00:00:00
Speaker 1: All right, are you ready?

00:00:01
Speaker 2: Right?

00:00:02
Speaker 1: I was born ready, Flag Pile's back on the menu, Umpire Chaos, Sam Butler becomes a hero and Josh Tracy proofs that some forwards can't be defenders. It is the Code Sports AFL Show. We're back for another week and the finals are kicking off. My name is Josh Barnes. I've got Ed Burke and Lauren Woods joined us as a third person on our episode. Welcome Lauren.

00:00:25
Speaker 3: Glorious to be on the couch.

00:00:27
Speaker 2: You've got the Code hoodie in tow so well and truly coming back.

00:00:31
Speaker 3: If there's merch involved.

00:00:32
Speaker 1: And editor, it's a big week for you. We'll get to that later. But how are you feeling. We'll talk about your big Grand Final at the end of the show.

00:00:38
Speaker 4: Oh yes, yeah yeah, huge week for the s Aris Lesion Football Club. Also huge week for a few AFL teams too, but I'll get to.

00:00:45
Speaker 1: That about that before we get to the finals. It's time for the first bounds it's rule changes season this time of the year. Were always into that the first imprint on the game from the new footy boss is potentially a last disposal at a bounds rule. What do you guys, firstly, think of that, we'll keep that quick. What do you think, Loan, I don't mind it.

00:01:01
Speaker 2: I think it's worth So we see the big lasso in the afl W. Of course it's worked in the sandfull. Talk to people over in Adelaide. They absolutely love it, obviously between the arcs.

00:01:11
Speaker 3: So I don't know. I quite like Swannee actually just giving something a go to be honest.

00:01:16
Speaker 4: One thing that caught my John Rals's report for us was that the if a player sits back and waits for the ball to leave go past the boundary a lum because the other team's kicked it and it's on course to head out the umpike and pull it back and say, now you're waiting for the ball, we're not going to give you the free kick. So there are still some trying to remove the ambiguity a little bit, but that throws something else into the mix that could be interesting.

00:01:36
Speaker 1: Yeah, how deliberate is it deliberate pulling up short to not touch the ball as it goes out. That'll be interesting. The intent behind that will be something to watch. Rules on the agenda, we thought about rules and what ones we could add in Lauren, you're a big fan of posters coming off and coming back into play.

00:01:52
Speaker 3: Yeah, I think so a waffle rule.

00:01:53
Speaker 2: It's not quite Michael Warner's ad meter goal square territory from a few years back, which was floated at one stage, but I quite like the idea of quickening up the game a little bit. Now. I'm not in the camp of cutting quarters significantly, but I like that.

00:02:08
Speaker 3: Sort of notion.

00:02:10
Speaker 2: I think the poster is probably a quick and easy fix, a little bit like the ruck, the quick throw up that could potentially, you know, just achieve that little sort of shave off of what's been the real drift in in quarter length growing I think, particularly when we get to this time of the season, and not to liken it back to AFLW all the time, but you go from covering those games that are sort of sixteen minute quarters with a bit of time on it, and then you come to a men's game.

00:02:35
Speaker 3: And does it feel long? So I think in this era every sport's trying to do it.

00:02:40
Speaker 2: I think that'd be just a quick and easy one to keep the game flowing and the excitement to see if it's going to go through all bounce back in.

00:02:47
Speaker 3: But I don't know we were talking.

00:02:48
Speaker 2: In the office before, Josh, I don't think you necessarily agree.

00:02:51
Speaker 1: Well, and yeah, before we get to my opinion, do you what do you think about the ball shaving the post and going through and still being a goal. I think Eddy McGuire's raised it over the years that if it hits the post and still go through, that saves us looking up whether it's slightly touched the person have to go to snickert.

00:03:04
Speaker 2: No, I'm having a bit each way here because I would still allow that to be a goal. It's an interesting argument, isn't it for me to who's been such a big advocate for things like the ball tracking technology which we obviously have in the w at the moment, which I think we're all assuming is a precursor to the men's If we've got this technology at our disposal, it's realistically only going to get better.

00:03:23
Speaker 3: So a quick shave through in a goal, Happy to allow it.

00:03:26
Speaker 2: But a poster coming back in this is someone of course who's never actually played a game in their life and don't.

00:03:31
Speaker 3: Know what that scramble would be like. I think as a viewer, I think it'd be only a good addition.

00:03:36
Speaker 5: We finally got that technology as well.

00:03:37
Speaker 4: This is the first week we've had access to the high res camera and it made a pretty strong start. So I think now that we've got that, we maybe don't need the shaving the post and going through for a goal.

