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As a doctor, I think the management of this situation was disgraceful. The footage, which the club doctor reviewed at the time of the incident, clearly shows both players: * Clash heads at high speed * Lose muscle tone * Lack normal protective posturing while falling * Momentarily motionless on the ground * Appear confused and disoriented The clear interpretation is both players have been concussed and severely enough to have briefly lost consciousness. Both players should have been removed from the field, subjected to SCAT5 testing and - irrespective of the result - taken out of the game. Doctors prioritising an individual’s welfare ahead of their (or their employer’s) interests is essential for good healthcare and the integrity of the medical profession.

Uncle Bitter subbed on to replace Lucifer’s Hero. As you would expect the optimism meter at Arden Street is either switched off or gone missing. The mood seems to be one of either passive acceptance of the inevitable or more like a vulture waiting to pounce as soon as the roadkill victim stops twitching. Reminds me of the Neeld days. Early opinions below - I’ll update a couple times pre slaughter. “ Watch this 100 point smacking May and lever to break intercept mark record Yikes. just like our list, I’m not interested, really do not even care……. I'll be playing videogames or watching a movie instead. Anything else than the mauling this will be. Dees might break the record for inside 50s this week. Dees looking a little weary hoping they rest 10 Can we just forfeit? Would make the weekend so much more enjoyable and not waste a few hours on Sunday. The side we are sending out on a weekly basis is as good as forfeiting anyway. “ And then there’s this masterpiece "This is going to be Max Gawn when NMFC name their team this week. I WAS VERY PROUD TO BE APPOINTED ENGLAND CAPTAIN. I WENT FOR THE TOSS WEARING MY WHITES & ENGLAND BLAZER. VIV RICHARDS CAME OUT WEARING A BOB MARLEY T-SHIRT, SURFING SHORTS &FLIP-FLOPS. AS AN ENGLAND CAPTAIN SHOULD TO READ OUR TEAM SHEET TO THE OPPOSING CAPTAIN1 GOT NO FUTHER THAN FOUR NAMES WHEN VIV SAID "PLAY WHO YOU WANT. MAN.AIN'T GONNA MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE"

Personally, i'm in the managing players camp. As Demon Dynasty notes, any best 22 player managed won't be doing any resting. Like Smith doing laps after the Tigers game, they will still have to the ks they would have otherwise done in the match. But the advantage is they don't have to be on and off a plane, or stay overnight in a hotel. And the risk of injury is much, much lower (ie no risk of impact injury). And perhaps even more importantly they don't have to worry about post match recovery (eg from bumps, bruises and soreness) interfering with their prep and program heading into the challenging - and likely super critical (re chances of top 20 - Blues game. They also get a chance to freshen up mentally - which might benefit some players. Get the load without the risk. There is another important element too i reckon - its give the club the opportunity to reward players at Casey for good form and/or give some young player some exposure at AFL level. And given any player coming in will have a specific role in the system, they get chance to practice that role at AFL level, (which might useful in the even we cop some some injuries ahead of finals) and that mitigates some of the downside of new players coming in And potentially a couple of fresh, motivated players who want to impress might actually help us put the Roos to the sword.

I am told the decision has been made to hold Oliver back until the Carlton game. It is also my understanding that we studied Geelong's run to the finals last year and compared that to the Dees. We went in banged up, literally half the team was carrying an injury, we tried to play all players through their niggles. Geelong on the other hand rested their older and niggled players over the season and had them all fully fit for finals. Not managing our players and playing too many injured players cost us a Premiership (in my view). As such I expect Melbourne to rest players in the final month as they have during the season (eg Hibbert). My view is we must rest Gawn. He has been unbelievable for 3 weeks; we want him playing like this in finals he is pushing 32yo he needs to be rested particularly since we have Grundy ready to go. I expect Sparrow to be brought back in, a bit of a lottery who goes out for him and I expect Grundy for Gawn. Not sure what to make of Hibbert, I would have brought him in for Dusty when forward last week. In the end our rookie Juddy struggled on a sublime Dusty. Perhaps moving forward Hibbert is a match-up player. In saying that Juddy does not get dropped. There will be players that have niggles that we are unaware of. Don't be surprised to see some unexpected "managed" outs particularly against North and Hawks. I get the argument about flirting with form, I just think this is a risk that the match committee are happy to take to get our boys full fit for finals.

