Oppo Camp Non-Essendon Football Thread XVII

[Beerfish]

Was he playing?

I'd remember that stache anywhere.

 

[ghostdog]

De "Free Kick Magnet" Koning

He had a great game. Made Nankervis look second rate.

 

[ghostdog]

Nah. I don't agree giving an in the back free kick to a tackle from the back that falls forward with the player in front's momentum. That is an absolute blight on the game. So many rule changes but nothing to address that. A player in front can just fall forward at any time and get a free. Disgusting.

Yes. What a cop out free kick.

 

[ghostdog]

Are you seriously going to do that now? It makes sense for Tasmanians to barrack for Tasmania like Adelaide and West Coast fans went from supporting VIC clubs to supporting local clubs. Don't know if he's a Tasmanian but who cares.

I think CMC thinks Boncer is Aboriginal.

I have no idea

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Imagine being a turncoat just because a new team is coming in. I wouldn't be a turncoat even if my suburb got a team. #pathetic

Imagine that.

 

[jannissary]

And Pickett too.

Tigers forward entries lost it for them regardless of the crap umpiring in the 3rd. Blues intercepted at will. Some really poor turnovers.

Bolton was off too.

firm belief of mine that he's a pretty good player, but butchers the ball by foot worse than anyone else. so many kicks of his i've seen that are essentially just no hope bombs down to a contest.

he makes dyson, darcy etc all look like they can actually kick the ball straight

 

[Blind Turn]

Ludicrous to think that Carlton have 2 wins on the board before we’ve even kicked a ball. I love footy, I love Essendon, but think I might just despise our ridiculous AFL competition. A balanced fixture, to me, is far more important than the drive for expansion. That’s not to say that expansion isn’t important but the priority should be a fixture fans can connect with otherwise it is just a farce.

 

[fairbump_playon]

um, actually as an English major, I can tell you its not a shortening of man explaining, it is an example of a portmanteau, actually, which blends two words.

So you were in the English Army? That's tramazing.. or truly amazing, if you prefer.

 

[citizen-erased]

Ludicrous to think that Carlton have 2 wins on the board before we’ve even kicked a ball. I love footy, I love Essendon, but think I might just despise our ridiculous AFL competition. A balanced fixture, to me, is far more important than the drive for expansion. That’s not to say that expansion isn’t important but the priority should be a fixture fans can connect with otherwise it is just a farce.

expansion will drive a fair fixture.
Im hoping Tas leads to a 20th team, a 19 rd season (everyone plays each other once), and a longer finals series with H&A games for all but the GF.

 

[SydneyBomber]

That annoyance is why umpire mics should be muted. We don't need to hear it.

 

[Blind Turn]

expansion will drive a fair fixture.
Im hoping Tas leads to a 20th team, a 19 rd season (everyone plays each other once), and a longer finals series with H&A games for all but the GF.

Unless they can play 2 h&a games for each match-up it’s not a fair fixture so aside from playing twice a week I’m not sure how expansion will achieve what you’re saying. Even with 9 interstate teams and 6 VIC teams you couldn’t squeeze in that fairness. As it is, with uneven match-ups the AFL are left to manipulate the entertainment with nonsense like round zero. Mark me down as a round zero cynic.

Playing once per year doesn’t equate to fairness. As an example, WC playing Collingwood at the G during their premiership year would not be the same if they played them in Perth this year and Collingwood slump badly.

 

[Call Me Cake]

As it is, with uneven match-ups the AFL are left to manipulate the entertainment with nonsense like round zero. Mark me down as a round zero cynic.

Playing once per year doesn’t equate to fairness. As an example, WC playing Collingwood at the G during their premiership year would not be the same if they played them in Perth this year and Collingwood slump badly.

Whilst I agree with you that OR is a stupid idea that should never be repeated again (which is agreed upon by the majority of observers) I have to say we did get kind of lucky with it this year as Victoria was experiencing near 40 degree weather over the long weekend and it has given Ridley and Parish more time to recover. Of course, that's a rare situation that usually isn't a factor and in any other time it should be called out. It still felt like preseason and a bye before Rnd 1 dulls the anticipation of the season. It makes as much sense as having a rest before getting off the couch.

