In Harmes Way

The Essendon bloke should get a week for being at the wrong game. sorry, couldn’t help myself

A nod to our indigenous players whom we hold dear on Doug Nicholls round. delighted to see Salo and Smacca in the team - not expecting too much from either of them but a good first game to settle them both in. Hopefully BBB can clunk some marks up the ground and kick a snag or three. Happy to see him back also. I can’t see us belting them, because that’s not what we do: but WCE not that proficient against good defences so we should be right in this one.

I am a fan of the standing the mark rule for set shots at goal. It used to really [censored] me when the player standing the mark would run at our set shot kicker, run over the mark, smother the ball and not get pinged by an umpire looking the other way.

Mali's video should be tagged NSFW given I've got tears streaming down my face. Not the best look in the office.

Dannyz reported yesterday it looks like Tom Fullarton will debut - I'd say in place of JVR as backup ruck/forward.

Injuries to WCE in game vs pies: INJURIES West Coast: Petrucelle (ankle), Darling (nose), McGovern (internal injury)

Smashing it today @WalkingCivilWar . Thanks for the intel!

And I see Newman got off with a fine rather than getting a week for his hit on Nibbler. Rated low impact rather than medium for the potential to cause damage. The AFL have gone beyond a joke.

I found myself saying in the first quarter that the umpires don't need to find a free kick in every contest. But they did a good job in trying.

If Kossie got a week due to the potential for injury, then Newman should get the same.

I’ve written off the Adelaide game as a “non Melbourne” event. But 10 and 13 goals in the last two games tells a story (offence still a work in progress, which we all know). Given we play defensive, contested footy, I can’t see we’re suddenly going to have big goal returns early in the game against good opponents (although I hope this doesn’t age well) The upside from your stats is that our fitness levels are showing dividends in the last qtr when the game opens up.

17.9 instead of 9.17 this time please

First training report without @kev martin and look at the angst.

I think you'll find Webber that crook is a legitimate medical term. I'm surprised you don't know this, given your profession.

It's an interesting conundrum keeping out of form players in the side - too good for VFL, and likely won't hone their skills in a scrappier league, but how long do you persist for? Glad they did with Petts, because his pack mark clunking is super important for us, but I do wonder about Billings - who you know right at this point in time won't kick the goal when the opportunity arises for him. I do like that he's a good sub-out option all things going well, and that he continues to get a chance to work through his form/kicking issues.

What I liked best about that goal was that I went from "well, that's going out. Reset and lock it in" to jumping up and down absolutely ape**** with my son in about half a nano second.

It's fair to say that this website has been giving JT well deserved recognition and kudos for years. Because he's the best. And we're astute judges of character.

Proportional response

That is absolute solid gold.

Goody made a wonderful backhander to the AFL in his presser when he stated we don’t get to play the cats very often at the MCG. So, for all those who whinge about how we’ve always got this as an away game, pleas get along tonight to try and push this honour on to someone else.

And long may it continue

Per demonland's post, @Supermercado has put together a comprehensive treasure trove of a website covering all things demons. I can easily lose long periods of time just trawling. It's great. http://demonwiki.org/1964+Under+19s+Season has a list of players who played in the 1964 U19's flag winning team, many of the players have images when you click on the links. Should help.

Don't sue sue.

He completely won me over Round 14, 2020. We played the Saints in a night game in Alice Springs. We won by 3 points in a close one. Trent Rivers, playing in game 5 of his career, was interviewed post game and glowing with the win. He was asked "what did Steven May say to you rather animatedly late in the last quarter" - Rivers replied "he said, you give me your best 5 minutes, and I'll give you mine". Backline general, treating the next gen with equality and respect. Had several chats with him along the way, and he's a gentleman to boot. Absolute ripper.

It's a bit of a stretch to say we won't win a flag in 130 years time because Rory Lobb may have played for us in the 2020's