Lucifers Hero

Thanks for Selwyn's confirmation. Must admit I didn't listen to the podcast; as a rule podcasts on any site aren't my thing. Last year's fixture was transition from covid. At the time the AFL did the first 9 games no one knew what covid interruptions might transpire. Anyway, I'm very confident about a 14th flag!!

His stay in hospital was the week before the KB match.

I don't think there is another body within the AFL system. Maybe a DL lawyer knows if the Courts are an option. But I doubt the Hawks would take that option.

There were several articles posted in a thread where Oliver admitted he left hospital when he shouldn't have and said the doctors were right (paraphrasing). The articles said he went for a run but he said he went to get some clothes. Not sure which context is right...one wonders why his partner couldn't have brought a change of clothes to him. Can't remember which thread.

James Sicily’s three-match ban has been upheld.

As good as Oliver is, no one is above team rules.

Re the comments about the short break over the bye. While the number of days of our bye is the same as last year there is no comparison to 2022. In 2022 we were blindsided by the AFL's progressive fixture roll out and we had only weeks to prepare for a shorter break. The club's 2022 preseason and early season training would have assumed a 12-14 day break at the bye. It is no coincidence that this year the AFL released rounds 1 -15 straight up so all clubs could plan their training schedules to incorporate their byes. Also, last year our players got a second 4 day break away from the club and I would be surprised if they didn't again this year. I mentioned in The Run Home thread we will have plenty of opportunity to rest/manage players in the last month while other competing top 4 clubs are fighting to maintain their position. Our fitness and medical staff are much better prepared this year. Fully trust that they will have the training/managing of players right. imv we do not have a disadvantage to other clubs in terms of days break.

We will win with or without him. But he does need match time.

This is a summary of the Run Home. I've added games at a teams Home ground* as these have become really important for Crows, Lions and Cats and maybe the Marvel teams: Saints, Ess and Bulldogs. On paper Cats and Lions have a difficult draw noting the number of 8pt games. My confidence of finishing top 2 is waning as Port have strongly consolidated their position. But they have played an extra game so can still be caught. Don't like Tigers and Cats chances of making the 8 altho Tigers have the benefit of the draw. After this week all teams will have played the same number of games. A big advantage we have if we keep banking wins is to rest/manage players in the last month of the season. Other top 4 contenders will be fighting each game to keep their ladder position.

6. Geelong (13-10) Very difficult for Geelong to win 7 of the last 10. Or 7 from the last 9 after we beat them on Thursday night. Geelong won't make the finals 10. St Kilda (11-10) Also difficult to see Saints losing 7 of the last 10 given their draw.

From bigfooty Geelong This is the hand Selwood kicked last year. So several things are ailing Oliver,

Oliver doesn't have a leg to stand on if he is told he can't play. He disobeyed doctor's orders and left hospital impacting his recovery thereby disadvantaging the team. It is similar to breaking the rule of not drinking while injured for which players have incurred a suspension. May comes to mind. For that breach alone Oliver will be damn lucky if he doesn't get a club suspension or leadership group suspension. He put himself before the team.

Updated for Chandler's much deserved 3 year contract extension until 2026

Umpires can't even be consistent within a game; not to mention 'rule of the week'. MRO picks and chooses how he classifies infringements, the Tribunal is at the whim of its chairman, Gleeson who used to be the AFL's rep at Tribunals. Consistency is but a pipe dream...

His name has been on my profile as a favourite player since the day he arrived!

They defensive midfielders do that now and sure it is a ball up. Open to suggestions on how to stop the stupid and subjective suspensions and not risk impacting finals.

In what way...

???

A very easy fix: eliminate 'the 'no prior' rule: if ball is not immediately and legally disposed of it is HTB. This will eliminate so many other aspects of tackle/HTB confusion and illegal disposals eg throws. And players being taken to ground will become the exception with lower risk to a player's head. Not my original idea: I heard Nathan Buckley discuss it a few years ago. I get that the AFL wants play to be 'free flowing' rather than have lots of frees. What is more important free flowing game or protecting players and not have stupid suspensions. I reckon once players get used to a new rule they will dispose of the ball faster and play will be free flowing any way. My fear is that a team could have several players could before the Tribunal in finals for "accidents". What then! The AFL turns a blind eye to its rules and not suspend players or suspends them and disadvantages a team and compromises the integrity of the finals and possibly the GF.

Updated my avatar to Judd a month or two ago when he became my =#1 fave along side Hunt and Salem. Mentioned elsewhere that I really like how he just glides on the surface of the G. Different gait but TJ like. Very smooth operator, in every respect.

Other: Favourite: The final siren and being able to breathe again!! Honourable mention: when we out cheered the Collingwood boos of Grundy.

We were sitting right above you and it scared the beejesus out of me when that chant started. I'm thinking: OMG don't you guys know that is Coll out there, the luckiest finishing side in the AFL. Thank God the DA shut up; it was heart stopping enough without stressing about the chant backfiring. Loved it tho when the siren went. We all made enough noise, yeah?? 🙂🙂🙂

Who dared win the other year!!!

Not sure if what I'm about to say is covered in subsequent posts. I thought we did more than even up the stoppage numbers. Coll (and Geelong and Sydney) have always beaten us at stoppages and especially at CB by winning the clearance or post clearance possession then getting it to their wingman and running it straight to goal. We completely stopped this. Having Sidebottom out helped as that linking is a primary role. It completely stifled their ball movement on which their system is so reliant Game over! Much later than it should have been because of all the points we kicked. Also we were better at staying goal side of them at fwd stoppages except that ridiculously late goal by Daicos. Geelong whould be afraid!!

Updated for round 13. I've added the Home Ground for each game as it clearly is an advantage for Lions, Crows and Cats. Comments: Our %'age counts for an extra game lead so two games ahead of Brisbane, Saints and Bombers and three ahead of the rest of top 8 teams.. Today has reinforced my view that Top 2 is on for us. On paper we have the east draw with one top 4 team and 3 from 5 to 11 teams. On paper Lions, Cats and Pies have the toughest draw. Pies are on top but not in top form. Have a challenging run for a while playing a lot of teams desperate to consolidate their spot in the top 8. Could they slip from Top 2. It is the teams sitting 4 to 11 that will determine the bottom half of the top 8. Expect some big games amonst them. All the teams from 12 to 17 could cause a bit of damage.