00:03:47
Speaker 1: Yeah. I don't hate the ball coming back in and it's play on. I think that's okay, that'll be fun. I think that's a good rule. But I think the idea of the ball hitting the post and going through and just being decided as a goal is just ridiculous. I think we start losing parts of it game that we love once we start doing that sort of stuff, which potentially we have been over and over again with the bounce and all that sort of stuff. I just don't like losing parts of footy. And you are all over the rucks in this situation.

00:04:11
Speaker 5: I want to ruck free for all next season.

00:04:13
Speaker 3: Just get rid of no nomination, get rid of.

00:04:16
Speaker 4: Some of the rules no nomination, bring back third man up. I want to see Matt Rowe getting in the path of Tim English blocking his run at the ball. Apologies to any of the teams who might have invested heavily in Ruckman recently. I can't think of anyone particular.

00:04:27
Speaker 3: But no baseside teams definitely no.

00:04:31
Speaker 4: I think they might be in a difficult spot if that happens. But greg'swan's having a look at center bouncers and maybe stopping the ruckman from running over that line, bring back the line in the middle of the center square for them for them to run over. I think just get rid of some of these contact rules. Half the time we saw There was a Melbourne Sydney game a couple of months ago where Maxicown and Brody Grundy. There was about four free kicks paid at boundary throw ins, and on every occasion they both went back expecting to be given the free kick because they had no idea what was going to be paid. So the more that we can just let the two rucks go at it rather than paying little finicky free kicks, would would be a big plus.

00:05:04
Speaker 3: And please on that. Not to cut you off, Josh, but just throw the ball up, Umpires. I know you watch this, Just throw it up. Stop waiting around. I mean you play at the local level.

00:05:14
Speaker 2: We all stand there on a Saturday afternoon and this stuff trickles down our counts stand waiting for a ruckman to run from the other end of the ground to nominate for the rock contest.

00:05:22
Speaker 1: Yeah, the ruck stuck in the back pocket and you have to wait from it all the way down. They never run that fast, like it's just a way severyone's time. I'm onto the ruck as well. I would get rid of the circle to be honest, and just have them charging on each other like in the old days. We missed those a cluck eating running from twenty meters away to charge these other rock We've got a bit scared about knees on knees and that sort of thing. But nobody jumps as it is right now, So then maybe a long run ups.

00:05:45
Speaker 4: I say, let the bounce go anywhere potentially, if you're getting rid of the circle as.

00:05:48
Speaker 1: Well, I would keep the bounce and get rid of the recalls and just make it more chaotic. I think we're playing with oval football trying to make it play like a round ball. It's just never going to work, and I don't really understand. Also, I'm going on more of a tangent here, but why we start tailoring rules to help umpires, I don't really get. We've decided we need to get rid of the bounce because it helps them avoid back injuries. Part of the discussion about this last disposal rule, which I don't hate as a rule, but part of that is helping umpires so they don't have to make deliberate calls. Why are we helping the umpires. Why are we're making the game easier for them? See, I'm still making it a better game.

00:06:21
Speaker 2: I will make a case against your point on that one, only because like, we just need umpires in the game, right, Like I've had days at the local footy where you know, you're the fourth match of the day at four point thirty and you've got an umpire that is you're the third game for the day, because it's just.

00:06:38
Speaker 3: This incredible shortage. I know the great Sam Landsberg is.

00:06:41
Speaker 2: Reporting around female umpires who were driven away from the game. I think in this climate that we've got at the moment, and it may shift in years, Tacam if we do end up with an influx. I know there's been different leavers that the AFL has tried to pull over the years in terms of umpire participation.

00:06:57
Speaker 3: But I'm the opposite to you, Barnsi.

00:06:59
Speaker 2: I think anything that we can do to make up hiring easier, make it more appealing to wider groups of people. I know we had our first game a few weeks ago with all female boundary umpires, which is great to see. But anything that we can do to make this incredibly gray game, as you put it before, Ed, just that little bit easier and not put people off being part of it, I reckon we can get behind.

00:07:22
Speaker 4: I'm not sure if we have it both ways and criticize them very heavily during the week but also make it more difficult for them to officiate.

00:07:28
Speaker 1: That's a difficult job. We always talk about how heart it is so looking at I'm sorry, but it should be a hard job. That's what it is now. I could go on and on, and we probably have for too long. Let's be on to the finals. At the big selection news waveleyt will be Kelsha Dear's hamstring injury. He's out of that trip to play Adelaide. Who's coming in for him?

