Yeah, good comparison. Or even a Sicily who also started as a forward ruck-rove type, if I recall. We’ll see how it plays out. After the weekend, Cotchin proved he’s still got it on-ball. Might be a tough decision coming up.

Agree with some of this but the chip-kick thing is a matter of style in my view. The way he kicks always looks like a chip to the green, even at long distance. And he’s not usually the longest of kicks. I think he does break open games. Putting him back in the middle is what broke open the match early against Freo last week. He’s also been criticised for being dirty in some circles, but I just see him as a master at hustling round the packs, keeps lower than anyone, goes in super hard (especially now given his age and injury risk) with max. impact after a step or two, and gets boot to ball under pressure better than anyone in the game. I see a lot of younger players that look like they modelled themselves on his ability to release the ball to boot regardless of the situation. It ain’t always pretty but that should be a fair counter to the ‘easy kick’ critics.

Oh Tim… be even braver. North looks like your only proper long odds punt, and maybe a sulk-pick at that. Add Cats, Giants and Tiges to your tips and you’ll double last week’s effort!
(-;

I was pretty chuffed to learn that Hopper and Taranto were coming to the Tiges and thought it was a good decision at first, but as soon as I read your thoughts on Hopper’s return, I realised I’d had similar misgivings but hadn’t processed them. When he was out of the side the first time, my instinct was to check if he’d been dropped or was injured, so already that’s a sign I thought the mix of T and H at the bounce wasn’t really working fully, and that Hardwick had cottoned onto it. Compared to the ferociousness of Baker and Cotchin around the ball or at the bounce… and you get an idea why the contested numbers went up. See ball. Get ball. Pass ball. No rocket science needed there. And I should add that Hopper is a quality player but there could be a better place for him in the forward line as another semi-tall to help Jack. I can even see him as a quick (and solid) backman – a Broad or Vlastuin type – and even a Grimes replacement should he get injured or call it quits next year. He’s probably fit and quick enough to run a wing too if a gap opens there due to injury.

I have a similar feeling. Hope never fades (in my case) and a return to their natural territory for some players bodes well. Anyway, it seems there are some emerging and maturing talents to keep things motoring forward.

Yeah, unless things change at Blues Voss may struggle to get a third strike at it even if such a weird swap were considered. Doesn’t really matter if he’s to blame for the poor showing or not (you imply it’s more on the playing group). It’s the optics of it. Especially when other returnee coaches looked to hit the ground running (Scott, Lyon, and Clark… sort of).

Even better, Simpson and Voss do a clean swap… solves contract/salary payouts. Both get a new voice in the rooms, and a bit of reset. Both have pedigree but just seem to have lost the mojo in their respective clubs. Stupid idea. But stranger things have happened.

Coaches have to take some responsibility for the list’s injuries. There must be something in the conditioning, training or general attitude around the club towards risk-reward on-field leading to the excess injuries.

I see your point about historical changes ultimately making the game safer and perhaps more ‘attacking’, but I don’t agree that the stand rule makes it better as a spectator or that 50m penalties for dissent in the mid-to-forward half are in any way a fair execution of the rules, or indeed the spirit of the game. These two ‘innovations’ also deserve the (somewhat contradictory) mid-season adjustment/exception you develop in this piece. They do not add to the safety nor the beauty of the game. As to the potential farce awaiting the Brownlow Ceremony, I fully agree. Some sort of exonerating clause, or fudge, is needed for this year. And a careful rethink for coming years.

Brave week. Disappointed you didn’t sneak ‘swansong’ into the Buddy and Saints v Swans wrap up. Recent years, Tiges have relished away games so not sure of the home-match advantage in that tip. And signs of an updraft in recent weeks could mean it’s time for a Hawks lift-off. They could use some positive news, anyway.

It’s oversimplifying it to just say they’re too old. Sure, age is a factor. So are injuries. But you’ve also got changes in the game (structural and procedural) that Geelong don’t seem to be on top of. Same could be said of Richmond. Their brands have been hard at it for years (one chaotic, the other controlling, but both with extreme tenacity). And it worked. But when good and fair players like Stewart and Broad (for example) get long bans for overzealous tackles (let’s call it), it starts to play on individual and team psychology. When ‘Do I, don’t I?’ thinking creeps into tackling decision-making it can rob the playing group’s ferocity overall, especially when a bellwether player like Stewart loses confidence in what’s allowed and what’s not.

Great piece Cameron. Yes, the tetchiness – a micro-twitch too many and that pout – was definitely on display these past few weeks. I wasn’t the least bit surprised by his decision. A little unusual that it was an immediate stand-down, but maybe that was a smart move, too. I can’t see him wanting to coach elsewhere. He’s proud and there’s such a strong legacy now that I doubt he’d want to sully it. My instinct is he’ll turn to another sport or even AFL management. He’s had plenty to say (often veiled, sometimes not) about that over the years. Also, he came back from the States invigorated, and yet somehow it didn’t get channeled into Richmond. A stint coaching or working with US sports? Players have made the hop, so it’s not so far-fetched a coach could do it, especially a true sportsman like Hardwick. I wish him well whatever the decision going forward.

