Frosticles

Watched the game at home with my son.  We were both so frustrated during that 2nd quarter.  But I kept telling him how much I was enjoying the game overall.  Really strong effort and intensity.  I thought Viney had a great game too and was pleased he got up after we saw him on the ground in pain.  Knowing it was Viney and not some normal human being, I thought someone might have near killed him.

Fritsch is such a talented forward.  If he has a fault, it's that he seems to be playing half-pace sometimes.  But he knows how to use his body to bump to his advantage and no doubt he's a class kick for goal.

But best on ground for mine -- for Melbourne -- was Cameron -- jeez I laughed at Jezza and laughed and laughed some more, as he kept missing his opportunities -- he had an absolutely filthy game -- and don't forget it was his complete lack of intensity and pressure in the first minute of the game that led to Windsor getting the ball and hacking a kick forward to Fritsch for a goal.

14 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

... Windsor showed he has the tools to be something quite special.

I was very impressed by Windsor.  There were little things he did which don't get a stat but which won us the ball at the contest, or enabled us to break from a contest.  Plus the run-down tackle to win holding the ball inside the Dogs F50.  He's got smarts and speed.

Dead-eye Chandler

After the way we started today, I am just relieved to bank a win

It's hilarious being old -- I'd have to find room for Robbie Flower, Greg Wells, Brian Wilson, Peter Moore and a few others

3 hours ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Caroline Wilsons article yesterday indicates there will be some witnesses coming forward to corroborate at least some of the allegations."

Smoke.  Fire.  Its clear some serious stuff happened.  But let's be clear what being a witness means.  Don't throw the word around lightly.  If you are a witness, you were there.  You heard what was said, to whom it was said, when it was said.  If you weren't there, you only know what you were told.  That's what judges call hearsay, right?  If there really are witnesses, then it's game over.  Testimony from two or more people who were there, against someone else who denies it, is surely a slam dunk.

I'd like to see two things:  (1) expand scope of inquiry to all clubs; and (2) expand scope of inquiry to all AFL players (not just indigenous, not just young). 

Of course, that won't/can't happen. 

But I think that is what is needed to determine:  (A) whether this is just a Hawthorn or an industry-wide issue; and (B) whether this is racism, or age/new-player-related abuse/bullying, or some combination thereof.

Other musings:

1.  does anyone think this is isolated to just Hawthorn?  I expect it isn't.  Just watched some of AFL 360 and listened to Eddie Betts and the others.  Suggestion was made that all clubs need to do a review.  How can they/we not do so?

2.  does anyone think this is isolated to just indigenous players?  I expect it isn't.  If you asked all young players over the past 10 years how they've been treated, I wonder what we would learn?

What a mess.  Got to drag it all out into the light now.

My mum, God bless her, used to say "be sure your sins will find you out".  What is surprising to me is that it has taken this long for this stuff to surface. 

I feel sick in the pit of my stomach, thinking about the pressure brought to bear on young people.  I have young adult kids.  If someone treated them the way some of these young AFL players have been treated, there would be hell to pay.

If even half of the various allegations are true ... how does one explain the apparent lack of a moral compass ... and why weren't there some adults in the room who were prepared to speak up and intervene?

10 hours ago, Demonstone said:

Maybe you could bring two lumps of coal and bang them together, Frosty.  

Yeah I'll do that -- brown coal though. not black -- hope that's alright

27 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

Biodegradable plant based ones would be fine

Tell him about recycling options too, he'll get very excited.

8 minutes ago, Lord Nev said:

We've ditched plastic cards in no small part due to sustainability but you want to give out thousands of plastic novelties each game?

 

F-me ... if I said out loud what I really think of such crap, I'd be banned for all eternity ... virtue signalling at its finest

15 hours ago, JimmyGadson said:

We simply need to add more finishing, composure and kicking skills to our squad.

 

Also this (bolding mine).  Composure with the ball forward of centre.  I've been crying tears of anger about this for months.

18 hours ago, loges said:

Why did our pressure rating drop from one of the best to one of the worst.

This.  I need an answer.

Like several others, I have liked Weiderman's efforts in the ruck at Casey and reckon it is worth playing him some more in that role as forward/2nd-ruck at AFL level if Jackson goes.  Am really looking forward to JVRs first AFL game next year.  I don't want to see the club invest anything in Grundy and would rather see some younger talent come in.

On 8/23/2022 at 6:38 PM, Engorged Onion said:

Opinions on 'protocol' please.

Should supporters boo a player at age 22 when he returns to play your team, after he has helped land 2 premierships and chooses to go and be employed elsewhere?

I would never BOO a bloke like Jackson.  Never.  I can think of a few from other teams though who would be fair game.

Quote

... leaving purely for family reasons ...

So move the family here

14 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

If we are not set-up at the scene of ANB's ball possession or his intended points of disposal, he keeps possession and allows himself to be tackled, usually falling artfully with the ball and not getting a 'holding/incorrect disposal' decision against him, such is his mastery. In those few crucial seconds, the rest of the Dees are setting up or have already set up for the next play. This is a main value of the gut-runner, graduated and empowering team sacrifices. Just watch him, and when he does it. He occupies those seconds with a touch of class at all risks to his own well-being.

My son and I have dubbed ANB "The Tackling Dummy" for just this.

Pies win.  Blues choke it up.  Swans leading 57-35 at half time.

12 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Where is the vision? Do you have a link?

Not sure about any "special" vision, but pull up the broadcast video from CH7 on the AFL website (Match Replay) and go to about 1:40:30 (just before stoppage in Melbourne forward line with 1:07 to play) and you will see ANB already on his knees and Harmes remonstrating with #43 from Brisbane as a trainer runs out to ANB.

At next stoppage with 1:00 to play, you can hear the umpire saying "let it go James" and something like "just let them deal with it" (not really clear, thought initially he might have said "let me deal with it").  

Ben Brown is also remonstrating with Brisbane #43 at that moment.  

What a gutless thing to do.