Dee*ceiving

The VFL doesn't start for another 2 weeks but there is a practice match today and another next weekend

Agree, can't see how we could possibly pick Schache next week which probably means JVR has to pinch hit in the ruck, assuming TF not ready?

Absolute BS re: Max. He was huge against the Lions at the G late in the season, massive against the Pies in the first final and bloody good in the second against Carlton. Also close to our best on King's birthday.

Also for those marking JVR harshly it's worth considering that Amartey and Logan McD also had very little influence. McD kicked his first goal in the last qtr. McLean was the only tall to clunk a couple of marks I50, also later in the game and one was thanks to a mix up between May and Max

Agree with many others regarding the low points but will start with the... Positives. Definitely found a player in Howes. Grew in confidence as the match progressed and maybe the only defender to hit some decent kicks out the of the backline. Windsor tried hard and will make the grade though I felt he's not ready for this level of intensity (which is completely fair) Defence held up extremely well for 3 quarters, Sydney's weight of contested possessions, I50s and fatigue lead to a knockout blow in the first 10 minutes of Q4. I thought we actually fought back a touch and arrested their momentum after that but the damage was done We were well on top in contested possessions for the first half and had sufficient chances to lead at HT I thought Langdon was effective, did some nice things and nullified Gulden Clarrie definitely undercooked but 30 possessions in hot conditions has to be seen as a positive first step in his return Other than Grundy entering Max's space at centre bounces (which left me scratching my head but could just be me not knowing the rules), I thought the umpiring was good Fritsch, a lone hand up forward kept us in the game, easily the classiest forward on the ground Negatives. The game presented finals like intensity (to me at least watching on TV) which exposed a few, Chandler & Schache the most, Laurie & Spargo (off limited prep in fairness). I could see the logic of Billings as sub, bring him on later when fatigue sets in and hopefully use his kicking as a weapon. In hindsight though he probably should have started and Laurie been sub We've spend 12 months teaching Brodie how to negate Max, which he did superbly and showed the rest of the competition how to go about it JVR not ready to be the main banana with an A grade minder, particularly in slick conditions against an effective team defense Field kicking hopeless. Didn't play to the conditions (again) and when we did attempt to kick with precision and turned it over it becomes apparent why we revert to overuse, handball and dump kicks Bowey's potential injury, brave act that saved a goal and was one of our better performers until then Again couldn't turn greater ball control and weight of contested possession into scoreboard pressure. Probably should have been in front at half time, though I don't think that would have led to a different result. Swans too strong & polished in those conditions

Agree, & sadly Binman when we tried the odd longer kick we hit up a Sydney player on the chest 45+ metres away. I feel like there were at least 4 or 5 examples where the kicker was only under mild pressure at the time too.

I also thought the ruck wasn't allowed to cross the centre before contesting the ball. Then thought maybe you can once the ball leaves the turf. Smart from Grundy & and he got away with it. He learned a lot in the 12 months he was with us, sadly it will be used against us more effectively than it ever was for us.

Nice work Drew Jones...though a better proof-reader wouldn't go astray

Garry basically said it's probably true that several clubs have far greater drug related issues (referencing the hair test ladder), but it's irrelevant because Melbourne has been exposed which provides the media sensational things to report on. The club complaining won't change any of that, all they can do is try to get better and point wins on the board. Thats our best opportunity for respite. As I have longed believed, when it comes ot illicit drugs in sport, partaking isn't the crime, getting caught is.

Your namesake wasn't bad Stinga! ...and Travis Johnstone.

Link to SEN clip referenced https://dcs.megaphone.fm/NTETP9608258653.mp3?key=40f3c002d3ea4a2fd4a47461689a2f21&request_event_id=eb3d06c3-e933-445f-957b-c577114cabfd&source=3 Hopefully that works, it did for me. Found with Demon17's guide above. Worth listening too and no surprise not covered broadly in the media. Credit to Tim and Garry for referencing. Garry's points are also correct. No point complaining (though we are right to be advocating for ourselves)

Agree. One might think that losing Grundy, Harmes & Jordon is balanced out somewhat with the acquisitions of Billings, McAdam & Fullarton. It would seem likely that Billings and McAdam at least will be best 18 if fit. Harmes and JJ were not.

Robbo 2. Zak Butters Readers 49. Zak Butters

LJ really is the one that got away, despite the sizable compensation. The outcome in 2023 could have looked a lot different and we would have avoided the whole Brodie Grundy experience (schmozzle)

Thats a good point Elwood. I think the quote was refered to as 'from a source close to the probe'. That could also mean the the 'defense' side of the argument or an interemediary, if they exist in these probes? Either way I'd expect silence to be a requirement... ...and I thought similar re: phones, seems like players are compelled to hand them over. I did see an article where this occured in the NRL not to long ago. Presume it's a condition of the EBA or government funding/tax treatment possibly (or all of those)?

Very well put Dee-monic, though obviously difficult to accept. It's the vitriolic, sensationalistic, ravenous pride some media outlets seem to take when they stick the boots into us that makes us so defensive and bitter. I must say the club has done a better job at remaining stoic and taking the high road than I have managed, though I wish the club were more direct and timely in some of our retorts.

That quote, allegeldy from someone close to the investigation and implied by the article to be employed by Sports Integrity Australia was downright defamatory, insulting, destructive and vindictive. The fact that someone, implied by the artcle, to be employed by an organisation with 'Integrity' in their name would even utter those words, in that order, aloud to anyone is disgraceful. As is any media organistion that blatantly and sensationally trotted them out. It is also a complete act of cowardice that no name was attributed to such 'strong words' The fact that the club and the AFL have constantly been saying they are not at liberty to discuss the case yet that quote (and article entirely) makes it to print implies to me there is far too little 'Integrity' at Sports Integrity Australia, in my opinoun.

In fairness, that's the quote used as the headline of the actual clipped video from the pod

Ravishing Rick Rude? https://images.app.goo.gl/ChQqMXhBqEKA7sKp6 or; Nature Boy Ric Flair? https://images.app.goo.gl/Vj4WsHXqYBA5bPuy8 or; Have I missed some mashed up reincarnation? Shattered if that's a yes!

R15 1993 vs Geelong at the MCG. I always remembered it being epic and the stats certainly justify that memory. As a 12 year old I'd waited sometime to finally get to go to a game, could barely have been more fortunate. Despite 11 goals from G Ablett snr the Dees suck away with a 14 point win in a four quarter performance. https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/1993/091119930710.html We only laid 17 tackles for the whole game, just incredible compared to today's stadards!

hmmm, we may need a succession plan

Wow, that's going from fine wine to a boiled lolly that's been dropped in the dirt in a matter of weeks

You're not wrong. Port then Adelaide back to back in Adelaide 5 days a part is an absolute joke

...and you're probably going to have to play them there at some point, wouldn't that week be best?

I don't think that's entirely fair on Ben. Though I would agree it would be difficult for a player with an active contract that guarantees several hundred thousand dollars in salary to retire. Unlike others in the workplace he doesn't collect superannuation or pension when retiring from AFL at age 33.