The AFL Thread

[Spazzallo]

So people know, only 5 more spots available in this years Hyper Supercoach League.

The code is here: 832036

Get in quick!

Also I recommend that people complete there teams for now even if you're unsure on your team. This means we will have nobody scoring zero (which is such a downer on the comp =/) and you'll at least have a team to work off incase you forget about it for a few weeks/months.

[RunningMild]

So MARS are Carlton's major sponsor for the next three years. Has this ended Tassie's claim for an AFL team?

[Readman]

Why, were Tasmania looking to get them as a sponsor?

I'm glad we got Mars. I'd heard that they pulled out after the booze cruise incident.

[RunningMild]

Why, were Tasmania looking to get them as a sponsor?

I'm glad we got Mars. I'd heard that they pulled out after the booze cruise incident.

Remember how MARS pledged to be the major sponsor of a Tasmanian AFL team if one was formed, and they were part of that marketing campaign to give Tassie a team? Now that they're sponsoring someone else, it looks like Tassie's push for a team doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Though I suppose they can find another major sponsor before the next expansion rolls around.

[Knuckle Children]

Guess the rest of the sanfl were still pissed at port for going behind the comps back and joining the afl.

Its a shane, the afl cutting ties with the sanfl will either kill the comp or at a minimum decrease the cash going around resulting in an amatuer comp

Back to this, I find it inconceivable that the SANFL can allow Port Adelaide to fold. As a Victorian, I only have a passing interest in the competition, but to an outsider Port embodies the SANFL. 36 premierships and hated by every other team. Every pantomime needs a villain, take this villain out (a very successful one too) and what are you left with?

Of more concern is that if an iconic team like Port can be let go so easily, you'd think that it would follow that if another side in the comp fell into financial peril in a couple of years, the same fate would befall them. I think it could be well be the first nail in the coffin for the SANFL.

Worringly, there's been murmurs that they've been hung out to dry by the other clubs boards due to long-standing grudges and hatreds (much of it caused by Port's attempt to join the AFL by stealth in the early 90s) as opposed to entirely financial reasons. If that was the case, that would be a disgrace. I can understand rivalry and hatred in footy, it makes the game what it is, but as a Collingwood supporter, if Carlton was in terminal financial peril, I'd be donating money straight away, as despite hating them, footy would be worse off, and I'd enjoy it a whole lot less, without them.

I really think this a short sighted decision which will really hurt the competition's long-term viability /rant

[Jay]

Ah Commetti. Tim Watson was interviewing a clearly nervy Nick Natanui after the game tonight, and Natanui couldn't stop fiddling with his dick. Cut back to Commetti who quips (without any of the others noticing) 'Nick Natanui, quickly coming to grips...with AFL football.' Brilliant.

[RunningMild]

I'm worried about Bradd Dalziell because he looks like the second coming of Chad Fletcher. Same shitty disposal and same moronic decision-making that leads to opposition goals.

[Cerebral]

Ah Commetti. Tim Watson was interviewing a clearly nervy Nick Natanui after the game tonight, and Natanui couldn't stop fiddling with his dick. Cut back to Commetti who quips (without any of the others noticing) 'Nick Natanui, quickly coming to grips...with AFL football.' Brilliant.

lmao I genuinely did not notice it at the time but he was totally having a grab.

[Spazzallo]

I'm worried about Bradd Dalziell because he looks like the second coming of Chad Fletcher. Same shitty disposal and same moronic decision-making that leads to opposition goals.

This is why we got rid of him. He has a huge engine and can find the ball a lot but his disposal is well below par.

[RunningMild]

This is why we got rid of him. He has a huge engine and can find the ball a lot but his disposal is well below par.

Sounds like Fletch alright (or Rowan Jones). Are you telling me that we traded Brent Staker for him and WE'RE the ones who got screwed in the deal? :(

After attending tonight's game, I also have some concerns about the forward line- not because we don't have talent there, but because they insist on playing the wrong players there.

Hansen is utter shit. He's okay if he's leading from the goalsquare and taking set shots, but when he has to push up the field he's terrible. Slow as treacle, always turns the ball over and takes forever to do anything. If I was the coach I'd tell him to act like there's a sniper ready to shoot him if he leaves the 50m arc.

I also don't see this obsession with getting Quinten Lynch back to full forward. Tonight he proved once again that he can't convert set shots if his life depended on it. However, he did prove that if he plays in the midfield, he sets up goals and gets things moving, so why not play him where he's most effective?

Quinten Lynch should always play through the midfield or half-forward (or even CHF if you need to play Kennedy at FF), and Hansen should be dropped back to the WAFL because Callum Wilson, Ben McKinley and Mitch Brown are miles better full forwards (ie. the only position where Hansen shows some competancy), and Tony Notte has more potential on the basis that he's young and not fully developed. Hell, if Cox comes back underdone I'd like to see him at FF while Naitanui rucks. The point is, we actually have forward line options for the first time in years, so there's no need to play guys there who clearly can't play the position very well.

Speaking of Naitanui, he was ****ing awesome tonight. If it wasn't for him we probably would have only scored two goals. :p

EDIT: Forgot to mention this earlier, but afl.com.au says that Travis Varcoe was a standout at Geelong's practice match. Dare I say that Stokes' suspension has made the team better? ;)

EDIT 2: I couldn't believe Dustin Fletcher was playing tonight. I seriously thought he'd retired!

EDIT 3: A random thought I had on the way home from the game- seeing as GC chose a surf lifesaver as their mascot, will they become the 'Gold Coast Ironmen'? That's the only decent nickname I can come up with from that shitty mascot.

Also, funny quote from tonight's match:

Dad: The Eagles will never win a premiership with Hansen.
Me: They already did.
Dad: ... Well, they won't win another one.

:D

Also, a friend of his reckons Neale Daniher is the best coach in the country and is being wasted as football operations manager. Anyone agree? Maybe he could be a backline coach or a senior assistant, but I wouldn't replace Woosha yet because he seems to be doing pretty well (and we've all seen that Woosha is far better at rebuilding a team than yo-yo Daniher ;) ).

EDIT 4: I just watched that Hitler All-Australian video again, and I realised something- why is it that Mooney can get picked on the back of one really good year, while guys like Hamish McIntosh, Mitch Clark, Mark Le Cras et al can't? ;)

[sheeps]

The Eagles away/pre-season strip and the Hawks away strip are almost th esame.

[StorminNorman]

That's been the case for a few years now, hasn't it?

After the first quarter of the Hawthorn-Richmond game, I already know who this year's wooden spooners are going to be.

EDIT: Five minute mark of the second quarter: Hawks up 8 goals to 1.

[grimace06]

That's been the case for a few years now, hasn't it?

After the first quarter of the Hawthorn-Richmond game, I already know who this year's wooden spooners are going to be.

EDIT: Five minute mark of the second quarter: Hawks up 8 goals to 1.

Port, apparently.

[StorminNorman]

Port weren't down by 102 points at three quarter time.

Lance Franklin is currently beating Richmond by about five points.

[[m]averick]

Two things:

- Dustin Martin is a smooth jet.
- The NAB Cup absolutely blows. Cant believe the amount of free kicks paid.

[Super Sleuth]

Dustin Martin was fantastic. Hislop...not so much.

[RunningMild]

Watching the Richmond/Hawthorn game... this is just depressing. Richmond must be planning for 2011 already.

Also, Tambling is a complete bust, but what would you expect from Richmond? :p

[grimace06]

Looking forward to next fortnight's game, Mr M.

[RunningMild]

Looking forward to next fortnight's game, Mr M.

I was thinking the same thing.

Oh btw, I think Cox and Waters and a few more of our best 22 are returning for that game, so good luck with that. ;)

EDIT: lol @ every NAB Cup game being a belting (so far).

[Jay]

@ grimace and Mr_M

This is like being in grade 6 and watching two grade 3 kids pushing each other round in the playground. It's cute. :p

[grimace06]

@ grimace and Mr_M

This is like being in grade 6 and watching two grade 3 kids pushing each other round in the playground. It's cute. :p

Yeah and you're the kid from country Victoria that no one likes - especially since you won the the spelling bee twice in the past three years and you really did a number on that kid from Adelaide :p

[RunningMild]

@ grimace and Mr_M

This is like being in grade 6 and watching two grade 3 kids pushing each other round in the playground. It's cute. :p

Just for that, I'm gonna be cheering for Port next time they play Geelong. ;)

[Azzaman]

Crows supported are a hoot, "Oh we didn't want to win this one, it's just the nab cup!" Yeah, whatever lets you sleep at night.

[Spazzallo]

The Fevola show starts tonight :).

[Patdog]

I don't think so. It has rained all day and there won't be enough people watching. :D

[RunningMild]

Crows supported are a hoot, "Oh we didn't want to win this one, it's just the nab cup!" Yeah, whatever lets you sleep at night.

