Dr. Gonzo

Exactly, it is taking an act of desperation, something that has been routinely lauded for 150 years and turning it into a free against. His intent wasn't to put the ball out of bounds, his intent was to deny his opponent possession.

Hallucinogens help cut through the BS but I understand they're not for everyone

Problem is they review every decision, not every non-decision. So they won't look at the non-decision not to pay a 50m penalty to ANB after he was tackled after taking a mark for example.

It's not just the AFL doing this though, ANZAC Day seems to have been co-opted sometime in the mid-90's to be more about a celebration of the military rather than solemn reflection of the horror and futility of war. If anything it should be seen as an advertisement for all the reasons not to join the military rather than the glorification it has sometimes become (eg at today's game I swear I saw fighter jets flying overhead).

4th highest Demons home crowd ever and 5th highest Demons home and away crowd ever. The only match since 1964 that exceeded last night was 2017 ANZAC Eve with cracked 85k and was Richmond's home game.

As bad as they are Collingwood is worse

Yes, a time to solemnly reflect on the horror and futility of war.

And Van Rooyen was getting pushed and scragged at every contest without hearing boo from the umps. Ludicrous and infuriating.

Who was on Cumberland in the 1st? Rivers?

I think I get a warped view of the crowd because I'm in the AFL members where we were clearly outnumbered - it seemed like they had about 70% of the crowd but it might feel different if I was in the Northern Stand.

The contract is an easy out but I think it's more trying to balance his furious attack on the ball with not giving away frees/getting reported. When you go 100% that can happen and it seems he's second guessing himself in order to avoid the frees/suspension. It will click soon and he'll have another game like round 1 or last year v Port.

He was getting scragged and pushed under the ball all game. The pushing under the ball will come with strength/positioning but the scragging was bloody frustrating especially when they were paying them down the other end. Same story with Oliver getting a free against him for holding coming out of the centre bounce, that was bloody rich considering he is tackled at every contest before taking possession.

Knowing how to and being able to is the difference between flags and spoons.

Hardly worth going to sleep layzie 🤣

Questionable is an understatement. It was putrid.

The worst part for me was that not only were we getting absolutely reamed with decisions causing multiple goal swings in the first half alone, the nuffie Richmond supporters (and players *Riewoldt*) were still sooking it up as if they were being hard done by! Does my head in, at least be quiet or acknowledge when you're getting a good run.

Clubs outside Vic have 10 interstate trips a year. The WA clubs travel far exceeds anything we do.

The cat is out of the bag though - players can determine movement but clubs can't. This just levels the playing field.

Well they are meant to be "professionals" - you want to be an amateur go back to the VAFA.

It will eventually. Currently players have all the leverage and clubs just have to roll over. If a player signs a contract with a club the club owns the services of that player and should be able to trade them wherever they want (while in contract). Players want the security of the long term contract with the ability to dictate a move at a whim if they get a better offer (and let's not even mention front loaded contracts). I would be happy to see the following; - rookie deals are 2 years (as currently) with clubs given the option of 1 + 1 years (so effectively clubs get 4 years with draftees) - 5th year options after that similar to the NFL - clubs can franchise tag players - clubs can trade players wherever while players are in contract - after initial rookie contract/5th year options players are free agents for the remainder of their careers unless franchise tagged Probably some more manoeuvring within that but this would free things up and ensure both clubs and players had flexibility to determine the future of their careers/list management.

Instead of JVR? Or different draft?

The grappling could actually help as it is more controlled and more designed to stop the player getting a possession away than merely dumping them to the ground. Requires a lot of strength obviously and good positioning of the body.