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That pretty much says it all...

No hate. No care either. But any metric that does not rate the game's best ruck (by the length of the Flemington straight) as elite is flawed.

I don't know what their definition of "elite" is, but it's comical that they could include such plodders and no-names as Jeremy Finlayson, Sam Switkowski, Lincoln McCarthy, Zac Williams, Nick Hind and Dylan Moore. Jack Sinclair gets the nod but his team mate Jack Steele does not. The whole thing is risible.

Chumpian Data continues its death wish to become irrelevant!

Selwood has been a great player and leader at Geelong. ...but there is no doubt in my mind, biased or not who the current best Captain in the AFL is. He's the one who is the current AA Captain and Premiership Captain. Maxy is a great player (5 x AA), leader and Captain...well done big fella.

NicNat is Elite at the Buffet.

Surely that’s supposed to read Chad Wingard is elite at PlayStation ?

I see the attraction of Joel Smith with his athleticism & flexibility but his weaknesses were on display against Brisbane with under-developed footy nous. Too often allowed his opponent to get goalside, and flew at the ball without impacting on a few occasions. Compare that to say Bowey who has lesser physical attributes but much better footy nous.

Spoiler Alert; Max isn't elite ... MELBOURNE Elite players: Three – Jake Lever (key defender), Clayton Oliver (midfielder), Christian Petracca (midfielder). The premiership Demons had five players earn selection in the All-Australian team last year, headlined by skipper Max Gawn. But Champion Data only gave three elite status based on its analysis – the same number as in 2020 despite the team’s premiership win. Star midfield duo Clayton Oliver and Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca retained their A-list status from 2020 while defensive marshall Jake Lever replaced Gawn. Gawn was one of seven Demons to earn an above average rating. Champion Data explained Gawn only marginally missed out on elite status with little separating the Demons’ star from Tom Hickey, Brodie Grundy and Sean Darcy. Bayley Fritsch, Alex Neal-Bullen, Kysaiah Pickett (all general forwards), Lever’s defensive partner in crime Steven May (key defender), Tom McDonald (key forward) and Ed Langdon (wing). Gawn, May, Lever, Oliver and Petracca all earned All-Australian selection last year. The others ... ADELAIDE Elite players: Three – Jordan Dawson (general defender), Taylor Walker (key forward), Paul Seedsman (wing). After a forgettable 2020 season, the Crows were the only team in the league without an elite player heading into 2021, according to Champion Data’s ratings. But this year they have three, bolstered by the arrival of off-season recruit Jordan Dawson from the Sydney Swans. After struggling with his form throughout parts of 2020, 31-year-old Walker earned his elite rating coming off a 48-goal season from his 17 games. He averaged 2.8 goals (elite), 5.3 marks (above average) and 13.4 disposals (elite) a game. Seedsman didn’t miss a match for the Crows last season and averaged 26.1 disposals a game (above average). The Crows also have six players with an above average rating – Brodie Smith (general defender), Tom Doedee (key defender), Ben Keays (midfielder), Rory Laird (midfielder), Rory Sloane (midfielder) and Reilly O’Brien (ruck). BRISBANE LIONS Elite players: Five – Daniel Rich (general defender), Lincoln McCarthy (general forward), Harris Andrews (key defender), Dayne Zorko (midfielder), Hugh McCluggage (wing). After their semi-final run last season, the Brisbane Lions retained the same number of elite players as they had in season 2020 – but with some changes. Veteran Rich retained his elite rating after a season in which he earned his first All-Australian selection, averaging 26 disposals and 640.4 metres gained (both elite). Vice-captain Andrews – rated elite for spoils (8.6) and intercepts marks (3.8) – and midfielder McCluggage, averaging 25 disposals a game, also held their rating. After an injury interrupted year, 2020 Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale’s rating slipped to above average along with fellow midfielder Jarryd Lyons. Captain Dayne Zorko joined the elite group after a season in which he claimed the club’s best and fairest for a fifth time, while forward Lincoln McCarthy’s rating also lifted after a 36-goal season. The Lions had eight players with an above average rating – Charlie Cameron (general forward), Joe Daniher (key forward), Daniel McStay (key forward), Neale (midfielder), Lyons (midfielder), Zac Bailey (mid-forward), Oscar McInerney (ruck) and Mitch Robinson (wing). CARLTON Elite players: Three – Adam Saad (general defender), Zac Williams (general defender), Jacob Weitering (key defender) Captain Patrick Cripps has missed out on an elite status for the second year in a row, falling from above average at the start of last year to “average” based on Champion Data’s ratings. But perhaps the biggest surprise was Blues young gun Sam Walsh’s above average rating, slipping from his elite ranking the previous year. Walsh averaged 29.8 disposals a game, won his first club best-and-fairest award and finished fourth in the Brownlow Medal count. Champion Data acknowledged Walsh’s fantastic season, rating above average in every area for a midfielder, which resulted in his overall rating being above average. Recruit Adam Saad was the only Blue to retain his elite rating from the previous year. Saad was joined by vice-captain and defensive general Jacob Weitering – who holds an elite ranking for spoils and disposals – and fellow recruit Zac Williams, despite an injury interrupted start to life at his new club and mid-season questions about his fitness. He met the minimum 10-game qualifier with his 14 senior games. The Blues had seven players rated above average – Sam Docherty (general defender), Nic Newman (general defender), recruit George Hewett (general defender), Fisher (general forward), Lachie Fogarty (general forward), Harry McKay (key forward) and