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Forever riding the sporting rollercoaster. Sucker for analysis and talking stats on 91.3 SportFM. @DemPanopoulos.
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Melbourne’s complete reliance on Clayton Oliver has them positioned as a fake contender and Oliver finding form will completely transform this accidental top-four team.…
The Blues have truly stood up and are a genuine flag threat in 2024 and they have their younger brigade of troops to thank for it.
There’s a slight disconnect between the data, the record and the eye test for the Brisbane Lions to start season 2024. This week, Champion…
The 2024 edition of the Bulldogs has no system. It feels at times that Luke Beveridge is just picking players he had previously had a vested interest in recruiting.
Overreacting to a single loss is one of the most overplayed scenarios in sport, but it’s important for the Swans to still believe that…
Valiant. Brave. Gutsy. In footballing parlance, these synonyms tend to be used to describe the efforts of bad teams that are having a crack.…
Nicks has received an extension as a show of faith, but by and large, the pass mark for Adelaide this season is a finals appearance.
As bitter as a pill as it may be to swallow, Brad Scott preaching patience is exactly what will lead to Essendon’s sustained finals…
St Kilda fans should dare to dream in 2024. In a season where trying to narrow down finals contenders to a final eight seems…
The 2024 AFL season is here! Not officially - no, the first bounce of the season proper isn’t for another few weeks, but The…
Port Adelaide’s attempts to fill gaps on their list in the trade period haven’t made them any better and could come back to haunt…
The Swans clearly believe the 2024 flag could be theirs and have positioned themselves well with the signings of Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams.…
Career-length contract extensions are in vogue, but are they the best thing for a club to do? First off, power to the players themselves…
On behalf of every neutral observer, can the Magpies and Lions please put on a good show for this year’s Grand Final? We haven’t…
Finish the story. It’s extraordinary the Giants and Blues have made it to preliminary final weekend. After the byes they were 14th and 15th…
There’s something off about Port Adelaide now we’re at the business end of the season - and it’s hard to know exactly who to…
All eight clubs playing finals in 2023 will be facing elimination at some point, which offers the opportunity for some players to stand up…
Three club legends have departed and a unanimous decision has been made for the coach to stay, meaning the next big topic on West…
A top-two finish means nothing for Brisbane unless they change the way they play heading into September. This is a team celebrated as nearly…
Mr Brightside is no longer just a song, but rather, for three minutes and forty-three seconds, acts as a sort of personal time machine.…
Accessibility definitely was an issue, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens once things settle down from a societal point of view, when the comfort levels are at a point where going to the footy seems a normal part of the process – will everyone flock back after missing it for so long, or will the economics get in the way again, particularly after a period of financial hardship?
Is 2021 the best AFL season in recent memory?
If WA is the new shortened version of Victoria, then indeed 😛
Is 2021 the best AFL season in recent memory?
As a massive NBA fan, I found it really informative that they had someone of that stature to cross to when refs were assessing flagrant fouls, or any type of foul worth discussing really, and offering that level of insight that the fans just don’t comprehend. I think Ray would be perfect in that role after his hangs up the boots.
Why Razor Ray continues to be a great asset for the AFL
Thanks DTM, always appreciate the feedback. I tend to agree, greater investments and a strong support structure would go a long way to ensuring the pathway is clear and the standards and confidence levels of budding umpires is at a high. They’re the ones that keep that game ticking along all over Australia and deserve to be treated as such.
It’s great to have a role model like Razor so accessible on and off the field.
Why Razor Ray continues to be a great asset for the AFL
He has a good understanding of the game, I’ve had the same thought for a few months now if Teague isn’t the man and think nailing the defensive structure will be the secret to unlocking quick and vast improvement overall!
Why Razor Ray continues to be a great asset for the AFL
Keeffe had done a pretty solid job, hadn’t he? Davis has unfortunately looked a little off the pace since returning, it’ll be interesting what 2022 holds for him.
In terms of the small forwards, I definitely expect Hill to progress pretty nicely next season, Daniels is that interesting one that is so well-loved and it’ll end up being that high half-forward rotating through the middle. He’s a better facilitator than finisher which is nice to have, just means another crumber would be ideal.
'Simply a coaching insight or two away': Creating a Giant problem
Definitely but I feel some of that inconsistency is self-inflicted. I know I mentioned it a couple of times but the ball movement really is stifling at times when the Giants hit the lead and it just lets the opposition into games. Occasionally there’s the inexplicable lack of confidence when all things point towards decent form or having momentum. Luckily, these things are fixable and far from fatal in a footballing sense.
'Simply a coaching insight or two away': Creating a Giant problem
Always appreciate your feedback mate, it’s always a good read, I think I remember a little resistance with the North Melbourne’s not winning the wooden spoon piece from Good Friday too, if I recall correctly 😁
Personally, I don’t think this is an overly negative piece, particularly not one that is dismissed as “time to get serious”, it’s a “what if”, exploring the positives and negatives of the situation that has presented itself for Geelong. A different style of piece if you will.
I think they should be seen as favourites for this year’s flag and have got players performing super well at this point in time, but the other side of the equation is very real and cannot be simply brushed aside because it doesn’t suit a narrative some are keen to read, or the perception of writing is seen as “negative”.
Also, I tend to agree that the Demons shouldn’t be written off, the current issues are minor and fully expect them to be there at the business end!
