deanox

Super harsh on Watts who was good when he came on. Stretch is higher than he should be.

The 2 player all out idea is a fallacy at worst, or an exaggeration at best. In the 2009 code it states: Where more than one team member in a Team Sport has been notified of a possible anti-doping rule violation under Article 7 in connection with an Event, the Team shall be subject to Target Testing for the Event . If more than one team member in a Team Sport is found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation during the Event, the team may be subject to Disqualification or other disciplinary action. In the 2015 code it states: If more than two members of a team in a team Sport are found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation during an event Period, the ruling body of the event shall impose an appropriate sanction on the team (e.g., loss of points, disqualification from a Competition or event, or other sanction) in addition to any Consequences imposed upon the individual athletes committing the anti-doping rule violation. They don't need to ban the whole team. A fine loss of points is all that is needed. Given that the players tested positive in the off season, I suggest there will be no additional penalty.

To be honest, after 3 weeks I wasn't expecting it any more. But bam. Woo be interested to hear how Essendon and the afl respond.

Wasn't found not guilty. I agree that media tends to beat things up but in this case I don't see an issue.

Regardless of what the end result is this week, we need to come out with physical intent from the get go. Bump and rough before the bounce, hit the early contests hard. Back each other up and don't be afraid to knock them over, even if or means giving away the odd free. We can't afford to let them hit hard and first.

If deemed "accidental" or "insufficient force for a report" he gets 0 weeks. If deemed reckless or negligent (whatever they mean) he will probably get weeks.

Defensively i don't think we've been bad. I know we make skill errors etc that cost is in defence but we are manning up well, protecting space etc. What we aren't doing is attacking well. We aren't rubbing for each other, creating space or leading.

I agree on the last point, and once we are in the middle group of teams anything can happen. RE Watts, I wasn't intending to comment on the recent exposure/commentary on his performance, I just meant to highlight that that is the exact role I hope he would play: high DE%, high uncontested possessions, high inside 50 count. They are the type of stats that would indicate he is doing his job to me, obviously pressure acts, chases, tackles etc as well. I agree with you also on the stats that we use v the stats the coaches use. I think this is because champion data charges the clubs for those stats. But we need to work with what we have! The stat I don't like is "contested possessions" which also include picking up a loose bouncing ball in the backline when no one else is within 40 m of you. The stats need to be weighed against the observations. We really need more midfielders getting more uncontested possessions though. Easy ball through the center is why we have such a low inside 50 count.

Thanks rusty. I want sure if it was 40 or 30 m so you covered it for me! Interesting that 5 of the top 6 are defenders. That seems to support the kicking sideways theory. Without metres gained, rebound from 50 and inside 50s may be able to provide some commentary on the type of possessions. We really need a couple of our mids to be pushing into sublet or better stats categories. And this is one Watts should be aiming to be in

That's massive. I thought Jamar toiled ok given the opposition and that he was doing it on his own. Roos wasn't happy. If we ever come out hard again it will be this week.

Interesting would be an analysis of which players get the most uncontested possessions and have the highest disposal efficiency (which, to my knowledge, is the closest stat to "retaining possession after disposal"*). Those players would be very valuable to us at the moment as they would be the guys linking the play and keeping us moving. I suspect we don't have many. *DE actual is something like "short kicks and handballs to a player not under pressure (which is an uncontested possession) and long kicks to a 50/50 or better contest (which isn't always an uncontested possession )" I suspect we have a number of players who get uncontested ball but then give it up, rather than providing another uncontested possession.

May needs to appeal. That is ridiculous. Even Gleeson (prosecution) said "May was unlucky not dirty" so surely this should then be accidental and thrown out?

Statistics show us how big the loss of Viney really is. Uncontested footy is our biggest weakness at the moment, and he was obviously working hard to win uncontested ball.

Fair points, he is down on form. I am warming to the idea of Pedo, Dawes and Hogan up forward without Watts. Vandenberg will have a stint forward, as can Howe and Jamar, so there are still options, and Pedo on the flanks could provide a decent option. I want to clarify that I am not defending Watts, nor trying to claim he is anything he isn't, just trying to make sure we are having a realistic conversation. I suspect many of those screaming to drop Watts are also saying McKenzie should never play again. Unfortunately, at the moment we can't have it both ways, we have a clear best 22 and not much depth, so if one of those best 22 is to be dropped when fit, we need a very good reason and plan for his replacement.

They play different positions and will play in the same side. It's possible that Pedersen could play as a HFF but he isn't an elite user of the ball, not sure how he'd go running up the ground. I suspect Dawes will miss another. He injured his calf on Friday. 8 days won't be enough given his history of calf injuries.

Who comes in for him?

Watts didn't have a great game today. But it was the lack of ball winning by Jones, Tyson, Vince and others in the centre who meant Watts want getting fed the ball. He needs to learn how to go and win his own ball of the others don't give it to him, and when (if) he does that he will be a star, but for now he is still one of our best users of the ball, one of our best creators and finishers and is miles ahead of the emergencies or others on our list. If we can get a good value trade for him (a top 12 player or a pick we could trade for one) we'd take it, but until then he won't be delisted and it is unlikely he'll be dropped.

The hodge one is flat out assault. 4 weeks or more is what it deserves. Elbow to the face, launched himself at an unsuspecting victim. I don't care if swallow played on. That had potential to break his jaw or worse. Disgusting.

At best it is 250 games from the CHF of a generation and 150 games from a solid 2nd tall forward with leadership abilities, including 50 during the dark times when he was the only un-injured key forward on our list. No way I'd trade that back.

Are you serious? I wouldn't trade out Hogan for wines or grundy, and I'm not sure I'd trade for both anyway. Further, we got pick 20 back as well, so effectively Dawes was included.

TDI with bails concussion I'd be surprised if he played this week. Also it sounds like the group that did light sessions were the casey group who have shorter recovery time between games, so makes sense.

What are the available Worksafe punishments? Do they include jail for directors?

I thought it says they were also investigating the AFL after a complaint from the public.

Really really interesting reading.

What are the odds for him getting sacked next week?