Whispering_Jack

Who would have thought that when Round 5 came around, St Kilda would be riding high in April and Melbourne would be down there with the also rans? Time to shoot down the Saints before it’s May.

It seems that they’ve given a few of the younger brigade in Sparrow, Bedford and Chandler some time off. Jay Lockhart, the resting emergency. No Maynard. A few others can expect limited game time in case they’re required on Anzac Eve.

Noticeably absent is the son of Jim Stynes who would be around 13 yo. He looked a likely type when I saw him running around for South Melbourne Districts last year.

Scouting notes from the trials.

They play a form of 666 in modified rules for Junior Football (kids up to Under 10s) which is fine for those learning the game and for encouraging participation for all players. However, in senior football, I can’t see it working for a whole game. Players would have to wear clothing differentiating them according to position and the restrictions would make it unplayable and unwatchable.

Actually, 2 wins and percentage off top spot.

And that’s about all it’s worth in this jurisdiction.

Your apology can’t be accepted. The six year statute of limitations has passed.

This academic article argues that the AFL’s increasing corporatisation is alienating fans. Years ago, the game was powerful enough to pull in the fans. Does it need all of the razzmatazz and Thor-inspired footy strips to survive and thrive? THE DISNEYFICATION OF THE AFL

Knightmare has issued his April Draft Power rankings ~ AFL Draft Power Rankings: Giants academy prospect holds off chargers from Oakleigh The National Under 18 Championships aren’t far away. Here’s a preview from AFL Draft Central of the first of the trial games for Victorian selection.

Bradtke has played no football for about four years after making a decision at 14 years of age to concentrate on basketball. Apart from a couple of practice matches with Casey, he has played only two games of AFL any level for premiership points and they were over the last fortnight with the Stingrays. He’s learning the craft in an area where players don’t reach their peak until the mid 20s. The strategy of playing him in the NAB Bank Under 18s is sound but don’t expect him to be smashing them quite yet.

A in interesting review from The Mongrel Punt - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I know we’re supposed to be taking things one week at a time but suddenly, Queens Birthday is looming large on the horizon ?

Meanwhile, by all reports, Austin Bradtke is motoring along satisfactorily, playing in the ruck for the Dandenong Stingrays. Nothing spectacular but he's getting hitouts and possessions and last week kicked a goal in the team's drawn game against the Geelong Falcons.

I have this feeling in my bones - call it a vibe - that we’re going to win this and win it well. We’re playing poorly but are only a goal behind. We can do much better than this and it’s time to rise to the occasion.

Anyway, we’re not going badly in the NRL -

I'm not going to elaborate because this is in my view a filthy beat up timed by the HUN for today. If they were truly investigative reporters they would look at why the several other clubs who did exactly the same thing as Melbourne (Carlton - the club that Brock McLean went to did far worse) and got away without investigation. The Melbourne angle isn't news any more except for the Essendon interests at the HUN who showed their true colours during the drug saga.

The two rogue clubs of the AFL face off tonight and I’m tipping that they will change their respective roles for the game. The Demons will play as if they have ingested some powerful potion that turns each of them into supermen and the Bombers will ... er, tank it.

The arguments and the counter arguments lie buried in contemporary news items and can be read if one wants to delve into the archives on this site. Some is fact, a great deal is fiction based on supposition including quoting a dead man in a different way to the manner in which he told it. The purpose of the article is clear and needs to be treated with the contempt it deserves - not even as tomorrow’s fish and chip wrapping. That era is over now and I’m looking ahead to tonight’s game.

I’ve just come back from RSEA Park Moorabbin where the SMJFL was holding its 2019 season launch. One of the panel guests was Saints CEO Matt Finnis and he looked very contented with his team sitting 2 - 0. This “news” would have to be pretty big if it’s going to derail their season.

I don’t think that’s ever happened before. Teams usually win by 80 points when they have a 73 - 48 advantage in inside 50s.

In round 18 last year, Geelong kicked 11.1 in the last half at GMHBA Stadium. This time they kicked 8 straight before just kicking a behind.

Welcome to winter. Three new faces today and, at least, the team won’t wilt in hot, humid conditions.

I think you’ll find there’s is no Paddy Rider on the Port Adelaide team sheet for today. However, a Paddy Ryder has been named at full forward.

I would like to think we start off like we did in the JLT game against Richmond and keep it up for four quarters rather than go into a shell as we did that day. Of course, the real thing is all about intensity. I think we have the team to do the job.