Expert
Joined June 2012
71.7k
Views
22
Published
42
Comments
Sports journalist, Melbourne.
Published
Comments
Let’s take a very early look at the 2024 season. The paint may still be drying on Collingwood’s premiership brush, but 17 other clubs…
The off-season is here for 16 clubs, and by this time next week it will be the primary focus for Collingwood and Brisbane too.…
“We need to maximise our ability to use the ball forward of centre and impact the scoreboard more. "We leave the door ajar too…
It’s a myth Match Review Officer Michael Christian is independent. He works for the AFL, serving the needs of the game on a weekly…
Does Melbourne have a moral obligation to trade Brodie Grundy? This is the question the club’s list management team will be asking itself over…
Round 24 is complete, and we are officially in the thick of retirement season. There is no escaping it... it’s sad. If Lance Franklin…
The prospect of luring Dustin Martin to Gold Coast this year is fraught with danger for the Suns. If the club is wise, it…
With two rounds left, there are 12 teams still in the hunt to play finals. Like the notion of the ‘permanent campaign’ in politics,…
Nobody barracks for the AFL. Not you. Not me. Nobody. Fans support clubs, the sport, and its assortment of superstars, making the league itself…
At a training session in the summer of 2005, Jason Dunstall was coaching the club’s forwards on the art of set shot kicking. The…
What do footy fanatics hate most? It’s a no-contest: Change. With few exceptions, there is an overwhelmingly jarring stench of displeasure whenever the AFL…
“I never thought we’d be in this position. That’s probably one of the uncomfortable realities that I’ve had to face, because I thought that…
What Nick Daicos is doing is completely and utterly bonkers. There is a strong argument he is the modern era’s greatest ever young player.…
There is a special place in an Australian cricket fan's heart for a batter who rescues the national team on the biggest stage. It…
Pythagoras once said “the great science is to live happily in the present.” When it comes to list management, too many football clubs scientifically…
For those unfamiliar, a ‘situationship’ is less than a relationship but more than a casual encounter. It’s a state of silent flux between two…
Of all the myths in football, the ‘leave the game alone’ catchcry is up there with the silliest. Attacking footy is more prevalent for…
“Harley Reid is the most obvious number one pick we’ve seen probably since Nick Riewoldt.” This is what a long-time AFL recruiter said last…
On Monday evening, Damien Hardwick's time at Richmond, by his own hand, wrapped up. The prospect of the triple-premiership coach calling it quits was…
Last week, dual West Coast premiership player Peter Sumich wrote an article in the West Australian suggesting Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy was interested in…
If it was that simple everyone would agree!
TOM MORRIS: Inside the AFL's call to overrule MRO on Maynard - and how Tribunal verdict will shape the game
Mabior Chol, James Harmes, Matt Crouch, Daniel Rich, Tom Jonas, Jack Billings (easily more than 500k) to name a few. I’m not saying Grundy’s salary is the norm in the VFL, I’m just saying it’s not as ridiculous as what it initially appears and will be even less so when player salaries rise significantly next year.
TOM MORRIS: The hidden peril the Dees can't afford to risk in trading Brodie Grundy
I think you will find most clubs have players on 500k+ playing VFL every week. Grundy on 600 (when the next CBA comes in) is not absurd financially for a VFL player.
TOM MORRIS: The hidden peril the Dees can't afford to risk in trading Brodie Grundy
The salary is the only reason he’s not at Collingwood, otherwise he’d be their No1 ruck. Injury was the only thing that changed that in 2022.
Not bad points though! Disagree on financial liability and other suggestions but like the way you’ve put it all together. Many would share your views.
TOM MORRIS: The hidden peril the Dees can't afford to risk in trading Brodie Grundy
It’s a valid point. I think Melbourne is duty bound to trade him, but not for nothing in return and not to a fellow premiership fancy (unless they can offer up a great deal).
TOM MORRIS: The hidden peril the Dees can't afford to risk in trading Brodie Grundy
Both true.
TOM MORRIS: The hidden peril the Dees can't afford to risk in trading Brodie Grundy
Interesting point. I didn’t consider that. It certainly feels as if the retirement pattern is like a volcano. Often a few quieter years then BANG, a group of superstars call it quits at once.
TOM MORRIS: Every retirement class of the 21st century, ranked - where does 2023's crop of champions sit?
Love your positivity! And don’t disagree they have enough good players to compete.
