DEE fence

With the AFL doing nothing serious about dirty tactics employed by those icons of the game, the reality is that the Prelim and Granny games are always a danger for our better players being targeted for thuggery. Personally I would have Jones for the Prelim in an old fashioned enforcer role, and the only one allowed to ‘use his hands’, to prevent others getting in tribunal trouble. This role would then pass to Viney for the GF. I never want to see another 2000. The 1st person that clatters into the back of Gawn’s head or snipes Oliver gets a Byron type run through from our champion. A’la Buckley on Camporeale (1m20s on his best 5 highlights YouTube, I cannot bring myself to post the video links itself), preferably before our player is ruined out (-;… Otherwise, I would like to see a game or two where we try a two tall fwd line up with Jones as alternate fwd pocket, I really think he is OK around goals. Every coach gets sucked in with a tall fwd line, hardly ever works long term. @Little Goffy I couldn’t agree more that seeing Jones wobble Greene would be awesome, TG is a clever little thug who I think would turn Jones inside out (reality of youth) anywhere other than a boxing ring.

Viney for Harmes, under the having a fair crack section, Sparrow had a good game and a merde un, 3rd lets the coaches see where he is at. From what I recall, if Harmes has a poor run, it doesn't break until after a reset. I was very confused by his average returns on QB. Weid for BBB like everyone else is saying. I loathe the Bombers, and would love to see Stringer monstered in a Viney tackle. I think the bombers are sort of like us a few years ago, and they do have some skill. But we are next level, I also think their defence will be opened up by Kozzie.

I'd be curious on what the relevant metrics are between stadiums. Never be published, imagine all the litigation, when it is revealed how bad Marvel used to be.

He was, I much prefer him when he is serious about footy, a much better alternative to Robbo. David Mackay was very well spoken, pretty articulate young man. Thoughts with Clark as well, not hopes and prayers, just genuine good wishes.

As a child of the 70's and 80's I am super happy that off (and on) the ball thuggery (such as you describe) is being rubbed out of the game and culture. As the father of girls and boys, I would literally (but as a last resort, 'in extremis') kill villages before I allowed harm to come to my children. That said I really think there is something to letting them play sport where there is some risk of injury, even a concussion (and I would only tolerate one or two, before change would be enforced). However I strongly feel learning about risk and consequence in a contested sport, makes better humans. I am super torn that one of my daughters has decided Muay Thai is the go, and has had a couple of bouts (carefully supervised), at the same time I have never seen her more confidant and more fit. Likewise my sons, with my heart in my mouth, I watch them do things that have the potential to hurt them. I think Hunter's jaw is super unlucky, these injuries are still pretty rare, so on balance think this is not where you set the precedent. I really think AFL is the best game on earth to learn about controlling aggression and testing yourself, I don't want that to be lost. De Goey on the other hand should have gone for two, deliberately targeted the head, and deliberate actions must be fully sanctioned. All that said, if it was my son holding his broken jaw, I'd probably make a complete hypocrite of myself.

I was of this view until i saw all the vision, and what was conclusive for me is he had his arms out reaching for the ball, not tucked into a Byron like cannon ball. Check all the vision and see if you stick to this POV?

I thought Dunstall was the most articulate on the matter, (god 360 is so much better with him, and especially when he is not on Bounce). Incidental contact has to remain a part of the game, If the vision wasn’t so clear that Mackay was playing the ball and not the man I could understand the fuss, but risk has to remain a part of the game.

Personally i would sign a petition for the prison bar jumper just to give Eddie the (further) sads. If the club launched an appeal to fund moving his family’s from SA, I would pay.

I posted this in trust the demons, but thought it relevant for post game. I know I am going to sound stupid, but I really thought the SCG was a poor choice for us, too small, didn't allow us to take advantage of our fitness and repeat entries came a little quicker. We are a better team on big decks I feel. I would be very comfortable with a change or two, Weid who I have supported has had his turn, not the end just a reset. I would like to see Sparrow given another game to find a true form line.

I do now days, (and never before) this was one game not the season. I know I am going to sound stupid, but I really thought the SCG was a poor choice for us, too small, didn't allow us to take advantage of our fitness and repeat entries came a little quicker. We are a better team on big decks I feel.

