La Dee-vina Comedia

I think this is an important distinction between then and now. There is a lot less to gain now than there was.

Do you think Hardwick, Scott and Beveridge are perpetual whingers for no specific reason, or are they calculated comments to generate a response, whether that is from the umpires, the AFL or their own players? For example, in Hardwick's case, I think he's speaking to his own players trying to develop an "us versus them" mentality. With Beveridge, I think it's a way of telling his players that he has their backs. Scott, on the other hand, is, I think, addressing the AFL hierarchy. In other words, I think all three use "whinging" as a deliberate tactic.

There is a difference, though. We didn't telegraph in advance that we might play players in unusual positions. Having stated in advance that they are willing or intending to do so, WCE has "informed the market" (including the betting market) of the possibility. Let me stress, though, that there are two different definitions of "tanking". One is when a team doesn't try its hardest on the day to win (or, worse, deliberately tries to lose). The other is when the team tries its hardest on the day to win, but it isn't the strongest team that could have been played from the available squad. Using that latter definition, we and the WCE are quite similar.

I'm not promoting it, but you could get a 20th team by locating a team in Canberra. Personally, I think 18 teams is a better number. The tough decision is not whether Tassie gets a team, but which current team is dissolved or relocated (or which two teams merge) to get to that point. And I admire the work of the OP, but an eight team finals series is already two teams too many.

The other form of staging which is less prevalent today was when players claimed to have touched a ball on its way through the goals. Video review technology, while imperfect, has probably stopped a lot of the more egregious claims. I wouldn't reduce the number of players on the ground to 16, but I would consider reducing interchange numbers drastically either by getting rid of interchange altogether and replacing it with player exchange (like the old 19th and 20th men), or limiting it to something like four per quarter (plus additional for blood rule and potential concussions), or reducing the number of players in interchange from four plus the sub to two. or some combination of these measures.

True. Just after I posted I realised I may have missed the sarcasm. And although I could have edited or deleted my post, I decided to let my naivete stand.

Macca, I agree. The point I was making is that the AFL has to manage the game's evolution to ensure it continues to be enjoyable and safe for the players. The mantra that the AFL should not make rule changes and "leave the game alone" just doesn't make any sense to me. If it were left to the coaches, they would ruin the game as a spectacle.

Fifty years ago Kevin Bartlett perfected bouncing the ball just before being tackled and received a free kick for being held every time. That wasn't staging, but was a clever use of the rules as they were in place at the time. There is no question that KB "played for frees". The then VFL changed the rule to make clear that a player bouncing the ball was considered to be in possession of the ball at all times. What we know from history is that players and coaches will always try to find ways to use the rules to their teams' advantage, that is, to play for frees. Playing for frees with the head high tackle rule is significantly more problematic, however, because of the potential for physical, long-term harm. We will never stop players and coaches using the rules to their teams' advantage. That's one of the reasons why the AFL is forced to make regular rule changes. Only a couple of weeks ago, the AFL changed the "protected space" rule to stop teams creating 50 metre penalty opportunities because teams with the ball had found a way to cause a defender to run accidentally into the protected area. It's easy to complain about the umpires, to complain about players who play for frees and to complain about the AFL changing rules (or the "interpretation" of a rule) but the reality is that the game is always evolving, and not always for the greater good.

I suspect the Captain prefers Casey. In fact, anyone who lives on the Mornington Peninsula may feel that way. It would be a significantly shorter trip for them than travelling to Gosch's.

Not sure that view is universally shared on Demonland.

Was there no player before Selwood who dropped at the knees and/or raised the arms to get a head-high free kick? He may be the most proficient, but I find it hard to believe that Selwood was the first. Having said that, I can't think of anyone.

Big compliment given to Demonstone here. As seen by daisycutter using an upper case letter. A very rare occurrence.

I've thoroughly enjoyed Picket Fence's work covering training for us out at Casey. I'm now hopeful some of our other trackwatchers can return to the fray at Gosch's. The more the merrier.

Charlie Spargo is another who will need to adapt his game. That is, assuming the umpires interpret the rule as indicated. That's not intended to be a criticism of the umpires. They are going to have to adapt, too.

For his own sake, I hope Beveridge ignored the WhatsApp group in late September 2021.

if nothing else, this one makes ME smile.

Why GWS? It's available. Also, there will be enormous career benefit to whoever coaches GWS (or Gold Coast or Freo) to their first ever Premiership.

I don't know if Melksham played a good or a bad game because I don't know what role he was given. However, I do know Pickett played his best game for the year (or his whole career) and, I think, B Brown either played his best game for the year or was close to it. Did Melksham's presence allow those two to play better? If so, surely Melksham stays in. if not, he's on very shaky ground. Similar sentiment for any other fringe player such as Bedford and Tomlinson. Nevertheless, if Oliver and Petty are ready, they must come back in. As to who goes out depends on who is surplus to requirements when those two return. I suspect it will be Tomlinson and Bedford. It's also worth remembering by the end of the week, there's a reasonable prospect of at least one unexpected "Health and Safety Protocol" omission which will upset all our predictions.

6. Oliver Pickett 5. Petracca 4. Langdon 3. Jordon 2. Viney 1. Brown

In my view, it's time Sparrow was given more midfield responsibility. Perhaps he'll be given more midfield minutes tomorrow. Initially I was surprised by Melksham's selection. Having thought about it a bit more, another marking target is what we need in the forward line, and I suspect Melksham is currently seen as a better and perhaps more flexible option than either Weideman or M Brown. It also may be to allow us not to have to push Petracca (and maybe Harmes) forward as much.

This is a terrific article which suggests the Barassi Line is moving northwards. The Barassi Line is a theoretical construct developed by Professor Ian Turner, historian and mad AFL supporter. (If I remember correctly, I think he supported Richmond). The Line separates the northern and eastern, rugby league supporting Australian jurisdictions from the southern and western ones. This article claims the line is moving northward. I'm sure the AFL will be pleased, although the article stops short of examining whether the cost has been worth it. Definitely worth a read if you like the bigger picture of AFL as a cultural phenomenon and/or as a business.

After a bit more research, Urban Duniam played one game for South Melbourne in 1950. He was in a losing team.

Fair enough, but I would suggest that there's a big difference between being second ruck at Casey and second ruck at AFL level for a player who has not played a senior game. I also think that strategically, the club would want to give van Rooyen (or any first gamer) the best chance of success by playing him in what they believe is his best position whenever he plays his first game.

There's been at least one. According to this extraordinary research there was a player with the first name of Urban who played one game in 1950. I haven't yet found Urban's surname or who he played with or whether there have been any other players whose first names started with U.

Weather Bureau forecast for Alice Springs on Sunday is a minimum overnight of zero followed by a sunny day with a maximum of 24 degrees. Should be a stunning day.