dpositive

13 hours ago, Stem Splitters said:

I totally hear any skepticism and views here - our AFL game is a game of heart, grit, and 'gut feel,' and the idea of a laptop coaching a team feels a bit sterile. But it’s worth looking at AI not as a 'replacement' for the likes of Sam Mitchell's soul, but as a high-powered pair of glasses.

Here’s why even the most old-school fan might find it interesting:

• It’s about 'Seeing' the Unseen: We’ve all been frustrated when a player looks 'off' or lethargic. Currently, coaches guess why. AI can look at the biometric data and say, 'He’s not lazy; his central nervous system hasn't recovered from last week's 12km load.' It protects the players we love from injuries that are currently 'invisible' until they pop a hamstring.
  
  

• The 'Vibe' vs. The 'Fact': A coach might feel like we are losing the clearances because our rucks are beaten. The AI can instantly point out, 'Actually, the rucks are winning the tap, but our rovers are positioned 2Mtrs too wide for this specific ground.' It turns a 'vibe' into an actionable instruction in seconds.
  
  

• Removing Bias, Not Humanity: Humans are prone to 'recency bias' as it's called. We remember the last mistake a player made or has made (usually on a subliminal level) and judge them accordingly. AI doesn't have a 'dog house.' It looks at the cold, hard efficiency of every involvement/interaction. This may lead to ensuring the best players stay on the ground based on output, not reputation. And the like.
  
  

• We truly are on the cusp of a new era of data management. One that takes sterility (and guess work) out of a knowledge-base. And turns it into actionable takes beyond what we may have perceived prior. i.e taking the data analysis that is gathered (since the likes of GPS and other metrics) and actually doing some things profound with the data. That's where AI enters the fray.
  
  

• The Sam Mitchell Factor: Coaches like Mitchell aren’t trying to turn players into robots. They are trying to find the 1% tactical gaps and advantages that the human eye misses when watching 36 players moving at 25km/ph.
  
  

At the end of the day, a computer can’t give a three-quarter-time speech that makes hair stand up on your arms. It can’t teach 'courage.' But it can ensure that when a player goes to show that courage, they are in the best physical condition and the best tactical position to win the ball.

It’s not 'Moneyball' taking over the game; it’s just making sure teams like us, have the sharpest tools in the shed. I’d rather we be the ones wielding the tech than the ones trying to catch up to it in two years' time. This Sam Mitchell snippet is really about the AFL telecasting/approving to the wider audience that AI is in use and the likes of Mitchell are being projected as frontier leaders. I'd be disappointed if the Dees were not adopting AI use.

As an extension to thoughts...

1. Pre-Season & Player Management (The "Optimizer")

In the AFL, pre-season is about the delicate balance between "loading" and "breaking."

• Hyper-Personalized Loading: While coaches use GPS data now, AI can cross-reference that with sleep data, heart-rate variability (HRV), and even psychological wellness scores to predict a "soft-tissue window" before it happens. It moves from "the group is doing 8km today" to "Player X’s biometric signature says he’s at 85% risk of a hamstring strain if he sprints today."

• Drafting & "Moneyball" 2.0: AI can analyze thousands of hours of minor League (U18) footage to find players whose "spatial awareness" or "decision-making speed" under pressure matches current AFL stars, identifying "diamonds in the rough" that recruiters might overlook.

2. Game-Day: Preparation & In-Game (The "Super Assistant")

This is where Sam Mitchell and others are likely looking for that 1% edge.

• The "Opposition Oracle": Imagine an AI fed with every game the opposition has played for three years. On game day, it can alert the bench: "When the opposition is 2 goals down in the 4th quarter, they increase corridor usage by 40%." * In-Game Tactical Shifts: In the heat of the game, a coach's bias can take over. AI acts as an "unemotional observer," suggesting structural changes: "The opposition’s spare man is intercepting 70% of entries; recommend moving a defensive forward to negate." It’s about processing 22 moving parts simultaneously - something the human brain struggles to do perfectly for 120 minutes.

