Chas

It was a new experience being able to watch the Brownlow Medal live on television. Usually all I get is the result in the paper the next morning as there’s no way I would stay up late to watch a delayed broadcast.

A lot more is made of the fashions by the ladies of course. Ultimately who cares? It is a night to celebrate seasons of our star players.

Dane Swan of Collingwood was the favourite. He was possibly disadvantaged by the equally impressive season of teammate, Scott Pendlebury. It was not to be for Swan as Carlton’s Chris Judd scored best on ground votes in more games to take out the medal.

Good on Andrew Demetriou for firstly getting on with business and reading votes out quickly so that the night didn’t become and epic. But secondly he had a sense of occasion when reading out the votes from matches that had a bearing on the result with a pregnant pause hear and there. Well done.

The Blockbuster That Wasn’t

Collingwood
7.2 13.7 16.11 18.12 (120)

defeated

Geelong
1.1 3.5 6.10 11.13 (79)

@ MCG
Attendance: 95,241

It was an auspicious beginning with Collingwood first two goals coming from incidents where Geelong should have received free kicks. One might wonder whether it would have made a difference. Then it becomes acutely obvious that even that small loss of momentum would have been a slight speed bump to their onslaught.

Collingwood romped in 7 goals to 1 in the first quarter, and then backed it up with 6 goals to 2 in the second quarter. Game over virtually, but with still half a game to play.

Ablett was Geelong’s only shining light in a very lacklustre performance. Geelong had too many stars go missing. Steve Johnson, Brad Ottens and Tom Hawkins are a few of those whom had no influence. Cameron Ling on multiple occasions looked slow and I’m not sure he can last very long. Maybe his leadership is enough to keep him on board, a lot like how Brett Kirk became a mainstay at Sydney.

The pressure was intense and Geelong wilted. They couldn’t get any flow, Collingwood didn’t allow it. Collingwood were skilful and ruthless. Even the ball was continually bouncing in their favour. As evidenced by a wicked off break of a long bomb by Leigh Brown in the first quarter.

The spectacle of the occasion was lost, but what an opportunity to witness a full house at the MCG. I would recommend it to anybody

The Rulemakers

The AFL likes changing rules or the interpretation of rules quite frequently. this naturally results in a change to how the game is played as coaches try to get the most for their team within the rules.

Over the last decade the game has sped up immensely due in part to rule changes.

Players and coaches have responded by manufacturing midfield rotations. A large part of this is for player management, to give them a rest and to prevent injury.

Now the AFL is considering a cap on interchanges. They are forgetting that they caused this, for better or worse. I am curious what they hope to achieve with a cap.

One very probably result will be an increase in injured players. The game doesn't want that. It doesn't need that. The AFL should wisen up and leave the idea of a cap alone.