No chance, none, nada, bare my Ar$3 in Bourke St if this happens. Also just by the by, I love Yze as a Melbourne guy and thought he could play with rare sublime skill, but I remember him as an outside player who did not often put his 'head over the ball'. And that's ok, you need a mix of styles etc. But I always though as coach, exhorting your players to go hard, when it was not your style, might not have the same weight with a team? The other coaches going around at the moment, who were not premiership coaches, I have always thought they were at least 'head over the ball types'. I can see Yze as a skills coach, as a game day tactician etc, I am just not a 100% sure that he is the main man type. I searched his highlights to see if I remember things unfairly, but is as I remember. This game where he tore WC a new one, was a case of really bad BO, no comprehension as to why WC didn't play him a bit closer.

You can understand the lobbying to partially or fully remove the head coach salary from the soft cap that has been going on recently.

Talking about putting players under pressure, I remember on 'Bob', (Murphy IV Nathan Fyfe YT, Part 2 12min in), Fyfe says that in team huddles, players would put it all the line and say stuff like "if you don't give a 100% effort your family is dead". Further stated it had to be used sparingly as you run out of brothers and sisters...

So he is not an Italian Azzura then, fine by me.

Brilliant

41 min on On the Couch, Fox Footy, NR (AA Judge) says Langdon will be getting a nomination... A judge can't say that can they? I don't disagree mind.

I notice a fierceness in the way he plays since, have thought with no evidence, the game has become cathartic for him, he release some of that awful emotion from that loss into his play. And his attitude towards his teammates looks like love.

Watch the vision after the win vs Bris, just before the song is sung, you see the coaches (2h07m51s on the foxtel recording), all embracing with genuine warmth, Stafford walks over to make sure he is included, absolutely a team of coaches.

Are you sure ? - I have to say, for the cheap thrill of it, I love reading opposition sites where they express the fear of getting flogged by Melbourne, wetting themselves about Gawn (where they usually use words reserved for fictional Marvel superheroes) and green with envy about Trac and Oliver.

I really appreciate a reasonable well argued argument that doesn’t resort to insults, well played.

How good was Daisy announcing on 360 on the eve of the competition, ‘only Melbourne’, all those years ago. I was sad when Harris left, I reckon she’d fit with our group if Daisy says so.

I was 13 in 1983 and I remember (just because my Dad went on about it at the time) when Melbourne went shopping and spent serious coin trying to arrest a horrible period for the club. One player purchased was Templeton, whose knees were shot. I worry that Brown is Templeton, we are remembering what he was, not what he can do now. I think the club needs to know now, whether Brown is here and now, play him for a few games and get a clear picture. If we get the Brown of 3/4 years ago I'd be stoked, but i just don't think it's the case. On exposed form I see BB moving with some hesitation, where I used to see him spring. I don't blame the club for trying, he was worth the gamble. Moving onto Weid, I really do believe this kid will make it. His movement is good, he's brave, he is increasing his endurance and power and he is actually a very nice kick of the footy, last week not withstanding. I watched the game again for 4th time (the 2nd half), and small things didn't break his way, genuinely unlucky that robbed him of chances for a score that would have had us being calmer about his prospects. So in the same way I highlight what BB was vs now, I really think SW should be judged on what he does this season, and not against history, because I see a player who has advanced, and gives every indication of being about to have a breakout game. And power FF are hens teeth rare. Clubs persist with the Pattons, Danihers and Clokes for all their flaws because of this. And while he is not as good as Hawkins or Kennedy yet or as quickly, I mention them because they both took time to get going. Weid is the future for the team winning premierships.

Remembering 2000, Viney is our insurance policy against that happening.

This is a brilliant addition to the wingers club, for me JJ stays, Melk goes for Viney. Rivers is best 22, and Sparrow will be toonifbhe keeps playing like he did. Harmes could be very stiff to miss as well.

You either work at the Hun or for Murdoch in some capacity, or don't know many. Good and bad everywhere, including in the 4th estate. But the good journalists I know make a point of checking facts, and getting a comment from both sides. Commentators are paid for an opinion, pretty easy gig I always thought. I also don't give a fig about a bachelors or other professional qualifications. Never have I seen a degree of any kind make someone more honest. I actually find the concept insulting. There was this idea circulating that if cops had degrees, they would be more honest in the 90's, absolute crock.