The Panglossian

It’s not a matter of the umpires hating us, it’s just that they can’t help but be swayed by the crowds. Unfortunately , Melbourne almost NEVER have the “ fortress” style atmosphere that Perth, Adelaide, and Geelong have. When we do have a home game against Perth or Adelaide sides on the MCG, there’s a pathetic crowd, no atmosphere, and no chance to influence the umpires by yelling “ ball” every time the opposition gain possession etc. I think the AFL are aware of this, and try to educate the umpires not to be affected by the crowd. Unfortunately, that directive was forgotten on Friday night.

Duh

Great mark by Ryan, but I thought it was pathetic sportsmanship by the Cokeheads the way they gave it to the punch drunk Gawn ,who had courageously stood his ground knowing the players behind him had the sit.

The better side lost. I know bad kicking is bad football, but we did so well to get the ball to players dead in front. I think we missed 7 absolute sitters. i reckon one of their goals was touched. Another came from an obvious throw. The umpiring error where Smith nearly had his neck broken ...no free... 2 goal turn around.

TOUCHED!!!!

We’ve missed 5 gimmes. The game should be over.

Lots of pressure on umps from crowd Result??? Succumbing

They duck on every tackle

Free kick count being kept quiet

Three umpire goals to WCE

OMac limped off very gingerly on Sat. night

That'd be great!

I wonder if May and Morris are in the same social circle,and that’s how Morris found it out. They both went to. Melbourne Grammar, and are probably a similar age.

Wasn't that Wojinsky breaking Viney's jaw? I think Kennedy broke Sylvia's without penalty(?in a preseason match)

We played pretty well on the MCG in the Finals against Geelong and Hawthorn....remember that? A possible week's rest would have helped after our hard lead up to the finals,too.

Home prelim.would have helped ,in the form we were in.

But didn’t he have Andrew DAFF sacked.?

In theHaw/ Geelong game today, there was an incident where Sicily and Hawkins clashed, and there was blood spattered conspicuously on both players. There was no intervention from the umpires, and play resumed immediately after a stoppage, with the umpires close to the incident. At Kardinia Park last year, with seconds to go , and us in front,Gawn was sent from the field with a microscopic split on his lip. McDonald had to ruck up forward instead of rushing down to defence,which was the obvious tactic. We therefore lost the game, fourth spot, and possibly the premiership. Where is the consistency?

He’s done it again! So predictable! Also predictable was that Kent would play the first. four quarter game of his life( and probably the last)

Essendon,Collingwood,Richmond, (usually) are spared the handicap of playing at Geelong,the venue that Victorian taxpayers funded, but only Geelong members can fit in.

Membrey usually kicks a bag against us....but not against anyone else. He’s remarkably accurate against us, but normally an unreliable shot for goal.

Umps?

Is it on You-Tube!?

I don't think the torpedo short pass is a realistic option, but thanks for considering my(and Malcolm's) suggestions.

Did any other Demonlanders hear Blight on SEN this morning with Gary Lyon? Seedsman's after -siren torp goal has rekindled interest in my old hobby-horse (as it did when Hunt released a torp bomb way back). Blight echoed some points I've made before. 1. With a shot from 65metres after the siren, no-one can make it with a drop punt(assuming no wind). There is a chance with a well executed torp.Coaches ban torps because they're "low-percentage"...a risk. So no-one practises them. If they did practise them, they wouldn't be high risk. KIcking a drop punt from 65m after the siren is a zero-percent option. A big torp might only be a 5% chance, but it's a lot better than nothing. 2.They are fun to practise, and would add variety and enjoyment to training. 3.Even if a torp. "bomb" into the forward line comes off the side of the boot, it should catch opposition backs out of position....a "chaos"ball. Yes...it might go straight into the hands of the opposition and cause a costly turnover. But how often do we see drop punts go straight to the opponents, but drop punts aren't banned.? 4. For kick ins, occasionally a signal should be made so our players mingle near the centre circle, the kicker should run his 15 m, then let it fly with a torp,which should land in a nest of our players,possibly forward of the centre. But " it might result in a turnover ", it is argued. But these full time footballers have plenty of time to practise this skill....they're all talented athletes! A "duffed" torp should be the exception. 5.It's inspiring when a player roosts a torp as a "line-breaker". Remember when Frosty let fly last year? The whole team lifted. Nay sayers will argue...but what about when he turned it over with duffed torps? That's my point....if they're encouraged to practise it, miskicks will be the exception! Summing it up, Malcolm Blight and I think it's been negligent of coaches to overlook this potential weapon. Come on Demons, let's have a "torpedo-led recovery".