Walsh (midfielder). Retired defender Liam Jones would have also been listed among the Blues above average players. ESSENDON Elite players: Three – Nick Hind (general defender), Darcy Parish (midfielder), Jake Stringer (mid-forward). The Bombers’ three elite-rated players is up from one in season 2020. Defender Jordan Ridley was the Bombers’ only elite-rated player entering season 2021 but his rating slipped to above average. Recruit Nick Hind earned an elite rating in his first season at the Bombers after comfortably filling the void at half-back left by the departure of Adam Saad. Young gun Darcy Parish, who averaged 30.5 disposals a game, and midfielder-forward Jake Stringer – coming off a 45-goal season – were also elevated to an elite ranking. The Bombers had seven players rated above average – captain Dyson Heppell (general defender), Mason Redman (general defender), Ridley (general defender), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (general forward), Will Snelling (general forward), Zach Merrett (midfielder) and Kyle Langford (wing). FREMANTLE Elite players: Two – Sam Switkowski (general forward), Sean Darcy (ruck). Dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe was the Dockers’ only elite-rated player from the 2020 season but his status has slipped after an injury-interrupted year. Restricted to 15 games in 2021, 30-year-old Fyfe’s season – which ended in Round 19 due to a recurring shoulder injury – was rated above average by Champion Data. Ruckman Sean Darcy earned an elite rating after a year in which he averaged 28.5 hit-outs a game (above average), 10 hit-outs to advantage (elite) and 4.7 total clearances (elite). Forward Sam Switkowski just met the minimum qualification with his 12 senior games, in which he had a return of nine goals. The Dockers had seven above average rated players – Travis Colyer (general forward), Michael Walters (general forward), Brennan Cox (key defender), Luke Ryan (key defender), Rory Lobb (key forward), Fyfe (midfielder) and veteran David Mundy (midfielder). GEELONG Elite players: Three – Tom Stewart (general defender), Tom Hawkins (key forward), Sam Menegola (wing). The number of elite rated players at the Cats is down from four in 2020 to three in 2021. Spearhead Tom Hawkins, who kicked 62 goals for the season, and wingman Sam Menegola retained their rating but defender Mark Blicavs and midfield star Patrick Dangerfield slipped. Blicavs and Dangerfield, who was restricted to 16 games due to suspension and injury, were rated as above average by Champion Data. Defender Tom Stewart earned an elite rating following a season when he received his third All-Australian nod and was crowned the Cats’ best and fairest before a syndesmosis injury in Round 21 ended his season, cruelling the Cats’ premiership hopes. Dangerfield and Blicavs were among 10 Cats rated above average, including Zach Tuohy (general defender), Brad Close (general forward, Gary Rohan (general forward), Jack Henry (key defender), Jeremy Cameron (key forward), Mitch Duncan (mid-forward), and Isaac Smith (wing). Ruck recruit Jonathon Ceglar also joins that list after his arrival from the Hawks. GOLD COAST Elite players: One – Touk Miller (midfielder). The Suns had two players with an elite rating in 2020 – Matt Rowell and Sam Collins – but Touk Miller was the only one to make the grade last year. The 25-year-old midfield ace earned a spot on the interchange bench in the All-Australian team following a career-best season in which he averaged 31.8 disposals and 7.1 tackles a game. Collins was one of five Gold Coast players rated above average while Champion Data rated young gun Rowell below average in his injury-hit 12-game season. Rowell missed most of the first half of the season after injuring his knee in Round 1 last year. Jack Lukosius (general defender), Wil Powell (general defender), Nick Holman (general forward) and Lachie Weller (mid-forward) were the Suns also rated above average. GWS GIANTS Elite players: One – Toby Greene (general forward). Harry Perryman was the only GWS player to hold an elite rating in 2020 and now his place has been taken by match-winner and controversy magnet Toby Greene. The rating highlights the huge hole that will be needed to be filled by the Giants for the start of this season with Greene to miss the first five rounds through suspension. Greene copped a six-week ban for making contact with an umpire in the Giants’ elimination final win over the Sydney Swans in last year’s finals series. The All-Australian forward kicked 45 goals last year and averaged more than 17 disposals a game. Perryman (general defender) was one of seven Giants’ players to earn an above average rating alongside Isaac Cumming (general defender), Lachie Whitfield (general defender), Daniel Lloyd (general forward), Harry Himmelberg (key forward), Tim Taranto (mid-forward) and ruck Matt Flynn. HAWTHORN Elite players: Four – Jack Scrimshaw (general defender), Luke Breust (general defender), Dylan Moore (general forward), Chad Wingard (mid-forward). The Hawks were down from five players with an elite rating in 2020 to four in 2021 as the club moves into a new era under coach Sam Mitchell. Triple premiership player Luke Breust and Chad Wingard are the only two to retain their elite rating from the previous year They are joined by young defender Jack Scrimshaw and 22-year-old forward Dylan Moore, who kicked 27 goals for the Hawks last season. Captain Ben McEvoy and James Sicily – sidelined with a knee injury last year – and Jack Gunston, who played just one match as he battled a back complaint, were the Hawks other players with an elite status in 2020. The Hawks had seven other players with an above average rating – Blake Hardwick (general defender), Jarman Impey (general defender), Changkuoth Jiath (general defender), Sam Frost (key defender), Tom Mitchell (midfielder), Daniel Howe (wing) and Tom Phillips (wing). NORTH MELBOURNE Elite players: One – Aaron Hall (general defender). Ruckman Todd Goldstein was the only player to score an elite rating in 2020 but he has been replaced by defender Aaron