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The Sports Lover

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Joined September 2020

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The AFL should have come out with a LOUD and UNAMBIGUOUS statement at beginning of the season stating that the Collingwood style bump (seen in last season’s finals) would no longer be tolerated.

There is too many grey areas in the defensive part of the contest at the moment.

Footy Fix: 'Essendon Edge' can't fix the Bombers' long list of flaws - but it's a start

Agree on your Buddy comment. A true great of the game but in the last few seasons his presence felt like a handbrake on the Swan’s development.

The Swans need to avenge their pathetic grand final loss in 2022.

Footy Fix: 'Essendon Edge' can't fix the Bombers' long list of flaws - but it's a start

I think this partly true but it doesn’t take away Collingwood’s brilliance and well deserved flag in 2023. It reminds me when Ian Chappell was asked whether Marnus Labuchagne was now officially Australia’s best batter a few seasons ago. He relied with words to this effect.

I don’t know whether he is the best but he certainly is the luckiest.

Footy Fix: Fly's Pies have officially been worked out - but that's just the start of their problems

Even if true we could also say Collingwood’s goal from Elliot in Q1 was also scored off an umpire’s mistake. That ball hit the ground before Elliot claimed his “mark”.

Footy Fix: Fly's Pies have officially been worked out - but that's just the start of their problems

There seems to be a lot of love for the Cats based on one home game that they won at the death in a tight contest. Crows are specials this weekend (there, how’s that for a death curse).

The Roar's AFL expert tips and predictions, Round 2: Can the premiers get back on track?

The Swans were irresistible last night. The Dees were mugged on their way to the party. The Dees will improve I’m sure but can the Swans?

Footy Fix: No Mills, no Parker, no problems - How Swans' new-look midfield beat the Dees at their own game

The T20 competitions will always poach talented young players away from the red ball first class games. This is especially true for young players from developing countries. Who can blame them?

However, of equal concern is the lack of a rigorous domestic first class competition in those countries. Australia benefits greatly from having a Sheffield Shield competition that is a very high standard. First grade cricketers all over Australia are busting themselves seeking Shield selection.

Unless South Africa, West Indies and similar countries can build strong first class domestic competitions, Test cricket will continue to wither.

Test Mortem: Green’s golden status fading as batting unit becomes fragile, Windies need help to kick on from Gabba glory

These are messy situations that have unknown outcomes. Here’s hoping the player in question comes out the other side stronger and happier.

'Primary focus is Clayton's overall wellbeing': Star midfielder misses start of Dees pre-season on medical leave

We mustn’t blame the players. You are a long time retired and forgotten except by cricket nerd heads. As has been written many times in Roar posts, only a financial sacrifice by the big 3 Test playing nations will help resurrect the Test minnows.

However, this is 2024 not 1984 and I wonder if a whole generation of fans have lost their appetite for Test cricket in the West Indies.

West Indies playing for their future as a legitimate Test nation with memory fading of long lost Calypso glory days

All the players mentioned were outstanding champions but for me only two should qualify for Immortal status, Thurston and Smith. I realise my view won’t be popular but I believe we already have too many players in the Immortal ranks.

Let me be clear, I’m a huge Coote fan and he was a class act on the field and a truly great man off the field. I watched him playing for Souths in those glory years and he thrilled the crowd with his remarkable cover defense and long striding runs in attack.

I have Coote on the same level as Daley, Sterling, Kenny, Beetson and Meninga.

Six of the best: The standout options for the ultimate honour in the NRL Immortal debate

No doubt he is very special and has the personality that fans love. I don’t want to rain on his well earned parade but I’m very conscious that the top ranked world players were missing (sadly, again).

Wouldn’t it be a sensation if both he and his sister won their respective Australian Opens?

'I probably haven't screamed louder than that': Glee for Lee as birdie spree cooks up career highlight at Australian PGA

I understand your point about captaincy and fast bowlers Rowdy but is it too soon to make an assessment on Cummins’ legacy? Yes, I agree there were a few missteps from our captain early in his appointment but do we notice these “mistakes” more because he is a fast bowler.?

CHAMPIONS! Head's heroic ton, bowling brilliance sees Aussies crush India for SIXTH - and best - World Cup win

….. 20-disposal effort was deemed superior to 41 and 38 from Giants pair Josh Kelly and Stephen Coniglio respectively, as well as seven goals from Charlie Cameron.

Exhibit A your Honour.

