poita

In 2021 West Coast and St Kilda finished 9th and 10th with 10 win / 12 loss records and percentages in the low 90s. It was devastating for all concerned that such deserving sides missed the finals, and it is fantastic that the AFL have acted to ensure that such heartbreaking events never happen again. Seriously, this is yet another blatant cash grab that devalues the achievement of making finals and rewards mediocrity. I've been to every final we've played in Melbourne for the past thirty plus years, but I won't be giving the AFL a cent to watch a wildcard game.

I agree that we are playing (at least) one tall too many. We need to be able to match Brisbane's work at ground level, and our defence is a worry for me. That said, there is not much experience amongst the potential inclusions.

Great post and I heartily agree with the sentiments. This team is not perfect, but they will never lose due to lack of effort and commitment.

I didn't want to be the first to criticise this, so am glad that others have jumped in. I'm sure the timing is great for retirees, the unemployed and preschoolers - everyone else, not so much. I get the feeling that at times the club is more concerned with being seen to do the right thing, rather than actually doing the right thing.

Has anyone watched North this year to see if Birch is worthy of an AA nomination? I wouldn't have thought the ball went into North's defence often enough for them to be getting multiple defenders nominated.

Herald Sun Phantom Draft (Chris Cavanagh) - probably only available to subscribers. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-phantom-draft-who-every-club-will-pick-in-the-first-two-rounds-of-the-2025-draft/news-story/6a2eb3e6c910d247ce77e4a76d8d3c79 11. SAM CUMMING184cm Midfielder/Forward, North Adelaide Drafted: MELBOURNEWe say: There is a question mark over whether Cumming gets past Essendon, with the Bombers also believed to be keen. But the Demons would be delighted if he does slip through, with rival clubs believing he is Melbourne’s No. 1 target. A fierce competitor who has been likened to former Crow Rory Sloane, Cumming has power, speed and plenty of class. Originally from Wentworth in New South Wales, he moved to Adelaide for school and served as a vice-captain of South Australia at the under-18 national championships. Cumming looks to be an ideal pick for the Demons as the club seeks to rejuvenate its midfield after the off-season departures of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. He would be a third high-end midfielder drafted in the past two years, following Harvey Langford (pick 6) and Xavier Lindsay (pick 11) last year. 12. LACHY DOVASTON178cm Forward, Eastern Ranges Drafted: MELBOURNEWe say: While the Demons are all over Cumming, what they do with their second pick is a touch less clear. They have been linked to a tall and have done their work on Schubert, while Archie Ludowyke has been another name floated. But if Essendon get to Schubert first, Melbourne might change tact. The Demons have been linked to small forward Latrelle Pickett, who is a cousin of Kysaiah and a player they would love in their line-up. But it might be a bit early for that. It is not too early for Dovaston, though, who is the best small forward in the draft class. Compared to Nick Watson, he applies good pressure, works hard up the ground and has great forward craft to hit the scoreboard in different ways. Dovaston kicked 38 goals from 16 games for the Ranges — the second-most in the Coates Talent League — and took out the agility test at the draft combine. He has also been linked to other clubs including Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs, but the Dees have the chance to get in first. 34. CAMERON NAIRN188cm Forward, Central District Drafted: MELBOURNEWe say: The Demons would love if Latrelle Pickett slipped through to this pick, but that doesn’t look likely. They may still be able to add a quality forward in Nairn, though, who has drawn comparisons to Bayley Fritsch. At 188cm, Nairn measures exactly the same height as Fritsch and similarly possesses vice-like hands overhead, a big leap and an accurate boot. The South Australian recorded one of the best individual performances at the under-18 national championships with a seven-goal haul in a match against Western Australia. Along with his strong hands, he also has strong endurance to outwork opponents and finished fourth in the 2km time trial at the national draft combine.

Every time you think the club is (slowly) moving forward in terms of communicating to and engaging with members, you get this sort of thing There are still far too many amateur performers in every part of this club, and it's not good enough.

But we couldn't and we didn't. More than the actual result, it was how completely clueless the players and coaches were throughout that final quarter that showed how far away we are from genuinely competing again. Sure, you have days when things go your way and you look like world beaters. It is how you respond when things don't go your way that really matters.

