Maldonboy38

Hawks v Cats Prelim = ugh! Can't believe I have had to endure this season with the Dees struggling, only to have to face this. In terms of "barracking", I suppose I have to run with the Cats because Watson, Ginnivan and co are total tools, but if a Cats loss gets Steven King on deck at the Dees earlier, then I will take that. Tonight, definitely supporting the Suns. Although Hardwick is extremely unlikeable, the teams he coaches play great footy. With Lions injury list I can't see them winning.

That is an impressive interview. Caro pressed the Nathan Buckley button 3 times and he answered her directly, openly, but leaving no doubt that the Board and Coaching panel are united and aligned and we "got our man". Loved the fact that he said King presented with "presence and with joy". He came with his own view on our best 25 players, with a view that our gameplan needs to modernize, and is both keeping some assistant coaches while also bringing in his own people. As good as this interview was, I am more interested in the decisions he makes re a new training base, sponsorship and membership.

Can someone please explain the current negativity around Jones and Basset. I understand that both of these men have been the line coaches in a team that has lost more than it has won over the past 2 years and so their jobs may no longer be guaranteed, but why so much ardent distaste and grief from Demonlanders? Basset is building a very good coaching resume and Jones is an MFC superstar who played a big hand in calming the waters with both Clarrie and Trac. If they are not the right men to move us ahead under new coach Steven King, then fine, that is a reasonable discussion, but the heavy handed anger and loathing directed their way is a bit too much.

Same for me. The Crows have been boring, inefficient and lifeless for both games this finals season. Little run, little dare, little intensity. I don't reckon the Hawks can win the flag, but they are playing with a confidence and intensity that reminds me of the Dees in 21.

I don't rate a lot of output from modern journos, and had no respect for most of their dribble about candidates, interviews, expectations. Seemed like guesswork to me rather than solid investigative journalism. So I am not going to respect the carp they are putting out now about Buckley which is just people being wise after the event. Feeling good about the appointment for three reasons: There were no apparent leaks from the coach selection panel or board His player and assistant coaching pedigree is strong It is not what I was expecting. I can't wait for him to start, to chat with the leadership group and key senior players, and see how he wants to pursue during trade and draft. Welcome big fella.

For that 2-3 year period where BBB was at full forward, with Fritsch and Spargo also in the forward line, our footy was great to watch. Spargs probably only averaged 15 touches per game but his thinking and delivery into F50 was so trustworthy. Kicking distance was always his struggle, but I loves him in our flag year. Great servant, thanks for helping to bring us the exhilaration of the 21 Flag. Go well, but not too well when you play the Dees.

Club development, training base, new President, new CEO, new coach .... But the pure basis of it all is a group of young men who work and grunt and strive with everything they have to play the best sport in the world. As much as I agree with all these decisions, I am reminded that these blokes are going from approx $300,000 per year to daily employment, training Tuesdays & Thursdays, a HUGE drop in salary and then to VFL, suburban or country footy. Sobering. I wish them all the best.

Windhager gives me ANB vibes, especially his development arc. I am not sold on any brilliance, but he runs both ways and can actually kick so it a yes.

The Next Coach Information scoreboard looks very interesting: Facts: 2 Rumour, innuendo, groundless speculation, inflated opinion, and journalist bile 14,753

Dolphins looking very quick & sharp. Their run from behind game is cutting through us and their field kicking is a level above. Our team defense has totally fallen apart. Some very poor kicking isn't helping. Simple errors at key moments causing turnovers with everyone in attacking positions.

After a scintillating passage of play, Kolt misses an easy one. Grrr.

In the last 5-7 mins getting beaten at ground level.

They must have turned some extra light on - looking better now. Culley is killing them. This game is a recruiters dream. Lots of high standard footy.

Yeah, it is genuinely appalling. Standard of footy looks outstanding though.

No, I'm not talking about their ruthlessness, but their taunting, big-mouthing, self indulgence and over celebrating.

Any chance GWS can hit a target inside F50? And this game is re-emphasising how much I loathe the modern Hawks. Their on field manner gives me Maynard vibes, but from an entire team!

As excellent as both the Pies and Cats looked, the Crows and Lions were equally poor. I can't remember a finals day with 2 such poor qualifying finals and 2 teams performing so poorly. So, I have hope that Pies and Cats are not sure things for the GF. Us older supporters wax lyrical about the days of 12 suburban teams, but the AFL expansion has, for the most part, been good for the game. However, I am furious that we have ended up with an EPL style competition with a top echelon of elite wealthy clubs loved by the administrators who get spoon fee every favour and ease. The last 4 Premiers have been single winners and I hope it continues with one of Freo or GC. I want something to deflate the planned growth of the super clubs, and then to watch the AFL cry and cringe because one of their pets or puppets can't be lauded. Rant over. So p***ed that the Pies & Cats are through AGAIN!

Crows playing Pies and somehow that is evidence that the Dees are shocking.

Got to hand to the Pies. Their pressure, and composure under pressure has been epic. Stuff me I hate them.

Not sure what happened to Demonland for the last 10 minutes, but the Crows are surely aiming for Collingwood jumpers when clearing off half back.

As much as he annoys me, his pack contested work and bringing it to ground for the Pies on-ballers has actually been really good. He is rarely trying to mark it, just making sure it drops to their advantage.

Haven't seen such a poor performance from a minor premier in a long time. Crows look like deer in the headlights, and I don't reckon one player is winning his position. Getting killed at ground level and cannot hit a target by foot, or even kick it to advantage.

Flower only won 1 B&F for three reasons: Played in every position on the ground, sometimes in a single game, to plug holes or take responsibility when our squad talent was too poor. Injury - he was too courageous for his own size and shape, and some opposition thugs even tried t take him out (e.g. Leigh Matthews etc...) Barassi put too much responsibility solely on his shoulders during his coaching reign. In an era when the media showed so little Dees interest, to go and see him play live was astonishing. Skills were evolving for most players in the game, and Robbie was running around with grace and speed, playing both sides of his body, flying into packs and doing EVERYTHING. He might not have had the influence of Barassi or Gawn but for pure skills he is a class all his own.

Great win. If we can keep presenting like that while halving wins/losses, then our injured players will return and we can build for the back end of the season. If not for our red and blue jumpers, I would hardly have recognised the AFLW Dees today. Very fumbly, and the Pies totally shut down our forward handballing. I can't get to many AFLW games, but I would willingly pay to watch Tayla Harris, Hate Hore, and Tylah Hanks play. Absolute jets. Harris in particular - her full pace crash packing, contested marking and outstanding kicking set her apart from every other AFLW player. Loved Chaplin's game today, but my favourite remains Alyssa Bannon. With her strength and conditioning reaching its current level she has probably lost a metre of pace, but she is spectacular in full flight with her run and carry. I don't accept the AFL conspiracy re umpiring. The umpiring today was simply poor with many missed free kicks, or even worse, totally misinterpreted frees confusing players from both sides. The 5 free kicks in the last 2 minutes needs to be looked at from and official level. The umpires from today might need a spell down a level - but there might not be enough umpires to rotate those out of form down into the lower grades.

I see that random in-close handballs straight to no one for an opposition take away are not the sole property of our men's team