COMMENT: Lachie Neale's baffling win proves it's time to take Brownlow voting off the umps

But is it wrong that I still don’t really trust them despite getting to the last two?

I trust them fully in any game played at the Gabba. I see them as vulnerable at the MCG.

Finals Fix: One quarter from hell couldn't keep the Lions out of the big dance - but another might just cost them the flag

As much as I wanted a GWS victory there was a certain poetic justice in Collingwood’s win. They have been arguably the most impressive team for two seasons and were a tad unlucky not to make the Grand Final in 2022.

I can see them going all the way now.

Finals Fix: The Pies were down and out in the prelim. How they turned it around is the stuff of greatness

No more upsets. I’m predicting we’ll resume normal transmission this weekend. Carlton and GWS to be despatched in a businesslike fashion setting us up for a beauty at the G. After last years Granny borefest, I need my faith in Grand Finals restored.

Why every team will win their AFL preliminary final... and why they'll lose

I’m a Lions member since we relocated to SE Qld and so I have seen most of their home games over the last two seasons. Let me say, last night’s performance was the most complete and convincing effort we have seen.

Every Lions player excelled. Many of their home wins have come from herculean efforts from Neale, the Big O, Cameron and a few others but last night was different. Talented players who have never quite shown their best form suddenly appeared and exploded into life.

For the Power everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. Marshall’s loss of form is a worry and his early shank was an omen of doom for Port Adelaide. Port tried hard but the Lions had all the answers.

Now the interesting question is when it is time for the Lions to play in Melbourne, will the real Lions show up or the stage fright version of the team appear again.

Finals Fix: The Lions just cracked September after four years of trying - and everyone else should be terrified

I think Carlton needed to win a tight elimination final to install finals confidence. They belong on this stage now. If they had won by seven goals, it may have sent the wrong message.

Finals Fix: Forget Charlie and Harry - it was Blues' sensational smalls that sunk the Swans

Yeah, I’ve been surprised by the demands of the Maynard apologists. I’ve seen suspensions on less well known players over the last couple of seasons for less serious offences.

Finals Fix: Forget Charlie and Harry - it was Blues' sensational smalls that sunk the Swans

I’ve become skeptical over the perceived high value of Number 1 draft picks. Having seen players like Trengove and Watts struggle to establish careers, I realised that talent alone is not enough.

At 18 years of age, most players are not yet emotionally mature and are subject to the same doubts and insecurities that afflict us mere mortals. I don’t know a thing about Reid so I’m not directing my comment about him specifically. I would just be wary about dragging a kid away from family and a friendship circle to the other side of Australia.

The Eagles' first Pick 1 this century is worth more than anything they could trade it for - here's why

I’m astonished that SPP isn’t even in the conversation among the media commentators. He would be in my team, non stop leader with courage and skill.

The Roar's predicted AFL All-Australian team: Dusty must make the cut... but who should be left out for him?

I don’t understand all the Hinkley hate either. He has been a sensible and steady hand on the tiller for over a decade. Sure there have been no premierships but as has been said premierships alone should not decide a man’s fate.

He is respected by the players who play for him. There have been no scandals or tantrums and let’s face it, he hasn’t had the natural talent in abundance that so called destination clubs seem to enjoy.

Changing topics, where to now for the Cats? From what I saw on Saturday, I don’t have the confidence that they’ll be a threat in 2024 either.

Six Points: The coach killer to end all coach killers, and why score review system will always be imperfect

You’ve taken the words straight from my mouth. As I was reading Tim’s article the memories of that rainy night when Jenkins was awarded a goal on full time after it clearly hit the upright post burned into my brain. Adelaide won and Port lost.

The ancient Greeks believed that three Greek goddesses control human destiny. Those goddesses must have been having a chuckle last night.

Footy Fix: The Crows were stone cold robbed... but they've only got themselves to blame

Collingwood just too good against a brave Geelong. And another thing, that’s two weeks in a row that the Cats have benefited from poor umpiring. If I was Chris Scott I wouldn’t be complaining about unfair umpiring for at least another season.

Footy Fix: No Daicos, no Moore... no better win for Fly's mighty Pies

Completely agree Cat, many statistics including free kick counts in AFL are overblown.

However, it’s the position and timing of free kicks that are more important. I thought Port did suffer from what I call “fussy umpiring” last week. Not blaming Port’s loss on umpiring as you have to play well enough to take umpires out of the game.

AFL News: Shuey, Cunnington make call on retirement, Swans move on from Buddy era, Port want answers over umpiring

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