dpositive

Hi I'm a bit of a Luddite with the new technology thoughtbi had membership and made recent additional donation as I get so much enjoyment from the site. however ads keep cluttering the screen . Can I get rid of them? Thanks

Sort of agree with you But the AFL is saying the head is sacrosanct and must do due to concussion issues. Therefore any head contact deliberate or accidental that causes head injury must be penalised. It seems Tex action was late and dangerous. If on any other part of ground not so dangerous but a player could strike the ground with their head from such a legitimate and deliberate tackle. We have seen some erratic actions and decisions on contact to the head so I think we are all pretty open about the issue. The recent ignoring of the strike to Clayton jaw and the Selwood incident shows the difference applied to individual incidents. This incident will just add to the inconsistency. The AFL must support its "sacrosanct" statements with a meaningful minimum penalty irrespective of subjective analysis. Not likely to happen so see Tex playing next week.

Great training report indicates thought that he is again not going to be considered. I do feel for the bloke and admire his attitude. I assume and hope that the club are communicating with him in a truthful fashion and just regret that there maybe cannot be more transparent inclusiveness with supporters. i appreciate that this weeks game is now more critical ( as will probably be the case for all games) understand that we cannot experiment with Trenners but would like a more descriptive indication of the deficiencies that are prohibiting his selection.However I also understand that this explanation may well be counter productive to a future career strategy. So good luck to him and hope he continues to play to the best of his abilities and enjoys the accomplishments he has achieved.

Yeah I reckon that's the conversation he'll be having now. Resignation letter coming up

Certainly not very professional. Alcohol does have a significant effect on bruising and recovery and is treated carefully by all sports and particularly contact sports. Alcohol also effects judgement and it looks like it could have had an impact in this situation. These guys are the fringe players who should be keeping themselves totally focused on training and playing and should certainly be aware of club rules etc Yep they're 20 years old so can't expect mature decision making.

Sorry to pick you Deec. i agree that 4/18 had an impact. but don't think they were Flat or lacked effort. sydney went in with their best and a stronger more experienced side they proved to be. They were able to stand up in tackles and umpires allowed them plenty of time and scope to take advantage of their strength. our "boys" were simply overrun by the bigger bodies who tackled harder by opponents who were allowed to play with vigour. Effort was shown by most but Bugg was somewhere else and Clayton had trouble getting involved. Viney was significant loss when added to Jones. We seemed to be a forward down Hogan, and Watts was not there to mop up and deliver. Plus no Garlett to crumb off the few contests that were created. Yeah we were beaten but the Swans have nothing more to offer. We can improve Hope we learned

Good get BB We could have had the moral high ground May be rectified by Buggs statement. Admits stupid act unstated that head is sacrosanct Apologised to player and family and those in the club. The cheap shot is not the way we want to be defined, I'm happy with that.

I reckon it was very crude and no excuses. He will get even more than Hoult so 5-6 likely? He was obviously not thinking and our club should have made sure that the head is sacrosanct after last week. That should have been drilled into all players. Just saw his interview and Well done.

True Didnt target head but did contact head. That's when sacrosanct becomes the key. There should still be a penalty for head contact. You mitigate the penalty by not having intention in this case there was intention to contact and it resulted in contact to the head. Should not be sanctioned

I may have said that but the AFL is clearly saying the head is sacrosanct and I agree with that. No player including our own should intentionally target the head.

Thanks Akum. Was going to leave it as I also agree with you. BUT. Just saw Lethlean in announcing Hoult appeal that the AFL holds that a blow to the head is most serious(or something like that) AND YET Apparently an elbow to the head not in play is ok It would seem they can't even manipulate very well. MFC should appeal to remove the stain that is reflected in the West Coast paper on our players, our medical team and us as supporters. Let alone the lack of duty care the Tribunal decision has highlighted. A player has not been made aware of the consequences of a blow to the head. If a similar fracas with push and shove occurs an Brayshaw is in the vicinity of a wandering elbow the outcome may be much worse. Oh well I suppose the AFL can bolt the stable door then.

I like your thinking.. Max on ball centre and forward Spencer rucks and drifts back. Rotations off the bench. Just gives an element of surprise and flexibility. Do Swans have Tippet?

Probably better to elbow and certainly during half time break.

Well have negotiated all the commentary on this thread and agree that logic or consistency can hardly be expected of the tribunal when there is conflict among ourselves as supporters. i was impressed with the argument that this decision impacts on all demon players and supporters equally and agree. On that basis we are all divers and whingers. This is not correct. We must now state that we are disappointed that the umpire who made the report was not supported by the tribunal. We regret that the tribunal appears to have ignored the AFL CEO statements that blows to the head are not a part of our game. We also regret that our medical officers opinion was not respected by the tribunal members and no alternative medical opinion was offered. The West coast player indicated intention and his thrusting action revealed on replay supports that. We will advise our players to retain their mouth guards in their mouths until they are in the rooms to decrease any impacts from unexpected intentional or unintentional contact with the jaw. We are concerned that with a player already experiencing multiple concussion that a future incident may have a more significant outcome and seek the AFL support in ensuring that any blow to the head intentional or unintentional is penalised immediately on the field and with reference to an independent medical officer at the next break, after match review of available video evidence by the tribunal with an automatic 1 week suspension increasing on the recommendation of the officiating umpire and medical officer if deemed intentional. Any player intentionally contributing to an exacerbation of an intentional or unintentional blow shall be fined a proportion of match payments and if not supported by medical officers report, or video evidence of contributing or extenuating circumstances may also be suspended automatically for 1 week. This allows for consideration of player ducking into a tackle or falling over in delay due to surprise having reasons analysed by independent medical officer. But given that tha tribunal is supposedly independent and seem to be able to ignore the CEO comments it's probably just a waste of time. We have more legally qualified people than me on this thread and I would definitely concur with their advice. But boy it does give me the shots that we seem to be shafted again. No good can come of the current situation.

