Spargonicus

Planet-sized ego

Hi team, Loving the podcast. This one's from Mrs. Spargonicus (Spargonette?), who's a relative newcomer to AFL, having grown up in Sydney and followed that other code (an Eels fan). She then transitioned to AFL first as a Swans supporter, and after much cajoling on my part, and forcing her to attend many games, she became a fully-fledged Demon member. (However, I will reveal that our first kiss was back in 1997 at the G, watching David Nietz kick 3 in a muddy affair - a loss for the Dees, of course.) Aaaanyway, this is her observation*: Goody has mentioned in press conferences that at the start of each game he kind of waits to see what the opposition throws at them. And then adapts. Spargonette thinks this may have something to do with our pattern of slow starts, catch-up, burst in 3rd term, and then tiring out in the final quarter to try and withstand a spirited comeback. (Against better sides obviously, like 2023 finals.) She thinks this might be a less-than-ideal mindset to enter a match with, in preference to a more positive starting mindset of: "we're taking this game by the throat" or "we'll stamp our brand on this game". (She knows about our defensive structure game.) *backed by purely anecdotal evidence.

Here’s a funny post-game comment from one of the Doggies’ forums: “There comes a time when a great coach realises the team needs a fresh voice. Where beverage is delivering yet another year on the relationship between Confucius - Ancient Teacup making and the Art of the Quilt, other coaches are actually driving the game forward.”

6 - Gawn 5 - May 4 - Oliver 3 - Billings 2 - Petracca 1 - Chandler

Not looking as Gawnt as he does mid-end of season. Gawn buffed.

Are we going to be a little too short? I like the squad otherwise. Although I am, also, a little too short. (5’10”…almost)

Query: is there a list/table anywhere online that summarises the longest streaks of ‘unfair’ / biased game schedules? eg Dees at Kardinia Park should we start a thread listing them? (An off season project perhaps). Maybe by spreading the word on these lopsided fixtures we can point out their absurdity and effect change.

You in comms, Praha?

That’s a very Clive James turn of phrase…

Hmm. It’s a great question. I think in these times of increasing costs of living and disunity across our country and the Western world in general (post-Brexit, post/pre-Trump, the Referendum sh$tshow etc.) the AFL will continue to enjoy support. let’s face it, it’s something to get excited and passionate about. Memberships may slide a little over the next few years as the cost crunch really starts, but it’s a quintessentially Australian thing that unites us - even in respect of all hating Collingwood. The rules need a LOT of tightening. Whoa. Get it right, AFL. Eliminate as many subjective rules as you possibly can. Train and pay the umpires properly. That will go a long way. I’m also getting massively on board the AFLW. Is only a good thing in the medium-longer term. A very good thing.

I keep saying that, overall, psychology is THE most important factor in sport. (Especially if you’re comparing similarly accomplished players/teams) McRae has done a brilliant job. I’ve seen some of his player addresses: he focuses on his players actually enjoying the pressure moments and owning them. We did that in 2021 - esp in finals.

Well, I didn’t watch that, and the result is predictable, right down to a tiny margin. Let’s back in our all-conquering AFLW team. They’re smashing it. Let’s get right behind them. Then bring on 2024 for both teams.

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.