No10

I actually like the ruthlessness from Simpson and WC. He’s a footballer, keep his head in the game, then after the game re-enforce he’s a good person and this is an accident in play, shield him from the media, make him feel totally supported and almost believe he wasn’t in the wrong. He’s one of their best, make sure it stays that way. Let the AFL deal with all that integrity spin.

True, but is supported by the vision. And a truckload of character references. Plenty of remorse from Gaff too, to be fair.

Solid defense from Gaff. Changing the conversation to the niggle off the ball. And as people have said on here, @McQueen - said he was aiming for chest but Brayshaw lowered his position... Building the case for a light penalty. Still think 8wks.

I thought Bugg was ‘high impact’. Incidentally, Jonas also got 6wks in 2016 for high impact elbow that KO’d Gaff. To your point, I’m interested to see what a defense does to the result. I’m guessing 8wks, but if less then you’d have to wonder about all that integrity around the Bugg handling.

I disagree. I mentioned Bugg because although the MFC article @Pates kindly posted said he'd trained harder and proven himself to be fitter and stronger, he can't break into the team, not even close. We ask these kids to play on the absolute edge, these incidents have an affect. If I were Gaff, I'd now stay at WC. The votes are just a hint to a far more brutal culture that rightly or wrongly can help him return to his best.

I mentioned it because (given the thread is about Gaff being OOC) it seemed interesting that Simpson (*assuming it wasn’t Lyon) went out on a limb with his votes. It’ll surely come up. It might’ve been emotional, it might’ve been strategic, it might be club cultural. Either way, you’d expect Gaff will now think about how to recover from this and that becomes a factor in his choice. *for Moonie

My God. It’s maths!

Thanks, I hadn’t read this. I hope Bugg makes it back. At the time the conversation was about how the MFC took a very high road during the aftermath and tribunal. There’s a long thread, obviously.

I’ve never seen a breakdown of ALFCA votes, unsure it’s released. Mathematics is at fault for that being 4 votes from one coach. I don’t think it’s emotional to assume Simpson gave him the 4 votes. But yes, that’s my assumption.

There’s a long thread on Bugg, some more articulate legal comments than I could offer (I think Jr?). But essentially we left Bugg to wear it alone. If it were Viney I don’t think everyone would’ve been so fine.

I’m not guessing at what happened- Gaff punched him. I mean to suggest WC might offer some defense at the tribunal. The votes from the coach suggest they’re not so willing to play the way we did with Bugg. Ie. guilty, no defence.

Agree in part- giving 4 votes is a very poor message. However I thought we should've supported Bugg better. If I were Gaff, I'd be inclined to stay at WC. For the MFC, I don't think we have the culture to support him after this. Maybe this was Simpson's thinking. Will be interesting to see if they mount a defense. Andrew did sharply pull away as Gaff swung, which meant arm contact instead became fist contact. Could go to intent.

I believe MSF is right as it's the only mathematical possibility. 5Yeo 5Yeo 4Gaff 4Redden 3Redden 3Cripps/Sheppard 2Sheppard/Cripps 2Darling 1Sheppard/Cripps 1Lycett

Simpson standing by his player. Not sure it's smart but very different approach to how Bugg was handled by MFC.

Gaff 4 votes in the AFLCA

Demonland 2018... how this place has changed.

The Age today... The Demons, battling for a return to the finals for the first time since 2006, hope to have co-captain Jack Viney (foot) and running defender Michael Hibberd (quad) back for the round-21 clash against Sydney.

I believe the umpire called “Max and Paddy”, not with great volume or clarity given “Paddy” is not typically a ruckman. Danger overplayed for the free. Unlucky but equally unfair. These blocking rules are meant to protect the stars. To boost their performance for a more exciting spectacle. Even the Tv commentators are directed to excite the viewer by waxing lyrical about the stars. It’s not working for the game. Sport is best when most emotional, the fact that’s it’s impossible to adjudicate is one of the most unique AFL traits, instead of embracing this, they’re making it more technical, to define the rules better. It should be the opposite, the umpires need to make calls about ‘intent’. Harmes wasn’t impeding the player, so play-on. Danger was playing for the free, play-on. The spectacle is the narrative of the game, instead of asking if it was “front on contact” we see a player with “courage” running with the flight. The stars don’t get a soft free in front of goal, they “overcome” with their power and class. The crowd are calling for frees, the players are waving their hands like Danger and the commentators are talking about the technicalities of the rules. It’s a mess, their answer: add more rules.

Because as has been pointed out by the world, the I50 count versus scores is massive out of balance. Need some forward craft and experience.

He lacks his usual power. Don’t believe he’s injured? I said ‘managed’. He’s under performing and it’s not magically turning around. This is exactly when an injury occurs. Yes, he had the bye. Going to Qld for the weekend isn’t a program designed to return his energy and power.

Out: Petty (too soon) J.Smith Hannan Trac (managed) In: Keilty (Drunkn was 100% on Fritsch and makes fair points) Vince Garlett Stretch Those calling for Lewis to be dropped are the same calling for BOG Bernie, would’ve won today with Vince. Lewis was good. Jones is finally being played outside, thankfully. He now needs to start being more damaging with less ball.

100% agree with you on Jones, it was awesome to see him be so damaging. To have the captain delivering the ball like that... I hope it was a turning point and he continues that form. This is the game of the coaches. We're better on paper but Clarkson is a master coach- I dislike the scramble-ball style, it's beneath the talent we have. With Jones and Hogan, Goody seems to be building roles and a style that's yet to fully realise. Against the precision opposition, on the MCG, I suspect this could be the game we'll see it...

Only heard Jimmy Bartel recently talking up Menzel as wanting a multi year deal, that Geel are majorly low balling and only 1yr. It would seem there's a few Cats that aren't happy at the moment. Could be a spiteful exit, good terms for whomever wants to make a decent offer. He's injury prone obviously, but very good when firing.

How do you even argue with this? MFC have shown him the door. Jack will nominate a club. Not much leverage. Pretty simple reality.

Agree, it's a reasonable trade. Although doubt we'd get 20 from Geel. Watts' been seriously damaged in value and that's on the high side of estimates. However Geel have their own issues with Menzel, good player, great skills, could take 33 and Menzel? Balances the deal with Crows better and nets a good player. Ok- Menzel is FA. Ignore the above. Still a good player that could fill a role Watts had. More relevantly- how amazing to be the BIG trade headline. Lever is a big fish. We've arrived.