

38 C = 100.4 F not footy weather

It is only february and I'm already furious at the umpires.

I'll answer my own question to @don't make me angry from another thread here, because this is the appropriate thread and because I'm virtually certain they won't answer my question. West Coast play a possession game centred around kicking and marking. It's why they took almost 400 more marks than Melbourne from the same amount of games and had over 400 more kicks. This game-style and structure is more conducive to playing a second ruck if they're athletic like Vardy, if you have other quick mobile tall leading forwards like Darling and Kennedy, and if you're more of a tempo/controlled team moving the ball forward. Melbourne play a high pressure and more chaotic game that is based around the territory game and the production of inside 50s. Melbourne was no.1 for inside 50s in 2018. Melbourne's goal is to either retain the ball inside 50 through pressure, have repeat entries, and obviously score. My concern with Preuss is that if he's not taking marks and hitting the scoreboard he becomes a liability. We lose a pressure player with Preuss in the team. Melbourne had the highest metres gained differential last year (460) with Richmond second (403) and Collingwood third (281). All three teams finished top four, so it's a handy metric. West Coast were eighth (138), but still in positive territory, through their different, yet effective means. My point ? What works for West Coast, and potentially other teams, i.e. two rucks, won't necessarily work for Melbourne. I'm sure they'll try it and occasionally use it, but I very much doubt it will become the norm. But if it does and it works fantastic.

Over the last week there have been a lot of claims and counter claims: - players using 'mental health issues' to avoid testing. The implication is they don't actually have a mental health issue. This excuse was used by 16 players from one club according to Ross Stevenson from 3AW. This was rebuked by Eddie, AFLPA, AFL. - Grant Thomas was told (after his coaching finished at the Saints) that unbeknown to him, drug use was 'rife' among the players during his reign. Strongly rebuked by Nick Del Santo and Spider Everett. Now Nick Reiwoldt says: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/a-free-for-all-riewoldt-lashes-players-over-afl-illicit-drug-policy-20190225-p50zzs.html “The AFL, by their own admission on their own website, what the policy is designed to do is to identify players with substance abuse issues and place support around them to protect their health and wellbeing...the vast majority of players don’t have substance abuse issues, they’re taking the [censored] because the system allows it. "It depends what your definition of out of control is. I would say it’s out of control.” Riewoldt called for players to be hit with a four-week ban on the first strike. “What I would say, if they’re serious about getting the number closer to zero, remove the safety net,” he said. “If players do have a legitimate substance abuse issue, then getting a suspension on their first detection is probably the least of their worries. They need to get their life together". How often do we hear of a player having an injury, personal issues, mental health issues or glandular fever and are out of the game for 4 weeks. Without casting dispersions on people with those issues, its hard not to think a '4 week suspension is being played out' for a second strike. I agree with Nick: first strike and 4 weeks suspension. No excuses for avoiding testing either. The AFL has said it will review its drug policy. Code for getting it out of the media. I certainly hope that the club with allegedly 16 players using 'mental health issues' isn't the demons. I reckon Mahoney and or Goodwin would get wind of it somehow and make sure the culprits are weeded out one way or another. So doubt it is us.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2019/02/24/nick-riewoldt-names-the-top-10-key-forwards-in-the-competition 10. Tom McDonald - Melbourne Goals kicked in 2018: 53 “He’s a player who this time last year wouldn’t have been on the list because he was a centre half back, but he had a great last half to the season. I think he’s going to thrive being the main man. It’s different when you’re a swingman." 6. Jesse Hogan - Fremantle Goals kicked in 2018: 47 “I’m looking forward. I think he’ll be the sixth best key forward this year. He didn’t look happy his last few at Melbourne. He’s gone home, he’ll fit in beautifully over there. They’ll structure the game-plan around him.” 1. Lance Franklin - Sydney 2. Josh Kennedy - West Coast 3. Jack Riewoldt - Richmond 4. Tom Lynch - Richmond 5. Tom Hawkins - Geelong 6. Jesse Hogan - Fremantle 7. Jeremy Cameron - GWS 8. Jordan de Goey - Collingwood 9. Ben Brown - North Melbourne 10. Tom McDonald - Melbourne What do you think of Nick's list? I'd have Tom higher on the list. Certainly higher than Jessie. Had Tom played all games last year and maintained his average he would have come very close to winning the Coleman. I reckon he has a great chance of taking it out this year. Despite being a fan of Jessie and knowing the talent he possess I've never been confident to say he'd get even close to taking out the Coleman. Sure this list isn't just about goal kicking but I think Jessie is rated higher than his form warrants.

Is it unreasonable for me to want the players that play for my club to abstain from recreational drugs in order to achieve the maximum in peak performance in the prime of their playing careers? These guys get paid a boat load to play at their best and be in peak physical and mental conditioning. I don't want them to be robots and they don't have to be choir boys but I don't want them to be off their nut or out of their skins on the weekends. I want premierships which means for 26 weeks in and out and for the preseasons their minds and bodies need to be on the job to achieve that. There is no room for recreational drugs to infect the minds and bodies of elite athletes. I'm not a prude and I don't by the line of what they do in their off time during the season is their business. Their business is to win and you can't win if your mind is on Saturday night.

