Rab D Nesbitt

I suspect that covid will prove to be the trojan horse the AFL use to do this long term BBP. It's already gone from a 6 week bracket down to just 2. It'll end up like the NFL with 'flex times' specifically for the armchair fan.

Wha's like us ? Gey few an' they're a' deid !

18 teams, 34 games home and away. Whoever finishes on top wins the league and are crowned premiers. No finals and no bye. 7 games are played midweek and the grand final takes place on a Saturday afternoon on the last Saturday in September. Alternatively 20 teams, 38 games and no mickey mouse pre-season competition.

Hi DJ. I booked them when the return flight was free (we were originally on a very late flight back on Sunday) but within a week Jetstar had cancelled the flight and placed us on the 4pm return. I was holding out in the hope that the game would be on the Saturday afternoon. Hoping they will change it FOC as it was them that changed it in the first place.

Bugg@r. Will need to change my flight time back from Hobart.

He's probably right over Mt Whitney. The largest peak in the lower 48 states. That looks like Mono Lake over his left shoulder

Am I reading this wrong or is the fact that CP5 used to have a poster of Scott Pendlebury on his bedroom wall and Collingwood made a complete @rse of their last trade period the two things driving this narrative ?

Damn. I really wanted Hawthorn to win until they showed Jeff Kennett in the crowd. Conflicted emotions.

I've seen glaciers move quicker than Geelong.

There's a bit of chatter about the commentary team we had last night but I thought they did an ok job of calling the game, unlike their rivals at Ch7 who forever meander off into side topics or inhouse banter that have nothing to do with what's happening on the ground. Also I can't remember when someone last took the field that wasn't a champion, legend or star of the competition. There was talk during the week against ex players and administrators commentating on their own teams which I agree on with one small caveat. I would insist on James Brayshaw calling all of North Melbourne's games this season. They really do deserve each other.

There's so much to like about the side right now. The fact that Rivers, Sparrow and Jordon are making the likes of Hibberd, Melksham and Vanders earn their recall with Jay Lockhart also close to a return. Luke Jackson is showing the versatility we were never going to get from Braydon Preuss. I also love how we've persisted with guys like Hunt, Spargo, Nibbler and T-Mac who have all played important parts in our three wins this year. All of this means that our three draftees have time to learn their craft down at Casey. Last but not least of course we have two key position forwards ready to pull the boots on again. Happy days!

Just back from watching the game down at The Rose. I thought that Vines and Nibbler were good. Particularly early on when the Giants looked like they might build a handy lead. Do we go unchanged again next week ?

Like every week it's all about which Melbourne turns up. It would be great to put this one to bed early and not give them a sniff in the later stages of the game, just for a change.

A bit like 2018, if we can avoid any big blowouts this year our % could be worth 4 points in itself come round 23.

They did, in the opposite direction. Last seen heading south at high speed. Part of a convoy that included North, Carlton and GWS apparently.

Geez, what a horrendous read. A bit like the story of Robbie Muir that was in the papers recently. I feel sorry for any talented young footballer zoned to St Kilda through those years. What a basket case of a club.

The Children's Hospital have just announced they'll be holding an appeal for North Melbourne next easter.

PIES LOSE ?

Hope not Marty. It's always been a Saturday afternoon up until now. We had booked tickets with the credits we had from last years cancelled game down there with the return flight being the last service back on the Sunday night but just a week after booking they cancelled that flight and now have us coming back at around 4pm on the Sunday. Not that I mind too much because there's sod all to do in Hobart on a Sunday with most places closed.

Damn. I'm crossing my fingers that our game in Hobart is on the Saturday to work with the flights I've booked.

No change for mine. I'd be disappointed if anyone has to make way for Melky.

Looks like all roads lead to Brisbane for a preliminary final whatever the outcome of the game tomorrow, unless the Brisbane area becomes a covid hotspot which could see it moved interstate, just like the other week.

The priority should be to stay in Melbourne throughout the finals if at all possible. Looking at the draw however it's hard to see us not have to go to Brisbane for a preliminary final.

Just caught the end of the game tonight on tv. The AFL seem to have a unique obsession with 'two bob' cups and trophies being handed out at the end of a game. Didn't Footscray and Richmond play off for a Bloody Idi@t Cup a number of years ago because they were both sponsored by a drink - driving campaign ?

Gee they're a rough & tough side Freo, I hope we don't get them in a prelim over there. I wonder if we can steal a double chance, if there is such a thing in this 'make it up as you go along' season.