Mega Thread Non-Freo AFL Discussion 2026

[ubiquitous226]

I always hate to see the best players injured, but it definitely helps our chances in R1 if he's not there.

Injuries are never good, even if they theoretically help our cause.

 

[BStaff17]

So a story about nic nat

I am in Fiji atm ans we did kayaking yesterday.

The bloke who runs it is actually Aussie owns a resort we are staying at..

His son ran the kayaking and tours from the resort down the nabua river

His son said Nic Nat did this kayak tour once and the guides had the shits with him because he wasnt doing much paddling.

Just letting the guide do all the work.

I couldnt stop laughing

 

[Jezzitizle]

So a story about nic nat

I am in Fiji atm ans we did kayaking yesterday.

The bloke who runs it is actually Aussie owns a resort we are staying at..

His son ran the kayaking and tours from the resort down the nabua river

His son said Nic Nat did this kayak tour once and the guides had the shits with him because he wasnt doing much paddling.

Just letting the guide do all the work.

I couldnt stop laughing

Was the Aussie Rory O’Brien?

 

[The Feeder Club]

That Kingsley bake that's doung the rounds is next level.

How long before a malcontent refers an AFL club to the Australian Human Rights Commission, like the AIS was? Outside of sexual abuse allegations. nearly everything the AIS coaches are accused of would be found somewhere in clubland.

It seems inevitable that elite sport is going to get bent into shape by workplace lawyers and social engineers sooner or later.

 

[Spirit Level]

That Kingsley bake that's doung the rounds is next level.

How long before a malcontent refers an AFL club to the Australian Human Rights Commission, like the AIS was? Outside of sexual abuse allegations. nearly everything the AIS coaches are accused of would be found somewhere in clubland.

It seems inevitable that elite sport is going to get bent into shape by workplace lawyers and social engineers sooner or later.

I didn't see anything wrong with it?

They get paid how much to run around and kick a ball? They deserve to get a boot up the arse if they're being lazy about it.

Don't like it? Don't play professional sport

 

[The Feeder Club]

I didn't see anything wrong with it?

They get paid how much to run around and kick a ball? They deserve to get a boot up the arse if they're being lazy about it.

Don't like it? Don't play professional sport

I don't necessarily disagree, but the 'don't like it, don't work here' argument doesn't cut it in the eyes of the law, or in the eyes of every quasi judicial commission set up to regulate society.

Whether we agree or not, it can't be much longer before these sort of bakes are found to be unacceptable. Even if not unacceptable to the majority actually within or that follow the game, found unacceptable to the law and regulators outside the game.

 

[AstonSouffle]

That Kingsley bake that's doung the rounds is next level.

How long before a malcontent refers an AFL club to the Australian Human Rights Commission, like the AIS was? Outside of sexual abuse allegations. nearly everything the AIS coaches are accused of would be found somewhere in clubland.

It seems inevitable that elite sport is going to get bent into shape by workplace lawyers and social engineers sooner or later.

Generally speaking though, if you walk a HR termination process backwards from its conclusion - the decision has to be fair and reasonable. For arguments sake let's Kingsley is terminated over this, there's plenty of evidence in the conversation everything he said was fair and that the environment would be taken into account - and would probably be deemed unfair decision to be sacked over. Plus they had a 50 point turnaround which reinforces it was performance management that worked.

 

[BREATHLESS_987]

I didn't mind it - the blokes he singled out were Greene, Cameron and Coniglio - older leaders who he probably knew would cop it without too many bruises, and respond accordingly. If he was tearing to shreds a 2nd year player, it might be a different story. They went on to kick 9 goals the next quater and win.

 

[The Feeder Club]

Generally speaking though, if you walk a HR termination process backwards from its conclusion - the decision has to be fair and reasonable. For arguments sake let's Kingsley is terminated over this, there's plenty of evidence in the conversation everything he said was fair and that the environment would be taken into account - and would probably be deemed unfair decision to be sacked over. Plus they had a 50 point turnaround which reinforces it was performance management that worked.

I'm not saying he will lose his job over this at all or even that thete was anything wrong with it, as you say it worked.

It just raises a general issue, I predict we will get some delisted malcontent player from some club, calling out the toxic bullying culture in afl clubs, and judges and various commissioners outside the sport finding elite sports environments are not above protections for workplace abuse. I just think it's coming. I don't necessarily like it, but it’s coming.

 

[gaskin]

I have no idea how anyone can listen to that Kingsley spray and have an issue with it. So what he singled out a couple of players. Coaches do that when players are being lazy campaigners.

 

[Piggy Smalls]

I have no idea how anyone can listen to that Kingsley spray and have an issue with it. So what he singled out a couple of players. Coaches do that when players are being lazy campaigners.

Its pretty mild in the context of a footy club, I'd imagine. Its a high performance industry after all.