As for the "fairness" of the competition I think most of us have had to accept that the competition will never be completely fair and that there will always be variables of when a lack of fairness will be a factor in any aspect of the game (bad umpire calls, freak injuries to key players, injuries after just using a sub, suspensions, the odd bounce of the ball, a player leaving and even a whole a pandemic keeping you away from your home ground) but just like how we accept that our game is inherently susceptible to the elements (and that the best team should be able to navigate through it) it is also inherently understood that if you are the best team then you are the one to navigate these variables the best. If you're good enough, then you should already have yourself in a position where a variable here and there doesn't affect the position you ultimately finish in (at the top with the premiership). If you are the best team in it then you win at home and away. That's why it's called the "Home & Away" season.

 

[Blind Turn]

Whilst I agree with you that OR is a stupid idea that should never be repeated again (which is agreed upon by the majority of observers) I have to say we did get kind of lucky with it this year as Victoria was experiencing near 40 degree weather over the long weekend and it has given Ridley and Parish more time to recover. Of course, that's a rare situation that usually isn't a factor and in any other time it should be called out. It still felt like preseason and a bye before Rnd 1 dulls the anticipation of the season. It makes as much sense as having a rest before getting off the couch.

As for the "fairness" of the competition I think most of us have had to accept that the competition will never be completely fair and that there will always be variables of when a lack of fairness will be a factor in any aspect of the game (bad umpire calls, freak injuries to key players, injuries after just using a sub, suspensions, the odd bounce of the ball, a player leaving and even a whole a pandemic keeping you away from your home ground) but just like how we accept that our game is inherently susceptible to the elements (and that the best team should be able to navigate through it) it is also inherently understood that if you are the best team then you are the one to navigate these variables the best. If you're good enough, then you should already have yourself in a position where a variable here and there doesn't affect the position you ultimately finish in (at the top with the premiership). If you are the best team in it then you win at home and away. That's why it's called the "Home & Away" season.

The EPL is a vastly, and inherently better competition for all teams playing each other twice (for grassroots fans especially). Yes, the financial power is horribly skewed but the integrity of the the competition is maintained by the fact that Luton Town might have to face the impossibility of winning at Anfield but still get their chance to get the home fans behind them in the reverse game. The intrigue of knowing that reverse fixtures are to come later in the season brings a real sense of fairness no matter the financial might of the opposition. The AFL is missing a trick by not having this. I’d almost go as far as saying that we should reduce the length of games and play 2 a week rather than having uneven fixtures. I don’t like the idea of it, and the loss of the traditional format of our endurance based game, but that’s how much I despise the fixturing in our comp. It’s a blight on the game.

 

[Vindicater]

So who will Daicos try not to tackle tonight?

 

[Blind Turn]

Whilst I agree with you that OR is a stupid idea that should never be repeated again (which is agreed upon by the majority of observers) I have to say we did get kind of lucky with it this year as Victoria was experiencing near 40 degree weather over the long weekend and it has given Ridley and Parish more time to recover. Of course, that's a rare situation that usually isn't a factor and in any other time it should be called out. It still felt like preseason and a bye before Rnd 1 dulls the anticipation of the season. It makes as much sense as having a rest before getting off the couch.

As for the "fairness" of the competition I think most of us have had to accept that the competition will never be completely fair and that there will always be variables of when a lack of fairness will be a factor in any aspect of the game (bad umpire calls, freak injuries to key players, injuries after just using a sub, suspensions, the odd bounce of the ball, a player leaving and even a whole a pandemic keeping you away from your home ground) but just like how we accept that our game is inherently susceptible to the elements (and that the best team should be able to navigate through it) it is also inherently understood that if you are the best team then you are the one to navigate these variables the best. If you're good enough, then you should already have yourself in a position where a variable here and there doesn't affect the position you ultimately finish in (at the top with the premiership). If you are the best team in it then you win at home and away. That's why it's called the "Home & Away" season.

In addition, ‘home and away’ isn’t really that if you only play WC in Perth. You’re thinking of a ‘play some teams at home and other teams away season’.

 

[Blind Turn]

So who will Daicos try not to tackle tonight?

John Longmire?

