Chook

That based on little more than ladder positions - i.e., the combined fixtures the other teams have had thus far this year. If our fixture has been soft, how many of the other top eight teams have had soft fixtures too. The law of averages suggests around half of them.

One day a team will play a perfect season.

Applies to them too!

Isn't Obi-Wan being sarcastic when he says that? I guess this gif works if you're Eagles and Kangas fans preparing to play Melbourne.

Nick Riewoldt (who of course has gone through just this) seemed to think self-preservation kicks in at a certain point - like "I don't want to be hurt like that again" so you don't work quite as hard, commit quite as much, and so on.

It's early but I'm starting to picture a Dees v Saints, Lions v Freo week 1 of qualifying finals.

Also don't put your arms out, even in silence.

You can dissent without respect, you can disrespect without dissent, so clearly respect has nothing to do with it.

Is there a difference between appealing vs dissent, in your opinion? Because the body language and even words can be identical across both, even if the message is completely different.

Preuss is a big man and is playing like it. He'll get a few more games yet if he keeps on presenting like this.

We haven't lost to any sides that could make the eight either, which is a better way of putting it I think.

Fair to say the Saints backline isn't quite to the level that Melbourne or even Fremantle's is. How 3 saints couldn't spoil little Bobby Hill gives me hope that even I could take a mark at AFL level.

Pretty sure I’d actually prefer to be missing Viney and Lever than Martin and Grimes, and that’s saying something.

This thread title could be a Harry Potter book title. Harry Potter and the Mystery of the Majak Daw

Pay them. You want people to do a thing, pay them. You want people to be respected, train them well enough to do a good job. By doing a good job they will draw praise, and that will be the key to changing the culture, and drawing volunteers even.

Consistent good umpiring. Playing your role well demands respect. There’s no other path to it.

You tell me. But without resorting to games, I think the aim is ultimately to eliminate the air of enmity that exists around the supporters and the umpires, which can't be done by a binary "arms out equals dissent" type of umpiring.

I haven't spent my life complaining about umpires - that's reductive. I'm complaining about them now though because they're being asked to do something that's unnecessary to achieve the aim.

And legislating against one particular body action (arms out) will fully accomplish that goal? Great! I love that it's so easy!!!

Learn what?? Don't put your arms out? OK. What will that accomplish? What problem does that solve?

Never agreed with Robbo more in my life. The AFL has to back down.

Suck it Catters!!! Stuff youse!

Is James Brayshaw OK? How do you confuse Joel Selwood for Dangerfield?

Umpire: "Picks up dissent by scent from 50m away" Also Umpire: "No, that wasn't a high tackle from Joel Selwood. How could it be? His name is Selwood!"

I think you'll find he spoke respectfully and gestured in the universal human mode of communication saying "my eternal apologies precious lord umpire may you live forever."