General Discussion

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Looks like the SC site is down for a few hours - "We will be back in just a few hours with a refreshed site"

...Google Translate...

"We will be back sometime, hopefully by tomorrow, with changes made to everything that will annoy the hell out of most SC players"

:rolleyes:
 

Hawk

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Looks like the SC site is down for a few hours - "We will be back in just a few hours with a refreshed site"

...Google Translate...

"We will be back sometime, hopefully by tomorrow, with changes made to everything that will annoy the hell out of most SC players"

:rolleyes:
Haha I saw that, I wondered if maybe they were going to revert back to their old version. Either way, expect some bumps in the road... Not only is it one of the worst websites in existence, it also has some of the worst customer service I've ever experienced. Can they get it up and running 100% before lockout?!
 
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Carlton
Last week I was looking up seasonal stats of teams scores in recent decades because it has really seemed this season has a trend of winning score lower than I've ever seen. Teams seem to be winning games with scores like only 13 goals more regularly. It is an amazing era of what seems from my viewpoint a lack of real superstar key forwards. There are still gun key forwards but just not the big goal haul types.

A day or so ago I saw an article confirm exactly what I thought and been lowest scoring season since 1968.

As a group the coaches are more obsessed on defense in their team than ever and single players kicking anything more than 4 goals seems as rare as hens teeth at moment. I just wonder if this trend will change any time soon. It is interesting to see Ross Lyon teams make Grand Finals but not be able to pull of the big prize and now Freo struggling this season. You gotta wonder if this ultra energy sapping game style of frenetic tackling and disciplined positioning and running in numbers pays off much in long run for teams that make that their game plan.

Going to watch with interest in next few seasons to see if any change.
It was fascinating to me on weekend how North really opened up Freo.

Really interested to see the coach that is really brave and starts to focus more on offense as the main weapon to build a winning team on.
The interesting thing is Malcolm Blight Cats teams in late 80's and early 90's were some of highest scoring teams ever and one season topped 3000 points in home and away. Ultimately they never won the flag. Too reliant on Gary Ablett taking them to the promised land.
That high scoring seemed to hit it's peak about 1992 If I remember correctly and was an era with Lockett , Gary Ablett, Dunstall and others as true gun key forwards. They could really impact the scoreboard in big numbers but Dunstall was only one part of a premiership despite how amazingly brilliant both Lockett and Ablett were. The thing I note is Hawks already had a successful team before Dunstall arrived and he just blended into the team structure rather than dictate the game style of team which seemed to happen at Cats with Ablett and Saints with Lockett.
I do wonder if a gun forward of that ilk showed up now, what a coach does with his team style.
We have some strong marks like Cloke but the monster goal scorers just don't seem to be part of league scene at present.
Maybe the low scoring we are seeing now, is partly due to no real batch of gun key forwards in the game at present so the coaches see their best chance of building a premiership team is to focus on the defense first because all premiership teams have had a strong defense in just about any era.

I'll watch with great interest what clubs do when Giants and Gold Coast teams really start to mature and Giants with Jeremy Cameron I sense have something special to build a great forward line. Most sides seem to struggle to get more than one decent size key back too so I feel Giants will be a handfull in a few years times if recruiters at clubs don't start getting a few more big strong key defenders.

I have a funny feeling how North opened up Freo on weekend will make a few more coaches sit up and take notice.

Still looking to me like Hawks and Cats most likely to see success this year because Cats seem to have the best balance of game style between attack and defending and Hawks are the most precise kicking side and can really cut sides up.

I felt Gold Coast would make the 8 this year and everything I seen so far points towards that. They did however get a decent touch up by Hawks a few rounds back. Charlie Dixon and Bennell are back now too. So Gold Coast only going to get better. I really like how the big guys are developing nicely along. They got some strong bodied key defenders and strong bodied key talls so they are well set up for next few years to handle what most teams can throw at them. Really jealous of their list and would love a Rory Thompson type key defender.
 
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MovingUpward

Michael Tuck Club
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There telling me can't log in...contact customer service..anyone got any options???
Only time it has ever happened to me, I ran around the room with my hands in the air shrieking... But once I calmed down, clearing the cache worked. Hopefully it's not a problem from their end...
 
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bravo. They need to realise that scores are posted left right and centre regardless of what they do. Even if they made it so you cant copy/past then enter print screen.

ps they still havent sent me the footy I won months ago. I think im gona send them a troll email later
I don't remember writing "bravo" that word so isn't me lol. But bravo all the same lol
 

DeliciousJedi

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For a public figure I don't really like as a person, I find myself agreeing with Caro far too much lately.