Hall as the only Kangaroo to make the cut in 2021. Hall averaged 27.9 disposals a game, a whopping 650.5 metres gained and 7.5 marks a game – all elite rankings. Goldstein was one of six North players to be rated above average, including Jack Ziebell (general defender), Jaidyn Stephenson (general forward), Hugh Greenwood (midfielder), Ben Cunnington (midfielder) and Tarryn Thomas (midfielder). PORT ADELAIDE Elite players: Six – Zak Butters (general forward), Robbie Gray (general forward), Aliir Aliir (key defender), Jeremy Finlayson (key forward), Charlie Dixon (key forward), Karl Amon (wing). The Power boast the second-highest number of elite-rated players on their list in the league, but with one big omission – Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines. In 2020, Port Adelaide had four A-graders – Robbie Gray, Charlie Dixon, Zak Butters and Steven Motlop. That number has jumped to six, bolstered by the arrival of former Giant Jeremy Finlayson in the off-season. Butters, Gray and Dixon retain their elite status and have been joined by All-Australian key defender Aliir, who emerged as one of the recruits of the year after his move from Sydney. But midfield star Wines was only rated as above average by Champion Data in a season he won the Brownlow Medal, club best and fairest and All-Australian selection. Wines was the ninth-highest rated midfielder – just outside the eight elite. Champion Data explained the only reason he wasn’t rated elite was his ball use by foot, rating as a below average kick in 2021. Wines was one of seven players rated as above average for the Power, also including Travis Boak, Tom Jonas and Connor Rozee. Finlayson, who kicked 23 goals last year for the Giants, will provide another tall forward option for the Power, who were dealt a pre-season injury blow with Dixon undergoing ankle surgery last week. RICHMOND Elite players: One – Dustin Martin (mid-forward) After slipping out of the finals mix last year, the number of Tigers with an elite rating also fell. After claiming a third flag in four years in 2020, the Tigers has three players hold an elite status – Nick Vlastuin, Shane Edwards and Dustin Marin. Superstar Martin was the only player to retain his elite rating in 2021 as his season came to an early end when he suffered a serious kidney injury in Round 18 against the Brisbane Lions. Until then, he had averaged 22.6 disposals, 3.6 clearances a match and kicked 19 goals. But the Tigers had 11 players rated above average, headlined by Shai Bolton, Dylan Grimes, Jack Graham, Jack Riewoldt and Nick Vlastuin. ST KILDA Elite players: One – Jack Sinclair (general defender) Dan Butler and Jack Steele earned an elite rating for the Saints in 2020 but Jack Sinclair was the only one to make the cut last season. Runner-up in the St Kilda’s best-and-fairest behind captain Steele, Sinclair found his niche at half-back to become one of the Saints’ most dependable players. Despite being named on the interchange bench in the All-Australian team and finishing equal-fifth in the Brownlow Medal count, Steele, who averaged 29.2 disposals and 8.5 tackles a match, was rated only above average by Champion Data. The Saints had six more players rated above average – Jack Higgins (general forward), Dougal Howard (key defender), Rowan Marshall (ruck), Paddy Ryder (ruck), Daniel McKenzie (wing) and Seb Ross (wing). SYDNEY Elite players: Three – Isaac Heeney (general forward), Lance Franklin (key forward), Tom Hickey (ruck). The Swans have retained the same number of elite players heading into the 2022 season but two of the names have changed. Heeney retains his elite status from season 2020 but superstar forward Lance Franklin – who booted 51 goals last season – and ruckman Tom Hickey replace co-captain Dane Rampe and defender Jake Lloyd. Lloyd’s grading slipped to above average – one of seven Swans with that rating, including co-captain Luke Parker and forward Tom Papley. Midfield warrior Josh Kennedy and new co-captain Callum Mills, who battled achilles issues for the second half of last season, were rated average by Champion Data. WEST COAST Elite players: Two – Liam Ryan (general forward), Nic Naitanui (ruck). The Eagles were among the five clubs to boast the equal-highest number of players with an elite rating in 2020 but that slipped to two in 2021. Electric forward Liam Ryan and star ruckman Nic Naitanui, who was named on the interchange bench in the All-Australian team, both retained their elite status. Ryan kicked 24 goals last season while Naitanui averaged 31.2 hit-outs, 12.3 hit-outs to advantage and 7.2 clearances a match. Champion Data said Naitanui was rated a long way clear of any other ruckman in the league last season. The Eagles had nine players rated above average by Champion Data, including defender Jeremy McGovern, key forwards Oscar Allen and Josh Kennedy and midfielder Elliot Yeo. Vaccine-hesitant forward Jack Darling, who is unable to train with his teammates until he gets vaccinated, was also among those rated above average. WESTERN BULLDOGS Elite players: Bailey Dale (general defender), Caleb Daniel (general defender), Marcus Bontempelli (midfielder), Tom Liberatore (midfielder), Jack Macrae (midfielder), Adam Treloar (mid-forward), Bailey Smith (wing). They might have been heavily defeated in the Grand Final against Melbourne but the Western Bulldogs emerged as the club with the highest number of elite rated players in the competition in season 2021. Up from their five the previous year, skipper and midfield star Marcus Bontempelli and defender Caleb Daniel were the only two to retain their elite status. Defender Bailey Dale, who prospered after a switch to defence last pre-season to be named in the All-Australian team, midfielders Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae and wingman Bailey Smith also made the A-grade. And Adam Treloar also a strong recruit, earning an elite rating as a mid-forward. The Bulldogs also had five players rated above average – Bailey Williams, Cody Weightman, Alex Keath, Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter.

