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I’m not one for buying into OTT “we lost it at selection” stuff, but dropping Laurie after what was surely his best game yet doesn’t feel right.

Maybe I’m missing something with Laurie but I feel like in four years he’s never really been given a proper go at it. I thought he was decent last week but nope. If he’s not up to it, fine, but then why did they sign him up long term before the year began. Puzzling development IMO.

Been a while since Ricky Mentha's come up anywhere. Gippsland have moved him to half back and looks like the switch paid off last weekend: Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 7 rebound 50s Mentha had perhaps his best performance of the season to date for the Power, constantly providing dash and drive coming out of his side’s defensive 50. On numerous occasions he showed great speed and composure under pressure to get the opposition off guard on their transition. His silky skills, pressure acts and decision making were all features although at times his disposal by hand missed targets. Mentha showed great pace especially when it came to reading the play with loose ground balls and at times stood at the last line of defence where he saved a certain goal in the second quarter getting a hand to it before going over for the score. * from Rookie Me's CTL scouting notes https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2024/07/31/scouting-notes-2024-coates-talent-league-round-16/

There has been much talk of late about the best way to handle the situation when the footy hits a goalpost. Some have suggested that, as long as the ball goes through the middle, it doesn't matter if it touches a post along the way and should be awarded a goal. Traditionalists would argue that the rule is fine as it is and a behind should remain as the correct score. In addition, there is the thorny issue of the Score Review which is universally loathed as it kills the momentum of the game, takes a long time to reach a decision and is often either incorrect or inconclusive. However, there is another option that has been alluded to in the past but never properly examined and whose time I think has come. I propose that any time the football comes into contact with a goalpost, both the big sticks light up with a series of bright, colourful LEDs (just as cricket stumps do when hit) accompanied by a loud, cheesy electronic musical jingle heralding the start of a period of ... MULTIBALL!!! The lights and music would trigger a trapdoor on each wing of the oval to open* whereupon a spring loaded mechanism like a jack-in-in-the-box would propel another football in a graceful arc onto the field. There are now three footies in play for a period of five minutes. I would also be amenable to ten minutes. Here are what I see as some of the benefits of such a glorious addition to our wonderful game. ~ Just imagine the buzz of excitement and the frisson of anticipation as the posts light up and the music starts. ~ The fun, the chaos, the madness, the unpredictability and the sheer joy of it. ~ New fans would be attracted to the game just for the chance to see MULTIBALL!!! in action. ~ Kids would love it. Get 'em young and keep 'em for life (aka the McDonald's strategy). ~ You would be close to the action no matter where in the ground you are sitting. ~ Scoring would increase and we might even see the return of full-forwards kicking 100 goals in a season. ~ New employment opportunities would open up for MULTIBALL!!! specialist coaches. ~ TV broadcasters could have a four-way split screen with one dedicated to each footy and the other showing the whole ground. ~ Commentary would be unintelligible, banal gibberish, so no change there. ~ We could do away with one of the current four umpires with the remaining three either taking a third of the ground or following one football each. Of course, there are some potential problems. The boundary umpires would need to be supremely fit and vigilant and the goal umpires would be at an increased risk of RSI, which might lead to an increase in the AFL's WorkCover premiums. These are not insurmountable hurdles. The technology exists. The desire exists. The game needs a boost. So come on AFL. Give the fans what they want and that's MULTIBALL!!! * The trapdoors would obviously need to automatically and immediately close again. Otherwise, the players would be at risk of injury from tripping over them or falling into the hole, which would make the whole idea very silly indeed.

Irony much? Oliver can't remember the name of his favourite song which has the title "I Remember Everything".

Wow.. bizarre decision to drop Laurie.

That's adorable. Also great news for Tmac and his wife who are expecting their third child after the sad loss of their baby earlier this year. Rainbow babies are very special.

Tom Morris, eat your heart out!

We're looking at him and some kid from GWS that hasn't played a game Young tall backs are something we're monitoring keenly

Not sure if destroying the confidence of a player after a career best game is a good long term approach. I am sceptical he makes it long term but a very strange omission.

Laurie must not be doing what he’s being asked. There is no other explanation for why they’d drop him after his game last week. He must be missing something.

That wouldn't be Wade Derksen by any chance would it..? Ps Welcome to Dland! Feel free to add any worthwhile trade talk 😁

