Dr. Gonzo

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.

Merrett was extremely stiff to get suspended. It was a football action and sometimes people will get hurt. It cannot be avoided in a contact sport.

Forward line has been fine it's our defence and mids that have let us down vs Bris and Ess. Highest scoring team in the comp but we are leaking goals far more easily than we have in the past.

Rivers

The "wing" is actually the forward pocket/flank (closer to pocket) but not sure which bays those are

Mate if you take out 3 players who are in the top 10 (possibly top 5) of the whole competition from any side they'll look like "nothing special" too. That's the reason why we are talented, because we have players the calibre of Petracca, Oliver and Gawn.

I thought I saw someone dressed as a Wookie but it was just the Collingwood cheer squad 🙃

It is an advantage to Adel/Port as they get an extra home game but it's not really a disadvantage for the other team if they are a Vic side as we get plenty of Vic/Vic neutral games anyway. I can see how it is a slight disadvantage if for example we are competing with Port for top 4 and they get an extra home game but at the end of the day I'm happy to make that concession considering the GF is at the MCG and will be until at least 2058. Edit - also I'd rather play one of the interstate sides over there than a Vic rival, it's annoying we don't get to go to a Melb/Ess game at the G this year even given the result.

I'm heading there tomorrow as my son is attending a school holiday footy clinic there will be interesting to have a look around.

Garbage

No idea