Opinion Commentary & Media III

[ChopChopDigDig]

Why do you blokes even post articles from the roar? They're just BigFooty posters writing long form main board posts on a blog instead of BF. They literally have a 'write for the roar' button where you submit your 'article' directly to them, lol.

You wouldn't post these blokes opinions directly from the main board, why waste pages of comments by posting this rubbish!?

 

[B4Bear]

Why North Melbourne's seasons has been a failure.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/08/15/waste-season-north-melbourne-style/

No idea who Jai Thomas is, but he has Hit.The.Nail.On.The.Head and goes to everything about the under 22 squad.

This article needs more main stream focus.

Ben Cunnington winning hardball-gets is fool’s gold. It looks good on the surface when covered in dirt and grime, but when it squeezes out the next young mid coming through, it’s largely worthless.

Absolute ******* tripe. Another North bashing piece of s**t dressed up as 'analysis'.

If this joker is so good, why isn't he running a football department?

He said it himself, he picked us for the spoon. So how much stock can you put into what some clown on the internet says about our list when he was so obviously wrong previously.

Oh, and the whole premis of the article was that we should have tanked instead of trying to go out and win every game.

 

[B4Bear]

I never said we should move Brad on. This season, despite a brutal loss, has far exceeded expectations. The future has much more potential than 18 months ago. What I'm saying is he stubbornly backs players in despite overwhelming contradicting evidence. Lindsay with the yips, injured Goldstein in 2016, McDonald this year.

Black was one the brightest prospects we've had. Still remember fondly his game against Hawthorn at the g in 2013- slotted a goal on the run from 50, great marks both contested and on a lead, plus he made some huge tackling efforts. So much confidence.

I remember a game against against Brisbane in 2014 where Aaron went for marks one handed. He played every game that season despite not looking right particularly in marking attempts. He subsequently had shoulder surgery that offseason and was a shell of himself for the rest of his brief North Melbourne tenure. Confidence was shot.

Doesn't scream well managed to me but your mileage may vary.

His results at Geelong indicate that the club knew exactly where he was at when he was traded.

Had potential, ended up being a list clogger.

 

[Thewlis Dish]

lol at 26-year-old Ben Cunnington stifling the kids

 

[giantroo]

If
the Roos blew up their season in one quarter last weekend (they kicked two goals to the Dogs' eight in the third) ...

then
there's only thing left to do – ensure Brown wins the Coleman.

 

[domiroo]

Isn’t it great when the Swans are conveniently assisted by the AFL to make the finals ... ******* AGAIN ..

 

[naturally north]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-19/he-thought-id-snapped-by-leg-roos-lucky-escape


..........
"But one of the trainers came over and he thought I'd snapped my leg because there was this big dint.

"Funnily enough, when I was sitting there some of the Sydney players were having a look and playing doctor a bit, saying, 'No, definitely it's a PCL, it's a PCL.'


looking forward to seeing EVW on the park in 2019

Another new recruit

 

[Colbys Boots]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-08-19/he-thought-id-snapped-by-leg-roos-lucky-escape


..........
"But one of the trainers came over and he thought I'd snapped my leg because there was this big dint.

"Funnily enough, when I was sitting there some of the Sydney players were having a look and playing doctor a bit, saying, 'No, definitely it's a PCL, it's a PCL.'


looking forward to seeing EVW on the park in 2019

Another new recruit

EVW had already diagnosed his own injury and established a treatment and rehabilitation plan before the trainers had made it out onto the field.

 

[Twinkletoes]

EVW had already diagnosed his own injury and established a treatment and rehabilitation plan before the trainers had made it out onto the field.

He'd 3D printed a replacement knee joint just in case.

 

[Dirty_11]

EVW had already diagnosed his own injury and established a treatment and rehabilitation plan before the trainers had made it out onto the field.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[DunderHead]

EVW - how much are we missing this guy right now. I love him.

Marley, EVW, Turner and Murphy. We need these guys fit and playing seniors in defence next year.

 

[darko]

Isn’t it great when the Swans are conveniently assisted by the AFL to make the finals ... ******* AGAIN ..

How is AFL helping them again?

 

[domiroo]

How is AFL helping them again?

Do you barrack for them ..

 

[giantroo]

 

[darko]

Do you barrack for them ..

No I despise them. They played a ripper game to beat the Dees, won a close one against the Pies and overrun GWS. Outside of couple decisions in Collingwood game the umps have been fine.

