Opinion Commentary & Media VIII

[Caracas]

Ohh Ricky, you're a non-believer in Zane!

I'll just repeat, he's a pick 4 in a zuperdraft that's had some mischief.

I'll continue to bring my BGZ pom poms. He's better than all of them, just needs some luck and of course work harder - it'll come, there's really no hurry. He has 12 more months before he is to show anything.

I hope you’re right. He showed more in his first two practice matches than he has in his combined output since.

 

[rickety]

Ohh Ricky, you're a non-believer in Zane!

I'll just repeat, he's a pick 4 in a zuperdraft that's had some mischief.

I'll continue to bring my BGZ pom poms. He's better than all of them, just needs some luck and of course work harder - it'll come, there's really no hurry. He has 12 more months before he is to show anything.

Bloke has the talent undoubtedly, has he got the want? Does he need his big brother?? I guess we'll see.

 

[gokangas]

Kingy goes whack!

David King slams wildcard weekend as an ‘unapologetic cash grab’ by the AFL​

David King has slammed the AFL’s wildcard weekend, saying it’s been introduced for no reason other than to line the pockets of league executives — and could well kill the golden goose.

David KingKayo Sports Expert

January 15, 2026 - 5:00AM
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...ory/347e3087ae3feed41bf74cb0dad20e78#comments

AFL's wildcard round introduction torn to shreds
The footy world has had its say...

The Wildcard finals weekend is an unapologetic AFL cash grab.
I’m yet to find anyone in football who wanted Wildcard Weekend with the exception of those with their snouts in the trough.

An extra two finals will certainly prove a cash boon, especially for AFL executives who have their salaries incentivised by game revenue. We all understand it and would do the same thing in those roles.

​

The question is whether it’s good for the game, or threatens to kill the Golden Goose as we enter the meaningful period of September.

David King says Andrew Dillon and the AFL have put Wildcard Weekend in as a cash grab. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL

It’s nonsense to think the 9th or 10th placed teams would suddenly become contenders. Teams with a win-loss record of barely 50:50 would need to catch fire and not only win five games in succession, but against top contenders. It’s implausible and simply not happening.

If a team that finishes 9th or 10th goes on to win the premiership, I will immediately resign and walk from all media commitments.

Of the 20 teams to finish 7th to 10th on the ladder in the past five home and away seasons, not one has beaten top eight teams five times in succession.

Collingwood got close with four in a row against top eight teams in 2024, but the 19 others could do no more than string together two.

The Wildcard Weekend is just for a participation ribbon. Last season the top 10 positions were locked away with two full rounds to be played.

Tenth placed Sydney was three wins and significant percentage clear of Port Adelaide, yet two wins and significant percentage below the ninth placed Western Bulldogs.

Would the Swans have rested any players over the last 1-2 weeks of the season if they were chasing a Wildcard? Ultimately it means is that 7th & 8th now must play an extra final in September, one more than the top six teams, rendering their premiership aspirations useless. Of course, we’ll all watch and attend as we simply love footy, but we aren’t fools.

Just call it what it is: Wild-cash Round.

 

[justroyal]

I honestly don’t hate it.

 

[Gasometer]

I honestly hate it*

















*unless we are in in it

 

[Gasometer]

Kingy goes whack!

David King slams wildcard weekend as an ‘unapologetic cash grab’ by the AFL​

David King has slammed the AFL’s wildcard weekend, saying it’s been introduced for no reason other than to line the pockets of league executives — and could well kill the golden goose.

David KingKayo Sports Expert

January 15, 2026 - 5:00AM
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...ory/347e3087ae3feed41bf74cb0dad20e78#comments

AFL's wildcard round introduction torn to shreds
The footy world has had its say...

The Wildcard finals weekend is an unapologetic AFL cash grab.
I’m yet to find anyone in football who wanted Wildcard Weekend with the exception of those with their snouts in the trough.

An extra two finals will certainly prove a cash boon, especially for AFL executives who have their salaries incentivised by game revenue. We all understand it and would do the same thing in those roles.

​

The question is whether it’s good for the game, or threatens to kill the Golden Goose as we enter the meaningful period of September.

David King says Andrew Dillon and the AFL have put Wildcard Weekend in as a cash grab. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL

It’s nonsense to think the 9th or 10th placed teams would suddenly become contenders. Teams with a win-loss record of barely 50:50 would need to catch fire and not only win five games in succession, but against top contenders. It’s implausible and simply not happening.

