FEARLESS 2020 Round 8: A word to the wise heads running the game

Hi all, credit must go to the AFL for getting this far in the season. With some more luck, there will be a season’s end, finals and a Premier from a Grand Final played at a venue yet to be determined. Queensland have come through with flying colours with the relocation of AFL clubs and hubs being something of an offset for the lack of a regular tourist season. The clubs, players and admin staff deserve credit for responding well to the call to relocate. God knows the footy in Victoria might not return in 2020. It’s been hard enough to navigate the minefield of Covid in relation to junior sports and the subsequent ramifications.

 

The couch has been a regular place of many for watching the footy….crowd absences duly noted, partially filled stadia also duly noted and indeed reasonable crowds also duly noted. But what we see is nice the way it is. We don’t have to listen to the talking heads on the footy shows and amend every rule and aspect of the game, just because coaches or media commentators don’t like something or get frustrated with the way the games are being played. Given the circumstances, they are lucky to be employed. It was only a few months ago that footy looked like it might not go ahead at all in 2020.

 

The AFL just needs to power on and not listen/be so responsive to the dull ache in the background. Don’t underestimate what you have stewardship over. Get the year completed. 2021 will take care of itself. There might be some things that you might want to carry forward. It is a year like no other. Just get it done. The fans are enjoying having it back. The television guide is better for its content. People are just about to get 20 days straight..love it or loathe it…it might be the ticket to save people in this truly wretched set of circumstances.

 

As the famous Nike slogan says: just do it.

 

Cheers PT

 

2020 FEARLESS RD8: On the eve of the AFL’s equivalent of the Rodeo Road Trip…

 

Queensland Hub Game Number 21: It was a welcome to prime time tv that saw the Gold Coast Suns host the Woodbine Bulldogs on a Thursday night at this year’s home of footy, Metricon Stadium. The rain made for less of a spectacle. An outdoor sport? Who’d’ve thought? Last week Suns’ posterboy Rankine got the yips with 4pts in the last qtr. Suns effort was good, but Dogs seemed to have the composure. Dogs by 5pts.

 

Sydney Hub Game Number 7:  Greenbank Giants hosted the Red Hill Tigers at Giants Stadium and love him or loathe him, Toby Greene is a great footballer. Forget the Grand Final Replay aspect, this game was worth watching the game’s best small forward in action. The Tigers’ forward line found touch the week before, but King Toby with 5 on his dungheap was a masterclass. Tigers’ wayward and Giants by 12pts.

 

Queensland Hub Game Number 22: Lake Gabbatoir saw the Nerang Roos host the Cooroy Blues and there’s nothing like rain to level the playing field. The Blues had been in better form, but lost key forward H McKay just before the game. A 7pt win indicated a close contest but also error-riddled. Cripps wrestled and blocked, Polec good. Blues seemed to have the answers, the Roos shot themselves in the foot too often.

 

Sydney Hub Game Number 8: Sydney Swans hosted the Hinchinbrook Hawks at the SCG on Saturday twilight. 7pts separated the teams in Swans’ favour and the 5th qtr continued to raise interest as Hawks Coach Clarko had a crack at Swans Papley…Clarko should be playing cricket…deflections here and there, like Larry Gomes. Rampe inspiring with broken hand, Aliir versatile and Papley the ‘free milkerer’ with 4.

 

Adelaide Hub Game Number 2: Sunshine Coast Saints headed back to play at Adelaide Oval for 2nd time in a week. This time against the ladder leading Power. Tim Membrey’s karate goal might just be the best..timed to perfection. The Saints unplugged the Power to convincingly bury any Adelaide Oval hoodoo with a 2nd win in 5 days. Ryder showed his worth as did Howard, both ex-Port. Ratten’s Saints a revelation.

 

Adelaide Hub Game Number 3: Adelaide Crows hosted the Eagleby Bombers at Adelaide Oval. Crows got close to jagging their first win, but instead got hammy injuries for B Crouch and stand-in skipper Tom Dude-A. Mid 3rd and Bombers looked comfortably in front. Crows managed to go up a cog and nearly stole it. Bombers’ hyper forward line kept them alive but the Crows were wasteful in the last 1.6, losing by 3pts.

 

Perth Hub Game Number 3: West Coast Eagles hosted Cottesloe Magpies. And when Magpies’ coach referred to his team as the Washington Generals, you know that West Coast had one of those days. JK kicked 7, everything went to plan for Eagles after qtr time enroute to a 66pt win. Losing skipper Pendles not helpful to Pies but some days you’re the insect…for Eagle Flyin Ryan, a chance to forget the grief..

 

Queensland Hub Game Number 23: Maroochydore Demons hosted the Brisbane Lions at Metricon. Stupid score review or weak goal umpiring? Lever’s late mark should have been paid. Dees coach Goodwin every right to speak out as the goal review shouldn’t be used for marks, especially when the umpire is in position. Big Oscar Mc took on Gawn and did well, helped by Archie Smith. Dees improved, Lions just.

 

Perth Hub Game Number 4: Fremantle Dockers hosted the Gnangara Cats at Optus Lake on Monday Night. 6 minutes in the rain came in bucketloads..out the window goes structures, team rules, skills, turnovers and in comes the slog. 21mins into the 3rdTaberner kicks Freo’s first goal, having lost Tucker early…Freo no match for the Cats who slog it in the wet often at the Cattery. Tomahawk 3. Cats by 32.

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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