La Dee-vina Comedia

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.

So, if it pans out like this, as the higher ranked team we'll host our first final at the MCG, right?

They have cars they can use in the hub? Boy, that's asking for trouble.

What's that got to do with anything? I wonder how this conversation would have gone if it had been a St Kilda player kicking the "goal" and a Melbourne player touched it. (With added touch of irony that Petracca could have easily been that St Kilda player)

6. May 5. Petracca 4. Salem 3. Oliver (that last quarter! Wow...made up for a poor first half) 2. Langdon 1. Hibberd

The short turnaround time and the presumably humid weather in Cairns suggests to me the possiblity a couple of players will be managed. Given Goodwin was at great pains a few weeks ago to say that he saw no need for us to "manage" players, those that are outs will be either listed as "injured" or "omitted". Nevertheless, whatever label is given, I expect about 4 changes. Out: Hibberd (injured, and a genuine one), Pickett (omitted), Hannan (omitted), vandenBerg (omitted) In: Harmes, Fritsch, ANB, Hunt I suspect O Mac keeps his spot to allow Lever and May some more freedom. We are truly lucky that May can play on talls, smalls or as an intercept player. I also think Melksham played his best game for a few weeks, as did Jones (other than an obvious howler) so can't see them missing and Spargo did excellent defensive work. J Wagner had a horrible first quarter but turned it around and I think will get another game before Hibberd comes back for the second Cairns game.

St Kilda has two ruckmen. Maybe Preuss and Gawn will both play changing in the forward line. That would leave no room for McDonald hence his suggested omission.

And presumably it impacts on betting. For this reason alone, I expect normal service (ie, Thursday night teams' announcements) will be resumed next year, or, a least when we get back to a "normal" football season.

Maybe Harmes locked Fritsch in his room to free up a spot for himself

Most supporters are too young to have seen them and maybe those who were old enough are now in cognitive decline. So, in short, the answer to your question might be "everyone".

Who?

Goal kicking woes. His field kicking is otherwise elite. Long, low, quick and finding targets.

My comment about Jetta not playing again is based on my own view that he will accept a graceful retirement. What complicates matters for him and the club is the post-Covid (or, possibly, continuing Covid) world in 2021. We have been warned to expect cuts to playing lists and soft cap restrictions which will impact the club's ability to keep fringe players on lists and retired players in paid roles. Whatever happens, I hope Jetta's retirement, whenever it occurs, is handled with the grace it deserves. (And the same for Jones, too.)

My bad. In that case Harmes to the midfield and Rivers to the HBF would be my choice to replace Sparrow. I'm afraid I can't see Jetta playing again unless we're out of contention for finals and he's given a much deserved farewell game.