If a team that finishes 9th or 10th goes on to win the premiership, I will immediately resign and walk from all media commitments.

Of the 20 teams to finish 7th to 10th on the ladder in the past five home and away seasons, not one has beaten top eight teams five times in succession.

Collingwood got close with four in a row against top eight teams in 2024, but the 19 others could do no more than string together two.

The Wildcard Weekend is just for a participation ribbon. Last season the top 10 positions were locked away with two full rounds to be played.

Tenth placed Sydney was three wins and significant percentage clear of Port Adelaide, yet two wins and significant percentage below the ninth placed Western Bulldogs.

Would the Swans have rested any players over the last 1-2 weeks of the season if they were chasing a Wildcard? Ultimately it means is that 7th & 8th now must play an extra final in September, one more than the top six teams, rendering their premiership aspirations useless. Of course, we’ll all watch and attend as we simply love footy, but we aren’t fools.

Just call it what it is: Wild-cash Round.

This was the feature piece on Hun Digital today…I wonder if Kingy is stepping up there in a new role?

 

[shinboner magic]

Have I.T gone on strike on here - the updates look like they have implemented windows 69

 

[Chadwiko]

I think we hired a new social media person and I fully endorse their sass.

 

[Hojuman]

Have I.T gone on strike on here - the updates look like they have implemented windows 69

You don't like all the red ?

 

[gokangas]

You don't like all the red ?

Fugging hate it. Make it go away Chief

 

[Hojuman]

Worst B.F. update ever Chief

 

[King Corey]

Bigfooty looks same as always.

If your session is displaying differently, it's on you.

 

[shintemaster]

As much as I'm all for an AFL bashing I disagree with King on one thing here. We would not all have done it in the AFL's position.

 

[Samsquanch]

Bigfooty looks same as always.

If your session is displaying differently, it's on you.

I didn't disable dark mode KC.

I was able to re-enable it quite easily but it wasn't on me that the abomination of light mode somehow became enabled.

 

[Samsquanch]

Kingy goes whack!

David King slams wildcard weekend as an ‘unapologetic cash grab’ by the AFL​

David King has slammed the AFL’s wildcard weekend, saying it’s been introduced for no reason other than to line the pockets of league executives — and could well kill the golden goose.

David KingKayo Sports Expert

January 15, 2026 - 5:00AM
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...ory/347e3087ae3feed41bf74cb0dad20e78#comments

AFL's wildcard round introduction torn to shreds
The footy world has had its say...

The Wildcard finals weekend is an unapologetic AFL cash grab.
I’m yet to find anyone in football who wanted Wildcard Weekend with the exception of those with their snouts in the trough.

An extra two finals will certainly prove a cash boon, especially for AFL executives who have their salaries incentivised by game revenue. We all understand it and would do the same thing in those roles.

​

The question is whether it’s good for the game, or threatens to kill the Golden Goose as we enter the meaningful period of September.

David King says Andrew Dillon and the AFL have put Wildcard Weekend in as a cash grab. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL

It’s nonsense to think the 9th or 10th placed teams would suddenly become contenders. Teams with a win-loss record of barely 50:50 would need to catch fire and not only win five games in succession, but against top contenders. It’s implausible and simply not happening.

If a team that finishes 9th or 10th goes on to win the premiership, I will immediately resign and walk from all media commitments.

Of the 20 teams to finish 7th to 10th on the ladder in the past five home and away seasons, not one has beaten top eight teams five times in succession.

Collingwood got close with four in a row against top eight teams in 2024, but the 19 others could do no more than string together two.

The Wildcard Weekend is just for a participation ribbon. Last season the top 10 positions were locked away with two full rounds to be played.

Tenth placed Sydney was three wins and significant percentage clear of Port Adelaide, yet two wins and significant percentage below the ninth placed Western Bulldogs.

Would the Swans have rested any players over the last 1-2 weeks of the season if they were chasing a Wildcard? Ultimately it means is that 7th & 8th now must play an extra final in September, one more than the top six teams, rendering their premiership aspirations useless. Of course, we’ll all watch and attend as we simply love footy, but we aren’t fools.

Just call it what it is: Wild-cash Round.

I would be happy if 9 played 12 and 10 played 11 for shits and giggles but not for a place in the finals.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Not just him lol. Chom's got no business being there and Wardlaw hasn't proven more than any of that group. Respect your enthusiasm but that's North bias to the extreme. Curtis is the stiff one

I was doing the 2026 preview not the 2025 review. Of course they're not in 2025s Top 25. But can you categorically rule them out of 2026s? Ie: the premise of my post/this thread.