00:07:47
Speaker 4: So Mitch Lewis kicked four goals in the VFL. The issue that the Hawks face with the bounce of their forward line is that Calsha Dear is quite a good ground level pressure sort of player, has been very low possessioned since he came back into the team in the second part of the season. He offers something that is a bit different to Lewis. So whether they want to go back to bring another tool in to keep a similar bounce to what they've had, or potentially have another look at Luke Bruce coming in.

00:08:10
Speaker 5: As the sub because we saw how effective Josh Weddle.

00:08:12
Speaker 4: Was when he was thrown forward against the Giants, so that might be something they go for again against the Crows.

00:08:17
Speaker 3: Interesting, warn't it.

00:08:18
Speaker 2: I think the Crows have got a lot of thinking to do in that game. I'd love to see Mitch Lewis back in just before we move on from the Hawks.

00:08:25
Speaker 3: And of course Jack Innovan, your man Barnsey.

00:08:27
Speaker 2: He's heading back to Adelaide after that famous journo running, of course, But I think from Adelaide's point of view, you know, not only is Isaac Rankin sort of back in contention should they make a Grand Final. So they've obviously got plenty to play for on a lot of fronts, but I think they're sort of key players. Are the ones that need to lift. I think I had to look at the Champion data numbers this morning and Jordan Dawson, of course, the captain.

00:08:48
Speaker 3: Many argued he should have been the All Australian captain. Sorry, Jez.

00:08:53
Speaker 2: It was his second lowest rated game for the season based on sort of his own performances, so I think he'd be really disappointed that.

00:09:00
Speaker 3: You know, he really needs to lift.

00:09:02
Speaker 2: You know, there's a lot of questions that I think they're going to be asking themselves over the last few days.

00:09:07
Speaker 3: But I think it's going to be absolutely.

00:09:09
Speaker 2: Huge the crowd over at Adelaide Oval g. They're going to be up and about again with guinea front and square.

00:09:14
Speaker 3: For the Hawks.

00:09:15
Speaker 1: Fascinating watch how the crowd reacts to Guineaman and everyone else. So it'll be a real test of their booing capabilities. If they remember that Jack Gunston used to play for them, it's been a long long time. That'll be a real test. And they're booing Billy Frampton on the weekend, so if he's being booed, then maybe they can remember that Jack Gunsten refused to go that best in Fairest about fifteen years ago now, or just don't boom.

00:09:34
Speaker 3: I don't know. I'm not a boo on myself.

00:09:35
Speaker 2: I love a humorous, not abusive sledge over the boundary line.

00:09:42
Speaker 3: Humor is always key. Never play the man, but just don't boom. I don't know. I don't know if it's that hard.

00:09:48
Speaker 4: I think jack Inevan would be disappointed if he wasn't booed. He has been, probably for the last twelve to eighteen months. He's been building quite a I think he's trying to be a bit of a pantomime villain towards those who live in Adelaide. Was teeing off about nothing to do in the city and that kind of thing. You had stay indoors playing his PlayStation when he wasn't there. He's been trying to construct a bit of an anti Adelaide image, So I think you'd be disappointed if there wasn't a bit of booing. I'm not sure if it was taken in the vein that it was intended to be by the people of Adelaide and the Crow supporters.

00:10:18
Speaker 5: But we'll see how that goes.

00:10:20
Speaker 3: If you're the journal that door stopped him, do you go back again.

00:10:26
Speaker 5: A sequel?

00:10:27
Speaker 1: Do you put your hand up to go back again and you get told to go back again?

00:10:30
Speaker 3: I'm not sure I would. I don't know.

00:10:32
Speaker 2: I've never really thought about it until right this very second when it's come to me.

00:10:35
Speaker 3: In the moment. But I think you'd show your chops if you did.

00:10:39
Speaker 1: There's been a lot of reviewing and it's a real chance to make amends for any errors in that initial doorstop. This is your chance to really get back out there and it would be great for your profile. I would think if you can go back in Naily, you go, wouldn't you.

00:10:52
Speaker 4: No, it would be a difficult one, just the way he sort of giggled a little bit at the nature of the question.

00:10:57
Speaker 5: I don't know if I could cope.

00:10:58
Speaker 1: With bad interviewing those situations. Quick tips before we move on Crows Hawks.

00:11:05
Speaker 4: I think Adelaide will pull it together. I think they've had too good a season to drop out in straight sets. That first final will be helpful experience. I think they can. They can correct the record against the Hawks.

00:11:15
Speaker 2: Yeah, I think they will too. Will day out Calsha dear Out. I know he hasn't set the world on fire this season, but you know, another target for them potentially up forward.

00:11:24
Speaker 3: I don't think Adelaide can be that bad again.