That's probably true, but I bet if they won they'd be using it as proof that they'll be better than Port this year. :p

[Spazzallo]

Buchanon has had 12 possessions in the first quarter, Staker has been in it quite a bit and Fev has his first goal. So far so good! Shame they're playing on water -_-'.

[NiB]

Watching the Richmond/Hawthorn game... this is just depressing. Richmond must be planning for 2011 already.

Also, Tambling is a complete bust, but what would you expect from Richmond? :p

Rance was dragged from Franklin after 4 minutes in the first quarter...gotta be some kind of record :p

Martin is a sure thing for the rising star, tigers are sure thing for the spoon and Buddy is a sure thing for the coleman

[RunningMild]

Martin is a sure thing for the rising star, tigers are sure thing for the spoon and Buddy is a sure thing for the coleman

Maybe we should wait and see what Scully, Trengrove, Morabito et al can dish up before picking Rising Star winners. ;)

Wow, I thought the Tigers would be the most depressing footy of the NAB Cup this year... and then I switched over to Lions/Bulldogs in the 4th quarter. Did a hurricane sweep through Canberra earlier today? How hard would it be to put a cover over the ground? Brown and Fev did hardly anything, Dogs kicked 14 behinds. Scoreboard looked like it had been stolen from an A-League match. Oh well, at least the 3 people in attendance got to see some footy. :rolleyes:

[texta]

How hard would it be to put a cover over the ground?What seriously? A cover over a whole AFL ground? Should the players also wear silk shoes and tutus?

[RunningMild]

What seriously? A cover over a whole AFL ground?

Why the heck not? They don't seem to have any trouble doing it for other sports, and I'm pretty sure Manuka is smaller than the average AFL ground anyway.

EDIT: Found out today that Eagles vs Port is at Subiaco Oval. Hell yeah!

[D.C.]

Why the heck not? They don't seem to have any trouble doing it for other sports, and I'm pretty sure Manuka is smaller than the average AFL ground anyway.
You do realise they were only playing a pre-season game, right? Yeah, let's waste a shitload of money catering for a meaningless game that probably won't even get a respectable crowd showing. Ludicrous. :p

[grimace06]

Why the heck not? They don't seem to have any trouble doing it for other sports, and I'm pretty sure Manuka is smaller than the average AFL ground anyway.

EDIT: Found out today that Eagles vs Port is at Subiaco Oval. Hell yeah!

Which realistically should be at AAMI since we won by a larger margin but the AFL wants a crowd.

[Spazzallo]

You do realise they were only playing a pre-season game, right? Yeah, let's waste a shitload of money catering for a meaningless game that probably won't even get a respectable crowd showing. Ludicrous. :p

Imagine the media hoo-ha that would have occurred if a player was seriously injured today? I watched the whole game nervously waiting for someone to hurt themselves. It was a victory to get out unscathed.

I suppose Brisbane should be used to it. Seems like we play in a swamp every pre-season :(.

[Cerebral]

Building my very first supercoach team :)

This shit is hard :(

[RunningMild]

You do realise they were only playing a pre-season game, right? Yeah, let's waste a shitload of money catering for a meaningless game

It's that expensive to chuck a plastic sheet on the ground? (Besides, I thought maintaining the ground was the oval's responsibility, not something the AFL had to pay extra for)

And pre-season or not, the AFL still has certain standards for their grounds that have to be met. I'm pretty shocked that Manuka passed, because it looked about as dangerous as most of the small town grounds that are labelled unsafe by the AFL.

Yeah, let's waste a shitload of money catering for a meaningless game that probably won't even get a respectable crowd showing. Ludicrous. :p

lol, that's your excuse? If money and crowds were even the tiniest bit of an issue, they wouldn't even consider playing at Manuka in the first place. ;)

Also don't forget that the AFL still cares about the pre-season and is always looking for ways to increase the ratings (as evidenced by all those gimmicks they introduce, and keeping the pre-season as a competition to make it seem important). Is it ludicrous to assume that one way of getting ratings would be to ensure decent ground conditions? I hardly think this water polo shit is gonna bring in viewers by the truckload. Besides, the AFL has thrown money and tradition in the bin at an alarming rate just to make the game 'more appealing to a TV audience' so it's hardly ludicrous to think they'd want to continue that pattern. :p

Also, lol @ you having a massive bitch about International Rules being low-scoring and boring and then having no problems with today's game which was a billion times worse. :rolleyes:

Imagine the media hoo-ha that would have occurred if a player was seriously injured today? I watched the whole game nervously waiting for someone to hurt themselves. It was a victory to get out unscathed.

This too. It's amazing that the game didn't end with at least six severe knee or hamstring injuries (and if it did, you can bet the AFL would waste 'shitloads of money on meaningless games' from now on ;)).

Which realistically should be at AAMI since we won by a larger margin but the AFL wants a crowd.

Also, people in Adelaide can get into a game whenever they want, whereas this is the only chance for non-members to get into Subi. :p

but the AFL wants a crowd.

Well if the AFL really wanted crowds, why would they hold a game in front of two people on Lake Burley-Griffin... :D

[Campdog]

Manuka is a crap ground. Been there a few time to see the Eagles play. Its tiny, easily floods including where your meant to be sitting as well. The cover for the surface Mr M would actually be a very good idea. Might help keep some of the water off.

Martin was fantastic from what i saw. Watch up to half time then turned it off.

And i agree about Hansen as well. Too slow and turns it over far too much but apart from that the game was pretty good :)

[D.C.]

Also, lol @ you having a massive bitch about International Rules being low-scoring and boring and then having no problems with today's game which was a billion times worse. :rolleyes:
I understand the point about possible injuries (although to be fair, many games have been played with heavy rain carving up grounds - Skilled Stadium has a couple every year), but don't be stupid trying to compare a pre-season game to international rules. The significance and television coverage between the two is unparalleled.

[[m]averick]

Martin is a sure thing for the rising star, tigers are sure thing for the spoon and Buddy is a sure thing for the coleman


Jack Ziebell.


It's that expensive to chuck a plastic sheet on the ground? (Besides, I thought maintaining the ground was the oval's responsibility, not something the AFL had to pay extra for)


Are you looking for the cricket thread?

[StorminNorman]

Anyone who thought Manukah Oval was bad yesterday has clearly never seen the Glenferrie Gluepot in its glory days.

[Readman]

Andrew Lovett charged with rape.

[sheeps]

Andrew Lovett charged with rape.

Must be the thing to do over at St. Kilda.

[Jay]

Andrew Lovett charged with rape.

He should've gone to Collingwood. Apparently they're pretty good at covering that sort of shit up.

[sheeps]

Zing.

[Patdog]

Must be the thing to do over at St. Kilda.
http://www.orlandoweekly.com/sb/61210/CHEAPSHOT.jpg
This is why I usually avoid this thread.

[Spazzallo]

But what is footy without bagging out other teams? :(

[D.C.]

Probably did it because the little bitch was terrified of facing Port this year. :p

[RunningMild]

He should've gone to Collingwood. Apparently they're pretty good at covering that sort of shit up.

Or maybe he should have gone to Geelong, to see if they'd throw the book at a talented player. ;)

[Jay]

They've sacked him, so I'd say they pretty much threw the book at him. :p

[Spazzallo]

Such a shame for St Kilda that this has happened. They are destined for another big year but such a huge distraction caused by a pig-headed fool could very well close their window yet again.

[D.C.]

Well it's not like this is the first time he's been in shit. St. Kilda should have been well aware of his character before going crazy and wasting their first-rounder on him.

[RunningMild]

Such a shame for St Kilda that this has happened. They are destined for another big year but such a huge distraction caused by a pig-headed fool could very well close their window yet again.

tbh I doubt anyone noticed he was even there. :p

[texta]

Filled out my Supercoach team. Only 4 Tigers this year and possibly more to go. Judging by my line up hopefully it's a Hawthorn v Brisbane GF.

[Spazzallo]

Filled out my Supercoach team. Only 4 Tigers this year and possibly more to go. Judging by my line up hopefully it's a Hawthorn v Brisbane GF.

Which Lions players did you pick up? I assume you got Redden? :)

[texta]

It's very much just a draft list at the moment but I've got these Lions:

Andrew Raines
Matt Maguire (e)
Daniel Rich
Jack Redden (e)
Mitch Clark
Jamie Charman (e)
Jared Brennan


Andrew Raines and Jared Brennan are a bit iffy, but they others should stay in the team. I haven't really looked at injuries and with round 1 of the NAB Cup only halfway through it's still much too early to finalise anything.


EDIT: Dropped Brennan.

[Spazzallo]

I wouldn't keep Raines. We have many players like him so he might not play a full season. In my oppinion, Hawksley is ahead of him. Rich might be tagged a bit more this year and might find it hard to adjust in his second season. And not sure if Maguire will play much this season as he missed last weeks game for an unknown reason, but I've got him an emergency too so I'm praying for him!

