DeeSpencer

The US sports farm out development to Colleges and high schools, as well as expensive private clubs which in certain sports drastically hampers then playing pool. I'm not sure why we'd care what they're doing in that failure of a country anyway. Yes, they technically cut down from 3 to 2 (2 to 1 official) practice games but most teams had full scale intraclubs and we've been training at full contact since November. Practice matches and trainings allow for underdone guys to be managed, there's no such allowance in games. Several clubs - St Kilda, WC, Richmond, Ess - are already loaded with ten or more injuries. The Eagles side we played on Sunday was an absolute mess in round 4, good luck to them trying to get through 19 more weeks.

Congrats for drinking all the AFL Kool Aid. The AFL was in a strong financial position as any business that’s been running largely unchallenged for 150 years should be. Having enough cash to weather a sudden disruption should be the bare minimum for acceptable governance. Especially when it’s come because the V/AFL were gifted Waverley then sold it to get in on Docklands at a bargain price. Player wages are massive. Whilst they deserve long term medical care and support the average player is now pushing 400k and draftees and getting well in to 6 figures before they play a game. The soft cap budget was 9.7M before covid. It was slashed to 6.7M but that’s still a very healthy number, and they’ve added 750k back in and made certain welfare costs exempt. Thankfully there is a cap tho, next thing they need is a cap on the AFL and clubs executives because especially at the AFL things are out of control. That’s where the extra money goes to. The AFL find ways to sell more of the games soul and budget the profits to themselves. 7:50 Fridays, 3:20 Sundays, 4:40 Sundays in the middle of winter that they call twilight, Thursday night footy, a brief flirtation with Monday night footy. They’ve finally run out of time zones so now they’re moving games! The continued growth of the broadcast rights should easily cover growth in player wages, growth in the footy cap and plenty of cash distributions to clubs. An extra round is just greed. Why the players signed off on it is beyond me.

If Hibbo is out, Brown isn’t ready and we want to stick to our 3 tall forward, 3 tall-ish backs structure then we have 2 choices. 1. Turner in. He was good at Casey, especially early. But it was his first game back from a few weeks off. 2. Schache in, with Petty back. I think he would’ve played ahead of JvR if not for injury. He’s certainly fit and has nice skills, plus height to ruck. Obviously the question marks are still there over his attack at the contest.

You said Hibbo out, Laurie in, with Rivers back to defence. Rivers was already in the backline for the majority of the game. Hibbo needs to be replaced with a 7th defender be it Petty or someone from outside the team. I’m intrigued by Laurie, wouldn’t mind seeing him as the sub again soon. But I’d only pick him straight in to the 22 if Fritsch or the 4 small forwards are out. I don’t think he’s ready for AFL midfield time. Even with Pickett and ANB spending more time in the middle a 5th small forward would be a lot.

His kicking has been ok and handballing generally sharp, but he provides very little run and carry. Run opens up angles that then creates quick ball movement. The bigger issue with him playing half back is his lazy positioning and kick chasing. He lets his man be the outlet all the time and will lose track of an opponent. If the pressure is good then he can get intercepts, but fast pace teams will just take the leg rope he gives opponents and use it. Brisbane’s use of Zorko on him was a massacre. Salem at full fitness has the pace and smarts to know when to push up to cut off a kick rather than constantly be dropping back. Bowey, McVee, Rivers all have similar natural flanker attributes, they can run the lines and can zone off and close on an opponent. If we’re ever lucky enough to be fully healthy I expect Gus to be competing for a wing/mid role or even to be an excellent sub.

The people getting a free weekend interstate in posh hotels and tickets to watch a stack of games with corporate hospitality will like it, who knew?! I reckon it’s probably a good deal for the governments too, even if it’s a huge price. If they get 50k tourists dropping a a grand each that easily covers the outlay. The 23rd game stops teams losing a home game. I just can’t believe they’ve got the plays on board for such a low fee IIRC. I’d be asking for a lot if I was a player.

Rivers can’t go back to the position he played most of the game in. He attended 3 centre bounces. Hibbo has to be replaced by a defender, be it Petty or otherwise - Turner a decent chance. Also can’t see Laurie jumping JJ in to the starting 22, would be sub at best.

