Chook

Needed that one, to say the least. Surprise surprise it came when the umps started seeing the frees - heaps of holding going on of Oliver and Brown.

Port winning the contests and handpassing it out to a loose man straight away, then spreading from there. Absolutely smacking us in this area.

That rebound from Rivers and Windsor was what we want tonight, but not seeing it often enough so far.

No idea how that Rioli mark was a mark. It was a metre out. Port exposing Lever's lack of agility early.

Port's midfield is smashing us at the moment.

I think on what we've seen so far that Sydney and GWS are front runners, with Carlton and Melbourne following closely behind.

A lot of people seem sad that they're no longer young on this thread. Sporting culture changes, and we'll never be able to go back to those times. Yes there are some negative things about the AFL right now. But let's not be lumping the changing of the draft night broadcast in with what happened to Angus Brayshaw and the disgusting pies fans for example. Footy is a huge business with 18 different clubs and fan cultures. There's the different intersecting industries (gambling, journalism, medicine, food, merchandise). There's so much going on in and around the game and so much change compared to the past that of course you can find things you're not going to like. It's up to you to decide whether the things you like outweigh the things you don't. Personally I still like the game, and I like it just as much as I did 20 years ago. In fact I probably spend more time listening, talking about it and watching it now than ever. Plenty I'd change, but overall I'm still invested beyond just the Demons.

Credit to the roos fans. They're making a ton of noise for a bottom of the ladder side with no chance of winning.

6 fifty-metre penalties now against North. At this point they should just go for the record.

You feel for North fans. Their team is hot garbage but the umps aren't helping one bit.

The lack of pressure on the Carlton mids from North's mids is just embarrassing. Very much like a Melbourne game from c.2013 - I feel so happy we're not subjected to that any more.

Curnow on Pink is just unfair. Charlie is built like a brick you-know-what, and Pink looks like any redhead you just pulled off the street. How's he going to compete?

Agreed. Our worst opponent (Hawthorn) is as good as Port's best opponent (Tigers). Bulldogs are in the hunt for the 8 and West Coast are one of the worst teams I've ever seen.

The disappointment in the voices of JB and BT when Brisbane kick a goal is palpable.

All due respect to Peter Brukner but I'll side with the people who've seen the scans on this one.

I can't see it, but the list management from us has been top notch for a while now so I'll go with it. My old boss used to coach Bailey and he couldn't speak more highly of him. All the same I just don't think he's got enough weapons, and looks pretty nervy our there. (Behind you all the way Bill!)

I knew this would happen. Starving vultures is the best way to describe them, especially in the offseason. The media has a hard job in the offseason as there's not much for them to report on, so they go to town on whatever news (usually negative) is available. And there's no real right of reply from clubs or players because there's no games being played. However the media seems to think supporters don't keep receipts once the games roll around. Not true.

Tried to listen to this poddy last night to lull me to sleep (not a comment on the quality of the podcast - it's just a habit I've gotten myself into). I think I lasted about 15 minutes so I'll give it another crack tonight.

This is the right decision, and is what Maynard should have gotten. If your action turns into a bump regardless of your intent, it's a bump - Maynard may have tried to smother but his ultimate action was a bump. Likewise with Wright - he initially wanted to contest the mark but instinctually moved to protect himself by adopting a bumping posture midair.

They have a very high press, leaving heaps of space out the back if a midfield is capable of exploiting it on the turnover. Langdon, ANB, Chandler, Windsor, Petracca, Pickett should be able to give them a lot of trouble.

Michael Hibberd was All Australian in 2017 after missing four games to start his first year at the club. It's a long season.

GWS to remain undefeated. A Grand Finalist to have an absolute blowtorch on them next week.

Not giving Grundy or Gawn any of the blame for the way that partnership failed is a common mistake. Max was supposed to improve his forward craft and didn't. Grundy was supposed to improve his marking and didn't do that either. The failure of the combo was not entirely the club's fault - I blame the two individuals just as much if not more.