Hickey and Naitanui are elite and Max isn’t - well, well. I must have been dreaming during 2021.

Zac Williams - the defender who does not defend? OK. Of course Western have half their list. Flag > being elite

Oh, hell. Max Gawn not elite. What a blow to our flag chances. And the season hasn't even started. Shockwaves at Casey tonight. (Ask the Cats what they think of Gawn?) Crikey, I dunno how we scraped past the Dogs in September. They've got seven (7) elite players. Meanwhile ... Saad elite. Right. Who would you pick if you had the chance, Saad or Walsh?

It was back to the couch for me this week, and I sat down just in time to hear that we had a late out in Lampard (due to illness), to be replaced by Brown, who I'd just seen running around in the VFLW for Casey. As the commentary helpfully informed us, Brown had already clocked up 9.4km in that game. Then again, GWS were coming off a two-week break during which many of their players had Covid – there's always someone worse off than you! The coin toss went our way, and Daisy opted to kick with the wind. At this point, recalling that I wanted to keep an eye on milestones, I note that this was Mithen's 40th AFLW game and Hanks's 30th, with some 50-game milestones looming. FIRST QUARTER For reasons that should be clear to anyone who witnessed this game, I've decided to include a "Goals We Should Have Kicked" running commentary herein, just to really drive home our key weakness. To get the ball rolling, GWSHK #1 came courtesy of Paxman in the first few minutes. Finding herself in plenty of space after receiving the ball from Daisy, she had ample time to make sure of it, but no. Still, the Dees' pressure was on-song from the get-go, with Zanker wrapping up two Giants at once in a tackle, and Paxman and Hanks combining to nullify a Parker sidestep. Mithen made the most of a free kick on the boundary to hit up Harris right where she wanted it. Unfortunately, this was GWSHK #2 as Harris slammed it into the woodwork from directly in front. The Giants faced an uphill battle in trying to clear against the wind, falling into that common trap of playing too close to the boundary. Another goal opportunity soon arose after Daisy used her nous to allow prior opportunity before going in for the kill. She kicked truly, and the Dees finally had some reward for their control of the game. The Giants then had their first real look forward but were halted by repeat efforts from Heath on Staunton and a goal-saving tackle by Colvin. West and Mithen linked up to clear the ball to Bannan on the wing who took it and JUST WENT! Five bounces later … and she was caught in two minds between passing and having a shot, but wow, it was exciting stuff. Soon after, Mithen gave Hore some silver service, providing her good mate an easy chance after an uncharacteristic drought in recent times. Hore converted, and Melbourne took a fourteen-point lead into quarter time. SECOND QUARTER West had a red-hot start to the second, receiving the tap from L. Pearce, getting the clearance and then following up with a tackle at half-forward that earned her a free kick, which she wasted. Still, the Dees were able to prevent an easy exit, thanks in part to the tenacious pressure of Fitzsimon, with six tackles already to her name. The Giants scrambled a chance off an unlucky out-on-the-full free kick from Colvin's shin, but the Dees defence hung in there. A kick off the ground from Paxman somewhat fortuitously turned into another fast break as Bannan took possession and rushed it to Parry, fresh off the bench. With an absolute paddock in front of her, Parry bought some time then sent the ball to a dangerous spot, where a terrible bounce eluded Scott and another chance went begging. A familiar frustration began to build, with no score midway through the second. Then Hore popped up with a stylish dribble kick, only to be denied on the last line. Some equally desperate defending was then required at the opposite end by McNamara and Brown to chase down a promising Giants thrust forward. While the Giants were able to put together more forward entries with the wind, few were deep or dangerous, and they remained scoreless to halftime. Luckily for them, Melbourne hadn't been able to manufacture many real chances either, with the quarter a bit of a stalemate. Some welcome comic relief arrived in the form of Harris accidentally kicking the ball into the boundary umpire, knocking his whistle clean out of his hand, with profuse apologies ensuing. THIRD QUARTER The second half began with the ball camped in the Giants' forward fifty and the Dees struggling to find clean possession. Eventually, Parry stopped the rot by bombing the ball in the direction of Harris, who was well defended by Randall. Unfortunately for the latter, Harris had her covered once the ball hit the deck. In the resulting chain, Hanks took a risky kick inboard, which McNamara made the best of. A free kick to Fitzsimon eventually resulted, but the youngster set the trend for the quarter, missing to register GWSHK #3 from directly in front. Immediately after, Zanker almost became a contributor as well, though I'll give her a pass since it wasn't an easy miss, more