No Oppo Supporters 2023 General AFL Discussion - incl. AFL Grand Final

[Callipygian]

bedford considers that GWS are a bigger basket case than Gold Coast.

I’ve pondered it & reckon it’s a close run race.

Gold Coast paying a VFL standard player called Bowes $850k & then having to beg someone to take him off their hands (along with their top draft pick as a sweetener) is surely THE most incompetent list management in AFL history.

But then GWS, not to be outdone, signs a small group of players on titanic long term deals, meaning any and all emerging talent at the club feels they’ll only get market value by going elsewhere - resulting in endless “rebuild”.

It all makes the early days of Freo look like a raging success.

The AFL has a big problem with both GWS and Gold Coast. But in my view, at least GWS has the potential to grow a memebership and supporter base in the medium term, if they stop being dopey. Gold Coast - not so sure.

Just makes me so thankful that we’re a well administered*, professional outfit.

* disclaimer: yes, I know, we actually bid on Bowes at the 2016 draft. But I’m sure that was just someone’s fat fingers pressing the wrong button on draft night.

These are the challenges of establishing a footy club in a non-traditional footy state. Even with us, we went through a lot of pain after moving cities. And we were the only club in the most populous city and had an established club that was being transplanted. We came very close to disappearing and would have if we weren't the only Sydney club and integral to the AFL's vision of a national competition.

 

[SM]

bedford considers that GWS are a bigger basket case than Gold Coast.

I’ve pondered it & reckon it’s a close run race.

Gold Coast paying a VFL standard player called Bowes $850k & then having to beg someone to take him off their hands (along with their top draft pick as a sweetener) is surely THE most incompetent list management in AFL history.

But then GWS, not to be outdone, signs a small group of players on titanic long term deals, meaning any and all emerging talent at the club feels they’ll only get market value by going elsewhere - resulting in endless “rebuild”.

It all makes the early days of Freo look like a raging success.

The AFL has a big problem with both GWS and Gold Coast. But in my view, at least GWS has the potential to grow a memebership and supporter base in the medium term, if they stop being dopey. Gold Coast - not so sure.

Just makes me so thankful that we’re a well administered*, professional outfit.

* disclaimer: yes, I know, we actually bid on Bowes at the 2016 draft. But I’m sure that was just someone’s fat fingers pressing the wrong button on draft night.

Hm not sure I agree on GWS, think they're a very well run club and are constantly able to bring top end talent into the club. They remain competitive and out-perform expectations year on year, much as we did through the early 2000s. Their supporter base is slowly growing, I'm sure slower than the AFL would like, but they've already played in a GF. To compare them to GCS and say they're worse is a massive disservice to what they've achieved.

 

[SM]

These are the challenges of establishing a footy club in a non-traditional footy state. Even with us, we went through a lot of pain after moving cities. And we were the only club in the most populous city and had an established club that was being transplanted. We came very close to disappearing and would have if we weren't the only Sydney club and integral to the AFL's vision of a national competition.

Agree.

 

[Mister B]

What is a "coterie group"? I gather some kind of VIP member.

Largely rich businesspeople who follow the club and provide money to the club, often linking players with jobs / work opportunities post career and more.

 

[bedford]

Largely rich businesspeople who follow the club and provide money to the club, often linking players with jobs / work opportunities post career and more.

God help us

 

[rustycrate]

Kane Cornes ebullient support of JHF is almost laughable. Yeah the guy can play. But he is not the Messiah. He is just a very naughty boy.

 

[SM]

Kane Cornes ebullient support of JHF is almost laughable. Yeah the guy can play. But he is not the Messiah. He is just a very naughty boy.

Can't even play much beyond bursts.

 

[Jewelsbon]

Hawks great Lewis ‘staggered’ by Thomas’ return to Roos via VFL program

Yep completely agree.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Hawks great Lewis ‘staggered’ by Thomas’ return to Roos via VFL program

Yep completely agree.

He is extremely lucky they still think he has potential.

At this stage the pros outweigh the cons but what a message does it send to others?

 

[caesar88]

He is extremely lucky they still think he has potential.

At this stage the pros outweigh the cons but what a message does it send to others?

I mean, look at who his coach is...

 

[caesar88]

The funniest part about the whole 'dangerous tackle' extravaganza of the last week or so is that in the first few rounds it was all about how bumping was dangerous and you should tackle instead.

The AFL is slowly whittling away all the options players have.

 

[Olian]

Hawks great Lewis ‘staggered’ by Thomas’ return to Roos via VFL program

Yep completely agree.

Thomas would benefit from being in a “structured environment,”.

Maybe if he went and got a real Monday to Friday job he could learn about a structured environment. Very lucky that his talent is keeping him on an AFL list.

 

[GoTheSwannies]

The funniest part about the whole 'dangerous tackle' extravaganza of the last week or so is that in the first few rounds it was all about how bumping was dangerous and you should tackle instead.

The AFL is slowly whittling away all the options players have.

They've also mentioned whether the tackle should be brought down from below the shoulders to around the waist, pretty soon it'll be a contactless sport.

 

[caesar88]

They've also mentioned whether the tackle should be brought down from below the shoulders to around the waist, pretty soon it'll be a contactless sport.