00:11:26
Speaker 1: Yeah, Crows to me as well, which is a bit boring. So hopefully have a bit more of a split in the Q clash of the Pineapple Grapple. Lauren, as you said, you've been going through a lot of numbers. What have you noticed in Brisbane slash Gold Coast on who needs to improve for what is the biggest game in Queensland.

00:11:39
Speaker 2: Well, the biggest improver needs to come from the middle for the lines and that's Humor Pluggage we spoke about Jordan Dawson. Was his second lowest rated performance. Unfortunately, Humant Pluggage was completely clamped on the weekend.

00:11:51
Speaker 3: He was completely shut out of that game.

00:11:52
Speaker 1: And it was still in his back pocket.

00:11:54
Speaker 3: I think, so, yeah, Sleepy back to Bridge firmly next to him in here.

00:11:58
Speaker 2: But he Yeah, it was by far his lowest rated performance by his as I say, his standards the champion data Kalate for the season, he was lowest for disposals, He only had ninety three meters gained and basically, you know.

00:12:12
Speaker 3: None of his sort of usual involvements there at the coal face.

00:12:15
Speaker 2: So I think he's the sort of player, particularly with the absence of Locke Neil and Eric Kipwood now you know, two such key players for the Lions. He knows now he's really going to have to step up in their absence, doesn't he. So he's one that's really going to need to leave the charge. Kyle Lohman another I think who would have been disappointed with his performance as well.

00:12:34
Speaker 3: So I think I think Brisbane obviously a lot.

00:12:38
Speaker 2: I mean, it goes without saying it's so cliche to say that there's a lot to play for, but you know you were saying about Adelaide couldn't potentially you know, need to get it together. Gold Coast I think, on the other hand, are on the obviously other side of the roller coaster, if you like, in that they were so up for that win against Fremantle. You just worry with a team that hasn't been there before coming up against a team like Risbone that has gone all the way as recently as last season. I think from a Gold Coast point of view. You know, Sam Collins, he was fantastic. I think it was his highest rated performance for the year, stoic down back. But you just sort of worry, don't you that are they going to be able to get themselves up again? You know, it's a big travel to Perth. It was a big emotional travel or on a few fronts but yeah, I worry for the Suns where the dim is going to be able to get them up again.

00:13:25
Speaker 4: I think there will be any concerns that Matt Raw and Noah Anderson won't be up for the game.

00:13:29
Speaker 5: Though.

00:13:29
Speaker 4: That was so impressive against the Dockers, just the way those two midfields went head to head. It was so exciting to watch. And I know that Josh Dunkley has a pretty good record clamping down on Matt Row, He's been quite good at negating him. But I just think with those two there crashing in, it's going to be really difficult for the Lions.

00:13:44
Speaker 1: They're fascinating this year. The first game, Brisbane's midfield just destroyed Gold Coast and embarrassed them, and then the second game was the opposite. The Gold Coast midfield responded and destroyed them the other way. So it's a real fifty to fifty whichever one you believe will go. I guess into that final ed you were looking at the team for David Sawl was everyone's hero coming out that weekend. But does he play again?

00:14:03
Speaker 4: Yeah, so it had him out of the team when he missed that short kick to send a half forward. Looks a little looks a little slow. I think he couldn't find someone deep so he slowed down. It made him look like he didn't have much pace as he was almost getting mode. But then obviously it came good with the kick at the end. I think they can go for that one again, a bit of the emotional lift that it gives them that The other option that probably got is Jake Rodgers, who was admitted last week. But he's someone they can have a look at if they think they need the extra small forward to turn to him the twenty three. I think Swallow gets another gig.

00:14:36
Speaker 2: He's a leaver specialist dimmer and we know he knows this time of year well, and I know he'll have something up his sleeve. But Jiz, you're a brave man to change that team, aren't you. From what they achieved on the road. You know we saw the scenes in the rooms afterwards. He was jubilant to say the least. You know, all the family's in there in the thick of it too, So I think it's I think it's a very big risk.

00:14:56
Speaker 3: As you say, he was such a core player in that win. Now he could potentially get back to Queensland. Do it in front of the home state crowd. I think he plays.

00:15:06
Speaker 1: Yeah, A lot of questions for Chrius Fagan's election too. Charlie Ouren's dreadful. I guess they have to keep him potentially running through the midfield to get him around the ball, and they have to change up their forward line. All three of their to all forwards Tyger Gallup, Logan Morris and Sam Day were nowhere near it on Friday night. They were completely blanketed by the Cats. I reckon they have to bring in Oscar Macinnernie and maybe pushed Darcy fort Ford or rotate that or something, because the way they were setting up now just definitely wasn't working on the weekend tips before we move on Gold Coast.

