hemingway

I like Weed. He wanted to remain a Demon which warms my heart. And his body language on the ground confirms his desire to play in this team. However, I do find his second efforts or lack of them, frustrating. At times, he reminds me of Jack Watts. Weed can be only metres away from an opponent with the ball but does not put any effort to attack the contest. It is noticeable compared to his team mates who keep chasing. A tall forward cannot rely on marking alone or relying on the one contest. That’s what impresses me about BBB. His chasing and pursuit of the contest when the ball hits the ground is exceptional. Always 100 per cent effort. Weed still has a future and we should persevere with him. However, at the moment and probably for the rest of the season BBB is our best option. And TMac still offers more versatility and effort than Weed.

Agree on night games. They are a significant deterrent for country fans. There are a lot of Demon fans in the country. Until I moved to the country I had not realised how many committed Dees fans live in central Vic. For most, home is a minimum of 2 to 3 hours from the MCG. Meaning that if you go by car, it’s a 1am return to home. So that’s a problem. The second problem is that public transport/trains is dodgy/unreliable. Most don’t have any faith in the train service. I understood why when at the end of the Doggies game I walked back to Southern Cross only to find that the last train had been cancelled and there was no replacement bus service. No service, no warning, no apology just an empty train station. Fortunately, I was able to find a billet at a friends flat for the night but incredibly frustrating and inconvenient given my plans early the next day. Most country fans have given up. They love the club and are probably more passionate than city dwellers but it is all to hard. The TV and the armchair have to suffice.

Isaac chose Geelong for lifestyle reasons. That was the primary reason. To state that Isaac did not think he would cut the mustard at Melbourne is absurd. He wanted to escape the city. He also has family connections to the Geelong area. In footy terms it worked out for Isaac, the Cats and the Demons.

Blessings Uncle. The wisdom of Job.

I really don’t know if Gill has done a good job or bad job or a mediocre job. I guess the truth lies somewhere in the middle. What we do know is that the industry will paint his time in a favourable light particularly in terms of revenue streams and Covid management. He has managed to keep most of the key stakeholders onside. No mean feat. He is a good negotiator and has an ability to achieve acceptable outcomes. And sometimes doing a good job is measured by what you don’t see or hear rather than what you do. I tell you what I don’t like about his tenure. The AFL jumping into bed with the gambling industry. They have sold their soul and changed the nature of footy. The long term ramifications and corruption that comes with gambling will be felt for years to come. I also don’t like the constant rule changes and interpretations that frustrate fans, coaches and players. I don’t like rule changes that are simply designed to increase the speed of the game, the scoring rate and the attractiveness of the fame. Often the changes do not bring about the change desired. Most of the time I hear myself saying over and over in my head, just leave the bloody game alone. It is such a great game that you don’t need to do to much to improve it. I don’t like the fact that footy Tv ratings dictate the fixture. I hate weeknight games and the fact that it discriminates against families, working men and women, school age kids. In fact everyone that likes to attend live footy matches. Whilst recognising that umpires need the support of the AFL, I hate the way umpires have become centre stage actors in the drama of the game. Thats enough for now. This could go on for ever!

This has been a problem for AFL for the past 30 years in the city and suburbs. When my boys went to school back in the 90s and early to mid 2000s most kids passed on footy. Very few Asian kids or their parents wanted their boys to play footy due to its physicality and injury risk. Also playing sport was not part of their culture. They were at school to do well academically. In addition, there were many parents with an Aussie/Anglo heritage that were concerned about injury. This view was confirmed by many of the bigger boys mimicking the physicality and behaviour of AFL, together with very poor umpiring in which umpires took no action against kids being hammered by aggressive and bigger opponents. Footy training was hindered by the small numbers. Many kids did not want to attend training on cold wet nights particularly when their mates were playing other sports. Hence the majority of kids played soccer and basketball. And they followed teams in Europe and USA. And Sat morning Auskick was hampered by small attendance and the thing being run by a few Dads who were well meaning but not exactly inspirational. In the country there is greater grass roots footy but again many boys play basketball. And as we know, junior and senior clubs are struggling and many have gone by the wayside, merged or struggle to survive from year to year. Whilst TV ratings may be healthy the condition of the body is distinctly unhealthy and participation is haemorrhaging. The long-term future of the game is limited. The AFL must spend its money at the junior development levels but at the same time spend money in the suburban and country regions. There is not much point playing footy if there are no teams to join.

Absolutely Frog. He is a leader. He brings heart and soul. Players like Gus are the glue that keeps the whole together. His role may be replaceable but his value to the team should not be underestimated. Of all the players he is the epitome of team first. Gus leaving would result in a huge hole in the bow of the ship. As you say, a must keep.

Understand where you are coming from Dazzle. I guess we should be happy that the coaches/selectors have these options.

Team balance and game plan. We have more flexibility with TMac and Ben Brown. TMac’s height, tank, and experience forward and back make him valuable. Looking at the last game only you would select Weed over Tmac. Like most traditional forwards, Weed is a confidence player and requires a string of games. I like him. But despite TMacs form or lack of it, his inclusion is better for team balance. Having all three in the team throws that out of whack.

