Tarax Club

Given there’s the odd BBQ and a coronation somewhere? An interesting pairing here on Smithies VFL. One guy sounds like he called the dogs last night. The other ‘gentleman’ sounds like he just missed on the gig at Westminister Abbey, has the BBC plummy rounded vowels happening. Probably on standby for the ABC weather over the weekend.

SUNS MIDFIELDER VAINLY SEARCHES FOR PILL AMONGST THE CARNAGE...

Congratulations. Steven May, comes across as a decent bloke without pretensions and is articulate and engaging to boot. Well done!

Sublime foot skills with the Sherrin. Worthy of an All-Ireland Championship Final. Leaves the gibberish around some of the the weekly declarations of 'goal of the year' in the dust.

Both favour bib ‘n brace overalls?

Close... member of the legal profession.

Obviously the completion is going south. After the cumbersome additions of the 19th and 20th teams, some clear thinking individuals with foresight (“look through the looking glass Alice”) may decide to maximise the league to 12 teams. Giving the best players the opportunity to compete in competitive teams. Socialism and mammon are not easy partners.

Agree. Been up here over 20 years (must be troppo!). Pray for a good dry season every year with some cooler southern influence. Only liveable time of the year. Born and bred in Melbourne of course. Would l go back there to live? Never! Too bloody cold and crowded.

6. Jake Melksham 5. Mitch White 4. Dan Turner 3. Adam Tomlinson 2. James Harmes 1. Tom MacDonald

6. Christian Petracca 5. Clayton Olivier 4. Kade Chandler 3. Brodie Grundy 2. Angus Brayshaw 1. Tom Sparrow Honourable mentions; Bayley Fritsch Max Gawn Edward Langdon Alex Neal-Bullen Kysaiah Pickett Trent Rivers Jack Viney Steven May From the Director's chair; Will be seeking a new labour hire company. As the 'extras' were clearly not up to it. Witches hats will be painted bright orange in future. Opposition hyperbole watch; Swab the whole North Melbourne side. A bunch of imposters dreaming they were of AFL standard. Adjudication; Old habits die hard. Typically Razor pulled his celebrity umpire stunt, thinking he was the entertainment. Media; On a slow uneventful Saturday night, Carlton was the big news.

Good work joeboy! Clearly at the top of your game.

Should cover most of the possible contingencies.

Some of the chatter coming from Norf's coaching box this evening. Making your footy club marginally relevant again. 1. Hit rock bottom and go to the draft for new blood. 2. 'Resurrect' a former player and champion coach. 3. Develop the new talent assisted by the 'old hands'. 4. After the first rebuild flops reset and go again. 5. AFL inserts new team which quickly compromises draft. 6. Every defeat is now certified as 'character building'. 7. It takes 'time' (eons) there are no quick fixes in footy. 8. There is no guarantee of success just hard work. 9. While the sun is setting on your career keep it 'classy'.

Happy with the four premiership points the rest is just fluff.

Maybe he just needs to prioritise the Paddington bear special Ox edition release. Man who desperately needs a cuddle.

That was potentially a dangerous act, he flew horizontally at velocity with significant force. NRL referees would look at it differently.

Angus Brayshaw is the type of footballer most coaches and players love to have in their sides. Courageous, combative and committed to the team success. Over his career he has provided that in spades. From overcoming earlier serious concussion issues, to running a close third to a surprise Brownlow medal. To the pure grit and determination of his Grand Final performance in Perth in '21. Where he was flying the flag deep into the Doggies' second into third quarter momentum swing. His recent performances continue to to show that determination and resolve by accounting for Jake Stringer against Essendon despite the loss. I thought his performance against Richmond was similarly praiseworthy, absorbing considerable physical pressure, but continuing to repulse Tiger forward forays as the game tightened up. Whilst still being able to deliver quality ball by hand or foot to a team mate.