3. Injury & Recovery (The "Predictor")

I'm drawing on the DeepMind's 'AlphaFold Project' here: As it really shines as an example.

• Biomechanical Analysis: AI can analyze a player’s kicking or running gait in real-time. If a player starts favouring one side by even 2-3 mms - unnoticeable to the human eye - the AI flags it as a fatigue-induced mechanical failure, allowing for an early rotation.

• The "Digital Twin": Some elite teams are moving toward creating a "Digital Twin" of an athlete - like a virtual clone or model that can "play" the game first to see how much stress their specific joints and tendons will take. That is where the State-of-the-art will take us (in coaching and all manners of Industry).
  

Some final thoughts:

On the "Human Element": AI doesn't "whinge." AI frees up coaches to do more "human" work. If AI is doing the heavy lifting on the data, the Coach has more time for the "soft skills" - like mentoring, empathy, and the psychological "rev-up" that an algorithm can't replicate.

Think of it like a pilot with a sophisticated heads-up display. The pilot still flies the plane and makes the final call on the landing, but the AI ensures they have every scrap of data they need to make that call perfectly. For a club like Hawthorn and Sam Mitchell - and hopefully Melbourne - integrating this isn't just about 'using tech'; it's about making sure players are the best-informed athletes on the field.

I'd invite any expansion on this topic, that the OP has raised.

Go Dees!

Same comment as to mfcrox. Hope you are are both not AI generated.

15 hours ago, mfcrox said:

Football is a very data rich sport... especially with Champion Data game-day statistics available. I also used to work in the high performance/ strength & conditioning space at TAC Cup level in the mid 2010s and even back then we would have a plethora of data to look at in regards to game-day and training loads, recovery, etc.

I could see AI being used to analyse Champion Data statistics for trends that the successful teams are using in regards to defending, ball movement, attacking chains, etc. I could also see AI being used to track player loads/recovery data in much greater detail than any human could ever devote time to.

I hope Melbourne are up to their eyeballs in AI to be honest... it is going to be an absolute game-changer in professional sport in the next decade.

Like you I hope the club is up to the eyeballs. Would be good to see such a statement from the club even in a modest acknowledgement as a recognition of innovation.

Also I am again impressed by the latent talent that resides in our supporters (Dland ) and disappointed that the club does not utilise this talent.

How can we get the club to engage.

6 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Some of the key features of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL season include:

• 40 matches featuring VFL standalone clubs against each other, with all eight VFL standalone clubs playing against each other at least once. Coburg, Frankston, Southport and Williamstown will play each other twice, while Port Melbourne, Sandringham, Tasmania and Werribee will play each other twice.

• 17 VFL/W double headers across the opening six rounds of the VFLW season.

• Tasmania Football Club to play its first match for premiership points when it hosts Coburg at North Hobart Oval on Saturday, March 21.

• St Kilda to mark its return to the VFL on the same day when it travels to Tom Wills Oval to take on the GWS Giants. The Saints last featured in the VFA/VFL in 2000.

• Footscray Bulldogs to unfurl the 2025 premiership flag against Casey Demons at Mission Whitten Oval in Round 1.

• Competition bye scheduled for the men’s and women’s State Games between the VFL and SANFL, which will be played at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium on Saturday, April 11 during the AFL’s Gather Round.

• Grand Final rematch between Southport Sharks and Footscray Bulldogs at Fankhauser Reserve in Round 6.

• Four matches on Good Friday in Round 3.

• Four matches on ANZAC Day in Round 5.

• Finals series to commence with Wildcard Finals on the weekend of August 22-23. The Wildcard Finals format remains unchanged, with the team that finishes seventh on the ladder to play against the team that finishes 10th, while eighth will take on ninth.

• Smithy’s VFL Grand Final to be played the weekend of September 19-20.

FULL 2026 FIXTURE HERE

some very interesting initiatives here. Especially like the double header VFL/W

12 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

bad bunny is one of the most jingoistic america-first artists making music today; he just happens to be singing about his experiences in spanish as he was born and raised in puerto rico... which is part of america

he has NEVER burned a flag - just patently false

12 hours ago, binman said:

Total load of rot junior- the lot of it. In fact rot doesn't come close.