of shot that should have been centred. Sadly, GWSHK #4 soon followed, via a miss from Hore in space and under zero pressure. Next up was GWSHK #5, this time from Hanks. At this point, the game should have been well and truly over. GWSHK #6 was probably the trickiest of the bunch, another flying shot by Bannan. In the last minute, the Dees pushed for a chance to get some scoreboard reward, with a neat switch via West, Mithen, Hanks and McNamara. Scott worked hard to gain a holding the ball free kick, which she mercifully converted, making it 1.5 for the quarter. FOURTH QUARTER The Giants clung on valiantly for the first few minutes before Melbourne took control, with a clear desire to have the scoreboard better reflect their efforts. A strong tackle by Bannan forced a forward stoppage, and L. Pearce and Zanker combined in a classy manoeuvre that allowed the latter to blast the ball towards goal. Harris's opponent gave away a soft one, and she slotted the resultant kick. L. Pearce began to take the ball easily out of the ruck, and the Giants' pressure slowly ebbed away, worn down by the persistent attack. The Dees had the wall built, causing repeat inside 50s. Fitzsimon, the recipient of one such re-entry, made a convincing show of lining up for goal only to adjust her kick to allow a loose-checked Harris to launch at it. With the subsequent goal, Harris took the lead in the season goalkicking (and third position on the all-time leaderboard). The GWSHK list reared its ugly head again, with GWSHK #7 coming in the form of an out-on-the-full shocker by Scott (who'd received from an absolute shank from Hore). Thankfully, that was the end of it, with Hore finishing the Dees' scoring for the day with a trademark front-and-centre crumb. Melbourne then strived to keep their opponent scoreless, but it wasn't to be, with a goal to Doyle and then a point saving the Giants the ultimate embarrassment. To complain about this would be likely saying a murder should have been a massacre, but well, it really should have been. STATS & STAND-OUTS Melbourne was dominant in almost every measure. While it's easy to bemoan our lack of efficiency inside 50 (at 50%), when you look at the Giants’ efficiency of 18%, maybe it doesn't feel so bad. The free kick count was 27 to 12, with the Giants giving away plenty in their efforts to quell threats all over the ground. Parker played an almost lone hand for the Giants with 23 disposals, but her game suffered from a lack of support on the outside. Mithen (22), Paxman and Hanks (21), and West (20) led the way for the Dees in a dominant midfield display. It was easily Parry’s best effort for the season with 16; now to do a bit more with them, and us Demonlanders will have to find a new scapegoat! Mithen, West and Harris had 4 marks apiece, while Fitzsimon (9), Heath (7) and West, Hanks and Bannan (6) piled on the tackles. L. Pearce and West led the clearances with 6 each. L. Pearce again paired her hit out and disposal efforts (14). Evidently, West was everywhere and is gradually learning her limitations; she needs handball options when only precision kicks are on offer. Of course, credit must also go to the whole team's defensive efforts, which denied the Giants opportunities forward. It was a solid game in particular by Heath, who was undersized against the dangerous Staunton but held her goalless for the first time this season. Birch did the standard Birch things, Colvin had a good impact when needed, while Brown is to be commended for her two games in one day. Goldie just keeps at it from go to whoa. Hore found some form with 2 goals. Bannan is just waiting to burst and worked hard all day. Scott was more involved and got on the board when the rest were struggling. Zanker certainly applied ample physicality. Harris got to the right places, and our players are increasingly finding her there. Deliver to her, and she'll get a mark, bring the ball down front and centre, take an opposition player out, or receive a free kick nine times out of ten I've harped on about the goalkicking, but it really was awful at times. Apparently, the AFLW team will train at Casey one night a week from hereon in. MELBOURNE 2.2.14 2.3.15 3.8.26 6.8.44 GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 0.0.0 0.0.0 0.0.0 1.1.7 GOALS MELBOURNE Harris Hore 2 D Pearce Scott GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Doyle BEST MELBOURNE Mithen Hanks West Paxman Harris GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Parker Randall Dallaway Eva Dalton INJURIES MELBOURNE Sara Lampard (ill) replaced in the side by Alison Brown GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY McKinnon (head knock) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Nil CROWD TBC at Casey Fields NEXT ROUND The reigning premiers, Brisbane, 7.10PM, Monday 21st at Metricon Stadium. THE LAST WORD It's make or break time as the competition heats up and the opposition gets tougher.

My mad keen dogs fan mate worked on this book. He was awarded the contract on the Monday after the GF. He accepted through gritted teeth!!

Maybe Luke Wanted to play for a coach who was prepared to defy Gil, and have an occasional beer with his players.