I have it on good authority the AFL are planning to introduce large-scale stainless steel tongs for players to use if they want to impact another player without touching them. The AFL expects a lifespan of 5-10 seasons before reports of widespread heavy metal poisoning renders them impractical and unsafe.

 

[Jewelsbon]

I have it on good authority the AFL are planning to introduce large-scale stainless steel tongs for players to use if they want to impact another player without touching them. The AFL expects a lifespan of 5-10 seasons before reports of widespread heavy metal poisoning renders them impractical and unsafe.

They'll all be wearing those bubble soccer thingies soon....

 

[Membling]

They'll all be wearing those bubble soccer thingies soon....

 

[hairy biker]

Yes Parker's arms were free and he didn't get concussed, but I would have thought that looked very much like a sling tackle with potential to cause injury, but apparently the AFL decided nothing to see here.

Once again all about the outcome rather than the action.

EDIT
According to the twitter author (Brayden May);
Gerard Whately spoke about this on #AFL360 and said it was simply a free kick as Parker’s head didn’t hit the ground. I for one am a little more confused on why the head has to hit the ground. Is it potential to cause injury or the outcome?

 

[tombomb]

Yes Parker's arms were free and he didn't get concussed, but I would have thought that looked very much like a sling tackle with potential to cause injury, but apparently the AFL decided nothing to see here.

Once again all about the outcome rather than the action.

EDIT
According to the twitter author (Brayden May);
Gerard Whately spoke about this on #AFL360 and said it was simply a free kick as Parker’s head didn’t hit the ground. I for one am a little more confused on why the head has to hit the ground. Is it potential to cause injury or the outcome?

That should have been at least a fine.

I don't mind the direction the AFL is trying to go with this. Why do you need to sling blokes into the ground?

It's like bullies in the playground when they know they aren't actually strong enough, but they have someone restricted who can't hold their momentum.

 

[rustycrate]

The funniest part about the whole 'dangerous tackle' extravaganza of the last week or so is that in the first few rounds it was all about how bumping was dangerous and you should tackle instead.

The AFL is slowly whittling away all the options players have.

There was a discussion yesterday on SEN where a former very successful player said tackling was not an essential part of the game. People don't come to watch players make tackles. WHAT?
So if player X gets the ball, player Y, just runs along beside him and hopes to impede his disposal?
That is not AFL. AFL is supposed to test endurance, strength, upstairs brain stuff, resilience, toughness, technique, will power, endeavor etc etc. Take out tackling and we have touch AFL. Everyone will choose another sport.

 

[Donza]

There was a discussion yesterday on SEN where a former very successful player said tackling was not an essential part of the game. People don't come to watch players make tackles. WHAT?
So if player X gets the ball, player Y, just runs along beside him and hopes to impede his disposal?
That is not AFL. AFL is supposed to test endurance, strength, upstairs brain stuff, resilience, toughness, technique, will power, endeavor etc etc. Take out tackling and we have touch AFL. Everyone will choose another sport.

The thing is though. AFL tackling is pissweak in application and skill compared to both Union and League.
I'm not sure if its a lack of training thing? Or importance placed on.
The best two tacklers in the swans are Heeney and Rowbottom. I'd offer they are two of the best tacklers in the comp.

 

[rustycrate]

The thing is though. AFL tackling is pissweak in application and skill compared to both Union and League.
I'm not sure if its a lack of training thing? Or importance placed on.
The best two tacklers in the swans are Heeney and Rowbottom. I'd offer they are two of the best tacklers in the comp.

Interesting you mention Heeney. Heeney is from Newcastle, arguably the greatest rugby league nursery in Australia. Heeney, like most kids in Newcastle, grew up playing rugby league and other sports. I know, I grew up in Newcastle. My dad was a successful league and union player. He taught me how to tackle. Sheather is from the Central coast, just south of Newcastle. He knows how to tackle. Getting a good tackling coach from someone who has played at the higher levels in league or union may be a point of difference to the Swans over other AFL teams, especially those teams from states not strong in league and union, which is most teams. An opportunity?

 

[Millky95]

Interesting you mention Heeney. Heeney is from Newcastle, arguably the greatest rugby league nursery in Australia. Heeney, like most kids in Newcastle, grew up playing rugby league and other sports. I know, I grew up in Newcastle. My dad was a successful league and union player. He taught me how to tackle. Sheather is from the Central coast, just south of Newcastle. He knows how to tackle. Getting a good tackling coach from someone who has played at the higher levels in league or union may be a point of difference to the Swans over other AFL teams, especially those teams from states not strong in league and union, which is most teams. An opportunity?

Heard a thing ages ago that K.Jack and Heeney were the toughest tacklers

 

[Donza]

Heard a thing ages ago that K.Jack and Heeney were the toughest tacklers

Watch a good ball and all tackle in Union or League.
The onus is on hip strength. Core.

This slingy shit that some AFL players do is pissweak.

 

[rustycrate]

Watch a good ball and all tackle in Union or League.
The onus is on hip strength. Core.

This slingy s**t that some AFL players do is pissweak.

Front on tackles. My dad said aim for the belly button with your shoulder(it may wind them too). Arms around the top of the legs. Keep you head to the side of the body. When you make contact, drive with your legs.
Obviously there are many other angles to tackle and techniques to employ.

 

[sataris]

They'll all be wearing those bubble soccer thingies soon....

ngl, that would make the game infinitely more exciting.