00:15:34
Speaker 4: For me, I think they'll be just so bullish after that effort in Perth, and the lines without Neil and just with those forward issues just look a bit vulnerable to me.

00:15:43
Speaker 3: You know what. I was sitting here ready to say Brisbane, but I think.

00:15:47
Speaker 2: I'm I'm edis Swayed go the Guava. I think I'm Team Pink for the Gold Coast Suns. Of course they're wearing that now famous jumper. Yeah, I think I've totally been swayed by the allure of Ed Burr. When you put it like that, you.

00:16:02
Speaker 3: Know Brisbane completely off the boil.

00:16:04
Speaker 2: I've tipped them all season for the finals and it's falling apart at the final hurdle.

00:16:08
Speaker 3: But you know what, why not let's go.

00:16:11
Speaker 4: I've been easily seduced by gold Coast all year. I've been unreasonably excited about him a few times. I could be going too far that way, but oh, it's hard got to be.

00:16:18
Speaker 2: You've got Bailey Humphrey, you got Will Powell, you know like it's they're easy to get sucked into it. And as I say, Dimmer, if there's one thing we know about him any time at Richmond, there'll be a lovely ace up the sleeve. We've seen the all gas, no breaks sort of mentality. The NFL bent on it. He'll have something to pull out on about Thursday or Friday, I think, to really get them going.

00:16:38
Speaker 1: Yeah, I saw now Anderson was wearing that all gas, no brakes T shirt and then at the airport. I don't know where we can get one of those to wear on the Code show next week. That looked great. We'll move into our season reviews. We missed a couple of teams last week. We'll be quick going through these. We just a status update on where teams are at. Western Bulldogs were one of those sides that missed the nine. Was the biggest side that missed the eighth alone. You've been closely following the Bulldogs. Well, they just unlucky to finish ninth, or is this an issue for them?

00:17:03
Speaker 2: Well, if we sit here next year, they could well and truly still be in because we could be looking at obviously a final ten if we get the wild card round off the ground under Greeks one, which I know he's firmly looking at. I mean, I don't think there's anything unlucky about it, because I think for teams that are around that sort of region, it sort of doesn't come down to the last game, doesn't it.

00:17:25
Speaker 3: I know that probably sounds a little bit.

00:17:26
Speaker 2: Cliche to say it, but it just should never have got to that. You know, there was there was so much bubbling along in the background all season, which I think you could argue was a distraction at times.

00:17:34
Speaker 3: But I think you've got.

00:17:36
Speaker 2: A team with Marcus Bonteenpelli in the middle kicking it to a forward line that's got Sam Darcy and Aaron Norton in it. I think they'd be left sort of ruining what they've left on the table. They really failed to capitalize there. Didn't they end on what should have been a prime season. You know, they re signed the coach at a pretty formative time of the season as well.

00:17:57
Speaker 3: I think that I know they've NFL programs really strong.

00:17:59
Speaker 2: They're still in the so none of the exit meetings, my understanding is, are going to happen until after that. But I think they'll be crying into their mad Monday beers when it finally happens after the VFL.

00:18:10
Speaker 4: It's hard to argue that they weren't the ninth best team in the competition as well, looking at the head to head results, I only beat GWS twice, and yeah, it just looked as though they weren't up to the scraps, that weren't able to defend the top eight sides in a way that they needed to. Look at the way that Geelong squeezed Brisbane last week, they just weren't capable of that. So that's what they need to work on. And obviously the big need is a key defender and they've been linked to the senior guys from Melbourne, Stephen May and Jake lev they've made that.

00:18:39
Speaker 5: Really bold offer to Callum Wilkie.

00:18:41
Speaker 4: Yeah, more than a million dollars a year, possibly over four years. So don't know whether that will be enough to entice Wilkie is probably the next Saints captain, but it's clear they're going to be aggressive to try and get that lockdown key defender to support Roy Lobb.

00:18:54
Speaker 1: Yeah, definitely they need a game plan revamp to be able to stop teams. Obviously their attacking site is great, but their defense was clearly the worst of those top nine teams and that's why they didn't play finals. At the other end, Essendon not a very good season. Could anything more have gone wrong?

00:19:09
Speaker 5: Yet not really not.