FWIW, I've seen the (at the time) CEO of an ASX 100 company give a way bigger spray to a room full of stunned sales people. Whiteboard dusters were flying and all.

 

[Mags98]

I have no idea how anyone can listen to that Kingsley spray and have an issue with it. So what he singled out a couple of players. Coaches do that when players are being lazy campaigners.

not a single person has said they have an issue with it. instead its a bunch of posts getting upset at some imaginary, hypothetical scenario in their own head

 

[largebus]

Conflating getting a spray from your coach with being sexually abused like those in the AIS (allegedly) were is certainly something.

I mean, obviously you wouldnt want a spray like that being directed at young kids though

 

[The Feeder Club]

Conflating getting a spray from your coach with being sexually abused like those in the AIS (allegedly) were is certainly something.

I mean, obviously you wouldnt want a spray like that being directed at young kids though

So the part where I explicitly said "outside of sexual abuse", equals conflating in your mind? Cool.

The main AIS allegations were not exclusively sexual but broadly about verbal abuse, bullying, emotional abuse and fat shaming. All of these will be found at AFL clubs, the main difference would be whether any players have consistently complained about it as the gymnasts did but were ignored. If no one has complained it will be harder to substantiate it was a systemic issue.

I am making predictions about where I think this will head based on other trends, not saying I agree with it

 

[AstonSouffle]

Generally speaking though, if you walk a HR termination process backwards from its conclusion - the decision has to be fair and reasonable. For arguments sake let's Kingsley is terminated over this, there's plenty of evidence in the conversation everything he said was fair and that the environment would be taken into account - and would probably be deemed unfair decision to be sacked over. Plus they had a 50 point turnaround which reinforces it was performance management that worked.

I'm sure it's coming, but I would love to see the cases play out in real time and see it get tested.

Plus, everyone in a AFL footy club for the most part is well above the high-income threshold so they wouldn't be able to make an unfair dismissal claim.

 

[BREATHLESS_987]

I think you're probably right that the old fashioned spray is on the way out, but more so because it may no longer elicit the desired response from the younger generation coming through.

It just goes back into the art of coaching and getting the most out of a group of players in any situation. If a tool that used to work doesn't do the job anymore, it's probably time to discard it.

 

[DocT]

I think you're probably right that the old fashioned spray is on the way out, but more so because it may no longer elicit the desired response from the younger generation coming through.

It just goes back into the art of coaching and getting the most out of a group of players in any situation. If a tool that used to work doesn't do the job anymore, it's probably time to discard it.

Haven't people already commented that after the spray there was a 9 goal turn-around in GWS's favour? Isn't that signifcant evidence that the spray was effective? Or does anyone genuinely think that without the spray there would have been a 10-12 goal turn around?

FWIW the lawyers and social engineers can GAGF. But perhaps they don't need to be. The players are all elite and know what they are signed up for. The aim is to get peak team performance. Anyone genuinely thinking the path to that goal is best achieved with 100% carrot and 0% stick is deluded. IMO suing Kinglsey or similar would be the same as getting into a professional boxing ring and then suing because you got punched in the head.

 

[Lach72]

Thinking about Carlton after watching the game.

Weitering injured, Cripps looks really old, like he had metal rods down his legs.
Walsh has a bad back and they’re looking at giving him a 7 year deal.

Lot resting on Jagga Smith and their new recruits.

In the short term I think they’re ****ed

 

[ubiquitous226]

Thinking about Carlton after watching the game.

Weitering injured, Cripps looks really old, like he had metal rods down his legs.
Walsh has a bad back and they’re looking at giving him a 7 year deal.

Lot resting on Jagga Smith and their new recruits.

In the short term I think they’re ****ed

It kills you to see it doesn't it.

 

[freo84]

It kills you to see it doesn't it.

 

[Big Animal]

Yep, only Carlton supporters can't see how bad it is heading.

Shame
(for the South African's on here)

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Feels like for a while it's been a very obvious bottom couple (at least two of WC, North and Richmond) while struggling to see who finish bottom 4 alongside them. Reckon there'll be some good competition for bottom 4 this year with Essendon, Melbourne and Carlton jostling for spots down there.

 

[Cam Payne]

Yep, only Carlton supporters can't see how bad it is heading.

Shame
(for the South African's on here)

Is it really?

 

[mike91]

Tom Harley loves Opening Round.

What a shock, the Swans mouthpiece loves the handouts?

Guess the academy protection is here to stay for them too.

Maybe Cola?

Flog

 

[ImperialPurple]

Tom Harley loves Opening Round.

What a shock, the Swans mouthpiece loves the handouts?

Guess the academy protection is here to stay for them too.

Maybe Cola?

Flog

Ugh someone really needs to knock the smarm off Tom Harley's face.