Diamond_Jim

The AFL are so hooked on the compromised draw they just think its natural. If ever there was a season where you could have a random draw this is it. As to when each match is played I concede that TV ratings have a say but there is no reason why they can't be announced say five weeks out. Logistics re stadiums and crowds etc are massively simplified so the usual arguments against forward notice don't apply

will be interesting if when list numbers are cut for next year clubs are allowed to pay out contracted players in a manner that does not impact the salary cap. Seems sensible save that it would let Sydney out of the Buddy clause

Interesting concept of donation. If followed through the club will need to offer a clear choice between donation or refund/credit. Careful what you wish for is my suggestion.

WA clubs have said they prefer to hub in Southern Qld and not travel. (Caroline Wilson on 3aw)

well looks as though it wont be Collingwood or Richmond. I wouldn't mind the Swans or Hawthorn.Both are 50/50 games if we are going to be any good and a win would give the team and supporters a confidence boost. Going 0-2 not to mention 0-3 would just kill my interest for the year and given there isn't much to do on perpetual lockdown that would not be good.

surely the AFL would not allow that ? Seriously though with the WA and SA govt positions this is starting to look like a real mess. Like many the AFL assumed they would roll over as NSW and Qld did for rugby league but it's proving a little tougher

North want the money...that's the main reason. It's worth around 2M to them but if I was the Tas Gov I'd be offering them around 500k. What is the economic benefit to the state of having crowd free matches on a fifo basis. Ground advertising and a bit of brand awareness at most. As to us in Alice... I'm neutral as long as the travel is reasonable. Who we play is irrelevant as there will be no crowds. If the NT allow crowds the team would be mad to play there.... so wrong to have crowds this year Remember also most teams will probably need to charter and pay for aircraft.

The AFL is understood to be contemplating alternative playing arrangements after telling clubs on Tuesday that no AFL footballers will be permitted to play in second-tier competitions in 2020. https://www.afl.com.au/news/433234/state-league-ban-scratch-matches-an-option-for-non-selected-players

See that North are asking to play four games in Hobart (for the money) and Hawks will probably push for a few. What tells me that we will draw the short straw yet again. TBH not sure why Tas Govt would want to pay for crowd free games. Media companies are asking the EPL for a refund of 345 M (not sure if its pounds or US dollars)

there's a bit of confusion over the ten player limit. My understanding is that the Victorian protocol for professional teams allows for the full team (Community teams are limited to ten) OTOH other states such as WA are limiting numbers to ten so,,,,,, who knows

you could see it coming that the coach would take the fall. So much for player responsibility... hard to believe that one of them didn't say... hey is this okay ???

The premise of the AFL article is that with 16 minute quarter the first ruck will not need a rest and thus no need for second ruck. Not sure if it's right but it does mean as we keep saying the relief ruckman must justify their primary position. Interesting aside I was just reading the Bomberblitz where they discussed each team's prospects in 2020. Safe to say they didn't rate us but one poster said that Godwin's gameplan is based on Hird's 2012-2013 gameplan. https://discourse.bomberblitz.com/t/season-2020-melbourne/17443/2

Jackson, Weideman and McDonald in the forward line. In theory yes but on 2019 form of Weideman and McDonald....maybe not Jackson will be seriously compromised by the absence of the VFL. In normal times he would have been rolled out around round 6 assuming Weid couldn't hold his place. The debate however shows that unless the second ruckman can hold down a primary selection in another position there is no role for the second ruckman and hasn't been for years.

Must say that was what I was thinking but tbh not sure that hanging around in a park is even allowed these days. So many rules in so many States and countries it's impossible to keep up with the finer nuances.

The big question of course is whether Saty going to training is a permitted activity??

so training from Wednesday but the WA govt still playing hardball on fifo teams Must say I wonder how the interstate clubs are going to be able to afford what are effectively chartered flights every second week. Virgin gone as a major sponsor plus the TV rights money being reduced proportionately at least.

Hard one as expected but Neitz just ..... mainly on the basis of favourite player rather than best

the second ruck died years ago. It always is a player that can play another position and who can relief ruck. The real debate is over the first ruck who cannot impact upon general play. It is apparent that the round the ground skills are valued well in excess of the ruck skills.

wedge politics at its finest.... popcorn required!!

WA Premier keeps on saying they wont lift the border restrictions so no idea of when WA may open. The plus is that they have as I understand been letting in fifo mining workers all along so there is some precendence for exceptions. WCE v Richmond or Collingwood at Perth would be a nice opening round game

Can understand the cynicism.. after years of "training the house down stories" one has to wonder. Then again these stories are for the masses and not for the aficionados that inhabit this wonderful forum. Now if they had a story about how May had been studying the left footed kicking philosophy of Euripides we could have a serious discussion. When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him.

the SA Police let them off with a warning but the AFL penalty is yet to be decided. I suspect that it will be financial only but Gil may wish to stamp his authority. Suspension of the coaching staff involved could be the halfway house.

the Crows training saga could have serious consequences. AFL are talking premiership points and/or suspensions according to Caroline Wilson talking on 3aw. She also let on that clubs were told that a player breaking social distancing laws could look at a season long suspension.

no thanks....want a few easy ones to buildup some degree of momentum... go 0-3 or 0-4 and the season is over Seriously...it should just be a random draw with no manipulation whatsoever but we know it wont be. There will be the usual Friday night bias and we will get the Sunday afternoon graveyard shift along with the Saints, Freo, Dogs etc

they were talking about that on the 3aw sports show a few days ago. No certainty that they will annul round 1 but unless they stuff up the fixture my thought is that the results will stand The decision maker will be the TV people. If they will pay more for 17 rounds that 16 guess what ???