In Harmes Way

To be fair to Maher, has anyone ever won the flag finishing outside the top 8?

Disappointed the boys didn’t get around him

I think BBB keeps his spot, and I can see Harris Andrews, Payne and Gardiner going to JVR, BBB and Petty. Hopefully Fritta, Chin and (Woey 2.0/Kossie) > Wilmot, Starcevich and Lester. They play quite tall as a back 6, having good crumbers is key. Hope Kossie isn't rubbed out. Backline I think Maysie and TMac to Hipwood/Daniher with Rick intercepting. Four mediums/smalls with Rayner, McCluggage, Cameron and Zorko -> Judd, Howes, Rivers and Salo/Nibbler/wingers chipping in. For me, just the forced change on Kossie if he's rubbed out. I'd bring in Woey 2.0 and have Laurie as sub.

Good point Brownie. I'm convinced with the four umpires they stand around looking at each other wondering who's going to blow the whistle. So none of them do.

Loved: The improvement of our second tier/new draftee players. Chin played a blinder last night. Love Juddy McVee; Blake Howes and Caleb Windsor have only played how many games? Trac seems to always get a kick away with 2-3 opponents hanging off him. So strong, always holds his feet. Spaz's smother in the forward line Roo's one handed contested mark holding off his opponent. Bloke turns 21 the week after next. Ridiculous. Fritta and Roo's kicking for goal. Put the glasses down, they just don't miss. TMac reborn in the backline, and fit and firing. Maysie's/Ricky's interface marking. I've got to stop yelling "punch it" at the telly. Clarry's turnover and hit up kick to Fritta in the 2nd. Liked: Trac's goal after Spaz's smother Hated The umpiring. The booing. What a bunch of morons.

According to the MRO guidelines, I'd assess this as Rough Conduct per new tackle/smother rules; grading Careless -> Low Impact -> High contact which constitutes a fine according to their rules.

Best summary yet joeboy, nice work. Completely agree.

Is the number the expected margin?

Umpire appreciation round.

This was the AFL's conclusion summarising why Melbourne didn't get a priority pick in 2014 (4 win season after 2 wins in 2013): "The AFL concluded that while Melbourne has a poor on field record in recent times, this does not of itself constitute “exceptional circumstances” or a justification for awarding priority draft selections." Given the WCE are the richest club in the country, and are led by a flag winning coach, they'll struggle to demonstrate "exceptional circumstances" beyond poor performances onfield. This is assuming the AFL follow it's own precedences, which I know is laughable.

Yes it's an even competition, and not that Adelaide are anywhere near as bad as we used to be; but I don't think our opposition fans gave us anywhere near this amount of respect in the old days. I put the nerves down to MFCSS. Our rolls royces' will get the job done. Even with niggles and one less day's break.

No worries D56. You always knew what you were going to get from balls. You going tonight?

Number 1 general forward in the competition right now according to Champion Data https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/04/03/underrated-demon-hard-working-blue-top-list-of-players-who-have-gone-to-a/

Another game day. Well that crept up on us quickly, didn't it?

Absolute gold. I couldn't get the spotify link to work, so went through SEN directly https://www.sen.com.au/programs/sen-breakfast/

I liked Trent Rivers’ analogy last week - one soldier goes down, another one comes in to play the role. Maysie in for Marty (get well soon). Even our emergencies look nice and balanced. Get it done dees.

Woey 2.0's smile above looks to me like he's got the nod.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you Tim :-)

If that was true, then MFCSS wouldn't be a thing.

Is bacon illegal?

Really feeling for OMac. Poor bloke. And separately, I never knew a PLC was a thing. Too many three letter acronyms around knee injuries.

Yep, I reckon Goody gave Nibbler 5 and Hinkley gave Max 5.

Sort of related to us, I was watching the highlights of the Hawthorn/Geelong game and saw Tom Stewart laid out from a Mabior Chol knee to the back of the head. It got me thinking, after he cleaned up May as well, that he's got a bit of form. Can see the AFL making an example of him at some point for an excessive hit on an opponent. Would like to see this trained out of him a bit (leading with his knees).

I reckon Goody gave Nibbler 5, Max 3 and Hinkley was the other way around. Both gave Drew 4 which I think was fair because he was everywhere, sticking to Viney like the proverbial to a blanket. Again I think it's a pretty good summation of the bog players. Which is why they should shake up the brownlow and use the coaches votes instead of the umpires.

The AFL have introduced more stringent analysis and findings around tackles this year. From the tribunal guidelines: "The application of a tackle may be considered Rough Conduct which is unreasonable in the circumstances. In determining whether the application of a tackle constitutes a Reportable Offence and whether the offence is Careless or Intentional, without limitation, regard may be had to the following factors, whether: » The tackle consists of more than one action, regardless of whether the Player being tackled is in possession of the ball; » The tackle is of an inherently dangerous kind, such as a spear tackle or a tackle where a Player is lifted off the ground; » The Player being tackled is in a vulnerable position (e.g. arm(s) pinned) with little opportunity to protect himself; » An opponent is slung, driven or rotated into the ground with excessive force (for example, a run down tackle where the tackled player is driven into the ground with excessive force)." Even if the club tried to argue that the tackle was not excessive, or the point of contact i.e. Careless -> Low Impact and Body contact rather than High contact (as graded for Trent), the outcome is still likely to be a fine. The club will take it out of the post season trip fund and move on.