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Joined April 2011
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Melbourne Demons and Brad Hodge fanatic. I like old things that remind me of my childhood like video cassettes, newspapers and making finals.
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This might sound like a strange thing to say in the midst of the pandemic, but I really wish I could press ‘save game’…
Melbourne probably won't win the premiership this year. Hell, at this stage we'll be lucky to even make the eight. I'll be devastated, no…
It hurts to be called a racist. It damages your pride in a way that other jibes can't. As such, being called a racist…
As much as I love Test cricket, I can't deny that it's the most boring sport in the world. Like many Australians and English…
Losing a favourite player is always difficult. I would know; I've lost half a dozen. Jeff Farmer was the first to go, back in…
In light of Brock McLean's comments on Monday night’s On The Couch, the ugly issue of tanking has resurfaced in the sea of AFL…
I know it's part of footy culture, but the incessant "BALL!" shouts from the outer have gone too far. The AFL's loudest supporters might…
Melbourne's 41-point loss to Brisbane was disappointing, but not because it didn't honour Jim Stynes. There is no doubt that Jimmy Stynes had a…
Before the media adopted Jim Stynes as their archetypal hero, he was already a champion. Now, as we reflect on his premature exit, he…
The position of Australian cricket captain has long been regarded as one of the most important jobs in the country. Even our Prime Minister…
On Saturday night I walked into the MCG with a Renegades top on and a Stars membership around my neck. I inevitably left the…
Ten years ago, the best ten Australian cricketers were arguably among the best dozen in the world. More than that, the best twenty cricketers…
With yet another football figure embroiled in a betting scandal, it’s easy to think that the Australian Football League’s integrity is on the brink…
[caption id="attachment_43012" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Adam McPhee of the Dockers celebrates their win after the AFL Round 05 ANZAC Day match between the Fremantle Dockers…
Nobody likes a spoiler. The premature revelation of a movie plot frustrates like nothing else. It happens to all us; we go see a…
For all its excitement, the Rising Star award frustrates football supporters like nothing else. It’s an accolade that fans of every team can follow…
[caption id="attachment_34414" caption="Melbourne players celebrate after the AFL Round 18 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Melbourne Demons at the Gabba, Brisbane. Slattery…
[caption id="attachment_35549" caption="Sydney and Carlton players react as the final siren sounds during the AFL 1st Elimination Final match between the Sydney Swans and…
Everybody in the football universe is harping on about how bad the Demons were on Thursday. Past players are lashing out at the half-hearted…
Thanks. Good to know I’m in good company with my opinions! I’d be curious to know how vocal he was in that opinion when coaching/motivating the Swans at their peak?
Is winning a premiership really what matters?
I agree. The keywords I used were “mercurial” (changeable in temperament) and “could”. TJ was probably the most inconsistent player I’ve ever seen, but he also played some cracking games, particularly during 2005-06.
Club loyalty has always been a myth
Okay, I concede ball magnet is a bit of an over-exaggeration. But he averages 17 disposals a game, which would (this is the sad part) place him 6th on the list of Demon for disposals/game (above Trengove, Moloney, Sylvia and McKenzie). Obviously what he does with the ball matters more than how many times he gets it, but given the way the Dees are going he would definitely be handy at the club now. How Valenti isn’t being picked up makes no sense to me.
The point I was trying to make, however, was that persisting with these guys would have been more beneficial than experimenting with untried draft choices.
Tanking is natural selection in action
Good series Damo. Enjoying your analysis.
I disagree with your assessment on Melbourne. C+/B- is harsh given that you gave A+s to both Collingwood (one star, one depth ruckman and four no-names) and Essendon (which you concede has no no.1 big man).
As you’ve acknowledged, Jamar is a gun in the ruck. Last year he and the much-improved Stefan Martin were one of the most potent ruck combinations in the league. On hitouts alone, Jamar was ranked 9th (from 15 games) while Martin was 18th (21 games). West Coast was the only other team to have had two players in the top 18 ruckmen in the league. Most importantly, both can fit into the one team with ease.