I'm not a Doctor, and a 1,000,00% agree with all of the above. And that's the point. Anyone, and i mean anyone, who watched that collision would have immediately assumed both players were concussed - for precisely the reasons you detail. Watching live, i felt sick seeing that collision. Jones looked out cold by the time he hit the ground. But i was even more concerned for Allir because of those body movements you describe (i feel sick just thinking about it). I felt so uncomfortable i started watching the bombers game because i didn't want to watch the 100 replays i assumed 7 would show. A little while later i started watching the Port game again and i was completely shocked that Allir was playing - in fact at first i was confused. I was watching on kayo and initially thought that perhaps the i had restarted it from earlier in the math. Because i hadn't been watching i had no info on whether there had been a test or not, just assumed there had been and Allir had passed it. Beggars belief. And what the hell was Hinkley talking about in the presser? I mean he says he is no doctor, but then says Allir sounded just fine to him? Just shut up for Christ's sake. Just sounded like amateur hour. Impossible not to at least have the thought, despite Hinkley's denial this would ever happen, the importance of winning trumped protecting players. Now you'd hope that is not true (hope being the operative word becuase the evidence is pretty damning), but that doubt goes exactly to your point about the integrity of the medical profession. This is a big deal.

As far as I can tell Jordon has played predominantly as a central midfielder over the past two weeks, for 11 possessions on each occasion. For all the talk about the lack of opportunities that James received earlier in the season, he has been given a massive opportunity here and he has been very disappointing. He simply doesn't impact centre bounces in any way, and he was clearly opposed to Martin for a number of Richmond's clean centre breaks early in the game. He is clearly not an instinctive player, and you can see the wheels turning every time he receives a handpass or a short kick and is required to make a split second decision. Given his lack of improvement over the past three years, I see Jordon as handy depth but not someone I'd be rushing out to resign if he gets offers elsewhere. I think we can replace him through the draft pretty easily if required.

ANB can be fumbly but he is excellent at making a contest most players wouldn’t get to - holding the play up and forcing a stoppage when there is no one to give it to, saving an easy exit by the oppo. The fumbles help here as he rarely gets pinged. Hit JVR up with a ripper pass too. I liked his game. I accept his limitations and admire his consistent effort.

Put him in a number 9 jumper and security will mistake him for Charlie Spargo.

We are finishing second. Port or Brisbane at the G will be fine.

On the injury front, the blues are pretty hard hit. In terms of our game against them, best 22 blues plsyers who are def out are Cerra, McKay and Kennedy. And Walsh is listed as one to two weeks, so in doubt. Big outs - particularly if Walsh doesn't get up as their midfield is their key strength and their game is based around winning stoppages. No Cerra and Walsh, and hopefully clarry coming back in, gives us a big edge in the middle.

His leg of speed is ultimately the issue. He is a meat and potatoes midfielder who will go on to have a good career in a midfield that needs pure inside extractors. Unfortunately at Melbourne he is competing with A+ inside extractors like Clarry and Viney, and he is a C+ player. He also doesn't have the speed or kicking penetration of Sparrow, who is extremely underrated for what he brings to us. Injuries have opened the door for him, but unfortunately he hasn't done anything to suggest that we should tweak our first choice set up to accommodate him. JVR and McVee have both been able to dislodge senior players to stay in the side. Unfortunately JJ just hasn't done enough. I like him and he would be great depth, but it's completely understandable if he wants to be more than that elsewhere, just as it is completely understandable that he can't be a first choice midfielder for us right now.

Back your form, win the next four and hit September off the back of 8 in a row and let the boys freshen up in the pre finals bye. Manage their time on ground if anything

Cardinal rule in football is take things one week at a time. We’re playing North Melbourne this week - let’s concentrate on that game. 😀

My preference is we play North Melbourne and then West Coast at the MCG.

I hope he can sleep at night, knowing that one of his star players could have copped another head knock on Saturday night and ended up with permanent brain damage, and he still couldn't win the Showdown. What happens if Aliir collapses on the ground or ends up with a brain bleed? How does the AFL come back from that? Port are taking the absolute p#$$ with this behaviour. It is a disgrace.

Lot of [censored] on here about Norf. By and large, they have been a good corporate citizen compared to most other clubs in the comp for the last 50 years They dragged the game kicking and screaming into the 20th Century in the 1970's via imaginative recruiting, terrific what we would now call 'list management', invented VFL grand final breakfasts; and then again in the 1980's with Friday Night Footy In the 2000's pioneered 'selling' games to raise revenue - something the Deez have emulated. Of course I want to win next week, but let's not loose sight of the fact that Norf are not in the despicable bucket of [censored] with a dozen unmentionables.

When he does play, I am 100% certain that it would be because he is 100% fit and ready. The club won't take even the smallest risk with him. If this week is the week he's ready, then he comes and plays and we can manage his minutes as you say. He can share TOG with Viney, which kills two birds with one stone, as Viney could use a lighter week, and Clarry could use some game time.