Gotta say, for a man with supposed "serious" character flaws, Goodwin seems to be able to quickly gain the respect of players. Effectively every player he's recruited has said something along the lines of "I joined Melbourne because I was blown away by Simon Goodwin and his presentation".

Syndesmosis injury which is no good i hate seeing good players injured prior to this, hadn't missed a game

LAST WEEK AS YOU RECALL WE LEFT DR. SMITH, THE ROBOT AND WILL ROBINSON LOOKING FOR DR. SMITH'S LOST DENTURES, UNAWARE THAT THEY WOULD SOON BE WHISKED TO AN ENTIRELY ADVENTURE IN TIME AND SPACE. Dr Smith, ""I just knew I put them down over here by this Rock"". Robot, ""Dr. Smith your memory must be fading"". Dr Smith, Silence you Cackling Clod Will Robinson, Here they are Dr, Smith I have found them. Hey Doctor Smith, Robot come over here I have found something else!! Will Robinson '' I remember this this is the Taurons old matter transfer unit, they must have left it behind. Robot " You are correct Will Robinson" Dr. Smith "Matter Transfer unit? How interesting" Robot "DANGER DANGER" Dr. Smith "Silence you interfering incomprehensible bringer of doom" Will Robinson " We better do as he says Dr. Smith Dad said we should not touch any Alien machinery until he has checked it out." Dr. Smith " It all looks very simple, push a button here , turn a dial there" Adjusts levers Zoooom Tish, Zappppppp Weird sounds all of a sudden a mazer beam envelops the Robot and He Vanishes Will Robinson, ROBOT ROBOT Dr. Smith "What have I done" oh the pain, the pain! LATER ROBOT WHERE AM I WHAT IS THIS PLACE ?????? Casey Fields?? I must have overloaded my servo mechanism and are in some trance, Whoah who goes there??? Picket Fence " I know you your the Robot from Lost in Space, Yes but where am I and who are you" I'm known as Picket Fence I come down and watch The Mighty Melbourne Demons and file training reports ROBOT ''It does not compute" Picket Fence "" Look I've read the Script Your gonna be Ok Robot "You''ve read the Script??? Picket Fence "Yeah I've read the script and what happens is Don, Will and Professor Robinson will replicate the sequence from the Taurons matter Transfer unit and in about an hour or so you will be whisked back to Priplanus" So hang out with me and I'll talk you through what I do, Tell you what can you do dictation?? Robot "Affirmative" Ok start dictating:- Picket Fence ventures to Casey fields to file this report. Fresh Breeze sprung up today coming from the Sth. West some modifications when kicking into the cross breeze were evident but all in all not a bad day out in Casey. Solid 3 plus hour session again with quite a few highlights and observations. NO SHOWS MAJAK DAW, HARRISON PETTY, and I also didn't see JAKE MELKSHAM MODIFIED DUTIES T. MAC, ANB, CHARLIE SPARGO (although they all took part in Running drills) SKILLS, DRILLS AND MANOUVERS DRILL 1 Small ball work in close formation emphasizing correct option and skill drill under pressure in disposing of ball DRILL 2 Running through cones strategically placed and turning and disposing of ball under pressure DRILL 3 Goal kicking Drill from every concievable match dynamic and distance, included inside shots outside shots, trick shots running and pinging from variety of angles, coaches presenting ball from setups and all with clear intention of practicing and perfecting routines from almost any situation. DRILL 4 Methodical Diamond ball press using the old diamond configuration but whole ground, running in threes and fours handballing, overlapping, precision handballs and kicks to next group in the diamond formation, Like a very advanced and technologically hyped Circle work for want of a better understanding. This was clinical, precise with barely and funble and it was done at High Velocity. DRILL 5 3 QUARTERS OF WHOLE MATCH SIMS WITH AFL UMPIRES DRILLS 6 A, B, C Small group work on stoppages, Boundary work and kicking and handball practicals. PLAYER WATCH MAX, CLARRY, JV, JAKE LEVER, STEVEN MAY, BBB, BAILEY FRITSCH, TRACC All "Brilliant"" As usual really you only have to take a look at what the strong inner core do just relentlessly day in day out they just do no rest on laurels they keep driving the perfection bus so tight that it sits flawlessly on superb conditioning and just the expectation that hard work and dilligence are the cornerstones of success. ANDY MONIZ-WAKEFIELD Wow what a dynamo, absolutely provided the highlight of the day when he took possesion rover like on the wing, assessed options, delivered long, sprinted forward, recived the ball back again and crashed a classy goal. Will play in 2022 SAM WEIDEMAN Probably as involved in match sims as I have seen him, kicked a couple of goals marked around the ground and was non to shabby in the ruck vs Max when called on. Can see some tangible improvements ED LANGDON Played on Fraser Rosman and I though Fraser did some very nice things, Ed Langdon just runs all day and gathers possesions at will JAMES JORDON Was very good today linking up creating play and ran all day, I thought that for the last two weeks that TOM SPARROW has been more impressive, but today James was very telling. TAJ WOEWODIN Noticed him a bit more today, he fiited in well uses the ball well and seems to be finding his feet a lot more. Similarly DANIEL TURNER, and BLAKE HOWES trained impressively and clearly as their confidence builds there form will create excellent and robust jostling for spots in the senior team. LUKE DUNSTAN Copped a knock or two but continues to impress with his zeal and attack on the ball. Disposal has been questioned but for mine he uses it thoughfully and with good skill. JACOB VAN ROOYEN Not as prominent today but still looks likely to take a freak mark or snap a cool goal. Will keep a closer eye on him in coming months HARMSY Probably for me was highlight no 2 where he got the ball in heavy traffic, powered his was out and kicked an inspirational goal for the Red side when they really needed it OSKAR BAKER He also was influential in the play today got the ball mused his pace and disposed of it very well. FINAL THOUGHTS Gus trained without a helmet😁 and looked good, there was a player no 39 but have no idea who he was!?? Another full on session and it is clear that the levels of professionalism continue to rise and that that infectious will to win as derived from our player cohort, continues to drive up standards to another level. I can see tangible warmth, empathy, and collegiality among then player and coaching fraternity and this points to a period of sustained success. There will be no premiership hangovers at M.F.C You can bank on it. Did you get al that Robot?? Robot "Afirmative" And just like that. one minute he was here then ""Whoosh"" He was Gone, it was all after all in the Script! ""I WISH I KNEW WHERE I WANTED TO BE WHEN I WANTED TO BE WHERE I WAS TODAY"" P.F

