La Dee-vina Comedia

Demonland is very educational. I didn't know before today that Superman did his own laundry.

I suspect the recent appointment you're referring to might be Chris Langford who was asked to return to the Commission after Linda Dessau resigned to become Governor of Victoria. I think Fitzpatrick's argument was something along the lines of "stability". I'm not sure I understand what you mean when you say on the one hand the process is "casual and not written into any AFL processes" and then follow up by saying that Fitzpatrick ignores the process. Nevertheless, I'm still interested in the mechanics of the appointment process. Clearly it's a significant issue as Commissioners have overall responsibility for the competition.

That's more interesting (and pleasing) to me than the main point you've made (which is also interesting and pleasing).

Where's the evidence that he "arbitrarily appoints Commissioners"? I thought the appointment process required each of the AFL clubs (or maybe a majority of some sort?) to approve each Commissioner appointment.

A lot of players take time to reach their true potential. Players like Bryce Gibbs, Tom Hawkins and even Gary Ablett Jr all started very slowly before reaching the optimal level. However, the business that is AFL doesn't give every player the time required. However, I doubt these players were just "lucky" to be given the time they needed. I imagine they've all worked hard and gave their respective clubs a reason to keep persisting. Like the others, I suspect Jack Watts has worked hard to get where he is. I hope he realises he will continue to have to work hard for the rest of his career. At his best, he is an unbelievably polished performer.

Watch the full replay at work

I have also heard this claimed...but don't believe it.

What do you mean by "an independent AFL Commission"? Do you mean independent of other business interests or independent of connection to AFL clubs? I agree with the former but doubt that the latter is either achievable or desirable. My preference would be an AFL Commission with a mix of people with and without AFL connections (when I say "connections" I mean either as a former player of administrator). With regard to the tenure of Gill McLachlan, I don't believe he's had long enough in the top job to be able to determine whether or not he's a good choice.

Why do we make Demonland's job so hard? Surely by including on the banner historical Demons, we have a banner for eternity. You can see from this list that there are plenty to choose from. My favourites, because of their names are Compton and Neitz (did I spell that correctly?) And Geelong can have Schrodinger's cat. PS: I was rather taken with James' Demon because of the concept of a novice playing experience. But I understood the explanation as much as I understand our gameplan and gave up.

I'll guess it's tied up with the salary cap, or more correctly, total player payments.

I noticed last Saturday that at one of the breaks (ie, quarter or three quarter time) Stafford was up and talking to Gawn before the players had even fully congregated for the break. It wasn't an animated discussion. Stafford was just calmly speaking to Gawn to make whatever point(s) he wanted to make. It only took a moment and Gawn then joined the rest of the group.

That's a lot of hitouts and tackles across both teams. I suspect that's a pretty good indicator of the type of game it must have been.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but Harmes is our sixth debutant this year (Hogan, Brayshaw, vandenBurg, Stretch, Neal-Bullen, Harmes). In addition, there have been four players new to the club who have played this year (Lumumba, Frost, Garlett, Newton). Apart from 1858, have we ever had six players debut in a season before?

I agree with you...I doubt it will happen. If we only made one change after a bad loss, unless there are injuries, I can't see why there would be three changes after a good win.

I think you've missed the point. Channel 7 doesn't want 2.10 Saturday games. That's why there are so few of them. The public complains about the non-traditional timeslots...and then don't turn up when a game with two Victorian teams is played at the MCG in the 2.10 pm Saturday slot.

Would it be harder to teach Casboult to kick or Dawes to hold his marks?

Against Collingwood Dawes played the best game I can remember him playing all year. However, that's a sad indictment on what he's offered the rest of the year. In the St Kilda game he was getting the ball and butchering it with his disposal. Against Collingwood it was a much more rounded performance. He was even holding (some of) his marks. If he's a "confidence" player (and I'm not even sure I subscribe to the idea that some players perform better or worse depending on their confidence levels) then perhaps he will continue to improve. There are three other aspects of his game which provide value beyond his primary role. First, he provides a foil for Jesse Hogan by running defenders away from Hogan; secondly, in my opinion his assistance to Gawn is now at a better level than Pedersen in pure rucking terms; thirdly, he provides a big body, something we are still deficient in overall.

Indeed. But it doesn't change the facts. However, because it was a Collingwood home game, I'm quite happy to blame them for the poor attendance.

Irrespective of the circumstances and the fact that it was a Collingwood home game, that attendance is a major disappointment given the AFL gave the game a traditional 2.10 pm Saturday timeslot. Supporters of both clubs just played into the hands of the AFL and particularly Channel 7 who we know prefer timeslots which fit in with their schedule. Can't blame the AFL for giving Channel 7 what they want when supporters don't turn up to what's meant to be the premium daytime slot.

Demonland uses the same accountants as Bronwyn Bishop

Just checked and it was indeed 1 August 2015 yesterday. Now, is everyone else going to do what they said they'd do?

Can we play against North Melbourne without proper back up for Gawn? Probably not...but I suspect that's what will happen. What I would do: In: Jamar Out: Michie What I expect will happen: In: Salem Out: Michie

6. Vince 5. Dunn 4. Watts 3. Gawn 2. Hogan 1. Howe

Goodes threads are Hydra-like. Chop off one and another two replace it.

Doesn't take much to go from "Goodes" to "Go dees", does it?