TOM MORRIS: Who your club is eyeing in this year's Trade Period... and how the Eagles will use their prized pick 1
“The Cats have walked a delicate tightrope the last few years. Topping up with Isaac Smith and Jeremy Cameron helped them win the 2022 flag, but there is little doubt they need to refresh their list in the off-season.
How they do this is a question for list and recruiting managers Andrew Mackie and Stephen Wells, but high-end midfield talent, such as contracted Dog Bailey Smith, and ruck prowess, such as Brodie Grundy or Darcy, has to be their priority.
Still unsigned but surely staying, they also need to look ahead to life without Tom Hawkins, who probably has one more season left in him.”
TOM MORRIS: Who your club is eyeing in this year's Trade Period... and how the Eagles will use their prized pick 1
We disagree on the Dockers. Yes they have some talent, but unless they improve, who is to say next year will be any better? Any team which finishes 14th but has no first round pick needs to get creative.
TOM MORRIS: Who your club is eyeing in this year's Trade Period... and how the Eagles will use their prized pick 1
Politely disagree on some of those points! This year has been seriously disappointing.
TOM MORRIS: Who your club is eyeing in this year's Trade Period... and how the Eagles will use their prized pick 1
Doesn’t matter anyway now with Sloane re-signing!
TOM MORRIS: Who your club is eyeing in this year's Trade Period... and how the Eagles will use their prized pick 1
Agree with most of this, well said.
TOM MORRIS: The AFL's hierarchy is in shambles - and it's nothing less than a failure of governance
Yes, this is the problem with growing the AFLW so aggressively. It’s caught between semi-pro and professional and that just makes much of it seem completely amateur. In my view, they expanded it way too quickly. There should be 10-12 teams for the next five years. Clubs can wait. The priority should be the females who play, not the clubs.
TOM MORRIS: The AFL's hierarchy is in shambles - and it's nothing less than a failure of governance
I hear what you’re saying but I think Gil has had an overall net positive impact on the AFL. I like his consultative style. I reckon the biggest challenge of his entire tenure was Covid and they succeeded with that. And while yes they have made mistakes, overall the AFL is better for his input… He’s just stayed too long now and 2023 has been a holding year. I don’t think that’s fair on the clubs or the staff there.
TOM MORRIS: The AFL's hierarchy is in shambles - and it's nothing less than a failure of governance
Laura Kane is the acting football boss. Good operator.
TOM MORRIS: The AFL's hierarchy is in shambles - and it's nothing less than a failure of governance
Well said
Farewell to Buddy, the greatest player of the 21st century and the game's most awe-inspiring entertainer
They were training there when he first arrived at the club. Were there for his first couple of years before moving to Waverley
Farewell to Buddy, the greatest player of the 21st century and the game's most awe-inspiring entertainer
Thanks for this note Luke. When I am referring to grounds in a historical context, I call them by their original name. It wasn’t GMHBA Stadium in 2003 (Was it Skilled stadium or something?) so that’s the reason behind that.
Secondly, don’t confuse integrity and fairness. Yes they are similar. But they are not the same. My point was not about the overall fairness of the EPL (I’m aware of the insane financial figures). My point was purely about a competition that has fixture integrity. Nothing else! Thank you 😊
TOM MORRIS: Footy has never had less integrity - and the AFL wouldn't have it any other way
Yes that too! Had to limit the word count at 1000 but agree re AFL Grand Final.
TOM MORRIS: Footy has never had less integrity - and the AFL wouldn't have it any other way
Thanks Skip
TOM MORRIS: 'Gawndy' has failed, but the Dees and Brodie Grundy can still both come out winners - if they're smart
It’s quite remarkable that the media gets accused of being too negative, too often. Then when positive pieces are written we get critiqued too! If you can work out a way so all media can work together to just write one positive piece then I’m all ears. 😂
Obviously if a positive piece about Christian Petracca was written last week after his four goals, there is NO WAY you could write another one this week after his amazing performance against Brisbane. Let’s get serious please Bretto.
Nick Daicos is completely and utterly bonkers... but where does he sit among the greatest 20-year-olds ever?
Watson amazing. Because he started so young, his first two years were when he was 15-17!
Nick Daicos is completely and utterly bonkers... but where does he sit among the greatest 20-year-olds ever?
Thanks and yes, they need a second flag to frank this period!
TOM MORRIS: Is a Luke Hodge-esque un-retirement from Jack Riewoldt exactly what Melbourne needs?