Afl 2023

[Hatchman]

Think its time the 2023 thread was started before finals time.
Few surprises in the first few rounds in Saint Kilda, Essendon and even North Melborne getting early wins.
Both teams from the west have started poorly. Freo showed promise last year but appear to have gone backwards. West Coast are struggling to field a fit side looking like spoon favourites.
Gold Coast also appear to have gone backwards.
Port just going through the motions until the call that Hinkleys position will end is finally announced.

[AndyP]

Gold Coast are a pathetic club. Never better than 12th and failing yet again.

[LeftyHoges]

Gold Coast are a pathetic club. Never better than 12th and failing yet again.

How different it could have been had they chosen the GWS route of not bothering to get any marquee or half decent players and therefore be completely uncompetitive for 3 years so they can bank 13 million first round draft picks which they trade out for the next 13 million first round draft picks, while also getting extra draft picks from nowhere, and the Riverina academy zone (that good ol' Western Sydney heartland) and then continue to tamper with the draft for the next couple of years after that.

Oh, and not operating out of demountables for 7 years might help too.

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[Hatchman]

Gold Coast are a pathetic club. Never better than 12th and failing yet again.

I personally know an Ex player that was Traded from a very successful Victorian Club to the Gold Coast Suns. He was very shocked at how poorly run and organised GWS is in comparison considering the amount of assistance the AFL has given.
He mentioned it was barely better than the SANFL club he played for before being drafted.

I’ve always believed they made a serious error poaching Abellet Jnr as their poster child. The experienced players they poached did not have the qualities to demand and drive a high professional standard.
Too much Gold Coast party time and church group division amongst the list as a whole.
They are now in a situation where they can’t retain top quality players to build a list capable of being serious finals contenders.
Clarkson’s stamp on North Melbourne was immediately seen (no surprise it couldn’t be sustained so early) but signs of hope and improvement are evident with the list they have.
It would have been interesting if he could have that great an effect on Gold Coast.

[Hatchman]

I think GWS went too far with top end draft picks. Having so many on the list there is a tendency for too many selfish I’m looking after myself players not really invested in the TEAM game.
I’m so glad they’ve failed to achieve the ultimate success after the concessions they got compromising every other Clubs Draft for so many years.

[LeftyHoges]

I personally know an Ex player that was Traded from a very successful Victorian Club to the Gold Coast Suns. He was very shocked at how poorly run and organised GWS is in comparison considering the amount of assistance the AFL has given.
He mentioned it was barely better than the SANFL club he played for before being drafted.

I’ve always believed they made a serious error poaching Abellet Jnr as their poster child. The experienced players they poached did not have the qualities to demand and drive a high professional standard.
Too much Gold Coast party time and church group division amongst the list as a whole.
They are now in a situation where they can’t retain top quality players to build a list capable of being serious finals contenders.
Clarkson’s stamp on North Melbourne was immediately seen (no surprise it couldn’t be sustained so early) but signs of hope and improvement are evident with the list they have.
It would have been interesting if he could have that great an effect on GWS.

GC or GWS?

[AndyP]

Gcws

[Ron Burgundy]

Gold Coast are a pathetic club. Never better than 12th and failing yet again.

Every Gold Coast sporting team sucks. Always have, always will. I feel for the teams behind the suns on the ladder. That must be embarrassing….

[Hatchman]

GC or GWS?

Thanks Lefty, I'll fix that up.
Gold Coast

[Hatchman]

Every Gold Coast sporting team sucks. Always have, always will. I feel for the teams behind the suns on the ladder. That must be embarrassing….

Yes they have so far.
That doesn't make so that will always be the case.
If they can hold on to enough good players and build on something that looks like they might be a chance of the ultimate prize they won't be so quick to leave in a hurry for the $$. There will always be players that are all about the dollar but I'd like to believe they are in the minority and being a Premiership player is a more important so they will accept less if it's a reasonable offer. Every team is trying to strike that balance.

[AndyP]

I feel for the teams behind the suns on the ladder. That must be embarrassing….

And yet still closer to their next premiership than Gold Coast is to their first.

[Hatchman]

Sides are starting to sort themselves out a bit now. By round 10 it becomes clearer how the final 8 might be shaped.
West Coast are in all sorts of trouble list wise. They are getting done easily in the main league and belted in the WAFL struggling to field more than 6 players with all the outs. Hardly a great environment for future development.
Clarkson Honeymoon is over.
Port have surprised. Massive shift in game day structure with Kenny now down on the bench. I’ve herd from sources that was not his idea. He’s not a great tactician but excellent one on one with players hence the move from the box. Looks like it’s working but unless it’s a Premiership this will be his last year most likely.
I hear Tasmania is looking for a coach soon?

[markTHEblake]

Collingwood might do alright if they can figure out how to get ahead by 3/4 time.

[Minor_Threat]

Doggies will struggle to make 8. Loading up on tall timber down front not working and backs are dodgy as with foot skills.

[AndyP]

Surely Ken would stay if they made the Grand Final.

[Hatchman]

Surely Ken would stay if they made the Grand Final.

Strangely that is not a given and would send the AFL Media into and absolute frenzy. I can't be bothered looking through history but I'd guess a flag winning coach not having a contract renewed/extended/sacked would be rare?
They are very strange loud supporters down at Alberton.

[AndyP]

I follow the "Has Ken Hinkley been sacked yet?" Twitter profile

https://twitter.com/kensacked?s=21&t...3McUfZUZxtlcJw

I'm off to Perth Stadium this evening to watch my Hawks play. I'm not expecting a win, but looking forward to the experience. They would have to get absolutely flogged to make it worse than one of my worst live game experiences, which was against Freo at Docklands, when the Hawks got ran over at Docklands in the last quarter by the Dockers whose record that season was 0-15.

[LeftyHoges]

Death, taxes and Geelong having their cocks sucked by the AFL.

[Hatchman]

Drink Driving Brownlow

Darren Milane - 0.322
Liam Jurrah - 0.27
Jeff Garlett - 0.241 (Higher than above)
Tony Armstrong - 0.213
Heath Shaw - 0.144 (Not listed above)
Royce Vardy - 0.14
Sharrod Wellingham - 0.13
Tyson Stengle - 0.125
Lachie Hunter - 0.123
Brad Ottens - 0.116
Jarrod Harbrow - 0.108
Dawson Simpson - 0.1
Chad Morrison - 0.093 (on a scooter)
Jamain Jones - 0.08
Liam Ryan - 0.08
Luke Hodge - 0.068
Jay Schultz - 0.065
Josh Worrell - 0.056
David King - 0.05

Straight to the top Cam McCarthy 0.414

[AndyP]

Straight to the top Cam McCarthy 0.414

Impressive, but it doesn't count since he is not a current player.

[Hatchman]

Impressive, but it doesn't count since he is not a current player.

Well your a party pooper

[LeftyHoges]

Can 4 umpires please be breath tested after tonight's performance? Only possible excuse for that ****ing shitshow.

[WBennett]

Can 4 umpires please be breath tested after tonight's performance? Only possible excuse for that ****ing shitshow.

As much as the umps screwed the Dogs, the Dogs screwed themselves harder

[LeftyHoges]

As much as the umps screwed the Dogs, the Dogs screwed themselves harder

Sorry, explain how?

[AndyP]

As much as the umps screwed the Dogs, the Dogs screwed themselves harder

I can't believe you went there.