binman

As long as it is not the person with the job to press play on the replay, then all good.

Agree. I thought the Cats would miss the finals last season. Got that wrong obviously - but i think their finals campaign showed that despite another top 4 finish they were not a realistic premiership chance. Which in turn was evidence that my in season assessment was correct that, contrary to the accepted wisdom ('it's so even this season - anyone down to 8 can win it!'), there were very few realistic flag chances. I think the same will be true next season too. With the kardina park leg up the Cat's probably make the 8, but i can't see them making the top 4, If they do make the top 4 its probably an indication of another season with very few realistic flag chances. History say's it is unlikely Tigers will rise again. But funnily enough the fact they finished out of the 8 puts them ahead of the Cat's i think because, unlike the Cat's they have had a good post season break to freshen up and they got a first round draft pick. So they may might make the finals. But i certainly wouldn't be shocked if they don't. Like us, with the energy and singular focus their game plan demands, it all depends on their preparedness to do the work to get fit enough and desire to play manic, selfless football. I like the Giants, and hope they do well. I'm not sold on their game plan, but their intensity was fantastic this year and i reckon they are really turning into a hard working, blue collar club. As you say much depends on their injury status - they had wretched run last year, and in previous years for that mater. if they have good run wit injury, i think they have the talent and focus for a top 4 finish. The other two clubs i think will improve are the bombers and the dockers. Both clubs have copied our defensive system and they will reap the reward of another year of embedding that system it and building their fitness base. Other teams will struggle to score against them i think.

I used to play cricket with ralphy. A really good fella. Pretty quick fast bowler too. But jeez his footy writing leaves me cold. Exhibit A - this line: The dees 'must win multiple flags to frank this brilliant collection of talent'. One, the talent didn't magically appear in 2021. If we have so much talent why didn't he pick us to finish top 4 tgis year (iirc he didn't even have us making finals). Two, it's a any way to set up a stupid narrative should we lose a few games - with this collection of talent they are under pressure because they should be winning the flag. Three, yes we have a talented list. But the biggest hurdle will be remaining disciplined and selfless

Agree. The other point of difference is our defensive system, which i'd argue that whilst it has elements of other systems (eg zones, intercepts marking etc) is unique in many ways. That said, whilst we didn't blindly follow the tigers or the dogs there is no question we used their template of pressure, win the contest football as the foundation of our moil. And you could also argue that we borrowed elements of the WC and cat's game plans - specifically the ability to switch to temp/hold onto the ball mode when needed.

We were able to do so because JT and Tim lamb have one such a brilliant job getting the foundation prices in place in the last 6-7 drafts.

Just thinking about the propensity for clubs to follow the lead of premiers, i wonder if mac Andrew going so high was related to the effectiveness of the two ruck model the dees employed to such devastating effect in 2021. A few years ago rucks were seemingly out of favor. Now a reasonable question is can teams win flag without a gun ruck man AND a really good back up ruck.

My guess? Clubs naturally look at what the premiers are doing. West Coast are the outliers since the dogs won the flag in 2016, in so far as the other winners have all been manic contest teams with really strong, combative midfields with game plans that emphasise territory over precision ball movement. This model requires inside mids and contested ball winners across every line. And a key element of both the tiger's and dee's game plans is top line intercepting key defenders and rebounding half back flankers with great kicking skills (the latter is true of the dogs too). I wonder if the other clubs, all playing catch up except the dogs and to a lesser extent the tigers (who needed an injection of young, manic energy - and drafted accordingly), prioritised such players. And conversely had less interest in outside players, wingers and key forwards such as JVR and Howes. We have enough inside mids and contested ball winners. And more than enough top line intercepting defenders, not to mention rebounding half back flankers with great kicking skills. So we can afford to target a key forward AND and winger. And seem to have done exactly that

Neither. I meant that when i read comments from Catherine Bennett, i apply the agenda filter too.

Totally agree. And there is no doubting Coatsworth's qualifications, experience and expertise. He knows his stuff. Beware was probably the wrong word. Aware of a possible agenda would have been a better way of phrasing it. For what it's worth, i think Coatsworth has helped create some really interesting discussion through the pandemic - in particular about the pros and cons of the so called covid zero approach and the best approach with children. The other thing he was strong on was pushing back on the critique of Astra Zeneca, and as it turned out, rightly warning of the impact on take up and vax rates. On these points Dr Nick has very clear opinions and has argued strongly, and not unpersuasively, for them. But this is what I mean by being aware of a possible agenda - his comments in the media often, seems to be focused on advancing his arguments and position. Which is fine - but personally i think it is an important filter to apply to his comments. In this context, when i read his commentary, i also note he is an opinion writer for the Fairfax news group, and i presume (but don't know for sure) is paid for comment. This, Fairfax, article, gives a good summary of Coatsworth's position on key Covid policies - and some of the critique he has received. To be clear, i reckon it is important to be mindful of possible agendas of all experts regularly making comments about covid (or any public policy for that matter) in the media, particularly those that are likely being paid for comment. Catherine Bennet is a good example.