 

[Bigming]

Just watching on Australia Plus (now ABC) in HK and the 'Reach for the Sky' AFL ad-grab has every team but the Roos. Did the club piss the ABC off somehow?

 

[giantroo]

Jon Ralph picks his 2018 All-Australian squad of 40
JON RALPH, Herald Sun
5 minutes ago
Subscriber only

IF Jordan De Goey didn’t have a mohawk, wasn’t a redeemed bad boy and played for a low-profile football club, would he be in the All-Australian 40?

If James Sicily wasn’t such a strutting, swaggering Dermott Brereton-clone would his actual on-field contributions get him in despite only 14 games?

READ THE LIST AND LEAVE YOUR QUESTIONS FOR RALPHY BELOW

How do you weigh the no-fuss season-long consistency of Mark Blicavs with explosions of brilliance from Geelong teammate Tom Stewart if you can only squeeze one into your side?

When the All-Australian selectors release their side each year it seems the easiest gig in football.

Crunch the numbers, whack in the top dozen Brownlow fancies, quibble over playing two rucks and potentially a tagger.

Until you try to come up with an All-Australian side of 40 — to be released the week before the actual 22 — and you realise how impossible that is despite having 18 more slots to fill.

The beauty of the 23-round season — despite its critics — is it is long enough for momentum swings and form surges.

Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw has gone from the outhouse (VFL) to the penthouse (a fat contract), Dusty Martin’s season has had its swings and roundabouts and Gary Ablett’s season is open to every kind of interpretation.

But it means assessing which of Essendon’s Dyson Heppell and Brisbane’s Dayne Beams — slow starters who came home like Winx — slots into the All-Australian 40 is near on impossible.

In the end my All-Australian team of 40 went for the match-altering brilliance of De Goey, despite just 16 games so far and 11 of his 36 goals coming in two games against St Kilda and Brisbane Lions.

Hawthorn’s James Sicily has missed a large chunk of the season, but Ralphy reckons he’s shown enough to make the All-Australian squad. Picture: Michael Klein
It overlooked Sicily’s small sample size for his sheer brilliance at half back even though midfielders in a more crowded market like GWS Giants’ Josh Kelly and Fremantle’s Nathan Fyfe didn’t make the cut due to games missed.

And first-year revelation Tim Kelly nutted Cats teammate Gary Ablett in the 40 because of his goalpower and relentless inside game.

West Coast’s Shannon Hurn is the All-Australian captain for many, but mine is Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt.

In clearly the best side in the competition he has been durable, brilliant and above all selfless — the personification of a leader.

At this stage Alastair Clarkson is my coach of the year, taking a Hawthorn team from 12th last season and filled with no-name kids to the brink of the top four with tactical innovation and flair.

JON RALPH’S ALL-AUSTRALIAN SQUAD OF 40
BACKS — 12

Phil Davis (GWS) — ranks second for intercept possessions amongst key defenders

Alex Rance (Richmond) — ranks No.1 in the competition for intercept possessions

Shannon Hurn (West Coast) — rates elite for intercept possessions and intercept marks

Rory Laird (Adelaide) — ranks No.1 amongst defenders for disposals and second in the competition for intercept possessions

Jake Lloyd (Sydney) — ranks second amongst defenders for disposals and fifth for metres gained

Premiership full back Alex Rance is the glue that holds the Tigers’ defence together. Picture: Michael Klein
Harris Andrews (Brisbane) — No.1 rated key defender based on the Official AFL Player Ratings

Jeremy McGovern (West Coast) — ranks No.1 in the competition for intercept marks

Ben Stratton (Hawthorn) — rates elite for spoils and above average for intercept possessions

James Sicily (Hawthorn) — No.1 rated general defender based on the Official AFL Player Ratings

Lachie Whitfield (GWS) — rates elite for disposals and metres gained

Nick Vlastuin (Richmond) — ranks third for intercept marks of general defenders

Mark Blicavs (Geelong) — lost 16% of defensive 1-1 contests — ranked 4th in the competition

12

MIDS — 13

Isaac Smith (Hawthorn) — only wingman to average over a goal per game

Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) — ranks No.1 for disposals and clearances in the competition

Patrick Cripps (Carlton) — ranks No.1 in the competition for contested possessions

Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) — ranks second for contested possessions and No.1 for ground ball gets

Stephen Coniglio (GWS) — rates elite for goals and score involvements

Andrew Gaff (West Coast) — ranks fifth for disposals and No.1 for uncontested possessions

Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong) — No.1 rated mid-forward based on the Official AFL Player Ratings

