John Crow Batty

Loitering with intent.

Peeking in Collingwood's Big Footy forum the big talk there is how sick many of their players were at our last meeting. Many taking us lightly.

Grundy has to come in to support Gawn. Gawn has been impressive going solo but starting to look over worked in the last couple of rounds. Another tall loitering in the forward line would also pressure Collingwood's shortish defence.

[censored] the the commentators. it’s like they are willing injures for us.

With Spargo, Pickett and Chandler why would we want Liam Henry?

For such a deadly kick for goal on the snap, tight angles and on the run it puzzles me how awkwardly he handles an easy set shot at middle distance.

Your disciples are praying your flight is delayed and hoping they might still get your trichotomous fix for the round.

He can certainly roost the ball. Saw him at Optus a couple years ago kick the ball I swear it was close to 80 metres. Shame it was a point.

Seems to make the same exciting moves every game but often it’s like his internal GPS is out of whack and he has trouble tracking the ball where it’s going even by a few inches.

We would have been better with Grundy instead of Gawn today so far. Reeves is cleaning him up.

I don’t think it’s a wise move to bring Tmac back in now. Takes him a while to get to form after an injury layoff.

Goal reviews won’t get any better until improved technology is introduced and it is clear the 4 field umpire system needs tweaking. There appears no coordination between them. The 4th umpire needs to be an experienced full time master umpire who follows the action but does not make ordinary flow of play decisions. However he needs to have the authority over the other 3 and can overturn decisions, step in when a clear infringement is missed and directs the other umpires on interpretation as the game develops. Like an orchestra conductor to keep musicians synchronised and in lockstep.

I was generally happy with our game but we lucked out. Carlton have been red hot for a while and brought out their A+ game and we matched them. Conditions did not suit us at all. Being switched off at start of games has to be addressed. Just makes it harder for us with our unsettled forward line to regain control. Hope we make a big statement early against the Hawks. Win next week and we can manage the last round depending on other results. If second spot looks unobtainable then fourth and a likely home final is ideal.

Cripps after the game was asked about the touched ball incident and he said they got lucky.

I couldn’t tell if the Petracca kick was touched or not but when Cripps was asked after the game he said with a half sheepish smile they got lucky

Win this and we can chill out the last two games and have a home first final against Collingwood

Think you are confusing blue with red states. Anyway almost a moot point as both political parties only govern for the elites. Nothing really changes. They are both warmongers who don’t give a [censored] about their people and happy to keep the con going with politics of division like they export to here.

I wouldn’t write Collingwood off yet. They have been perched up the top of the ladder with little incentive to go hard in the past month or so. Recent form has declined but could easily pick up again.

Blues are pumped up to the gills. Super tough challenge for us.

AI still has long way to go. Right now given this article about the level of intelligence of your average Collingwood supporter.

We did very well with the late Jim Stynes and Sean Wight but since then most Irish recruits over the past 4 decades have just been average footballers with a couple rated very good like Zac Toohey. There is far more easily developed talent over here. No gold mine over there.

An awful lot of softies there.

I respect your medical expertise but I have worked as a nurse and many years as a manager in the Public Service heath industry. One observation I have made is that with vexing medical issues there is always a yay or nay opinion amongst professionals. But when well financed vested interests are stakeholders their preferred opinions usually wins. Manufacturers hate supportive boots because they are ugly and expensive to make, require custom fitting in many cases and players don’t like them because they slow them down, are uncomfortable and lack sex appeal. The AFL well known for shunning protective gear don’t like protective boots because they slow down the game down and as well as the other negative image perceptions they hold. Further there is no evidence that supportive boots are detrimental. They haven’t been used for decades and there is negligible current real world experience to test. There was a lot of controversy in the 1970’s when lightweight low cut soccer boots first appeared in football. They were blamed for an increase in foot and ankle injuries in days when ground conditions were primitive as well. Supportive boots are for support only. Twist my ankle slowly it won’t hurt much. Twist it fast then ouch. As for skiing the only times I have had knee injuries is when skiing overseas and hired boots that turned out to be too soft and unsupportive. There were limited choices. s.

It is well documented that many old time footballers in the past had career ending knee injuries but I don’t recall many with career ending foot/ankle injuries. I know it’s a different sport but try skiing with overly flexible light unsupportive boots. One would end up with sore ankles, knees and well as shins and thighs. Rigid supportive boots limit the risk most of these issues especially skiing fast or difficult terrain. I know well as I am an experienced skier. Maverick Don Scott used to be plagued with foot injuries until he started wearing custom supportive high ankle boots which helped him through a long career. Granted it slowed him down but speed wasn’t the be all and end all of the game then.

Implementing protective footwear and slowing the game down to help minimise injuries. That’s outrageous.