Going on players named in other teams, if Fritsch, May, Gawn, Salem and Langdon are not elite, Champion Data is measuring the wrong things.

No hate... It's just some of the players listed are hardly elite for their positions. Their algorithm is still way out of whack when Carlton who have been one of the worst teams defensively in the competition have 3 elite defenders and we who were far and away the best defence in the competition only have 1 elite defender according to them. I know that team defence plays a role in this but seriously... ...Carlton were struggling for a place to hide Zac Williams.

play a chip-chip-chip game with plenty of high possession, high mark ball usage = more champion data points = higher rating arbitrary and meaningless in the grand scheme of things

If Luke Breust has rated elite as a general defender I wonder how he rated as a forward.

Long Sleeve AFL Premiers 2021 Logo arrived today.

Excellent. I shall enjoy it even more, knowing a Bulldog helped put it all together…

Congratulations @Gorgoroth. The Rams are Super Bowl champions and thoroughly deserved.

How many 208cm tall ruckmen would even attempt to chase Jackson? Maxie has put on some speed.

Asked by his manager Robbie D’Orazio, of CSM, “If the Saints offered you a contract, would you take it?“, Dunstan was emphatic. “No. I said that in my exit interview. I said: ‘To be honest, I’d rather go get a job and move on,’” Dunstan said. “Just the stress … I’ve had for the last 12 months, especially of going in there. It feels good not knowing I have to go back and put up with it.”

That's right but looking back, how the hell could the Pies have fit him into their cap??

Honestly who is their right mind actually knows what 😮 wanted. Postponement for a week? A month? And if he was so concerned did he contact the AFL and demand that this be done? Contact WA Health expressing concern re some unknown infection afflicting the players to whom he had a duty of care, as well as a duty of care to the opponents and the whole AFL competition, let alone the WA community? Pretty clearly just making excuses for poor list management, poor preparation and poor team selection.

One thing I enjoy very much about D'land is the connection between people who got on board in the Norm Smith era, in the dark years, the Northey years, the Daniher years, and the dark years again, leading up to now. I like that everyone got on at a different station but we're on the same train ride. GO DEMONS!!!

We are tbhe cute nerdy girl next door who just quietly inherited a fortune. We are suddenly extremely attractive.

Correct! Steven May had all but agreed to be a Pie until his manager suggested a chat with Goody. After one phone call with him, he told his manager to find a way to get him to The Dees.

If we don't pick Dunstan to play in our match against St K, we're mad. "Howz yer perception now, Ratts???"

Basically said Ratten had marked his card. Stress of trying to change that perception wore him down.

He was handed the chalice/challenge Charlie Cameron

I had forgotten just how agile and strong Tom was especially in the first ¾ of the season …. many opportunist goals from strong bustling and breaking clear.

Normally it's a nice bunch of flowers but the pressure was on.

58er, thus far I’ve resisted the urge to snap back at you at times when I’d be forgiven for doing so. And at times your posts are difficult to understand, a prime example being your first paragraph (above), but I’ve let that slide. I’ve even ignored it when you refer to me as ‘MCW’ and ‘my man’. But, I’ll NOT let you take what’s clearly your shi**ty mood out on me. And I know this is a product of your moods since surely you wouldn’t seriously dare me to go to an aged care facility and repeat something that I never said in the first place. Also, kindly stop thrashing multiple exclamation marks when addressing me. Thank you

Here come Clarry and Tracc…

Chandler reminds me of Baker, potentially an AFL level talent but makes too many unforced errors to get there

Been there since the Norm Smith days. I have a very strong heart and constitution to have coped with some of the those years. To some degree 2018 and most certainly 2021 have just about wiped away all memories of the horror years.

