I think the “stupid” remark was uncalled for, at least they won, I think given that they had a shit season, this was needed for them. Who gives a fuck about draft picks at this point? A win is a win.
I am with you TroiBoi. They performed good, not great, but good enough to secure the win.
Melbourne and Port Adelaide confirmed their places in the top four today, beating Hawthorn and Fremantle respectively. Next Sunday’s matches will decide the qualifying final matchups.
Former Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick has joined Gold Coast as its new senior coach, in a six-year deal. He will commence his role after the Suns’ game against North Melbourne this Saturday.
Paging @VictorianSun: how are you feeling? Finals debut in the next two seasons you’d think.
Premiership 2024
Ha! No chance
The Suns need to make the finals first. That’s the minimum.
It’s going to take time to build the squad that is capable of winning too. As it stands, the suns dont quite have that yet
Giving Hardwick 6 years allows him sufficient time to do that. That said if Hardwick fails you’ve got to ask serious questions about the future of the club - theyll have had everything necessary for success
A couple more priority picks should do it.
Gold Coast teams just haven’t been successful in any sport… A-League and NBL have been and gone, the Titans are just OK in the NRL without ever looking threatening.
I think professional sportspeople see the place as a bit too laid back for sporting success.
It’s usually where NRL players go in the twilight of their careers for a payday.
Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph reports tonight that the AFL is trying to avoid a repeat of last Saturday’s goal umpire blunder in the dying minutes of the Crows-Swans match, by urging all goal umpires to refer every borderline call to the ARC review system.
The league has been urged by senior coaches including Craig McRae to abandon the “soft” call by goal umpires that often has so much bearing on a review, instead allowing the ARC to judge a goal or behind on the balance of probabilities.
Instead for the finals the league will install its best ARC officials who might otherwise only be used for one or two games each weekend.
A senior ARC official will have extra communication with the goal umpire through their headset.
That official will ensure an extra set of eyes and will urge the goal umpire to hold up play before he or she signals a goal or behind if the ARC believes a decision should be reviewed.
UPDATE 25/8
Demote Essendon down to the VFL. This is horrific.
Yep. Crowd is absolutely disgusted at their play.
Collingwood could end up with more goals than Essendon’s total score at this rate (12 goals v 16 points as I type).
Collingwood finished with 16 goals, three times Essendon’s total score. The final scores were 16.5 (101) to 3.13 (31).
With tonight’s win, the Pies claimed their 20th minor premiership in VFL/AFL history, and for the first time since 2011.
Essendon 
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It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Geelong vs Western Bulldogs and Carlton vs GWS, with Dogs and Giants both battling for that 8th spot on the ladder!
The 20 game losing streak is over for North Melbourne! North Melbourne smash the Gold Coast Suns by 35 points in Blundstone Arena, Hobart. I was a bit worried that North Melbourne might win the wooden spoon, but they played very well. I hope North Melbourne will lift next year.
Western Bulldogs kept their season alive, beating Geelong by 25 points at GMHBA Stadium tonight. It’s the Bulldogs’ first win at the venue for 20 years. The team is now 8th, but will need Carlton to win against GWS tomorrow to qualify for the finals.
Earlier, Brisbane tied up second spot by defeating St Kilda by 12 points, keeping the perfect winning record at The Gabba this year.
