monoccular

But, of course, some heads are more sacrosanct (Selwood) than others (Max).

One of my huge bugbears in umpiring is when a player who has the ball gets incorrectly tackled or buried under a pile gets pinged for holding the ball. IMO the prime umping duty of care should be to encourage the player to get the ball, and protect him, and ONLY if correctly tackled AND doesn't correctly dispose should he be penalised. All too often we see one ridden into the ground under 3 or 4 players and unable to get rid of it - HTB!!! Even though he has been the subject of "in the back" and often "high tackle / around the neck"! This only encourages the vultures of the game, and discourages the brave ball getter.

They did give the Cats a free for holding the ball when the Saint player was grabbed by the ankles ... so blatant yet so wrong.

That was the karma bus. But tonight Saints really blew their chances 100% in the first quarter. What a bloody waste.

How prophetic. FMD taken by the legs rugby style - holding the ball!! And again no mention by the commentators. Umpires clearly under the direction of SHocking from the bench.

Goal #6 Cats a pretty blatant throw by Hawkins.

Hawkins is such a miserable petulant [censored].

The last two Demons I remember doing that were Lynden Dunn and Sam Frost. Both were delisted shortly thereafter, though Sam’s one in the final was as I recall a game turner.

A very very gentle in the back to Rohan - goal! Imagine how many tons Neita would have kicked had he been awarded every one he took?

Preuss isn’t playing and we are not, thank the lord, playing in Cairns an hour after a transfer to Brisbane then a 2+ hour flight.

Sure hope so, RGRS. Tommy and Fritsch, and last week Tommy and BBB have worked remarkably well in keeping out of each others’ way (Tom’s “sealer” mark was the only time I noticed them flying together) unlike some of our forward structures in recent years. Full credit to them, and whomever drills them in this. Presumably Weed has been part of the same drills, and can hopefully fit in with and around them too.

Thanks for your insightful analysis Axis. Puts things into perspective a lot compared to the raw 17-4 apparent shellacking.

This has been discussed at length in the tread reporting the injury. Please merge.

Presumably he played on with it last week - does anyone know when it happened? No!! Knee jerk Marshall will lock him over there. Do you think it takes two to replace Action Jackson? Maybe rest Max too and play Majak and Weed?? ( ? in cheek).

1) Loyalty to senior players Yet you didn’t mention Melksham, which many, myself included, feel may be more than is deserved on form and pressure application.

Exactly. The guy does not have a brain in his head - not even half a one degraded by being all those years at Collingwood. Unless Fox or 7 highlight and replay, and harp on it again and again, he doesn’t even notice. Lycett’s was actually a full weighted body slam, whereas ANB’s was a wide sling. And Rampe’s had genuine risk of cervical spine fracture and quadriplegia — but Christian DNGAF because he wasn’t told about it, and can’t see for himself.

JJ is already in the “good honest role player” category - why in the world would we not hold far higher expectations for him? Yes, Simon Black maybe?? Baz - I was often flabbergasted when I heard that Junior had had 30 possessions when I had hardly noticed him. JJ does exactly the same for me. Just such a quiet achiever. Great to have him on board.

You haven't finished the thought process - bringing him in means exactly who out??

Really? 46 seconds for Sydney’s first goal in the first quarter without a MFC touch, and 16 seconds in the fourth would seem pretty effective use of clearances.

Seeing him in #23 brings back those memories.

Agree wholeheartedly - the MRP was introduced to scrutinise behind the play thuggery not to second guess what the umpires see. That said, the Rampe highly dangerous tackle off the play must have been seen by the goal umpire who failed big time. And as I have said elsewhere, dumbass Christian seems more interested in cases highlighted by the comenteriate than scrutinising what he should be watching. Just plain laziness on his part.

Christian is able to regularly look very stupid without the assistance of Fritsch. See above. Comments and replays wake Christian from his deep stupor and cause him to look at it. And with no comments and replay (Fritsch behind the play in Tas, Rampe trying to break a neck off the ball) the dumbass doesn’t even look. Incompetence and / or corruption. Plus laziness.

We are indeed fortunate to have someone so strong, and adaptable, with quality defence experience, who was able to cover after last week’s injury, but who can also slot straight back in as a dominant forward. So glad he wasn’t traded out last off season.

The commentators did not go on and on about the Rampe outrage - genuine potential spinal or head injury - nor the Fritsch behind the play hit, so Christian given his limited mental acuity wouldn’t even look at it. He relies on the media to tell him who to cite.

What a patient and diligent analysis - hope Ooze and Goodwin at least read it. Great work. I tend to agree with those who say Jackson is involved with more clearances than Max not because of his tap work but because he is an extra mid. Not sure how this great analytical work will help but I sure hope it is taken on board.