Bring-Back-Powell

I suppose why waste a GF blockbuster replay on a round 1 game, when round 1 games generally attract higher crowds anyway due to the buzz/excitement factor of a new season and good weather. I'm not certain of the exact reason but I'm assuming my above explanation is a factor.

They haven't had a round 1 grand final replay since 2009.

The AFL is averse to playing GF replays in round 1, so while it may happen it’s no certainty. Would be a fantastic way to open the season though- Our first Friday night game at the G since 2019.

Blokes like Bedford and Chandler and others really need an uninterrupted full season of VFL footy for their development. They’ve been absolutely crucified by 2020- playing 12 on 12 scrimmages at the back oval of Metricon Stadium and 2021 - missing half the VFL season due to lock downs. I liked his practice match performance way back in Feb 2020 against North at Arden Street. Kicked a classy goal and looked the part. Hopefully he can hit the ground running if he gets a game next year like Bowery did this year, and adds to us having the best depth in the AFL.

Adelaide should consider sacking her.

Hopefully crowds are allowed back in Victoria next season and we’re not moving home games and home finals interstate again. I know crowds should be back but I’ve learned not to take anything for granted when it comes to how this state continually cops COVID in the neck.

Any chance WA closes its border to COVID states for the entire 2022 AFL season. If so, hubs will be back on the agenda I'd say. It most certainly won't be opened any earlier than April.

I reckon he is Titus.

Has Buckenara increased his rating from a C+ yet? (the same value as J Wagner)

I don’t have an ounce of sympathy for those blokes who have to spend the next few months in the clink. If it’s good enough for RDB, Daniher, Mann, Neitz, Schwarz and other Demon Royalty to miss out on seeing a premiership live, then it’s good enough for these nobodies.

The Melbourne supporter and bar owner just got a 3 month sentence in the can for illegally entering WA.

I know it wasn’t the GF and I know it was only against GC late in the season but his game that day really made me take notice of what’s to come with this young gun. 4 goals (3 lovely set shots) and played like a boss that day. Dominated for much of the game. A must re-sign but acknowledge his close ties to WA, so an extension isn’t a 100% guarantee.

I know, but it's Victoria we're talking about it.

Just hoping we can see the boys play at the G next year with a crowd. Will be really annoyed if we’re hubbing interstate for a third year.

Agreed.

If home and away seasons were valued more than premierships then Chris Scott would have a gold statue of himself outside Kardinia Park and would go down as a living legend.

Not the grand final but it's amazing that between 2007 and 2020 we beat Geelong twice. In 2021 we beat Geelong 3 times.

I’m all about being the side that has the best depth in the league as this years injury run was pretty much unprecedented and won’t be repeated. Dunstan addresses this criteria. Happy to have him onboard if it eventuates.

Played an excellent game against Richmond in the first practice match this year kicking 3 goals. He was that impressive that when he copped an injury scare, I recall posters being worried about his availability for round 1. Not sure if that game was an outlier or if there’s genuinely something to work with. He was poor in his only start this year against Carlton.

The fact that the only time Collingwood won a final(s) between 1985 and 2001 was in 1990 would support your theory that the Pies were an ordinary premiership side. They had some stinking bad losses to West Coast and Hawthorn and lost to Essendon and Hawthorn twice that year. However history proves that they got it together from the West Coast qualifying final replay and never looked back.

I think that West Coast 1990 semi was at Waverley rather than Perth. We beat them in Perth in the 3rd last round. I could be wrong but I think we went in as favourites in the semi Vs WC but were never in it and may have had a couple of key injuries.

I really hope not. We'll all be 90% fully vaxed next year and many will probably have had a booster. I'll be really disappointed if we have to move our games interstate again in either the home and away season or finals.

The Geelong V West Coast game in round 22 was a sliding doors moment and may have changed the course of history. Geelong were all over them all day until the late in the game where the Eagles snuck over the line to finish 3rd and banish us to 4th and an elimination final against Hawthorn. Had WC lost and we finished 3rd we would've played Collingwood, a side that we had a fantastic recent finals record against. Collingwood were pretty ordinary in their week 1 final draw against West Coast, so I would've backed us to beat Collingwood and then face an Essendon who we had the wood over in 1990. Lots of woulda coulda shouldas, but we had to go the long route if we were to win the 1990GF, and it cost us in the first semi against West Coast.

Pert’s requested Dees V Dogs round 1 at the G. Presume that would be the opening Friday night of the year if the request gets over the line. Hope we can avoid Perth next year, or at worst play there once. Sick of playing West Coast at Optus and Subiaco year in year out while the last time we played WC at the G was in 2014.

Further improve our depth over the trade and drafting period. We'll never have a charmed injury run like 2021 as evidenced by the fact that Tomlinson and Hunt were our only best 22 players to miss substantial games. Whilst they were seamlessly replaced, we need to plan around the fact that we'll be having more best 22 players miss weeks next year. Cerra would've been a great get to fatten up our midfield stocks. Hopefully Laurie will be a great addition in the second half of next year like Bowey was this year. I hope Melksham stays. We've had a bit of depth leave already - Jones, Jetta, VDB etc...