La Dee-vina Comedia

In all this discussion about on-field improvement, let's also recognise that we've come a long way on the administrative side, too. It's amazing how helpful a stable Board has been. The problems on-field at Carlton and Collingwood reflect the issues they're having in their back-of-house now.

Growing up in the late-1960s I kind of liked that Melbourne was the only team to have won a Premiership after a drawn Grand Final. It somehow made me feel I was following a special team. Of course, in those days we were on 12 Premierships with only Collingwood on 13 ahead of us. So we were special, anyway. Actually, we're still special.

It may be just coincidence, but Dan Andrews is aiming for 23 September - two days before the Grand Final - as the date when further lessening of restrictions on Victorians may be allowed. He has made clear, though, that the date is an estimate and the real number he will be watching is the number of people who have had at least one vaccination. It needs to get to 70% and is on track to do so by that date. So, if you (I mean everyone, not just you, Jaded) want some more personal freedoms come 23 September, make sure you've had at least one shot of vaccine by then. Who knows - if we get vto 70% the Premier might even allow home visits for Melbourne supporters on GF day.

Looks like a cross between David Teague and Mark Neeld.

The strike record of coaches second time around is not good. The only coaches to have won Premierships the second time (or more) around in the 21st century are Leigh Matthews at Brisbane (who had already coached to a Premiership at his first gig) and Mick Malthouse.

One day in the next century someone's going to be trawling through the ancient records of Demonland and conclude that in 2021 there was some sort of witch-hunt for working girls involving a circus performer called Robert.

I now have visions of Demonland being used in court as evidence of mass law-breaking by Melbourne supporters on Grand Final day.

I was trying to do the reverse by making the point that it was a single instance and NOT a pattern of poor behaviour.

Excellent post. I'd just like to add that the team appears to have no off-field troublemakers, either. No De Goey, Toby Greene or Jayden Stephenson. The worst I can recall was Clayton Oliver having a blood alcohol level below 0.05 but above zero while on P-plates. Hardly problematic behaviour in itself, but more relevantly, a single instance and not a pattern of poor behaviour.

Maybe all Gil wanted was a guarantee that Eddie McGuire wouldn't be allowed to attend.

If the AFL didn't get any money from WA for the privilege of hosting the GF, why do we think the AFL agreed to play it there? What else might the AFL have received? Or, perhaps, might it receive in the future? Surely it's not just because the Chairman of the AFL is from WA?

If only I'd thought about it a bit more. It's not like there are a lot of people to choose from with the surname Dangerfield. Please keep it up Demonstone. I enjoy the challenge.

"...but you get what you need." And Melbourne supporters need to see a Premiership. (Thanks, or perhaps with apologies to, Mick and Keith)

A bit of Grand Final trivia: Q: Who has lost back-to-back AFL Grand Finals this century? A: Collingwood, St Kilda and Daniel Andrews

Victoria's Sport and Major Events Minister (and Carlton tragic), Martin Pakula, has stated that if crowds can't attend the GF in Perth, it will revert to the MCG. So, there's still a chance...

I'm not sure how umpires being full time makes any difference to what Greene did. But seeing as the point has been raised, I can't see what a full time, professional umpire is going to do all week to fill in the days. I am, however, fully on board with a wholesale review of the rules of the game to make it easier for umpires to do their part-time job.

Every year I wish Goal of the Week, and potentially Goal of the Year, included nominations from extraordinary team goals, rather than just individual efforts. It is a team game, after all.

This aged well! Not only has GWS said they won't appeal, but even though he has been suspended, the AFL may be the ones who appeal. I think I should avoid making predictions and stick to bon mots and responding to Demonstone's diabolical quizzes from hereon.

Disagree. They have a new one every week.

AFL considering appealing the penalty, apparently. https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/08/31/mclachlan-perplexed-by-greene-ban-as-afl-considers-appeal/ I suspect the AFL won't appeal. To do so could have the perverse consequence of Greene being found not guilty (unless the appeal can be solely about the penalty).

Well, based on the views of many in this thread, Hibberd's chance of getting a recall for the Preliminary Final have nose-dived with Greene's suspension.

I have a vision of Greene being pushed out of the plane as it taxis down the runway.

On Footy Classified last night they made a point of showing Gawn giving all our players a "high five" (actually a "low five" if that's the correct term, given their hands were all pointing downwards) as they ran onto the ground on Saturday night. It was presented as an example of why he's a good captain.

To add insult to injury, I assume the airline has just imposed an "Excess Baggage" charge on GWS for carrying Greene to WA.