GBDee

Three of the nine finals in Melbourne? Dogs v Hawks; Cats v Dogs/Hawks; Granny. Not that my predictions are to be relied on!

Ha.

I switched over at lunch in our test match over here with Esserdon up by 10. I believe my intervention was the game’s turning point. Actually I’d tipped Adelaide but thought they’d blown it at 3/4 time. Marvellous.

Ned Guy on Gettable this week said they’re looking at bringing the NGA threshold back down again from 41.

Reid is going to be some player but he’s also set to be the umpires’ new untouchable darling a la Paddy Cripps.

Umpiring anyone? Don’t ever tell me bias (subconscious or not) doesn’t play a part in the game. Squawks were crucified in that final quarter.

Nothing went for us in that first quarter. Monumental effort to come back nevertheless, particularly off five days. As for the JVR ‘free’, simply appalling decision, pandering to their fans in that pocket. And Maysie’s claim of touched?! Even BT mentioned they made the call just before a much clearer image became available. And then the two-tier interpretation of the htb rule throughout. Thought most of ours were there to call tbh, but Carlton seemed to get that extra split second to dispose time and time again. Or just drop it.

Twomey has suggested that, given their poor start, Adelaide wouldn’t want to have to deal such a high (top 5 atm) pick to us and will wait until his contract runs down in two years. This might actually strengthen our hand in any upcoming extension talks.

You prompted me to check! Their last four games are tough - Carlton, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne - but yes, seven of their last eight will be at the MCG with just the one interstate trip (Sydney).

Won’t waste my time next year either. The whole world knew we were taking this unlikely pairing even before St. Cal pronounced over the weekend. Need to keep our hand better hidden.

Yes. Kemp immediately tapped his hand to claim a touch but this means nothing as players are now routinely doing this, regardless... A goal was called but ARC will have seen Kemp’s claim which may have influenced them to overturn.

Some of the confusion stems from the evidence presented by Ch7 at half-time. Evidence that was flawed. I can’t upload the clip but in the first still below, the 3rd/4th fingers of Kemp’s bandaged left hand appear to touch the ball and, trust me, they did seem to wobble. Ch7 went back and forward in slowmo on this and I was taken in and posted as such on the matchday thread. (Ignore the hands at the top btw, they’re Hewett’s but he’s actually 2m from the ball.) Shameful smoke and mirrors by Ch7 as the next shot reveals. His left hand was actually nowhere near the ball. Indeed, the goal was overturned by ARC because it “was touched by the right hand of the Carlton defender” (although I’d argue this was inconclusive so it should have stood as a goal). Begs the question though, why did Channel 7 present seriously flawed evidence at HT to support the ‘touched’ narrative?

Had a soft spot for him ever since he was shown in the crowd leaping up, fists clenched, and shouting “Maxie!!” 21 finals I think.

Just switched on the Port/GWS game and heard the news. Tears in my eyes. He was my hero as a young kid. RIP legend.

You’re spot about these momentum shifts. You see it nearly every game btw. 7 minutes to go, 9 points up and it’s locked in their right forward pocket. We’re on top, pressing, and a goal then and you sensed it was over. Carlton needed help, so a non-existent free kick against TMac for high contact gets them out of jail (with 50m for good measure). Momentum swing handed to Carlton. 2 minutes remain and we're still 3 points up. They've just been called back for an illegal kick-in after a behind and umps are getting it from their fans. The retaken kick-in reaches the square and Cripps, surprise surprise, gets another non-existent free for high contact at the front of the pack. Wasn’t touched. Another Carlton leg-up and a free i50. Umps were actively looking to give a free in both cases to play to the narrative, be that to favour the big club (or star player), create a dramatic climax, keep their job, or avoid assassination by social media. I hate them.