BDA

I read a good description of Spurs and Mourinho recently as "Jurassic Park the Bus" ?

Notwithstanding Eddie isn’t there anymore Collingwood are still a powerful club and wouldn’t surprise me if they continue get favourable treatment.

I understand you were pointing out the coaching adaptability and innovative thinking. Petracca would be a Pep type of player alright. Can’t think of too many more on our list though.

Pep invented the “false nine” or strikerless formation at Barcelona when he moved Messi from the right to the centre. Spain have used it to good effect as well as they typically have a dearth of quality strikers but plenty of excellent midfielders. For the system to work it requires players who can learn and switch between systems easily. This requires a level of intelligence which not all players possess. Pep is very particular about the type of player he buys. They must have this dexterity, able to change roles seamlessly. It requires intense coaching as well. The key is constant movement, one touch pass and go football. The opposition is bamboozled not knowing whether to stay or go with opponents. To apply in an AFL context, you would need a team of forward and midfield hybrid players who constantly rotate. You’d need a radical list overall, no more KPF’s. Can’t ever see it happening. Definitely not at Melbourne. It would require a level of team cohesion, disciple and kicking skills far beyond the capabilities of our group. And coach. Perhaps if Richmond lose Reiwoldt and Lynch Hardwick might try something similar.

Hang in there UK D. Israel is the most advanced of any nation in its vaccine roll-out. Positive early signs there regarding reduction in transmission and severity of infection. Hopefully light at the end of the tunnel.

Hint: bananas

playing the doggies at whitten oval. Not sure if crowds allowed yet.

I feel your pain LH but as one with family overseas i'm hearing some real horror stories. i'd much prefer a 5 day lockdown compared to overflowing ICU's. Agree re processes. It's very apparent that our contract tracing system isn't fit for purpose.

Let's not forget the womens team who are doing us all proud at the moment and are a genuine chance to win the flag. If the border closures continue then hubs will be required to complete the season and if so i hope it doesn't upset their momentum. And i expect the club to go into bat on their behalf to ensure we don;t get another raw deal like the men copped last year. I'll be very disappointed if we cop an unfair travel schedule while Carlton and Collingwood get a nice easy run to finals.

She's been brilliant down back so not suggesting we do this but i reckon Goldrick could do a job forward. Tough and tenacious she would give the opposition defenders a torrid time i reckon.

People get very exercised about giving a rookie spot to a 54-game player who’ll provide cover for ruck and both ends of the ground. I’m not expecting Brownlow votes from this bloke. Probably won’t even play. Hard to think of a more uncontroversial decision. I guess there will always be contrarians.

Per Alan Richardson his mom passed away. Funeral late Feb / early Mar so It'll be a few weeks before he returns. Condolences to the young man and his family.

If the Herald Sun says so it must be true.

Ah! I think thats the whole point Dubdee. Depth.

How did he manage to play 54 games of AFL football and kick 43 goals then?

I don’t understand the hostility to this idea. He gets a 12-month contract on small money and provides cover only. Seems a pretty low risk straight forward back up option to me.

I did. I think you misread (or maybe i wasn't clear). after today i think they're the favourite. Tough contested team with plenty of options up front. It'll take a very good team to beat them.

I think you need to fix your spell checker 58 ?

A Sunday afternoon in footscray (Covid permitting). I'm looking forward to it. Doggies will be no push over but i'm sure the girls will be focused on the task at hand. Unlike the men they don't drink their own bathwater.

Offers ruck, defensive and forward cover. If there’s a better option out there I can’t think of it.

That's the spirit OD

Freo putting the Crows to the sword. Clinical performance. They're the team to beat I reckon.

That’s true but the gold coast folly can’t continue much longer. Reminds me a little of the situation with Tokyo Olympic committee. Nobody wants to make the inevitable decision.

You could be right LFS and if the Tassie government think the same I wouldn’t wait for an undertaking. Take the plunge now and go it alone. I wouldn’t want a re-branded Hawks or North and I’d let the Suns die on the Gold Coast. Create your own authentic Tassie team. The AFL talks the talk about fairness and inclusivity. If the team is financially underwritten by the Tassie government then hard to conceive of a reason to exclude the Tasmanians.

The other possible option is for the Tassie government to fully subsidise the team, no support from AFL HQ. Put up or shut up. Even then I don’t think there’s an appetite amongst the rest of the league for an odd 19th team. I feel for them, they deserve a team and I understand why they’ve had enough of handing money over to the Hawks and North. Unfortunately their timing couldn’t be worse.