La Dee-vina Comedia

How much does not having a VFL/Reserves competition affect selection? At some stage, it would appear that any of the players who haven't played a game since last year because of injury will have to be played without the common opportunity for some match practice via a VFL game. Under normal circumstances, from the club's language it would seem that Bennell would be an automatic VFL selection this week, although perhaps on limited minutes. However, because that competition doesn't exist, does that mean the club would, or should, take a risk and play him straight away?

This should have been the norm ever since they had three umpires on the ground and an emergency umpire. It should improve the overall standard of umpiring because it creates more opportunities for umpires to be on the field actively umpiring top level games thereby improving those individual's ability to umpire to a higher standard. It should also make umpiring a more attractive option than it is now. After all, who wants to be the umpiring equivalent of cricket's 12th man?

I might be shouted down, but what about auctioning tickets to the highest bidders? I don't usually support inequity like this, but the clubs need money more than usual and perhaps following a more mercenary route might be acceptable under current circumstances. I hasten to add I would not support such a strategy in more normal times.

No disrespect intended, but none of the above (or Koladjashnij) would necessarily be picked anyway. VandenBerg would be the closest of that group to getting a regular game, but he's been out so long, I don't know where he stands anymore.

Jamie Bennell. His DNA means he's a lot like Harley. For a more serious answer, if you mean someone who comes with such exciting expectations, I would say Jim Tilbrook (although he didn't fulfil them); if you mean someone with freakish skills, I'd say Liam Jurrah; if you mean someone with a story of such redemption, I can't think of anyone.

I'm in two minds about the best way these match sims should work. Should it be the best 22 versus the rest or should the best 6 forwards play on the best six backs leaving the other end of the ground to be made up with the "next best" 6 forwards versus the "next best" 6 defenders? Perhaps the switching of players was more about trying both options. PS: This is the best thread on Demonland since the end of March. Through no fault of any of our dedicated posters, there has been a dearth of valuable content from then up until now. Another sign that the (footy) world is returning to some sort of normalcy.

You would assume that only teams that haven't already played one of the WA teams would go to Perth should a hub be established there. Of course, I'm assuming rational thought at AFL HQ. To be fair, I think Gil and his (shrunken) team have been quite rational and reasoned in the way they have approached the challenges of this particular year.

I think you've identified the real problem. Mt Rushmore is just not suitable. We need something that allows greater representation. Something that would enable many more MFC luminaries to be chosen. Something like the Terracotta Warriors. Mind you, a funerary tomb might send the wrong message.

I wouldn't mind someone explaining what this actually means. My initial interpretation is that the AFL appears to be administering the club's relationship with its members. I'm not sure that's a good idea, although perhaps it's one way to reduce the club's costs.

Maybe they've installed solar panels and a suitable battery as part of one of their many upgrades which would mke the power free. (And if they haven't, why not? Grandstands have lots of suitable real estate to instal solar panels.)

Quick question: Is the nickname "Lord Nev" a Demonland original or does it come from somewhere else?

Depends on the distance. If it's 40+ metres out, Melksham; if it's less than 40 metres, Salem.

Spot the difference

Four Cordners. (Sounds like a TV show with a head cold.)

He might have meant Albus Dumbledore, although it's a bit pretentious calling him Al. Spoiler alert for those who are only part-way through the Harry Potter series: I don't believe that a wizard as comprehensively talented as Dumbledore doesn't have some spell which allows reincarnation.

Can you imagine a list management decision being over-rode by a commercial decision so Oscar McDonald with his longer legs offering more advertising space is retained while Jack Viney is let go because his shorter legs offer less value?

Hard to take Mark Stevens' second tweet seriously. If the Bulldogs think "FFC" is so important, why did they change their name in the first place? In fact, why don't they change their name back to Footscray and dump the bland, meaningless "Western Bulldogs" altogether?

Maybe we could get a weapons guidance system supplier as a sponsor and somehow make use of their product for the same purpose.

I'm pretty sure I heard yesterday that an overseas sporting club is offering supporters the chance for them to have their lifesize image on a cardboard cutout at that club's games. There was a fee ($32, I think) with the money going to charity. Would you pay $32 for a lifesize picture of yourself at the game with the money going either to the club itself or a charity?

It would be interesting to know what you and our Demonland colleagues think the "within reason" limits are. Tobacco and poker machines are banned by law, so it can't be that. But which of the following would be acceptable and which unacceptable? Companies or organisations promoting: alcohol guns sex (such as Sexyland) betting/casinos etc coal mining political parties governments (we already have NT and Hawthorn has Tassie. But would China be acceptable?) religion tattoo parlors pharmaceutical products what else might be unacceptable, particularly in this more difficult climate?

Temporary measures have a habit of becoming permanent. Nevertheless, I'd take the money and run, whether it becomes permanent or not. Would I rather not have it? All things being equal, yes. But the world has changed and the economics of professional sport have to change with it. Added comment: We also have to consider the alternatives. If the choice is between this type of jumper sponsorship being allowed or membership and entry fees being increased, I'll take the uglier jumper, thanks. Not because of my personal circumstance, but because any increase is likely to reduce match day attendances and total membership numbers.

Twitter should start putting warnings on Herald Sun journalist tweets like it did yesterday on President Trump's.

I'll just assume Gawn, Salem and Viney lost some bets during lockdown and modified their hair (in Viney's case, facial hair) as punishment.

We might also need to undertake some welfare checks to ensure Saty, DeeSpencer, George on the Outer and all the others on whom we depend are OK.

I'm pretty sure Whitten Oval is open to the public. It was part of the deal whereby the State and Federal Governments agreed to provide funding. Other parts of that deal included providing space for Victoria University, a childcare centre and removing pokies from the old grandstand.