Jaded No More

I see what you're suggesting. But in my scenario nobody gets a replacement. You'd have to always carry a spare, like in the days of the sub, on the off chance of a red card.

I'll tell you one thing for sure, I'm going to get a few more grey hairs in the next 3 weeks. If we lose to Sydney I can't see us making finals, as it is the 'easiest' of the 3 games we have left. West Coast might be depleted, but the crowd and the umpires will get them the win, just as Port got the win over us.

Correct. Nobody gets to replace a player, not the team who lost a player to the injury (Freo), or the team that lost a player for offending (West Coast).

How so? The player who got hit is out, and the player who hit him, is also out. So each team is a player down.

No substitution. You [censored] up an opposition player, they are out for the game, you are out for the game. Then it's 17 a side, which is fair. My assumption that these red cards will only ever be activated when something extraordinary happens where a player is injured severely enough that there is no doubt they will not return to the field, like in yesterdays game. If someone gets a crude tackle and are getting assessed for concussion, that to me doesn't warrant a red card.

I totally agree with you, and like with anything else, the AFL will [censored] it up no doubt. The tackle on J.Smith is totally different, to someone being hit off the ball. It is an action within a game, and we see that sort of thing happen 100 times a game. If in post match the player is charged with rough conduct, that is a different matter that will need to be analysed by video evidence. I think generally it has to be used for any absolute acts of thuggery which will lead to a suspension beyond any reasonable doubt. So anything that happens off the ball that causes severe injury (not if someone gets a little tummy tap and drops like a sack of [censored] to draw a free), or anything that is done with absolute malice and not within the action of the game. And it should be judged and red cards awarded by the emergency umpire who should have in his/her disposal a monitor where they can view the incident in close up and then make a call. Usually when an incident like this takes place, severe injury occurs and the game stops. This will allow the emergency umpire to review the vision and decide if a red card is required.

He was. When he came to the bench you could see him pointing to it and they almost didn't want to take it out as it was obviously keeping the teeth in place. Makes me feel sick thinking about it!

This incident does raise for me the need for a red card system. It will rarely get used, but when something like this goes down, how is it fair that one team is down a player while the player who took him down is still able to run out the match? It would have made no difference to this actual game, but what if someone did that to Oliver in the first minutes of a GF? Would you want that player to keep playing while we were down one? There has to be some sort of system to deal with these unusually awful incident in game.

I agree, I don't think Gaff went out and thought "I'm gonna smash his jaw and break his teeth coz he's being a pest to me". I think he thought "you're an annoying [censored] I'm gonna hit ya a little because I'm having a brain fade moment and oh [censored] I just smashed you really hard and I am screwed". I feel for both of them, but bloody hell you look at poor Andrew and you just feel sick. To hear his mum was crying in the rooms just breaks your heart, when you think what Gus went through and that she has another kid in the army. I heard on radio this morning that she'd had to take on some counselling to help her deal with the Gus situation, and now this. FFS my heart really breaks for her! This will no doubt have long lasting ramifications on Gaff, his confident, his demeanour, the way he is perceived by the wider footy community, and no doubt his future and asking price. I would still welcome him to our club, but as stated previously, I would hope the club looks into the mental impact this will have on Gaff, on Gus (I'm sure he will be OK with it) and as a general look for our club. We were very hard on Bugg and he has barely played since (although he is a poor player which doesn't help), so how do we proceed should we get Gaff without looking hypocritical?

Look I have no love or attachment to this club. But every year talented players end up there and you just have to feel for them. They are on a hiding to nothing. It’s just not ok. They will get pick 2 and most likely 3 this year for Lynch (he’s a RFA right?). A better established club would try to trade at least one of those picks for a good player and leader. But no money will convince anyone half decent to go there. So back to the draft they go to get more kids, who will get no real leadership and end up going elsewhere in a few years time. I can’t see how they get out of this cycle.

He’s eating his feelings away.

Can we talk about Gold Coast for a minute. I feel very sorry for their players. Honestly can you blame a star like Lynch for leaving? They have no soul, no support, the AFL threw them in the league, gave them an Ablett who didn’t give a flying f about the club, and are leaving them to struggle. They are in trouble.

Look there is no doubt this isn’t a usual act for Gaff. I can’t even remember him being suspended recently. It was highly uncharacteristic. But that doesn’t make it right. He should get a nice long holiday. Brayshaw is having surgery. On a broken jaw and 4 displaced teeth. That’s not a light love tap. That’s a serious assault. Do I want Gaff hung for life? No. Should he come play for the Dees? Sure. Does he deserve 6 weeks? 100%!

That was pathetic from Gaff. Really really bad.

3 massive games coming up. Enjoy this week for a minute then move on. Finals are not a certainty and if we miss out it would be an absolute heartbreaker. Lets get it happening Dees!

He's our best leader and equal best clearance winner along with Oliver. You want to keep playing Tyson? He is a massive loss. We are a far better team when he plays.

Another year gone because of that foot. I know some of you are optimistic, but I worry this will ruin his career. His foot is clearly struggling under the pressure of being an endurance athlete. It's a massive worry!

He was excellent today.

I see where you’re going with this, but the chance of Nate leaving Melbourne for anything other than retirement is 0. Make that -100.

They’ve had the worst run of injuries. We train next door. Is there something in the ground that we are missing?

Soz Norf Great news. Never in doubt. Now only Omac left.

Would anyone here rather keep the cash and wait to see if we can get Kelly?

You dare not. For one, Gaff is a RFA. We don’t need to give West Coast jackshit for him. But I mean if you want to volunteer trading one of the best young forwards in the competition, I’m sure they’ll be all ears ?

I don’t think Gaff will leave West Coast and go to a crap team. He’s a good enough player to command good money and some success.

This times 100 Sadly will never happen. Club wouldn’t have the balls.