La Dee-vina Comedia

Does anything need to be cut? Can't clubs go over the soft cap and pay a "tax" as penalty to the AFL?

Tonight Brett Rosebury breaks the record for umpiring the most AFL games when he runs out for the 503rd time. I know it's not specifically a Melbourne Demons post, but without umpires, we don't have a game. Reading the article reminds me that for every new or changed rule that our players need to learn, so, too, do the umpires who we expect to get it right first time and every time. So, congratulations Brett Rosebury. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-04/afl-umpire-brett-rosebury-creates-history-with-most-games/102684112

The irony of this post is that you're the one being cynical. (That's not a criticism, by the way.)

I don't think that's necessarily correct. If they do it again before the end of the 2024 season, I believe they would be penalised for that breach specifically AND fined the suspended $50,000. In my view, they are very lucky this time not to have also been penalised 4 or 8 Premiership points, although also fully suspended until the end of 2024 or 2025.

As I see it, Sparrow comes in for Woewodin. The only other possible change that I can envisage is which of Smith, Tomlinson or Hibberd is in the starting 22 with one picked as the sub and the other missing out altogether. There are arguments for and against every option. Best guess: Tomlinson plays, Smith as sub, Hibberd unlucky and misses.

You've just written the bulk of Goodwin's motivational address for Sunday. Well done.

Excellent article in The Age today from Prof Peter Brukner about being a club doctor. He should know - he was ours for a while. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/why-would-you-be-an-afl-club-doctor-20230801-p5dsw0.html

Where's the evidence that Gawn is a "bit banged up"? can't see it myself.

I'm not sure I understand this point. Port didn't win any premiership points in this particular game. And if premiership points are to be a penalty for this type of offence, they should be deducted whether a team wins or loses.

I disagree. Each player will be in front of Clarkson for the first time in a long time and will be playing for their career. It's not about winning the game, but winning over the coach.

One of the problems I see with the "resting" scenario is if the replacement performs well. For example, if Hibberd comes in for McVee and Hibberd plays very well, what happens the next week? Does McVee come back? Who for? I'm concerned about the psychological damage that can be done to players who are told they are being rested who fear they may miss out on getting back in time for finals.

The actions of Port will, I suspect, lead to independent doctors being appointed to be present at every ground solely to monitor for concussions and to have power to remove players from the game. I also suspect the penalty will be something like a $150,000 fine plus the loss of 8 premiership points, with the points penalty being fully suspended. That will serve as a warning, not just for Port, but for every club. And rightly so.

Depends on context. Works well in this sentence: "We're the best, forget the rest".

Max Lynch retiring due to concussion. Concussion forces 24-year-old Lynch into premature retirement Good luck to the kid.

Why on earth would we want to rest anyone? The forward combination of Petty/van Rooyen/Melksham has worked. Just once. They need time to prove they are the real deal and the midfield combination has to be part of that work in progress. Of course, if better players are available they should be picked when available (ie, Oliver/Fristch/Sparrow for Harmes/Woewodin/Jordon, or whoever).

This thread is starting to get a tad nasty. Let's keep it positive. After all, we seem to be coming good at the right time

First time I've ever seen such a result.

I feel sorry for North. But losing Horne-Francis might not have happened if the club had been a properly functioning bottom-of-the ladder team rather than a hot mess. In addition, they didn't lose him for nothing (although I can't recall what they did get in return).

I, too, thought the umpiring was poor, but not in any way biased one way or the other. It's also worth mentioning that watching Dustin Martin (for the first three quarters) was a painful pleasure. His ability to dispose the ball to his team's advantage irrespective of the pressure he is under almost every time is quite incredible.

I truly do not understand the calls for Dunstan to be picked. He's another in a long line of great accumulators with poor disposal skills. Players like him look great at VFL level. We've had our fair share before with players like Magner, Valenti, McKenzie and Godfrey. All looked fantastic at VFL level but found wanting in the seniors. We shouldn't be "resting" players on game day. They can get plenty of rest during the week, if they need it. If they are injured or sore, that's different. The only changes I would make are to bring in Oliver and Sparrow if ready, probably for Woewodin and Harmes. I can't see a spot for Hibberd unless a defender is injured.

6. Gawn 5. Viney 4. Petty 3. Langdon 2. Neil-Bullen 1. Petracca Unlucky: Melksham and Rivers

Two defenders (or three if you count Petty), one small forward and no on-ballers. Interesting suggestions. Can't see it myself.

Can we please accept that Grundy will be picked every week between now and the end of the season either as part of the extended squad for Sunday games or as an emergency for Friday/Saturday games. We always need to have a back-up ruckman in the squad to replace Gawn should the unthinkable happen and Gawn has to pull out on game day. I assume Petty will replace Brown, although Smith might be wondering what more does he have to do as sub to take that spot. I hope Hibberd plays and Rivers is moved into the midfield to replace Sparrow. We know what Harmes is capable of in that role already. We don't really know if Rivers can do it or not. Now's the time to find out.

I appreciate that he has a job to do and Goodwin doesn't give journos much at the best of times. It's a sad product of our times that we collectively feel the need for news to be continually refreshed throughout the 24/7 news cycle.

Top work by Mitchell Keating. He provides no definitive information on three different players. All we get is "in the mix", "raring to go" and " a chance".