The Stones clip linked to below by @Mystere_Cygne looks like a Mick Jagger parody. Gawd love ‘im.
Mystère_Cygne
(@Mystere_Cygne)Maybe just one bottle of wine, and sadly no Puerto Rican girls are dying to meet me. I’ve missed the footy: https://t.co/vGFnY1lmHd
And, some clubs need to be starting something.https://t.co/2pi3FqYFcY
FOUR HOURS TO GO!
Who better than RoCo to set the scene for the resumption of the 2020 campaign?
As Rohan explains, there is plenty at stake, not least the financial viability of the competition and its clubs, with the footy economy suffering a massive hit and large number of staff furloughed or laid off. There is the possibility of even more jeopardy if the hiatus, and the return to play without fans in attendance, causes a cultural shift within the game. “Will AFL football still mean as much now, even to those who have followed it most fervently?” Rohan asks. “Maybe even that can no longer be taken for granted. And that could prove every bit as much of a challenge to the AFL as anything which lies ahead on the field for its 18 constituent clubs.”
Should it be business as usual after that opening bounce, or are adjustments necessary? