Pates

I think it depends on when it was said, and how far back the ball was to the middle. I think there's this weird mid point where a free after a goal places the ball where they are on the field (or in the centre if it's team's defensive area), and then conversely where if a free kick is given it is out of the middle. Because I think it happened in the immediate aftermath of the goal it meant it gets taken where it happened. I've probably explained it poorly.

Always disliked them, but they really are insufferable when they get up and about. If Voss is smart he will be telling the players to enjoy the win, but know that they got away with one there.

That would be huge if they did bring that in. One decision a match, get it right you retain it, get it wrong and you lose it.

Look it would be very interesting to know what was said/thought was said. If it was also an expulsion of frustration rather than a direct attack there needs to be some leeway. In such a tight contest the last thing you want is a soft decision ending the contest.

Look I'll agree to disagree, he lifts the elbow out which raises his arm to impact with the upper arm. He doesn't get done for striking because that's the part that made impact.

Had a great time sitting with the Demon Army on Thursday, first time my brother and I have been in amongst the cheer squad since we were kids. Just a side note since Pies got brought up, those pies at Adelaide oval are the skinniest pies I have ever seen. Barely anything in them!

I'm not sure what you're looking at to be honest, he raised his elbow even if it was only slightly. He keeps his ams by his side the whole time he grazes the Adelaide player and we're not missing him next week. It's silly from Koz, these silly acts have no genuine benefit to him, the team, and the game. It makes him look like a cheap thug. I don't like it from any player in the comp, so to have one of my favourite players do it really frustrates me. I've heard a few people saying Goody should be taking him aside and trying to curtail it, I actually see it as a leadership group situation. A chat from Gawn and Nibbler saying, "you're letting your teammates down with these acts" would be the best approach. If can play the game hard, without playing it dirty.

Running through the Canberra in my head (and I absolutely will cave to people that might have better knowledge): Canberra Pros - Has established a bit of keen interest in locals through GWS - Has a ground already that is in use and would probably only require upgrades rather a new stadium/full rebuild - Is smack bang between Melbourne and Sydney making travel not difficult for most teams - Could they also have a connection the the NT and play games Darwin and Alice Springs? - Another possible intrusion into a rugby area Cons - Small town, does it have the population/sporting interest to demand an AFL team? - GWS have built a solid interest there, will those people jump across to the new team? If they do does that remove significant support from GWS who don't have much as it is? - Would the climate turn a potential recruits away from moving there? Is the lifestyle what a "sports start" would look for? (I only ask because I swear so many seem to be coastal style people) I think Canberra should be in the conversation as much as any location.

I swear I thought I read a report saying there had been a decline in Tasmanian born AFL listed players over the last 5-10 years. This Tasmanian team really is an interesting situation to watch unfolding, it really shows that they should have come first before GWS/GC and the AFL then make a call on where they place the 18th team. 20 teams feels too much, but 19 teams is pointless for the money that is going to be pumped into Tassie. I honestly don't know where a 20th team could be placed, I feel like each option is as difficult as each other. As for this stadium debacle, it's really interesting to see that across the last 12 months we've had the Com Games be cancelled in Victoria, the Olympic Stadium/precinct issues the Brissy still totally up in the air, and the back and forth between the AFL and Tasmania regarding a stadium in Hobart. All of these issues centring around cost blow outs and public backlash regarding huge funds going in that direction instead of towards helping people that are doing it tough. My personal view, having been to Hobart for a match, is that Blundstone Arena functions ok as a once every so often venue in an exhibition way, but for the purposes of being a regular every second week sort of venue it just doesn't cut it. I think a new stadium would be key to the Tasmanian team being successful (which is think is the point that the AFL are making), and a world standard stadium would also bring in more events and more interest to the city as well as have the potential to create a great precinct for long into the future. Does it need a roof? To host multiple different events it probably does. I also see the benefit of it creating jobs in a difficult climate for people being able to make a living.

Have to say I liked Gary Lyon making that point on On the Couch, to get a title like "the Wizard" you gotta earn it through doing things that no one else in the comp can do. Right now he's no more of a wizard than Windsor. Lyon made the point softly saying, "he will be an exciting player to watch as he grows, but he is no wizard".

Mitchell and the Hawks were absolutely physically targeting our players in ways that were absolutely not legal. I get it, rough them up and be physical but it just looks so pathetic targeting players to hurt them.