Agreed about her Arrow tonight in regards to the Fixturing.

Staggered opening round was bad. Too many Monday/Thursday games already (Anzac/Easter contributes) but then straight into the byes...and we have another split round 2 months later.

One of the worst seasons I think.
 
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For a public figure I don't really like as a person, I find myself agreeing with Caro far too much lately.

Agreed about her Arrow tonight in regards to the Fixturing.

Staggered opening round was bad. Too many Monday/Thursday games already (Anzac/Easter contributes) but then straight into the byes...and we have another split round 2 months later.

One of the worst seasons I think.
The fixturing is bad this season but also the low scoring games , lowest in time most of us been alive which is less appealing in general to go and watch. 34,000 for Cats v Tigers at G suggest play in down in Geelong.
But I noticed crowds lower this season for the most part.
The Dons v Dogs crowd was not big for a Saturday night clash involving two local clubs so the league need to have a good look at a few things about this season that is turning people off a bit.
I really HATE Monday night football. If there was a public holiday the next day, then fine but it really sucks for so many reasons otherwise. Sunday night games don't appeal to me either but least it is still part of weekend.

I do however, like twilight footy on Saturday.

I love football in Adelaide is within their city now.
It's a big plus for Crows and Port as clubs.

I think they need to remove football being played at Homebush though. That surface is just horrible to play aussie rules footy on.
If you are trying to open new people to football, why play it on a surface most players cannot show their full set of skills on ? Just stupid and time to act and say goodbye or completely invest in some way to get a real surface suitable for elite aussie rules footy.
 

Mr.RoidRagers

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Staggered opening round was bad. Too many Monday/Thursday games already (Anzac/Easter contributes) but then straight into the byes...and we have another split round 2 months later.
Get used to it. AD sold the AFL to Foxtel and that's that for the contracts term I would imagine. Foxtel need to try and recoup some of the money they have spent and the only way to do it is by getting every-game live on at a different time slot.

The problem with all that is that the games between 2nd division you now find yourself watching instead of choosing the 1st division games. The rubbish games have always been around we just chose not to watch them.

The crowds are down but the main culprits are the reserve seat fiasco and the MCC. The AFL needs to renegotiate to get the light green seats in the top section of the MCC and open them up for GA or GA Club members. Every week I go watch the Pies these prime seats are empty and people are forced to sit at the back of the stands behind all the reserve seats. If you're a walk up kind of follower you soon lose interest and retire to the TV/pub/Foxtel. The AFL have really messed this up as well.

I doubt the new man can fix things quickly but hopefully he is aware otherwise nothing changes the arrogance continues and the AFL gravy train continues. Time for these clowns to start actually going to and from games on public transport and buying walk up GA tickets instead of hiding in the glass boxes. Maybe once they have some perspective they will realise why Mums and Dads aren't taking their families.
 

Krieks

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Get used to it. AD sold the AFL to Foxtel and that's that for the contracts term I would imagine. Foxtel need to try and recoup some of the money they have spent and the only way to do it is by getting every-game live on at a different time slot.

The problem with all that is that the games between 2nd division you now find yourself watching instead of choosing the 1st division games. The rubbish games have always been around we just chose not to watch them.

The crowds are down but the main culprits are the reserve seat fiasco and the MCC. The AFL needs to renegotiate to get the light green seats in the top section of the MCC and open them up for GA or GA Club members. Every week I go watch the Pies these prime seats are empty and people are forced to sit at the back of the stands behind all the reserve seats. If you're a walk up kind of follower you soon lose interest and retire to the TV/pub/Foxtel. The AFL have really messed this up as well.

I doubt the new man can fix things quickly but hopefully he is aware otherwise nothing changes the arrogance continues and the AFL gravy train continues. Time for these clowns to start actually going to and from games on public transport and buying walk up GA tickets instead of hiding in the glass boxes. Maybe once they have some perspective they will realise why Mums and Dads aren't taking their families.
100% agree re crowds. I think cost/ticketing also plays a massive part. Went it a bombers game a few weeks back and our group couldn't get seats together so decided to do standing room. Ended up paying the same as a reserves seat, then the lady stamps 'standing room only' in red ink. So while we paid the price of an actual seat we now couldn't use them if we wanted!
Add that to the whole members having to upgrade thing.. And the fact live footy on TV is so easily accessible I'm surprised the crowds haven't dropped further.
Become rapidly disillusioned with AFL right here..
 
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For a public figure I don't really like as a person, I find myself agreeing with Caro far too much lately.