Yes, the depth is shallow this year with Gawn gawn for the year, Spencer going nowhere and Fitzpatrick developing slowly, but if we were ranking the top 2 ruckman at each club, Melbourne would surely be in the top 5 (behind only West Coast, Essendon, Carlton and North).
While Sellar (defence), Clark (forward) and Martin (utility) will certainly spend much time around the ground, their talent should not be underestimated. Should injuries occur, either of those three (particularly the latter two) could easily fit into the no.1 big man role.
Reviewing the rucks: GWS, Demons, Hawks
To throw a conspiracy theory into the mix, could Cameron White have had anything to do with Bailey’s appointment?
White was apparently on the selection panel for the T20 and may have put forward Bailey’s name as a possible leader. After all, they have just been playing with one another for the past 2 months.
Obviously in the short term it doesn’t do White a whole lot of good to be recommending alternative captains. But in the long term, Bailey’s role as selector may increase the likelihood of White returning to the team in the near future…
Watch this space.
Bailey selection undermines credibility of top job
In an uncanny uncoincedence, I received another Melbourne Stars membership pack in the mail today. Perhaps they’re really desperate for me to reject the Renegades…
Melburnians divided over Big Bash League split
Too true. Although it does seem weird to think that Melbourne are so inconsistently consistent that they’re now predictable.
Don't tell me the result! 'Watching on replay' dilemma
Thanks for that link. That was a great read.
Don't tell me the result! 'Watching on replay' dilemma
More or less. Except that you’re voting for 9 games, so you’d probably want at least 9 players getting votes every week.
AFL Rising Star award needs a makeover
I take your point and I apologise for my hyperbole. From my personal observations, though, it’s a common topic on pretty much any footy forum
AFL Rising Star award needs a makeover
I would be amazed if Libba Jnr doesn’t get a nomination before the year’s end. Then again, there’s always gonna be a few stiff players…
An interesting case was Jordan Gysberts last year. He got nominated on the back of two brilliant performances midway through the season, but went on to play just one more game before getting injured. At the end of the season, you felt good for him, but at the same time you wish someone else could have taken his place, especially since the Gys is likely to be nominated again this year (this round in fact) and potentially win the award.
As for my voting method, it basically works more like a Best and Fairest award where the winner progressively gains votes throughout the season, rather than an All Australian method where players are judged only at season’s end. In terms of nominations, the first 20 weeks stay as put, while the last 5 favour players that were unlucky to miss out on earlier nominations.
AFL Rising Star award needs a makeover
The next 5 rounds should reveal a lot. Melbourne have the Kangaroos (haven’t been in 5 years), St Kilda (ditto), Carlton, Essendon and Collingwood.
1 win and they deserve to spend another down the bottom.
2 wins and they I wouldn’t fault them for finishing in the eight.
3 wins and they deserve to be in the eight.
4-5 wins and they are the real deal.
Don't get behind the Demons just yet
You make some good points, Alfred.
I would, however, like to point out that ruckmen that don’t get a lot of the ball can still have a huge impact on a game. Look at Mark Jamar for instance. He gets about two kicks a game and those kicks usually land in the opponent’s hand. But watch him go at it in the centre circle and the value of the ruckman immediately becomes apparent. Admittedly, today’s slaughter-fest of the Crows was an exaggerated example, but Jamar consistently tapped it into the perfect space for Brent Moloney.
Jamar had 40 hitouts, Moloney 19 clearances. It’s no surprises the Dees won by 96 points.
Furthermore, whenever Lynden Dunn went in to relieve Jamar, Adelaide noticeably won a lot more of the ball.
True, the value of a good ruckman these days is getting smaller and smaller. But when you put an elite ruckman with an elite midfielder, you get amazing results.
How much influence are ruckmen really having?
That’s such an interesting perspective – I dream of the day I can reflect upon which flag felt more satisfying!
“Maybe that one perfect performance killed off some of my passion for following the game” is quite profound. I guess the closest comparison I can make is loving a film, but not feeling the need to watch the sequel or remake; the original film itself has satisfied your craving and you suspect that watching an imperfect reproduction might actually compromise your experience on the whole.
Is winning a premiership really what matters?