00:19:10
Speaker 4: On the injury front, almost every player who had come into the season with a bit of an injury history had recurrences and it was just awful for us. And then losing Nick Martin to the ACL was horrible too, because that's something that will affect his availability probably for the majority of the home and away season in twenty twenty six. And you could argue that he's their second best player behind Zach Merritt, So that's a really tough one to get around because they probably don't get their best twenty two to twenty three out in the park again until July August next year, probably have to wait until after those bar rounds and a lot of list decisions to make as well, because they've got the bloated list now at the four mid season recruits will probably want to hang on to two or three of those players, so they've got to cut pretty aggressively when it gets to those decisions in the coming week.

00:19:54
Speaker 1: Ian if you were one of those Essendon players that we're speculating about will be considering their futures, what would you be doing you how do you take stock of where this club is at and where it's headed and where your career would be going.

00:20:06
Speaker 2: Well, I'm assuming, I'm assuming you're inferring that I am to adopt the role of one starts with Z ends with Ack. That could potentially be the one and as we know, you know, like he said that he's staying, but that means nothing in the AFL circles at the moment.

00:20:22
Speaker 3: Does it.

00:20:24
Speaker 2: I'm a little bit torn on this because I think for someone like him who's been through so much at this club, put up with so much at this club. I wouldn't begrudge him for going at this point because I think he you know, as I said, it's been years and years of false dawns at this club for him and different coaches and different off field sort of setups and front office and all the rest of it. So I think he could be forgiven for wanting to go as he sort of hits that it's arguably the prime, probably the back end of his career, and we all know with the market that the way it is, he could do incredible things for his bank balance and set up the rest of his life with a club like Hawthorne, who it sounds like a sniffing around him. But by the same token, I can sort of see the case for the other side.

00:21:11
Speaker 3: When you talk to.

00:21:12
Speaker 2: Essendon people and they say that this was the year that they had to have. This is now the revamp.

00:21:16
Speaker 1: They've had a few years they've had to happen.

00:21:18
Speaker 3: There's been a few of those over the journey.

00:21:19
Speaker 2: You're not wrong, but you know, new fitness staff coming in, obviously a lot of change occurring there, and again it depends what side of the coin you sort of look at, you know, they've been able to blood some of these debutants too, So I guess it's now down to how they're going to sell this, isn't it in the off season. You're almost bringing in Melbourn's greatest real estate agent to sort of sell this to the players. But Jesus's a hard sell, isn't it at various aspects.

00:21:45
Speaker 4: Yeah, one thing I have seen and this hasn't come from Zach Meridor's camp, but it's the narrative that he doesn't know esend and anything like it, doesn't know the club anything.

00:21:53
Speaker 5: He's given all to the club. He has a right to look elsewhere.

00:21:56
Speaker 1: I think he wants they have to let him walk.

00:21:58
Speaker 4: Yeah, I think you do owe something to your club. And you can talk about the long term contracts that these players are on as well. But just the way that Nat Fiss spoke about Freemantle after the elimination final last week, he spoke beautifully about what the club meant.

00:22:10
Speaker 5: To him and what they've given him.

00:22:11
Speaker 4: And he's been arguably the greatest servant of the Freemantle Dockers. So these clubs are responsible for a players development. They give him their chance when they draft them. I think he does owe something to the Bombers, even if he has given them a lot over the last ten or eleven years. That's not that's not really a reason I would think to go. He he can just get his pick of where to go next season.

00:22:32
Speaker 2: And David Swallow too, I mean, he was the one that stayed when everybody else left, and we know that there has been an exodusedestenate and even as recently as a short time ago with Sam Draper making it official that he's out the door. Yeah, I think he could look at players like that. Tom Lynch left, Stephen May left, they all had success. David Swallow stayed and you know what, the dream is alive. So whether Zach Barrett was watching on Saturday night like all of us, you know, no fingernails left to see him salute, you know, to give him a little bit of hope about what could be.

00:23:03
Speaker 1: What would Esston fans give to see Zach Meher kick the winning point in a final. It's been a long time since they've won a final.

00:23:09
Speaker 3: Their left arm probably.

00:23:10
Speaker 1: At one point. Win would be amazing for them, and they take anything A bonus season review will chuck it in other side very quickly. Fremantle they fell out of the race and were they just young or were they letting themselves down still young?

00:23:21
Speaker 4: I think that win over the Bulldogs was a clear step forward. A couple of weeks ago that was basically like a finals win was yeah, yeah, in the same position. Last season against Port Adelaide, they really struggled under the so fumbly like a lot of their best players were clearly below their best in that game. But with it on the line against the Suns, they fought really hard. I think the last quarter again gives them that blueprint that when they when they move the ball quickly, go through the corridor, go fast and direct out of their back line, they really intimidate sides and they can they can move the ball really well. So Craig McCray likes it. You'd be shocked at that. Yeah, they've had coaches. I don't think Craig mcrazez the only one. I think there's another coach too. Mentioned when they go fast, they're hard to play again, Yeah, surely next year that is their default playing stuff. They're not chipping it to Luke Ryan in a pocket, so they've got someone safe to distribute the ball out of defense. I think they've got to find a quicker, more proactive, first option game style.