If it’s a choice between TMac and Hogan for key forward position, have to go TMac as he’s a far better contested mark, more reliable kick and doesn’t crack the sooks when things don’t go his way.

@chook fowler I agree, as long as McDonald is part of a functioning forward line and gets a couple of goals a game, that will do me Hogan is a Fremantle player St Nick is being paid to provide content

It all gets down to performance enhancing. If they get done for enhancement drugs then throw the book at them without any warnings. On the other hand if they are blowing a couple of pipes during the week which is not an enhancement then so what ? That is their business.

There is the rub LH. The AFL would have to admit to a problem. Right now their line is that there is no problem.

Jesse is instinctively a much better forward than TMac becaus of his footy smarts and versatility in all forward positions. Both can be goal kicking machines on their day. TMac is our best classical leading and marking FF since Billy Bennett but is at his best from the goal square. The two of them together for a full season with Jesse at CHF and a roaming brief together with TMac at FF would have been a joy to see. Alas, never to be fulfilled.

Which players on that list would you take before TMac? Both Buddy and Jack Reiwoldt are 32 and 30 years old. Tom is 26. I'd take Tom over them at this stage. Josh Kennedy is injury prone. I can't see that changing as he's on the wrong side of 30 too. I'll wait to see how Tom Lynch goes at the Tiges and whether he can get out on the park consistently. I'd take Tommy Mac over Jesse any day of the week. I'd have DeGooy and Ben Brown higher than Jessie and on par with our Tom.

Another area of concern raised recently was the amount of players dodging tests. Surely test dodgers, in particular repeat offenders, should be treated harshly too.

The afl's lenience is all due to their negotiations with the players union. They agreed to this system a few years back for agreement on payment things. Now they are stuck with it and have to try and negotiate their way out. Good luck with that one Gill.

Just to clarify. The policy is currently 4 weeks out for second strike. Nick is saying 4 weeks for first strike ie zero tolerance. Agree with Nick and yourself.

It will need to be the portable version...

The Run Home: Conf A: Can't see North loosing top spot with one game and good %age over others. It then becomes a race for second. To help our cause North need to thrash Adel and Freo. And we need to win all three. Its doable but challenging with Adel now finding form. What a tantalising rnd 7: 1 vs 3 and 2 vs 4! The top two will go down to the wire. But will North rest players, etc and just let Freo win as they are much less of a threat than Melb or Crows in the finals. As a comparison, think Crows vs Eagles last AFL game of 2017 which kept us out of finals by a whisker. Finals for us will most likely be decided by our last game vs Crows. Lets just hope we don't miss on %'age, again! Conf B: Nothing to say except on current performance no team deserves to play finals and it will be tragic to see two of the best teams miss out because of the warped conference system where the top two teams of each conf play finals. For those that don't go to AFLW Board there is a thread on the Conference system farce here

Umpiring a disgrace so biased Norf it was not funny the 2 goals gifted to King were a joke. Mithen played well as did Paxman.

I would just like to add my vote of disapproval to the umpiring today. A good game ruined.

Who cares what people thought last year about Goodwin? Enjoy where we are now and look forward to the future. There has been some really good discussion lately about a range of topics but this petty stuff about what people thought last season is childish and pathetic. What is the point? It is an emotional and passionate game. Neil C mentioned perspective. It’s footy so don’t worry too much about perspective. At the end of the day we are talking about opinion. That’s all. No one has the truth or the right or wrong answer. It is just opinion and it is fun and it is harmless. Dont look back. Enjoy the moment and look forward to the future.

It's like an abstract quiz: how do you thematically get from Jesse Hogan to Victor Furtwangler in four steps via homosexuality in Hollywood and the television show Spicks & Specks? Next challenge: Victor Furtwangler back to Jesse Hogan via Spongebob Squarepants and a block of cheddar cheese.

Congratulations to the AFL for demonstrating that a sows ear can be made from a silk purse.

As a life long Rampage fan, I have to confess that I shed a little tear when the 2019 champions trophy was held aloft. To know that a bloke like Fritta has dedicated hours and hours of his lifeblood and soul to the cause had me swelling with pride, especially after watching him win the rock, paper, scissors in the second home game. I have to admit that I got drunk after the game and only woke up now outside a shopfront in Bourke Street, near someone resembling BBO who was reeking of methylated spirits and snoring his head off. I must say I did feel sad for Nev who fate cruelly decreed would be denied from making the Deadly line up due to injury. The roars of the crowd are still ringing through my ears.

On the 11th of January this year my Dad died unexpectadly of a heart attack. He was a fit and healthy man only 65 years old with everything to look forward to. His mum is still alive at 100 years of age and his dad died at 90. As he lived up the country with Mum, my last three great memories of time spent with my Dad were the Melbourne v Geelong game, the Melbourne v Hawthorn Game and Christmas. Needless to say that video smacked me in the guts hard and had me weeping like a baby. Im really scared about this year, not because I think we will be bad, but because there is every possibility we could be very, very good and if our wildest dream comes true, I will be completly inconsolable for so many reasons. If you see a 6 foot tall, skinny bloke with shaved head balling his eyes out on that one day in September, please throw your arm around him and remind him to enjoy the moment, because his a dad waited 54 years for that moment and will have fallen 8 months short.