Lucifers Hero

We aren't the same team, jr. Feeling very positive about this game.

I reckon Ox will go ballistic when he hears the comments. It is a low insulting blow from Hardwick, to a player that was as tough as they come both physically and mentally to play thru his injuries. Edit: classy response by the Ox: “For Dimma to get personal, that’s his decision if he wants to do that... “I’m a big boy. I stand by what I said and I didn’t take it personally what Dimma said. He might have remembered the Grand Final differently because he was a winner. It’s a long time ago and I haven’t watched it back... https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-damien-hardwick-richmond-tom-lynch-david-schwarz-comments-melbourne-vs-essendon-2000-grand-final/news-story/89d4e2e642b5c2b0d4a356a872bf576

More players break the rules: covid-breach-port-stars-set-to-cop-bans-after-entertaining-visitors Should get the same suspension as young Elijah Taylor of the Swans: out for the season (plus solitary confinement in his room for 14 days to quarantine). Throw the book at them. If they miss playing in finals bad luck! Idiots for risking the competition.

Hardwick is taking over from C. Scott on the coaches whinging ladder. If its not ops free kicks, its offensive remarks about Syd ? defence tactics and now its shooting off because the media dares take his protected little darlings to task hardwick-lashes-out-at-lynch-critics-says-richmond-targeting-should-stop He takes quite a swipe at our Schwartz: "They should have a good, hard look at themselves as I guarantee a few guys making comments, and I'm looking at David Schwarz here – I played a grand final against this bloke and 20 minutes into the game he was crying, so he should have a look at himself at some stage." Nasty, Nasty, Mr Hadwick. I guess a leopard never changes its spots. Tbh, that is pretty stupid and pretty low for an AFL coach to shoot off at the mouth like that. They have become mighty smug and entitled at Tiger land. IHope they go out in the Elimination Final. Edit: Update: damien-hardwick-richmond-tom-lynch-david-schwarz-comments-melbourne-vs-essendon-2000-grand-final "But Schwarz told Foxfooty.com.au he wasn’t concerned with the comments, which were cut out of the press conference video clip on Richmond’s website". Club embarrased by their coaches comments.

What is even better is that pick 10-13 will be pushed back to 15-20 after all the top academy and aligned players are taken. Can't imagine we would get the likes of Kozzie with that sort of a pick this year. Kozzie is a bit of a bargain really. And we get a year of experience into him.

I hadn't heard the podcast interview so thanks for the tip. Further reinforces the impression of a top bloke and example setting, from his time at the club and the occasional media article. A very good speaker.

My thinking is that when other teams do well with Max owning the taps is because they 'shark' to him when the ball comes to ground. With TMac I see English tapping it over the top into the hands of a running bulldog so our mids have less opportunity to 'shark' the ball. Also, TMac is now very slow, no longer the speedy player he was 2 years ago. But as you say, hopefully Maxy will be fine.

The problem I have with TMac in the ruck is that he can no longer jump limiting his effectiveness at stoppages and for that matter around the ground. And not sure he has the strength to stop a ruckman jumping over him. So I'm seeing lots of easy taps over the midfielders heads to a running bulldog rather than the ball come to ground. I don't think we can take Sam away from FF. So I would go for Tomlinson as ruckman of last resort.

Think it was Taylor Adams doing the praising. demons-heartfelt-gesture Good to see no grudges by either side. As it was, I thought Reid pushed AvB while in mid air that made the knock on Brody more forceful. An amazing recovery by Brody to get up and play this wek. Aaron seems a top bloke as evidenced by his stoicism and hard work in 2017-2018 thru his injuries, his father's passing and running the family business (in NSW) from Victoria. It looked like he might leave the Dees for Sydney and who could blame him given his personal circumstances. Its a measure of the man that he chose to stay with us and still carry on his family affairs. I reckon it is not only his physicality on field that makes his teammates walk taller. Sets a great example on and off the field.

@ding That Salem and the man in my avatar are my faves shows my faves aren't necessarily our best players. Sorry for side setting your question but there is no logic to my choice of favourites. I like the way they play. Generally, I don't put expectations on them or our players. I love them all. They bring different skills to the team and I'm happy for them to achieve their potential and do their best. The reason for mentioning Salem was that by all accounts he is very highly regarded and that could be tested if another club tried to poach him has a pre-FA. Edit: Forgot to mention, Salem's after the siren goal to beat Ess in his first year, is right up their as one of my favourite mfc moments, along with the Watts goal to beat the Pies on QB, 2017 and the Hannan goal in the finals. Can't remember when Salem became a fave but I guess it was after that goal.