 

[Call Me Cake]

The EPL is a vastly, and inherently better competition for all teams playing each other twice (for grassroots fans especially). Yes, the financial power is horribly skewed but the integrity of the the competition is maintained by the fact that Luton Town might have to face the impossibility of winning at Anfield but still get their chance to get the home fans behind them in the reverse game. The intrigue of knowing that reverse fixtures are to come later in the season brings a real sense of fairness no matter the financial might of the opposition. The AFL is missing a trick by not having this. I’d almost go as far as saying that we should reduce the length of games and play 2 a week rather than having uneven fixtures. I don’t like the idea of it, and the loss of the traditional format of our endurance based game, but that’s how much I despise the fixturing in our comp. It’s a blight on the game.

I don't disagree with you that there is some unfairness, and your idea of playing smaller games but more often isn't a completely bad one either (although you'd have to justify that to supporters who may not all have the time attend more games, may not see shorter games as equal to value, or to runners of the game who may not see the sustainability in lowering the price of tickets to better meet that percieved lowered standard value while potentially missing out on half the audience due to scheduling), but our game has sort of grown to accept that the sport is inherently unfair which is perfectly incapsulated by the shape of the ball and the unpredictability of it. And, just as how the best players are that happen to be the best at reading said unpredictable ball, the best teams are the ones that overcome the unfair variables of the game to the point that it doesn't become the defining factor to their overall/performance by the end of the game/season.

Otherwise according to your logic when creating a fixture for the EPL just pencil the home games as wins and away games as losses and don't bother with the season at all. P.S, I'd also say the EPL is missing a trick in not having the thrilling finals series that we do where more teams have a reason/chance to be competitive closer to the end of the season than they do. Apples and oranges.

 

[ant555]

expansion will drive a fair fixture.
Im hoping Tas leads to a 20th team, a 19 rd season (everyone plays each other once), and a longer finals series with H&A games for all but the GF.

TV deals will not go for 3 less rounds per season even with an extended finals series. You will likely have to wait until a third team from Perth gets in and possibly another one or two as I do not see the AFL signing off on a smaller deal and less rounds while the NRL is extending rounds.

 

[Blind Turn]

I don't disagree with you that there is some unfairness, and your idea of playing smaller games but more often isn't a completely bad one either (although you'd have to justify that to supporters who may not all have the time attend more games, may not see shorter games as equal to value, or to runners of the game who may not see the sustainability in lowering the price of tickets to better meet that percieved lowered standard value while potentially missing out on half the audience due to scheduling), but our game has sort of grown to accept that the sport is inherently unfair which is perfectly incapsulated by the shape of the ball and the unpredictability of it. And, just as how the best players are that happen to be the best at reading said unpredictable ball, the best teams are the ones that overcome the unfair variables of the game to the point that it doesn't become the defining factor to their overall/performance by the end of the game/season.

Otherwise according to your logic when creating a fixture for the EPL just pencil the home games as wins and away games as losses and don't bother with the season at all. P.S, I'd also say the EPL is missing a trick in not having the thrilling finals series that we do where more teams have a reason/chance to be competitive closer to the end of the season than they do. Apples and oranges.

My logic doesn’t equate to pencilling in wins at all. The best teams will win home and away but the weaker teams have a greater chance at upsetting the favourites. That is my logic. If a weak team only plays Liverpool at Anfield you sure as hell would be having an inquiry into the fairness of the League.

The soccer has cup competitions that are essentially finals style football. For sure though, I agree that the EPL would look great with a finals series as it would ensure runaway leaders don’t kill off interest in the final stages

 

[ant555]

My logic doesn’t equate to pencilling in wins at all. The best teams will win home and away but the weaker teams have a greater chance at upsetting the favourites. That is my logic. If a weak team only plays Liverpool at Anfield you sure as hell would be having an inquiry into the fairness of the League.

The soccer has cup competitions that are essentially finals style football. For sure though, I agree that the EPL would look great with a finals series as it would ensure runaway leaders don’t kill off interest in the final stages

I am not IPL expert but I suspect the FA Cup and Champions league basically eliminate any push for an IPL final. I have often wondered what our comp would look like with a more serious version of the old pre season comp and then a Premiership season where everyone played each other once . Not that it is ever going to happen and any chance of will be blown out of the water with 19 teams.

 

[ScrappyCoCo]

Sidebum shocking start.

 

[windyhill]

So who will Daicos try not to tackle tonight?

His shadow.

 

[Mercurial89]

Swans have such good field kicking skills.

 

[jannissary]

don’t want swans to win

BUT

**** collingwood

 

[JayJ20]

Sydney very impressive. We're going to get our arse whooped next week.