This is the sort of act (elbow to the head)that the AFL are saying need to be removed from the game. Clarries reaction was delayed and he stated that is was because of the shock. Thats all that's needed. if he is penalised and the perpetrator gets off the club really needs to appeal However as Clarrie must be in the mix as Brownlow winner I reckon the AFL will ensure he stays clear. He is now a known player and perhaps why he was targeted. Await with interest

Don't know why Cornes chooses one isolated act. I guess that's what he's paid to do. Im happy with Lewis. But more importantly I reckon Goodwin may have more knowledge than both of us.

Driving home from squash, listening to radio commentary and caught the last quarter and while agreeing that there was plenty of obsequious commentary,it did make me think that Hawks got up through the leadership of Hodge and the marvel of Burgoyne. If Lewis is our Hodge. Experienced campaigner, Backline general, on field coach, able to inspire through personal example, who is our Burgoyne? Who can turn the game through an individual effort. B has done this time and time again and success has a constant companion. Can we find one?

What an excellent speech. Well crafted with relevant reflection, some insight into personal inspiration, acknowledgment of others, humility and also reflective wisdom. What an example. If this is what the players hear we could be in for some prolonged success as he also left mention of MFC to the reference of "my players" and I think, how lucky he was to be there, with the hint that he still has plenty of dreams unfulfilled. I hope that one of them was holding up the premiership cup with his MFC players 5 or 6 times.

Anyone at training who can verify trenners slowness over the ground? Or his inability to last 4 quarters? His form at VFL seems to show he gets a lot a of the ball, would be interested in KC's opinion of wether he brings teammates into the play. He always seemed popular with the playing group and I'd think if he was put in the squad his teammates would lift to support him.Would be interested in Satys view on that as I may have missed it. I would like to see him used as he is on the list wether it's this week or later I trust the coaching team, they have their structures and tactics to consider.

As an old time labour market operative I have some concerns that wages discussions are being held in seperated environments. There was a time when our Australian centralised system was the envy of the world but the introduction of Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and the erosion of consideration for structured value mechanisms has resulted in this current 20% outcome. While the rest of the labour market are having minimal or even no growth this market can afford to pay huge increases. Compare the payments for other sports people who have the same requirements and the anomalies are obvious. The distribution of income generated from supporters ever increasing cost in this sectionalised industry is a reflection of the ever increasing economic divisions that is diminishing our egalitarian society into elite and marginalised sectors. Because the industry can afford to pay outrageous rates they do. The CEO will now no doubt receive a further increase as the customers are milked while the feeder and community clubs struggle with volunteer support to produce the players who will be the few winners from the total pool of participants. While the community is having a furious debate about weekend penalties maybe the players have identified the real answer. Higher salaries for reduced hours with every hour treated equally and achieved through the combined power of a union which has overwhelming membership support. Oh well no point in dwelling on the inequities that are occurring as some struggle while others have obscene amounts. Without those excessive payments the industries associated with supporting players would not be able to continue. Let's hope the trickle down arguments apply . I guess at least the players in the industry are paying taxes and are not committing the sort of artifices of international companies

I'm sure NBN (that looks familiar Naughty But Neitz) could show how well the alternatives would look

Red numbers on blue jumper Blue numbers on red jumper?

To the players. Bring the same intensity as the Adelaide game and the determination of the Collingwood match with the desire to be recognised as a hard working and consistent team. Every one to contribute when needed. To maintain the structures and patterns that have been established. To support teammates and play your role. Now is the time to begin to reap the rewards of effort. It will not be given to you it must be earned,but it is visible and attainable. Prove the doubters wrong by playing your best today, all day. Your best is better than all others.

Agree with your description of the moment totally, and agree that moment was great .........But.......greatness will only be the continued replication of those great moments. I reckon Watts has had many moments of on and off field great incidents, but until there is consistency of action at that level I am reluctant to label him as a great of the game

Usually agree with you Pates and do again but with a difference "He's a back up ruckman" Yup and that's what we want. Hisalmost gawcky unorthodoxy can unsettle opponents and if he can play without injuring himself could be valuable just for ring a big lump that the doggies have to get around. Pedersen can play the big bodied role at CHF and do the rucking forward allowing Spencer to drop back and play the big defensive wall presence. Weeds still a bit young and green but may be worth playing the smaller body against the dogs where he can use his mobility to keep them unbalanced. Watts can rest his injuries a little by being interchange only if we need some match winning moments. Bugg gets the ball and is mobile but hope he takes some goal kicking lessons from Watts