There is very clearly ball infront of the post. Whether than means the ball is 100% not over the line we won’t ever know. But this is how they judge it and it’s consistent.

I don’t think Gawn/Grundy, Brown and McDonald is a viable forward line against the best sides. There’s just not enough athleticism to force contests and to defend at ground level. I’m not positive JVR is quite ready yet. Might be tho. I don’t think we’ll just have the 2 talls down back when it matters. Lever was threatening to let Allen get hold of him at times. I doubt Hibbo’s going to get through the season. I think the 3 tall defenders don’t provide optimal run and carry and kicking skills. It’s nice having Hibbo to take it on. What does that all mean? I’ve got no idea at all where to best use Petty. If anything starting him forward, giving him so time in the ruck and then having him play back once a sub has been made makes sense.

After a slow start Laurie, Dunstan and Munro controlled the game. Mids: Laurie was prolific and at times very classy, but I’m not sure it was his most impactful, still a bounce back from last weeks performance when he played as more of a forward and game day emerg. Dunstan ran the ball well. Roan Steele has gone up a level, still not perfect in the contest or with his ball use but Baker effectively got drafted off similar form last year. AMW playing up at stoppages was everywhere early and solid throughout, just needs to be a bit cleaner. Also not sure what the coaches will think of his constant desire to fly for marks. George Grey continues to play AFL like footy to my eye. Backs: Buntine went back and controlled things. Adams started very slowly but came in to it more, he’s got a solid safe penetrating kick. Deak Smith’s decision making and skills didn’t hold up early but he was everywhere in the second half, excellent work rate. Turner’s ball winning and tackling and Howes’ ability to slip from traffic and use stood out early when it was hot. Both should really push for games now. Forwards: Schache built in to it well and was solid given he was coming off a head knock. Jeffo floats in and out, but boy the ins are exciting. His best play all day might’ve been a lovely quick long kick out in front of Valentine to run on to. Sestan’s still learning too but looks to apply himself and has big moments. Shep forward for some pressure was an inspired choice. Like Neocleous. I’m not as enamoured with Sheridan as others. Tall and rangy and can get over the back, nice set shot. But doesn’t look likely at all in a pack, haven’t seen any kind of leap or lateral movement. But hey, he’s hit the scoreboard and there’s a bit of a cult figure look about him so who knows.

Laurie and Disco are contracted for next year and Howes until 2025. AMW surely in line for an extension once they get the bigger names done. Disco’s probably the one from that group that I think is closest to playing afl footy and he’s 1 game back from injury and a young tall. I don’t think any of them are missing out on anything. In fact I think they’re getting better development by being in the VFL. Laurie’s a 6 touch a game forward flanker at afl and 30 a game mid at Casey.

Oliver’s little nothing handballs are [censored]. They don’t have enough momentum to get to the receiver. If he knows he’s going to do it he should just tap the ball. Result will be far better

Isn’t it usually his right not his left?

Hunter. Yeah, I’m officially worried

I understand the boy who cries wolf theory but there’s not much allowance for a small to go low and hard if that’s not a free. Hopefully he doesn’t play for them and starts getting the real ones

Always has been too firm + Ed Sheeran

It’s a diabolical surface

JJ on, maybe Tommy back? edit not Tom, not sure who will go back

That’s a better hand ball than anything our regular key forwards have done in years. On that alone keep Petty forward

No key forwards can do anything about kicks to their opponents. That Fritsch kick that missed Petty a classic example

May needs to be banned from kicking in until he takes better options. They have to spread the talls and kick to the one Barrass isn’t on. It’s not rocket science

There’s just not much speed, bend or jump in the old legs. He perfectly read the play there to get the ball inside 9 and rush it using a team mate but bending down and firing the handball tested him. As does every contested situation he’s in. I think we’d be wise to give him a week off every now and then for a physical and mental freshen up.

That Sparrow tap on and combination from our midfield was excellent. Do that more please.

Brayshaw once again let’s his man gather easy possession from a centre clearance. It’s purely lack of concentration and poor speed. It can’t be tolerated

You stink too