John Crow Batty

Due the large size it was hard to see the action at the other end sitting anywhere behind the goals and if sitting at ground level, the action disappeared below knee level on the other side. Made for fast open play but lacking in atmosphere amongst other problems like location, parking and poor public transport as well as rotten weather especially during night games. Football Park in Adelaide which was almost a carbon copy of AFL Park had a similar terminal fate. I don’t miss it.

Not what I wear but if any good deals are on offer I might look at them.

Despite it odd shape and being the longest AFL ground, Kardinia Park is also the smallest current AFL ground in area at 15,355 square metres. By comparison the MCG is 17,719 square metres, Docklands 16,211 square metres, SCG 16,556 square metres and Optus is 16,847 square metres. The largest ever was Waverley which was around 20,000 square metres. Surprising really as this fact is never on the radar. Most people believe the SCG is the smallest ground.

When they redeveloped the west/southern stands and could have reconfigured the playing surface to conform to AFL standards. That would also have allowed the eastern side stands to have more room for expansion away from the road. But in their wisdom they decided to keep it peanut shaped to maintain their unique advantage. Surprising the AFL signed off on the current layout knowing full well that it does not conform to AFL ground standards.Not only are wings distorted but the pockets as well. None of the four are the same.

Was leading disposal winner on Friday. This guy is ageless. Could go another season easily as they are on the way up.. More valuable than Fyfe at this stage of their careers ATM.

Due to being uncompetitive for most of the past 6 decades we are one of the pauper clubs. We are in the group of Bulldogs North and St Kilda fighting for the scraps in an overcrowded Melbourne market. Fitzroy and Sth Melbourne had to seek other markets because of sustained mediocrity. Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and Richmond have managed to maintain resilience despite ups and downs because they never scraped rock bottom for long periods in their history. Hawthorn despite their success were for most of their history bottom dwellers and they need constant success to stay relevant. Geelong are unique as they have their own market and identity so sustained success is not as important. We are in a unique position as well due representing the city of Melbourne but for us to be in a position to better influence the allocation of pieces of the pie we need sustained success for over a decade to recapture past support and influence.

4 games this season against WC and North helps.

Browns missed 5 games. Not elite but doing an adequate job given interruptions and lack of support.

Mixed feelings about this tigers win. They would be a very dangerous side if they get in the 8. I prefer them out than in and don’t fear Brisbane as much no matter where they finish. They could be energised with this win and cruise past their next 3 opponents. Hope I’m way off with my worry.

Not going be too critical of his performance on Friday. it was dirty night for key forwards. He, Taberner and Lobb did bugger all in the conditions. I expect Weid would be much better against the pies if we don’t have a repeat of the rotten weather.

Maybe a $1000 fine coming up for supporter equipment abuse?

Watching Oliver it is clear he is still hampered by his broken thumb. His normally instantaneous clean ball takes were still absent and his handball skills were suppressed. May need another couple of weeks to fully recover. Costing him at least ten possessions a game.

Petty taking goal kicking practice

Looks like Chandler is out warming up on the ground

Kane Cornes writing in the Western Australian believes Freo are taking a huge gamble on Jackson. He believes the deal is done but questions his value as he is only a ruckman and not much of a forward in his opinion.

Looks like a lot of rain today in Perth mostly short heavy showers easing off into the evening but still present. So it should be slog combined with the poor conditions of the surface. Not a good evening for talls I suspect. Whichever team wants the game more will take the points. I thinks we are up to the challenge.

He usually gets the sub gig. Expect him there.

I guess the government is complicit also. They know sports gambling is corruptive but still happy to take its share of the profits.

Gambling penalties are high for because deep down the AFL knows it cannot control sports betting and associated corruption. The AFL has to pretend they are cracking down seriously because it’s the only card they can play to show they are doing something. Every football identity who has been caught is only for trifling offences. Many of the huge bets placed on sports are certainly very suspicious. Like insider trading only the stupid get caught. It doesn’t take much brains to get a trusted associate to place bets and never get caught. I hate sports gambling and refuse to partake in it. It should be banned outright.

We wrapped this thread up in just over a 1000 posts. Thanks Gus for stopping it getting out of control and adding further inflationary pressure.

Problem is that he can walk out deal or no deal. Our bargaining position is weak and especially so if he’s determined to go west hell or high water.

His form is not bad enough to drop him and he still is a key structural player if we are chasing another flag. We still require a second ruck. In all honesty Weid or Mitch Brown could fill his role adequately if he can’t recapture his best form though. I really hope he starts putting in his best for the finals campaign. I’d hate to see him running the clock down and then leaving if that is his intention. It will be a massive kick in the guts if so.

Not if he has an agreement already done. A suitor might want him to take it easy and look after himself.

NRL and Union are entirely different sporting cultures. Far more mercenary and unemotional. Not sure why such a radical difference but it is what it is. Perhaps something to do with players having a worldwide market to play in.

If tacklers were able to withdrawal their tackle once a player ducks in and raises his arms we wouldn’t have a problem. As players are expected to tackle hard or else risk being accused of being soft or missing the tackle, they have no choice. In reality it happens so fast that it’s physically impossible to withdraw the tackle in the time the high contact happens. A correct way to interpret it is to give the tackler the benefit of any doubt in 50/50 situations so as to discourage miscreants from repeating. If Ginnivan won this free he will have incentive to continue doing this as the percentages will be stacked in his favour. He will still successfully draw frees.