Ouch!

It's interesting that Port has asked the AFL umpires department for clarification after the Geelong game. Decisions went 32-14 against them (or something like that) but one umpire gave 15 decisions against Port Adelaide alone.... thats a huge number of frees. The umpiring at the game wasn't fantastic, however that was the standard as a whole. I will say, 4 umpires is not improving the standards of umpiring, just making it easier for them to cover the areas of the ground.

Interestingly, I see it the opposite, if we are lucky to get Oliver back this week, I see Harmes going out, not JJ. Harmes doesn't seem to be aware of what is happening around him, he throws it on the boot, and sties to break through tackles. JJ is looking for options, and admittedly he had a flat few games earlier in the season, and came back into the team a better player, Harmes hasn', or at least not to the same level. Still think Woewodin was stiff to miss the game, I didn't know if he was up to AFL standard, but he lifted when he made the team,... was a bit sloppy with disposal at the VFL level, but didn't think he's done a lot wrong to date.

My 18 year old daughter was happy that happened too. 😁 ... although secretly I think she would have preferred Viney grabbed Rivers and Sparrow to join him!!

Think I'd prefer to welcome Oliver back into the midfield, and keep Trac up forward for a little longer, at least until we get Fritsch back. Was at the game today, loved what Hibbo gave, us... not so much Harmes, I think Woey was stiff missing given that we had Sparrow coming back. Having Trac take his mark and Kozzie with his goal right in front of the Melbourne cheer squad/supporters was a highlight. ... There was no Nth cheer squad. Finally apparently the crowd was closer to 10k, not the 8k reported. Blundstone not great with technology it appears, but they also diverted anything onto Nth saying it was their issue. (Thought it was ticketek) anyway, good day!

.....and of course a migraine isn't a symptom associated with a concussion related incident.

I hope the AFL goes hard both with a fine (against the soft cap) and with something else. My reasoning is that this is far from an isolated incident with Port. I think they have shown repeatedly to lack a duty of care to their players in regard to concussion. Last year there was a similar issue that was reviewed by the AFL. AFL 2022: Zak Butters, Tom Jonas head knock, concussion debate, Port Adelaide Power v Richmond Tigers, Ken Hinkley, reactions, response (foxsports.com.au) Sam Mayes AFL 2023: Port Adelaide concussion treatment, Sam Mayes head knock, sent back onto ground, SANFL, Aliir Aliir, Cassandra Burton, latest news (foxsports.com.au) Hartlett Power slugged with huge fine over Hartlett head knock (afl.com.au) All of these are very similar in their nature. Tell me another club that has been as scrutinised over concussion related issues as Port. The fact that Kane Cornes is defending the club doctor suggests that the same doc has been in place since he retired. There is something not quite right with the way that they are addressing these incidents on the field. The AFL itself knows that at some point in the future they will be called upon to answer a case against what steps they took to ensure that concussion protocols are adhered to and the steps taken to dissuade clubs from acting against such protocols. Don't think a 50k fine is a deterrent at all.

Haha... sorry is that a typo with St Kilda? sure they played ok today against the Hawks, but they are more likely to go 0-4 than 4-0. But GWS are in form, they could possibly go 4-0, but more realisitically 3-1 or 2-2

Might recall I was a bit hard on nibbler last season, but my criticism was more that his momentum killing was that he gut runs everywhere, created chances, gets on the end of it, but was butchering the ball when kicking for goal. I think he's been a lot better this season, Petracca is the same, they are doing so much running to create the play that when they get a chance to be the final link in the chain they are spent and can't convert.

should be neither....

I wouldn't! Nth don't need a leg up, look at their list. Ryley Sanders is the All Australian Captain. How the hell can any team list a player on their Academy a couple of months prior to the draft. The whole point of the Academies are that these clubs have invested in these players over their junior years. Even by Ryley's own words he has said that Nth have been supportive and said if there is anything they can do they will.... really? thats all it takes to be part of an Academy? Nth's list is no where near as lame as West Coasts, and has players such as Wardlaw, Sheezel, LDU, Powell, Larkey, Phillips, Thomas, Simpkin etc. Giving them free hits in the draft just gives them 18 year old players, if they are given any assistance give them the same compo from last year. Draft currency that they have to trade out for players from other clubs. If McKay goes, they get compensated, they should not be over compensated... Look at their results this year they have been competitive in a lot of their matches, only been flogged by by Melb, Geelong, Port and Brisbane and Adelaide, Break down some of the games that they have lost and they've also been in winning positions. They just need time and a good coaching style.

Seriously Melk, you don't need a hanger over the top, just use your body.

McVee so impressive

They aren't saying you are locked into finals after round 17 are they? I think the worse scenario that you point out here is the Saints, out of form would get belted for 5 weeks and then lucky to make the finals, but on the flip side, you could have a side like Carlton hypothetically sitting in 13th on percentage only. They get the next 5 games against teams such as West Coast, Nth and the like and make a big surge back into the finals. But it's potentially a false dawn cos they are playing against teams that have all but given up and probably playing for zilch. None of these models are a magic bullet. That said I don't have an issue with the wildcard round for finals. It gives 5th and 5th on the ladder a bit more of a benefit of a week off.