[RunningMild]

Judging by my line up hopefully it's a Hawthorn v Brisbane GF.

The Supercoach GF is round 22, so it doesn't actually matter. :)

[texta]

The Supercoach GF is round 22, so it doesn't actually matter. :)It turns out there's some kind of correlation between performance in the home and away season and performance in the finals. I don't know what that's about. ;)

[RunningMild]

It turns out there's some kind of correlation between performance in the home and away season and performance in the finals. I don't know what that's about. ;)

Try telling that to Adelaide in '05 and '06. :p

[Jay]

And Port 01 - 03... :p

Oh, oh, and Collingwood pretty much anytime.

[texta]

Perhaps you misunderstand "some kind of correlation"?


Of course Super Coach doesn't reward victory so Brisbane could come dead last and my team could still score well. It happened last year with Richmond anyway... <_<

[RunningMild]

This Andrew Lovett story has gotten pretty funny. If Lovett wins the legal action he's bringing against St Kilda, AND is cleared of the rape charge, St Kilda will essentially be forced to re-instate his contract. Hope they enjoy paying $1 million to a guy who's gonna sit in the reserves for three years. :D

Well it's not like this is the first time he's been in shit. St. Kilda should have been well aware of his character before going crazy and wasting their first-rounder on him.

Funny thing is, they were. They've stressed that they did their homework on him and thought he'd be worth signing after their extensive background check. :p

[Readman]

Can I just say that I'm glad to see an AFL player finally standing up to a club on the issue of the ridiculously heavy-handed player management.

[Jay]

Can I just say that I'm glad to see an AFL player finally standing up to a club on the issue of the ridiculously heavy-handed player management.

I'm still not sure I can barrack for the rapist, sorry. Even against the evil overlord.

[grimace06]

This is just like when they sacked Montagna and Milne.




Oh wait.

[TAT]

I'm still not sure I can barrack for the rapist, sorry. Even against the evil overlord.
Innocent until proven guilty, unfortunately.

A lot of people seem to be forgetting this fact.

[texta]

St Kilda have said they didn't sack him over the rape allegation but because of other stuff. Though given the timing, I think it's pretty clear it at least helped them make the decision.

Innocent until proven guilty is a good theory but it doesn't apply to personal opinions.

[RunningMild]

Can I just say that I'm glad to see an AFL player finally standing up to a club on the issue of the ridiculously heavy-handed player management.

Too bad this AFL player is a massive douche who probably should be sacked anyway. Why didn't Matthew Capuano stand up to the club after he was unfairly sacked mid-year? :p

St Kilda have said they didn't sack him over the rape allegation but because of other stuff. Though given the timing, I think it's pretty clear it at least helped them make the decision.

Exactly. If the only reason they sacked him was for 'not upholding his training commitments' and getting arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct, then the sacking would have happened earlier. They clearly only sacked him because of the rape charge, and if Lovett is cleared then this will hurt the Saints even worse in the long run.

[texta]

Exactly. If the only reason they sacked him was for 'not upholding his training commitments' and getting arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct, then the sacking would have happened earlier. They clearly only sacked him because of the rape charge, and if Lovett is cleared then this will hurt the Saints even worse in the long run.
I don't think it will be particularly damaging to St Kilda at all. Worst case scenario they have to pay out his contract. And I think that keeping him on has the potential to do a lot more damage to their image and their sponsorship prospects while the court case is dealt with.


But good article from the ABC's The Drum:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/18/2822963.htm?site=thedrum

[RunningMild]

I don't think it will be particularly damaging to St Kilda at all. Worst case scenario they have to pay out his contract.

Actually, the paper said the Saints may have to pay up to $2 million if Lovett wins, which is higher than his base contract + performance incentives combined. I think the Saints should have waited for the verdict on his rape case before acting, because then they might have had fair grounds to sack him and there'd be no problem. At the moment, Lovett could potentially get convicted of rape and still win his case against the Saints.

So a prolonged court case which will distract the club and could see them paying double the base salary of a guy who won't even play a game for them- this is gonna be bad the Saints in one way or another.

And I think that keeping him on has the potential to do a lot more damage to their image and their sponsorship prospects while the court case is dealt with.

Wasn't a problem for Geelong. They suspended Stokes while the court case was in progress, but AFAIK have refrained from sacking him until the verdict comes in. Saints should have done the same with Lovett, I mean the guy was already on an indefinite suspension during the police investigation, so they should have kept that going and only resorting to sacking if he was found guilty. Then Lovett would have had no grounds to sue and the Saints could have easily moved on.

[[m]averick]

This is just like when they sacked Montagna and Milne.




Oh wait.



What were they charged with?

[RunningMild]

averick;1177975']What were they charged with?

Same thing as Lovett, but they weren't convicted of anything (obviously).

I don't think they even got suspended during the investigation either. It was a different time... :p

[RunningMild]

lol Carlton.

Also, I HAVE HAD IT WITH THESE MOTHER****ING SNAKES ON THIS MOTHER****ING SPORTING COMPLEX!

[Cerebral]

Well, Lewis Jetta goes into the SC team.

Lucas and Davies looked pretty good too, shame almost everyone else played like Richmond.

[RunningMild]

Well, Lewis Jetta goes into the SC team.

Lucas and Davies looked pretty good too, shame almost everyone else played like Richmond.

Lucas might be good, but my concern (in regards to SC) is whether he'll get game time in a midfield with Judd, Gibbs, Murphy, McLean, Carazzo et al.

[[m]averick]

Same thing as Lovett, but they weren't convicted of anything (obviously).


They were never charged.


lol Carlton.


Just the worst advertisement for the game. Only saw the first quarter (how anyone could watch it all is beyond me), the game resembled a pack of seagulls fighting over a chip.

And the train... How embarrassing.

[RunningMild]

averick;1179073']Just the worst advertisement for the game. Only saw the first quarter (how anyone could watch it all is beyond me), the game resembled a pack of seagulls fighting over a chip.

I watched it all. >_>

Carlton were pretty awful (they actually reached 'so bad it's funny' territory), but Sydney were fun to watch. They've got some hot young talent.

Also, I was dying to see what Lachie Henderson did, and I have to say the signs were positive. His chasing and tackling were really good (especially considering his size), and he drilled a set shot from about 40m out. He struggled for most of the game but he's got the tools to become a great forward.

On another note, the Eagles played a practice match against Swan Districts yesterday, and in a match which apparently saw great performances from established players (including a five goal haul from Callum Wilson), it was interesting to see Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls named as one of the Eagles' best. :p

[sheeps]

http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/afl/afl-news/swans-beat-blues-in-blacktown/20100221-on73.html?selectedImage=0

All the photos look like clangers. Hahaha.

[RunningMild]

lol, just when you think everyone on Melbourne's team has given away a free kick, the runner comes in and gives away one as well!

[Spazzallo]

Another year of unfounded optimism on Bay 13 from blind Melbourne supporters this season it seems :).

[Cerebral]

Lucas might be good, but my concern (in regards to SC) is whether he'll get game time in a midfield with Judd, Gibbs, Murphy, McLean, Carazzo et al.

True - but he has great potential. Also honestly wondering if someone administered McLean a sedative before the game.

[D.C.]

The notion that you can't have enough good mids will be put to the test this year with Carlton. I can see them wrecking havoc in the square, but they're going to have nothing forward, and if they take a few talls from down back will probably start hemorrhaging points.

[RunningMild]

The notion that you can't have enough good mids will be put to the test this year with Carlton. I can see them wrecking havoc in the square, but they're going to have nothing forward, and if they take a few talls from down back will probably start hemorrhaging points.

I can definitely see them playing Judd as a forward this year.

[TAT]

What? No.

Lets take our God Tier midfielder and put him in the forward line

BAD MR_M!

[StorminNorman]

I'm noticing a suspicious lack of Cocaine Cats supporters in here right now. Hmm.

[[m]averick]

Anyone still tipping North for bottom four?

[D.C.]

averick;1179864']Anyone still tipping North for bottom four?
Doubt it. But you certainly shouldn't get your hopes up for the Finals. :p

[Jay]

I'm noticing a suspicious lack of Cocaine Cats supporters in here right now. Hmm.

I'm here. North played well, deserved the win. We looked alright in the fifteen minutes we decided to play though. That should be more of a worry to you than making cheap gags about Stokesy. :p

[RunningMild]

What? No.

Lets take our God Tier midfielder and put him in the forward line

BAD MR_M!

Their need for forwards is far more pressing than their need for midfielders atm. I can definitely see Judd pinch-hitting like he did at the Eagles (and he was our best midfielder at the time too).