An earlier twitter post by Ayrton Woolley: Scans later today for Braydon Preuss. A “tweak” of hip/groin according to club. Not ruled out just yet, but he didn’t look happy. Dees positive on Gawn progress after big running session. @9NewsMelb Doesn't sound like it is wrist slashing time! If nothing else it will keep bulldogs guessing.

A test for us is if other clubs come calling on Salem. He is a 'pre-Free Agent' this year. Of late this is when clubs trade a player to get a better trade pick/deal than an AFL comp pick, if the player goes as an FA a year later eg GCS when trading May to us. He would add 'silk' to any number of teams. I'm in no way suggesting he would want to go or that we would let him go. He is my favourite player. But it would be surprising if the question isn't asked by other clubs. A question they will ask of other players but the pre-FA year is when poaching clubs fancy their chances especially if the player is at a team high up the ladder.

The ol' 'good cop, bad cop' routine... ?

True but I see our 1 game and very large %'age as a buffer to Carlton. Carlton need to win 4 of 6 and boost their % to make the 8. They may do that but I don't see it being at our expense (as long as we win at least 3/6 and keep %'age over 100). More likely Giants or Bulldogs make way for Carlton. Of course, if we lose 4 of 6 then its 'all over red rover' for us!

fyi, article today about finals and byes afl-moving-closer-to-grand-final-clarity Does McGowan have an ace up his sleeve? We will know by the end of the month. The AFL may try and keep both Qld and WA happy: offer Qld the Brownlow and at least the first two weeks of finals (6 games). Premlims could be either Qld or WA and the GF to WA. This keeps the door open with Qld to move the comp i/state next year if necessary and gets the big $ on offer from WA. The byes (if any) will fall out from that timetable. If the GF is on Oct 24 it increases the likelihood of a bye at some stage. Of course the ultimate irony would be WA get the GF but Eagles don't make it... In the meantime, keep winning Dees!

Sydney has put the cue in the rack. injury-crisis-sydney They play 3 top 4 sides but none of the sides competing with us for a finals berth so our competitors won't get an 'easy' win vs Syd. I know there are no 'easy' wins but if we exploit Syd's injury position their draw works in our favour.

Thanks for the summary. Nice of Max to show support for team mates. Anyone know what has become of Nev?

I've heard of different scenarios. eg The AFL could take the 4 prelim teams to Perth and whoever wins stay for the GF. In this case the bye would be before the Prelim, if the 14 day quarantine is still required. Even if finals are in SA and Qld the AFL may not schedule a pre-season bye. My only point is that until the finals schedule is released (FC last night said it would be later this month) we shouldn't assume there will be a pre-season bye and imv if there isn't it will hurt us.

The prelims may work out that way but without a pre finals bye we may run out of puff like we did in 2018 which was my point, not so much where they are held. I think that is posturing by the WA government as they are negotiating big time to get some finals, especially the GF and offering the a AFL a $35m carrot.

You misunderstood. I wasn't suggesting a bye for us. To the contrary I was saying as so many top 8 teams have a bye coming up that may make the AFL not have a pre-finals bye. I believe that will hurt us as other finalists will be fresher. And I was focusing on the importance of winning the next few games so that we can rest some at the end of the H&A season. The Prelims may very well be in Perth!

I just noticed that the Eagles play: Giants, Ess, Bulldogs, Saints. Teams that we play and competitors for a 5th-8th spot or our position therein. Will be barracking for the Eagles to smash those teams! Especially the Giants and Bulldogs, those most threatening our spot. Now, more convinced that 9 wins will be enough for a finals berth!

I'm guessing the Eagles will get us on %'age. To win all 6 remaining games means 9 consecutive wins...don't like the odds.

The AFL hasn't said if there will be a pre finals bye. We probably won't know until they decide where the GF will be and if in Perth whether the WA gov't will relax the mandatory 14 day quarantine. If WA quarantine is required the AFL will most likely schedule the bye the week before the GF. If GF is in Qld there may or may not be a bye at all. Because 6 of the top 8 teams have a bye in the next 6 rounds I think it is less likely there will be a pre finals bye. Eagles and Demons have had their byes. We won't win all our next 6 games so each will be do-or-die. So not having a pre finals bye will really hurt our chances. It is critical we go all out to win the next 3 (Bulldogs, Saints, Freo) so we can consider resting players in the last few rounds, if no pre finals bye is scheduled.

An interesting thing is that if we make finals the team we play in wk 1 will be one of the teams we just played or play leading up to the finals (except) Richmond. We beat the Pies so its critical we beat Bulldgos, Saints, Giants and Essendon just to get the psychological edge for a finals meeting.