monoccular

“..While I'm comfortable that the AFL had no way of suspending Maynard under the existing rules..” There have been players suspended in the past for electing to leave the ground and KOing opponents so this was absolutely an option in September 2023. The obscene (some may even suggest corrupt) manner in which the case was prosecuted, none the least having a Magpie member as prosecutor, was a grotesque failure of process and will remain a dark blot on Gil’s legacy.

“Jeff Gleeson saying “this is a classic case of avoidable head-high contact. The contact was violent.” He could / should have said exactly the same thing last September. However , finals, Collingwood - say no more.

Wearing the Helmet, so everyone is in no doubt as to who it is…' ... and why it is. .

There seems a lot more flexibility through the midfield - will Tracc and Clayton spend more time forward with more mid time from Salo, Sparrow and maybe Rivers. Are Woey and Pup Brown likely to become regulars and if so are Chandler and Laurie vulnerable? Looking forward to (as the year progresses) hearing of the progress of Jefferson and Adams in particular as future KPP The whole team looked in far better synch last week - hopefully a predictor of the season. GO DEES.

Norn, Charlie and with a bit of time up forward rotating with Tracc, Coleman?

Clarrie for Brownlow would really stick it to the media pack of hyenas

Thanks QD - my apologies for doubting you I just checked and you were correct In 1897, the VFL competition consisted of eight teams of 20 on-the-field each, with no "reserves" (although any of the 20 players who had left the playing field for any reason could later resume their place on the field at any time during the match).

And that would bankrupt the AFL. The quantum is not actually all that far fetched. Only 20 x 5 million settlements which when you think of the numbers of chronically concussed players over the decades isn’t all that many. Back to topic - I just finished the Kayo mini of Saints v Norf : hard to believe what an undisciplined rabble are the Saints. Ross must be at his wits’ end.

Yep. Balls was tough: Mayn#&* is just a thug. So is John Ralph the oracle now?

At very least there have to be hip to hip when contesting a ground ball. Agree 100% re head high and maybe even shoulder

Not wanting to be pedantic - hell, why not - it was probably only 18 (or maybe 19) back then.

Nick Smith #2? 😮🙄🤦‍♂️. Only joking. Harry has many more runs on the board than poor Nick .

Moloney missed Bartel by quite a margin but was suspended Another outrage.

“And doesn't change the fact he is a terrible kick.” Terrible on occasions or not, two magnificent kicks (first goal and “that” goal) in the 2021 GF are the ones that will remain in my brain and in my red n blue heart forever. 🩷💙🩷💙

I can’t agree that Caleb is less urgent that TJ who I remember as about as lackadaisical as JW4. Caleb seemed to have a lot of urgency. Surely the devil incarnate would support Demons, unless he perceived them as a rival or a threat, in which case he would quickly dispatch them to Pyongyang central slaughterhouse.

[Tomlinson and TMcD]. Yes TMcD appears to be on his last legs, though he is strong and experienced - IF fully fit can definitely play a role, forward or back. Tomlinson though unspectacular does seem to gel well with May and Lever. Jed Adams we all hope may be ready for a run later in 2024, and must make a definite move by 2025 if he is to be taken seriously. Turner - horrible luck with injury. Fitters and Turners are what keeps the wheels turning - lest hope he finally gets a good run at it. Could be a real star.

Bloody hell - "obvious major rift in the troubled Demons' camp" will be the next headline. They were having a discussion FFS. Certainly one of the most underrated players running around. Bloody hard worker, determined, courageous, and yes, not the best disposer but not the worst either. Langers kicked quite a few especially in 2021, and later prior to the Thomas assault. Cripps also threw quite a few - and though he was badly done by when he was penalised for one of them. Chatted back in a manner that cost us the preseason v them a couple of years back, with ?8 x 50 meter penalties. He is such a smug bastard IMO.

- but kicking it much lower and not bombing high to allow our forwards to be slaughtered as they contest. Keep this up and many of our 'forward connection' woes will reduce.

And also I think they reminded everyone that MFC have only been out of the top 4 for (I think) 2 weeks I the past 3 seasons. Is that some sort of record? ADDITIONS: Kicking lower into the forward line ❤️ 😁 with a lot more movement up forward. Windsor looks a goer - smooth, fast and composed. Billings will add poise. Still undecided about Laurie. Shack improved over last year (and of course over his last game 🤦‍♂️) though still needs some angry pills. Mini cameos from Kynan and Kolt suggest that they will be important later 2024 or in 2025. Verrall got a taste - a year or so away, of course for a young ruck. bring on the real season. Go Dees

MCC fans will be disappointed if the Dees kick it low instead of kick it long 😮

Maybe you don’t understand the natural history of knee injuries, and of degenerative knee disease, and how they may be linked?

Assumption used to produce top players on a regular basis. https://www.draftguru.com.au/from/assumption_college

One would be required to have a conscience for then to carry this as a burden. Which I have heard rumoured could bankrupt the AFL Assuming common sense (or decency) from the AFL is a big leap. Agree 100% re Gus: too bad about the other guy. Of course the body running (or ruining*) OUR game will yet again make a ruling in the run. It is their specialty. *autocorrect can sometimes be very perceptive.

Absolutely zero.