AFL: The journalists on The Midweek Tackle discuss the AFL's drug policy including the revelation some 100 players are inside the so-called medical model.
Perkins explains the 'Essendon edge' | 01:35Thursday March 28, 7:30pm at the GabbaFrom 6:30pm on Channel 504 with host Sarah Jones plus Jason Dunstall, David King, Leigh Montagna, Alastair Lynch and Jonathan Brown, with Jon Ralph in the newsroomAfter starting their season with tough losses to Carlton at home and Fremantle away, there is no bigger stage for the Lions to bounce back on than a matchup with the team that beat them in last year’s Grand Final.
While it would be not impossible to make finals from 0-4, only Sydney this century has started with the same record or worse , and went on to play in September. With Steele Sidebottom ‘managed’ and Oleg Markov dropped, coach Craig McRae has called upon two other experienced heads in Will Hoskin-Elliott and John Noble to help resolve their defensive issues.
Their Good Friday matchup against the Blues last year showed promise also, with inaccurate goalkicking in a 23-point loss costing them a shot at an upset after leading at half time. While it remains to be seen who the Kangaroos will beat when they play a full four quarters of their best football, the men from Arden St will be optimistic that they can catch out a solid Carlton outfit fresh off their bye.
Caleb Serong continues to be a barometer in the midfield for the Dockers, and will no doubt catch the eye of opposition coach Matthew Nicks with the potential for a run-with role. Should he bear extra attention from the Crows midfield, Andrew Brayshaw and Nat Fyfe will be looked upon to continue their solid starts and maintain the barometer for four quarters.
Kangaroos champion David King has questioned the Bombers coach and his impact since arriving at Tullamarine, declaring his opportunity the same as Lyon when he came back to the Saints. With key forward Max King missing this weekend’s clash against Essendon through suspension, opportunity is ripe for one of St Kilda’s forwards to take the reins.
Arguably the only team left for fans to get an accurate reading on so far this season, where Port stand in the competition will become much clearer at the end of Saturday night. Beyond the off-field drama, Melbourne have comprehensively beaten the Bulldogs and Hawks in recent weeks to look in fine touch for their clash with the Power. Steven May’s absence will be vital on Saturday against a tall Port forward line; however, Goodwin was “really confident” Jake Lever would line up in his old hometown.
Andrew Gaff’s four-disposal game against Port Adelaide in Round 1 prompted what was no doubt a tough, but right call to make. Simpson may now be faced with a similar decision on premiership veteran Jack Darling, should he continue to struggle asserting himself as the club’s key forward. His four disposals against Port Adelaide and failure to kick a major against GWS has grabbed the attention of critics, and may leave Simpson looking further into the future than he desires at this point in 2024.
It comes in a season where almost nobody expected anything from Adem Yze’s side - they were a popular pick to join West Coast, North Melbourne and Hawthorn in the bottom four, and are only percentage away from exactly that position.
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