La Dee-vina Comedia

I agree with the opening line. I'm afraid, though, that I don't think Smith is a forward. Or a defender. I think he's an experiment that was worth trying because of its high upside, but I don't think he will ever make it to the standard necessary anywhere on the ground.

I agree with this (the bolded bit). I remain unconvinced about Smith, though. He isn't doing enough at the moment to justify his spot, but on the other hand, he hasn't had much continuity. With Richmond having two genuine tall forwards, I think he should play again this week to assist May and Lever. However, if he doesn't justify his spot this weekend, I fear the experiment should come to an end, at least for now.

Given in two of Richmond's last three games they only scored five goals, that will be enough, thanks.

I haven't seen Richmond play since the re-start. Are they just out of form, hit by injuries or on a rapid decline after a few years of success? Or all of the above?

I don't disagree. It's just that I want him to settle in the forward line. The combination of time on the ball rucking plus time off the ground resting (to allow him to go on the ball) means he doesn't have enough consistent time in the forward line.

Unless Weideman's training and scratch match performances make him impossible to overlook, I'd prefer to play Jackson, too, but just as a tall forward. I thought Tomlinson was more than handy in the Gawn support role. And if Weideman plays, I would also leave him in the forward line all game.

Would you say that if we were on top of the ladder?

OD, the whinging I was concerned about was the number of compaints about the switch from playing Sydney to Richmond and suggestions that we are somehow not only worse off but somehow being screwed in the process. You have my agreement on the issues of game performance

This. I saw a bit of the Essendon game on Ssaturday night and I am amazed how similar both our teams played. Is it really possible that missing one game when everyone else has played, particularly only one game into the re-started season, can make that much difference? To answer my own question...I doubt it. But 12 changes, or whatever it was, over two rounds might.

I can't believe the amount of whinging going on in this thread. (And I guess my opening sentence just contributed to it.) We know it's a difficult season, but why does this change make any difference at all? Subject to the possibility that the AFL can't complete its 17 round roster for reasons entitely outside its control, we know we're going to play everyone else and I can't see how the order in which we play matters in the slightest. If anything, we are slightly advantaged because we don't have to travel and we meet Richmond when they are out of form. (Does anyone believe Richmond will remain bad all year? If not, isn't it better to get them now?) I suspect there will now be a bye somewhere to enable some teams to get a 14 day break which it looks like they will have to have when they relocate and we'll play Essendon in prime time on that weekend.

I see what others have said Goodwin said about the forward line but I'm convinced we need another tall forward. I'd rather it be Weideman or Jackson. (I would still have Tomlinson as the back-up ruckman, though). I know others feel Melksham is on thin ice, but I saw things differently yesterday. He's really being asked to do too much without a second KPF in the side. vandenBurg would be the one that goes out. I also think Bennell should come in for Hunt's position. I wouldn't drop Hunt but move him to the backline to replace Smith. I've never been convinced that Hunt's a forward and while I'm not yet ready to write Smith off, I just don't think he's needed against Sydney at the SCG. I'd rather see Hunt play on Heeney than any of our other defenders. That said, I see zero chance of my suggestions being adopted.

Did I watch the wrong game yesterday? Usually Joeboy's analysis is fairly similar to mine. Sure, there are some differences, but it looks to me like we watched two completely different performances yesterday.

6. Gawn 5. Viney 4.Oliver 3. Tomlinson 2. Hibberd 1. (Struggling here)...Brayshaw

I'm in a wonderful frame of mind. I'm imagining us winning by 5 goals which will have us in the eight by the end of the round with a game in hand. Of course, within the hour I may have had my happy thoughts disposed with.

So now we know that you are sexist and racist. Good to know. I disagree with something Hardtack said earlier. He said you have a choice not to read this thread. I disagree because I wish you would keep reading so you might understand why people disagree with you so vehemently. Perhaps it's a forlorn hope, but maybe one day you'll understand.

Isn't there a risk that the best coaches might choose to avoid any club that includes that in a contract? If that were to be the case, we might end up with an inferior coach.

More corroboration of Heretier's version of events https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/06/26/former-magpie-backs-up-lumumbas-racism-allegations/

Obviously. I must be missing something in what you say.

From Wikipedia: In Canada and Greenland, the term "Eskimo" is predominantly seen as offensive or "non-preferred", and has been widely replaced by the term "Inuit" or terms specific to a particular group or community.

Not sure what you actually mean by this line. But it's not easy for anyone who is the subject of these sort of attacks to "just get over it and move on". And nor should they have to. If you go back in history (and not that far), that was a common attitude to rape in many societies.

I understand what you're saying but just because it's only 1% (or whatever the figure might be) doesn't make it any less hurtful for those who are the victims of such abuse whether it's targetting race, religion, gender, disability, sexuality or anything else.

Some clever work here. Tipping the author isn't from Victoria:

Look at the emoji posted by someone under the name of Jaydeen238

Not sure I agree. Injury changes are a two-way street. Hannan and vandenBerg coming into the side are because they've recovered from injury and someone has to make way.

If I hadn't read through to your last paragraph I was going to contact the Police and report a case of identity theft.