La Dee-vina Comedia

The most disappointing part of the post-game media coverage has been a distinct lack of use of the word "Colliwobbles". This is the type of result the word was invented for.

Why do Collingwood supporters walk to matches? Because they know they will be driving home.

With all the talk of potential rule changes, the one that I've not seen discussed much is a further reduction in interchange rotations. Should that happen (and I still think it will), it will discourage clubs from giving their key position players and ruckmen time on the bench so as to reserve the quota for the hard running players. That would mean resting a ruckman in the forward line might return. That, in turn, means developing ruckman as true forwards so instead of spending about 5 minutes off the ball in each quarter on the bench (as Gawn did this year) they would spend more like 10 minutes off the ball but in the forward line instead. Under this scenario I can see why we might want Preuss and why Preuss might come to us. In essence, everything old would be new again perhaps best described in this thread as "Remembrance of Things Past".

Not a year of notable retirees. Cyril is the standout superstar and Brendon Goddard (if he retires) was also a star. But the next best are good, but hardly greats of the game, such as Waite, Vince and arguably Tippett.

I think his correct name is Gillon McGillonface

Mick McGuane has stacked it on a bit.

But she is opinionated and a podcast would give her the opportunity to explain why she holds the opinions that she does. While I don't always agree with her (and I find her inability to ever admit she's wrong to be both irritating and entertaining at the same time), she has formed her views from 50 or so years of very close association with football people, particularly those that could be described as "back-of-house".

Actually, I think Caro on a Demonland podcast would be a great idea. Seriously. There is insufficient longform journalism these days. A Demonland podcast would give her the opportunity to provide a serious assessment of the Demons.

Congratulations, Jaded. I like your direct, yet subtle, matter-of-fact announcement.

If it's true Preuss wants to come to Melbourne, he's taking the alternative option to Kent...come to a successful club but possibly not play too many games in the seniors. I'm not sure that's a wise plan for him (but good for us).

While money and length of contract might have something to do with it, surely any footballer wants to play football at the top level. Going to St Kilda gives him a much better chance of playing consistently in the seniors than staying with us or going to another strong team. I see this as a sensible move by him and I hope we can facilitate it for him. I have found him to be a frustrating footballer. Has shown some excellent cameos but too often has also "gone missing" for extended periods. He's also held back by his inability to kick on his right foot.

The issues you've mentioned are all important and raise questions of equity but not integrity. But I agree that the equity issues are more significant than this particular integrity issue.

I'll take a guess and assume you believe fewer of the younger generation of males are as circumspect as we baby boomers.

Last night on Footy Classified, Caroline Wilson pointed out that Aaron Francis' excellent mark in Round 23 wasn't properly considered for the Mark of the Year award because the judges were given the "full" list of contenders after Round 22. It's beyond belief that the AFL can't get its act together and manage the MOTY process after all the Home and Away games have been completed. What's the rush to have it resolved before the end of the season? The winner doesn't get announced until Grand Final Week, which allows plenty of time for a decision to be made. I assume there is betting conducted on the MOTY. In which case, should people who bet on Aaron Francis' mark be entitled to a refund? Should the AFL have to face scrutiny from the gaming regulator for not having managed this betting opportunity with appropriate integrity? I'm not saying that Francis mark was necessarily better than Isaac Heeny's. But it definitely was good enough to be considered. (I couldn't see this discussed anywhere else, but if I'm wrong, please merge with the appropriate thread.)

While I agree with your point, she's no longer the chief football writer at The Age. She retired from that role before the 2018 season began and now does some podcasts and other things for Fairfax (including appearing on Footy Classified, now that Fairfax and Nine have joined forces). Jake Niall is now their chief football writer. Even though Caro is no longer the chief, your point is still 100% correct. She remains a very influential figure within the football media.

It was being reported last week that this was what his manager wanted to arrange. But did it actually happen?

Plenty of great players don't get Brownlow votes. For example, Neville Jetta has never received a Brownlow vote.

The top three teams to win Brownlow medals are Sydney with 14 medals, Western Bulldogs (10) and St Kilda (10). They've won 5, 2 and 1 premierships respectively.

A few observations: that Brayshaw wasn't invited adds credibility to the whole thing. It shows that no-one, not even the AFL, knew what was in the umpires' minds or envelopes Brayshaw polling more than Oliver suggests two things. He kicks the ball more than Oliver, so perhaps umpires value that form of disposal more than handpassing. As it generally equates to more metres gained, that's understandable, even though it's often the first handpass that sets that train in motion. Secondly, Oliver has a habit of arguing with umpires when he gives away a free kick or doesn't receive what he believes he's earned. I suspect umpires don't respond well to that implied criticism that Oliver and Brayshaw polled as well as they did is partly because of the work of Gawn. That's probably why the coaches rewarded Max more than the umpires did it was great that Brayshaw, Gawn and Oliver polled as well as they did. I was somewhat surprised, however, that the next best only polled seven votes. Some of our other players still need to lift. (On the other hand, our 15 players polled 93 votes, which was second overall - perhaps I'm expecting too much) I'm amazed how much criticism is in this thread for Patrick Cripps. He got votes because he earned them. Given how appalling Carlton was all year, he deserves some sort of award for being so good in such an awful team I'm sure all the nominees for the Jim Stynes Award have done great things, but I was certainly pleased to see Jetta rewarded Channel 7 as usual forgot that there were viewers interested in how their team went. Not once did the broadcast provide an update showing votes for each team. Overall, I would give the broadcast a C minus. Too much nonsense when there were plenty of opportunities for proper analysis

There's a strong hint in today's Age newspaper that he will take up a role within the club although it doesn't say in what capacity.

Fun fact (if it's true)... Max Laughton‏Verified account @maxlaughton FollowFollow @maxlaughton More Every team that has drafted a Rioli has won the #AFLGF within 3 years. 1990: Hawks draft Willie Sr. Win ‘91 flag. 1998: Dons (rookie) draft Dean. Win ‘00 flag. 2007: Hawks draft Cyril. Win ‘08 flag. 2015: Tigers draft Daniel. Win ‘17 flag. 2016: Eagles draft Willie. ‘18 flag? 2:28 PM - 23 Sep 2018

What about now? To be serious, if I was a fringe player I'd be considering my options. Would I want to stay at a club which seems as close as anyone to winning a flag over the next few years but with whom I might not get more than a game or two? Or would I want to go to a team that's not as strong but at least I would get to play regularly? And that ignores the question of money, who might be able to pay more and length of contract. If I were Hunt, Bugg, Kent, Wagner and another club offered me good money for a three year deal, I'd have to seriously consider the offer. It might be more enjoyable to play seniors regularly at a middle-ranked club than play in the seconds for a top four club.

What is the "Next Generation Academy" and what does this "eligibility" mean? Does it mean that if we want him, we can just add him to our list? Or is it more like the father-son rules where we can nominate him but it comes at a cost?

He's already had the longest first year for any Demon since at least 2006. That's a fine start to what will hopefully be a long and illustrious career. And for what it's worth, I think in the last couple of weeks he has looked like the long season has finally caught up with him.

I' ts not just tatts that give people reasons to regret nohing. But at least this one's fixable