La Dee-vina Comedia

I watched the last half again last night. I was astounded at how much Neal-Bullen contributed. His hard running had him gathering possessions, tackling bodies and blocking space all over the ground. In addition, the possessions he did get were well directed to players in good positions. It's amazing what can be seen on a second viewing.

This is really interesting. It shows that not only are we doing well now, but we have also set ourselves up for sustained success. If I were a Geelong, Richmond, Hawthorn or West Coast supporter, I could live with these numbers because it's a consequence of having been successful. On the other hand, it suggests more pain is in store for supporters of Carlton, Collingwood and St Kilda.

It's possible, but I wouldn't be making any plans where you don't get your deposit back.

Population size might be relevant, too.

And not just any player. Someone much bigger than him with elite running capacity in Mark Blicavs. For what it's worth, I though Viney played an integral role in the win. However, how can someone with such bloodlines, drive and opportunity (ie, in having a father involved in AFL) have grown up with the inability to kick on his non-preferred? (And his preferred isn't great, either). I think it's consigned Viney to the role of "elite run with player" - an important role, but I suspect not one that he thought he would ever play.

That final kick by Gawn may end up being more significant than we thought. In the back of my mind is the thought that there is still a risk that the finals series might be prevented from being completed because of Covid. Should that be the case, the AFL may have no choice but to award the Premiership to the team that finished on top of the ladder at the end of the Home and Away series. I think it's most unlikely, but not impossible.

You are quite right that it should continue. My mind has been conditioned to the default position that everything concludes for the Demons at the end of the final home and away game. However, I wouldn't be averse to a sub-set to the Demonald Player of the Year being Demonland Player of the Final Series. Use the same process but just keep a tally of the votes awarded for each game we play from hereon for the rest of the year.

There are many things that surprise me on the odd occasion we play finals. One is that the Demonland Player of the Year continues on. I was fully expecting to open this thread this morning to see Oliver having been formally announced as the winner.

I suspect our average losing margin may well be the lowest we've ever recorded in a H&A season. It was 11.875 points per loss. Or, with a tweak of the language, our average margin in games we didn't win (ie, including the draw) was 9.4 points. Compare that with Essendon in 2000 where their (ahem) average losing margin was 11 points.

Goodwin has shown all year that players have played and practised in set positions. Smith has played and practised as a defender. I don't expect he's going to be moved forward now.

I'd be happy with that. But, sadly, I fear you are right for the other three.

Webber, love your paintings and the thought that has gone into them. Can I ask about what Ned Kelly is holding in his right hand? It looks like a piece of folded paper. Is it meant to represent the Jerilderee letter or a Wanted poster or something else?

After 6 years and 27 pages, perhaps it's time to summarise where we're at in this thread. We've knocked off a lot of embarrassing records in the last little while, including as recently as last night by being Minor Premiers for the first time since 1964. So what's left? Here's a few, starting with the obvious and with two that are not within our control: 57 years since a Premiership never had a 100 year goal kicker holder of the margin for the largest losing margin (I think) largest score kicked against (I think) What else?

We've now seen Smith for two weeks and I don't think he has a position in this side to call his own. Petty had the advantage of being able to settle in over a few weeks and now looks rock solid. Unfortunately for him, Smith doesn't get that opportunity because of the time of year. If Hunt is available, I think he comes in for Smith. However, if Hunt's not ready and it becomes a choice of Hibberd of anyone else for Smith, I'd choose Hibberd but I could see why Smith might be retained. Other than that, while a swap of Jordon for Sparrow seems tempting, there's not a lot in it either way. I'd probably keep Sparrow because I thought his game last night was quite good. So, for me the only change is Hunt if ready, or Hibberd if he's not, for Smith.

6. Oliver 5. Gawn 4. Lever 3. Salem 2. Harmes 1. Petracca Aplogies to May and Langdon

And St Kilda players would have a natural advantage.

It would be a journalist's delight. They could start every story, depending on the result, with either "Player X was crucified..." or "Player X will be able to resurrect his playing career this weekend..." And just imagine the journalist's apoplectic excitement if it happens to be a Lion fronting Christian House...

There's been an unexpected outbreak of apologies and pleasantries in this thread. Most unlike a social network, but welcome nevertheless.

This is very helpful. I understand that the Holden Centre is the old Olympic Pool site which is in the top left-hand corner of the picture. Attached to the original pool building are two smaller buildings. One is in the triangle where Swan St meets Batman Avenue; the other is semi-triangular and adjacent to the Oval and presmuably includes a grandstand. Are they also both part of Collingwood's facilities?

I'm pretty confident that the aspect of the game that he would like the most would be the number of indigenous players involved. On the flipside, what I suspect he would find the most distasteful is the continuing racial abuse by a small cohort of ignorant people.

I keep banging on about this, but anyone waiting for Pfizer instead of AZ should think again. Firstly, read this story which raises the issue of Pfizer's efficacy waning more quickly than AZ. Now, go get whatever's available and don't worry about which one it is. Just get vaccinated!

Somewhat ironically, for a politician who is recognised more for his political nous than his policy skills, Morrison missed an opportunity. If he had agreed to include the Opposition Leader in his National Cabinet, it would have silenced Albanese as once inside that Cabinet, he would be bound to agree with every decision made. That would have strengthened Morrison's position as he would have had no Federal Opposition public commentary to worry about on this issue.

The reasons behind Smith's second half need to be understood. He had zero possessions (although that's not the sole measure of a defender's worth). Whether it was cramping, the collission with Hibberd, or something else, it was two different Smiths out there last week. I agree with this. Not only is Smith being given a second chance, this week he'll have a different role. Last week it was as a key defender; this week it will be as one of the 4 non-key position defenders. This should enable the Match Committee to see how he performs in a different role. I've not been a Smith fan in the past, but I do understand why he's been given a second week to prove he belongs.

If the MFC thought about it a bit more, it could develop a "blockbuster" game on the weekend closest to Tom Wills birthday. That would generally make it either round 22 or 23 (assuming we continue with a 23 round format). It doesn't necessarily have to be played against the same team each year, although (somewhat ironically given who we play this weekend), perhaps Geelong might be the best team to play against if it were to be fixed. Critics will say that a manufactered "blockbuster" played at the end of the season won't work and they might be right. But Tom Wills deserves much more recognition within the AFL than he currently gets and our club should find a way to be involved.

Agreed. It's a terrific book about a very interesting, albeit flawed, individual. It there was ever a list put together of the 10 most influential Australians of all time, his name should be there. Not just for being the inventor of Australian Football but also for taking the first Australian representative cricket team to the UK and for his ahead-of-his-time understanding and positive relationships with indigenous communities and individuals.