dino rover

Where on Kayo?

I like how Goody was up for improvement notwithstanding 6 and 0 and the win over Richmond. I also think that the Melksham / Brown swap makes the most sense. Melksham and Brown dont bring the same tackling pressure as the other forwards - they are there for their goal scoring. Melksham hasnt been compelling and Brown provides a lot of upside for the team. Jackson was never the option - not with 17 possessions at 100% efficiency and two goals plus how he helps Gawn and as a development project. Jones as the other option I guess but maybe he brings more leadership and pressure acts than Melksham.

In a medium sized defender I think Rivers is the archetype - fast good disposal courageous and selfless. Howe's main game is the hanger on a hapless fwd who got a rubbish delivery. No thanks to Howe.

Tomlinson on the Sunday Footy Show (go to 6:22 in the clip) that he offered to play CHB to Goody - indeed he became a winger at GWS more by accident than design / originally a defender "Skulls got injured" that the approach at Melb. was different to GWS - at GWS more one on one defence at Melb. "system based defence at the Demons whereas at the Giants you've got your opponent you beat your opponent it was very one on one" I don't know enough about our "systems based defence" but the idea that Tomlinson "goes to Lynch" or May "picks up X" seems at odds with Tomlinson's advice here.

Damn right where do players live? proximity to where they are predominantly is the thing with excellent facilities Supporter facilities follow that priority

In defence relative to 2018 we have significantly upgraded our skill level by foot with Rivers May Lever Tomlinson (note Frost's turnover to Tmac in the Hawthorn game). Our tackling pressure in the fwd half commences our defence and makes it easier for our defence in that there isnt too much easy transition. Our midfield runs to help the defence as Salem highlighted in a post match interview - not just Max running into defence but more of the midfield more often. Jacko whilst not a key forward - yet - is more than a chop out ruckman a la Pederson, TMac or Weid and that helps Max and Jacko is a big mobile talented mid. Finally Langdon on the wing with Brayshaw developing means our own transition is much better and the capacity for the wings to choke the oppositions transition is greater.

I dont think Tomlinson is an ideal CHB and Petty so far isnt a compelling replacement. When we have more 2m tall fwds to cover we will need more tall defensive options.

I note that BB covers some territory...a marathon man apparently "Ben Brown, 11.6km" https://www.afl.com.au/news/511202/marathon-men-telstra-tracker-reveals-your-club-s-endurance-kings c/f Top-five most distance covered per game in 2020 Ed Langdon, 12.3km Christian Salem, 11.9km Adam Tomlinson, 11.5km Clayton Oliver, 11.3km Sam Weideman, 11.3km So presumably when he plays if wont necessarily be out of the goal square. To have 2 times 2m mobile marking targets / assets (plus LJ) both for interceptions and transition - something to look forward to.

The Age reported "acknowledging the lure of finishing his career in the manner of Hawks great Shane Crawford, who retired after winning a grand final in 2008." I doubt that Crawford was gifted his last game for Hawthorn he made it on merit - right? THe same must apply to Jones surely? I take a less sentimental view of who owes who what. The team and the teams success is primary over any individual recognition IMO. If games are gifted to a player for services rendered - as admiral as that service is doesnt it debase the currency somewhat?

Which is why it might be hard for Maxy to win a Brownlow - too much competition for votes in his own side.

Loved this...https://howtheyplay.com/team-sports/Top-50-Stupid-Football-Quotes Its not just AFL... "He's got a lot of self-belief in himself." —Graham Beecroft "They were numerically outnumbered." —Garry Birtles "Not to win is guttering." —Mark Noble "And with 4 minutes gone, the score is already 0-0." —Ian Dark

Port are in the hunt for {dynamic, capable, tested, refreshed, journeyman, strong man, athletic, skilled, experienced, aggressive, redundant, overlooked, premiership medal winning, award winning, affordable, drug affected, cheap} free agent Star is just lazy.

inflation in hyperbole - worried me as a description because hyperbole is exaggeration so I am describing exaggerated (inflated) exaggeration! I guess the other dimension of this is that the "journalists" that write about "stars" have pretty limited vocabularies and tired cliches are all they can write. Its off topic but I enjoy the banter between Tony Chompers Jones and the Footy Show crew but Tony is actually a journalist who can neatly and eloquently package a news item (for both sport and non sport topics). Your average sports reporter or ex player now commentating has very limited journalistic capabilities and the ex players in particular may not have had much non footy education at all. Im not saying that all footy players are dunder heads - just many.

In general discourse there is inflation in hyperbole. Labelling an opponent as "worse than Hitler" or saying a policy is "like Nazi Germany" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-39266863 ...has become commonplace. Things cant be just better they are a "game changer".

I suspect because he is normally the most consistent converter of his opportunities and we dont have BB and Sam available yet. On Sunday however he missed a soda. I'm no fan of Melk but I reckon you need a mix of tackling machines and finishers (nice if they can do both - Cyril).

What I noticed was how many of our goals on Sunday resulted from contests in the air near to goal with Jackson and or McDonald contesting if not marking. We crumb to packs better than in the past Kozzie, Spargo ANB all prominent here and the contest he provides is critical in that the ball isn't easily marked by opponents. Of course it would be better if he marked them and he will soon enough. He could do worse than to study Hawkins lead technique - he has a great lead / double back / lead again technique. He also get pushed under the ball on occasions in ruck contests but his leap means he still impacts the contest. He is good below his knees and his kicking is solid. So much upside in that guy - great addition.

Gawn dominated in the ruck IMO against St K What does GWS offer there?

stupid and pedantic rule designed the make minding the mark pretty meaningless and ineffectual what is broke that needed fixing anyway?

2015 vs cats at Cardinia pk break out game for gawn Corey Enright party spoiled Dawes takes a mark Bernie Vince kicks a 40m goal on left foot angus b hero acts rooserection and mine

Hear hear second the motion

so true - cheap shots arent tough - I would like nothing better than Lynch to be levelled - fairly of course

waste of money and bad for the environment There is a stench of Victorian entitlement here - Victoria is the one and only home of AFL except during pandemics and this is our token to that totem. I don't really give a fig for interstate rivalries. It is surely a great thing for the game that it get this promotion and as for the NFL I would rotate the grand final through different states in recognition that it is a national competition.

I thought his disposal was generally good and his speed is great. Endurance would make him a valuable wing option.

Ben brown for nm as well for now

Quite right it will be interesting to see his development.