Lucifers Hero

Looks a very reasonable line of thinking. For a little while I thought of rivers but that line of thinking didn't last long. I didn't even pm it to ds.

A bit of both. My first thought was actors as I recognised: Paul Newman, Anthony Hopkins, Gene Kelly, Eddie Fisher etc. Then I googled several others who I thought were actors, pm'd 'actors' to ds but was wrong, well at least not the answer he wanted. Went and did other things for an hour or two and looked at the list again. I recognised names of singers: Eddie Fisher, Peggy Lee, Rod Stewart, Carol King, Paul Kelly etc. Then I googled a few more who I thought were singers and they were, submitted 'singers' to ds and response was wrong but 'getting warm'. Just as I was ready to raise the while flag, I thought of singer/guitarists which I knew was wrong but sent it to ds anyway. Ds response was check the clues again without strings. Bingo! Doubt googling the names would work very well as the names are so common.

Thanks for all your work, ds. Today's was torture - a bit easier next time please.

It isn't about leaving mates. They have a bond for life. It would be about securing his future. Especially, if the club has asked him (or others) to think about their future beyond their current contracts. Some might choose to leave before their contract expires if they can get a better long-term outcome. The club needs to do this to have best 22 spots and sal cap space for the next wave of players.

If folks haven't noticed our intrepid puzzler has gone back and highlighted the 'obvious clues' in purple.

Harmes has two years on his contract (OOC 2024 when he will be 29) so if he goes it will be because he thinks it is good for him. Doubt he is on high $ so it might be his best chance to build his financial future especially if a longer contract and extend his career into his 30's. He has fulfilled every possible football dream. Drafted to the team he followed, became part of the regular 22 and most of all has a premiership medal. What a dream come true for a once-upon-a-time, rookie. Will always be a demon through and through. Hate seeing one of our players go at any time but would still be happy for Harmes - he has given all he has to the red and blue.

The top 8 teams that had quietly notched up their Suns game as a win they can think again. Big fight on for the last few spots in the 8. Suns play 5 teams below them so will be pushing their case. Would be delighted to see them make it especially if it means Pies, Bulldogs and Saints don't.

Well, what is the answer related to 🙄

Your wit and ability to word play has no bounds🙃

I'm impressed by the 'fishing rod' connections! Well done, whoever that was.

Not really. He was injured all of last year. Played 7 games this year and was injured again yesterday. Sadly is body isn't very reliable.

This looks like what @hemingwaywould write a few years ago. Altho he would on some, not to often occasions put in a full stop!!

I don't know but Freo have certainly shored up their talent. Either way Freo wins: if the can't trade a contracted player they keep him or if they can they will say: "you want a contracted player then our value in a trade is xxxx..."

It is difficult to see how Freo can get either Jackson or Neale in a trade, let alone both. They may have the salary cap to pay them but little to trade with. They have signed up all their good talent. Those left OOC aren't anything to write home about; some barely 'steak knives'. Would they turn round and trade out a player they recently signed. Unlikely. And their draft picks will not be attractive.

Responses from 16 (of 18) 'Club bosses'. If you could choose one player from a rival club to add to your AFL list, who would it be? Christian Petracca (3) Clayton Oliver (2) Luke Jackson (1) Max King (3) Jordan De Goey (1) Darcy Moore (1) Aaron Naughton (1) Dustin Martin (1) No answer (3) "Oliver and Petracca were the only two players nominated who finished in the top 10 of last year’s Brownlow Medal count, with stars such as Carlton’s Charlie Curnow, Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, the Brisbane Lions’ Lachie Neale, the Bulldogs’ Marcus Bontempelli, Geelong’s Tom Stewart and Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw overlooked." the-rival-afl-players-club-bosses-would-love-to-have

I think we have our answer on which team won't make finals. Based on last night, it is the Saints. Other contenders have an easier draw and playing more consistent football.

I mentioned Richmond only because they are on a roll, have a very easy draw and could easily fall into the top 4 and go from there.

If we lose the flag to anyone, I would be happiest if it's to one of Brisbane or Freo. Just PLEASE do not let Geelong or Carlton win it. 2022 has been rough as it is. Or Richmond!

On paper, Sydney have an easier run home than Saints and Carlton. The last two spots are too close to call for mine. Round 23 may decide who misses the 8: Saints vs Swans Blues vs Magpies I'd prefer that Tigers didn't make it but they play 6 of the bottom 8 sides. Could even fluke a top 4 spot. All ladder positions could come down to round 23 when those games are played and we play Lions again. I reckon we will win the 5 games to make top 4 with 15 games, altho it is so tight for spots top 4 might require 16 wins.

Big round next week not just for our top of the table clash as all top 8 teams play a top 8 team: Lions vs Dees Dockers vs Blues Cats vs Tigers Saints vs Swans Only two games (and some %) separating first and ninth (Collingwood) on the ladder. All teams in good form. Huge implications for the final 8 order! And potentially who drops out of the 8 with the Pies knocking on the door.

Should I change the title to the Gabba?

From bf: What would be your take on stopping the midfeld? I feel that Petracca is down on last year and is probably playing through an injury but Oliver is still racking them up. Do we send Berry to him or feel that the team defense will be able to cover. Personally I feel we shut him down and send Berry to him. Petracca is the much more dangerous player and teams are winning by sitting on him. Oliver does not have the hurt factor that Petracca has. News of Max injury released. Don’t like seeing injuries but will help the cause especially for our midfield. Personally would prefer to play a fully fit Demon’s side to see where we actually stand. I'd rather win and not know where we stand than lose and know because at this point of the year there's not much more we can do to improve our side. Who knows . Gawn mightn't come back as the Gawn we've seen so fa this year. I'm not going to pretend it doesn't really help us and as much as I don't want to see anyone get injured I'm not unhappy about it. Just beat them and get the win. Season's too close to call so we better win regardless of whose playing. Winning at MCG would be a nice change / confidence booster too. Looks like the last win at MCG for us was in 2014 As it stands today, Melbourne are still the greatest threat to our Premiership aspirations so any advantage for us should be welcomed. I don't agree that we are favourites to win the flag or even the minor premiership this year. I think as it stands Fremantle are in the box seat for that one. I hate to be negative, but I am still waiting for that massive away win that as a club we havent had in a long time. Sydney away was good but not like what Dockers have been doing on the road against the big teams like Dees and Cats away. With Gawn out, going in with two rucks and really working them over makes sense. I disagree. If Big O can take Ryder & Marshall he can go it alone this week. Nothing amusing or cheeky to put in the 'My favourites' list.

Not sure what having a paper ticket will solve. The frustrations of the Ticketek booking process won't go away be it a digital, email or a printable ticket at the end of the booking: the instructions for inserting barcodes is poor, their algorithms for allocating tickets make it difficult to select tickets in a preferred area, it is very difficult to upgrade a GA membership ticket to a reserved seat etc etc And for club members it would help if the AFL fixed the 'Forward' barcode option on the clubs' mobile apps as not everyone finds it easy to take screen shots then text it someone nor how to use the Apple 'wallet' or its android equivalent. And it will help if people know they can buy walk up tickets rather than have to pre book via Ticketek. I have my doubts that digital ticketing is a major issue relative: to venue chosen in winter for Thurs night games, car parking, inadequate public transport, cost etc etc. The AFL have a lot of work to do to get crowds back.

If the club thinks Jackson is likely to go they would be out there canvassing these guys. Then a Hogan/May situation is on the cards:

If Cats, Saints and Sydney win their games vs Eagles, Ess and Port by even a couple of goals, Carlton will go from 4th to 7th by tomorrow night.