2024 NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE LIST VIC COUNTRY Jasper Alger (Oakleigh Chargers) James Barrat (Bendigo Pioneers) Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers) Floyd Burmeister (Greater Western Victoria Rebels) Harry Charleson (Greater Western Victoria Rebels) Archer Day-Wicks (Bendigo Pioneers) Jonty Faull (Greater Western Victoria Rebels) Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays) Lachie Jaques (Geelong Falcons) Sam Lalor (Greater Western Victoria Rebels) Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays) Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power) Noah Mraz (Dandenong Stingrays) Finn O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers) Jack Ough (Greater Western Victoria Rebels) Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power) Tobie Travaglia (Vic Country) Rhys Unwin (Greater Western Victoria Rebels) Oliver Warburton (Murray Bushrangers) Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers) Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers) VIC METRO Cody Anderson (Eastern Ranges) Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons) Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) Adrian Cole (Sandringham Dragons) Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights) Josh Dolan (Sandringham Dragons) Tom Gross (Oakleigh Chargers) Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons) Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons) Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges) Harry O'Farrell (Calder Cannons) Harrison Oliver (Sandringham Dragons) Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons) Thomas Sims (Northern Knights) Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) Gabriel Stumpf (Northern Knights) Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons) SOUTH AUSTRALIA Ned Bowman (Norwood) Ben Camporeale (Glenelg) Lucas Camporeale (Glenelg) Angus Clarke (Glenelg) Alex Dodson (Sturt) Sid Draper (South Adelaide) Phoenix Hargrave (South Adelaide) Jacob Newton (Norwood) Charlie Nicholls (Central District) Charlie West (Woodville-West Torrens) WESTERN AUSTRALIA Bo Allan (Peel Thunder) Cody Angove (Claremont) Jaxon Artemis (South Fremantle) Malakai Champion (Subiaco) Hamish Davis (Claremont) Clancy Dennis (Claremont) Kayle Gerreyn (West Perth) Will Hayes (Claremont) Aiden Riddle (Claremont) Luke Urquhart (East Fremantle) QUEENSLAND Leo Lombard (Gold Coast Academy) Sam Marshall (Brisbane Academy) NEW SOUTH WALES-ACT Cooper Bell (Giants Academy) Joel Cochran (Sydney Academy) Jobe Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers) Logan Smith (GWS Academy) FIRST INTAKE 2024 STATE COMBINE LIST Benny Barrett (South Adelaide/SA) Hugh Boxshall (Claremont/WA) Evan Bradley (North Adelaide/SA) Charlie Burke (Subiaco/WA) Zane Cochrane (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro) Sam Davidson (Richmond VFL/Vic Metro) Oliver Dean (Tasmania Devils/North Launceston) Josaia Delana (Giants Academy/NSW-ACT) Asher Eastham (Gippsland Power/Vic Country) Tom Gillett (Brisbane Academy/QLD) Lucca Grego (Western Jets/Vic Metro) Kade Herbert (Woodville-West Torrens/SA) Lennox Hofmann (Sandringham/Vic Metro) Damon Hollow (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro) Lucas Impey (Western Jets/Vic Metro) Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country) Zak Johnson (Northern Knights/Vic Metro) Ben Kennedy (Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country) Nash King (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro) Thomas McKay (Glenelg/South Australia) Ricky Mentha (Gippsland Power/NT) Josh Murphy (Murray Bushrangers/NSW-ACT) Jayden Nguyen (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro) Harrison Ramm (Glenelg/South Australia) Tyler Welsh (Adelaide/South Australia)

That's great, I didn't realise the game was tommorow at whitten oval. I have the day off and it's on my side of town. A bus stop almost outside my house and the bus stops at West Footscray station over the bridge to the ground. Watch the magoos in footscray. Pho in Barkly Street. Then on the train to Marvel. Perfect Friday.

Wouldn't by me. I reckon he let us down badly and maybe cost us another flag going home... I hope they never win one in his time there. He can come back if he want's another flag.

They clearly love Kolt ahead of Laurie. On first inspection given Laurie's equal team high score involvements last week, it's a bizarre decision. But if we love Kolt more, I wonder if Laurie will be encouraged to explore his options...

Miles Bergman interested in a move to Victoria according to the midweek tackle, it’s a no brainer to chase him instead of Houston, six years younger and wouldn’t cost two first round picks

I'm no Laurie fan but I'll be pretty upset if he's been dropped at all, let alone for Hunter.

Whilst we do bag Champion Data, when it doesn't suit our narrative, I am very very pleased for ANB. If you looked in the dictionary for quiet achiever...etc etc.

I asked my West Coast supporter mate. Reads the play really well. Great size. Was drafted at 195cm but has grown to 200. Plays like his size. Good overhead mark. Often intercept marks due to size and ability to read the play, but is very slow and will get burnt on the lead by opposition forwards. Consistently injuries have limited has opportunities.

I had forgotten that. Icke is one of my all time favourite dees, which is pretty remarkable given he played most of his career at another club. A brilliant defender who almost always battled bigger forwards. Consistent and gave his all as a Dee every single week (compare and contrast with, say, Brent Crosswell).

Bowey has no aerial ability and he doesn't take the game on very often imo Dr. A winger needs to roll out and get on his bike pretty quickly without too much hesitation imv. Bowey tends to over think things a little and by the time he decides, the oppo's got most outlets covered. Bowey's pretty good when given the ball but also easily pushed off the ball in one v ones at ground level this season for mine. Not the same since his shoulder issue Look to reset over the summer break?

Every other club roles the Dice but not us,, JEFFO should be playing this week but probably wont, club too conservative and misplaces loyalty somewhat over form! Anyway .. end of rant!