[Spazzallo]

Ok and if Judd is in the foward line, which one of their princesses is going to dive in under the pack to get the ball? :p

[RunningMild]

Ok and if Judd is in the foward line, which one of their princesses is going to dive in under the pack to get the ball? :p

What do you think pinch-hitting means, hmm? :p

[fearofthesky]

Solid win by the Freo boys over Melbourne. With Solomon's retirement, there are now two spots on the senior list to be filled. Good way to motivate the youngsters. Mature age rookie Micheal Barlow sure stood up.

This team has the makings of a good-to-great midfield if some of the kids turn out well. And that's what Freo has needed for a long time.

[grimace06]

averick;1179864']Anyone still tipping North for bottom four?

Nah I was thinking 11th.

[RunningMild]

It appears that the AFL have approved a format for free agency, to be introduced in 2012. The basic guidelines are:

- Player must be at their club for eight years before becoming a free agent
- If a free agent is among the top 25% earners in the AFL, his club has a chance to match all offers made to him before he signs with anyone
- Clubs may also be compensated with an extra draft pick (not from the club that signed the player, just a brand new pick) where the number of the pick is determined by a formula

Sounds good so far! Let's hope they expand it to include rookies so we can get rid of the rookie draft.

[D.C.]

Eight years?! This means players are going to be at least 26, and at that age rival clubs will probably only be really interested if we're talking a star player (which is covered with the '25% earners in the league' clause).

Doesn't sound very promising at this stage to be honest.

[NiB]

Eight years?! This means players are going to be at least 26, and at that age rival clubs will probably only be really interested if we're talking a star player (which is covered with the '25% earners in the league' clause).

Doesn't sound very promising at this stage to be honest.

Or they pinch proven role/bit players when they're in premiership window mode. Mid level guys signing for good teams to make a run at the flag....sounds very NBA to me

[RunningMild]

Eight years?! This means players are going to be at least 26, and at that age rival clubs will probably only be really interested if we're talking a star player.

I dunno, I think any struggling club would jump at the chance to sign an experienced role player/mid level guy if they don't have to give up a draft pick for him. Experienced players can get instant results (which is good if you 'can't afford to bottom out') and help the youngsters develop.

[D.C.]

Or they pinch proven role/bit players when they're in premiership window mode. Mid level guys signing for good teams to make a run at the flag....sounds very NBA to me
Except the difference is that in the NBA hitting thirty years-old generally isn't considered a career death-sentence. The systems implemented in both the NBA and NFL are not only more flexible, but each sport is far more receptive to guys having longer careers and playing well into their mid-late thirties.

I like the idea of a free agency system coming into play (it's been ridiculously overdue), but the restrictions imposed at the moment simply won't have the impact most people seem to want from the concept.

[RunningMild]

I saw another thing in the paper today: Players delisted on or before October 31st are automatically free agents.

Good! This is what the AFL needs free agency for- those cast-offs who are good enough to play AFL, but not good enough to warrant a pick in the national draft. Getting delisted because one club doesn't want you shouldn't automatically end your career. Look at Steven Armstrong, the Eagles had to sign him as a freakin' rookie and he ended up playing in a premiership. That's the kind of guy who will benefit from this system. I bet if it was already in place, guys like Daniel Gilmore and Jamie McNamara would have been picked up by someone. Hell, I bet Scott West would have played a couple more years under this system (not for the Dogs obviously). Or maybe Brad Smith would have been given another shot and gotten the chance to actually play an AFL game.

As long as this gets implemented, I don't care what restrictions they put on the superstars. :p

[Jay]

So Brad Fisher has opted for the LARS surgery (the same knee surgery Nick Malceski had) for his knee, and may well be back within 12 weeks. Would be a great outcome. He's a quality player, and was ready to have a big impact I reckon with Fev missing.

[fearofthesky]

So Brad Fisher has opted for the LARS surgery (the same knee surgery Nick Malceski had) for his knee, and may well be back within 12 weeks. Would be a great outcome. He's a quality player, and was ready to have a big impact I reckon with Fev missing.

Didn't work so well for Luke Webster. But at least he got back for a few games. Hope it turns out well for the guy (Fisher), the scourge of ACL injuries is a terrible blight on Aussie rules.

[RunningMild]

Didn't work so well for Luke Webster. But at least he got back for a few games. Hope it turns out well for the guy (Fisher), the scourge of ACL injuries is a terrible blight on Aussie rules.

The difference is that Webster had three reconstructions prior to the LARS one.

[[m]averick]

So Brad Fisher has opted for the LARS surgery (the same knee surgery Nick Malceski had) for his knee, and may well be back within 12 weeks. Would be a great outcome. He's a quality player, and was ready to have a big impact I reckon with Fev missing.


Not sure if that's the best option. Malceski wasnt exactly a huge success. Sure, he got back within a year, but he was nowhere near 100%.

[D.C.]

averick;1181145']Not sure if that's the best option. Malceski wasnt exactly a huge success. Sure, he got back within a year, but he was nowhere near 100%.
I think Rodan got the same thing late last year too. It'll be interesting to see how his turns out.

[RunningMild]

Does anyone know what happened with Brad Moran? He got an artificial knee ligament that was supposed to dissolve as the real ligament healed over it. I haven't heard anything about him since.

[Jay]

Barry Hall has kicked 4 first quarter goals. Awesome. :)

BTW, are other people in favour of asking the Mods to reset the Tags in anticipation of a new season? Some of them are still relevant but a lot aren't.

[fearofthesky]

Barry Hall has kicked 4 first quarter goals. Awesome. :)

BTW, are other people in favour of asking the Mods to reset the Tags in anticipation of a new season? Some of them are still relevant but a lot aren't.

Dockers for premiership sure is!

[RunningMild]

People can go in and change their tags to keep them relevant.

[D.C.]

Barry Hall has kicked 4 first quarter goals. Awesome. :)
He totally embarrassed Gibson before he was yanked after about ten minutes. Granted it was only the pre-season, but the 'Dogs look like they'll be an ominous force again this year.

[Jay]

They looked great. Hawthorn were missing about 6 first team regulars, but the Dogs weren't full strength either. Things look good for them. If the Cats can't do it again this year then a Bulldogs win would absolutely thrill me.

[sheeps]

I didn't see the game as I was at Soundwave but ouch. Might be the dogs year! Would be good for them to notch a GF after they've put so much effort in the last few years.

[RunningMild]

Would be good for them to notch a GF after they've put so much effort in the last few years.

And then the biggest premiership drought would be... Melbourne?

Found out today that Port are resting Dean Brogan and Warren Tredrea. This'll be fun. :p

[grimace06]

And then the biggest premiership drought would be... Melbourne?

Found out today that Port are resting Dean Brogan and Warren Tredrea. This'll be fun. :p

West Coast are resting several players too.

Hurn, Kerr, Embley, Priddis and Lynch in fact. ;)

[D.C.]

Yeah, but the players we're resting actually make some impact. :p

[Spazzallo]

I didn't see the game as I was at Soundwave but ouch. Might be the dogs year! Would be good for them to notch a GF after they've put so much effort in the last few years.

Please tell me you saw Jimmy Eat World... absolutely amazing!

Though disappointed we lost yesterday (have a feeling we rested some players towards the end) it's great to see Maguire's name in the best list :). 20 possessions as well. Very nice.

[Cerebral]

I think the fact that Power, Black and Rich didn't play had something to do with it >_> Good to see Jamo and Bower perform well on Fev though.

[Spazzallo]

Yeah Fev didn't play too well :(. We were missing McGrath and Drummond too so our three best kicks (Rich being the other one) were not playing >_<.

Ah well, both sides can be happy over the little things. Next week will be a test for us against Geelong (and hopefully 2 full sides playing against each other.

[RunningMild]

West Coast are resting several players too.

Hurn, Kerr, Embley, Priddis and Lynch in fact. ;)

The difference is that the players replacing them will probably play better anyway. I doubt the same will be said of Brogan's and Tredrea's replacements. :p

Naitanui and Cox will run amuck, Masten will hopefully be the most productive midfielder again, Waters and Swift will offset our midfield losses, and I dunno who Tredrea's replacement will be but I doubt they'll even touch the ball with Glass and McKenzie on them. Also, if Callum Wilson plays he'll probably kick a bag of goal to offset any goals that Embley and Kerr would have kicked. I actually think today's team is looking better than the one we fielded a fortnight ago.

Then again, Port are our bogey team so we'll probably lose anyway. :(

Yeah, but the players we're resting actually make some impact. :p

What he said.The guys we're bringing back will have a bigger impact than the guys we're resting.

[Jay]

****, apparently it's still 36 degrees at Subi. Hope they're rotating through the interchange properly.

And **** St Kilda winning by a point again. Get ****ed. :p

[D.C.]

lol, we're destroying Weagles with a grand total of seven hit-outs. Awesome. :D

[grimace06]

You were right, Mr M.

