Engorged Onion

We could name the thread "Loadin, is my head explodin?' or '#loadingmyths".

It is not saying what you think it is saying Bing. All teams train... so all teams load (its the volume and intensity that matters)... training in of itself infers a physical output (or load). Further, in the article you supplied, if there is NO loading, there there are two really weird bits of wording, which I have highlighted in bold, which seems to yet again, infer loading during the season. I'm not sure what you make of it, I know what I make of it. As part of the Abstract: These data provide useful information about targeted periods of loading and unloading across different stages of a season. As part of the conclusion Whilst the current study did not examine the within-week loading between games, it can be speculated that the reduction in overall training load from pre-season to in-season would also result in a reduction in training load within week, i.e. between games. This periodization strategy is supported by recent work where high training load between both AFL and Rugby League games (separated by 1-week) impairs sprint capacity and explosive actions typical of intermittent activity 12 and increases injury risk 13

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/06/why-has-there-been-a-downturn-in-afl-crowds-this-season-its-not-just-covid-to-blame

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I've posted this image a year or so ago. Here it is again, a rough little guide re: volume and intensity of training within the AFL throughout the season. Interesting that the peak in volume happens to be around the 10-12 space..could it just be coincidence? Of course it could be outdated and no longer relevant. Or, this is just but one persons philosophy and doesn't roughly correspond. Also, why aren't other teams affected in the same way,? (different philosophies and plans of course, as well as each individual going through their microcycle) From my eyes at the Freo match, seeing M.Gawn on his haunches within the first 5min, and not withstanding potential/probable illnesses, May and Petty injured when a glut of goals was scored... (which was not dissimilar vs Sydney when Petty was off). Looking at some players quite fatigued early on in the piece... it reminded me of last year. I'd posit, that it'd be useful to see volume and intensity in training, as one way to make sense of one of the factors that is impinging on our performances...

It wasn't really a crack... and I appreciate the need to get heard. Yeah, sometimes I wander down the conspiracy or 'wider agenda' path in my head, and then do a quick u-turn... I'm just not going to allow myself to believe it to be true What is true though, is that ultimately, AFL is an entertainment package distributed to the masses, whereby sharing of success keeps the populous interested, and this can sit nestled neatly next to what @Demonstonesaid.

So good that you posted twice?

Interesting that we have dropped off in pressure, or ability to exert pressure this year. Is that complacency? I’d doubt it. But I did see a post where that was formally addressed by coach. so I’m a little confused. anyway, what I’m not confused about is by reading through this post match thread, as per last weeks…you’re only a premiership contender if you win that weeks match.

always grateful of your insight.

Just beat me to it. Is there something offensive about vaginas mate? Or cervical cancer? **Thanks for updating your post @buck_nekkid 🥰

Thanks very much, that's fantastic, and clear.

can you please expand on this?

errrmmmmm don't 18 teams come at one another each week. You're no more hunted if your first vs eighteenth in my opinion.

It's good fun that the media drive this alternate reality. Anyway, in AFL land, where things are scrutinised within an inch of its life, they'd all be well aware of all those factors... and have a good sense of reality.

Disagree strongly. The opposite of love (care) isn't anger, it's apathy. The bloke cares immensely. People might view it, and the consider that he was disrespectful to Dyson. Again, optics from the outside looking in, it doesnt look great, because that's not how we would operate in a normal work environment...but this aint a normal work environment. I recall a decade or so ago, Collingwood backline players also confronting one another...it was deemed great leadership when they were winning. A year or so later, the same behaviour was seemed to be indicative of distrust, and lack of unity. I for one (not knowing Darcy or Dysons relationship) would hope that it is robust to be able to talk through things, whilst being [censored] off and then it get repaired. He has a right to discuss things, he as a right to be [censored] off. Incidentally, did you know most incidents be it in hospitals or airlines, occur due to staff, not willing to speak up and question authority (Surgeon or Pilot)in the moment about a procedural issue .... Anyway Luci, I understand what you are saying, it all depends on how it is repaired (as well as, what was actually spoken about). Did Darcy choose to not to hit Dyson up at all for the rest of the match? 🤷‍♂️

