I'va Worn Smith

The "real world" And where might that be? Is it where 100's of K's have died? Operating under the auspices of the Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs, we have the Australian Border Force. What are they doing? Hotel Quarantine has been an abject failure and as the feds have been warned time and time again, by health experts, hotel quarantine is not fit for purpose.

Spargo kicked it it off the ground, toward the close proximity of a team mate. The Adelaide player hand balled along the surface of the ground, giving his team mate no chance to collect the ball. If the Adelaide player's intent was to find a team mate, before the ball went out of bounds, then hand ball it in the air, so your team mate has a much better chance of gathering the ball and clearing it. A ground ball, toward the boundary line is nigh on impossible for your team mate to gather and move on down the field. As for the missed holding the ball. That was far worse, bordering on unbelievable.

I could not get over the ease with which Walker took the subsequent mark, after the missed HTB. Very un-May like. But as others have said on this thread, a failure of our 'leaders' to stand up and set up properly, was the greatest disappointment that I took out of last night. Thank goodness for Clarrie. In terms of the umps, it is not the number of frees for and against that matters most to me, it is when and where the frees are given (or not given). We only ask for consistency. For mine, to many umps seem to be want to be media performers, rather than adjudicators who have an innate feel for just how footy is played. I'm still gutted that we lost the way we did.

Why was Petty played on Walker? Spargo handballed, while under pressure, 'towards' a team mate. Result? deliberate. If we got beaten by 3 or 4 goals, I maybe could swallow that. Off our game? Sure we we were, but to lose by one point, against interstate, home ground umpires hurts even more. Some of our so called stars have been off for a few weeks. Which means, with the BIG tests coming up, they need to have a good hard look at themselves. LEAD guys. Please, lead. A point loss, under those circumstances? I am gutted

When I played VFA footy - admittedly in the dark ages - a handball over your head or shoulder, was considered a throw. The hand upon which the ball sat, needed to be stationary. Otherwise, it was a throw. Now, it is almost considered to be an art form. When I played, before the game, the umps would come into the rooms and speak to the players, about what they would be looking at. Particularly, if it was wet weather, the umps would advise that the bloke playing/going for the ball, would be protected. Last Sunday, it was very wet in the 3rd quarter. ANB gathered the ball, was tackled from in front and behind - sandwiched. How was he expected to legally dispose of the ball? Incorrect disposal was paid against him. I agree, the umps have a very hard gig, but we used to have umps who had a feel and understanding of our game. Unfortunately, today, too many of them see themselves as media performers, rather than officiators of elite sport. The nuance is not understood by the decision makers. All we ask now is for consistency. Is that too hard? It is not how many free kicks are paid, rather it is where and when they are paid.

I thought Weed's commitment to the contest was good, given how long he'd been out of the ones. His endeavour and positioning was far better than BBB. Weed at least positioned himself well for the contest, even if he couldn't clunk the marks. That said, the weather and delivery into the forward did not help his cause. I would be happy to have both LJ and the Weed this week. As a result, BBB, unfortunately, will be dropped.

Did I miss something? Wasn't the initial prediction 2 weeks on the sidelines?

Then you accept the fine Dingo

Not to mention the sling tackle on Jayden Hunt. Not even a free kick??? Go figure. You know the next thing? Even with the bull tish umpiring we are still winning. Maybe the arbiter's wheel might also turn, come finals time. It bloody better.

Umpires? 3 words? FFS. We just want consistency. The sling tackle on Hunt needs to be looked at by the MRO. No free, but very dangerous. JH was lucky not to be concussed.

Yes, Gus' disposal was wasteful, but I thought he was terrific today. Brown? Needs some space. If you play a forward like him deep, then they need the space to run in to on the lead. Brown was not given that space and too often, our forwards spoiled each other. To me, May and Lever were sensational. Langdon good, but not up to his best. Salem? The backline general. So underestimated. Petracca? Clearly, to me, he was playing sore. That said, so much for my prediction that he would not play today. Both Max and Kozzie are either carrying an injury, or they are just tired. Neither were at their best. Charlie Spargo? I am loving his cameos more and more We won and I am happy for that, but list 'management' will need to come soon, so that we are at our peak come finals time.

The mail I have is Trac will not play tomorrow.

Agreed and thank you

OMG. As Paul Simon said once'...Still a man hears what he wants to hear, but disregards the rest....

At no stage, in my originating post, did I even remotely suggest players should be rested now. I raised an issue ,which was discussed on radio this morning, about when might be an appropriate time to rest players. That is all. Once the timing may be decided, then the mix of players being rested wil become the key.

Thank you

Please read my originating post

DC, please read my originating post

So, are you saying, we play the best 22 week in week out, even at the cost of long term injury?

He was an assistant at Richmond, But in terms of your question, I would suggest the point is moot. He's be in an around elite AFL environments for a considerable period, so I reckon he might know just a wee bit more than most on here. In any event, my basic question is, if we are to manage players, then when should that be?

King has played just a few more games of elite footy than most of us on here.

This morning, on Gerard Whately's segment, the "Means Test", David King suggested that Melbourne need to start looking at strategically resting players, with a view to cranking up again, in the last 3rd of the season. Given that many of us on here, think that Maxy is either carrying an injury or is just tired, Fritta, only just recently had surgery on a broken hand and by his recent standards, was ordinary against the Swans. Gus is not going particularly well. Both Kozzie and Dogga are young and almost certainly need a rest before the home and away is over. Despite word from the club to the contrary, Trac must be sore after collecting a corky right on the siren Is David King right? Should we tank.... sorry..."manage" our core group now, or wait a bit longer? I want to beat Carltank more than anything this week. After that, let's see. Your thoughts?

Seeing Barass on the big screen singing the theme song brought a tear to my eye. For those like me, who are over 60, I'll take this anytime......Ugly win or not. But geez, there are some of you on here that need to take a chill bill and FFS calm down. If I relied on this site for updates, I would have thought we were getting belted. We would have lost a game like this last year. The one I really want is next week..... please... we used to be the Carltank's biartch. Time to give it back big time.

This thread is evidence of why Cornes has the modus operandi that he does as a sports broadcaster shock jock. He would be loving this. Trac's long term contract is a gamble, yes, but this signing is bigger than the contract itself, in terms of what it means to our marketing, attracting and retaining sponsors and increasing membership numbers and membership retention. In other words, revenue generation. Look beyond the contract and see the bigger picture.

In the context of the recent signings of Salem, Oliver, Gawn and Viney, this is huge for a club, which used to have a habit of shooting itself in the foot. This shows solidarity. The current administration is showing foresight and evidencing that the 'brotherhood', which currently and clearly exists within this group, is priceless. Of course, some naysayers will deride the length of tenure and money contained within the contract, but none of us can possibly know what the fine print says. I am rapt with this. Go you Mighty Demons.