That was fun :p

[RunningMild]

****, apparently it's still 36 degrees at Subi. Hope they're rotating through the interchange properly.

I was sitting in the crowd, in the shade, and covered in sweat from head to toe. Those poor players... :p

You were right, Mr M.

That was fun :p

Yep, I got to see some good footy tonight... but not from the Eagles. :(

I didn't realise your midfield was so good that they would win every clearance despite your ruckmen not winning a single friggin' tap! I also underestimated Priddis' importance at stoppages/congestion, while once again overestimating the value of a key forward in the modern game (is it just me or were all your goals scored by small guys? So much for Tredrea being a big loss).

Also, I didn't think Port were gonna show up to play twice in a row. ;)

The important thing is, I got to see some games live. Now to watch the rest of the season on TV and pray that the NAB Cup is still a terrible form guide for the regular season, as it was last year when the Saints went 1-3...

[grimace06]

I wouldn't worry too much really - round 2 will be a completely different game.

Oh and Tredrea hasn't retired just yet ftr (he'll play his 250th against you guys).

[RunningMild]

I wouldn't worry too much really - round 2 will be a completely different game.

Oh and Tredrea hasn't retired just yet ftr (he'll play his 250th against you guys).

I know he hasn't retired, but I said he'd be a big loss in this particular game (and he wasn't).

And yeah, round two might see Cox and Kerr back at full fitness, along with a few hacks being dropped back to the WAFL hopefully. :p

[D.C.]

I also underestimated Priddis' importance at stoppages/congestion
As long as he doesn't kick the ball. ;)

I actually think our forward line is going to struggle big-time in the regular season if the last few games are anything to go by. There's only so much small, crumming forwards can do, and with Tredrea almost on his way out, it's going to be crucial for a young tall to get good real quick.

btw, is Kerr still struggling with fitness? I know he had a few lingering injuries last year, but he hasn't had a real good game for ages and still has no idea how to handle being tagged.

[grimace06]

I actually think our forward line is going to struggle big-time in the regular season if the last few games are anything to go by. There's only so much small, crumming forwards can do, and with Tredrea almost on his way out, it's going to be crucial for a young tall to get good real quick.


I think we'll be fine - Williams is trying out different things atm. Stewart looks like a find, Schulz looks like he can contribute and Westhoff is moving well.

[RunningMild]

As long as he doesn't kick the ball. ;)

To be fair, his kicking has improved a lot recently. Every time I've seen him play live he's hit most of his targets. Maybe he can help Dalziell make a similar turnaround. :p

There's only so much small, crumbing forwards can do...

Unless you're Rodney Eade. ;)

btw, is Kerr still struggling with fitness? I know he had a few lingering injuries last year, but he hasn't had a real good game for ages and still has no idea how to handle being tagged.

Well, he's not injured at the moment, but he's working his way back from a severe one (groin I think). He looked pretty good in the game against Essendon (had a few breakaways and got things moving), but still below 100%. I think they've planned out his recovery with round 1 in mind anyway.

[D.C.]

Unless you're Rodney Eade. ;)
Very true, although even he couldn't get into a GF without a big forward.

[[m]averick]

Week 1: North beats Geelong. Big smiles all round
Week 2: North loses to Fremantle, Richmond beats Geelong. Cue wtf face and also sadface.

[NiB]

Tigers have just put in a petition to the AFL for 11 home games at Yae

[RunningMild]

Tigers have just put in a petition to the AFL for 11 home games at Yae

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!!! :p

[/backslash]

I was sitting in the crowd, in the shade, and covered in sweat from head to toe. Those poor players... :p

Wow, you were there too?! So was I! :D

I tried watching the game from different angles, both near the right side of the goals along the ground & behind the goals in the first set of upper stands (where Eagles were 'kicking' into for the last quarter). At least I was so far away from any actual action I didn't witness the horror as Port got goal after goal, well, except for hearing the reactions of the crowd

[Spazzallo]

"Fitzroy is seeking to control the activities of an ongoing organisation and it threatens to cost us significant loss," Mr Garratt said.


He said his client was a club that was going forward, while Fitzroy had gone under.
Mr Garratt said the club had a "shrinking if not vanishing supporter base" in Melbourn
e.
The comment drew a response from Victorian Supreme Court Associate Justice Nemeer Mukhtar.


"You will upset some people talking like that," he said.


"I think there is still some bleeding."


Brisbane is arguing Fitzroy should pay a $177,000 bond to ensure Brisbane receives legal costs if it wins the case.


I ****ing wonder why. Next year my AFL membership will be swapping to North Melbourne, a team who will actually appreciate the support. Not to say I am switching teams but this corporation will not be getting anymore of my money. I'll still be able to get into all Lions games anyway. Unless of course Fitzroy wins and Bowers is stood down immedietley after >_<.

[TAT]

Nice forward thinking, Spaz

[[m]averick]

Next year my AFL membership will be swapping to North Melbourne, a team who will actually appreciate the support.


Good idea. Get on the bandwagon before it fills up.

[RunningMild]

I thought the Melbourne supporter base for the Lions was growing?

On another note, maybe I should get a North Melbourne membership too. My team is rich as **** and all their member seats are taken... actually, we should make a game out of this: everyone in this thread come up with a unique reason to buy a North Melbourne membership, with pep* as a reward!

*Subject to availability

[Spazzallo]

It was slowly declining but is it really hard to see why now?

Here's an idea Mr Bowers, I'll provide it for free. If you want Victorian membership to increase, lower the prices of the membership so it's actually worth it (currently Victorian members pay MORE then what they would if they just bought General Admission tickets!_)and perhaps wear the Roys jersey just once a year. Whilst I was perfectly happy with the old jumper (and don't really care if they wear the Fitzroy jersey or not) I was always amazed at how many more Lions supporters attended games when we were wearing the old Fitzroy jumper! The game against Collingwood in 2003 was absolutely amazing.

I wish we had a Brayshaw or Maguire on our board :(.

My dad was a North Supporter for 3 years after the merger, got some of the premiership yearbooks lying around somewhere :). If Brisbane was ever blown off the planet they'd probably be my next choice, a club with decent values... amazing.

[TAT]

I was always amazed at how many more Lions supporters attended games when we were wearing the old Fitzroy jumper! The game against Collingwood in 2003 was absolutely amazing.
And recently?

Don't you think the opposition prefers playing a team that already look like they're ready to lose?

[sheeps]

Surely the clause is about the use of a lion as the logo not that particular lion? Surely.

[grimace06]

Great game between Port and the Buldogs - pity about that last free kick that iced the game - he ducked and it should've been a ball-up.

[Super Sleuth]

Matthew Richardson is terrible.

[grimace06]

Agreed. Very robotic.

[fearofthesky]

Meant to post this earlier, but pretty awesome stuff from Tarrant, Sandilands and Hill here. Also good coaching to drop Murphy deep into the forward line for the quick corridor play. Nicely done.

We were supposed to have the semi at home damn it, except apparently they loaned Subiaco Oval to some young up and coming band called ACDC...

H7yWwVowOlo

[RunningMild]

We were supposed to have the semi at home damn it, except apparently they loaned Subiaco Oval to some young up and coming band called ACDC...

Another lame Jet knock-off. No-one will have heard of them within a month. :p

[[m]averick]

Questions over whether the game will go ahead tonight. Rumours are flying on SEN regarding something about the roof at Etihad, due to the storm.

[grimace06]

Apparently the game is still on but the crowd will be near non-existent - the underground carpark is flooded and parts of the concourse are off limits.

[[m]averick]

The CBD is in gridlock. People are being warned to avoid going into the city if they can. It took me almost 45 minutes to move through St Kilda Rd.

[Spazzallo]

Somehow managed to get to Optus Oval today to watch the practice match and game was cancelled >_<. Oh what a fun day this has been!

[RunningMild]

Even God doesn't want the Dockers to get a decent interstate crowd. Incredible. :D

[Jay]

They played like they ****ing deserved the great flood, believe me.

[Jay]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/90272/default.aspx

Terrible news for the Hawks.

[grimace06]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/90272/default.aspx

Terrible news for the Hawks.

Hawthorn get to "claim" their premiership with the combo of Skipper and Renouf plus a few a beanpoles as back-up. They passed over the best ruck in the Draft in Nathan Vardy too.

But I guess they still have *list midfield players here* to make up for it.

[D.C.]

Yeah, it's a tough break for the Hawks, but they were playing with fire by remaining content with their questionable ruck stocks during the off-season. First not making a move for Jolly, then not using a pick on a legit prospect in the draft...

[grimace06]

Yeah, it's a tough break for the Hawks, but they were playing with fire by remaining content with their questionable ruck stocks during the off-season. First not making a move for Jolly, then not using a pick on a legit prospect in the draft...

I hope Shaun Burgoyne isn't expecting the ball down his throat like he had with Lade.