I for one would be very happy to see Port drop into a little hole of misery over this. We've seen players get suspended for multiple weeks for 'failing to protect' their opponent in a contest due to the contact being head high. I think it is being executed terribly but the principal of protecting the head is very sound. As for the suddenly very likely prospect of us finishing in 2nd place, I would have previously been disappointed to miss out on the Melbourne-Collingwood qualifying final at the MCG, but now Port Adelaide have a big moral target on them and I want it to be my club which delivers the exclamation point that makes this incident remembered as costing Port any chance to regain momentum in season 2023. Take 2nd from them. Play them in the 2nd-v-3rd Qualifying final at the MCG. Send a message with an emphatic victory.

I would hate to think of the reaction on here if Goody actually implemented some of the changes being mooted, and we went on to lose. North are a poor side, but beating them in Tassie is never as easy as everyone expects. Even in 2021 they did a number on us down there before some Bayley Fritsch brilliance got us out of jail. Clarko is back too, just to complicate things even further. Of course I still fully expect to win but I don’t advocate resting multiple players at all. Viney (shoulder) maybe, but only if he really needs it and only if Clarry is back. Otherwise, we should take this game seriously and play our best side. Percentage is another crucial factor. Fortunately Goody has never really been into resting players, even our pre season hit outs are normally best available. With all that said and done, I’d like to see Harmes out for Sparrow. JJ can make way for Clarry the following week. Taj will probably get caught by Spargo at some stage. And then Fritsch will squeeze in. That’s about it.

He attended 15 of the 39 center bounces, and clearly has moved to a tagging role over the last 4 weeks - he was mostly on Neale from the Lions and kept him to 19 touches. Given he was the youngest mid we had in bounces (JVR and Pickett don't count), he's still learning and realistically at the moment he'd be our number 8 or 9 mid - including the wingers where he's played in the past. If he was still the same aged 25 and with 100 games you'd worry, but he's still developing and would provide decent depth, if Oliver and Sparrow come back in I'd say he'll be back at Casey.

It was joy to watch - movement up forward. Have been waiting a long time to see this, and I hope it is here to stay. Both Petty and JVR are very mobile for their height,

Any team, anywhere, anytime

I feel like time has stood still while Clarry’s hamstring has been healing.

Managing/Resting/General soreness, whatever tickles your fanny folks. Even if a player's genuinly 'managed' unfortunately they wont be left to their own devices laying back basking on a banana lounge sipping Pina Coladas poolside for days on end 🌴🌞🌴 The HP team will have an individual program layed out to ensure they are 'actively' resting in order to ensure they are primed for their return. While obviously player in question avoids the heavy hitting/ bruising and potential corkies etc from a full match day hit out and hopefully gets to overcome the bulk of any such issues. It comes back to the individual players and the coaches / HP crew coming together and discussing needs/wants as we enter this last foray prior to finals. And who, if any, end up being managed if the window is there should they have potential issues that warrant the active break. A fair percentage of whether the player does/doesn't would be determined in said discussions as well as the alignment of needs from a match up & coaches perspective in terms of game style, structure, available ins to cover off etc. Spoke to the Bont about this late last year and he said the seasons were already overly lengthy and about to become even more taxing now with the extra gather round thrown in. He said any 'in season' breaks are a god send for those in the regular starting 22 in order to make it through while playing a decent brand of footy.

I'll give it time, time up forward.

Wasn't sure where to post this, but good to see the media pushing back against North requesting draft handouts.

The fact Port tried to list Jones as being out with a "migraine", shows how deceitful they are and the fact they are trying to by-pass the rules. It is clear as day and I don't care how they try to spin it, the facts are damning. I actually think the majority of club Doctors, potentially every one other than the Port Dr, has erred on the side of caution and if they have one shred of doubt they are pulling players out. Not even being a medical professional, there is no way I could look at that footage and say, 'I'm comfortable there is no chance there was a concussion'. I think the AFL will tighten the rules and in events like that, even if a player passes the relevant tests they will still be subbed out given how often concussion symptoms are delayed.

Yep and @Clint Bizkit the prize comment “ANB finished the game as he started, with a turnover”. It’s akin to a player getting drafted and clubs and supporters saying how did we not draft him when we had the opportunity. Well your recruiter’s probably focused on what he couldn’t do as opposed to what he could do

There is a large parcel of [censored] still to hit the fan over this matter you would reckon?

My preference is that we win the quarter final by 15 goals, the Prelim by 20, and then I get a shock mid grand final week phone call from Goody, whose been covertly studying my comments on Demonland, and wants my football nous in the box for the big dance. Then when accepting his Jock McHale medal Simon says he couldn’t do it without me, and gestures me on stage, where I politely decline the medal (I’m not a narcissist), thank all involved, and then turn to Basil Zempilas (whose inexplicably been flown in to MC the event) and scream at him ‘Now for [censored] sake Basil, let Simon say a few words’ before ushering Goody up to the microphone to FINALLY have his moment. That’s my preference.