According to Mark Duffield we have ‘significant interest’ in him From their website, they describe him as a tall defender Towering young tall Harry Edwards has been asked to tackle some big assignments since debuting in 2020, and the former rookie-listed defender gained valuable experience from his 17 senior level appearances in the 2022 season. Edwards did well to use that experience to his advantage when given the opportunity, further developing the 200cm backman at an accelerated rate. Edwards encountered injury concerns in 2023, including a fractured wrist, which saw him feature just twice in the senior squad last year. The Swan Districts product was named West Coast’s Emerging Talent winner in 2021.

reckon Jeffo should stop kicking shanks and he might get a run

Can I change my vote? I want Hogan to win one.

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS vs CASEY DEMONS Friday 2 August, 3:05pm, Mission Whitten Oval Head-to-Head: Footscray 9-5; At MWO: Footscray 2-1; Streak: Footscray 2; Last Time: Footscray 15.9 (99) def Casey Demons 12.13 (85) – March 30, 2024, Casey Fields FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS B: A. Jones (32), D. Bedendo (26), O. Baker (13) HB: H. Gallagher (12), C. Hargraves (72), D. Orgill (50) C: J. O'Donnell (18), C. Owen (62), L. Cleary (36) HF: J. Macrae (11), A. Keath (42), J. Freijah (27) F: E. Hunt (56), L. Smith (40), R. Sanders (9) R: J. Busslinger (5), T. Bianco (58), C. Clarke (8) INT: C. Craig-Peters (61), J. Kellett (57), J. Gilbee (69), C. Smith (55), J. Sparkman (51)* EMG: B. Crofts (54), K. Stretton (66), T. Maple (65), A. Bade (68) IN: J. Freijah, C. Hargraves, J. Macrae, J. O'Donnell, R. Sanders, J. Sparkman OUT: C. Daniel, R. Garcia (AFL), L. McArthur (hamstring), A. Bade, B. Crofts, B. Young NEW: Josh Sparkman, 20, 188cm, North Ballarat CASEY DEMONS B: J. Adams (26), A. Tomlinson (20), M. Hore (27) HB: R. Steele (54), J. Schache (19), M. Gregory (57) C: J. Billings (14), B. Laurie (16), L. Hunter (12) HF: S. McAdam (23), M. Jefferson (21), K. Windsor (66) F: L. Kentfield (44), B. Brown (50), O. Sestan (38) R: T. Fullarton (33), M. White (52), K. Brown (41) INT: N. Moodie (74), T. Edwards (58), J. Craven (55)*, R. George (71), W. Verrall (28) EMG: J. Bell (73), H. Neocleous (75), C. Peters (63), K. Shipp (59) IN: J. Adams, J. Billings, B. Brown, J. Craven, B. Laurie, S. McAdam OUT: B. Howes, T. Sparrow (AFL), N. Yze (Oakleigh Chargers), J. Bell, H. Neocleous, C. Peters NEW: Jesse Craven, 19, 177cm, Tooradin-Dalmore/Gippsland Power

Agreed pretty disappointed for Laurie, was ok against GWS, Woey gives very little & Bowey has been ordinary all season

Didn't Laurie sign a 2 yr deal earlier this yr?

For 16 weeks I was adamant Carlton would take it out. I’m pleased to report I’m less adamant.

Yep agree whilst the jury is out with Laurie he SHOULD have been perservered with, this sends out a SHOCKING message to him IMV! ANNNNND wheres Jeffo??? And that great converter and Key forward extraordinaire Petty still gets a gig!??

Sparrow is better than Billings, and Tholstrup has more potential than Laurie. Seems that simple to me. Agree it was the best game we've seen from Laurie but it still wasn't a good game.

Laurie, Windsor, Billings out. Sparrow, Howes, Kolt In.

Tom Morris - You’re so vain.

Anyone know how effective he is when the ball is continuously kicked over his head when he's on the lead or otherwise indiscriminately bombed into the forward line. If he's good at that then pay whatever it takes. Otherwise. Nah.

And his long term fans are nodding their heads sagely and saying I told you so.

Sorry yes need to be patient. I meant we might need someone who can cover for next year 2025 with Tmcd pending retirement and Tomlinson likely to be elsewhere. Adams imv wouldn’t be ready to cover May in 2025.

I know for a fact we were monitoring him throughout the 2022 season before he got picked up in the mid season draft.

Allen is a West Australian

Hmm I can see some issues with implementing this. We'll definitely need to introduce bumper boundaries which automatically fling the ball back into play whenever it goes out.

The ARC system would actually explode in the event of that happening

That 94 team fwd line of Lyon, Schwartz, Charles, jackovich injured, pike, Then Stynes, Tingay, Lovell , Lovetts, Neitz, etc etc the most talented team not to win a flag

But lacking in bitterness!

I'm beginning to get very excited over this coming draft. It feels like 2014 all over again!

Dominating school footy as we speak even as an under-ager. If he continues on the upward trend with his development then I can see him being talked about as a potential top 20 pick next year. Still a lot of water to go under the bridge but.

McVee is a Sheezel clone with more pace. Goodwin needs to be tried on WAR CRIMES if the big Vee is not let to run rampant in the guts in 25'.