Diamond_Jim

Working my way through the season on the Kayo/Foxtel replays. Up to the WCE game in Perth. They just jump from the end of Q3 to the start of Q4 and completely miss the drama of the "lightning break." It underscores how important context is historically. Hope someone is archiving full games with extra comments for future generations. I'd also like to see a closing section that shows all the player votes from different comps including the Brownlow. A pre-game caption showing ins and outs would also help. These are historical records after all. PS: Jackson's increasing dominance in the latter half of the season is a joy to watch. He had very few one on one duels with Naitanui but perhaps next year.

This would be similar to the top-up pool created by the Big Bash League this season This pool could see a player playing for one club in Round 1 and another club in Round 2, if required. Somebody should perhaps mention to Gil that fitting into a football team is not quite the same as substituting in a Big Bash T20 game

Nic Naitanui turns 32 in May this year. Has he got this and two more years in him?

Yep.... she tested positive "after" going out of the tournament On another note today marks two years from the first covid case in Melbourne. I took off for India a couple of days later. Those were the days. Let's hope that it's a distant memory this time next year.

Indian women's soccer team had to withdraw from the Asian Cup because they couldn't field a squad of 13 players. Strange no player at the tennis testing positive given the community spread. Perhaps I'm a cynic.

The Jordon and Sparrow discussion is very interesting

Definitely some upside available for the Dogs in returning players and the possible inclusion of Ugle-Hagen. Hannan will be lucky to keep his spot. As to our team I'm not completely sold on Harmes but have no idea who would be a better replacement. Hibberd is the other one who may not make it for the opening game. Can't see the 2 pre season games influencing selection that much given the squads etc. Will be interesting to see where Weideman is played in those two games. An exception might be the Jordon v Sparrow duel. Could it be that both play and Harmes misses out. McDonald is safe for at least 3 games. Suspect that the opening game will be strongly influenced by who kicks straighter

Hunt would walk into most teams if he could improve that final kick/disposal.

One more.... BRISBANE will place midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen on its inactive list after he failed to meet the AFL's COVID-19 protocols.

Vale..... https://www.theage.com.au/culture/music/legendary-american-singer-meat-loaf-dies-aged-74-20220121-p59qai.html Bat Out of Hell is also the best-selling album of all time in Australia.

Here's the thread. Not sure if it was officially confirmed

IIRC he was told to look elsewhere at the end of last season and no one picked him up. He'll most likely be delisted at the end of 2022

"The club will continue to support Jack as he contemplates his options and is optimistic that he will return to build on his outstanding career to date." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-21/jack-darling-west-coast-eagles-covid-vaccine-mandate/100772604 Given the 3-4 weeks between first and second dose he better get a move on

Agree but will they revamp the first six odd weeks so they are all away games for the Perth sides. Forget the fairness etc but there will be pressure to maximise the gate figures for all teams after two years of compromised attendances.

I love symmetry In the 1890 attempt at federation it was NZ in and WA out. Fast forward to the 1900 attempt and it was WA in and NZ out. Now we have both NZ and WA out !!

Without wishing to go too far away from the topic.... Who was the more wasted talent Travis Johnstone or Nick Kyrgios ? BTW: Does anyone have a youtube link to the Adelaide game. The best quarter I have ever seen played by a Melbourne player....

Interesting to see in Europe the continuing movement to re-introduce standing at the football. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10342633/Clubs-introduce-safe-standing-grounds-supporters-feet.html Personally I've never understood the joy of it. The standing areas at most AFL stadiums are an afterthought. I wonder if a movement similar to soccer could arise.

It demonstrates that among the young at least there is little to fear from this variant of the virus if you are vaccinated. They are one of the few community groups regularly tested so they make an excellent control group.

The formal tested stats for the 20-30 year old cohort was around one in twenty. Obviously the real figures were a little higher Close to half of the AFL’s players, excepting those from the two Western Australian teams, have tested positive to COVID-19 over summer. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/footy-under-the-covid-cloud-half-the-afl-players-in-victoria-nsw-and-qld-have-had-the-virus-20220119-p59pj3.html TBH it's a good news story but very few media outlets handle nuance these days.

Just watching the Round 19 clash at present. Two things stood out to me. In the first half our forward play lacked cohesion and we missed 3-4 very gettable goals. (BBB was responsible for two of those.) Dogs scored around three goals "out the back". In addition the jury is still out on whether you tag Daniels. The good thing is that they rarely if ever dominated us even if they outscored us.

apparently they will then move onto naming them after universes..........infinite number 😪

Makes sense... will they do it ? Australia’s second busiest gateway, Melbourne Airport, wants COVID-19 testing requirements for inbound international travellers relaxed, arguing they do little to protect public health at a time Australia is recording tens of thousands of new cases a day. https://www.theage.com.au/business/companies/no-higher-risk-melbourne-airport-pushes-to-covid-19-test-rules-20220118-p59p3r.html TBH incoming tests for most countries are of little use. Plays well however to the local citizenry

Not without merit FT. Would love to see it trialed in say the amateurs. Mind you with best handballer in the league let's wait another three years.

The ball rarely re-appeared if kicked into the Collingwood fans at the Yarra Falls end.

Fremantle is a possibility. They should beat WCE twice which is always a help in the Derby cities. Mind you I think they are most likely a 6th ranked team and would need a stunning finals series a la Bulldogs 2016