Return to Glory

I'm actually saddened by where the game is at. But brace yourselves. The game is in a perilous state and it may have a way to fall. Farcical draft and academy arrangements added to free agency that disadvantages those clubs who need it. The steak knives though, is the fourth estate. We have a mostly sponsored football media that is happy to relentlessly beat up on smaller clubs but not hold the AFL to account. Of course, this probably has a fair bit to do with a desperation to be AFL accredited, but it's not journalism. It's copywriting. Quite noticeably, when the St Kilda President, Andrew Bassat, spoke up, I was astounded to read and listen to the blow back from the media. Including the public broadcaster (yes, I'm old). It was akin to listening to spokestwit Karoline Leavitt's defence of Trump which invariably seeks to target those who would challenge clear absurdities. We're now fed a diet of Daily Mail journalism from Kane Cornes and the like. Ask the average punter and they'll tell you "he's telling it like it is" No he isn't, and no they're not. They are cherry picking dramas to give the appearance of standing up for the rank and file supporter. I'm told memberships are thriving etc. etc. But those of us, probably all of us on Demonland, know that there's a stench.

I'd take Viney out of the midfield, probably permanently. Release Windsor and/or Lindsay further up the ground by placing him across the half back line if we think he's a good enough distributor of the ball. Otherwise, he plays a defensive forward role.

How'd it be to be a Suns supporter? Club getting flogged. Never mind, we've got three players in the Academy who are ranked as top 10.

It's funny how that works. I'm probably the same but would also like Jessie Hogan to do well

I still love ANB

Is there a reason Ricky Mentha can't be a sub and maybe give Kolt a rest?

Honestly, this umpiring is criminal.

How is that a free kick?? He dived forward after being caught in possession

Are commentators now terrified to criticize Collingwood? And that includes Garry Lyon. I've just watched a Collingwood player clearly late to a marking contest, clutter into a Freo player. 50 metres was awarded and, for mine, it was a no-brainer. Garry banged on about it like it was the worst decision of the year.

SWYL, I think you're spot on here. I remember when Hawthorn moved players on, there was a real fear for them as to how far they'd gone. I've come around to thinking that we have to be every bit as ruthless. It should feel uncomfortable. It should be daunting. What we're doing now is not the answer.

And that was probably as a consequence of being so starved of success, that it then became to harder to let go. It was perhaps all a bit new.

Praha, Viney is a problem as I can't think of a club who'd want him. Sydney got in fast and sent them Luke Parker.

And in a perfect world, I'd get Corey Enright in and have a Longmire or even a Hinkley beside him. Others may differ.

Have just come back from picking up my 17 year old daughter from a party....as part of the uber service I seem to provide. Turned on the radio as I travelled from one side of the Peninsula to the other. Generally don't listen to SEN Talk back but a bloke got on and basically said that we were crazy if we thought Goodwin, Oliver, Petracca, Richardson, Viney were going to take us back to the success of 2021. He's right. As unpalatable as it seems, we now have to be ruthless. Delusional to think we can compete in the next 4 years so it's time to move some big players, thank them for their service and stop pretending. Other clubs have bitten the bullet and are coming out the other side. Hawthorn springs to mind. New President, new CFO, and a major clean out.

Like this BTF. I think Viney is now a major concern. I really don't know, but could you play him down back? It'd perhaps give more opportunities to our outside mids.

Feel a little for Tholstrup. Not sure if he's up to it, but doesn't appear to have a clear role. Maybe play him as an out and out tagger.

I see players unsure of their roles.

Buzzy, I just feel Brown in has a touch of 'deck chairs on the Titanic' about it. If he's right to go, give Sestan an extended run. Or play Ricky Mentha.

Pickett - 6 Fritsch - 5 Gawn - 4 Salem - 3 Oliver- 2 Rivers - 1

'The umpiring has never been better'

I can't help but think we are the living embodiment of 'paralysis through analysis'. Sometimes, you've just got to take the first option. We stuff around trying to find the perfect entry and by that time it's all clogged up.

And credit where credit's due. I watched Fritta go back against the flight of the ball. Gutsy effort.

I actually feel sorry for Jefferson. The ball's not getting down there but, even then, he has less minutes on the ground than any other player. 67%.

No, no, no. The game has never been in better shape 🤣

Started to watch Dorks v Port. Dermie was special comments. I've often wondered how someone so charismatic as a footballer can be so mind-numbingly boring to listen to? Maybe I'm in the minority.