Bit odd calling it 17-6... 23 rounds in total, 17 part is fine, as you play each club once, at the beginning of the season. Then they split you into 3 groups of 6. That's 5 more games not 6. I get that there is the gather round apparently that accounts for the final missing game. But this model doesn't allow for that to work as well as having another opportunity for the derby/showdowns/q clashes that is used by teams for rivalry/gate receipts etc.. Basically you can't play that round early without compromising the 'integrity' that they are seeking in the 17 game component of the season. Yet you can't play it later without compromising the other 5 games (or account for the fact that gather round is best suited early in the season when everyone has optimism. Play it in between and it impacts the determination of the 3 groups therefore fails there too. Dunno if I'm over thinking it, but it doesn't work for me. ... and when/if we get to 19 teams, what then?

I know that Ryley Saunders is actually boarding in Melbourne this year, so whilst 'technically' from Tassie, he's been in Melb already this year. I thought McKercher was doing the same re school in Melb this year too, ... not 100% on that bit though. Interestingly Nth are trying to take Ryley Saunders off the board and attempting to claim him thru the NGA as he has indigenous heritage. But they haven't got him listed yet and are trying to get an exemption to get him. Even though they can't 'claim' him if he's top 20 or whatever it is under the current NGA rules, I think they are pushing for a concession given the fact that they are kinda hopeless.

You forgetting the medium tall we already have in Fritsch? Not just you btw, when a lot of 'experts' talk about our forward line, he never gets mentioned as part of the make up... of our forward line.

I reckon Salem would be pretty chuffed to be considered as 'a hard nut' 😁

So... the ferry service, is actually an extension, upgrade of what they are looking at putting in place as a public transport network around various locations on the Derwent River, it's aimed more as a rapid transit, given that light rail is all but dead as a concept in Hobart. https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/brown/media-release/smooth-sailing-derwent-ferries But it's not required, it's just going to be one of the options to access the stadium.

Have to say Harry McKay is one of the laziest forwards, just watch how far he trails behind people when the opposition has the ball, and even when the contest is near, he is a witches hat! Also Carlton are too scared to take a risk into the corridor, everything is out wide and down the wings, and Brisbane are just waiting, dumb football.

You know this is a rubbish game, cos even BT can’t get excited… how poor are the kicking skills of both these teams…

Agree that is what their thinking is, but I think they will need to be very prominent on the ground in each region of the state in terms of junior development programs and pathways. We need to build up the local pools of players and define those initial participation pathways, making it strong again before considering how a state league would look if it's still viable. The construction works on the midlands highway at the moment has also made it a 3+ hour journey which also wouldn't help. The company I work for has essentially said if we have to travel intrastate, that we essentially need to factor in an overnight stay, this is purely due to safety concerns in relation to a 6+ hour return journey.

Dangerfield almost said as much yesterday when talking with Whately, basically said the Tas team should have access to any player from any club, no compensation, and if the clubs are worried about losing players, then it's perhaps more reflective of the club, it's culture and focus on that. Didn't expect that from the AFLPA pres.

So, some further news, is that apparently AFL Tasmania is set to announce that they are not going to continue the TSL (State league for Tasmania) beyond 2024. Not sure what to think about this... on one hand it shows how bad things have gotten in Tasmania's local football scene, and I wonder if this is an attempt to reset things for a while, build up local club representation for the Nth, NW and South. On the other hand, this is NOT likely to be well received for clubs in the Nth. Nth Launceston is one of the strongest clubs in the state, and would rightly have concerns that a move back to regional competitions would see players either move to the mainland or Hobart, which will be base of operations for the VFL, and any CoE. Our state league has not a club from the NW for quite a while, and I think there are only two teams in the Nth of the state...The teams in the south have also been struggling where clubs like Glenorchy has struggled for a couple of years with playing numbers, and I don't think has the numbers for a reserves team in the current season... There is no doubt, that getting players back is crucial for the success of the AFL team, and needs to be the number 1 priority that starts now..

Hehe, now I have the Loonie toons theme in my head... perhaps just need to work out the words and another thing to tick off! :D

I kinda agree that the Devils appears to be the best fit at this stage, appreciate that the AFL is going to open it up for public opinion, similar to what happened for the Tassie Jackjumpers. I will say, I don't want to have a green vest with a yellow map of Tassie and a red/burgundy "T" on it. In terms of colors it probably makes sense to lean into the colour Green from a class perspective, however. I kinda think the Warner bros angle should be approached in a different way, rather than fight them on commercial rights, push to secure a sponsorship/partnership deal with Warner Bros. Their claim is a legacy claim that was a character created back in the 1950s.... he's not exactly relevant in todays' market, perhaps it could be a positive for both parties, at least for mascot.