Injury List: Round 21 Tom Sparrow - Calf | Test Clayton Oliver - Hamstring | 1 - 2 Weeks Tom McDonald - Ankle | 1 - 2 Weeks Kye Turner - Groin | 1 - 2 Weeks Bayley Fritsch - Foot | 3 - 4 Weeks Daniel Turner - Hand | 3 - 4 Weeks Blake Howes - Hand | Season Oliver Sestan - Elbow | Season

I want the AFL to demand an explanation as to how Jones passed the SCAT5 test but was subbed out with a migraine. That to me is a clear indication of their attempt to circumvent the protocols.

Yeah, just saw that his op has 32 +'ve reactions which i suppose is a reasonable tally; for a sub... ...i suspect he is feeling most pleased with himself... LOL! Given last week's loud protests to volunteer for this gig, i was shocked, shocked to see it was @Bitter but optimisticwho started the thread!! Some negotiations may need to be had when i return...🙃

I wouldn't mind a rest as well - my foofer valve is playing up.

agree. broad was not unlucky. he tried to pull a ginivan and got adjudged as prior opportunity he raised his arm to deflect cozzie's arm higher and threw his head back simultaneously what was lucky was the umpire saw it

Why on earth would we want to rest anyone? The forward combination of Petty/van Rooyen/Melksham has worked. Just once. They need time to prove they are the real deal and the midfield combination has to be part of that work in progress. Of course, if better players are available they should be picked when available (ie, Oliver/Fristch/Sparrow for Harmes/Woewodin/Jordon, or whoever).

Agree. To be honest, i won't be shocked if Port fall in bit of a heap. A bit depends on their physical conditioning and capacity to get their run back - i have this vibe they have emphasized winning home and away games over being cherry ripe come finals. If the Cats beat them this week, they will have lost four in a row. In that scenario, they will be under massive pressure to beat the Giants next week. Yes that game is at AO, but if the Giants beat the swans this week, which they are favorite to do, they will be shooting for 10 wins on the trot against Port (and 11 of their last 12 games). They are in red hot form. What genuine contender loses 5 on end at this point in the season? They then have to travel to Perth to play Freo, before, as you say finishing the season against the Tigers. Won't happen, but imagine how nuts Port fans would go if they lost their last 7 games of the home and away season! Worth remembering they still haven't resigned Hinkley.

As good as Petty was I wouldn’t get overly excited just give it time and let it play out

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I don’t think that it was about winning the local derby, otherwise they probably would have cleared Jones as well… obviously he was unable to continue and so the ‘migraine’ call. I believe it was all about their upcoming match against Geelong next weekend… they did not want to go into that game minus two important players. I would have loved to see the AFL force them to sideline those players for two games, not just the one… and a full investigation to determine whether the club doctor was under any pressure to make that call.

The number of MFC supporters who have bagged the decision to keep Smith is amazing. IMO he has always had the talent it has been his injury problems that have been the problem. I admire his willingness to keep on going through it all, in 2023 he has the chance to appear in a GF. I really hope he gets it for all the rehab he has gone through over the years.

While I think it's too early to make a call that he's a forward for the rest of the year - let along his career, one of the most pleasing aspects was it was such a big breakout performance. If he just kicked 2 or 3 goals, then it can pass by as a good game. But with 6, that makes opposition teams put more effort and work into him, which should then hopefully free up JVR and Melk (and then Fritta) if they see Petty as the main man. The Tigers move Balta onto him, but they actually started with Young who's only played the 15 games, Balta was on JVR and I assume they wanted him more involved with intercepting. So we know Petty will compete and position himself well, but if it allows more freedom for some of the other forwards (as compared to BBB who looked slow and allowed his man to help out other defenders), this will be a big plus particularly with Pickett and Chandler back in form.

never seen a dress made form hair must be a northern hemisphere cold climate style😁

If the AFL wants to protect itself from future litigation it has to show it is serious about the concussion issue. Given the possibility of clubs' priorities overriding medical decisions, they must appoint and pay for independent doctors at matches. All this just at the time when they have started halting matches when someone looks slightly injured without (to my knowledge) even announcing it is a new policy. Why has it not been announced? I suspect that they know it won't be enforced consistently and if it is a formal policy, teams will use it to halt momentum.

Wait until the day you realise that there is no AFL footballer still playing who is older than you.

Good to see. It's almost like Port were cheating the protocols so they wouldn't miss a week, panicking after a few losses, or just plain incompetence.

Percentage builder to overtake Brisbane this week please

FMD WCW !!!! Do you have a pallet for a palate ? That coffee from 7/11 can be barely be termed swill . Even calling it cat's [censored] is offensive to cats.

I presume you have disinherited him Jane ?