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Well I give up. In the hours since their clinical grand final performance, I've run through all the potential contenders, and I seriously can't…
It hasn't worked out the way I thought it would, when all those weeks ago I declared Hawthorn were virtually good things to win…
I had a conversation with a colleague yesterday about the news Adam Goodes had announced his retirement for football. The response I received when…
Some call it a 'darby'. Others go with 'derrby' or 'derby'. It doesn't really matter whether you go with a hard E, a soft…
So here we are again. September. And while all the teams this season got to play September footy, the real stuff begins on the…
Well there it is for another season, and all with a round remaining. The top eight has been decided and in the midst of…
Pass or fail? I guess it's very black and white that way, but in sport, and in this instance a season of AFL, there…
With all the drama that the Essendon football club has been through in the past few years, right or wrong, foolish or not, one…
I wouldn't have been the only one at the start of the season when working out my top eight to have the Western Bulldogs…
An interesting email leapt into my inbox this week. It was from a corporate bookmaker who, like all of us, had been stunned by…
Thanks to those glorious sporting clichés, we hear about it all the time. “It's not about the money, it's about winning”. Or “It's not…
What we all witnessed on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium simply rubber-stamped what we saw in Tasmania the week before. While some wanted to…
Well that wasn't the AFL grand final preview it was supposed to be. Sydney, it's your turn. Sunday's fixture against Hawthorn was an acid…
Less than a month ago I suggested that while Port Adelaide were many rungs off the top teams on the ladder, they still had…
There is an absolute tidal wave of water still to pass under the proverbial bridge between now and the first weekend in October, but…
Every year around this time, I manage to get locked into a debate with someone about why the AFL doesn't have State of Origin.…
It was way back, what seems almost half a season ago now, when I wrote about how four teams in the competition were looking…
I'm all for optimism. Gee, in sport you need to own it. Seasons can be long and torturous for many football supporters, and if…
So there is was. Another round down, another step towards September. So what was the biggest story out of another weekend packed full of…
It's May, not even the midway point of the season, but regardless of the timing, it didn't stop one thinking ahead to September prospects…
But to be a great grand final doesn’t mean it has to be attractive, free-flowing 140-130. While I also enjoy watching those matches, I guess it also depends on what you think is enthralling. A good hard, tight, contest, on a knife’s edge until the final minutes, with every player giving their all for the ultimate prize. That to me is attractive also.
Hawks v Cats grand final: how can we make it happen?
Most thought it would break last weekend. Maybe the Kennett Curse is unbreakable.
Hawks v Cats grand final: how can we make it happen?
Those shootouts do tend to happen when West Australian and NSW teams play in AFL grand finals.
Hawks v Cats grand final: how can we make it happen?
And I always thought the first team to win it all from ninth would be Richmond!!
Hawks v Cats grand final: how can we make it happen?
Very good question Strummer, but unfortunately those who can answer why it didn’t happen last week with Watson, are not saying a word.
Were the fans right to boo Jobe?
Sorry Joe, but I haven’t attacked Eagles fans at all. Nor have I attempted to turn Essendon into the victim. While there have been a dozen or so similar articles in the past week, perhaps you just assumed this was like some of the others. I have actually given the ‘other side’ of the argument. Opportunistic? Topical I say, but we can disagree.
Were the fans right to boo Jobe?
Some great points made Kev. I particularly agree with your comment about taking years to build a good list and importantly a good footy department..
Why the Demons need to stick with Neeld
In hindsight, I can see your point Swampy, but the reality is, he played on and kicked a goal. He just didn’t get paid for it.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
That’s a viable solution. A quick word in the umpire’s ear saying hang on a second. And really how many close decisions are there in a game? It’s not like you need to check every scoring shot.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
They got a decent sized spray at quarter time. Teams won’t be able to take that attitude of having an easy day with GWS for too much longer, or someone will end up with egg on their faces.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
Only the goal umpire can answer that one Macca.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
But what happens if Bruce gets it wrong? He apologises, and moves on, and so do we. If the goal umpire gets it wrong with his real time call, well .. we’re still talking about it.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
That’s the thing, and you make a valid point. I think they are all worried about missing something, anything at all, be it minor or major, and the possible consequences and public backlash. With so many critics out there these days, any small mistake becomes news.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
And that’s the point Lroy, they probably do even themselves up over time. But it’s the ones which are highlighted because they come at a crucial time of a game, and have consequences, they are the ones we all blow up about.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
You’re right there shouldn’t be, but how often is there? And Bruce, and the rest of the population does have the advantage of slow motion replays.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
I agree, a free-flowing game without so many stoppages for ridiculous frees is what we all want to see. But we also want to see frees paid when they are there, and correct decisions made if they have to be. Umpires are under more pressure thesedays not only because of the speed of the game having increased and the congestion, but the scrutiny they are under due to the number of TV cameras at every match. I think as a result of this, their standard has improved a lot.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
But it also shouldn’t be upto the player to kick up a fuss. The thing is if the goal umpire ruled a behind, but then a review was called for and it showed Garlett hadn’t got a boot to it, then there would have been whinging about the time wasted, and Essendon complaining about Carlton now being set to defend the kick in. We have to accept that time might be wasted now and again, but it’s worth it to get it correct.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
Couldn’t agree more. The only problem is sometimes determining what’s an act for a free, and what’s legitimate. I’m sure it can be difficult to make that call on the spot too.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
That’s the thing Macca, overall it often is pretty good and we never really mention it, but naturally the focus is on mistakes or bad calls, especially when they are considered costly to the result. If you look at the standard of umpiring today compared with the past, I personally think it’s significantly improved.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
Not a bad idea about each side getting two reviews, and I am sure that would work well, but again, why not just take the time and get it completely right every time? You are spot on Brendan about the congestion making an umpire’s life even more difficult.
Please umpires, take the time to get the on-field decisions right
Totally unbelievable!!! One step forward, three steps backwards.
Adam Goodes isn't your average athlete
Could be a very lengthy list of those we wouldn’t want kicking after the siren for us Ash.
Ever dreamed of kicking the winning goal after the siren?
Cressa did do it once Griffo, against the Kangas at the SCG in 2002, but that was the only time he did at that level.
Ever dreamed of kicking the winning goal after the siren?
Very good point Sean. We all remember Gunston having that set shot late in the grand final last year – after getting it from Franklin – and everyone expecting it to go through. Some players just stand up at the big moments.
Ever dreamed of kicking the winning goal after the siren?
My sentiments exactly Jacques
Hawks v Cats grand final: how can we make it happen?