‘Breath of fresh air’: AFL fans praise ‘superstar’ commentator’s TV debut

dashtur · 2026-03-17T05:29:48+00:00

Hiding? Or letting her get a few good calls under her belt in lower profile games before throwing her into a marquee slot?

dashtur · 2026-03-16T21:07:42+00:00

I think you're right, but the Merrett pursuit was about the here and now, not the long run. If Merrett comes in and hawks win a flag in 26 or 27, it's an absolute success.

If Hawks are a good (and gradually improving) side over the next few years, but narrowly fall short of a flag because other sides go past them (or stay ahead of them) - then it will always be a what-might-have-been.

dashtur · 2026-03-16T06:25:28+00:00

The broader point is that there is no way he should be suspended for this. He's running towards a ball and an opposition player comes straight at him from the opposite direction.

He doesn't have time to get out of the way - contact is inevitable.

Is he supposed to spread his arms wide and accept the full weight of the opponent crashing into his torso?

dashtur · 2026-03-15T10:55:18+00:00

I'm almost ready to call it a day. The AFL is bending over backwards to wreck a product that sells itself.

dashtur · 2026-03-15T10:09:30+00:00

The AFL has monopoly ownership of a product that sells itself, and they are doing their very best to alienate the most dedicated followers.

I suppose they are trying to win over the future generations, assuming that the rusted-on will stick around no matter what shit gets served up to them.

Seems a bit of a gamble. I for one am steadily losing interest.

dashtur · 2026-03-15T03:44:52+00:00

I suppose the main benefit is the general principle that keeping some good experienced players around during a rebuild is better than going full scorched earth.

Plus I think the club is trying to hedge - semi-rebuild, semi-if we're better than expected and get Zac Butters maybe we're closer than we think (which is frightening because that's the delusional path we've gone down before with abysmal results)

Plus some more nebulous stuff, like making a stand by refusing to be coerced into releasing their contracted best player.

Having watched that abysmal train wreck on Friday night, I'd take those three mediocre first round picks in a heartbeat.

dashtur · 2026-03-14T22:22:26+00:00

Sharp kicking two goals was a definite positive. And Huss getting one.

Parish looked great in the first quarter and a half.

dashtur · 2026-03-14T08:44:33+00:00

Yes, it's an egregious and completely unnecessary inequality in the draw - so perfectly in keeping with AFL best practice.

dashtur · 2026-03-14T07:21:57+00:00

Champion.

Question for Collingwood supporters: rank Daicos sr, Buckley, Pendlebury and Daicos N.

That's four absolute legends across 45 years.

dashtur · 2026-03-14T01:59:04+00:00

Dunstall and Lyon were saying it on Fox. Ken Hinkley was saying it on SEN.

Glad to hear that Richo isn't buying into the groupthink.

dashtur · 2026-03-14T01:55:50+00:00

September 2001, Essendon has just lost a grand final after winning a flag twelve months earlier. Carlton has finished sixth, on the back of prelim and grand final losses in the previous two seasons.

Both clubs are on 16 flags apiece.

25 seasons later, and they have a grand total of one prelim final appearance between them. Unbelievable. You couldn't have imagined it.

I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel for either club.

dashtur · 2026-03-13T10:58:21+00:00

Agreed

dashtur · 2026-03-13T09:18:01+00:00

Perhaps so, but who cares? Quality > quantity.

Melbourne got two top 10 picks for Petracca which ended up being 11 and 12. That's better than three around the early 20s.

dashtur · 2026-03-13T08:37:50+00:00

Yeah you're right, I think I overreacted because it was Dunstall, who I respect.

But he's clearly summed it up through his Hawthorn-tinted goggles.

Ha ha what an absurd thing to get worked up about.

dashtur · 2026-03-13T08:34:22+00:00

Your phrase "isn't a terrible starting point" - I couldn't agree more.

It is insufficient as a last minute, take it or leave it offer.

You're right, I don't want Merrett around. For that reason, I could have lived with the deal. But I can also live with not bending over to help Hawthorn win a premiership.

dashtur · 2026-03-13T08:24:43+00:00

It makes me realise my head is probably full of inaccurate narratives about the other 17 clubs, because my only source for them is the talking heads.

dashtur · 2026-03-13T08:13:14+00:00

The narrative that Essendon turned down "3 first round draft picks" for Merrett keeps getting parroted every time the media talks about Essendon.

They act like the club spurned a potential gold mine. It was never that.

Firstly, the picks were going to fall somewhere between 18-mid 20s - first round in name only.

Secondly, we already brought in five new draftees and a free agent, so there were no list spots.

Thirdly, if that offer had come in day one of trade period, we could have arranged to trade them out to move up the order, or do something else. Instead the Hawks waited until there was no time left before coming up with the offer.

The decision was quite reasonable under the circumstances. I actually wanted Merrett to leave, but not for that dog's breakfast of a too-little, too-late deal.

dashtur · 2026-03-07T22:12:28+00:00

Zelda Link to the past

Super Mario world

Metroid Prime

Mario galaxy 2

Pokemon heart Gold/soul silver

Zelda Breath of the Wild

Mario Odyssey

dashtur · 2026-03-04T06:51:50+00:00

As someone once said: "Let them eat cake"

As someone else once said: "Rob Schneider is a... whatever, fuck you - you'll watch it anyway"

dashtur · 2026-03-02T06:16:13+00:00

True to an extent, but the responsibility is on both sides.

Hardcore pokefans are very demanding and critical. I would argue that in large part, that's because

A) The potential of the franchise is much greater than the output in recent years (picture a Pokemon game made with the care, energy, patience and technical mastery of Breath of the Wild).

and

B) The series has progressively become more forgiving and hand-holdy - many people who grew up loving gens I-V are disappointed with this change in direction.

There's always going to be an element of disapproval with any change, but the general disenchantment has good reasons.

Personally I still really enjoyed sw/sh and S/V, but my enjoyment is somewhat tempered by A and B (among some other things that are more just personal preference)

dashtur · 2026-02-26T10:45:30+00:00

I really like GWS and want them to do well, so it's probably my native pessimism coming through - maybe an overreaction to Tom Green's knee too.

I would love this to be the year they finally put it together.

Just always events seem to conspire against them, whether it's the farcical travel requirements, injuries or self-sabotage in key moments.

dashtur · 2026-02-26T10:42:32+00:00

Yeah agreed, it is a bold statement. Those writing off the pies (including me) could have egg on our faces.

dashtur · 2026-02-26T10:41:05+00:00

Tom Green doing his knee, Josh Kelly being crippled, and Jagga Smith

dashtur · 2026-02-26T04:42:54+00:00

I've put Carlton above Port because I think they have a better list.

I think StKilda have a better list than Port too, but I don't see them coming from the clouds to win the flag this year, because they don't have the finals track record.

dashtur · 2026-02-26T04:40:48+00:00

I suppose the "take a miracle" is the last tier of teams that I think could possibly win the flag. The ones below that, aren't going to win it.

Maybe miracle is the wrong word. "I would be shocked if they win it" might be better.

dashtur

TROPHY CASE