It's one thing not liking an artist, it's something completely different to make up a pack of lies about them.

And to be honest, i'm shocked. I'm hoping you somehow got your wires crossed, because your post is straight up disinformation, not to mention defamatory.

Bad Bunny has a history of burning the American flag? That's simply not true. I don't recall him burning the American flag once, let alone having a 'history' of doing so.

Bad Bunny hates America? You have to be joking.

One that's absolute rubbish, two did you watch his performance?

It was a total celebration of America for god's sake - he could hardly have been more patriotic.

During "Café Con Ron," near the end of his performance, he spoke his first and only English words of the entire show: "God bless America."

He closed his performance by showing the camera the words the words written on the gridiron ball he carried for most of his performance - "Together We Are America”

And what on earth are you talking about that his lyrics were 'disgusting' and that you would get banned if you were to post them?

A serious question - how did you come to that conclusion?

I'm guessing you are referring to his song Safaera, the recorded version of which has sexual, though certainly not 'disgusting', lyrics.

In any case the version he sung at the superbowl had different lyrics, with all explicit lyrics removed or muted to ensure it complied with the very strict American Federal Communications Commission standards and NFL broadcast rules.

These were the other songs he sang:

• "El Apagón" (The Blackout) - about Puerto Rico's power crisis and government corruption

"I don't want to leave here / Let them leave.

Puerto Rico is incredible / From the tip of the island to Ponce.

Now everyone wants to be Latino / But they lack the seasoning.

Damn blackout / Power goes out every day.

They are staying with what belongs to us / But the street is ours."

• "NUEVAYOL" - about the Puerto Rican diaspora in New York

  "From the sun of the island to the cold of the Bronx / Looking for the dollar that doesn't buy happiness.

  The 'guagua' (bus) takes a long time / The A-train is full of dreams and fatigue.

  I remember the neighborhood while walking through Times Square / Everything is bright but it feels dark.

  Puerto Rico is in the heart / Even if the physical body is in 'Nuevayol'."

• "DtMF" (Debí Tirar Más Fotos) - about cherishing moments before they're gone

"The phone stayed in the pocket / While life passed us by.

Now I look at the gallery and there is nothing / Only the echo of your laughter in my mind.

Time is a thief that doesn't return what it takes / I should have taken more photos.

To see your face when the sun hit you / To remember that we were happy for a second."

• "BAILE INOLVIDABLE" (Unforgettable Dance) - about lost love

"That dance was the beginning of the end / Between the smoke and the reggaeton.

You moved like you knew / That tomorrow you would be a memory.

The club is full but it feels empty / Seeking your silhouette in every corner.

An unforgettable dance / A scar that doesn't want to heal."

• "Café Con Ron" - the closing celebration

"The sun is rising and the party hasn't ended / Bitter coffee and sweet rum.

To forget the sorrows / To celebrate that we are still standing.

If the world ends tomorrow / Let it find us dancing.

From the mountain to the coast / This is the island that never sleeps."

10 hours ago, hardtack said:

Yeah, I know what you mean…there is a lot of grandstanding, which I’m not keen on, but really, I don’t mind the politicking of Springsteen, the Dropkick Murphys, early Midnight Oil, and a number of others as they have pretty much been political animals from the get go.

I think that current events around the world have ‘enticed’ politically minded musicians out of the shadows… to me that’s understandable, but I don’t expect others to agree with what I think.

Great to see the facts presented by Binman and wwsw.

I always enjoy the contribution BM makes and again am overwhelmed by the depth and perception of his comments. Thanks. Also include HT as his contribution on music is also always worthwhile.

I attend WOMAD every year and the world class artists sprinkled with Australian acts is always fantastic. Some of the best acts have been obscure and often the performances are inother languages. Its about the music and the performance.

