Mega Thread Non-Freo AFL Discussion 2026

[oldgoat]

Hawks have two huge rucks in Meek and Reeves.

Opening Round: Meek (33) and Chol (6), broke even in ruck with Briggs (28) and Riccardi (7). GWS beat them in the clearances. Hawks Lose.

Round 1: Meek (26) and Reeves (17), belted Blakiston (19) and Wright (6), smashed Bombers in clearances. Won by a mile.

Round 2: Meek (25) and Reeves (21) against Grundy (29), very even in the clearances, Hawks win with +9% efficiency inside fifty to Swans -16% on season average.

Round 3: bye

Round 4: Reeves (28) and Meek (16) give Hawks big advantage against Edwards (18), Blicavs (5) and Neale (3) - Hawks win clearances, Hawks inaccuracy almost lets Cats steal it. Hawks win.

Round 5: Reeves (40) and Meek (24) smash Lobb (11), Emmett (5), Croft (1) - Hawks destroy Dogs at stoppage around the ground but do well at the centre clearance. Hawks by 40 points.

Round 6: Meek (25) and Reeves (24) kept honest by Sweet (21) and Visentini (14), clearances are fairly even with Port, Hawks win by 3 points.

Round 7: Reeves (24) and Meek (18) beat Witts (26) and belt GC around the ground stoppages even though GC smash them at centre clearances. Hawks by 49.


The game for the Hawks starts at the source. They grind you down around the ground with their big rucks. We need big bodies to contest the ruck against them.

Their rucks aren't doing as well following up after the hit out, so ruckmen like Grundy and Jackson can win a lot of clearances themselves - and the Hawks do bleed centre clearances a bit - but if their back line can blunt that attack then it's rebound for a stoppage game where they have dominance because of their two rucks.

In a word...FORMIDIBLE!

 

[Grape Bear]

why did the club agree to back to back to back 6 day breaks? seems stupid.

how hard is it for the afl to schedule teams with similar breaks to play each other? it feels like a stitch up sometimes!

 

[Freomaniac]

It certainly hasn't been a 'one off shocker' as I suspect North Melbourne will be bottom 5/6 by season's end.

Port has just improved since the first few games, which under a new coach is understandable.

Tbh I was expecting Port to be top four at this due to the easiest draw anyone could hope for but by season's end to be around the 10-13 mark. Looks like they started worse than I expected but probably still fall in the range I expected at season's end.

I also watched that eagles vs North Melbourne game on tv. Elliott Yeo when fully fit does help that side. Not a bad set shot goal he kicked at 3 quarter time to give them a 5 goal lead.

Eagles could of let that game slip and let North Melbourne overrun them.

North Melbourne have a few early wins, but yeah sadly I see them in the bottom 6. North Melbourne midfield is good. Forward line is semi decent. Backline is bad.

I expected Port to finish top 6 with the draw they had. I see them below the top 10.

 

[Taylor]

why did the club agree to back to back to back 6 day breaks? seems stupid.

how hard is it for the afl to schedule teams with similar breaks to play each other? it feels like a stitch up sometimes!

The AFL doesn't care. We ask for more early weekend games, other teams ask for more breaks before the arduous travel burden of going to WA once a year. This is how it works out

 

[Randomizor]

why did the club agree to back to back to back 6 day breaks? seems stupid.

how hard is it for the afl to schedule teams with similar breaks to play each other? it feels like a stitch up sometimes!

Because 6 days breaks are absolutely no issue for a young team.

 

[swanny1234]

well, i hear everyone saying we’re not that good, and hawks are scary good - but i thought they bat pretty thin in the mids? how are they performing better than we are?

I think the one area the Hawks seemingly have us in is elite small forwards - with Reid and Bolton playing a bit more up the ground, we just don’t have a player like Watson.

Otherwise in all honesty we probably look very similar to them. Barrass and Battle are probably better than Cox, and on a similar level to Pearce, so they have two elite key defenders vs our one. Midfield I think we bat a little bit deeper, both teams have good rucks, although Jackson puts us ahead, and both teams have good key forwards, with JT and Gunston clear standouts respectively.

The issue for us and why I have them ahead is their ability to apply forward pressure vs us. God if only we had gotten Kozzie.

 

[swanny1234]

why did the club agree to back to back to back 6 day breaks? seems stupid.

how hard is it for the afl to schedule teams with similar breaks to play each other? it feels like a stitch up sometimes!

$$$ - they want more thurs/fri night footy, that’s the trade off.

It really is that simple.

 

[estibador]

Gotta say I've lost a bit of respect for Pendlebury over this whole stage managed approach to his record breaking game.

Missing multiple games just to engineer it to be a certain home game against an easy kill opponent and now wearing a gold number different from the rest of his teammates.

It's very self indulgent. I would have far more respect for him if he went about it more unassumingly as business as usual.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Gotta say I've lost a bit of respect for Pendlebury over this whole stage managed approach to his record breaking game.

Missing multiple games just to engineer it to be a certain home game against an easy kill opponent and now wearing a gold number different from the rest of his teammates.

It's very self indulgent. I would have far more respect for him if he went about it more unassumingly as business as usual.

Sneak peak of the original request. Got to admire the AFL's restraint really...

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Gotta say I've lost a bit of respect for Pendlebury over this whole stage managed approach to his record breaking game.

