La Dee-vina Comedia

Really interesting to read through the votes this week. Very little love for defenders other than May, which makes me wonder whether that's because the forwards and the midfielders did their job or because, like umpires with Brownlow voting, we (me included) get seduced by the flashier players? Anyway, I know they're late, but here are my votes: 6. Oliver 5. Langdon 4. Brayshaw 3. May 2. Petracca 1. Hibberd Others in contention for that final vote included Salem, Weideman, VandenBerg and Viney. It's not like I voted alphabetically stopping at P. Salem's stats are somewhat inflated by the dead time kick-to-kick in the last few minutes of the game, but apart from that he provided excellent linking up between defence and the wing; Weideman provided a contest every time the ball got near and gave the midfielders someone to target; vandenBerg provided excellent pressure but again let his game down with some poor disposal and I just couldn't squeeze Viney in.

I'll measure Preuss's performance not so much by his stats, but by how influential Grundy is, or, preferably, is not. If Grundy's name doesn't appear in the coaches' votes, I'll be satisfied.

Given game times are about 20% shorter, he's not actually far off his average.

You need to think more positively. Forget the preseason...have him ready for the 2020 Grand Final!

Too complex for Collingwood players. I would have been concerned about I Spy, too, but being in Queensland means they can keep it simple by saying each time that it starts with XXXX.

I find I learn a lot on Demonland. I now know the meaning of "keeping one's width".

So, rather than my suggestion that "keeping his width" is a meaningless phrase, we now have two meanings for it.

4th option could be to ruck Tomlinson and bring in another defender. My expectation though, assuming Gawn is not available, is that it is either (1) Preuss if he's fit or (2) Mitch Brown to come in with Tom McDonald doing most of the ruckwork with occasional assistance from Weideman

I assume because it is what the TV broadcasters want. Frankly, I agree with them.

He's a Collingwood player. He's more likely to cheat than flunk it.

I accept that there's more check-in and wait time for a plane trip than a bus trip, but the trips to and from the airport are really short at both Maroochydore and Cairns.

Seems to me that the sports editor at The Age needed to keep a closer eye on what the reporters were writing, but depending on which story you read in today's edition, Pendlebury is both likely and not likely to play this week.

This is an excellent thread. This type of discussion is why I prefer Jobe Watson and Jimmy Bartel doing special comments on TV. They talk team tactics. Others, such as Matthew Richardson and Cameron Ling tend to discuss individual player efforts which I find somewhat unnecessary. Wayne Carey does a bit of both but because he's been out of the game for nearly 20 years, his tactical knowledge isn't as current as Watson and Bartel.

The phrase "keeping his width" is competing with "connection" for buzzword (or phrase) of the year. It's come out of nowhere and I suspect is meaningless.

I suspect you could also do a 10 picture grid just with Jeremy Howe marks in Melbourne colours. I've been watching football since the mid-60s. He is the best taker of marks I have ever seen, and not just speccies. While it sounds wrong, he has both the softest hands and the tightest grip, as well as the best leap.

It's about a two and a half hour flight from Maroochydore to Cairns with very little road transport time to and from each airport. The road trip from Maroochydore to Metricon is just over 2 hours. In other words, there's not much difference in time to travel to Cairns or the Gold Coast to play. Is it more comfortable for the players to be in a bus or a plane for 2+ hours? And does being in a pressurised plane cabin make a difference? I think a plane is more comfortable than a bus (others may disagree) and I don't know the answer to my last question.

