The heart beats true

Multiple players out of the GWS Swans game Due to CoVID restrictions. New teams to be released now. This season is starting to fall apart.

Ok cool. It’s not just me. I was trying to think of other sports where the umpire needs so much skill. ?

I’m watching a game of AFL and watching the umpires give free kicks in the centre bounce ruck purely because of their inability to consistently bounce the ball. I’ve also noted this year far too many short throw ins later in quarters that result in goals (or frees) because of tired boundary umpires. I’ve come to the conclusion that we expect far too much of umpires as ‘creators’ of the play - as opposed to adjudicators of the rules. If they simply had to throw the ball up (no bouncing), and we did away with throw ins and instead threw the ball up 20 metres in from the boundary I think we’d get rid of at least 5 free kicks a match. I’d also argue that of those 5 free kicks supporters don’t understand 4 of them - which is ruining the spectacle of the sport. The AFL did away with third man up to create a purer ruck contest (so we know they aren’t purest), but then have created all these extra rules that would be cleaner if we always had consistency in how the ball enters play. Am I missing something by trying to simplify the game in this way? I just see too much of the sport being based on umpires making a mistake to restart play, and not on players playing. Enighten me.

Did he really? They got 16 frees to 7 in the 2nd and 3rd quarter - including a very dubious run of 6 straight, and a pathetic 50, to start the second half.

Nah, he’d be disappointed we didn’t lose. It’s not as ‘stimulating’ inside the gimp suit when it’s a draw.

Our midfielders are making a habit of picking when to go. That’s the difference for us. I can’t have Viney in our midfield mix. He’s just way too one dimensional. Can’t kick, and too slow. We don’t look anywhere near as dynamic with him in there. We will respond next week, but it’s becoming an issue that we even need to. I feel like our midfield is a few years off having the emotional maturity to contend over a full season.

Horrible

9 frees to 3 in the 3rd, following 7 to 4 in the second. We are poor but that’s insane.

Anyway I can see the free kick count this quarter?

I think this is a really good opportunity to evaluate our coaching. We’ve seen what they’ve got. Now we adjust and go again.

Has Petty done hammy?

Chuck Spargo was inspired that quarter.

Based on today’s numbers the Vic Government needs to reinstate the ring of steel around metropolitan Melbourne… Meaning we have to play all our games in Melbourne for the rest of the year, and specifically can’t travel to Geelong. Its for the good of the nation.

If people can’t go if they’re not old enough to get vaccinated then watch me commit the most outrageous identity theft you’ve ever seen, and dress as 91 year old Eileen McInity to be able to see the Demons play in the grand final. Ain’t nothing going to stop me (I mean Eileen). ??

BT just said ‘Jack Hawkins has kicked 6 in his 300th’. ??‍♂️?

Dangerous tackle is this weeks rule of the week.

Daniher is 5 years away from peak David Crosby…

Oh well in that case, congrats to the AFL for creating the perception of a fair rule change, while still managing to screw over Melbourne in the process. ?

Exactly, why not phase it out over a 3 year period beginning from last year, and allow each club to select one player in that 3 year window under the old rules - and everyone else under the new rules? Cutting it off completely just means some clubs got a massive leg up, and others didn’t. A phased approach allows for consistency.

Agree 100%. There seems to be varying degrees of perspective applied. Last year my 50 year old brother died of cancer in Queensland, but I couldn’t visit him for almost 6 months because of state lockdowns. He was only diagnosed in June, the lockdowns began and Victorian’s became unwelcome everywhere. My dad and Sister got the same treatment. We all were finally allowed into the state 2 days before he died, but never saw him conscious. I love footy, but the players have a choice to go home and see their families whenever they like - yes it would cost them playing football games and income, but they make that choice of their own free will. I wish I had been extended the same courtesy. If my name was Minogue or Efron it might have been different - which is inexcusable.

So, logically, you’d have to think a hard 6 week lockdown for anyone who barracks for either of those 2 teams is the only solution. It’s for the good of the nation.

Out: Crowds? Wonder what the government will do given today’s numbers in Vic.

Fascinating. Thanks!

I have to ask…. Are the visitor numbers bigger after a win or a loss?