La Dee-vina Comedia

They got there a bit earlier than that. It's now 47.3%. It could, of course, get back over 50...or below 45 by the end of the year.

Let's forget the "travel for the players" as being an issue for two reasons. Firstly, every club outside Victoria travels more than any Victorian club having to travel almost every second week. Secondly, what did most players do over the bye? They got on a plane and travelled to the Gold Coast.

I just looked through this thread. Not one person gave Pickett votes (including me). Yet the The Age had him as one of the best five on the ground by including him (and Petracca) in their votes. Not sure about anyone else, but that certainly surprises me.

Do you mean more than other interstate trips? If so, in what way? For example, is it not a direct flight?

There is another possible reason why Collingwood doesn't play in Geelong. We all know the State government has been happy to fund the redevelopment of the stadium because it is in an area with a few marginal electorates. But has the government adequately funded the Police? With insufficient police numbers in Geelong, hosting a Collingwood game with its supporters is a much higher community risk than having the safer Melbourne supporters in town.

You're assuming, of course, that the extra home game would be played at the MCG. It could be scheduled at Marvel.

Was Petty moved forward to play defensively on Stewart or as a genuine attacking forward? And who did he replace?

6. Viney 5. Salem 4. Rivers 3. Petracca 2. Hunter 1. Langdon I felt like giving Stewart votes. He positioned brilliantly to allow us to pinpoint kicks to him with unerring accuracy.

How can someone with your name complain about the cold?

Some typos are better than others.

This museum, perhaps? (Warning: It's a genuine museum in Iceland, but careful who you open this link in front of)

It takes a special skill for the AFL to schedule a match in Geelong on the night of the winter solstice. Nevertheless, this story about a festival held during the northern hemisphere winter solstice includes a rather gruesome picture which looks a lot like a Demon demolishing a young Cat's supporter. Appropriate for tonight, I think.

And you can add that Geelong have done exceptionally well out of the father-son talent pool, too. Not just Hawkins, but also Ablett (x2) and Scarlett. And they've had others, too, who were not quite in the same stratospheric league, but nevertheless quite handy, such as Mark Blake. In terms of real success we've had Viney (and arguably Barassi), and that's it.

Have you been brainwashed by the AFL to believe that Friday is actually part of the weekend? I'll let out my inner curmudgeon and for the record repeat what I've previously said...I detest Thursday night football, whoever is playing. I know "detest" is a strong word, but its use here is considered and deliberate.

It's somewhat sadly ironic that it was his uncle* Frederick Nietszche that coined the expression (paraphrasing) "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger". I hope these setbacks make him stronger for whatever else he chooses to do in his life. *not really, the bit about being his uncle.

Not sure I want to see the mascot for your suggestion.

Everything about them was artificial, fake or pretend, including the supposed wealth of their owner. Koalas fitted right in.

The club has announced the passing of Premiership player Bernie Massey Vale Bernie Massey I'm sure I speak for all in extending condolences to his family.

The Bombers current logo is, apparently, the oldest in the AFL with all others having had some sort of change since Essendon last changed theirs in (I think) 1995. I doubt they're seeking my opinion, but if they intend to keep the nickname "Bombers" then they don't need to change their logo. It's actually very good as it is.

Quite right. I have admonished myself appropriately.

I also hope he's full recovered, but we need to remember that every concussion does not necessarily heal following a standard timeline. The 12 day compulsory time off is just a minimum figure. The clubs have a responsibility to make sure all players are given all the time they need to recover, however long it takes.

You've gone back about 30 years and suggested football was better then. I'd suggest that in the mid 80s and 90s, football watchers thought the game was better 30 years before that when there players like Ted Whitten, Bob Skilton, Ron Barassi, etc. In other words, the MAGA approach (Make AFL Great Again) is pretty much in the eye of the beholder. And one serious improvement over the 1980s and 1990s which shouldn't be ignored is the attempt to protect players' health and in particular their mental health.

The premise of the article is that a lack of top level AFL playing experience is a bad thing. But is it? I remain unconvinced that playing at the top level is somehow necessary for any role within the AFL. The only two positions where it might be helpful are the old Brad Scott role and the MRO. But I still don't think it is essential for either.

That's us, right?

The ability to make money by businesses in Adelaide is what the Gather Round is all about. It's why the SA government is prepared to pay the AFL a handsome premium. I don't begrudge the Adelaide businesses cashing in. I just don't like the concept in the first place. And a special note for the AFL. For 2024, is it too much to ask that every team play a team in Gather Round that they also play a duplicate match with? Surely it's not that hard.