And yes the Half time entertainment isabout marketing so the more controversy generated the better. Wether the viewer at homes actually watches it is just another one of the mythical mysteries of marketing. Personally im turning the sausages.

1 hour ago, DemonFrog said:

The old UnclevBitters would not stay so quiet after being challenged like this! 🙄 Hope the old fella is well 👍 and looking after all those Alpacas he has on his gentleman estate? Alternatively, has he become a Collingwood supporter and now actually like us, so he has nothing bad to say about us?

Agree unusual for him to ignore such comment

But cannot concede re would ever lower himself to become Collingwood supporter.

On 13/11/2025 at 14:40, Demon_spurs said:

Actually an acronym is only such if it creates a pronouncable word, i.e. SCUBA, ASCII or NASA. TLA is an initialism not an acronym. (sorry)

Sorry?

What does the word Nasa mean and what language?

Is Ascii a verb or noun?

Cant find either in my Oxford. But then again acronym isnt there either.

Ill check on google i guess.

On 04/02/2026 at 18:21, Six6Six said:

Today's training gallery.

This is most probably my last for the year as I'm heading out of the country for an extended period shortly. Hope you have all enjoyed these preseasons offerings from 6 as much as I have enjoyed putting them together. I'm not sure what this season will bring for our mighty Demons, most of the media have written us off.

Regardless it is a fresh new start. Onwards and upwards. Hope to be back for the 27 preseason, but God only knows.

Go Demons in 26. Enjoy. February Fire === > https://youtu.be/DsgGp6xHiaQ

thanks for all your presentations 666.

Hope everything goes well wherever you go and you continue a presence on Dland. Remember the emotion provided by following Dees provides a distraction and necessary diversion to maintain a balanced life.

Perspectives vary when you are remote so will look forward to your comments.

14 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

is smith no longer at casey?

i'd expect him to be in their best back 6

Took my list from previous 46 of Werridee.

Very Early call for 46

Melbourne

B: Lever,McDonald, Lindsay

HB: Salem , Turner, Jiath,

C: Langford, Steele, Culley

HF: Chandler, van Rooyen, L.Pickett

F: Fritsch, Miocek, Jefferson

FOLL: Gawn, Rivers, K.Pickett

IC: Windsor, Langdon, Sparrow, Mentha, Heath

EMERG: ,Laurie, Howes, Tholstrup

Casey

B: L.Lual, Adams, Taylor

HB: Burgman, Petty, Bonner

C: Howes, Onley, Sharp

HF: Henderson, White, Matthews

F: Cross,Kentfield , Melksham

FOLL: Johnson, Tholstrup, Laurie

IC: Berry, Moniz-Wakefield, W.Lual, Hampton, Sinnema

Out: May, Viney, Bowey, McAdam, Campbell

Theres still plenty of scope for changes

Culley injury may open up for Howes

Im still optimistic.

Last season we began with 5 losses after pre season issues, Trac resuming with tentative movement after life threatening injury, Clarry with personal and physical issues.

I think the coach and players lost their way and confidence.

We did see improvements from unexpected sources, Disco, Langford,Culley.

We lost 5(?) matches by less than i kick. and we kicked atrociously all season. We did beat the premiers at their home, (a game they didnt want to lose)

While we have lost Trac and Clarry we have Steele and a good mix of potential replacements.

With a new coach and new game plans hopefully better use of JVR and and improvement from Jefferson plus some mature presence with Mihocek, Kozzie and Trelly producing magic, the rest of the squad just maintaining their levels I reckon we will surprise and finish top4. From there as Goody always said anything can happen in a new (finals)season.

All sides will change and we have a good squad , a mix of experience and youth, a great captain and plenty of variation with most positions with multiple options.

Its gonna be a great season

GO DEES.

32 minutes ago, Young Angus said:

Were they the cause of the dysfunction though that's the burning question??

That is a good question. But the coach and management must deal with that. That is what they are there for.

So much thanks to Demonland and all other trackwatchers.

