Diamond_Jim

I like the direct play idea but what will it mean for our defence. The strategy was to lock the ball in the forward line thus encouraging the opposition defender to dump kick to our defensive gatekeeper. I likened it to a python slowly crushing its prey As a great man said... For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. 2023 could be fun !

There's a new diversion in the out of contract young stars saga... The Swans always play their cards close to their chest when it comes to AFL trades, and insiders rarely agree to speak publicly about contracts and offers. But well-placed sources suggest Sydney are willing to offer De Koning a monster, eight-year contract to lure him north. We contacted the Swans with questions about their interest in De Koning; they did not respond by the time of publication. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/could-young-blue-become-a-swans-king-20230307-p5cq39.html

My thoughts on ground preparation moved to another level after watching the cricket in India. Mind you the air quality in Delhi was at another level saved only by the street food at Chandi Chowk

perhaps a smokie as the sub ?

Interesting thoughts Kev. When it was a medi-sub the versatile player was logical. (Always thought Joel Smith was the perfect medi-sub). In the old sub days (to which we have now returned) the typical sub was "fresh legs". I suspect that we will see 3 or 4 players rotated through the role. You could also use it from a structural viewpoint. Go tall in the first half in the forward line and then sub Chandler for BBB in the second hoping to unbalance the opposition. I suspect we will be conservative but other teams could pull a few surprises

You could be right. His 2022 season was not stellar and he needs to be more damaging with his disposal. There was much debate pre covid on how teams best allocated their salary cap. IIRC the suggestion was that your top 5 should take up around 50%. It was thought provoking

I love Rivers but he's a 12-18 ranked player.He'll get a decent offer but it won't be great. His reward is longevity in the game at a reasonable remuneration.

Are you including SA and WA? You probably need an extra 15 players on the "Reserve List". What is the incentive for these players. Do they ever train with the AFL listed players. At one stage Collingwood reserves were begging for players. My take is that there simply isn't any money or desire to re-invigorate the competition. Another point I used to make is that there is little incentive to grow crowd numbers. If they do that stadium providers (mainly local councils) need to pay for more facilities (toilets, grandstands etc)

On Kozzie in the midfield. I can recall him starting in the midfield for opening bounces many times in both 2021 and 2022 but I cannot recall him actually getting the ball very often. Of course it could have simply been a tactic to lose his defender but it will be interesting to see if he can bring his skills to the midfield. Same for Rivers. I'd be interested in comments on why the Gawn/Grundy combination that contributed 6 goals in the first half was goalless in the second half. Was there a tactical change by either side?

As somebody on Twitter said... looks like the centre square area in Delhi. They are cutting it fine having a concert 2 weeks before the first game but I suppose they know what they're doing

Baker was a link player except at VFL level he could not dispose to his advantage. Perhaps with better AFL level receivers his disposal to advantage will improve. As you say, time will tell

The AFL is not reading the room. It's all about last minute ticket sales these days whereas they are trying to lock fans into pre-booking https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/fashionably-late-festivals-sweat-post-pandemic-trend-of-last-minute-tickets-20230303-p5cp39.html

Understand but I thought the non aligned clubs had a salary cap that was not too flash. A little more transparency would not go astray

I think you're right simply because it's a no contest these days between a team that has say 16 full time AFL players in it vs a non aligned club with after work footballers. Mind you the Sharks seemed to do okay. It was different when teams like Port Melbourne had money that allowed them to attract NQR AFL players. Would love to hear some in depth discussion from those responsible for the competition as to what they are trying to achieve from it by bringing in the non aligned clubs. Is it simply to give a little exposure to the next rung of players. If so it's a very cumbersome method

Did Shache play in the curtain raiser? Any feedback on how he went. Thanks PS... Just found the Casey thread and my question has been answered

Thanks. I was on the website but will check the app

Is there a replay on the AFL site. I can see full videos for Dogs v North and GWS v Suns but not any others. Thanks

Dogs are a different team from that which we have played over the last few years. With Lobb, Darcy and Liam Jones they now seem to have a lot more height around the ground. They probably have a better forward line than we do and while our midfield shades theirs the Dogs aren't shabby in that regard It will be a solid test

A score and what quarter are we in please No kayo in Asia unfortunately

I quite often get repeat posts in a game day thread but today is another level. Still when you're winning I quite like reading things 2 or 3 times

Interesting to hear comments on structure Sounds as though they are resting Gawn/Grundy up forward rather than on the bench. How is the Brown and the resting ruckman working out. Last season Gawn was excellent early season at protecting Brown's run for the mark

8 players on the bench Will be interesting to see the rotations. I'd play Brown for a half at most and JVR for the other half if not for say one more quarter in exchange for T Mac in order to look at the set ups. Woewodin in relief of a winger Lots of half backs on the bench. Where does Laurie usually play?

A proper question for the Board is whether the Morgan Stanley mandate is limited to ethical investments

Excuse the tautology but Future Funds are the future if the fund raising of US Colleges is any guide. It's either this or private ownership similar to US professional leagues or European soccer. The murmurings about private equity taking a stake in Cricket Australia are interesting/concerning. Could that ever happen with the AFL

Do you think it's too early to discuss "loading"