Missing multiple games just to engineer it to be a certain home game against an easy kill opponent and now wearing a gold number different from the rest of his teammates.

It's very self indulgent. I would have far more respect for him if he went about it more unassumingly as business as usual.

It's very on brand for Collingwood, I wonder how much say Pendlebury has had in it

 

[The Feeder Club]

Gotta say I've lost a bit of respect for Pendlebury over this whole stage managed approach to his record breaking game.

Missing multiple games just to engineer it to be a certain home game against an easy kill opponent and now wearing a gold number different from the rest of his teammates.

It's very self indulgent. I would have far more respect for him if he went about it more unassumingly as business as usual.

It's a big own goal and a shame.
I remember when Mundy played his last game in that losing final against the Pies and Penfles was very respectful, he pulled Ginnivan into line severely when Ginni made some crack about Mundy playing 350 games and never winning anything.
I struggle to understand how this ostentatious display of self over team helps him, it will surely just turn off some neutrals that have respected him yet gain him no new admirers
I do agree with the point Snuff made that it's very Collingwood though, flaunting their power over the AFL.

 

[GingerDocker]

View attachment 2596595
Sneak peak of the original request. Got to admire the AFL's restraint really...

I was thinking maybe he could warm up in this?



What...too soon?

 

[Taylor]

Shaun Burgoyne

9

Shaun Burgoyne

Age

43

Ht

186cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.0

4star

K

9.9

4star

HB

8.1

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

3.8

5star

MG

162.7

3star

D

10.0

3star

K

5.6

2star

HB

4.4

3star

M

1.7

2star

T

2.6

4star

MG

162.7

3star

D

6.2

2star

K

3.2

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

1.2

2star

T

1.6

4star

was nursed to his milestone far more than Pendlebury, but Pendlebury is still being helped to the record.

 

[Paracleet]

View attachment 2596608

I was thinking maybe he could warm up in this?



What...too soon?

Given the very strong resemblance I'm surprised they didn't go silver, or at the very least a distinct tone.

It looks like they physically snipped up the actual Pedobear's jacket to make the 10.

 

[Purpletown]

Pendlebury would be one of the more humble and respected players in the AFL, not sure if he would be comfortable with this gaudy stunt. With any luck the whole thing will be binned.

 

[Alfonz]

Yeah, I can't see this gold number being Pendlebury's idea and good chance he doesn't want a bar of it.

 

[Barnabus]

Yeah, I can't see this gold number being Pendlebury's idea and good chance he doesn't want a bar of it.

I can't see how he would not have had a choice. Let's be honest at best he agreed reluctantly. It is a little sad to damage his credibility at this point and I hope he wakes up and cans this before the game.

 

[Spirit Level]

$$$ - they want more thurs/fri night footy, that’s the trade off.

It really is that simple.

It's also great big game/national tv exposure for a young team as well tbh.

Need to play big games in finals and primetime is the closest you're going to get in the regular season

 

[swanny1234]

It's also great big game/national tv exposure for a young team as well tbh.

Need to play big games in finals and primetime is the closest you're going to get in the regular season

100% - the positives outweigh the negatives. Yep I get the 6 day breaks back to back to back suck, but would you rather be the Eagles and just be relegated to Sunday arvo timeslots with Kelli Underwood in commentary?

 

[BStaff17]

It's also great big game/national tv exposure for a young team as well tbh.

Need to play big games in finals and primetime is the closest you're going to get in the regular season

Yep we need to start being in more of these games.

Its why the odd game or two we did get it was like deer in the headlights stuff.

If it becomes the Norm then its better for the growth and development of this side.

 

[Jaffar]

I can't see how he would not have had a choice. Let's be honest at best he agreed reluctantly. It is a little sad to damage his credibility at this point and I hope he wakes up and cans this before the game.

Reminds me a bit of this:

 

[E Shed]

Apropos of the team rankings that have been going on here:
I think Port & Saints are just getting started. Bad starts but gaining momentum and both are good sides.

To a lesser extent Carlton are better than the rankings here.

North are still too young but have a good group now. Coming.

Pies & Geelong I’m unsure of.

Dogs are screwed by injuries.

Essendon & Tigers have a lot of high quality youngsters but need a couple of seasons.

Dees can still be very good.

GWS - injured but still dangerous.

GC - no idea where they’re at.

 

[Scatter]

Gotta say I've lost a bit of respect for Pendlebury over this whole stage managed approach to his record breaking game.

Missing multiple games just to engineer it to be a certain home game against an easy kill opponent and now wearing a gold number different from the rest of his teammates.

It's very self indulgent. I would have far more respect for him if he went about it more unassumingly as business as usual.

Honestly had to double check thinking it was an April fools joke or scam site saying it, seems way too gaudy.

 

[Retzlaff]

Gotta say I've lost a bit of respect for Pendlebury over this whole stage managed approach to his record breaking game.

Missing multiple games just to engineer it to be a certain home game against an easy kill opponent and now wearing a gold number different from the rest of his teammates.

It's very self indulgent. I would have far more respect for him if he went about it more unassumingly as business as usual.

Who would’ve thought the guy that unironically took to Twitter to proclaim he could KO Jake Paul in two rounds was a giant narcissist

 

[Freo Big Fella]

Feels very on-brand for Collingwood to do this in away to make one of the more respected guys in footy feel as unlikeable as possible.