Well researched and reasoned piece. Simplest is best. One round each and with the Tassie team you’ll have 18, and have a slightly extended playoff series (or two – one for the finals contenders and one for the bottom half to decide on recruitment points or some other also-ran cup). The earlier decision on the double is also a fairer way of levelling up.

With you on the over-umpiring being the result of fussy rule-making, especially the stand and deliberate rules. It has made the game laughable at time (such theatrics trying not to move a single step or pretending to fumble balls to get them over the line).

West Coast injury troubles. Makes you wonder. They have the same conditions and opportunities as the rest of the league. Are they doing something different in game prep or conditioning? Anyone know? It can’t all be down to bad luck. Maybe it’s psychological now. Added pressure leads to desperation… players trying so hard to compensate that they’re taking more risks and getting hurt. Maybe they’re being pushed harder in training leading to niggles, tears, soft tissue stuff… that other teams can avoid by resting players (a buffer the Eagles no longer has). This needs to be looked into before changing rules wholesale for one team. Perhaps intervention is needed in other ways.

Tim, agree with pretty much everything, and would even add that Broad’s turn against Cameron was the match-winner. No coincidence that when he came back they started winning again. Very, very underrated… speed ‘and’ endurance + plays much taller (like Grimes). Agree Balta was shaky to start but got a hold of Hawkins when he started legging it round the park. Great as H is, those big trunks are not made for speed. Agree Jack was doing his best against a learning but in-form back-man, but I still wonder about selection when he’s being largely beaten in that solitary role week after week. Was happy to see the big lad Ryan learning the craft. After watching a steady succession of not-quite-there rucks at Richmond (Chol, Soldo) it is comforting to see one finally step up in Nank’s absence.

Wow, well documented piece, and clearly in your wheelhouse as a stats man at ABC. Good you established off the bat you love both codes. I’m only now starting to get a taste for NRL since my kid started playing Union. I prefer League because it keeps moving and, frankly, I understand at least half of the ref decisions, which can’t be said of Union. On your piece, I think you only touched on the two codes in terms of draft/recruiting issues, but surely it also affects the crowds League musters compared to the AFL numbers you quoted. Be interested to see a combined League/Union number versus the AFL average, then. Or is that naive to connect the two as a competing code to Aussie Rules?

Lots going on in this thread. Understandable. Interesting angle of Clarkos turning the mirror on the investigators. See how that plays out. But it’s a fair point on the media leaks. In a legal case there might be issues with the way the evidence is being handled. Respect for evidence should be given to any serious investigation. For the curious, check out the rules of evidence on the gov’t site below. Surprisingly clear reading!!
http://www.naa.gov.au/information-management/information-governance/records-evidence-legal-proceedings/evidence-law-australia

A bit of both depending on what position you play (Hawkins in a restricted-zone position = mostly strength; Dangerfield in an open paddock = endurance but in his case strength too). Anyway, mostly comes down to your genetics and a bit of good luck on the injury front how long you hang in there. Again at Geelong, look at Isaac Smith. He’s got that ectomorph build – appears agelessly fit.

Damn. Ohtani… nerves of steel. Rest of the world eats away at a US heartland sport. Once watched a top-notch match in Cuba… just local dudes but they were good. Long history in the sport, I guess. Cheers for sharing.

Yes, the Unholy Mess that was Richmond vs. Gold Coast was unwatchable. And if we have to hear one more time how it wasn’t the ‘Tiger brand’… Which is what exactly these days? 10 for a dollar bargain bin footy. There are at least 3 other teams playing a better version of what was once a trademark win-the-ball-at-all-cost brand of brilliant chaos footy. One of them is on top.

Good example. Two captains head to head on the final play. Doesn’t get better than that.

Wines is credible and respected, for sure. Wonder if he’d relish the job though. Seems a reserved guy (at least his public persona). Bit like Dustin Martin at Richmond. Players and public would be onboard if either of them did a captain stint but they might not like the extra attention. Gets back to what you said about the off-field and PR stuff that go with the job.

Yeah, good point on the off-field responsibility (comms and admin). There’s also the question how it affects on-field performance; wearing two hats and responsibility might blunt some players natural play style. Seem to recall Jarryd Roughead wore the crown heavily at first back in the day, there was talk about Coniglio struggling with it too in 2020/1. As to Port, I see what you mean. Can’t say I know much about the players’ characters (leading, communicating sort of stuff) so hard to say on that. In terms of age/maturity bracket they’ve got a lot of relatively young players (a few years under their belts) with the right on-field charisma, so maybe Port will have to take a punt on one of them stepping up.

It’s semantics on what you reckon ‘dissent’ means. Do you watch Union? I see it on TV and live in Europe weekly. Players not only respect the refs but hang on their words. There are genuine discussions between players (admittedly, mostly captains or senior players) and the umpire. The situation is explained, and the player is allowed to ask what’s happening. In AFL, that’s forbidden now. It’s as though teacher has decided players are naughty if they dare to speak up. It’s unbalanced power.