00:24:14
Speaker 2: I think when it goes well, it goes really well, but when it goes badly, it goes so badly, as we saw on Saturday night when Tracy made that move and just they basically just went to water in the moment, And that's really what they've just got to drill, isn't it over the off season. I know clubs practice this type of thing of every scenario, but it just looked like they were at sea completely. So I know it's a unique situation with Justin long Muir, but yeah, it was certainly another big I F for their season as they sit here now, isn't it.

00:24:46
Speaker 1: Yeah? Yeah, disappointing and with that role in contract means the pressure we'll just stay on just a long meal, which is interesting. It seems like we'll be sticking around, but they're going to have to win a final next year, just by our half final win this year that we were talking about quick ends time, are you men? Sam Draper before or on he's decided between Adelaide and Brisbane. I think we all think Brisbane's probably in pole position there for his services. After telling us, and then he's leaving. Where would you like rather live? Oh, if you're being paid a good eight hundred thousand dollars.

00:25:14
Speaker 3: I would say Brisbane because just weather.

00:25:18
Speaker 2: I mean, that's that's an easy answer to give great sort of the Felon's Brewery bar underneath the story bridge.

00:25:25
Speaker 3: No, I think Brisbane's got a lot going.

00:25:26
Speaker 5: For humid though in Adelaide you get more of a dry heat.

00:25:29
Speaker 4: And Sam Draper's got those locks to think about, like, that's got to be something.

00:25:32
Speaker 3: Yeah, Glenelg's got Yeah, that's also got a nice ring to it.

00:25:35
Speaker 2: Look, I'm getting eight hundred if I'm getting your sort of wage ed you know, realistically, you can take your pick of where you live.

00:25:42
Speaker 3: But no, I'm a Queensland girl at heart. I've lived a Victoria my entire life. But no, I love I love Queensland.

00:25:50
Speaker 2: So the pineapple grapple, as you put it, I'm a big pineapple lover.

00:25:52
Speaker 3: So yeah, i'd be up there, right.

00:25:55
Speaker 4: I think I think from an off field perspective, and you sort of revert to what you know, and I'd be leaning Adelaide. I think from a football perspective, he's got Riley O'Brien on the record saying he wouldn't be particularly happy if if Draper came over and they had to form some kind of rat combination. And Brisbane's need for Draper is pretty clear, so I think I think he might be moving more from a footballing perspective. But Brisbane does have that man made. I think they're the only city in Australia to have the man made in a city swing gear. Yeah, that's got to be a bit of a draw cut.

00:26:24
Speaker 3: Can't surf there though.

00:26:25
Speaker 2: I know he loves his waves drapers, so yeah, it's a hell of a decision he's got to make.

00:26:31
Speaker 3: But obviously leaning towards the lines by the sound.

00:26:33
Speaker 1: Obviously he's a big trady beer kind of guy. But I'm more of a Coopers than a four X man myself, so I'd probably be leaning towards Adelaide in that respect, which leads us into Connor Nash talking about Guinness. I had a good chat with him.

00:26:42
Speaker 3: I loved this story, my favorite story of the week.

00:26:44
Speaker 1: Yeah, out a chat to him on Monday. This isn't completely an Irish stereotype thing. He was speaking to the Guinness guru. A couple of months ago, so he's a genuine Guinness fan. He's brought in a couple of others to get on board. He described through the perfect Guinness plant, which is starting obviously with not having a dirty glass. I thought that was a pretty easy one to knock off. But you have to get domage right, which is the term I hadn't heard for, which is the frost going above the level of the of the glass. What do you like about Guinness ed? What's your what's your thoughts on the black beer?

00:27:15
Speaker 4: I agreed strongly with Connor's first hip, which was not to have soap in the glass because that does affect the flavor. I think I think he's onto something there. Guinness has gripped Melbourn by storm.

00:27:24
Speaker 1: It is crazy.

00:27:25
Speaker 4: Is it this winter or maybe the winter before? It just took off and I guess we've They've got they got the right taps now, so it doesn't it doesn't go doesn't go off.

00:27:33
Speaker 1: Guinness is too cold, which I hadn't thought about before. I did go to island last year and I didn't notice the temperature was different. It just tasted better over there.