Yep that pretty much sums the media up, they have to have a target in the off-season to sell papers and get clicks. People like Corns have to make bold, stupid, and totally unhelpful comments like Oliver might never play again (seriously he should put his hand up and apologise for that). They circled and hoped for us to have a slow start, we lost to the swans and their mouths were frothing. But now two good wins have them off our back and they've gotta acquire a new target.

I feel like leg speed and a bit of x-factor would be where I'd be looking or a calm mature wing style player. Obviously a JPod style pick up of a tall player would be the dream, but that's extremely unlikely. I wonder whether they might keep an eye on JvR's little bro as an option.

This is the ultimate interstate trip that could galvanise the group. They're staying in Adelaide following the Port game, I imagine they'll do it in a training camp/hub style. It's the perfect time to get together and get closer than ever. Interstate wins mean so much, a win or two here would be huge.

What?! Seriously that guy is either not a Dees fan and just trolling, or he's an absolute [censored] for a Dees fan. I don't know one Dees fan that doesn't love Nibbler and the determination he shows, he's heart and soul.

I'm int he same vein, 1 win from 2 at Adelaide oval is a good result. 2 from 2 would be nothing short of miraculous (and we won't be fly under the radar). 0 from 2 will suck hard. I'm really hopeful that Lever's injury isn't serious and we'll only see him miss a week.

Well with May and Lever rebounding from defence and Petty finding his feet with marking, I reckon it could've got 3-4 goals worse if we really got going!

Real shame Disco is injured as well, this would've been the perfect chance for him to step in.

After all the pain they inflicted on us for close to a decade, it's time to even the score. Imagine if May and Lever hadn't gone down, it could've been way worse for them.

Agreed, I feel like players and medicos can see clear signs of ACL and they don't have them testing things out. I suspect if it was a Grand Final he would've been strapped up, given a jab, and he'd be back out there. Players don't interview after the game if they think it's something serious.

There were a few key takeaways from Trac's post-game interview on the ground that stuck out to me. They asked him about his spoil and he had a laugh and a joke saying he's contracted for one D50 defensive effort, but I could still see that doing things like that and the plaudits he got really made him feel like he was walking on cloud nine. The other takeaway that I thought was great to hear was they're getting back to having fun and enjoying the game again, I get the feeling that after '21 they sort of had a determination that was almost feeding back in as anxiety. There has been almost a fear of failure and I feel like like that has been on show with our two straight sets exits. The last two weeks they look like they're playing with a bit of freedom and enjoyment, yes there's still the determination to win and them working to a system, but it's back to remembering that it is a game. He said he's got the dream job, so why not enjoy it. I'm not getting ahead of myself as the two wins are from teams that (highly likely) won't be playing finals, but the way we won and the way the players look have me feeling good about our season. As for our issues with May and Lever, well it sucks. Two players that we absolutely would not want to be without for a long period of time, and there is this sense of irony that they go down JUST as we get back something the resembles a forward line. The bad news, they are top line players that you can't just replace. The good news, we do at least have options. Tommo can come in for at least one of them, we can play Petty as a swing man, and TMac has been showing good form in his old/new role as a defender. Does Fullarton also get a look in if Petty is required down back? Brown wasn't as good as last week, given his age I can see there being games he's barely spotted, but he was still taking some good marks and importantly takes the number one defender. Good win, but costly with injuries.

If this is true I’m absolutely miffed. Just when after last week I thought the match committee had learned their lessons, dropping Brown into the sub after he played a fantastic game last week seems like a really bad idea. I do have a theory though, they could be looking at the upcoming cramped fixture and be thinking “Will Petty’s and Brown’s bodies hold up?” If they end up using a rotation of the two to minimise game time that could very well play to our advantage. The other point is that although having pace off the bench would be valuable, imagine a fresh as a daisy Ben Brown coming on after the KPD has played 2 and a half to three quarters of footy already. I still don’t like it, but I hope there’s more thinking than just “get Petty in”.

Petty has to be the sub looking at the bench, and tbh I don’t mind that move. Give him a bit of match practice with the big boys before unleashing him properly next week. Big thing that I hope is being drummed into the players is respect the opponent, I’ve got no doubt they want some big scalps this season to propel them forward with their development.

I would think the starting point would be to look at what teams are “down” now but will have top end talent in the 22-25 age bracket. The next point would be to look at what players are Tassie native or have roots there. It will be difficult to attract those that like the warmth and the beach/surf life, so the lifestyle they’re attracting will be players looking for something different. The likes of Kozzy aren’t going to be interested in going down there. A much better list would have been to list one from each club.

Oh interesting, I didn’t realise that. Yeah I’m happy with JvR over Mac.