Little Goffy

If an Oliver trade was involved it would certainly solve the salary cap issue for getting the other De Koning as a free agent next year. De Koning and a whole lot of draft value for Oliver (and his whole salary). They'd be taking Oliver (and Smith) on a 50/50 bet that it would either give them the surge to a premiership or wreck their whole cosy salary cap and football-political situation. We'd be setting ourselves with a successor tall defender for several years and adding to a pile of late first/early second roud draft picks to work with. It would leave our midfield very bare indeed, so unless we already knew we were getting someone like Brayshaw or LDU as a free agent in 2025, it is a massive risk in both short and medium term.

Though one must remember the immortal words of Frederick II; "A mule may go on ten campaigns with Prince Eugene of Savoy, but remains a mule." The first thing to select for in a coach is their capacity to grow. Related to that, it is up to the club (even including supporters) to ensure a coach has permission and space to grow. Half the premierships of the last 20 years have been won by coaches who had faced the very real threat of axing. For example I think the alternate history scenarios if Thompson and/or Hardwick hadn't survived their 'review' processes would be a fascinating idle speculation.

What if there was a football panel show and no panel? You could have players calling in just to do kind of 'message back to earth' diary sessions. Or even better, get a shared Zoom call going with one player from every club and just see what happens.

Being an assistant coach at Melbourne seems to be the number one pathway to a senior coaching role now! Plus, former Demon assistants just won both the premiership and the spoon. We're a trophy-winner factory.

Hmm, is it too late to get Fagan as a Cat B rookie?

Sometimes I'm reminded that there are many things, small things, which in Australian culture are just that little bit genuinely 'better'. A lot of it stems from the cultural root of 'Yeah, don't need that nonsense, thanks'.

Something I'm finidng bizarre in this moment is that in the H&A season there was only a three win difference between our finish in 14th and the eventual premiers. And I don't see any club announcing itself as a super standout for next season, either. This would be a great time for Australian football if not for the ignominious shadow politics, shambolic and lopsided draft and trade system, dysfunctional and reactive instructions to umpires, manipulation of the tribunal, terrible boys club commentary and a 'game day experience' developed by a committee of unaware ADHD cases.

Mills didn't even break even with McInerney.

Two life lessons from Joe Daniher. 1. It is always a good idea to walk out on the Bombers. 2. It is amazing how quickly you can turn things around when you decide to pull your finger out!

Absolutely Oscar McInErnery's energy in the medal presentation. Pure goofy, loving joy. Suspect that has been a big part of keeping the team upbeat during some rough early times.

I've been watching the second half and getting that unnerving sense that this Brisbane side is player-by-player that little bit bigger and stronger than their opponents all over the ground. Hopefully that's just a reflection of Sydney's wilting performance because with even more goid F-S prospects coming and ongoing academy benefits, their list has plenty of renewal coming.

I've been working so only looking at stats now. How is it even possible to have fewer supercoach points than disposals?

Collingwood only make finals in seasons where Maynard hospitalises an opponent with a head injury. This statement stands true since pre-covid times.

I have no idea who Harry Garside is but I'm intrigued by what he does with his book. @Bitter but optimistic, any experience in with such literary perversions?

I thought Fred Basset was about the same height as Caleb Daniel (at the shoulder, to be fair).

'Dropped of a cliff' is a pretty remarkable way to describe consecutive 16 win seasons with 125+ percentage. Our midfield only began to struggle in mid 2023 when we lost Oliver. Even then it was still highly capable. This stuff gets so tiresome.

Fair issue raised. Denigrating the honour of Collingwood fans is like trying to barge down an open door. If you called them a worthless sack of [censored] they'd be proud of the sack.

I'm here to help. What bad things can I assist with?

Ahhh, PETA, the second most accurate episode of South Park.

I really rate Basset and would be thrilled if we added him to our coaching panel. The kind of calibre of assistant coach with the credentials to have been pursued by the Eagles and the wisdom to turn them down 🤣

Wholesale [censored]?

I was getting ready to make a joke about quantity over quality but it isn't as funny when it is shown to be true.

Three years on and I still haven't processed the proven fact that my wife can levitate! Maybe I'm blocking it out because she can only do it while screaming 'Fritsch! Fritsch! Fritsch!'

Yep, if you can earn 300k+ and live in some of Australia's lushest countryside near beaches and superb national parks while also still being conveniently close to both a local good-sized city, numerous picturesque towns, and to Melbourne, you'll take it.

Fair call, given a 20 touch Spargo is Brent Harvey. I think it is underestimated how much difference Spargo in form made to our performance. Touch wood for a rejuvenated Spargonaut in 2025.