Lexinator

Interesting place to get a stress fracture, given the femur is the strongest bone in the body. Reckon he was due for a break out year this season, still might happen yet, get better soon, Disco.

Few fresh-faced there! Look at Baker's mop!

Matthew Collins left of Powell I reckon.

Think a few before my time. Think few others are Ward, Leoncelli, Nathan Brown, Rigoni, and Powell.

Good win for the big man, who gets smashed from pillar to post week in, week out without getting much attention from the umpires.

Thanks Andy. Yeah, it's hard to keep an eye on every player, every session so I don't expect him to feature all the time, but appreciative of the report nonetheless. I have a soft spot for the kid, a real gem unearthed and importantly seems like a genuine and kind kid. Thanks again.

Thank you! 😊

Thanks for the report @picket fence, Deep Purple are awesome! How's Juddy going? Must be flying under the radar again, haven't not heard much about him.

How's Judd Mc2.0 been going? Haven't heard much about him lately.

Exactly. Just unnecessary. I like travelling down memory lane, makes you appreciate our flag win more and where the club is today, a lot more better than back then! The foundations of our success were built during this time, thanks for the thread @Macca

The BBL reduced the games this season. Less was more and I think it reflected well with mostly good attendances all season, not sure what TV viewing figures compare though. They played too many games last season and the crowds were poor compared to when it had less games because they thought more was better. Think AFL and T20 have different dynamics and level of interest so don't think it will be as detrimental to AFL.

Thanks for that, good to get an understanding of some history that predates the present AFL landscape. I agree it's been following US sports for many years now, as does most things in society. I feel like perhaps the introduction of free agency is the most evident example. It's ever changing evolution mimics a lot of US sports free agency rules. Take NBA for example, a player can be on multiple teams in one season. Grundy was a close example, 3 teams, in 3 years. And I know the ideas of further changes with mid season draft, small in season contracts has been brought up recently. T20 is an interesting topic. A few DL members have discussed this in the Cricket section, might be worth a read.

Yep, agreed. AFL becoming like USA sports, played almost every day! Believe AFL been very open about it before that Thursday night football is a hit and here to stay.

IMO, I'm pretty happy with level of media content. I think they did a great comprehensive job post GF. Yes, it's 2024 now, but I'm bit old school and don't use social media so happy with just photos and videos they release on their website and what afl.com.au website spits out, usually posted on both sites anyway. I particularly like the videos of players not just footy focused and any charitable activities they do, that's always refreshing.

Love Thursday night football!

Amazing how he bowls around 150kmph off such a short run up!

Petracca is incredibly quick for someone his size and weight, definitely not one paced. Amazing blend of strength, power and speed and obviously has a tank to play midfield. What's so unique about the Trac is he able to tap into these abilities pretty consistently throughout a game and would say he does run down opponents a fair bit for his size, don't see this much for comparable players like Martin, Stringer. '21 GF probably best example of the aforementioned.

Agreed. He was sorely missed in that game, could of been the difference! Looking forward to his season this year!

Every 'mark in the pack' game I ever played...

Wouldn't be so bad if he dropped a few here and there, just not all the time 😉. Think Kozzie finally held one against Blues this year, and JvR held a few good ones, Swans and Tigers I think 😁

Viney's last 2 seasons in particular have been phenominal. Getting on the end of some goals, too. Really elevated in Oliver's absence this year. Just puts his body on the line, week in, week out, absolute champion!