Gardiner needs to return in full health for the Lions and the coverage of Hipwood is vital to get right come September. Bulldogs and Melbourne are the main contenders with the Cats, the Swans have shown different gears and strong transitional play which I think can hold up in finals, and the Lions are where they are. The rest make up the numbers.
What if Geelong don't win the 2021 premiership?
Hi Jake, thanks for having a read. This piece is just exploring the hypothetical of what would happen if the Cats weren’t to win the flag, I think both the positives and the potential negatives have been covered while thinking this is the year of Geelong.
I’m pretty comfortable in thinking that the club would be internally disappointed by the strike rate of one GF loss in six top-four appearances and would have hoped for more, that’s only a natural reaction to the fantastic positions the club has built itself into. No club has been better over a longer period of time than yours, it’s just that now is the time that the flag must come as it seems to have culminated in this 2021 barrage.
Also, I’m not sure the single biggest hurdle for Geelong is not playing Richmond in Geelong, that seems a little too micro. The Grand Final was in Brisbane last year, for example.
Right now there are only a few genuine contenders, and the Cats are the most mature of the lot with quality everywhere. There deserves to be genuine optimism and expectation from fans, because this year more than most, the ultimate glory seems most attainable.
What if Geelong don't win the 2021 premiership?
I definitely agree the Cats are even better this season and their form in recent times has been fantastic, really playing the best footy I think I’ve seen from them in a couple of years. Tom Hawkins is a marvel.
What if Geelong don't win the 2021 premiership?
I’m in a similar boat, I haven’t pivoted from my tip of Brisbane to win the flag for the entire season yet but we’ll definitely need to see something else in the run home, especially with the legitimate contendership of at least three others.
One of those days, or a real sign of worry for the Lions?
I refuse to accept “just a rookie” in any context!! My personal thoughts were that the recruitment wasn’t good from the Saints but clearly, now that they’ve settled players in more natural positions and look to be more positive with ball movement, they can definitely cause some damage! I’m not convinced yet necessarily, but they’re a definite danger team.
The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions: Round 18
After being horrified by the Saints in the first half of the season, the return to form has been good to see, credit to them!
The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions: Round 18
All the hype is justified, there are some good kids coming through, just need to address a couple of key issues and things should turn around quickly.
The best player from last year's draft is not who you'd think
and I reckon Reid might be the best of the Bomber lot, I was a huge fan last year. But Pete, does the top end touch next year’s? Don’t mind the look of, I think his name is Daicos? 😛
The best player from last year's draft is not who you'd think
I do genuinely appreciate this feedback James, so thank you for that.
I don’t necessarily think it’s hyperbolic to look at it and see that Gulden has been the most influential player from last year’s crop and his overall talent and well-rounded skillset, as a completely objective observer, has been super impressive, moreso than the other draftees so far.
I haven’t seen much praise given to the young Swan personally and I do genuinely believe that he is the most complete player in the crop, being talented in multiple areas, but these traits were sort of known heading into the season.
So yes, I agree that comments regarding re-drafting and that he was a steal are potentially more salient, but I’d also like to think that the piece, thoughts and reasonings provide a justification to my current stance on Gulden, rather than just making a singular comment to grab a reaction.
The best player from last year's draft is not who you'd think
I like the recognition that can come from the Rising Star, shines the light on young players that one-eyed supporters haven’t really looked into but I tend to agree overall.
There’s just something about Gulden that screams high-level, natural footballer isn’t there? Every club has a couple of players, it’s certainly how I’ve always felt about Ridley from your mob. They just get “it”.
The best player from last year's draft is not who you'd think
Probably owe a piece or two on the City/South Melbourne fixture or breaking down the Navas/Donnarumma situation at PSG to make up for it 😂
The best player from last year's draft is not who you'd think
Gulden’s the more talented player but even so, was just referring to last year’s draft crop. GWS would do well to keep playing him in important roles, you just know teams are going to know on his door.
You’re very right about the big boy, looks the goods. This year seems a lost opportunity for your team Don, spoke about those inaccurate games being super costly during the week on SportFM but I’ll maintain being a strong proponent for a finals appearance from the Eastern border – just a matter of time!
The best player from last year's draft is not who you'd think
I suppose we should refrain on writing any positive pieces about young players deserving credit they haven’t yet received?
The best player from last year's draft is not who you'd think
Then the flow on would be, do Parish and Langford get these full-time opportunities that they’ve clearly been waiting for? Let’s not forget that for all intents and purposes, Rutten was in charge last year and the positioning of these guys in particular remained relatively peripheral.
Caldwell likely would’ve played a lot of midfield, Shiel and McGrath obviously in there, I think that this is a significant silver lining for the Bombers which turned them from a team with long-term projections to one that is performing well right now.
Laverde and Stewart are doing their best at the moment but the latter in particular won’t have much business being there when the Bombers really start to fire up. I’m excited by the young talent as many are, thrilled for the fans that the club took a punt on Baldwin who is supremely talented and Reid was my favourite of the three picks at draft time.
Just need to see more cohesion to go with the excitement. My personal opinion is that it should be super comfortable for Geelong this evening and it will show the gap that exists. If the Bombers are really competitive though, then we’ll see the mental strength here is off the charts, an intangible that is incredibly important.
Are we overhyping the Bombers in 2021?
I’m going to need to stop tipping Richmond and calling them certainties.
The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions: Round 16
A slip of the finger on the keyboard if you will, although the likelihood of it being 0 next season will be the main point of focus one would think!
Is 2021 the best AFL season in recent memory?