Pates

Definitely happened to us on Saturday night I’ve got no doubt on it. We’d got so badly screwed by the umpires with almost all the 50/50’s going GWS’s way, and suddenly in the third quarter 50/50’s started to sway our way as well as some just simply bad decisions (a couple of HTB’s in which the GWS did actually dispose of it properly). I think the intention behind the rules against dissent is good, as we don’t want disrespectful behaviour such as what happens in the round ball game. But there needs to be a middle ground because it’s actually causing fans to dislike the umpires even more, if it’s direct abuse or aggression then it should be punished. If a player is putting their arms up and asking (even if a little emotionally) what the free kick was for, then just grow a thick skin and remember it’s an emotional game. I also think that while they are working this out it should be reduced to a 25m penalty, the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. EDIT: below is the sort of behaviour they’re trying to prevent and it’s a good thing.

Hawkins also put his arms out after a previous free kick against him and didn’t get a 50m penalty against. He was a lucky boy on Monday, that is until the final siren of course! 😝 It’s really funny, my mum always gets upset when my brother and I dislike a particular player but she thoroughly dislikes Hawkins. Says, “he’s a thug, and a whiner!” Takes a special kind to get on the bad side of my mum! 🤣

The questions about who we’ve beaten may be valid, but the way we’ve won is a different conversation altogether. We just seem to constantly go to a next gear the moment we get a challenge. I think the players even enjoy it, it’s like where running a race together and then just when the other team thinks they’re in with a chance we turn on the after burners.

The last two weeks have been so enjoyable to watch, in both games there wasn’t one point where I actually thought we could be in trouble. And then that third quarter was the first time I reckon we have genuinely got ourselves into a gear near to the Grand Final, what a joy to watch live!

When was the last time we had two weeks in a row of not letting the other team score a goal before quarter time?

I think he looks better in an average team because he takes the game on, which can look exhilarating but he still does the old “Frost Ball”. I remember there being a lot of angst about him leaving, I would’ve liked him to stay but realistically knew that in a premiership team he’s unlikely to be getting a gig.

The umps were absolutely shocking Sat night, though I’m going to swallow a little pride here and say the Langdon free against that denied Petracca’s amazing goal was there. The ones that really [censored] me off were: free against Harmes for high tackle, he actually did really well not to commit that offence (later in the evening a GWS player did the same thing on us but it was play on). The other one that baffles me was TMac appealing for deliberate, that (from my position at least) was given because he made a flicking motion with his hand and then rocked his head back when it wasn’t given. There we’re so many others through the night and funnily enough I noticed in the third quarter we started getting some cheap levellers.

I was one that felt that Tomlinson had earned the right to his spot until he played poorly, but I put my hand up and say I was wrong. Petty was absolutely outstanding, hadn’t missed a beat and slotted straight back in with ease.

Look I partially agree with you, Easter weekend does tend to have a negative impact on crowd numbers. But at the same time we have been desperate for success, and desperate to own the spotlight as a “power”. I would’ve hoped for minimum 25k for this match, and possibly 30k+ on a regular weekend. Are some of our fans too comfortable with us winning to come for these “lower grade” fixtures?

I’m taking my wife to her first footy match tonight (she’s a pom). Really just want to see us play well, don’t need her to be hooked and become a demon for life but I just want it to be an enjoyable experience for her. And of course it’ll be more enjoyable if we win!!!

I think it’s hard on Tommo dropping him, but Petty was phenomenal last year. Competition for spots is so tough.

Thats the best Pod I’ve heard from them, the interview with Mark Williams is brilliant.

Anyone know what Wiz Junior is up to these days?

Ah whoops, didn’t realise he got a full run at VFL last week. I’d still be leaning towards “ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Last week was a defensive masterclass, I like the idea of rewarding those doing their job at AFL level. As for the idea of playing him as a forward, I’d argue that’s counterproductive and also could throw up more headaches than it solves. What if he kills it, how do we fit them all in! Ah these were the problems I used to look at with envy of other cubs not long ago! 😁

Given our defence has been holding up well I’d be up for giving him a game at Casey to build match fitness before being him in.

Little sucky that we get two graveyard slots in a row, and a coupe of weeks before hand we’re on Mother’s Day Sunday which traditionally doesn’t draw the best crowd. That said it’ll be good to be in a time that families can go.

Gus surely be right up the top of the B&F, hasn’t put in a bad game and was instrumental in Rnd 1, 3, & 4. I was quietly smiling hearing Lewis say that he felt Gus’s better option was to stick with us. Lewis was in a very different position in that he was being squeezed out. Brayshaw isn’t being squeezed out at, rather he is a key playmaker right now.

I think both Sam and Tom will be wanting to buy a lottery ticket, I hope the coaching staff take them aside to make it clear this is a big opportunity for one of them to cement their spot. I can picture no change into GWS.

I reckon it’s the only ladder the Dogs will be topping.

That stuff that was going on against Max off the ball is totally unacceptable and against the spirit of the game. I hope the club reached out to the AFL about because that is how this BBB sort of suspension happens. A player getting roughed up and riled up over treatment that shouldn’t be permitted. Even if what happens is retrospective (ie club gets fined/soft cap reduced following season). Either it’s dirty, and shouldn’t be allowed.

I’ll be honest, I think we cop the one week for that. Stupid and out of character for Ben, must’ve been a frustrating night but that’s no excuse and it’s bloody frustrating.

Well this could make the decision simple. Give Brown the week off to get fit and firing, if both have good games then BBB plays VFL, if one has a poor game then they make way for Ben, if they both have poor games then I’d say Weid has had his shot and he makes way.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens when he is match fit (could take a few VFL games given he missed a fair portion of pre-season), I don’t the Tommo’s doing much wrong at the moment so the current thoughts could be it’s his spot until he puts in poor performances.

Until Petty plays a full (good) Casey game, and Tommo plays poorly, they surely will stick with the current defensive group. We are really hard to score against, no need to mess with that.

I love Hunt but this is my thoughts, he has great run and carry out of defence but way too often butchers the ball. Had we not had the injuries we’ve had I think he wouldn’t be in the side. I have also been actually impressed with what I’ve seen of Smith this season, he’s still got a ways to go but he’s no longer doing some of the crazy kamikaze stuff that just causes chaos. I’m more interested in the other end of the ground though, the decision of Brown/TMac, Brown/Weid, TMac/Weid is going to be difficult. I personally think Brown comes in without any second thought, his early form had been very solid and is clearly our most consistent tall forward. So it’s down to Tommy and Sam. I would like to see Sam given another 1-2 games to prove that the Essendon game wasn’t a fluke. Two matches at the G (where he seems to thrive), both against stiff competition. Throw down the gauntlet to him.