Beware coastworth's agenda i reckon

Let it go? You sound concerned, but fear not, I've had therapy to deal with the deep seated issues I have with trac's kicking. I have my bad days, but all in all I've made peace with it.

Ooh sorry. I didn't realise it was sacrilegious to suggest trac is not perfect. I'm really glad I didn't mention his disposal efficiency for the season was 62% - placing him at 6 on tbe Frost Salem scale.

I doubt it. mainly becuase it would be pretty boring for anyone watching on live stream given the event is really only people watching a replay. But perhaps the presentation of players and goodies speech might of interest. You'd think they will at least record them and post them on the MFC website.

Set shots maybe. Still pretty high for field kicks though I reckon. A big factor in why his field kicking is so hit or miss. Near the end of the season I read a stat that was something like trac was number one for total inside 50 kicks. But of the top 50 was last for targets hit!

Very high ball drop. Hopefully you're right about getting good depth with his kicks as that is important attribute for a potential winger. From the very short clip of McVee on the MFC website he looks to have a strong technique

Maybe: Dr. No longer waiting for a flag (1962) From Melbourne with Love (1963) Red and blue finger (1964) Football (1965) You Only Win Flags Twice - or three times, or more (1967) On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) Demons Are Forever (1971) Live and Let Die (1973) Fritter - The Man with the Golden Boot (1974) The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) Muckraker (1979 - Sam McClure is the villian) For Your Eyes Only (1981) Octodemon (1983) A View to a Kill of the cats and dogs (1985) Beating the The Living Daylights out of the cats and dogs (1987) License to Kill the of the cats and dogs (1989) GoldenBoot (1995) Hope Never Dies (1997) One Flag Is Not Enough (1999) Win More Flags Another Day (2002) Crown Casino (2006) Quantum of Solace for the of the cats and dogs (2008) Tiger's Freefall (2012) Spectre of a dynasty (2015) No Time to Die (2021) Burswood Casino (1967) Never Say Never Again (1983)

From his highlights Howe's technique look a bit clunky. Certainly none of the new boys' kicking skill stand out from the highlight tapes the way Lauries and Bowey's did. Howe is interesting in so far as he look a very similar player to Rosman - tall winger with good athleticism. Me thinks those boys might be competing for the same spot.

Not sure where to put this, so here is as good as anywhere. A question to anyone who has seen more of our new draftees than their highlights tape - how good are each boy's kicking skills on the Frost - Salem scale (Frost being 1 and Salem being 10)?

Please, please, please tell me this was satire. If so, kudos. Gold standard satire.

No thanks. Petty is a very near future AA defender. I predict he will be in the 2023 AA team. An absolute gun defender who is much more valuable as a defender than a forward. In my opinion.

I wouldn't have done either, either. Good thing i wasn't in charge! But as you say sent a very clear message. It seems to me that over the journey many people seemed to think goody's quiet, reflective demeanor was evidence of a lack of fire, steeliness and toughness. Those calls were evidence such an assessment were way of the mark

Our last three first round draft picks - Jackson, kozzie and Roo. Add rivers, who wasn't a first rounder, but is first round quality, and that makes four West Australian boys (if you count kozzie). Say's a lot about the confidence we have in our culture I reckon. Particularly after years of the will Hogan go home fugazi

So meta. You would be watching us watch the replay of the grand final - which we all will have watched previously. Insert exploding colours giph here.

It can be bit old cliché - but as that vid shows, bailey is complete natural footballer. Exhibit A - how he positions his body in marking contest Exhibit B - how he times his movement toward the incoming ball to make sure he is in the best position to mark or collect the ball. Exhibit C - he has beautiful hands Exhibit D - he is not just technically a good kick, he also has the much too rare skill to weight the ball to a teammates' advantage Class players having time is another cliché, but bailey has that attribute - but the other thing that jumps out from that vid is how he refuses to be rushed with ball in hand. All of those attributes have translated to the AFL. Robbie is an excellent comparison - and there ain't no higher praise.

Good point. France seems to be in ok shape. Long may it continue Bing. A couple of questions: What is the Vax rate there France were one of the first countries to implement mandates and Vax passports. What is the majority public sentiment about these policies?