tiers

The best part of the cricket season is reading the Demonland MFC training reports. Thanks to all who provide reports and hope for next season.

To limit the effect of the interchange, each team must rotate a different player to sit on the bench for the whole of each quarter. Having only three (or four if the mooted change is implemented) interchange players per quarter might limit the overuse and abuse of the interchange. If the effect is not enough, the number on the bench for the quarter can be raised to two. At some point the crowding should ease. Further, introduce a rule that no player may be interchanged more than once each quarter. This will also limit the total number of interchanges per game. These rule changes should reduce the amount of congestion at packs as players will have to conserve energy. It's easy to run to every contest if a player knows that a rest is coming.

First time listening to a podcast. At this time of the year, any good dees info is good for the soul. The most interesting, and new, insight was that we picked up Oliver Sestan with a rookie pick to ensure that, if he went back to Oakleigh and played as expected, it was likely that he would be a great pick up in the mid season draft where we would, we hope, be down the bottom of the pecking order. Good planning and we still have good draft position next year. Sounds goody all round.

Time to shut down this thread. Not hypothetically, but really. It is no longer serving any purpose.

This topic should calm down and focus on footy only, not anyone's background. Harry is a potentially great footballer. Let's leave it at that and wish him well.

How did he come to still be available as a late rookie selection? Have we missed something? I know that his best form was in junior football but how is that not different to nearly all other draftees? Anyone who can kick as many goals as he did, even against weak opposition, is worth a serious look. Goal kicking smarts are a rare commodity.

JMac was a rookie. Robbo was drafted because he took a screamer. Let's hope Olies' talents are just evolving too.

What else but 22 games at the MCG on Saturday afternoons. I know we have not played well at the G recently but, after a few games, we should be able to find our mojo and start to dominate at home. Anything else is detrimental to our chances.

Got my package today. Scarf, ticket, stickers and 35 year pin. I have retained the annual scarf since they started. Could make a nice quilt although 2021 will always remain single and brought out only for special occasions. GO DEES

There is no certainty that four or more umpires will make fewer mistakes. Until the rules and the interpretations are simplified and made more "user friendly" no amount of umpires will solve the problem. For example, prior opportunity should mean what it says - a single, once only, one off prior opportunity to dispose of the ball. For fairness, the tackle should be sufficiently strong to [censored] the player with the ball. Simple rule, interpretation and application. However, it is true that umpires on the field often pick up infringements that are only seen in slow motion replays because of their proximity to the action. On the other hand, they often miss infringements that are only seen in slow motion replays. Four umpires will not remove this anomaly. Although it is rare for the players to not "get it" after a free kick is paid although they might object. I hope that there will be a time when the AFL stops trying to "micro manage" the game. Our great game of footy is great enough.

They can play bridge. Same as umpiring. Educated guesses.

Except for the spring and autumn carnivals when the real group 1 horses race. The rest of the year and for all non-metropolitan races I agree.

Fritta's role is to kick goals. I believe that his eyes and mind are always on a goal kicking opportunity. That he once ignored Tracc in a better position is not a failure. He was just doing his job. It falls to his team mates to support him in this role by shepherding, leading oppos away, loud voices etc. Six goals in a premiership buys a lot of indulgence..

It would all stop if the players were prepared to take a pay cut for the amount that gambling promotion delivers to the AFL. I am not holding my breath.

Using the real estate analogy, it's not how he starts but how he finishes. So long as he comes good for the finals (as in 2021) we will be OK. If not, then we have the opportunity to find and develop alternatives who are likely to be need for 2024.

Five (or even fifty five) so called hand picked experts will still not get it right. Only the umpires are at the "coal face" and can know who is trying hard and influencing the game. From over then fence who can tell? And in any event, where can the AFL find 45 so called experts every week. Each one vulnerable to outside influences. Cannot, should not ever happen. The only real solution is to ban or restrict betting on the Brownlow. I know that illegal betting will go on but it then becomes a police issue as having legal betting doesn't seem to stop the crooks. Too much betting on footy. Can only corrupt the game.

Can take a mark, can kick goals, has a second effort and has a footy brain. We live in hope for his success.

I hope you are right but he still hasn't played a senior game.

Too much hit and miss. Requires all of them to fire at the same time. Do you reckon giving away Hunter and Schache for next to nothing might impact on their window? I do.

Ed Langdon changed our game plan. His constant up and down running to support the midfield as well as his preparedness to back the back line and then run forward and present as a target in the forward line sets him apart from any other player. Pity he can only play one side. So we have recruited Hunter in the hope that he will emulate Ed's play on the other side. One Ed Langdon is great, two would be out of this world. GO DEES

As Tim Lamb says, it's his versatility that is attractive. Is taller than Weid, can play forward or back and has proven that he is a goal kicker in the VFL. Could also be cover for the injury depleted BBB. Sadly, Weid never did. With some intense coaching and training, could do well and surprise.

It has always been the best position that the 23 who played on GF day deserve to be acknowledged and this should, inter alia, include being on the team photo forever, being on the ground at the end and receiving a premiership medallion. It has always been the best position that those who didn't play but contributed to the team's success, be it players who either played in the 22 in at least one match or trained with the squad, on field support such as coaches, runners, physios, doctors, trainers, water providers etc, should also receive some form of recognition as contributors to the teams success. This could take the form of a ring, special certificate, inclusion in official photo of the club or some other momento. Personally, I like a ring that can be worn with pride and fellowship.

Trapper's sublime skill (never seen in another player) was to be able to kick to a position on the field that would drag the player to the ball. That he did not fulfill his promise was due more to the inability of the coaches and his team mates to recognise and play to his strengths. As for talent - no one comes close to Robbie. But Trapper is in the next group.

So Schache is at least a proven goal kicker - neither Weid nor Brown matched this number. Cross fingers.

We have often commented on how May and Lever provide in game on field leadership to the backline. Who might provide similar on field leadership to the forward line? Tell players when and where to lead, create space with blocking, direct passes from upfield and possibly many more. Just stating that a player has to "compete more, show more heart" doesn't solve the problem if he does not know how. All the skills in the world cannot replace a footy brain. It's time we anointed someone for this role. Maybe a more forward line oriented Maxie? In the GF I noticed a number of times that ANB was giving instructions to team mates. Is he the one? Who else can be considered?