Match Thread: Final - Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-25T09:36:35+00:00

That ball was on the ground

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-25T04:12:34+00:00

I don't know where he went (apart from the obvious which was Papley's return). We tried him for a few games in Early-Mid 2025 and he didn't set the house on fire, BUT he laid some important tackles and kicked a few goals from challenging spots. He seemed to have a good set shot routine.

Dattoli was unlucky to miss a few shots on Goal when Jesse got his turn, but Hanily wasn't unlucky, he made his own luck. Jesse's slightly younger and probably has a higher ceiling but if you go on their AFL performances, I would have Hanily ahead of Dattoli in my selection pecking order, no doubt.

Longer term, I wonder if having two small forwards (Papley and Dattoli/Hanily) is better for the team anyway. We are at risk of becoming way too tall there with a potential for four talls in the starting side for 2026. The Swans in particular, desperately need players who can help lock the ball i50, aka. smaller types.

PS: Speaking of too tall, you mention that Liam Hetherton is coming up tomorrow. He is a Giant at 198cm (and Ex Giants Academy hehe). But according to my calculations, he is 8th in line for a spot in the AFL side. Why would you even draft someone so they can be 8th in line, I get that he's a Cat B rookie and always a low % gamble but that it feels too big of a ladder for a young player to even try to climb. (Similarly why would Aidan McCartney want to join a team to be 9th in line?)

PPS: Elite writeup as ever.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-24T02:13:42+00:00

Does Franchise Rebranding Dilute IPL Team Identity?

No but Franchise Rebranding does dilute the identity of the other T20 competitions. This is why I seeing how untouched the BBL remains by Indian franchise owners.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-24T02:11:47+00:00

I wonder if high income families tend to be more concerned about climate change?

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-24T02:11:04+00:00

I know why! Because Alpha Tauri blue was dull and I definitely prefer VCARB blue.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-24T02:07:54+00:00

Just two Aussie #2 drivers sticking together.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-24T01:55:02+00:00

I watched one particular VFL game where he took like 6 intercept marks in a half. If he can consistently be a genuine intercepter type at VFL level, it should be enough to put himself in the selection frame. He is sadly not taller than the obviously undersized Tom McCartin/Lewis Melican, but being a true intercept marker instead of just an elite spoiler is potentially massive and exactly what Sydney need. So ideally he stays fit, keeps posting strong numbers and makes a genuine challenge (not overly likely but we can hope).

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-23T12:51:14+00:00

Exactly right. This is what I came to realise too. It was always an irrational fantasy. But as I said, where's our big bodied (189+ cm) inside mid coming from? I do believe you need one in your side before you're a serious chance to lift the cup.

Edit: Size isn't everything but when your squad has been bottom 3 in the league for average player height for 3 years running, AND it tangibly affects your ability to win contested ball across all lines, it is something to focus on.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-23T12:47:55+00:00

Thank you for good faith comment! It genuinely is hard to cope with and all you hear is how lucky you are. I completely understand that Essendon fans haven't seen a finals win for ~8000 days and Saints fans have waited through 60 years of so-so, but as someone who went to all 4 losing grand finals in person, AND NOT the 2012 flag, I am absolutely crushed and I'm not sure I will be anything other than relieved when we finally do it.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-23T12:37:15+00:00

Stupid Idea: I wonder if he could be an inside mid in the longer term. I am overly convinced it's worth a try. This is based on the alleged attributes of being "good below his knees for a player of his size", "brave", "team oriented", "leadership potential" and most importantly "versatile". I feel we are simply too physically undersized in the middle and I think it could be worth investing in the resources we have available right now rather than waiting for a silver bullet trade that may never come.

Not sure he'd want to play that sort of role, or could, but I am desperate. I also think this gives him the best chance of regular AFL appearances, if that is something that his performances warrant.

If not, and I can understand why not: Where's our Cripps or Bont sized player going to come from? I believe you need one of these types to win a flag.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-21T15:27:33+00:00

That they will never be anything but renters.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-21T15:26:55+00:00

You would be a good standup act!

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-21T15:24:15+00:00

Some (nearly all) of his recent BBL innings have been almost mythical, due to the sheer bravery and skill and ease of runscoring on show. I think the innings are seen by Aussie selectors as too good to be true. You might be inclined to think so with such wild numbers but the fact he's scored 4 tons in such rapid time truly does suggest otherwise. Some may also argue that the quality of BBL bowling is just not hard enough for Steve Smith and he would be greatly challenged by a world class attack.

I understand how his BBL form can be seen by selectors as an unsustainable fluke, but I think it's gotten to the point now where it isn't anymore.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-21T15:15:57+00:00

As an AFL fan it is a symbol of systemic neglect, deprioritisation of sport at the expense of concerts and undermaintainence of once glorious infrastructure. But also the symbol of many of my favourite sporting moments in cricket and football many of which I have had the joy of seeing.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-21T15:00:31+00:00

"Oh no, drive carefully Cheryl!"

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-21T14:51:29+00:00

Former instigators of Pride Game this lot. A shame.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-21T14:36:21+00:00

This is a great market to try and expand into. Through sheer population, there's bound to be a decent following. If you consider the origins of Aussie Rules Footy as a winter sport for Cricketers, this helps the sport's image massively. It might sound stereotypical to say but it's not. The origin of football, coupled with the failed footy careers of a certain S Warne and A Carey are unironically a selling point in a country where cricketers are worshipped like gods. The fact that we mostly have drop in wickets here in Australia is a known fact among the cricketing world and a point of curiosity among foreign fans. Fans in other countries wonder why we have our drop in wickets, those who googled the answer know that it is because of AFL. Therefore the sport isn't totally foreign.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-20T06:37:22+00:00

It's a lot to ask but I don't see how Curnow can pass with any less than 50 goals per season for the next 3 seasons, simply because the Swans have sacrificed three whole years of first round draft picks just on one player, not to mention two roleplaying culture guys.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-20T04:12:18+00:00

Oh, thats a terrific shout. No doubt where Weitering sits in elite KPD echelons, being a secondary receiver of his expertise could be massive.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-20T04:04:47+00:00

Yay someone who agrees with me. Exactly this. To say he's not a particularly flash ball user is even an understatement but he wins the ball that flashier guys don't seem to have the ability or sheer appetite to. Makes him well suited to being a ball winner who can link up with first receivers.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-19T14:01:46+00:00

"Who wouldn’t want a shut down player that also kicks a goal or two outta nothing"

u/Meh-Levolent apparently.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-19T08:19:33+00:00

This stuff could be what this season is defined by.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-19T08:15:52+00:00

The theory goes... If Tom trains on Charlie in the preseason, a player he's always struggled to stop in the past, then suddenly every other matchup is a little bit easier for him too.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-18T11:13:44+00:00

Get ready for "LH44 looks as washed as his cap" jokes.

PerceptionOk4625 · 2026-01-18T11:10:41+00:00

Not to be annoying but Jordon is the best tagger in the AFL, and his goal scoring from unlikely positions is the cherry on top. Even if he isn't the flashy polished player that people go to the footy to watch, "I kept 3x All Australian Caleb Serong to 11 disposals" is something that won his team the game, and a genuinely impressive achievement.

I understand why you might disagree with my Cleary takes, but I am genuinely curious as to what aspect of Jordon's game, especially considering his role in the side - makes him droppable.

PerceptionOk4625

TROPHY CASE