[Super Sleuth]

His injury doesn't help us but Taylor's freaking shit. I'd prefer to see Skipper and Renouf hopefully develop into something. As mentioned by DC, they should have chased a immediate ruck option in the draft and since they didn't, I've been resigned to the notion that we'll struggle again this season like last year.

And Sewell is a massive loss.

[Jay]

Sewell is the big one there. If he's out for 8 weeks then they could have the same start to the season they had last year. Why does that fill me with joy? :p (not Sewell's injury, the prospect of Hawthorn being shit - I hope Sewell is up and about as soon as they've played Geelong :) ).

[sheeps]

Collar bone. Ouch.

Glad to see Taylor gone, really. Now we might stop wasting our time on him.

[RunningMild]

lol @ the paper referring to Taylor as the number 1 ruckman. That's when you know you're in trouble.

Don't despair Hawks fans, Port showed that you can still dominate clearances even if your ruckmen suck. :p

[grimace06]

lol @ the paper referring to Taylor as the number 1 ruckman. That's when you know you're in trouble.

Don't despair Hawks fans, Port showed that you can still dominate clearances even if your first choice ruckman doesn't play. :p

Fixed.

[sheeps]

I had a dream last night Port was beating Geelong 819 to 54 or something. It was a pre-season game and there was a rule that every score scored by the winning team after half time adds 50 points. Even in my dreams I think pre-season rules are ****ing stupid.

[RunningMild]

First food-related headline for Carlton!

"Blues need to discover a tasty forward line recipe"

It goes on to say "This year the club has adopted the slogan 'Can you smell what the Blues are cooking?'

The only problem is, while everyone can smell it, they have no idea how the ingredients will be thrown together or what it will taste like."

[Patdog]

A mouldy Mars bar

[Patdog]

Geez, I wonder who Luke Darcy played for? I never can tell.

[Jay]

Go you doggies! Awesome. :)

[Knuckle Children]

Nice to see the Pies smash Port by 87 points. 14 goalkickers from our 26 goals, very encouraging. I really wish we could play Port and the Crows twice a year, every year though...

EDIT: Amusing to hear 5AA's 'impartial' commentary: Collingwood player running into an open goal in the second quarter, and all the commentator was saying was 'no no no no no' :p

[grimace06]

Nice to see the Pies smash Port by 87 points. 14 goalkickers from our 26 goals, very encouraging. I really wish we could play Port and the Crows twice a year, every year though...

EDIT: Amusing to hear 5AA's 'impartial' commentary: Collingwood player running into an open goal in the second quarter, and all the commentator was saying was 'no no no no no' :p

I'm glad this happened - might cause Williams to rethink our best 22.

Also I believe he was saying "no no no" to the Krakouer mistake not the fact that they were kicking a goal.

[Knuckle Children]

Also I believe he was saying "no no no" to the Krakouer mistake not the fact that they were kicking a goal.

That would actually make more sense. 5AA are generally pro-Crows/anti-Port, aren't they? At least, that's what I hear from Port supporters in Melbourne.

Also, what's the latest with the Port Magpies? Has there been any new developments, a white knight, negotiations, or have they just been given the arse once and for all.

[D.C.]

Geez, I wonder who Luke Darcy played for? I never can tell.
Any bias is the least of his worries - the guy is simply the most boring ex-football / douche Ten commentator on television. Never has anything remotely interesting to say because he's so damn careful at trying to please everyone.

[grimace06]

That would actually make more sense. 5AA are generally pro-Crows/anti-Port, aren't they? At least, that's what I hear from Port supporters in Melbourne.

Also, what's the latest with the Port Magpies? Has there been any new developments, a white knight, negotiations, or have they just been given the arse once and for all.

Not my knowledge - they'll play the 2010 season and from there who knows. Theres been a huge boost in membership though and yes, 5AA are generally considered anti-Port but Josh Francou and Tim Ginever were part of the commentary team - Francou only loves sticking the boot into Williams and Ginever wont speak ill of us.

[RunningMild]

"Cousins told to curb his drinking"

Wow, good thing that warning came just in time! Something bad could have happened!

[grimace06]

Pity nobody said that to Ablett.

[sheeps]

Wayde Skipper out for 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery on a tendon on his hamstring. Lol. We might as well just drop the ruckmen and put more midfielders in and hope it's tapped our way.

[IRS]

need more people to join dream team!

league code

654666


go do it!

[RunningMild]

Wayde Skipper out for 6-8 weeks after undergoing surgery on a tendon on his hamstring. Lol. We might as well just drop the ruckmen and put more midfielders in and hope it's tapped our way.

Is that the same Wayde Skipper who used to play for the Bulldogs?

[Jay]

Yes it is.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/90916/default.aspx

This is an article where Demetriou talks about the Ablett situation. Now, let's get something straight. I am all for Ablett doing whatever he wants to do, and whilst it will absolutely gut me if he leaves, I will certainly not begrudge him his right to do so. He has provided Geelong supporters with some truly amazing memories - how could we deny him the opportunity to do whatever he feels he needs to do?

However....

...for ****ing Demetriou - the **** so hellbent on expanding the competition that he has created this situation in the first place - to be even COMMENTING on it makes me ****ing furious. Get ****ed arsehole. If - when - Ablett leaves I will not blame him. Not at all. I will even partly support the Gold Coast because of it. No, Demetriou, you ****ing greedy **** - I will blame you. I will reserve all my bile and rage for you. So shut the **** up about it. You have no ****ing right to talk about it. ****.

[grimace06]

...and I thought I was angry when Shaun Burgoyne abandoned my club after that piss weak excuse for a football club Hawthorn pissed in his ear for 12 months and then tried to get him for nothing.

[Jay]

Haha yeah I know. I'm not angry at Ablett though. I'm angry at the situation, created by greedy ****ers at the AFL. He's a very very special player, and it's sad that he's put in this position, and especially sad for us supporters that he'll probably have to chase the money, which is a retarded amount of money nobody should ever reject. ****, if someone offered me 3 times what I was currently earning to teach at a different school I'd be there in a heartbeat.

[D.C.]

Even for Demetriou, it's actually quite unbelievable that the AFL made such an idiotic move (re: allowing GC to poach players without even the current teams knowing in advance). That said --

Sad he's been put in this position?

Are you joking? Most players could only dream of being in this kind of position. He has a chance to follow in his father's footsteps and finish off his career as a Geelong legend (not to mention playing for the team he supposably loves), or head up to GC and have a truckload of money waiting on his front lawn. If Ablett can't handle the tag of being disloyal and money-hungry when the inevitable move to GC comes, he's even more sensitive weak-minded than I gave him credit for.

[Jay]

So you seriously think he's enjoying being forced to choose between those two, with the constant media and public scrutiny? You're kidding yourself D.C.. As much as I know you hate him you can't seriously think he's enjoying it.

[D.C.]

So you seriously think he's enjoying being forced to choose between those two, with the constant media and public scrutiny? You're kidding yourself D.C.. As much as I know you hate him you can't seriously think he's enjoying it.
I was more alluding to the way you're making it sound like he's being bullied and forced into a decision that actually has consequences - to be fair, no matter which way he goes, this is a win/win scenario for him. ;)

Also, I'd be floored if he hasn't made a decision yet. The fact that he's not saying anything suggests that he's already got a deal in place with the GC, or is waiting on Geelong to arrange some sneaky, third-party deals outside of the official salary cap (i.e. Judd).

[grimace06]

If I was him I'd be chasing the cash - he doesn't have to prove anything anymore; he's won everything he can at Geelong.

On a tangent, I cringe at the possibilities of the GC team and who they can attract. We should all enjoy this season while we can :p

[Jay]

I was more alluding to the way you're making it sound like he's being bullied and forced into a decision that actually has consequences - to be fair, no matter which way he goes, this is a win/win scenario for him. ;)

Also, I'd be floored if he hasn't made a decision yet. The fact that he's not saying anything suggests that he's already got a deal in place with the GC, or is waiting on Geelong to arrange some sneaky, third-party deals outside of the official salary cap (i.e. Judd).

I've been trying to think of an equivalent player at Port Adelaide to put it in perspective for you but I've realised there isn't one. :p

[fearofthesky]

If I was him I'd be chasing the cash - he doesn't have to prove anything anymore; he's won everything he can at Geelong.

On a tangent, I cringe at the possibilities of the GC team and who they can attract. We should all enjoy this season while we can :p

As long as they stay the **** away from Pavlich I don't care!

[RunningMild]

As long as they stay the **** away from Pavlich I don't care!

I'd love it if they nabbed Ryan Murphy, played him at full forward and he kicked 50+ goals in his first season or something. :p

[sheeps]

As long as they stay the **** away from Pavlich I don't care!

Lol, does anyone else play at Fremantle?

[RunningMild]

Did anyone else watch that new show The Bounce? I thought it was shithouse, couldn't even watch the whole thing. It might be better next week when they have actual games to discuss, but I doubt it.