Patrick Dangerfield will be thereabouts again when the All-Australian selectors come calling. Picture: AAP
Shaun Higgins (North Melbourne) — rates elite for metres, inside 50s and score assists

Jackson Macrae (Western Bulldogs) — ranks second for disposals and third for ground ball gets

Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) — rates above average for disposals, score involvements and pressure points

Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) — rates above average for disposals and elite for uncontested possessions

Ben Cunnington (North Melbourne) — ranks fifth for contested possessions

Dayne Beams (Brisbane) — rates above average for disposals and elite for goals

Why not take both? Brodie Grundy and Max Gawn are obvious ruck choices for the All-Australian squad. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images
RUCKS — 2

Max Gawn (Melbourne) — ranks No.1 for hit-outs to advantage and No.1 for score involvements amongst rucks

Brodie Grundy (Collingwood) — No.1 for his position in disposals, contested possessions and clearances

FORWARDS — 13

Dustin Martin (Richmond) — No.1 for goals and score involvements amongst midfielders

Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide) — ranks second for goals per game amongst mid-forwards

Josh Caddy (Richmond) — ranks second for goals per game amongst general forwards

Jordan De Goey (Collingwood) — ranks No.1 for goals per game amongst mid-forwards

Jack Riewoldt (Richmond) — ranks No.1 for marks inside 50 and third for goals per game

Luke Breust (Hawthorn) — ranks No.1 of general forwards for goals per game and score involvements

Kane Lambert (Richmond) — ranks No.1 for disposals amongst general and third for score involvements

Dustin Martin might not have lived up to last year’s remarkable season, but he’s still put in a fine campaign. Picture: AAP Image
Devon Smith (Essendon) — ranks No.1 for pressure points in the competition

Tom Hawkins (Geelong) — ranks second for marks inside 50 and second for score involvements amongst key forwards

Ben Brown (North Melbourne) — ranks third for goals per game and the No.1 accuracy of key forwards

Lance Franklin (Hawthorn) — ranks No.1 for goals per game and score involvements


Tim Kelly (Geelong) — rates elite for disposals and clearances

Jack Gunston (Hawthorn) — rates elite for disposals and above average for goals 13

Did Gary Ablett do enough to make the All-Australian squad? Jon Ralph says no. Picture: Getty Images
UNLUCKY OMISSIONS

Gary Ablett (Geelong)

Trent Cotchin (Richmond)

Tom Jonas (Port Adelaide)

Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)

Shane Edwards (Richmond)

Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)

Tom McDonald (Melbourne)

Dyson Heppell (Essendon)

Will Hoskin Elliott (Collingwood)

Jaidyn Stephenson (Collingwood)

Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle)

Josh Kelly (GWS)

Bryce Gibbs (Adelaide)

Dane Rampe (Sydney)

Ollie Wines (Port Adelaide)

CLUB-BY-CLUB
ADELAIDE

Had 30-plus in 12 of his first 14 games, another superb season for the relentless small defender. Bryce Gibbs a fine debut season for the Crows, but no other Adelaide players that close to the list of 40.

BRISBANE

Dayne Beams makes a late charge to slot into the 40 ahead of Dayne Zorko, his numbers solid since Round 6 and impact profound. Zorko (26 goals) is stiff but makes way for similar players like Kane Lambert and Gary Ablett.

CARLTON

Patrick Cripps, who should co-captain Carlton next year along with Sam Docherty, is the lock. For all the hype over the wonderful Charlie Curnow, he is still some way from the All Oz 40. Will he make it into Robbo’s top 50 on more than potential?

All-Australian selectors can’t ignore Patrick Cripps’ brilliant season — even if his team has been anything but. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images
COLLINGWOOD

Jordan De Goey has won too many matches for the Pies not to get in along with elementary selections Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, who is finally getting due recognition.

Jeremy Howe’s injury cut him down when he needed a late push with Jaidyn Stephenson and Will Hoskin Elliott (39 goals) in the mix but missing out.

ESSENDON

Devon Smith is the tackler for the modern era, setting new records by the week after a trade that saw the Dons give up pick 11 and a third-rounder and get back 24 and GWS’ 2018 second-rounder, which could now be involved in a package they would try to trade back to the Giants for Dylan Shiel.

Heppell has broken the 550-possession mark after a slow start but misses along with players like Trent Cotchin for the likes of Stephen Coniglio and Ben Cunnington.

