Demon Dynasty

Not the daughter stuie... possibly the Dr. though. Or someone close to him who is still involved at some official level. Maybe his bro Mark, who as you probably know already, was on the board at one point. Helped get the merger up and seem to recall he and turfy also backed the Szondy ticket that overthrew Diamond Joe. Not saying there's any truth to the FB stuff though. Possibly a red herring but also wouldn't surprise me if a trade was on the table or being mooted.

The fact that he can take a contested mark and kick the odd goal always helps when playing up forward. I would make the swap if he (Dawes) is staying on...Dawes to CHB. Most likely more effective at spoiling from behind and running straight lines off his opponent.

Agree Rod. even better if the recipient wasn't Essendrug

I seem to recall the last time we moved on a respected Captain of the club before his time it apparently didn't go down so well amongst the playing group and the whole club SWYL. Not sure it would be a wise move to repeat that episode

DD when/if we have blokes who start doing this to the Hawks/Freeo/Swans etc then I will probably join you

I think Dunn is a better foil/decoy than Dawes up forward Chook until we can find alternatives. Can kick the ball a mile and take a good contested mark. 2 very required traits when playing a high half forward role. Especially when trying to hit Hogan one out as often as possible from outside 50. Some players can play the role ok but dont have the boot to get it to the top of the goal square quickly from well outside 50. Has a huge tank as well and rarely loses his feet now. Strong over the contest. Bit of a plodder and not sure he knows where to lead/patterns etc as well as Dawes might (in a decoy high HF role anyway). No reason why he couodnt learn and improve on this aspect though. Can also find the goals on occasions, even from 55 or so, which is handy. Having this asset ensures his opponent will respect him on the lead and not drop off early trying to fill the hole behind. In theory this allows Hogan/Jeffy more space to run into on the lead.

Chook we sometimes win when least expected to... But even that's rare nowadays

How did Casey even make the finals? Another good reason to look elsewhere to an affiliate (Port Melbourne?) or get our own reserves team. They don't play a brand that resembles anything like VFL level let alone AFL. Playing on at the wrong moments, kicking mostly up and under kicks, selling players into trouble with handballs, kicking into man on mark, kicking mostly down the line (up and under into the wind!) when under no real pressure etc etc. Old style footy from the 80s. Even many AFL players from that era would have got those basics right by the time they hit the big league. Terrible terrible skills and decision making and no footy smarts.

Lol...you see things differently to me BBO! Have you thought about taking up poetry?

.."Tho' I've belted you and flayed you, By the livin' gawd that made you, You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din!". I'm not sure Red will agree with you if GWS' performance today is in anyway reflective of the first part of Rudyard's poem BBO

What makes you think OD wasn't in last nights episode bj

CBD im not sure being named as "emergency" at the MFC is something i would br crowing about right now. I've seen the likes of Bail/N Jones and many other NQRs on there as well over the last few years.I hope we win today but my head says GWS by 80 plus. I might need to have some of whatever you"re having for breakfast

Dropped himself as his end of season trip away started on Monday. A few weeks later than most

That presser was almost as farcical as the staged match. There was only one mention of "resting" by any of the media throng and even that question was soft as butter and almost apologetic as if he needed a nod of approval from Scott to ask it lol Not only that Chook, he also stated " i dont know who's made the accusations that we are throwing this match but they should be made to apologise". So if sooky Scott doesn't know who made such statements how does he even know what was supposedly said lol. Almost as if he was pre empting any further accusations and attempting to muzzle the media into not making them or even worse, merely discussing it. This was one arrogant man but he has the backing of the AFL so nothing to fear by lambasting everyone.... even the unknown knowns!

I have my doubts the AFL will set any hard and fast rule on this Nrc. Past history points more towards complee ambiguity in order that they (the AFL) can manage the competition/fixture/finals draw in the best way they think in order to maximise income. If they were serious about a level playing field then yes something along the lines of what you suggested would seem logical to many.... OR ... Each club who is certain of a finals appearance as of Rnd 23 must name their "finals squad" of say 26/28 which allows for 4 to 6 subs in case of injury/suspension in the final round. Of the 4 to 6 rested players (if they are rested) from Rnd 23, they must start on the bench for say the first 10 min of the first final before being included in rotations. Therefore there's an incentive to rest fewer players in order to avoid restricted rotations within say the first 10 min (or 15) of the first final only.

Greed is good it seems nrc when it comes to the AFL. With the exception of maybe 8th position, thd top 7 is usually decided by about then so the extra 5/6 rounds are just a waste other than the extra coin the AFL extracts from Fox etc. The quality of the finals would possibly be better if the series commenced at that point as well. Less chance of injury to some of the greats/better players/champions. Length of the season is always a sticking point with coaches as well as to why they find it necessary to rest/protect some of the older vets in past seasons. Resting "a few vets" has now turned into the club resting half the team, with the AFL's blessing. This comp stumbles over one steaming cow pad to another as each season progresses and, other than the fans voting with their feet/remotes, there seems to be no accountability possie in sight to reign in the "Outlaw AFL"

There's more than one way to skin a cat Dr. This is just a more acceptable way of making sure you lose the match or tank. Call it whatever you like the "Club" in this instance has decided to throw the match using the selection table to ensure they do so. Every club does rest and has the option to rest a few older/less than 90% NQR older vets etc just before a finals series but to deliberately rest so many is ensuring a particular result on match day, regardless of how much the coach/players might be routing for the win with effectively a 2nds team

Vagg you are conveniently ignoring the fact that by doing so, Norf effectively have ALSO ensured they lose this match which gives them the best chance they have of playing thier first final in Melb. The luxury of resting a core group of players may well have been earned by their wins throughout the year but that doesn't mean they aren't tanking this match. If they needed the win to ensure they didnt go interstate I can assure you there would be no "resting of players" happening this round for Norf. The AFL has effectively said it is ok to Tank before a finals match to potentially gain an advantage in the finals...but not ok if you're doing so to gain a potential 1st round (or other) pick. I agree with WYL. The AFL commission should be forced to resign en mass.

You mean there's going to be a contest?

Song stop hacking the footy departments' training videos pls

Given the players dont usually arrive till the 3rd quarter, well after the match is over, I'm not sure the players/club would even notice a "first half" protest!

Certainly having a great crack this year. A fairly youngish midfield though and doesn't bat as deep as some of the other mid fields. Should go deep but might be another prelim exit. Still I would happily take that as a Doggies fan given where they've come from last season (and the off season turmoil).

Yep. Cross one of the worst offenders at that stupid sidestep putting himself and often others under pressure when there was no need. Often in the worst parts of the ground down back as well. Started the season off ok but his game slowly went to the shizenhouzin

Because I'm trying to encourage positivity