[D.C.]

Hopefully the AFL will think twice next year about putting the Tigers in the season opener until they, at the very least, become semi-competitive. I'd rather watch Melbourne play with better youngsters than Richmond getting smashed by ten goals against a team that didn't have their best midfielder and a dominant tall forward. That's two seasons in succession where they have stunk it up with a pathetic performance.

[Spazzallo]

Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs at the MCG tonight would've been a hundreds time better. Hell even tomorrow night. And it would've sold out.

[D.C.]

Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs at the MCG tonight would've been a hundreds time better. Hell even tomorrow night. And it would've sold out.
Yeah, it makes absolutely no sense why that's on Sunday? at the smaller venue. I'm not a fan of Collingwood getting all the 'big games', but in this round/case it's pretty clear-cut.

[Spazzallo]

Collingwood do deserve the big games at the moment. Genuine premiership contender. Tonight we got a rabble playing against a team who is still rebuilding. We got no indication of where Carlton are at after tonight. Waste of time.

[grimace06]

As an aside I thought Nason, Thomson, Deledio and Cotchin were good for Richmond.

Simmonds should have retired and Tambling will be on the scrap heap at seasons end if he keeps that up.

[RunningMild]

A 56-point thumping of Richmond backs up Carlton's claim that it can still kick winning scores post-Fevola

Just like how annihilating the Solomon Islands would back up Australia's claim of having the world's most powerful military? :rolleyes:

Tambling will be on the scrap heap at seasons end if he keeps that up.

He should have been on the scrap heap 2 years ago tbh. Every time I watch him he's an absolute disaster.

[Cerebral]

Just like how annihilating the Solomon Islands would back up Australia's claim of having the world's most powerful military? :rolleyes:

Noone claimed Carlton had the league's most powerful forward line. Just that we still have viable options up forward who aren't named 'Fevola'. A lot of opportunities are going to open up for O'hAilpin, Waite etc now that something like 70% of forward entries aren't going to one dude anymore.

Also how is Troy Simmons even still playing

[Spazzallo]

Whoever is Trompe le Lombre in Supercoach (Kym) better hurry up and finish their team because they'll be booted from the league in 6.5 hours.

[RunningMild]

Just that we still have viable options up forward who aren't named 'Fevola'.

Anyone would look like a viable forward option when you're playing against the Tigers. Let's see if O'hAilpin and Waite can kick any goals against an actual finals competitor before we start talking about Carlton's ability to kick 'winning scores'. :p

[Cerebral]

So basically our forward line is in a no-win situation this week because no matter how badly we beat Richmond, they're still Richmond?

There's just no pleasing some people!

Edit: fwiw Waite is pretty awesome and a proven forward the last few years before a string of injuries. O'hAilpin will be interesting to watch this season now that he's figured out how to hold the football correctly. Betts has also always been good and Yarran is only going to improve, so this isn't such a radical new forward line as some might think.

[Spazzallo]

So basically our forward line is in a no-win situation this week because no matter how badly we beat Richmond, they're still Richmond?

There's just no pleasing some people!

Yep. Just pretend Carlton didn't play last night :D. Thursday looking very promising, wonder who we're gonna stop Betts with!

[StorminNorman]

He should have been on the scrap heap 2 years ago tbh. Every time I watch him he's an absolute disaster.

To me, Tambling has a more severe case of the problem Matthew Richardson always had: He could play like crap for several games, and then suddenly put in a blinder that makes you realise why everyone rates the guy. The difference is that Tambling is worse when he plays badly, and nowhere near as good as Richo when he plays well. He's also been around for long enough now that one good game out of every five or six isn't going to cut it. If he played for anyone other than Richmond, he'd be a second-string fill-in player at best, not a regular line-up player.

As for Carlton, I think they've got a lot to look forward to. Their forward line worked pretty well last night, and they certainly showed that they're going to be fine without Fevola. They should have a good season this year.

[IRS]

Sometimes I think Richmond want to be losers.

[RunningMild]

So basically our forward line is in a no-win situation this week because no matter how badly we beat Richmond, they're still Richmond?

If Carlton do well and beat real teams I'll be the first to congratulate them, but I think a Richmond thumping isn't a good enough reason for everyone in Victoria to go RAH RAH RAH CARLTON ARE OK THEY'RE BETTER WITHOUT FEV THEY KNOW WE'RE COMING ETC ETC ETC

Beating a team as godawful as Richmond doesn't prove a damn thing. Hell, I bet Ashley Hansen could kick 3 or so goals against them, doesn't mean he's suddenly a good forward. ;)

[sheeps]

I like Geelong's Burns. Good replacement for Stokes.

[Cerebral]

If Carlton do well and beat real teams I'll be the first to congratulate them, but I think a Richmond thumping isn't a good enough reason for everyone in Victoria to go RAH RAH RAH CARLTON ARE OK THEY'RE BETTER WITHOUT FEV THEY KNOW WE'RE COMING ETC ETC ETC
Again, noone but you in this thread is raving on like that.

[Jay]

And it's hardly 'everyone in Victoria'. Your anti-Victorian bias is laughable sometimes.

[Second]

I still don't know why I bother with my Richmond membership. :(

[Spazzallo]

Because you're loyal and not a bandwagoner such as the 10,000 Hawthorn members who magically appeared last year and the 8000 Brisbane supporters which amazingly don't exist anymore. Good on you!

[TAT]

Because you're loyal and not a bandwagoner such as the 10,000 Hawthorn members who magically appeared last year and the 8000 Brisbane supporters which amazingly don't exist anymore. Good on you!
In all the years of barracking for Hawthorn, I've never had a membership :P

[Knuckle Children]

I still don't know why I bother with my Richmond membership. :(

What else would you cut in half and mail to the coach with a very sternly written letter at the end of Round 1 each year?

[grimace06]

Poor Melbourne.

Hawthorn are probably the most difficult team to be playing in round 1.

[TAT]

It's going to be a good shift if this keeps up (game is playing in the lobby).

Other news from the hotel: one of Richmond's rookies came back to his room this morning after a massive night on the piss and had a domestic with his "total skank" of a gf. The police weren't notified at her request (arguing only, no violence, but they woke up the adjacent room), and she "was breastfeeding her baby in the restaurant with both tits hanging out, falling asleep" while everything was sorted out. Afterwards she was moved to a separate room until they were ready to checkout.

[RunningMild]

I like Geelong's Burns. Good replacement for Stokes.

You mean Shannon Byrnes?

Again, noone but you in this thread is raving on like that.

I wasn't talking about this thread. Did you notice that the original quote was taken from "AFL.com.au"? Also, I'm not going to retype all the stuff I read in newspapers and such, but suffice to say it's there. :p

And it's hardly 'everyone in Victoria'.

You don't think that may have been exaggerated for effect? ;)

Your anti-Victorian bias is laughable sometimes.

Not as laughable as you thinking I'm actually biased against anyone. :p

Like I said before, I don't hate Carlton, I'm not hoping they do badly or anything, but I don't believe a victory against Richmond is ABSOLUTE PROOF that they'll be just as good as they were without Fevola (as many people seem to think) or that they can consistently kick winning scores. We've all seen how terrible teams can make average teams look good, and how do we know that's not what happened this week? I'd rather wait and see before jumping to conclusions, though I guess I'd be dreaming if I expected the AFL media not to jump on bandwagons every week.

Hey that reminds me- is Footy Classified on this week? :D

[Knuckle Children]

You mean Shannon Byrnes?

I think he means Ronnie Burns. Maybe we should let the cat out of the bag

one of Richmond's rookies came back to his room this morning after a massive night on the piss and had a domestic with his "total skank" of a gf. The police weren't notified at her request (arguing only, no violence, but they woke up the adjacent room), and she "was breastfeeding her baby in the restaurant with both tits hanging out, falling asleep" while everything was sorted out. Afterwards she was moved to a separate room until they were ready to checkout.

*Hoping it wasn't Relton*

[NiB]

Well we get Buddy back next week but probably too many good players out to really push the cats...

Trying to keep up with the afl while at Kapooka but all they care about is league up here, and the storm smash em anyway :)

[Jay]

Way to ruin a game with ****ing bullshit umpiring in the last ten minutes.

[grimace06]

That soft prick Riewoldt should have nothing to cheer about.

[Jay]

The 50 metre penalty against Mattner was retarded.

[Patdog]

The 50 metre penalty against Mattner was retarded.
The ump hadn't called play on, it was there.

That soft prick Riewoldt should have nothing to cheer about.
It may have been soft but it was still there.

[Jay]

The umpire should have called play on. Goddard was well off his line and it was a bad decision, either way. If you think that was worth 50 you don't watch a man's game.

[Lazlow]

F***ing West Coast, no ticker!

