I for one am ecstatic that footy is back and feel sorry for the people that wallow in the fact that it won't be the same, better than nothing, I will revel in watching the somewhat compromised training but won't report on PRE, too much negativity here for mine.
Whoever is professional and motivated enough will be legit premiers IMO
play to win.
the game will still be grown men chasing a red leather ball to kick between white posts.
Totally and forever legit. no *
who cares where they live or what hubs they go to after the game. The winner will grin
Small sample size but the round 1 didn't show any real changes in anything, apart from reduced loads.
The thing that most concerns us around injuries is managing loads so that isn't so much of a concern. Of far bigger concern is the reduced preparation time we have but again that should advantage players with more training years under their belts so should suit us.
I guarantee you Cotchin and Houli will be loving the shorter quarters more than most.
I'm not so sure about that, it could go either way I reckon.
If you asked West Coast what one factor they would change to help their side most and I guarantee it would be reduce travel.
If they get home games on the Gold Coast and cut 8 hours of travel every time they play a Melbourne side then that is a massive win. Not to mention playing both Qld sides in the hub so eliminating the toughest road trip in the game.
The x factors will be if they can create a home advantage in Qld like they have in WA and how the players respond to the hub. Removing your players from distractions and having them with you 24/7 could turn out to be a plus or a minus depending on their individuals mindsets.
As for whoever wins the flag. Us, or someone else, there will be lots of comments along the lines of not a real flag, compromised etc.
But if we win the flag, our flag tally will be +1 and everyone else can go get stuffed.
You can see it already.In 2 minds about footy with no crowds, just hope they can get some sort of crowd to games by maybe August, who knows.
I think it will be a bit empty but they've never actually cancelled a season before, we'll have to see how it goes I suppose.
As for whoever wins the flag. Us, or someone else, there will be lots of comments along the lines of not a real flag, compromised etc.
But if we win the flag, our flag tally will be +1 and everyone else can go get stuffed.
DS
I think the asterisk talk is total rubbish. As others have pointed out, there have been many variations of season conditions but the one thing they all have in common is the team won under the same conditions as its opponents. That is all that matters.
No doubt people will knock the premiers but people generally always find a way to undermine the premiers anytime it isn't them:
2019: Richmond dream run at home
2018: No blocking free kick in Sheed mark/ Richmond were the best team and not in Grand Final
2017: Richmond gets home game against higher placed Geelong
2016: Umpires destroy Sydney
The you move into the 'Free kick Hawthorn' era and on and on it goes.
If Collingwood win it.
Get the tissue ready. The commentators will explode.
With AFL clubs having to abide by a 40 page dossier on Covid protocols to play and each club has to give a DAILY report to the AFL that they have abided by it there should be no way community sport should get the green light any time soon IMO.
Part of that is good governance on the AFL's part - they would be trying to ensure that clubs follow protocols and are introducing documentation to ensure that, because it's literally millions of dollars at stake - if they go ahead and have to cancel after two games then they will be deep, deep in the red (and the poop).
Local sport won't have or need the same level of reporting requirement.
Correct. There are heaps of fans still saying how the AFL have gifted us premierships. Sod it, let them gift us another one please in 2020 and I'll be stoked, 3 in 4 years, dynasty era.
What compromised seasons are you using as evidence that the best team doesn't OFTEN win?I won't be counting it. Season is far too compromised. In these unprecedented circumstances best team often doesn't win it anyway.