La Dee-vina Comedia

Actually, I thought ANB provided more grunt yesterday than vandenBerg has provided at any time this year.

I struggle to understand whether we play a zone defence or not. If we do so, then was it Smith specifically that kept Papely quiet? It seems to me that stating that a particular defender was accountable for the performance of a specific forward runs counter to the argument that we play zone defence. So, which is it? Do we play zone defence or not? (That's a question for anyone, not just you DS, although I respect your opinion on the subject).

Most of this I agree with. However, I can't agree with the expression, "Nathan you have failed us". Irrespective of how they play, I don't believe in the idea that any player can fail us on the ground. (I'm not sure, by the way, whether the "us" you refer to means the supporters or the club itself...but that doesn't change my point.) I do, however, believe players can fail us (club and supporters) if they do not behave appropriately in their off-field life. I've never seen or heard of Jones doing anything off field that has been detrimental to the club.

I should add I feel dirty giving Langdon and Gawn votes of the same value as given to May and Petracca last week. I'm sure it's been discussed before, but maybe the Demonland POTY could adopt a different voting methodology next year? My suggestion would be to keep the concept of top 6 players, but instead of an automatic, unweighted 6/5/4/3/2/1, change to a score out of 10 for each of those players. For example, last week I might have given May 10 and Petracca 9 (and the other four players probably scores between 5 and 7). For last night's game, I would have given Langdon 6, Gawn 4, May 4, Neal-Bullen 3, Oliver 3, and Tomlinson 2.

6. Langdon 5. Gawn 4. May 3. Neal-Bullen 2. Oliver 1. Tomlinson Harmes' last quarter was very good and nearly got him the final vote

Obvious bias against us in Cairns. Sydney already given an 80 point advantage.

We're not flying from Maroochydore to Cairns? Under normal circumstances (and things are anything but normal both for the AFL and for Virgin Australia), Virgin has direct flights from Maroochydore to Cairns.

Sydney ringing the changes...

This year only, with pineapple added to commemorate the location of the big game.

Source? If it's just your conjecture, then I'll see you and raise you Harmes in defence and Smith forward/relief ruck

I'm still waiting for the Demonland software upgrade that includes an "Envious" button to go along with "Like", "Thanks" and "Love"

Given May, Lever and O-Mac are all playing, my suspicion is that Smith has been picked to play forward/relief ruck. Otherwise, I can't understand his selction. I'm not a fan of Smith as while he's got athletic ability he lacks footy smarts. However, it's not unreasonable to give him a go in this role. It has the advantage of keeping Weideman and Brown as permanent tall forwards, rather than losing one whenever Max needs a rest. And neither Weideman or Brown provide much ruck support when asked to do that job, anyway. This would probably mean Harmes is picked to play in defence to replace Hibberd. Given Goodwin's persistence with this role for Harmes, that's hardly surprising.

In both States?

We don't need another tall. Also, we need to replace Hibberd with a defender, not someone who plays on the left wing. Mind you, and just to be balanced, I'm not sure I'd want Michael O'Brien playing on the right wing, either. Not everyone born in Ireland makes a good footballer.

Coincidentally, on this day 20 years ago we last played in a Grand Final.

I'll repeat what I've said previously. It's got nothing to do with Essendon and everything to do with a nasty virus. If one of our players had tested positive to Covid (even if it were a false positive) would it be our fault if a game had been postponed?

The only thing wrong with "social distancing" is it's name. It should have been called "physical distancing" from the outset. The last thing we need at the moment is for people to be socially apart when you can connect via technology, such as phones, social media and even Demonland. I don't like the requirement for "social distancing" but I'm 100% on board the obligation to do so. The science is clear, confronting and compelling.

I think the umpire has to call "play on" before the player on the mark can move over it. Depending on the quickness of the umpire, that does give the player with the ball a small advantage. I'm OK with that...the player making the play should have that advantage.

It's a much healthier situation than the alternative of groupthink.

Second best. You've forgotten this one: "By Trent Rivers of Mel-a-bourne we sat and wept when we remembered Lyon". Made famous, of course, by Boney M.

Classic Demonland. Two adjacent posts showing that confirmation bias is alive and well.

Might not be available because it doesn't have goal line video technology. Of course, it could be added. In all seriousness, given the AFL's need to cut costs, I can't see a final being played in the Alice because of the associated travel costs and the lower ground capacity.

Poetry. Beautiful.

I think both out is even more likely.

Slightly tangential, but I'm not a fan of the way the Rising Star is determined. I have no problem with a player each week being nominated, but the Rising Star for the year should be chosen from any player who meets the age/games played criteria, not just those who receive a weekly nomination. What you see in the last few weeks of the year are players being nominated for the weekly award who don't really deserve it for the last game they played, just to make sure they are eligible for the annual award.