Seen May play much better footy. Set a very high standard in recent seasons with two All-Australian blazers. Agree his last quarter was more solid but Riewoldt and Co had physically dropped off. At this stage of the season there is plenty of room for improvement, amongst the individuals who make up the team including Steven May.

6 Jack Viney 5 Max Gawn 4 Christian Petracca 3 Angus Brayshaw 2 Thomas Sparrow 1 Edward Langdon Honourable mentions; Alex Neal-Bullen Kade Chandler Brody Grundy Clarence Olivier Jake Lever Jacob van Rooyen From the Director's chair; Happenstance, JVR took flight in the last quarter just before being subbed off. His three goal burst was a match winning contribution. In a tense closely fought battle for supremacy of the hallowed MCG turf. The Demons overcame fierce resistance from the Tigers, to send them back to their Punt Road lair, to lick their wounds. Adjudication; According the DL post-game thread the condemnation of the umpiring performance was almost at universal pariah status. Surprisingly, the difference was only four more frees in favour of the Tigers. The total number of free kicks given was fifty-one. Is the fourth umpire necessary? Supposedly the extra gives greater scrutiny, but fairness goes both ways. The amount of infringements going 'unnoticed' particularly in packs is a blight on the game. Broadcasters; Preferred setting now during the game is a low rumble of crowd noise. Tiring of the oft partisan inanities and vacuousness of many the 'ex'pert commentators.

joeboy must’ve been a jam at the ‘G after the final siren glad you’ve successfully negotiated the traffic /public transport imbroglio to get home. Mostly in concordance with your player analysis except you’re too kind to Steven May and too harsh on Angus Brayshaw*. And Judd McVee looks to be fairly cool under pressure.

Picket as you commence your evening meal of heartily earned pescatarian delights please don't go apoplectic and choke on a fish bone. Looneymove # 1 Tom MacDonald is selected to play Anzac Eve at centre-half forward. Confounds the critics and gives renewed self-confidence to the doubters by a magnificent return to form.

The cliché that big men take time to develop could apply. Saints had him listed as a rookie a few seasons back. So his opportunities and progress may have been stifled by Covid-19. Didn't get the opportunity to play in Casey's premiership team last season with Sam Weideman being preferred. Best all round performance I can recall for Casey from Jack. Not satisfied with just being a tap ruckman, his game is showing definite signs of becoming more rounded. With his clearance work from the centre bounce, boundary throw-ins and ball ups a highlight in this game. Plus he reads the flight of the ball and positions himself well around the ground to assist his team mates, commencing or participating in chains of possession. Kicking that last goal of the match for Casey was the 'cherry on top'. If Jack can maintain this form he will certainly be on the recruitment radar.

Seems like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde have flipped the script this season. Comfortable at home, woeful away. Is there still time to rectify this onset of travel sickness? Or will demonlanders be reaching for brown paper bags?

All votes are equal some votes are more equal than others. 6 Jack Viney 5 Christian Petracca 4 Clayton Olivier 3 Judd McVee 2 Brody Grundy 1 Harry Petty Honourable mentions; Lachlan Hunter Bayley Fritsch Edward Langdon Angus Brayshaw Angus Neal-Bullen Jack Watts From the director’s chair; Home and away is starting to look like a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde horror movie. Selections for Anzac eve will reflect Hammer Films Productions, after a no show matinee last Saturday afternoon. Be prepared for some old fashioned blood letting on the casting couch. Adjudication; Dons got some sure goals from the goal square, some justified other soft as Gil’s over buttered cold toast on Sunday morning . Broadcasters; Propaganda courtesy of the Scott brothers. Sticky fingers in everything. Nauseating.

joeboy again consistent with your appraisal on Brayshaw and Neal-Bullen. Back to the naughty corner boys. May; awkward and slow, after school detention! Bowey; poor under pressure straight to matron. Grundy; beaten by duds, six cuts. The rest; straight to bed without supper.