Diamond_Jim

Early days but a battle of the jail bars looking a possible GF

Article from the Guardian written by Lumumba well argued and worth a read 'On Monday I was notified that Collingwood would be conducting an “internal investigation” into my claims, in order to discover the “truth”. Many are wondering why I will not participate in this process. It is an insult to suggest that I have done anything less than tell the “truth” for the last six years. I have expressed this truth directly to the AFL via board members of Collingwood and the Melbourne Football Club, administrators and players at both clubs, the AFL Players’ Association, AFL club-affiliated psychologists and psychiatrists, and the Australian public via a feature-length documentary and interviews with almost every major media outlet in the country. I have no desire to sit down with the same organisation who have worked to publicly discredit my truth, so that they can decide on its value." https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jun/25/i-foundracism-runs-through-the-afl-it-has-failed-to-uphold-the-rights-and-safety-of-black-players

If Gus doesn't perform this year that would be a sensible trade but I doubt Essendon would go for it. Sounds like he wants decent money and with no increase in the salary cap could be a hard fit.We have some high value re-signings in 2021 IIRC.

no fault but our own as we have played them in Darwin and Alice IIRC

If the Eagles lose to Port they can probably say goodbye to positions one and two on the ladder at seasons end. You would also think if they lost another two games that would be the end of top 4.

The Australian policy has now become obvious and its zero with international borders closed until there is a vaccine. I was very much anti State borders being closed but now that we have the majority of the States near or close to zero the economic benefits that flow from being free of social distancing are enormous. Victoria faces some difficulties in getting rid of the 20 a day that it seems to be suffering but with a hard month or two it should succeed. In the meantime a closure of the NSW border to Victoria makes sense. (if we can't handle that then a pre test followed by another test and one day quarantine when crossing the border... this is what some other countries are doing ...could work as well. ) On that basis Victoria could be where the other States are now in 60 days. So footy crowds in Melbourne for Round 15 are a possibility.

interesting post... would that include the bye?

But what will Bruce talk about if Howe is out. He was his new Cyril

Aaaaaagh... what a beautiful feeling

Compared to North and Bulldogs this is a free flowing game for the Giants. The Cox selection appears wrong but I like watching him

usually it's about round 8 that you realise the season is it's usual wasted self... this year is weird.. I have the usual feeling after round 2. Would be noice to get the 2018 (even the hope of 2017) feeling back again.

somewhat ignominious for players to be dropped after playing an intra club scratch match

The problem is you will never see it ?

what is the definition of the "best coach".... anyone who is not willing to back themselves to finish in the top 75 percentile is not a great coach. (Top 14 isn't a tough requirement) Remember it's a Board option so if there is a good reason (not the usual flaky excuses.. too young too tired etc) then it may not be used.

interesting comments on what Buckley may have known. The old call for the enquiry trick and thereby avoid comment may not work this time. Would be surprised if major sponsors of Collingwood are not in dialogue. Could this be Eddie's undoing?

Had forgotten that the "excuse" was so lame

that's my worry about the $5M. It probably only pays operating expenses and does nothing for the fundamentals. I would prefer to hear that we need say $20-30M to achieve real financial independence and then put in place a four year plan to get there. Of course the variable will always be gate receipts and 2019 showed that if you don't perform nothing will recover those gate receipts. Never again hire a coach that does not provide the club an option to remove the coach if we end a season bottom four. That doesn't mean we have to remove her or him but it gives the Board that right.

I really like Spargo because he's not your usual 6 foot midfielder/flanker and he gives hope to so many aspiring young players.(Always thought there should be an under 6ft basketball comp.) in his first year he was a playmaker with the ability to receive and dispose quickly to advantage. He also benefitted from the 2018scoring spree when we took the bulk of our shots from around 20metres. The game is now even more crowded than it was in 2018 limiting his ability to receive the ball in the clear and his disposal has become suspect. Similarly the close in shots seem to have dried up thus exposing his long kicking deficiency. Does he have a role. Unfortunately probably not.Caleb Daniel who is more skilful than Charlie struggled in 2019 and is only showing occasional glimpses of his 2016 form these days. ( Decent game against the Swans last night.) It seems that it's a six footer's game these days.

Agree but it was helped by multiple turnovers from Sydney. GWS at their best are the experts in centre corridor domination but as North showed if you force them to the boundary line and hem them in their game plan fails. Collingwood appear to have the balance right. As a game it was rather boring as so many have been this year. Switched to rewatching Game of Thrones at half time. GWS v Pies could be a great game but I'm not expecting much

Good post.... there needs to be a lot more information on future finances. My feeling is that $5M is nowhere near enough and would be a mere bandaid but in the absence of solid figures and alternatives it's hard to assess.

I could not find a thread but this man demands our respect. There are so many stories that are better told by others but perhaps the ultimate tribute is that he left the game in a better state than when he entered. Few are his equal and we are lucky to have one such man in RDB. Cherish them while they live and value their contribution thereafter.

The surprise is why was he not "managed" last week. Yes you can say load management but if he was best 22 for the match against Essendon he could have played this week. A minor chuckle in the continuing saga that is the MFC

If Bennell is out due to "load management" one really has to wonder. Then again nothing surprises me anymore with our selections.

One country..one flag "NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, said he has been assured by the AFL and the NRL it won’t be selling tickets to NSW games to people who live in the Victorian Covid hotspots: I yesterday spoke to the AFL and the NRL, and pointed out that we obviously have these concerns. They’re very aware of them. And I want to say thank you to the AFL and the NRL for their immediate and positive response to ensuring that they will take all necessary steps is humanly practicable to make sure there are no tickets being sold to Victorians, particularly Melbournites and the hot spots."

Boundary advertising goes to the MCC that is why Geelong make so much money with their clean stadium. You do get to put up some seat covers though