I wonder what may have contributed to us not putting up a fight so to speak, when we've fought pretty consistently for 18 months... I watched Gawn on his haunches in the first 5 minutes of the match.... I know in elite sport you can't use excuses publicly, and there are reasons why things occur. If a 'bug' was the case (Flu? It's [censored] everywhere in Vicco) and Goodwin mentioned it in the presser, he'd just be sounding a bit like the Geelong bloke... "Freo were outstanding, and we lost May, and Petty was crocked, and our backline was depleted, and we couldn't run because we had 1/3 of the playing side take the ground with the flu"... that'd be interesting to the narrative.

I ask these questions with curiosity... What's with the notion that brothers always want to play together? Maybe Andrew is super happy forging his own identity and path. Do the Saints and Sun board constantly talk about the King brothers? What about the Ah Chee's? Or the Reids? There was a little vibe going on here for Nathan Jones' brother for a while. I feel its just us supporters being quite romantic. Mind you Andrew would add plenty of value. Jackson for Brayshaw anyone? 😇

I've been pondering the choice re Trac. 3 people have the convo. Trac, Goodwin, and the Doc... Who has most leverage if Trac is saying 'Nah mate, I'll be fine!'

Morning! I chose not to take him. Somewhat happy with the choice. I hear your sentiment re: the wrestle. Maybe he's not wrestling, maybe he has made his mind up and his manager is aware (and potentially key personnel in the club) just not the public . For me, I just don't think we can clearly link off field occurrences such as this, (as in his not permanently in his head about it) and his form line. I also think the modern athlete has evolved. Just like the hypothetical of Yze potentially coaching elsewhere... it's not a statement of not being committed to the current club. He can still do his job in the present moment (whilst contractually employed), whilst having alternate things on the horizon for the following year. And the up and down form (Yze or Jackson) is correlational not causational 🤙 **Maybe Rivers is off the boil a bit because he is mates with LJ and they both want to go to Freo on the basis of last nights result🤷‍♂️😀

Round 11 (+5) = 910 - 135 Matches Played P Cripps = 1000 Clearances - 144 Matches Played =90 / 9 = 10 per match to equal. drifting, drifting...

How is the 'situation' impacting his form?

It's a good point. I look at it like this. Rightly or wrongly the FD (and we all can do this exercise) would assume a certain number of losses for the year is appropriate. Let's make it 4-6 for the sake of the exercise. Within this scope, there is still a need to have the players physiologically and psychologically exposed to (and increasing their physiological and psychological capacity) fatigue, niggles etc that come with the nature of playing the sport relentlessly for 6 months. Their bodies are monitored (cortisol sampling for example) and where appropriate, players will be rested. I think it's a myth to assume that 'no matter what' a player will not be rested. *** However... If the team members have brought into this philosophy as they can see it serves a useful purpose come finals times... then players WILL play whilst not 100%- where there is an assumed loss that can be tolerated. (For me, today is one of them). Mind you, I'd love to be privvy to the convo re: Petracca before todays match. ***Cricket Australia did a u-turn 15-10 years ago in managing fast bowlers and their back stressors/fractures. Historically best practice was to rest... now it's (within reason physiologically) keep going, keep exposing (again both physiologically and psychologically) ****the body doesn't wear out, it wears in. If you want a deep dive, go from the 20 minute mark. (pain = fatigue)

For mine this loss is mostly about the inability to plug the holes in game, of (in no particular order) a) May b) Petty (injured in game) c) Langdon d) a 20% Petracca e) TMac *other notes... the team looked cooked. From the first quarter. Not from an attitude perspective. Just physically. (Oliver, Viney, Gawn looked, well, just tired, almost like a bug had gone through the team. *pretty hard to retain structure when May and Petty are off (or severely limited). Lever is but one bloke.

I'm catching a supporters bus up from the coast. In two minds to take my 6yo, leave at 1.45 - home by 10.30. Big day and I don't know who'll be more emotional! 😀

Full of sense. and as Bruce would suggest, 'delicious'.