monoccular

Depends if they are “protocoled” as positives or as close contacts. Close contacts could benefit from rest; positives are more than likely going to have some degree of fatigue, at least.

Haven’t you caught up with the game in Cairns yet? Saints looked pretty ordinary, and may be stuffed physically and mentally. PS what was Smith’s injury?

I only saw the last few minutes of the Saints Port game in Cairns. Just awful skills - presumably contributed to by humidity and heat? Maybe helps explain (if not excuse) our awful showings there and after in 2020? Anyway, Saints will need the full week to recover it would appear. And then maybe not quite. Rather like some of our flat lining after Darwin games.

Are mad Maggots will be disappointed ( unless Sportsbet offers them under 1 goal. Selwoods late duck and shonky deliberates failed to get them Over the line

Just watched a few minutes - those deliberates against Freo were absurd. And apparently Tourette’s is allowed to dissent and soread his arms with impunity. Gutless umpiring. EDIT SOELLCHECK. TOUHEY

Has the AFL drug testing regimen changed / tightened?

Has the AFL drug testing regimen changed / tightened?

Yes ..... and yes!

I seem to remember hearing that we preferred to attack the pockets rather than centrally to force boundary stoppages in the event of us not taking possession rather than turning over and allowing oppositions to clear. Assists, and pressure acts, if that is what is asked of him (his role) more important than goals

How about 187?

… especially if our preseason were to start 4 weeks after the also rans 🤗❤️💙❤️💙

That’s the very point of this thread. Drawing frees by deliberately putting yourself in danger of serious, life changing even, injury is currently encouraged when it should be actively discouraged.

Wow Gil. No wonder you have swanned off to the US this week. What an absolute bewdy you have left us. WCE V Toiges, at 8:10 pm whats more. I suspect that, diehard Tiger fans aside, it will hit record low ratings. Well done and enjoy your junket.

My point in adding the link was that, whilst many or most younger folk get through Covid pretty simply, there ae a few who have long lasting effects particularly in terms of fatigue and endurance. Hoping that this isn't the case with any of ours.

Four out, two returning = -2 20220108_footballers(1).pdf We know the effects vary markedly between individuals, and not wanting to be too much of a downer, but this is an interesting study.

Touchè

fact or speculation??? And do you mean positive cases ir close contacts??

Not sure if I remember (or even care) which player, but some Bulldog Mongrel drove his head into one of our guys early in the 2021 GF and "drew a free". If Gillon and the Scott Bros. don't penalise this every time there will be a (avoidable) tragic outcome sometime.

Not sure if AFL protocols are more rigorous than any state requirements? But Goody wasn't there

Redleg - yes, I think there is (or should be) little doubt re the dive into the legs: my concern is also the head into the guts or butt of an opponent, often hoping to draw a free. Repeat - there will be a broken neck and some innocent will be made to carry guilt for the rest of his days.

Thanks JJC This is one of my real bugbears, not just in terms of fairness but also re player safety. All too often we witness players driving their heads, with neck flexed, into to midriff of an opponent. There WILL be a broken neck at some stage, and the poor guy who was in effect head butted, will be made to feel guilty. Really easy to stop this - a free AGAINST the headbutter every time. But I guess the AFL in their infinite wisdom will not shut the gate until the horse has bolted

even by 1 point

Opportunity for Daw (Jackson) I suspect. Reprieve for Dunstan (Sparrow). . Bedford likely to fill in for Kosi. Lever and Viney to return.

Is that so? Speculation? After Petty’s (premature) debut I think he spent a couple of seasons at VFL and has come back as a really good and reliable player. Smith on the other hand has been in and out for several years, both due to injury but also underperformance. Fit and match fit? Probably for Rivers at this stage though Gus to wing could leave JJ very unlucky again. But if he were miraculously available next round a week at Casey to find touch wouldn’t be out of the question.

I was thinking just that last night - if eg Weed and Brown lead to opposite pockets and Fritter stayed home, in rotations and combinations of this, then surely defenders could not double team more than one of them. Maybe Goody is keeping this up his sleeve for September?