00:27:42
Speaker 2: Well, I can't say I've ever tried one which I can't quite believe after reading it.

00:27:46
Speaker 3: Well, maybe I'll try one next time.

00:27:48
Speaker 2: I'm on the couch responsibly one in or maybe this is this can be my time to push my case for a an Australia versus Ireland International Rules Series men's or women's. I'll take anything, but it's a junket I'm putting my hand up for and I can make my Guinness debut in Dublin and report back.

00:28:06
Speaker 1: Yeah. On a serious note, he did speak Nash about how much the Irish influence in W has changed his perspective on the game and the perspective overall. It's been a monstrous influx of Irish women. How much has it changed what we've seen on the top.

00:28:21
Speaker 3: It's huge.

00:28:21
Speaker 2: I mean, like you look at Hawthorne, they've got a few up forward.

00:28:25
Speaker 3: It completely changes the way that they play the game.

00:28:27
Speaker 2: Like teams that have got a heavy Irish influence, they play fast, they play exciting football. Just don't go talking to some of the county coaches over in Ireland because where the AFLW season has moved to, because they don't get paid over there.

00:28:40
Speaker 3: It's an avid of competition.

00:28:41
Speaker 2: So naturally the girls led by the likes of Sarah Rowe, who's been out here for years.

00:28:47
Speaker 3: They all want to get down here and play. You know, it's a great environment.

00:28:49
Speaker 2: It's great whether there's there's such a massive cohort of them here. Now you can see why they're all making the trip over and of course you know, leaving their county crew behind with a few players less. But now I think it's only good for the competition and it has only continues to grow. I think we could start with something like origin for rep footing and maybe move to an international.

00:29:07
Speaker 3: Rules in a year or two.

00:29:08
Speaker 4: You're not a serious team right now in the AFLW. If you don't have an Irish statamo in your forward line, it can pinch it in the midfield. That seems to be the blueprint right now.

00:29:14
Speaker 1: Yeah, definitely make sure you drink responsibly. Of course, after that discussion about his most important news of the podcast ed you've Grand Final on Sunday. Talk us through the matchup where you play on the field. We need to know everything.

00:29:25
Speaker 5: Big week for theious.

00:29:27
Speaker 4: Legion's expecting a superman so could.

00:29:31
Speaker 5: Have just ripped up.

00:29:31
Speaker 4: We haven't got the code tear off clothing yet. That that merchandise has, but yeah, it's been a very special year for a sarious lusion my first year at the club and they've been through some tough times in the last few years, so it's so.

00:29:43
Speaker 1: Have you been the difference.

00:29:45
Speaker 4: I've had a lot of the older people at the club pointed out that I sort of just sort of cherry pits have kind of swanned in at a time when the club was on the app. It's very funny that the senior men's team has the kind of age profile of an AFL side. The average age is about twenty two. I haven't really seen anything like it that at local level, but it's been extremely fun It's a great group and Grand finals for the seniors and reserves this weekend, which is a really exciting chance to do something special. And shout out to the women's team who won the flag in extra time last week. Kicks a point in the last minute to level the scores and then got the job done in extra time, so very impressive.

00:30:18
Speaker 3: Well, I've set the tone the girl, so you've got to live up to it.

00:30:20
Speaker 2: Most importantly, of course, Barnesy, is that our preliminary final footy meeting is at ten thirty Monday morning, just around the year in the office. You're playing Sunday odds of seeing you of course, gambling responsibly in that meeting on Monday, but.

00:30:36
Speaker 3: We all lose.

00:30:37
Speaker 5: I think you will see me, whether that is remote or in person.

00:30:41
Speaker 3: We see it might be oh my camera's not working.

00:30:44
Speaker 4: Yeah, well I might just be able to walk in from wherever we finish up in a convenient central location here.

00:30:50
Speaker 1: So is there a man Monday plan?

00:30:52
Speaker 4: Changed clothes and it's a silly Sunday of the week after, so okay, and hopefully running to Connor Nash and exchange and tips.

00:30:59
Speaker 1: Who are you playing against?

00:31:00
Speaker 4: We're playing the Old Yarrat Cobras in the seniors the reserves taking on West Brunswick. So very exciting. Had four clash. This will be our fourth clash with Old Yarrow this season. We're currently two and one, but lost the second semi final a couple of weeks ago, so it came to some revenge.

00:31:17
Speaker 1: Yeah, excell, we'll have a full rundown in next week's three cans. But until then, good luck, ed good luck to you as well. Aligned hopefully watching from the couch this weekend, I'll be doing the same. Make sure you tune in and read all of our stuff on Code Sports. We'll be back next week.