La Dee-vina Comedia

Worth some recognition. Without Tom Wills, there would be no AFL and (horror!) no Demonland! Born on this day (19 August) 1835. https://twitter.com/MCG/status/1428239426015035395/photo/1

When Victoria had its peak infection numbers last year in August, did any of it leak into NSW? I can't recall. I realise the delta strain is more transmissable than what was around in 2020, but at the same time, we now have a vaccination program which didn't exist at this time last year. In short, should we be more pessimistic or optimistic about the prospects for containment?

Wasn't sure what to expect from an opening post from someone called Deesigner and about drugs.

Nice bit of obfuscation by Goodwin. He's reported as having said to the media yesterday, that we won't be resting anyone...unless they're sore or carrying an injury.

Thanks to everyone who played along. As far as I can tell, the conundrum was solved by Mazer Rackham, Demonstone, Dee Zephyr, Jjrogan and In Harmes Way. Thanks also for those that played along and provided clues along the way. In fact, before I give the answer, here are all the clues (if I've missed any, please let me know): it's an "irrational" number 16 (Travis Johnstone) can replace 15 in the back pocket due to rounding "pie-eyed" Eureka (for two reasons - because that was allegedly said by the mathematician Archimedes and because he was Greek) 2 people in a 5 km radius (specifically the 2 and the word radius) the only punctuation after 3 is a decimal point the number does, indeed, go on forever (although we only know the first 68 trillion digits - it was this story that gave me the idea, by the way) it is as "easy as [insert answer here]" 4 and 20 "pies" its all Greek to me the picture from Life of Pi So, to state what I now hope is obvious, the answer is that all the numbers are the first 38 digits of Pi (ie, 3.14159 etc)

Speaking of which, it is reported in today's The Age that the inventor of the Sudoku puzle has just passed away. (That's not a clue, or the beginning of a joke, but a fact.)

A stereotypical Collingwood supporter would arguably be the least likely to understand the answer. And when told, might wonder why 4 and 20 weren't the only numbers used.

There may be some people who would like a bit more time, so I'll post the answer sometime tomorrow. By the way, there are now at least 8 different clues in this thread, and counting.

One more clue. The punctuation in the team sheet is deliberate. Definitely on point.

Nicely cryptic answer, and helpfully providing a clue for others.

Thanks for the correction. Thankfully, it makes no difference to the puzzle. Demonstone has also PM'd me with the correct answer. I don't know if Mazer and Demonstone have been communicating with each other. Perhaps the 2 of them live within a 5km radius. (There's a clue in that final sentence, by the way).

CNN has different programming depending on the jurisdiction. Which CNN service was this on?

Yes.

Very tricky, especially if there's betting allowed. For what it's worth, I could see an argument not to award it but not because teams played different numbers of games (after all, do we care when players are rested?) but because insufficient games were played across the whole season. But I wouldn't be fussed if it was awarded.

As you would know, Travis Johnstone could play in the back pocket replacing Paul Hopgood, but only if you selected the Fullback line and no others.

Mazer has solved the conundrum. He's also identified the clue in the subject heading. I should add that his answer was in a PM, not above.

Quite incredible that with all the randomness of two competitions and the unexpected impact of Covid, that Melbourne plays Geelong this weekend, may well play Geelong the following weekend and their two reserves teams are scheduled to play each other in the first week of VFL finals.

A hyperhypothetical hope. And (b) and (b)

Demonstone has been doing the heavy lifting producing entertaining puzzles. Here's one I prepared earlier. What links all these Melbourne players? FB 3. Christian Salem 14 Lynden Dunn 15 Paul Hopgood HB 9 Alan Johnson 26 Glenn McLean 5 Neil Crompton C 35 Luke Tapscott 8 Glenn Elliott 9 Brian Dixon HF 7 Jamie Bennell 9 David Neitz 32 Barry Vagg FF 38 Jeremy Howe 4 Norm Smith 6 Luke Jackson R 26 John Meesen 43 Guy Rigoni 3 Henry Coles IC 8 Tassie Johnson 32 Cameron Bruce 7 Brian Wilson 9 Jack Trengove Medisub 50 Ben Brown Emerg 28 Ted Cordner 8 Graeme Yeats 41 Peter Rohde

Equalisation measures introduced since the mid-1980s (eg, draft, salary cap) should make it far less likely that Essendon and Carlton supporters should have to wait as long as we've been waiting. Where was this assistance when we needed it from the mid-60s to mid-80s? Once again we've been stitched up by the AFL! Mind you, Carlton is currently providing a masterclass on being dysfunctional.

Joel Smith - proved many wrong (first half) Joel Smith - proved many right (second half)

I wouldn't mind adding "Umpires" to the 18 clubs listed in the Opening Post. I know there will be people cheering at some retirements (as there will be with some players), but it would be a way of Demonland showing respect to umpires and thanking them for their service. A small gesture, I know, but nevertheless I think it would be appropriate.

If we make the Grand Final, I absolutely hope we use the medi-sub whether we need it or not. That player needs to be able to share the joy of winning (or feel the despair of losing) along with the other 22 players. Imagine being given a Premiership Medal without actually having run on to the grass at all.

Surely it's no more improbable than: the moon landings were fake Covid-19 is caused by 5G Covid-19 vaccinations include tracking software Clive Palmer

Like all of us, players have egos. How would Petracca or Oliver feel about the possibility of the club denying them a chance to win the Brownlow because they missed this game? I know it's a team game, but it would be hard for them to swallow. So, would resting them (unless they're genuinely injured/sore) be counter-productive to our finals chances if Oliver and Petracca are disappointed at missing a game?