Your serious side Uncle? Just your dual persona?

Enjoy the moment and enjoy each win. After a lifetime of playing and watching sport, I follow the old adage of not getting too far ahead of oneself. Injury and other unforeseen variables can change the picture very quickly. And we have had 3 rounds. Lets just enjoy now.

Through to the keeper, bowled Shane, and bowled Uncle.

Definitely a yes from me. He was well past his best but he instructed and lead others on the field. His leadership on the ground was akin to Jake Lever today. His move to the Demons was also one of those small steps that started to change people’s perception about the club. That others viewed us as an up and coming team, no longer the basket case that players would avoid. We suddenly had Melksham and Hibberd, and then Lever etc. Lewis also talked us up helping to create a positive image of an improving club. From a marketing perspective a win win.

And the umps inspection before the game in the rooms to make sure there were no nails sticking out that may result in nasty tetanus laden gashes on lovely soft pink skin. Not likely to apply to BBO whose skin was already coarse.

Bloody hell. Wheres the cotton wool.

The physicality of both Petracca and Oliver makes them great but it does heighten the risk of injury and their longevity in the game. Every time I watch these champs play I think, how long can they keep doing this. Also Maxy as well. But I guess it’s not a tap you can turn on and off.

Prefer triage or anything to cull. Rest of post very thoughtful and well reasoned. There are posts that are gems. This is one. .

Interesting comments Steamin. Personally, I’m a big picture guy and sometimes detailed analysis leaves me cold. However, in this case, there is something else. It’s Max. I’m sorry Steamin but I just can’t in any way, shape or form criticise or find fault with Max. It’s almost sacrilegious. If he has had a few off moments, after all his superhuman efforts over the past few years, in particular, last year, he has, well, almost earn’t them. He has more credits in the bank than anyone I can think of. No, I have had a good hard think about your comments, and I can’t come up with anything but praise, adulation, indeed love for our Premiership Captain one of the most remarkable individuals ever to don the red and blue. He is in lofty company with other Club legends and is getting closer to the sanctity of the Clubs spirit soul, the immortal Robbie Flower. And now I think about it, together with Robbie, a Yarra Park sculpture would be most fitting, a place of homage after his retirement.

It would seem to make sense for Jackson and the Club to agree on a 2 year deal. That’s assuming Luke wants to stay. It seems improbable the either party would want a long-term deal. Luke because he would want to keep his options open and the Club due to salary cap pressures. It’s a delicate balance. After another 2 years there may be further room for movement, maybe not. It’s would be terrible to lose Luke as it would be to lose any of our stars when their contracts expire. The thought of Oliver or Petracca in opposition jumpers would be real heart sink stuff. However, the Hawks lost Buddy and were able to maintain their list and reap further premiership rewards. How the Club manages all these complexities will be crucial to longer term success and the health of our playing group.

Please don’t use the word cull.

I think Jacko waving his arms in the goal square would distract our other forwards. The game has probably passed him by. Although as footy is now regarded as entertainment perhaps there is a role for him. He could always fight Barry Hall at half time. Either way the fight would only last a few minutes.

Every time I see the topic “what they are saying at.......”. I immediately think “I don’t care” or more profane thoughts. And I don’t care except I then read the comments. Perhaps just to confirm the idiocy of opposition supporters. At the moment Bomber supporters sound a bit down poor old things.

Agree with most of the comments here. He is one of our most improved and consistent players. A real team player. In fairness, he has always had potential. In his first few games, he showed talent. I remember thinking he had a few tricks but they were not on display often enough. From memory, he was dropped after a couple of games. It shows how coaching and player development together with team success and the confidence shared with team mates improves a players own game. When a team is playing poorly and losing, it’s very hard for a player to shine. And skills suffer. All of those who have played team sport have been there. Support of the coach is so critical to player self esteem and confidence. At the same time, the player has to grab the bull by the horns and ANB and others have done that.

Agree wholeheartedly MD. On the lights, my wife finds it hard to watch the game live because the flashing lights give her a migraine. This is apparently very common. The light show has got worse ever since it’s inception. Initially it was after goals or when play stopped, but now it’s during play as well. Just like ground commentary and announcements it makes a day or night at the footy less enjoyable and at times intolerable. It’s become a sound and lights show. Thank god, we still have a great game that in it pure form is sublime. And don’t start me on TV viewing. Some commentators add to the viewing experience but all to often that’s not the case. Did I mention Dwayne and Gerald ? They are insufferable.

Miking up the umps has been the worst innovation in TV broadcasting. So annoying and distracting. At times it can help to explain a decision but a lot of the time we have to suffer the running commentary that does nothing to enlighten us. It’s just twaddle. At least tone it down or use their comments selectively to explain a contentious decision. We do not need to hear the umps voices the whole time. They should be seen but not heard (most of the time).