old55

The idea that 2021 was somehow a "perfect season" is some of the greatest Demonland revisionism. We drew with struggling Hawthorn and lost by 20pts to the Dogs at the MCG in late July and plenty on the site were calling for Goodwin's head. We smashed GC at the start of August and things rolled from there. Although I had mates writing us off for the season at 3qtr time vs Geelong in the last round. 2021 was stuttering until the finals.

WC Premiership players: Duggan, Barrass, Yeo, Darling, Shuey, Sheed Seasoned AFL players: Kelly, Gaff, Witherden, Hunt, Allen, Petrevski-Seaton, Petrucelle It's a disgrace

But apparently it will be different in our forward line where Gawn/Grundy, Petty, JVR and Smith will all be flying? Occam's Razor says Petty back for Tomlinson. We'll see.

Tonlinson is very stiff, but Petty >>> Tomlinson. Petty, fit, has to come straight in - either Smith or Tomlinson had to go out and either would have been very unlucky.

If it comes to pass it's because the FD thinks Petty back + Smith fwd > Tomlinson back + Petty fwd I'm sceptical, but others here including @Slartibartfast are in favour.

Are you suggesting that we didn't tank? Give me a spell.

Clear hold on Sestan in pic 9 and no free kick, it's clear the AFL is hell bent on crucifying us again.

Interesting that (along with GC) Marvel tenants North, Essendon and the Dogs have the least NS.

If Oliver, Petty and Bowey are all fit to play it will be one of the most interesting selection nights for a while.

Deluxe and delightful

Que? The date and time for the match was confirmed on 18 May along with all the R16-24 matches. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2023-full-fixture-rounds-16-to-23-dates-and-times-venues-how-to-watch-round-24/news-story/eb3d514b1342e8373140fa4ea968714e It's been listed as such on the AFL and MFC websites since then. Tickets only went on sale last week though.

Fixed it for you

I got return flights for $700 in December when the fixture came out. I did have to book Friday in and Monday out to make sure I covered all the possible game times because the match was part of the floating fixture.

I'll be there for the first time - looking forward to it.

If so they'll be in touching distance of each other at the sardine tin

Tempted to go to Carlton vs Gold Coast on Sunday just for the schadenfreude. Suns a very good chance I think.

If I was Harley Reid I'd go there in a heartbeat. He's confident he'll make it, he'll be an immediate hit playing in front of adoring fans and be at ground zero for their rebuild. King of Perth.

Agree, WC is a rich powerful club that can provide lots of off field opportunities. The lifestyle in Perth has broad appeal too. Unfortunately they'll be back with a vengeance - enjoy their suffering while it lasts.

The Saints warrant a "blockbuster" fixture but who is their natural opponent? Maybe Collingwood - GFs against. Rivalry round, probably the best I can come up with is: Saints v Pies North v Essendon Demons v Dogs Blues v Tigers* Cats v Hawks* *Two of them are blockbuster fixtures already. I'd be keen to see other combos ...

They must be very accurate cuts. Perhaps a microtome?

I confess I was skiing at Mt.Hotham that weekend.

This has a very strange feel about it - that both players would go to the coach simultaneously. I can imagine one player might do that but I struggle a little to see how the situation evolved where both do. Maybe they both received a post-game bake and got together to discuss the way forward and came up with this.

We're talking about doing away with no prior opportunity to dispose of the ball. If the ball winner is tackled immediately on gaining possession and even one arm is pinned then a handball is not an option, only a kick is and it's not easy to hit your boot if you're being spun in the tackle or you're being tackled from behind and front-on which happens at stoppages. Ball winners need to be protected. That will be holding the ball or incorrect disposal and ball-winners will be unfairly penalised. While we're going on a tangent with interchanges, here's mine - grabbing the wrist in a tackle should be a free against the tackler because it unfairly limits the disposal options of the ball winner. Pinning the arms is fine but grabbing the wrist is too easy.

Craig McCrae is all class. Compare his reply of "zero" effect of illness on his team with Chris Scott's whiney performance after the 2021 PF. I grew up to hate Collingwood but there isn't a more likeable pair of leaders than McCrae and Darcy Moore.

I had the AFL app open and was discussing with my daughter how the stats all showed it was actually a 6 goal win to us. Collingwood supporters seemed unappreciative of this education.