pitmaster

Our Irish initiative is explained in the book Between The Flags. Dick Seddon said we started it because it was relatively cheap recruiting with no transfer fees involved. There's a story in there about some soccer genius who Seddon put up for a while over here to try Aussie Rules and who eventually went to a Premier League soccer giant, wasn't happy there and asked Seddon if he could come back to the Demons to try out some more. Seddon told him 'no way: Arsenal (or whatever club it was) will want a big transfer fee'. The kid went on to play 100s of games and represent his country. Once he was in a system we could not afford him. It was an advantage for us because we were first, but everyone is on to it now.

Agree. I am also going to see the Pies go down. If they're looking good at the 20 minute mark last quarter, I'm outta there.

Interested to learn your feedback layzie. (Fever Pitch is a cracker, too.)

So while Jeff Gleeson runs the tribunal it seems when the victim plays for Melbourne no penalty applies.

Harmes' pass to Fritter to turn the tide gave me goose bumps. Always does.

Brisbane had 3 games in 14 days.

Chandler was clearly in some discomfort. Walking, sometimes limping and under observation by two physios. He was not hiding it and at one point was heard to say "that doesn't hurt as much". Right knee strapped from thigh to mid-calf. Melky fielded a few questions and suggested he was a couple of months away. Feeling very good. Was kicking sweetly both sides with his rehab group.

Just like Hawthorn to let you down.

To his benefit Koz is not looking at Soligo and had he not been airborne this would have been glancing contact and we would not be having this conversation. The talk on Fox afterwards was extraordinary for its lack of awareness of what happened in last year's finals. Not a mention of that piece of garbage, BM. While it is likely he is in strife I hold out hope for a fine given that Soligo was not remotely hurt and Koz's line of eyesight suggests no serious intent.

This perception is at odds with mine. Tommo is in my experience usually out-bodied in one-on-one contests. A monster like Dixon for example, would have a field day with him. Tommo is strictly third defender material, especially since his knee injury.

We've beaten two not outstanding sides and so have Port (Tiges and Eagles) so we'll learn something tonight. In my experience Port fans are pig ignorant but not aggressive (however they were flogging us at the time), whereas whatever happens there will be some niggle from Crow followers. (I won't call them supporters since they are too fickle for that).

Correct. And sometimes he shrugs it out. Never penalised. IMO the umpires appear intent on punishing North for being rubbish by rewarding Carlton every half-free kick they can find.

We've been there.

Toby Pink giving us a clear demonstration of the yawning gap between the SANFL and the AFL. He'll need a month of counselling if he stays on McKay all day.

I had never rated Hipwood and then he went and had a breakout 10 minute spell against us that yielded four goals and turned the game. Ever since I have waited for a repeat performance but the best I have seen from him is a couple of "useful" games. Last night Eric was his typically useless self. Daniher almost as bad. The umpiring was however, worse than both of them. It was impossible to reconcile the decisions applied to both teams. Hopefully there is a backlash but it's unlikely because the post game talk the afl wants is the magpies are back.

HTB decisions disgraceful. Magpies umpired in to this. Terrible performance from the maggots.

An utter [censored].

So much hatred for Collingwood in our joint tonight. And Maynard...let's hope what goes around, comes around. Lachie Neale looking superhuman.

How is Norm Smith not on this "all time goal kicking ladder"?

Well, no, they weren't that bad. No coward punches behind play to unsuspecting victims. But there was plenty of deliberate physical targeting which the umpires ignored. The one which annoyed me most was one of the brown and yellows cannoning into Max after he had marked in the last quarter. It was clearly late and the Hawk was clearly in it to hurt. This sort of stuff will continue until the umpires impose a 50 metre penalty. Max clearly expected to be given the 50 which would have put him within scoring distance but the ump was too naive, or stupid, or uncaring to impose it. The same goes with the regular in game targeting of Max. Notably Max was given a 50 metre penalty last week against the Dog which resulted in a goal. Until they umpire smarter this sniping will continue. Meanwhile, beating the Hawks never gets old but I was impressed by how much noise their supporters made considering they were never in it. Welcome back Petty - such a smooth operator both ends - and welcome back Fritters' radar.

There was something on Fox about access to all Tasmanian father son prospects. Luckily we're not counting on too many of those.

Maybe they thought his kicking was on the fritz.

The impression I had from being at the G and not yet having seen the replay is that the team is still adapting to a faster, more direct style. Numerous possession chains that looked promising ultimately broke down due to inability to execute at pace. I would expect this to improve as the season progresses. In other words, exciting times ahead! What are the panels's thoughts on this? As as aside, who was the last Demon who could regularly deliver the sort of pass Billings used on the northern wing to set up Trac for a shot at goal in the third term? My nomination is Trapper. And let's hear what you think of Howes two games. He seems to have fitted in seamlessly to the defensive group who were collectively very strong.

This is so true. (Listen to the wise, kiddies. We're not all senile.)

And not one commentator remarked on it. A clear free to the Saints that resulted in a crucial Geelong goal. Just dreadful umpiring.