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is this like 2019 where we realised we needed to learn something new and dealt with the results for the bigger picture or is this like the end of the line for this list or is this something else I am not wise enough to see

You could argue melksham also but that’s not going to change much.

What are our odds to miss the 8? Seems safe money

There’s literally no one who would do a better job. We have no forwards in the cupboard.

In what world is it reasonable to change the rules of a game in the middle of a season.

Many people have been saying for a while that the umpires have been unnecessarily impacting the game. In my opinion it’s hard not to see it. I’ve sat at so many games where it’s felt like the agenda of the umpires has been pretty clear at times and also shifts within a game. Not just Melbourne games. It’s easier to confirm when you are a neutral obviously. many say questioning these things are ridiculous. They claim you are entering conspiracy. There is evidence that meddling has gone on in bigger leagues around the world in the same way. Why wouldn’t the afl be a place where this was also possible. Once you introduce advertising, gambling etc you are backed into a nasty corner. Obviously we can’t have the game without some of these things. I always assumed the umpires were talking to a “boss” of sorts. Why else would they have their ear pieces. from now on when you feel the free kick count start to even out later in a game when it’s inconsequential or you feel like one team is getting a certain type of free the other team is not it will be even harder to give the umpires and the afl the benefit of the doubt. This administration again shows that the integrity of the game is secondary to them. They mess with rules to suit to the point that people who have been watching the game their whole lives have no idea what’s going on. They continue to strip away grass roots football to maximise profit for the main product. They still apply different rules to things like head knocks depending on the player and the time in the season and their preferred outcome. They ban media personnel who don’t tow the company line. They are business people first, not custodians. They are as a group deeply involved in themselves and their own importance. Rewarding themselves financially more than any star player receives. this all fits the “conspiracy theory” and will turn more and more people away. The game has been rotten for a while now.

Halfway through the third quarter is often when a switch gets flicked when we are playing well. I think part of the way we play is that we need to get to a stage in the game where we get that metre or two of separation as fatigue kicks in to be able to play and execute that game style. It’s not uncommon for games to be largely arm wrestles with one or two periods of separation across the league. There’s not a lot separating many teams right now until things like fatigue start to play a part in games.

It’s the number one priority in every team game all over the world…

Loving our starts this year

Between all the terrible umpiring, the lack of continuity at the tribunal and all the other nonsense the afl is guilty of I think we all as fans of all clubs should come together and find a way to protest the afl. By the afl I mean head office. They are a bunch of unaccountable so and sos who abide by no rules and the general feeling amongst those I talk to across all teams is that they don’t like the way the game is run. Maybe a boycott could be in order…

It’s his second year. Perspective please. He’s a key position player. They take time.

Seemed like he didn’t want to give us credit so spoke around most of the questions.

He’s a second year key forward progressing at a rate comparable to many great key forwards over the years. He’s there developing and doing so in a messy but pleasing fashion

I’m confused as to whether it’s decision making or execution with some of these kicks. We’re not going anywhere this year

Our kicking will forever ruin our lives. It’s this teams fatal flaw

Ah that brings back memories

I don’t think it was the forwards fault. He’s not a bash and crash contested pack mark kinda guy. If everything up field is broken what chance do the forwards have. They are the last piece of the puzzle. They can only provide adequate service if they are provided adequate service.

He’s continued to kick goals though, as per his job description. He’s unfortunately our main forward and is up there with the best in the league at that job, despite his size. No he’s not necessarily tough and I have seen him take a few short steps over the years. I’ve also seen him show great courage in the air. I like that he shows a bit of arrogance at times. Sometimes our team seems to go out of its way to keep its head down a bit too often. He’s not a bull and there’s a certain element who seem to think if you aren’t jack Viney than you are lacking something but Fritschs strengths well and truly over power his weaknesses. A team needs balance. He has been one of the best forwards I’ve ever seen at the club.

Another classic tight victory by the magpies… they look ordinary. Scraping past a poor hawthorn side isn’t going to fill anyone with confidence.

Did they really handle finals last year? Yes they beat us but could we have tried any harder to keep them in the game. It was one of the most dominant losses I’ve seen

I always thought Draper was horribly over rated. He just flails around being semi physically dangerous because of his size and every now and then a thing happens not as a result of skill, talent etc but as a result of pure chance. Inevitably if you flail around on a football field for long enough something will happen.

The umpires still working hard

They are holding us constantly but they can do anything they want and they won’t get pinged with ball in hand

Class

My dog leaves the room as soon as it hears the crowd on tv. Knows what’s coming