FREMANTLE

For all his brilliance, Nathan Fyfe has played only 14 games including the Lions clash where he was hamstrung early. When players like Trent Cotchin are missing out, you can’t find room.

GEELONG

Do you rate players on their own lofty standards or their season contributions? Patrick Dangerfield easily gets in even if his numbers don’t match the 2016/2017 heights.

Tim Kelly nabs the second midfield spot ahead of Gary Ablett, with more goals (20), huge clearance numbers and more impact.

Even the Cats would say Tom Stewart’s form has drifted but Mark Blicavs gets in as a last-line stopper of incredible versatility.

GOLD COAST

Nope. Jarrod Harbrow, David Swallow, Touk Miller and Jarrod Witts have fought the good fight but no real All Australian 40 contenders.

Giant Lachie Whitfield should lock down one of the All-Australian half back slots. Picture: Getty Images
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Lachie Whitfield is the walk-up All Australian half back (along with Shannon Hurn) but for all of Josh Kelly’s brilliance he has played 13 and a half games, concussed in Round 21. Phil Davis (second for intercepts this year) is everything you want in a defender, his injury battles on Saturday showing not only his heart but the massive hole at full back when he hobbled forward. Stephen Coniglio might be the AFL’s most consistent player, a goal-a-game mid who keeps delivering.

HAWTHORN

Luke Breust (52 goals) and Tom Mitchell are locks for the All Australian 22. It’s hard to think of another intercept marking defender as dominant as James Sicily (14 games), which is why he gets in because it’s hard to think of another player who has nailed their position more comprehensively. Jack Gunston (46 goals, plus solid cameos as a defender) sneaks in ahead of Melbourne’s Tom McDonald and Ben Stratton pips Dylan Grimes as a stopper given his intercept work.

MELBOURNE

Clayton Oliver is the game’s best handballer and Tom McDonald misses out behind key talls Tom Hawkins, Jack Riewoldt, Ben Brown, Gunston and Lance Franklin.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Ben Brown led the Coleman for most of the year but might get pipped for the All Australian 22. Ben Cunnington’s elite contest work needs due recognition, while Zack Ziebell is in the conversation but just misses. Will Majak Daw be here next year?

PORT ADELAIDE

Port fans will have conniptions over Tom Jonas’ absence, but full backs Alex Rance, Mark Blicavs, Harris Andrews and Phil Davis get in instead. Robbie Gray gets in for the way he has kicked his 36 goals as much as his pure numbers, with Ollie Wines probably the next closest.

High-five if you pick yourself for the All Australian squad. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images
RICHMOND

No Shane Edwards, no Trent Cotchin. But Dusty Martin might win the Brownlow still so has to be in by any measure. Kane Lambert gets a nod ahead of the game’s No. 1 assists player Shane Edwards. Alex Rance has to be in but a fifth consecutive All Australian nod is no certainty, while Nick Vlastuin is rough and tough and fearless so gets into the dozen defenders on this list. Josh Caddy and Jack Riewoldt pick themselves. Dylan Grimes is stiff, but can you have three Tiger defenders in a dozen backmen picked?

ST KILDA

Nope. Jade Gresham is the closest, recently adding an exciting midfield dimension and excellent field kicking to his 35 goals for the year so far.

SYDNEY

Buddy Franklin’s recruitment by Sydney will be one of footy’s great deals, with Rampe stiff to miss out but Jake Lloyd in as one of the few consistent elite running defenders this year.

WEST COAST

Shannon Hurn has been simply awesome and Jeremy McGovern is a lock for the centre half back position, but while Elliot Yeo misses many will believe he should be in as Adam Simpson’s Mr Fixit.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

At one stage Jackson Macrae was going to win the Brownlow and he hasn’t done much wrong since. No to Marcus Bontempelli who has played all year with various injuries including a hip.

 

[Flawed Genius]

Zack Ziebell

FFS

 

[big_e]

Zack Ziebell

FFS

It's to be expected by Ron Ralph.

 

[darko]

Higgo bit stiff.

 

[Only Forwards]

David King should watch the Adelaide game back while sitting next to Jack Ziebell.

Hope that give him the Damien Barrett treatment. Was once close but can now GAGF.

 

[SMaturin]

Huddo has the look of a man who has received more than his fair share of noogies over the journey.

 

[Colbys Boots]

Higgo bit stiff.

Laughable that not only does Higgins fail to make the 40-man squad according to this clown, but also fails to make the "unlucky to miss out" list.

 

[giantroo]

 

[Jindrrk]

Well at least the 'blocking' was brought into the conversation.