Rivers of Belief my friend

Umpires should allocate votes as part of their post game review (after watching replay) - which includes the calls they made, right/wrong. We should also consider either renaming it a midfielders award or thinking about how we bring other positions back into the running. Eg Steven May had a 15-20 vote season, not a 3 vote season.

Exactly - we need to stop talking about deliberately biased umpiring. Focus solely on the poor standard (which also causes unconscious bias with home crowds).

I guess my question is: how on earth would the umpires be instructed, overtly or covertly, to favour the Pies? Genuine question. the huge partisan crowd would definitely impact decisions - we know that. But a concerted, deliberate effort? I will say that the Pies, while impressive for a season and a half, have had some incredible luck at times. But you know, the harder you work, the luckier you get - and they’ve got some skills I’ll grant them that. And team belief - big time.

Love Garry the player. But to be blunt, he’s a gutless wonder ever since. How about actually contributing to the process, Gaz.

Yes.

Thanks everyone. There’s always next year.

I was thinking back to our premiership year, and how so many of our players had standout seasons. A lot needs to go right to win a flag of course, and one of them is overall improvement in skill and output from the group and individual players. Thinking of 2021: Salem, Langdon, Spargo, Bowey etc. as good as we were for the majority of the year, maybe we also just needed a few more individuals to have breakout years again. As an exercise, I went though and rated all players for their 2023 season for impact above - using: + (greater impact) - (less impact) / (similar impact to previous year) This includes injury affected of course. Not sure if you generally agree…

Thanks for that. Can’t sleep but that made me laugh.

9.17 - that was it.

We needed to bury the crowd. We let them back in. Will be tough. Fritta, Kozzie, Salem need to lift big time. TMac ordinary.

Langdon started well. Salem needs a rocket.

He’s out the door.

I’m tipping TMac to kick 3.

Agree. And I would strongly argue to date Chandler has had more stand out games. He’s not up to that level lately, but he’s had some stellar games.

Agree. Kids don’t play organized MMA though. Those knockouts are brutal. Brutal. (Having grown up on van Damme etc. I still like watching UFC for it’s skill but my interest is starting to fade maybe) Also agree re: if Maynard gets suspended it’s only a matter of time for speccies to be next. Maybe all of this - speccies, tackles, hip and shoulder - has to be informed by the result on the other player…you can do it, but you’re risking suspension. It’s tricky…

The classic “Glass is three quarters / one quarter full”

These are good thoughts. let’s go with something like this. I really think bring back Tomlinson, create the wall again. Bounce off half back. nothing to lose next week - let’s get on a run. Play with enjoyment and fire. [censored] ‘em.

Overwhelmed at the moment. Need to get some control.

I reckon rain will ease up around first bounce, then a second smaller front will pass through halfway through 2nd quarter. Then not much. Speed.

MFCSS - Level 13 Achieved: Looking at the rain radar. My brain: looks like the rain will mostly come and go tonight, leaving the ground very damp but actual game will be dry ish. This will enable the Pies to play their game style, but will leave us fumbly with a slippery ball.

I’ve gotta say, TMac looks fit. The perfect blend of muscle and svelt.

And tomorrow, more from Binman’s ‘pop music stats files’, including: - Top 50 entries - CD sale conversions per inside Top 50 and - Support Acts (under pressure)

*Management reserves the right to change the rules before, during or after each game, including in its interpretation of video footage and how it may or may not be applied, subject to the vibe.

Too far for a snap from a set shot?

6 - Viney 5 - Petracca 4 - Fritsch 3 - ANB 2 - May 1 - Brayshaw Apologies to Rivers, Bowey, Hunter, Langdon.