Dee*ceiving

Definitely...except when kicking at goal or further than 30 metres. But I do like him, maintains a calm facade and tackling/defensive efforts have been better last 2 weeks, IMV

I wouldn't be surprised if half of those 12,000 tickets were giveaways and corporate hospitality related. I agree, that tenth game is unlikely to warrant an audience but the reality is businesses will spend money to have their logos on jumpers, footballs and hoardings at the ground. There will also be logos on the grass, on the LEDs outside and inside the stadium plus radio and TV coverage with yet more advertisements (mostly Ladbrokes, Sportsbet and TAB)...I could go on. The 20th team/tenth game will generate $$$. Maybe not enough to put teams 19 and 20 in the black in year 1 (I suspect GWS/GC business case is yet to turn a real profit) but the AFL doesn't need business cases that pay for themselves in 3 years like normal businesses. I do wonder if the AFLW could ever run in the black as a standalone. Perhaps someday but probably not while we're still driving cars with combustion engines.

Love it! A few observations... Great kick from Hibberd to the goal square incredible strength from TMac I wish we had Cam Pedersen on the list today Horrible jumper

Under the sun (at night mind you) or under a Sun? 😉

Don't disagree entirely but I also think Billings could be left out to enable a Salem return (mid or back), with some minor shuffling. Personally I think a fit Salem is the key to giving Tracc more time inside F50. Re: LOCKS; tough on Langdon who's back to his best so far this year and I'd see JVR as a lock. For a key forward with 30 games experience he brings a boat load to the table!

yep, good thinking Redleg. I'd only have Billings ahead of Chandler if Chandler is injured. Billings good in the second half last week but Chin's pressure, speed and finishing has him ahead of JB IMO. Definitely merit in Woey staying in and Billings missing to allow Salem to return in some capacity. Would necessitate Woey, Salem or Windsor as sub probably?

I wouldn't mind Salo coming in and taking some of Trac's midfield minutes allowing him more time I50. But assuming BBB is coming in other moves would also be necessary...Woey out (stiff), Windsor sub? In: BBB, McAdam, Salem Out: Turner, JVR, Woey Petty would be rucking I'd assume... If no in game injuries I think McAdam and Salem would be chances to be subbed out, similar to Bowey last week.

I think with Petty it's all about his confidence and timing his leap. He got this second half v cats but found himself on a very good defender vs Blues. The cats game suggested to me he can still jump at the ball despite his foot injuries (for now at least). Weitering is somewhat similar to May, not many key forwards will play well against him unless their midfield is on top.

Lol...I did read it and would be of the view that no book written about MFC winning a premiership could be terrible, even if it was written with crayon, on ancient parchment and in Egyptian heiroglyphics it would still be a bloody good read!

I miss day games too Agree. Proof reader needed...we've found a top candidate.

People in the media simply want to blow smoke up the backsides of a long time dormant Essendon supporter base. Not unlike they have done with Carlton over the last 12 months...

Agree with @DistrACTION Jackson In: Verrall, BBB Out: Turner, JVR Max needs help and we won't get a better chance to debut a ruckman. We need to find out at some stage what he can offer and by the reports I've read he is ahead of Jefferson and Fullarton in terms of output. BBB had 8 scoring shots last week and we need a tall forward, nuff said. Suggest we'd need a runner as sub though. Would love if Max could get through with <70% game time.

If Disco and JVR miss Verrell and a small/medium would suffice. We might not get a better chance to test Verrell and some air cover for Max feels timely. If Salem is in we can also afford Tracc forward a touch more than normal (though maybe not the extent we saw last week)

If JVR is out I feel like we should give Verrall a shot and maybe limit Max's minutes if we can. Be even better if we could leave Max in Melbourne

Be good to have mulligan on that first quarter

found this on DL

Great read Oracle. Go Dees!

Bowey in for Billings Hore (sub) in for Laurie

Yeah...coz Collon-wood, maaate

Damn shame about McAdam. I thought he'd be a big chance to replace billings.

6. Gawn 5. Lever 4. Langdon 3. Petty 2. May 1. Fritsch McDonald, Oliver, Windsor, Pickett & McVee unlucky. In fact nearly everyone played their roles very well.

MLB has a looser model around spending caps. i understand teams you can spend over a nominated cap but every $ over is taxed at a rate that scales up the more you spend. A luxury tax as such. Not sure how effective it is or where the money goes.

If there's one thing we can commend the AFL for it's how the draft, soft cap and other factors have led us to the even competition we have now. Sydney, the Bulldogs and Melbourne have broken big premiership droughts in the last 20 years and whilst Hawthorn, Geelong and the Tigers have won multiple premierships they've all also had some tough years. Not only that but I think nearly team has played in a GF since 2000 except GC? - could be wrong on that.

Agree, not for me. The returns are regulated though. I think 85-90% of what goes in must come out (assuming they run to regulation and audits etc. are effective). So if you play long enough you will win! But if you are a long time player you will forever run 10-15% down on what you bet. That structure actually encourages the problem gamblers because they know eventually they'll get something back. The casuals though will mostly lose interest. Play a time or 2, lose and think that sucks.

The league is rich. The clubs operate under a soft cap & are somewhat handcuffed (league and self inflicted). Gaming revenue a simple example. Foregoing that is morally the right thing to do (as our club has done, not all though). But theres a stack of money in it. The Dees turning a profit of $3m from $56m revenue is pretty good (>5%). Pokies is another license to print money though