It's official. We're playing two games in Cairns: JOINT STATEMENT Premier and Minister for Trade The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk Minister for State Development, Tourism and Innovation The Honourable Kate Jones Qld Government locks in deal to relocate AFL clubs to Cairns The Palaszczuk Government has locked in a deal with the AFL that will see two clubs relocate to Cairns for a three week period. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced the Fremantle Dockers and the Sydney Swans would temporarily relocate their players and staff to Cairns, in a move that will see a number games played at Cazaly stadium during rounds 15-18 of the AFL season. Matches will include both Fremantle and Sydney as well as a number of opponents flying into Cairns, including Melbourne who will themselves play two matches at Cazaly stadium during this period. The Premier said it’s good news for Cairns and the AFL. “We know the Cairns economy has been hit particularly hard by the global pandemic,” the Premier said. “Having two teams plus officials and support staff based in the city provides an obvious economic benefit. “I hope Queenslanders will travel to Cairns to see the teams play and that fans will enjoy seeing the game played in the Tropical North.” Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the deal inked this week would pump millions of dollars into the city’s economy. “This is a first for Cairns. We’ve never seen so many AFL Premiership games here in one season. The eyes of sports fans across Australia and around the world will be on Cairns. This is a huge boost for the local community,” Ms Jones said. “These teams have huge appeal in three of our most important domestic tourism markets. “Having the Dockers and Swans based in Cairns will provide vital publicity for the Far North in the weeks and months to come. “This exposure is vital when it comes to rebuilding our economy and supporting local jobs.” Member for Cairns Michael Healy said today’s announcement would provide a great boost for the region’s economy. “Having these teams relocate to Cairns for three weeks will pump millions of dollars into the local economy and support jobs,” he said. “Setting up Cairns as a hub for Australia’s sports teams will undoubtedly help us in our economic recovery efforts. “Cairns is one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit and is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. “The natural beauty of our region will be on show to thousands of footy fans across the country. “We want to ensure that as soon as these people are safe to travel, that they come to our region and spend money locally. Today’s announcement helps us to ensure Cairns remains top-of-mind for domestic tourists.” AFL General Manager of Clubs and Broadcasting Travis Auld said it was fantastic to return football to Cairns, as well as basing two clubs in the community for a period of time. “We are delighted to be again playing games at Cazaly’s and to have Fremantle and the Sydney Swans staying in Cairns which has such a passionate AFL support base,” he said. “We are really grateful to the support of the Queensland Government for their ongoing support of AFL and their support for ensuring our season has been able to continue as well as the wonderful support of Tourism and Events Queensland and Cairns Regional Council. “We are always excited to bring our games to the north of Queensland, and now for a period of time having teams in the community and contributing to the local economy.” Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the hub would be provide many benefits for the region. “To have these teams based here as part of a Queensland hub has of course immense economic benefits. “Players and club officials will be staying at our hotels and making the use of our facilities – all of which will provide a welcome boost for businesses and also lift community spirits. “It also gives our region increased exposure, not only reaching out to millions of viewers through television screens, but also through the first-hand experiences of these players, which I am sure they will take back home and share with family and friends and supporters back home. “Having the calibre of these sporting teams in our region is a rare opportunity. For youngsters, this will be an inspirational chance to see some of our country’s elite sportspeople in action, and I have no doubt it will entice new fans. “Cairns has an enduring relationship with Tourism and Events Queensland and we are absolutely thrilled to play a part in the spread of AFL teams and games across Queensland this season – especially the Tropical North. There is no better time in the year to be in Cairns and certainly there is no better place outside a metropolitan centre to play elite football.” Between 2011 and 2018 the Gold Coast Suns played one regular season game a year at Cazaly’s Stadium, facing off against the Tigers, the Bulldogs and the Kangaroos in that time. [ENDS]

Most of the time I read that we play a zone defence. If that's the case, why do I also read about individual defenders and their "direct opponents"? Do our defenders have direct oppponents? How can that be if we play a zone defence? It's all too confusing for me.

I think Harmes played mainly or even wholly in defence against North.

Are you sure you spelled that correctly? I thought it was a b, not a d.

I can just see him squinting through the window at AFL HQ and seeing red and black against a white wall and assumed it was Essendon and not St Kilda.

I've never heard this about Bate before, and the only place I've seen it said about Gysberts has been on Demonland. Is there any empirical evidence that either was lazy or is each just an urban myth repeated endlessly (in the case of Gysberts) on Demonland?

Matthew Bate

I'm torn about whether I want Collingwood to play finals. If they don't, Dunn will finish his career on 196 games plus whatever else he plays this year with no finals. Dunn is currently equal 7th on the list of "most games, no finals" and could end up as high as 5th. On balance, as we keep hearing the team is more important than the individual, I hope Collingwood doesn't play finals.

3rd best?