Only with a really really really big telescope

I went down to Casey Fields for today's training. The boys started with lighter drills (kicking, shots on the run, snaps from the pocket, set shots) before moving into a drill where the players were in four groups (two at each end, two on each wing) which involved basic kicking to a lead, giving off to a player running past and then kicking to the next group. Missing from training (at least to my eye) were Melksham, Petty and Daw, while TMac ran laps. TMac didn't appear too bad and ran at a pretty steady pace - I would presume he will be back in training fairly shortly. Then match sim began, which was three 20-minute quarters (or should that be thirds?). Of the training group, ANB and Spargo didn't play in the match sim (but trained prior to then). Blue v Red, with Blue seemingly a predominantly "A team". Teams were as follows: Blue backs - Lever May Tomlinson Bowey Hibberd Salem Hunt Blue mids - Oliver Petracca Viney Langdon Brayshaw Sparrow Jordon Gawn Blue forwards - B Brown Weid Fritsch Pickett Chandler Red backs - Turner J Smith D. Smith McVee Rivers Baker Red mids - Dunstan Harmes Woey AMW Rosman Howes Jackson Red forwards - M Brown JVR Laurie Bedford There were a few fill-in players who played for the red team. My comments below are subject to a pretty ordinary viewing position about 30m behind the goal and behind a fence. But I'll try my best! -Unsurprisingly, the Blue team dominated. Scores were B 3.3 v R 0.4 at the first break, B 8.8 v R 1.6 at the second and the final scores were B 13.13 v R 3.7 after the three terms. I've just included that for those who like those things - it means nothing, especially when after the second term the entire Blue "A" defence switched teams with the Red defence. Jackson also switched into Blue as a forward, taking Weid's spot, while Weid went into the ruck for Red. I also noticed Chandler in Red for the third term. -Blue were just too dominant in the midfield and even when Red were able to get the ball forward, May, Lever and co. were just too well organised to allow easy scores. -Goalkickers for Red - Harmes, AMW and Chandler. Harmes kicked a nice long-range goal on the run and handed an easy one over the top for AMW in the goal square, while Chandler kicked a nice snap from the pocket. -Goalkickers for Blue - Fritsch 5, B Brown 4, Weid, Jordon, Langdon, Jackson -Fritsch and Brown were obviously the most dangerous forwards - Fritsch got his goals mostly in opportunistic fashion, including a 50m penalty, marking a floater that he judged best and getting an over-the-top goalsquare handball from Viney, but smart forwards get themselves in the right positions. He also kicked an absolute beauty, gathering a ground ball with back to goal, turning and drilling a left-foot drop punt on the spin. Brown kicked all his from set shots, one from a free, one from a 50m penalty (having marked on the lead) and two from marks out in front. His kicking was excellent, with two of his goals from fairly tight angles. He looked slightly more mobile to me - I think he was very straight-line last year and while he will never be the greatest exponent of lateral movement, he did look a bit more agile. -Gawn was just superb, especially in the air - he dominated the ruck and marked everything in sight, whether in a one on one or in a pack of 6 players. -Oliver was his usual ball magnet self, just racking up touch after touch and setting up the play, particularly in the first two terms. -Trac was a bit quieter but got better as it wore on. He took two lovely marks as a forward where he parked himself in line with the ball, used his big frame to protect front position and the drop zone and just marked on his chest. -I thought Weid was really good in the first two terms as a forward. He really launched at the ball and took several contested marks. He spilt some others but hit the pack hard each time. He wasn't as effective in the ruck in the third but he was up against Max. -D Smith seemed to get a head knock during the game and went off. He didn't return to the match sim. Other than that I didn't see any other injuries. -Viney was pretty solid and Sparrow did a few good things. Sparrow is just a brick outhouse - both in the upper body and the legs - you wouldn't want him hitting you at full speed. -May and Lever were really solid with their positioning and understanding of where to be, rarely if ever allowing any easy inside 50 marks. Tomlinson also did some good things and it was great to see him play the full match sim at full intensity. -I probably noticed less of the Red team, given Blue had more of the ball and the vantage point wasn't great. But I liked the look of Howes - he is still quite thin but when he got it he made really quick decisions, which is not always typical of young players adjusting to the increased pace of the game. JVR showed a bit but it was a tough day for Red forwards up against AA defenders.

Ha ha! We let down our hair and took off our glasses and the high school quarterback suddenly realised: holy cow ... she's the 2021 AFL premier! and asked us to the prom.

It's The Age. You can open it in incognito mode and it resets the 'monthly free article' counter. Because they are super tech savvy at Fairfax. 😁

That’s certainly an analogy.

The doco involves Dunstan because of his manager, and some of our presentation to Luke will be in this doco. D’Orazio actually explained our presentation to get Dunstan over the line as one of the best he’s ever seen.

#DestinationDemons

Looking through the training photos, all I can say is that I am in love, never a finer bunch of men to pull on our jumper. We are going to murder teams this year, the scoreboard will get switched off, round three last year I said we would win by cricket scores when we properly clicked. This year will be unlike any year in half a century, we are Phar Lap for the first time since the 50's.

Goodwin looks like a dead man walking premiership coach about to have his contract extended.