Because, like it or not, this club is in the entertainment business and the product that has been delivered in the past two years (arguably past 3.5) has been woeful. Aside from winning just 12 of our past 38 games (31%), the brand of football we play has generally been horrible to watch.

Once again, why were so desperate to trade out of this draft last year if we are now looking to find additional picks? Did Lamb, in all his wisdom, ever think that some of those picks that he threw away in the Lindsay deal might have had some value? Even the extra picks he gifted GC for Petracca could have been handy.

Sure, then we can link up with City of Melbourne to highlight some fun activities in the CBD: Join a protest and throw stuff at the police Tag a building (bonus points for MFC related content) Dodge the homeless people in Elizabeth Street Ride a train without paying and avoid the PSOs Sing along with the buskers in Bourke Street Mall

Can we delist McAdam and forget to re-rookie him? Or Laurie?

The last time we kicked more goals than points was round 2. It's now round 11. I think that sums up where we're at - effort generally good, but execution generally pretty ordinary. The lack of contribution from our bottom 6 or so players probably means we are not genuine contenders, and arguably not even top 4 with a tougher draw. We needed to hit the draft to freshen up the list, and we've done that (with mixed results), now we might need to look at bringing in some experience.

Just basing on what I have seen and heard, I think the chances of Tigga Johnstone being an AFL player would be basically zero. That's not a criticism, just an acceptance that some kids want to enjoy playing sport with their mates and don't have the drive (or perhaps the ability) to be an elite sportsperson.

Why would you even bother trying to recruit and retain a WA kid in this environment unless he is head and shoulders above everyone else in the draft pool? You spend so much time and effort trying to make them feel at home, then they go home to mummy at the first opportunity.

It's now not only about being able to field a competitive side this week, but also a race against time to build some form and match fitness prior to the finals.

I believe that the proposed purchase of the land was announced in December 2016, with initial planning starting back in 2015. https://www.afl.com.au/news/866406/this-is-a-gamechanger-hawthorn-hawks-to-commence-construction-of-100m-facility The above article anticipated construction commencing in early 2023 with a partial move in the first half of 2024. They have obviously missed that by a fair way. Conservatively, that is a good six years of planning, approvals and fundraising, followed by almost three years of construction. We'll be lucky to get into Caulfield within five years.

If Berry isn't ready to plug and play at Casey, we need to investigate other options as soon as possible. We sent Kyah Farris-White to SBMT at least 12 months too late.

I believe the Whalan family have close links to the Mordi-Brae football club, which is the largest club in my local area. I don't know the family, but this will affect a lot of people. There is some information in the post below. I believe there is also a GoFundMe appeal set up to benefit the family. https://www.facebook.com/BreastCancerNetworkAustralia/posts/in-admiration-and-tribute-to-one-of-our-community-champions-amber-whalan-mum-to-/1198312585662887/

It's embarrassing how often Goodwin coached sides capitulated against Collingwood, even when we were by far the stronger team. Hopefully King and his assistants can sort out both the football aspects and the mental aspects of this team.

Happy for him to come down to Casey and be a leader of that group, but definitely no future at AFL level.

Agree, yet the Casey coach is now our development coach. Something about this doesn't sit right with me. On Woewodin, I think he's a little unlucky and I would have loved to see him get a run in McVee's lockdown defender role.

Given the AFL are hell bent on sabotaging their own competition, it is hardly surprising that we remain at 12 rounds for 2026. I've said it before, the competition should start on the Kings Birthday weekend, when there are numerous byes in the men's comp, and run for 17 rounds with finals commencing in the first week of October. That leaves a GF in the last week of October when it has reasonably clear air before the Melbourne Cup and serious cricket. It also allows for double headers with the men's comp between June and August, which seems a clear way of giving AFLW more exposure. I am glad that that they have given the players more notice of the season dates this year. afl.com.au/aflwAFLW confirms number of rounds, start date for 2026 seasonThe 2026 AFLW season will begin in August again with finals to start in November

Every single time we give up more than we should - it's absolutely ridiculous. If Tim Lamb was a real estate agent he'd sell the house and chuck in the furniture, the dog and a slab of beer on top.

You don't need to be Nostradamus to know that this is going to bubble to the surface multiple times over the length of the contract. The big issue is what else we will throw his way to keep him happy if we're not sniffing finals in the next few years.