Probably end up just Sheezel as you basically alluded to. But the hope that some of them come on quickly and really well is all we really have, we are due some "Devine-Intervention" really.

 

[zoomba23]

I was doing the 2026 preview not the 2025 review. Of course they're not in 2025s Top 25. But can you categorically rule them out of 2026s? Ie: the premise of my post/this thread.

Probably end up just Sheezel as you basically alluded to. But the hope that some of them come on quickly and really well is all we really have, we are due some "Devine-Intervention" really.

It's just down to sustained performance I think. Sheezel and Curtis are the ones who've performed over a decent period. McKercher should be a shoo-in by halfway through this year, all being well.

Wardlaw will be a chance if his hammies and head co-operate. A full healthy season of him and the comp will sit up and take notice, I have no doubt. It's just that that's a quite unlikely scenario at the moment.

FOS is bizarre because personally I'd have him knocking on the door of the list already (not yet on it, but in the next batch of 5-10) but according to the 'experts,' he wasn't even the best first year player Rising Star candidate named O'Sullivan (personally think he was actually better than Connor, despite Connor's obvious potential)

 

[Chief]

Worst B.F. update ever Chief

There's a thread on the feedback board. Please post feedback there.

 

[giantroo]

Kangaroos to launch 'Make It Happen' documentary series

North Melbourne will launch a three-part documentary series as preparations ramp up for the club's 2026 campaign

www.nmfc.com.au

Curtis required a medical evacuation from Bali to Perth for emergency surgery.

The 22-year-old also discusses life as a young dad to his three-year-old son Elijah, and how his housemates Josh Goater, Cooper Harvey and Robert Hansen jnr bond away from footy with their passion for golf.


Watch the first episode via NMFC.com.au or YouTube from 7pm AEDT on Monday, January 19.

 

[giantroo]

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

So they bitch and moan about the player not being able to come on, and their solution to that is….to hold them back from coming on?

Genius.

 

[Lomas]

So they bitch and moan about the player not being able to come on, and their solution to that is….to hold them back from coming on?

Genius.

Must be tough for the clubs, what if someone gets injured early and you have to use the whole interchange bench earlier? What a disadvantage! Maybe we should look at 5 on the bench and one injury substitute? Although, tbf, we are then restricting the club's ability to utilise the player fully so maybe we should make it a straight 6 man bench?!
But happens then if they were planning on holding someone back and a player gets an early concussion. Ok, 6 on the bench and a concussion sub. But it seems unfair that we can replace a player for concussion but not a knee. 6 on the bench and an injury sub.
Should we really be telling the coaches how they can use their 7 players on the bench though, maybe get rid of the sub and go for 7 on the bench.......

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Must be tough for the clubs, what if someone gets injured early and you have to use the whole interchange bench earlier? What a disadvantage! Maybe we should look at 5 on the bench and one injury substitute? Although, tbf, we are then restricting the club's ability to utilise the player fully so maybe we should make it a straight 6 man bench?!
But happens then if they were planning on holding someone back and a player gets an early concussion. Ok, 6 on the bench and a concussion sub. But it seems unfair that we can replace a player for concussion but not a knee. 6 on the bench and an injury sub.
Should we really be telling the coaches how they can use their 7 players on the bench though, maybe get rid of the sub and go for 7 on the bench.......

Precisely.

My view is they need to skip a couple of steps.

6 on the bench. 40 interchanges.

Leave it.

 

[shintemaster]

Precisely.

My view is they need to skip a couple of steps.

6 on the bench. 40 interchanges.

Leave it.

I kind of agree with this. Less changes, more players. Make teams think about the game and endurance rather than just a rotation exercise.

 

[Hazey1977]

Must be tough for the clubs, what if someone gets injured early and you have to use the whole interchange bench earlier? What a disadvantage! Maybe we should look at 5 on the bench and one injury substitute? Although, tbf, we are then restricting the club's ability to utilise the player fully so maybe we should make it a straight 6 man bench?!
But happens then if they were planning on holding someone back and a player gets an early concussion. Ok, 6 on the bench and a concussion sub. But it seems unfair that we can replace a player for concussion but not a knee. 6 on the bench and an injury sub.
Should we really be telling the coaches how they can use their 7 players on the bench though, maybe get rid of the sub and go for 7 on the bench.......

I reckon we just go full tilt, whole squad on the sidelines on gameday. Unlimited interchange....