That said I'll be honest, I haven't watched much AFL for a while, just the odd West Coast game last year and the GF, the game is just horribly over-officiated.

[Spazzallo]

They were inconsistant the whole night. Need to raise money for a back transplant for Browny because he apparently doesn't have one.

Great game though. The last quarter was amazing :). Fevola's goal... wow. I haven't stopped smiling. He had 11 shots tonight and Brown still kicked 5 goals. Now Fev just needs to kick straight and watch out!

Also Banfield, once this kid gets some confidence he will be an absolute superstar!

[Lazlow]

I was pretty stunned with the "unrealistic attempt" call.

And there was a high tackle called with absolutely nothing in it.

[Jay]

Banfield was a revelation apparently. And Fev's goal was brilliant. Pity he's such a ****.

Koschitzke should get 4 weeks (if precedent is anything to go by). But he'll probably get off because the tribunal are retardedly inconsistent. And ****ing Lyon reckons he didn't see it. Thanks, Arsene ****ing Wenger.

[Spazzallo]

I was pretty stunned with the "unrealistic attempt" call.

And there was a high tackle called with absolutely nothing in it.

Which one was that? Was at the game so I didn't hear it.

Quite a few Carlton supporters at the GABBA last night surprisingly. I'm sure there will be plenty on Thursday. Cannot wait!

[fearofthesky]

Bloody hell, I'm 4/5 for the round so far, wondering why in the hell I tipped Richmond. What in the **** was I thinking? Port up by 6 goals over North(yay!), but Bulldogs down by 4 against the Magpies (boo).

Really wanna head down to Subi and see my boys avenge last years shellacking at the hands of the bastard Crows, but my cricket wind up is on. Ah well, I'll insist on having it on the TV at the club, the bartender is a Dockers fan so no game, no drinks, I would say. :)

It will be great to have Palmer back, was shattered when he wrecked his knee. As long as he improves his disposal to match his ball winning skills (and his knee holds up), he will be an absolute champion.

Watch out for Micheal Barlow, Anthony Morabito and Alex Silvagni too. Debutants with class.

[grimace06]

Well I'm glad Port got the four points - the men in yellow did their utmost to keep North from getting flogged.

[StorminNorman]

*does the "We're on top of the ladder" dance*

[Knuckle Children]

*does the "We're on top of the ladder" dance*

Don't get ahead of yourself, you've beaten no one above you yet.

Very happy with the Pies making short work of the Doggies. Whether the Doggies believed their own hype or Collingwood just made a point of hitting them hard early, coming back from 30 points down at quarter time and holding it was always going to be tough for the Scraggers.

Was a little disappointed in Jolly's first game given the importance of his recruitment, and more than a little disappointed in Travis Cloke's continual inability to stamp himself on the game. All in all though, I was very impressed with the boys. I was expecting to be 0-1 after Round 1.

[[m]averick]

Well I'm glad Port got the four points - the men in yellow did their utmost to keep North from getting flogged.


I see.

At one point two Port Adelaide players ran into one another, resulting in a head clash and one received a free kick.

[texta]

Complaining about umpires is pretty embarrassing.

Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good about tipping Fremantle.

[grimace06]

averick;1191705']I see.

At one point two Port Adelaide players got pushed into one another by a North player, resulting in a head clash and one received a free kick.

Fixed.

[RunningMild]

So Freo are gonna be on top of the ladder?

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the end... this is the end of Australian Rules.

[texta]

They're actually just second to the Hawks. But just to confirm; in the 16 years that Fremantle have been in the competition, is this the highest they've been on the ladder?

[RunningMild]

They're actually just second to the Hawks. But just to confirm; in the 16 years that Fremantle have been in the competition, is this the highest they've been on the ladder?

I'm pretty sure it is. Their previous best was 3rd in 2006, right?

[D.C.]

Well I'm glad Port got the four points - the men in yellow did their utmost to keep North from getting flogged.
I'm glad too, but I wonder if anything has changed from last year (re: playing good when we want to and dropping huge leads because of laziness).

Plus, North probably aren't going to be a finals contender this year.

lol, Crows. That was absolutely pathetic and hilarious at the same time.

[TAT]

The first two rounds of the season are my favourite because the ladder is symmetrical.

[sheeps]

3 games won by 56 points. Weird.

Also. The videos on the afl.com.au site are really great at playing ads. I feel like that should be illegal for them to let me view their ads but then refuse to work and show me any ****ing content.

[Jay]

I feel it should be illegal for Hawthorn to have won the 2008 Premiership, but nothing I say is gonna change it. :p

I know I should be over it, but I'm sorry, I'm not. It's the only thing that stops people saying the Geelong team of 07 - 09 (and beyond) ranks with the early 00's Brisbane team and it's ****ing irritating, because afaic we are every bit their equal. So let me hold my grudge. :p

[Cerebral]

What the heck happened at Subi?

[fearofthesky]

what the heck happened at subi?

revenge!

[RunningMild]

What the heck happened at Subi?

Barlow happened. ;)

I know I should be over it, but I'm sorry, I'm not. It's the only thing that stops people saying the Geelong team of 07 - 09 (and beyond) ranks with the early 00's Brisbane team and it's ****ing irritating, because afaic we are every bit their equal. So let me hold my grudge. :p

Geelong had the disadvantage of not playing against finals chokers two years in a row. ;)

[sheeps]

I know I should be over it, but I'm sorry, I'm not. It's the only thing that stops people saying the Geelong team of 07 - 09 (and beyond) ranks with the early 00's Brisbane team and it's ****ing irritating, because afaic we are every bit their equal. So let me hold my grudge. :p

I guess the 00s Brisbane Lions were better at winning grand finals.

[D.C.]

Also. The videos on the afl.com.au site are really great at playing ads. I feel like that should be illegal for them to let me view their ads but then refuse to work and show me any ****ing content.
The AFL website is a ****ing joke. Takes ages to load up anything remotely decent, and the cluttered the web design is plagued with ads and random crap.

[Knuckle Children]

Geelong had the disadvantage of not playing against finals chokers two years in a row. ;)

Grand Final chokers thank you very much!

[Jay]

How the **** did David Hille get off that hit on Bartel? And don't get me started on Zac ****ing Dawson. Retarded.

[RunningMild]

The AFL website is a ****ing joke. Takes ages to load up anything remotely decent, and the cluttered the web design is plagued with ads and random crap.

What do you expect from BigPond? :rolleyes:

[Spazzallo]

Gold Coast reportedly offering Brennan 600k a year. No quotes in the article and it comes from the Herald Sun/Courier Mail but this would be a huge loss. Clearances have always been one of our weaknesses and this guy is so vital in that regard ><.

[Jay]

Gold Coast reportedly offering Brennan 600k a year. No quotes in the article and it comes from the Herald Sun/Courier Mail but this would be a huge loss. Clearances have always been one of our weaknesses and this guy is so vital in that regard ><.

Not a nice feeling is it? At least 600k is a figure it's possible to match...

[Spazzallo]

Thing is Brennan isn't given enough credit for what he does on the field. I wouldn't be happy with anything short of a number 3 pick however I doubt we'd get it. Hopefully our push for a premiership will make him stay. To be honest the only way I can see us matching his salary is if we got rid of Travis Johnstone at the end of this year (on 400k a year) but he played well on the weekend as well and is a good back up for when Drummond gets injured (TOO OFTEN!).

[D.C.]

How the **** did David Hille get off that hit on Bartel? And don't get me started on Zac ****ing Dawson. Retarded.
Hille was lucky, but there was nothing much in the Dawson hit (clear-cut case of him going from the ball and attempting to spoil). Certainly, both were not even close to Kennedy's hit on Sylvia though. How the AFL can vehemently argue that didn't deserve any kind of suspension is unbelievable.

Pretty funny to read about how bitchy Geelong got about that Gold Coast newspaper putting an image of Ablett in a GC guernsey. I get where they are coming from, but threatening to press with legal action and suggesting copyright infringement and all sorts of wacky claims is kinda stupid.

Thing is Brennan isn't given enough credit for what he does on the field. I wouldn't be happy with anything short of a number 3 pick however I doubt we'd get it. Hopefully our push for a premiership will make him stay. To be honest the only way I can see us matching his salary is if we got rid of Travis Johnstone at the end of this year (on 400k a year) but he played well on the weekend as well and is a good back up for when Drummond gets injured (TOO OFTEN!).
He was good on the weekend, but I don't know about him getting enough credit. For years he was overrated and still has yet to really live up to his high draft pick status. You would be lucky to get a pick in the twenties, let alone something under ten. :p

[grimace06]

I was rather shocked Hille got off - although Bartel made it look like he'd been hit by a shotgun blast. Hille did pull up and try and protect himself and if he went full pelt Bartel would not be playing this week.

Kenelly took the mark and got smashed - 50 metre penalty and nothing more.

[Jay]

except they didn't even give Kennelly 50.