La Dee-vina Comedia

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.

The most interesting decision for me is who replaces Sparrow. A look at the list of choices shows that we don't really have obvious midfield replacements. To my mind the options for Sparrow's role are Jordon, Harmes, Salem, Jones or, at a stretch, C Wagner or Dunkley. No-one else who's on the list would seem suitable. I can't see Salem being moved into that role and I think neither C Wagner or Dunkley are under any consideration whatsoever. I also think it's been accepted by the footy department that Jones is no longer able to meet the requirements of playing midfield (and may not be fit to play anyway). So, does that mean Jordon gets his chance? Or does Harmes move to the midfield and Rivers, Smith or Jetta take his spot in defence? I'd like to see what Jordon's got to offer. Other than that, I expect Gawn will replace Preuss and if Jones is fit, he'll replace Hannan. If Jones isn't fit, I could see Hunt or Bedford replacing Hannan anyway. While Spargo had a poor game last week, I'd give him another chance. But he must know - whether he's told it or not - that he's on thin ice.

No matter. On Demonland I often think I'm reading posts that seem to be on the wrong thread. Others seem to be from a different generation or even an alternative universe.

Do you mean a review of the Football Department, for which he would seem very well qualified, or the whole club (ie, including org structure, finances, commercial, membership, etc)? I'm not sure he's got the skills for the latter. I would prefer any independent review (and there should be one every year), look at the club holistically, in which case I doubt Balme is the right person for the job. He could, of course, undertake the Football Department piece of a bigger whole under the overall control (or supervision) of whoever undertakes the larger review.

Where ary you DJ? Asking for a friend. If it's more than 5 km from where I live I can't get there right now.

Good get. Keenan (with the fabulous full name of Peter Patrick Pius Paul Keenan) played for Melbourne in 1970-75 and then again in 1981-82. Big Carl's last year with us was 1980. Has there been anyone since?

October 24 is also only one week before the Queensland State election. I expect the Qld Premier to do everything possible to get the Grand Final to enhance her credentials as a "major event" securer which will be fresh in the voters' memories before they even know what the Qld offered by way of financial and other benefits. Keep in mind, too, that the Vic Government still has a say in the location through its agreement with the AFL. I wonder whether it might have a preference for one of WA or Qld? It has already been reported that the Vic Government has indicated to the AFL it will not countenance the Grand Final being held in NSW for fear of that State usurping Victoria as the "major events" capital of Australia.

If we were already certainties to play finals or had no chance of playing finals, we would win 4 out of the next 5. But because each game still has meaning, our psychological weakness means we won't win the number of games we need.

Could we make a statement by building a floating gym and admin offices on the Yarra just near Gosch's paddock? It would be just like the new Apple store in Singapore. [I know it will never happen.]