Wodja

Fairly safe to say that all supporters from all clubs see umpiring decisions from their understandable biased perspective. From a whole of competition perspective I thought at the start of the year the introduction of the 4th umpire was going to be a good thing. Pick up blatant missed free kicks deep in forward lines as well as reduce blindsided decisions. All sounded good in theory. I was wrong. Very few ‘extra’ fees being picked up and the cost being the extra umpires required having an obvious negative impact on the overall talent pool of our umpire stocks. This translates to inconsistent interpretations and decisions being made. I would like to see the AFL return to having three umpires. Chances of this happening? Practically zilch. They are too proud to admit they may have got this wrong. Shame. My only hope of a positive move forward is that technology used for the decision review process is upgraded to 21st century standards by the start of 2024. Surely that is not too much to ask for and expect. What we have now is not only a joke, it is an absolute embarrassment.

Don’t wonder, it does.

What I would like is this. I want the ins and outs for this week (and next) to ensure that we either end up finishing 2nd or 4th in two weeks. Not particular or fussed what it ends up being. Both equates to home finals and as a bonus I (we) have an opportunity to go to the game. The best interests of the team align with my best interests. How is that for being positively self pecuniary and selfish at the same time.

For most things AI can be seen a a legitimate threat, for AFL umpiring, it’s an opportunity. Fmd, if AI can’t do better than them, it is overrated and doomed.

What made it worse was that the Carlton supporters around me were all really good people, seriously. Had no trouble whatsoever shaking their hands after the game. Problem was I knew I should be feeling worse than what I was at that time. All okay now, the pain has now set in.

I reckon we were fumbling a lot of ball for most of the game and it cost us (brought on by the relentless pressure being put on us- must give credit where due)….it is something that we can address and fix. Come finals the team that is most ‘on’ will win the big one.

Looking on the bright side of life, at the very least no opposition coach, (let alone us the supporters) have no idea what the line up of our side will be come finals time. That to me is a positive.

Lost the battle, there is still a war to be won

Hope the ‘Burgess’ team fitness kicks in the 2nd half and they roll Brisbane

Fair weather supporters bring shame to the game

Or dare I say it (and I hope I am oh so wrong) it would be most concerning that they have been loading because they have a few games in the bank at this stage of the season and will be peaking come September. I repeat, I hope I am wrong and as an aside, and I feel very dirty saying this…. I hope they beat Brisbane next week… in a gruelling and bone crunching games ( for both sides)

To be honest I don’t mind - this is a legitimate exception

I was at the Collingwood game tonight. Certainly helps the Ferals ( although in my opinion they had the game under control from 2nd quarter onwards) For those of us that can , turn up tomorrow

How about ‘done’? Covers off both cooking and washing.

Out- Couch Potatoes In - Loud, passionate Melbourne supporters It may be Carlton’s home game but it is still our home ground. Can’t let their supporters become the 19th man. We are playing to try and stay 2nd on the ladder to snag a home final. Be nice if some of our supporters who are contemplating turning up to watch ‘their team’ in the finals, have a practice run and turn up a few weeks earlier.

Looking ahead I think I’ve got this right (can’t be bothered checking)- in the west we have ‘The Derby’, in SA it is ‘The Showdown’, NSW it is ‘The battle of the Bridge’ (or something like that). I believe the AFL are considering rebranding the ‘Q’ clash in QLD to be called ‘The sQuirrel’ clash’.

Sort of related….there is a rumour going around that Zorko hates Touk Miller that much that he squeezed and bruised his own testicles to set Miller up. Information source? My 90 odd year old father-in-law (whilst watching the Footscray Richmond game tonight)

Looking on the bright side…… feeling a lot more at ease in barracking for Geelong this weekend

And heaven forbid, had we, we would have been totally crucified. No proof, just me speculating. All clubs are equal, just some seem to be more equal than others.

Good question! From a footy perspective I reckon an optimist lives in hope week in week out. If we win, very happy, if we lose, not happy but we continue to live in hope. Get to the pointy end of the season we most likely will be feeling miserable (trust me, been there done that for most of my life)….. but then there is always next year. The good old pessimist (particularly if they follow the Dees) must I guess have a perverse sort of pleasure when we lose…. for being proven right. I do wonder if they enjoy the victories as much as the optimists….because they know they got it wrong. Particularly so if and when we win the big one. Can they truly feel as happy as an optimist in this situation? (I can imagine a pure pessimist wanting us to lose a close one just so they can say they were correct). But then again, there is always next year. (All tongue in cheek….ironically, we have one thing in common, we both follow the Mighty Dees).

Maybe they have got a slightly different take on Essendon’s catch phrase ‘whatever it takes’

I reckon ‘managed’ is the word. IF for example say Viney’s shoulder is suspect (I really have no idea but they do) manage him. IF the footy department identifies that a key player is ‘cooked’ for whatever reason manage him. Everyone else plays. We have a depth of talent that we can utilise. We want to win next week and get some percentage if possible, the following week against Carlton we need to win. Get the best team on the park but at the same time ‘manage’ our risks as best we can.

I know it’s weird, I’m nervous about the North game and I’m excited about the Carlton game the following week. The most dangerous thing a team can do is think they have won the game before play begins…. one week at a time…. respect the opposition no matter who they are and where they are on the ladder. GO DEES!

I like the concept of managing players etc (we have the depth - use it!) but I wonder how much, if any the strategic thinking has changed for the footy department because of the three sides above us losing last week. In my mind percentage has suddenly become even more relevant. I know you should never take any game for granted and ‘one week at a time’ thinking- but I hope the footy department is trying to maximise percentage gain this week and making sure we have a side that is best placed to take on and beat, no smash Carlton the following week. I would love to see that being a big statement game that makes the rest of the football world shudder. If that doesn’t happen I’ll just settle for the four points.

Win the premiership this year and crack the 75k target the following year? GO DEES!!