GBDee

In fairness, this was after the siren when Max had to kick over the mark so the encroaching Cats couldn’t affect the play. Was the 50 paid last night because Cumberland could, in theory, have played on allowing Jake to take advantage of being where he was?

Just watched the replay/caught up with this thread while you lot slept. Certainly share the collective disdain for the umpires. That non-50 (and likely goal) to ANB and the HTB against Gus when he got boot to ball…dearie me. There has to be an agenda, even if subconscious. Today was never going to be straightforward against a desperate opponent and on a big stage. Richmond have had a tough draw and they could yet see off some of our rivals down the stretch. And Freofall of course. Today was a struggle but we ground out the win when challenged so credit where it’s due. I’m still buzzing anyway, particularly after last week.

Fantastic spectacle. Now let’s rip into them.

Arsenal

Shame. Freo down to 14th.

Hawks should be 6.0.

Yep. There was another yesterday which a couple of us highlighted on the non-MFC thread. Unacceptable. Need a line like the ones they draw for VAR offsides in the EPL/SPL. System needs to be [censored]-proof because it’s currently administered by idiots. Fritta’s was a goal.

Saw that. Called touched but it was behind the line, if touched at all, yet goal ump says he thinks it’s a behind then score review inexplicably goes umpire’s call. Made a pig’s ear of another a minute later but the score review got that one right.

Someone had a word with the umpires at half-time. This is shocking.

Really have bought into the narrative haven’t they? HTB/incorrect disposal rules different for him.

My introduction to footy was at North Williamstown State School circa 1962 when Wednesdays in the footy season saw everyone roll up in their team’s jumper for afternoon PE. Everyone except the dumb pom, that is. Anyway, the playground was an absolute sea of Footscray jumpers, with a smattering of Seagulls and a few others. There was just one Demon jumper despite Melbourne being very good at the time. At least there were two the following week. 😁

Jayden Hunt goals. 16 points. You never know ;-).

2-1 against (at least) two Top 4 contenders. Think most would’ve taken that.

6. Grundy 5. Hunter 4. Oliver 3. Rivers 2. Lever 1. Petracca

Really impressed with ‘newcomers’ Grundy, Hunter, McVee, Chandler and JVR. We’re evolving and getting even better. No Kosmonaut or Max either. The future’s bright and we can load up with even more young talent next draft. Only other thing to add about today is that I hate Tom Papley.

I’d never heard of Harley Reid before an AFL.com presenter (and Hawk fan) talked of “tanking for Harley” during a debate about the club’s direction of travel over your summer. Sarah Olle, I think.

According to Richo, “we expect him to be available in four to six weeks”. Available in four means misses three this side of the world. Back on Anzac Eve. Glass half foolish?

Watching the replays, I was more worried that, just prior to the Viney impact, Max had jumped and landed slightly awkwardly on his left and seemed to flinch a little. Just the kind of innocuous event that sees an ACL. Glad it was Jack after all, if you see what I mean!

Starting game behind sofa.

No May, Fritsch, Viney and Salem either. May just have a drink. Just need to borrow Cripps’ legal team to get Kozzie off with a fine.

Two of my predicted Top 3 humbled. Surely not the third. Go Demons. Crowd looks decent to me.

Not sure if UK bookies follow their Aussie counterparts in setting their odds but I jumped on the Pies at 5.0 with the Cats just 3 goals up from fewer scoring shots. Feel dirty but that’s tomorrow’s beer paid for!

Pies to win this with a goal in the dying seconds . Again.

Looking good. My Dad spent his formative years (Thirties) following Sunderland (by steam train) around the UK. He told me there were just two teams of any note back then, Arsenal and Sunderland. Fast forward to early sixties Melbourne and despite my early leanings towards Footscray, he made me support Melbourne because of their intense rivalry with Collingwood, mirroring his hatred of all things Newcastle (filthy magpies, etc). He wasn’t wrong, two of the most boorish, self-aggrandising fan bases in the world. Anyway, back on topic…

Nah. Good win yesterday but too lightweight and playing with just one fit striker and likely to be out-muscled. Back the away win.