On 02/02/2026 at 23:15, Carpe Dees Diem said:

Talking about boredom... and getting pumped up for an awesome fresh start in 2026... I've gone and written a new song... I hope you have a listen and see if you like it. I'm hoping Maxy & Kozzi do a bit 😅... maybe Andy & Binman might even play it on the Demonland Podcast. https://open.spotify.com/track/62BFWMeC940hmVrAsL8wtS?si=26105aa7f30743b8

or here https://music.amazon.com.mx/albums/B0GKD2JJ3Q

On 03/02/2026 at 04:50, hardtack said:

Not being a subscriber to either Amazon. Music or Spotify, I could only listen to the opening relatively few bars, but what I did hear was really REALLY good! To paraphrase Bob Hawke, any podcast operator who doesn’t play that, is a bum!

Would love to hear some more of your material.

Me also

20 minutes ago, Coolx2 said:

Tracc and Oliver were down in disposals in 25 compared to the premiership days. They were no longer the dynamic duo , perhaps they wanted out for some reason or other. Perhaps they just gave us the bare minimum. Oliver hasn't kicked a great deal of goals .Compare Season 24 and 25 Tracc 14,18 respectively, Oliver 3,4 respectively, Bont 19,32 respectively and Heeney 30,35 respectively. I know stats can be misleading.

This year we have a lot more fire power, our defence looks good. Culley should do well as a forward or a mid. Top 4 is on the cards.

Petracca was returning after a life threatening trauma caused in the course of playing his usual game style. Oliver after unknown personal issues was also playing with a broken hand. Both were playing in a dysfunctional environment, which hopefully has been fixed.

42 minutes ago, Bowserpower said:

Financing literacy aside, the issue many people are raising isn’t confusion about debt structures, it’s accountability. When public land, government involvement, and long-term planning are in play, the conversation necessarily extends beyond balance sheets to the constituents who are affected by the decision.

The issues which effectively sank any prospects of an MCG home for MFC.

On 02/02/2026 at 21:04, Oxdee said:

The way people are talking about this you’d think the Melbourne Football Club is writing a $100m cheque tomorrow. That’s not how major infrastructure works. These facilities are financed — typically via long-term debt — and repaid over 20–30 years, just like every stadium, hospital or university building on the planet. The lack of basic financial literacy in this thread is staggering.

Suggest the same "basic financial literacy" may have been the reluctance to pursue Fishermans Bend Port Melbourne sites.

On 05/01/2026 at 17:27, Madz said:

Thats always going to be the case... How does one come up with $30m? Private equity? Where is the payback.

Payback can come from an innovative entertainment, corporate, retail facility as transport hub with training grounds as a greenfield destination site in Port Melbourne. Unfortunately that train may have left the station.

6 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

Never been a huge fan of Petty.

He lacks the intensity and physicality to lock down a spot at either end of the ground. His fitness level has always been sub-standard and his disposal and decision making are not that great either.

I would love for him to make a fool of me, but this is his 9th year of football and he has only ever shown rare glimpses. Agree we should’ve traded him when the Crows were all over him like a rash.

Agree with most of this

Not a huge fan and thought he was overrated for inconsistency in intensity and physicality,(use of his body) but I did think he was capable of bursts and should have been used off the bench as emergency as he could play forward or back successfully. He was also deceptive as coulsd make ground on opponents and was able to compete against both talls and smalls, (again inconsistence with efforts).

Like most of our forwards last season he often led to good spots only to be ignored with poor delivery, or led off opponents in defence only to be ignored (with our static clearance models),hence the running round like a chook with its head cut off, poor decision making appearance.

I too hope he can show more glimpses in a better team oriented game using rotations of players who can be used more flexibly in attack or defence.

