monoccular

Started the season in brilliant form and his goal kicking was excellent. Like the rest of the team (actually all teams) he is showing signs of fatigue not that I am suggesting in any way that he needs “resting”. It is a fact of life - maybe George can pinpoint his loading status. A great forward looking signature - well done all concerned.

Lucifer - firstly mandating a correct tackle before any consideration of HTB would be a good start. Too often it is a high or over shoulder tackle, or stacks on the mill therefore multiple in the backs paid as HTB. The mug making the play should trump the vulture every time. But the player going head first into a pack or an opponent needs to be penalized every time, for their own protection. Not sure there is a current rule but there should be. (case Rozzee v Hunter). Your final paragraph implies that there is actual integrity in the finals and the GF, indeed anywhere in the AFL. What historical evidence is there for this?

Also cited. By the way, was this “incident” mentioned on TV broadcast? Or did Christian go through the whole game in slomo determined to find something?

Like Prince Harry and his missus “I don’t know how that leaked out - must have been illegally hacked by the evil press “ ”No, H, it was actually in your book - or maybe your Oprah interview”.

Sums up the AFL - “industry”! Corporate and flash bang stuff ahead of the actual game.

If I am not mistaken he was on the defensive corner of the centre square at that very vital final centre bounce. This must indicate that the match committee respect his defensive capabilities as well as his play reading skills.

Great game on Monday - more than enough has been said about the abysmal conversion from set shots in particular. Surely this will revert to at least the norm. Q for track watchers - is Mark Williams still doing his set shot work at training?? If not, why not?? IF Smith can maintain the form he showed on KB, and maintain his fitness, he could be a key to better forward pressure and retention. Sure he can play as a tall but his athleticism IMO gives us an option to replace a small, especially as our current crop of 'smalls' don't seem to be playing as classical crumbing forwards. I could certainly see JVR, Petty, Smith, Fritta, and a couple of smalls - 2 of Kozzie, Chandler, Spargo - without the need for the ruckman to 'rest' regularly deep forward. Both Smith and Fritta play as hybrids, which adds versatility and creates nightmare matchups. Tomlinson hasn't been given enough recognition for his two recent games. Those who judge players by their own and their opponents' stats may not see just what an integrating role he has played. Lever and May are able to be themselves again. Similarly JVR's contribution does not all show up on the classic stats sheets. Interesting structural dilemmas for the rest of the season. Both TMcD and BB will have their work cut out to break back into the team when or if they recover from their degenerative conditions. With Oliver a certainty, and Bowey pressing for return, it is hard to see the likes of Woewoden, Howes and Laurie getting a look in. Even JJ, good and reliable as he is, struggles to get a regular gig. Depth is starting to show again, which is great for team success but hard for future list management and player retention. GO DEES ❤️💙❤️❤️

Just looking at the Kayo mini - mid Q1 Brayshaw took a mark and was hit late on the top of the head by Maynard. How was that not at least a 50? Did Christian even look at it?

" .....puts Cox on his [censored}...." Why should coccyx be censored? I think it is easy to overlook JVR's off ball contributions, especially for those who rate players on basic stats. He works his butt off and is finally being recognised. layzie - are you the King or the Queen? 🎂 MrFreeze - you failed to mention JVR in that forward set up. So we need to fit in JVR, Frittata, and Petty and / or Smith. Maybe we need only two of the smalls Kozzie, Chandler, Spargo. Smith and Frittata play a hybrid style. It would probably put an end to the regular "resting" of Max and Brandy deep forward, which could be a hidden bonus.

That loser Michael Christian could resist naming one Demon after HIS old team were shown up so poorly.

Didn’t see “the Salem incident” - did channel 7 mention it? No doubt Christian in his infinite impartial wisdom will see the need “to make a statement” on gut punches … “is there a Melbourne player we can use as an example?”

Great that we were able to win without him but Clarry will be (hopefully) a big inclusion for the annual trip to Geelong. I presume that JJ was topping up his kms after sitting out the first 3/4, and Woey being held over emergency thus without VFL time was also making up his loading. Good to see such a professionally run outfit.

As well I noticed at least a couple of times when Magpie players were injured, or feigning injury, the umpires stopped the game until on one occasion the player got up and jogged to position after the trainers left. I was of the undersatndig that play was only stopped fr (a) blood rule and (b) if a stretcher was needed or the player was right in the line of fire. Please explain?

Chocko - do your magic.

A nice dilemma for the match committee. Oliver the obvious in - maybe for Spargo, or Kozzie who has been a big disappointment since his suspension. Petty maybe if he is fully fit but for whom? Both Smith and Tomlinson did ok today in their own ways IMVHO.

In fairness I tried to post this in the first quarter but Internet let me down. Just like the Demon forwards.

Two missed set shots - could have been ahead. Has Chocco left?

🙄

For my hearts sake I hope we bury them a good deal earlier and deeper today.

But we can never forget, BBB was a DEMON PREMIERSHIP FF ❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙

If the only accountability is not umpiring finals then this explains fully the garbage that we (all) endure week after week. So they can be cr@p for 23 rounds and get selected anyway?

Didn’t watch the whole TV of the game - did the commentators say he could have a problem? If not how did Christian even know about it? Daniels “elite disposal” overrated in my experience. Turns over too much.

Oliver?

Surely you forget who Christian the Unbiased played for? I know, it was not his penalty - this time. But it was for Kozzie

I have only been able to see the AFL Mini version of SS V SK. The two 50s paid seemed very technical - however there were two quite clear breaches earlier when Saints were held after marking that were not paid. That is what 50s were introduced to stop. The game is getting to be an absolute lottery. The two “dangerous tackles” would have been clear HTB until very recently - neither surely should be worth a suspension, but then Chandler got ?3 last year for very little, in play. How good a day is Michael the Unbiased Christian having? Good day; nothing to see Bad day; 3 weeks 🙄 Umpiring interpretations are totally ruining the enjoyment of the game - this even for a game in which I had zero stake in the outcome and of which I have only watched 10 minutes or so.