Agreed about her Arrow tonight in regards to the Fixturing.

Staggered opening round was bad. Too many Monday/Thursday games already (Anzac/Easter contributes) but then straight into the byes...and we have another split round 2 months later.

One of the worst seasons I think.
The worst decision is to have only one Sunday game and a Monday match this round. They should have had the Monday night match last night and given Carlton and St.Kilda the bye this week.
 
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A few non-Supercoach, AFL questions... I've only been watching AFL for about 2 years, I love it as a sport and spend a ton of time watching it. I'd love to get to know more about it (SC has been my path so far!).

... Where can I read more about the game from a tactics / style / strategy / history perspective? I'm a "soccer" supporter, so in soccer there are very clear styles (and have been historically). Are there teams that have played in a certain way over the years? Who has pushed the boundaries? What is the next evolution for the game?

... secondly, as a sport I notice what appears to be a lot of poor decision making: shots at goal that are never going to go in, or "aimless" kicks attempted that are clearly low-percentage likelihood. Is this just "part of the game" or a sign of some of the weaker teams/players (or perhaps fatigue)?

Thanks all :)
 
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... secondly, as a sport I notice what appears to be a lot of poor decision making: shots at goal that are never going to go in, or "aimless" kicks attempted that are clearly low-percentage likelihood. Is this just "part of the game" or a sign of some of the weaker teams/players (or perhaps fatigue)?

Thanks all :)
You're probably nailed half of it there with weaker teams/players and fatigue.

One thing that you may or may not be noticing in the game is the way teams set up their defensive structures. Each player will either have a specific role or a specific area to cover when they are defending. Often the aim is to push teams to the boundary to have their shots for goal or give them no realistic targets to kick to when they're attempting to move in to their forward half of the ground (which is where you see the 'kick to no-one' or the kick to a contest).

Teams like Hawthorn/Collingwood/Geelong have done this very successfully over recent years and is the reason for a lot of their success as these turnovers often allow them to quickly transition their defensive set up in to an offensive set up. I recommend to watch a few Fremantle or Sydney games from previous years as an example of how defensively minded and negating a team's playing style can be (as we're also seeing Paul Roos do to Melbourne's current list).

It might also be worth spending a period of a game (preferably attending a live one so you don't have to watch where the TV tells you) and just watch how the defensive side sets up when the opposition has the ball.

Love that you're getting in to the game - it's the best sport in the world!
 
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Has anybody got any information on the proposed 18 player positional changes?
Mentioned on the FF tweet and the linked podcast.
Not sure if these proposed changes would be just for AF only, that wouldn't seem right.
I suppose there has been a precedent with Blicavs becoming Ruc/Mid last year after starting just as Mid.
Apparently these 18 player positional changes are to be released Thursday.
As I understand it none of these 18 players will lose their current position, but rather gain DPP.
 

Squiz

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Has anybody got any information on the proposed 18 player positional changes?
Mentioned on the FF tweet and the linked podcast.
Not sure if these proposed changes would be just for AF only, that wouldn't seem right.
I suppose there has been a precedent with Blicavs becoming Ruc/Mid last year after starting just as Mid.
Apparently these 18 player positional changes are to be released Thursday.
As I understand it none of these 18 players will lose their current position, but rather gain DPP.
Wow haven't heard of this. Geez this will shake things up a bit if true! Ablett 14 goals in 7 games enough to get DPP?
Blicavs was a one off, butlove the idea of a mid-year update of positions since obviously players positions change from the start of the year.
 

DeliciousJedi

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Has anybody got any information on the proposed 18 player positional changes?
Mentioned on the FF tweet and the linked podcast.
Not sure if these proposed changes would be just for AF only, that wouldn't seem right.
I suppose there has been a precedent with Blicavs becoming Ruc/Mid last year after starting just as Mid.
Apparently these 18 player positional changes are to be released Thursday.
As I understand it none of these 18 players will lose their current position, but rather gain DPP.
I'd say that (Blicavs) was more a correctional change because they stuffed up big when doing the positions post-draft (November time)
 
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Collingwood
Has anybody got any information on the proposed 18 player positional changes?
Mentioned on the FF tweet and the linked podcast.
Not sure if these proposed changes would be just for AF only, that wouldn't seem right.
I suppose there has been a precedent with Blicavs becoming Ruc/Mid last year after starting just as Mid.
Apparently these 18 player positional changes are to be released Thursday.
As I understand it none of these 18 players will lose their current position, but rather gain DPP.
Champion data boys trying to catch the pack. Rigging scores only gets them into the top 10,000.
 
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