2 hours ago, Redleg said:

The school is 100% in favour of the MFC and they are aligned. Not sure what that actually means to the decision makers and funding

I haven't heard what the Trust is saying, but it would have been a yes, or no, a long time ago. But never really evidenced and changes to MRC board since

The people at a committee lunch on a race day at the MRC, were told by the MRC Chairman in his welcome speech that the MFC would be their neighbour soon. This is the most positive and important fact THanksRL

Obviously there is ongoing discussion about specifics of the project, but I would imagine the reason we are not getting any info, is because of an embargo on it and the likely responsible party for that, does seem to be the State Government. It could well be a condition of their financial contribution, that they control the narrative. Yes we can only imagine any reasons as the club and all involved are not communicating

That does seem the most likely reason we are getting crickets. Hope you are correct

If this was not happening, we would have been told by now. Not sure given your final point

A failure of this project after so many attempts, would have to in some way affect the Board's ability to continue, imo. Without doubt the most significant point. Too many egos involved

Just a few points to emphasise

7 hours ago, Brownie said:

A generous offer @dpositive thanks. And a brilliant quote. That's pretty much headstone worthy.

Probably should include the acknowledgement to George Best who said something similar.

I also think much of the resistance is from the traditionists who cling to an MCG location.

On 26/01/2026 at 12:39, Demon Disciple said:

The old adage no news is good news definitely does not ring true here.

I was definitely in favour of replacing the likes of Pert and Roffey due to their lack of progress regarding the home base. Guerra in particular and Smith come in chests beating, yet it’s as quiet as it has ever been.

Honestly us Demonlanders could probably do a better job at getting this whole saga moving in a positive direction. [censored].

Well I gave it a try and got some genuine but limited support (from Dlanders) and total ignorance from the club itself (questions put to Pert at and after AGM). I think most other attempts also foundered as the committee pursued its own efforts and rebuffed any alternatives.

I am still hoping for any positive reports on Caulfield which has some obvious attractions but unlike Redleg I will be unlikely to visit.

I still maintain the club centre should be an accommodation, entertainment, retail site where supporters can gather to watch training but can attend when we have away or sold out games. As an administrative centre it would also improve member interaction and strengthen the club.

Wow Thanks everyone. This has ignited so many memories and begun some new experiences.

One of the fortunates born in the 50s with a mother who was a fantastic singer and performer at amateur levels I was surrounded by music. Had an influence with school mated older brothers who exposed me to raw American blues, European avant garde Mediterranean and middle east emerging sounds.(most of which mum did not like.

I migrated to Melb and have always quoted the phrase" I spent most of my money on live music drugs and alcohol and wasted the rest". I became an audience. I always ended a gig by talking with the musicians to personally thank them for the joy they gave me. Most bands and artists wouldnt remember me but I have spoken with nearly all the people you have mentioned plus many even more obscure (including international artists who were surprisingly approachable in those times).

Live music is the best antidote to every ill of life. Music should be a mandatory subject for all kids and adults as it not only ignites creativity but enhances universal skills of communication and language and is a base for understanding mathematics.

I dont get out as much as I used to but still enjoy every foray into any live music environment. Im the one who always throws a donation to any busker to encourage them to continue. I also always said that listening to a bad performance makes you appreciate the outstanding even more.

Please Keep up the conversation as as been said you are introducing me to some music I would never have seen and please let me know of any music coming to Beechworth, where we have Tanswells supporting live music always.

We have an Airbnb (Lochwood Cottage) which accomodates 8 and has been offered to Demon supporters in raffles and can be offered to bands and dees supporters at reduced rates if you contact us direct. (Always subject to availability).

On 13/01/2026 at 23:59, red and blue forever said:

hAHaha, my comedy list has to wait for approval... considering the previous list.....

Thanks for the introduction to some new material and a reprise of some.

I think I may have seen Ozgur Baba at Womad, or at least someone very similar.

7 hours ago, Go Ds said:

Don't forget that every player, and staff member, is an individual. For all we know there were too many personality clashes and too many unforgivable incidents that meant Tracc and Clarry would never slot in ever again at the Dees. That also means that potentially that all three of Melbourne, Petracca and Oliver - ALL now unburdened - have great seasons ..... that NONE would have had even if Goody stayed or King turns out to be the best coach ever.

Again dont disagree, but we dont know. It just adds another dimension to the season.

I too hope King is the best coach ever