AFL News

As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, it’s time we start discussing an AFL version of the “Captain’s Challenge”

Without question.

Have to disagree. Not every rule change is adding complexity. I would argue it does the opposite (and removes pressure on the umps).

Rankine’s was only one of several incidents in the last qtr that went the way of the Suns. But for the record, if not a mark, it was definitely a free kick.

It would have to be tweaked for AFL (bc there are too many opportunities/ie, so many umpiring errors), but the umpires are influencing outcomes too often these days imo.

#AFL #SunsCrows

It doesn’t get spoken about a lot, but it’s time for the AFL to consider the “Captain’s Challenge”.

It could have given the Crows a spot in the finals in 2023 (the “poster” that never hit the post) and almost certainly would have given them the win this afternoon.

Always a shame when a great game is tarnished by the performance of umpires.

Crows fans can rightfully hard done by that final quarter.

#AFL #SunsCrows

Umpires doing everything they can to give the Suns the win here

#AFL #BombersPower

From the online fans:

Port: (unsurprisingly) disgusted, massive energy to sack Hinkley (tbf, has been this way a long time) and get rid of Koch.

Bombers: realistic - understand it was a shocking quality game and they were less bad. Happy w green shoots - Caddy, Kako, Roberts.

#AFL #SaintsCats

Watching the Saints last night reminded of the Dockers (Lyon coach) v Swans Prelim Final, 2013.

That game by Dockers felt like the most pressure I’d seen a team dish out on an opponent.

The numbers don’t correlate with last night but how’s this for a stat:

Freo on the left:

#AFL #BombersCrows

No surprises from the vibe of the online Bombers fans:

- Full rebuild needed
- will be years to undo Dodoro’s mess
- sympathy for Merrett
- emotionally checking out

And my personal favourite:

#AFL #PowerTigers

Check your AFL app and sort the players by AF (Fantasy points)… Never seen anything like it.

Walk in the park for Port Adelaide in the first half.

Half-time:

Port: 13.11.89
Tigers: 3.6.24

#AFL #BombersCrows

Don’t want to read too much into big wins over the Saints & Bombers but the Crows are a very enjoyable team to watch.

Plenty of Bombers fans left at 3qtr time (hard to blame them) & players being booed off as they exit field (not a fan).

Final score: 15.10.100 to 25.11.161

#AFL #BombersCrows

Cracking day for footy! Crows looking every bit a top 8 team this year.

Rankine, Dawson, Soligo. Quality across the field - up forward and in defence. Good ball users. I think they’re really well balanced.

Feel sorry for Merrett & Martin. So many teammates below standard.

… Buddy … forgot about Buddy, though a different type of player to the big contested mark types.

#AFL #DogsPies

Pies win! Amazing game.

Darcy incredible. May be the greatest forward since Carey.

Talking point, unfortch, will be the umpiring.

Poor calls and non-calls in the last qtr (and right throughout match), which invariably went against the Dogs.

Final count: Dogs 14, Pies 33 😯

#AFL #DogsPies

Quality match. Both teams giving it their all. Naicos and Libba with massive quarters.

Something to note:

Free kicks:

Dogs: 12
Pies: 26

Will the umps try and even it up?

#AFL #DogsLies

Geez, for all the tiggy touchwood free kicks that the umpires pay, how McReery tackling Lobb over the line wasn’t a free kick reversal is beyond me.

Absolutely slammed him into the ground after the whistle had already blown for a HTB free against Bramble from previous contest.

#AFL #DogsPies

Awesome half of footy. Intense, fast and non-stop. The very undermanned Dogs taking it right up to the Pies. Darcy and Richards continuing their great form.

Naicos standing up for Pies and Elliott lively up fwd.

Pies lost McInness early in match.

Dogs lead: 6.7.43 to 5.8.38

#AFL #BulldogsPies

Qtr time. Hot start. S Darcy marking everything and looking mint.

Ed Richards is an absolute jet. Ridiculously underrated. Top echelon for mine.

Pies came back late in qtr.

Feel if Dogs can win midfield battle, Darcy & Astro should do enough.

Dogs lead: 3.4.22 to 2.4.16

#AFL #BluesHawks

Bonkers … amateurish.

#AFL #BluesHawks

Vibe from the online Hawthorn fans:

Not as confident as one might expect.

Wary of a team that’s had the blowtorch on them (reminiscent of semi-final v Port Adelaide last yr)

Expecting a real arm wrestle at the start, possibly w Carlton taking early lead before clawing them back

#AFL #BluesHawks

Vibe from the online Carlton fans:

Frustrated at only 1 change.

Feel more should have paid the price but then who to bring in?

Talk of a tall being omitted due to conditions.

Pessimistic at chances.

Hoping for a slog to remove Hawks’ running strength, esp from small fwds

#AFL #CarltonBlues #Baggers

I’m astounded by the lockdown Carlton has achieved. Not judging it as +ve or -ve; I just can’t remember a time where a club has locked down like this.

Optimist: regrouping & raring to go

Realist: panicking, no sugarcoating

Pessimist: internal conflict/falling apart

#AFL #EaglesSuns

Suns are absolutely dominating at the contest.

Rowell in full beast mode!

13 touches only a few mins into the second. Bashing and crashing with serious power.

Awesome to watch!!

Suns doing it comfortably: 5.5.35 to 2.1.13

#AFL #DemonsGiants

Late out: S May

Potential to be match of the round this one. I’m expecting more from the Demons than most.

Still full of stars.

The answer is a resounding ‘no’!

#AFL #CrowsSaints

Probably 3 very nervous coaches already after playing this week.

Will Matt Nicks be added to the list?

A lot more riding on this game for the Crows than the Saints imo.

Always love watching the best kick in the game - J Dawson & I Rankine ofc - still the best jnr I’ve seen!

💯! Was pondering whether that might have played a part.

#AFL #MagpiesPower

Wow! Did not see this coming. Massive win.

As good as the Pies have been, it feels Port have been equally bad.

As with the Blues & to a lesser extent, the Dockers, so many questions.

Didn’t seem up for the fight from the outset. Could it be Pies were conditioned from OR? 🤷‍♂️

#AFL #MagpiesPower

Port fans be tearing their hair out with the over-possession in these greasy conditions. Unnecessary turnovers. Imagine they’d be frustrated by Lukosius’ efforts.

Pies fans be loving the intensity at the contest & the form of ex-Port Dan Houston who’s had 17.

Pies lead 61-27