pitmaster

Probably more reflection of the fact that you can't stand still, and maybe we did. Teams like Collingwood took on our style and outworked it. Remember the two starting players off the back of the square pre-666? You do need to develop changes each year or you're overtaken. There was not much innovation in us this year. We certainly stayed fixated on the same group as well. It's only a guess but I think the lack of new players, or relative novices like Bedford and Bowey being given a chance in the last third of the year cost us in terms of energy and enthusiasm. Goody possibly stuck with the known factors too much. If at the start of the year you'd told me Laurie would not have played a senior game this year, and that Chandler would not resurface I'd have figured long term injury hit them. But no, they just did not get a chance.

JVR looking the goods. Turner good judgement, reads it well. Bowey's skills shining. TMac roaming like a battle cruiser. Casey will take this easing up.

One debutant all year. Makes the best first year player an easy call. But I would have liked to see some freshening up.

Must disagree. I was there and the Sydney noise second half amazed me. Even Robbo had to try to gee uo our mob at 3/4 time.

Agree entirely. We have seen that performance too often

Blues appear overwhelmed. Need to slow the game to get some control.

Baz Luhrmann.

Brilliant!

The problem with being too definitive about the winning margin the Swans need to overtake us is that when dividing the quotient (the answer) varies according to the size of the divisor (bottom number). The Saints' average tally over the last five matches is 70.4 points. Over the last two games against top four aspirants (cats and lions) it is 65.5. For simplicity's sake let's give them 66 points this week which would make the Swans' divisor 1608 (currently Swans' points against of 1542 + 66). If the Swans win by 60 points which is the margin Fox suggested, they romp it in. The calculation is 2105 (points for of 1979 plus the Saints' 66 and plus 60) divided by 1608 = 130.9 which is enough. But if the Saints only score 50 points and lose by 60 the calculation is 2089 divided by 1592 (still a 60 point winning margin for Sydney) and the answer is 131.2 which is even better for Sydney; And this is the really bad news, if the Swans hold the Saints to just 50 points, and win by 51 points, they overtake us with a percentage of 130.6. So Rupert Murdoch's Fox is wrong (again). The calculation is Swans pts against 1542 + 50 = 1592. Swans points for of 1979 plus Saints 50 plus 51 winning margin = 2080. Then divide 2080 by 1592 and we are third. On the other hand if the Saints score 60 points and lose by 51 we stay in second spot with our percentage of 130.4. The Swans would need a nine goal margin to overrun us. SO the key here is that the Saints score as heavily as possible. If the Swans defence holds tight they might overtake us with an eight goal win. I've never been keener on Dean Kent kicking a bag, although I hope we don't have to rely on that.

Between The Flags is now available from the Demon Shop in Brunton Avenue (as well as the usuals like The Avenue Bookstore, Readings, Beaumaris Books, Collins Books in Shepparton, Bookish in Bendigo and Camberwell Market this Sunday.)

Between The Flags will be on sale at Camberwell Market throughout August - On August 14 (basking in the glow of a return to the winner's list hopefully) at Stall 23; August 21 at Stall 24 and August 28 at Stall 64 (near the donut van). The best thing about market sales (at Bentleigh and Camberwell so far) has been meeting other fans and sharing stories of our mutual passion for the Demons. For those who can't make it to the market, the book is also available from Readings; The Avenue Bookstore (where it's made the non-fiction best seller list); Beaumaris Book; Ashburton news extra, and now, for rural fans from Collins Booksellers in Shepparton (the heart of the Demons' old country zone), and from Bookish in Hargreaves St Bendigo. Looking forward to catching up with anyone able to make it to the market between 7am and 12.30pm. BTF is also available online at https://www.betweentheflags57.com.au

Dad was crazy brave. Could be a ripper.

Lions percentage 126.6 at 3/4 time. 2.3% behind us. Can Blues.

Precisely. Also, our method does not allow a small forward to scout between the goals and the contest. Bewildering.

They're just kids. Give them a break!

Just a heads up: demonstone would like a word in your shell-like. Something about whether you know the difference between short term manifestations of climate and the word "whether".

R M Williams?

Schwerter was a metropolitan zone kid. The three 100 gamers were Keenan, Grinter and Lyon. Connolly would have joined them but for his knee. Tingay, like Yze, was from our old country zone but was actually drafted a couple of years after the country zones were abolished.

Almanac Footy: The unknown history of country zoning Part 2 – Reshaping the competition

One for the keen observers: in the Cats versus Dogs contest will the umpires enduring indulgence and love affair with the Bulldogs hold sway on foreign territory, or will the constant whingeing of the Kardinia Park cowboys hold sway as usual? Really, if the Dogs get the umpiring breaks again this week in the face of Corio entitlement then we know we will always be playing 19 on-field opponents against those pups.

Does this mean you're suggesting we abandon the 'selfish" tag? I, for one, am with you, but you better move carefully round these here parts. Or carry a large umbrella.

What's with the background noise on the telecast?

Terrific book. Well worth it.

Now available from Readings in Lygon St, The Avenue Bookstore, Beaumaris Books and Ashburton news extra (243 High Street) as well as the website http://betweentheflags57.com.au

https://www.theage.com.au/podcast/the-age-real-footy-podcast/flirting-with-their-form-dees-pick-and-choose-when-to-go-hard-says-stokes-20220725-p5b4fc.html Stokes argues the attitude is off, the team first ethos has lessened and the Demons aren't willing to play the whole game with intensity. Some were frustrated even when we were winning that we were doing it with half measures. Stokes seems to think the last eight weeks is the result.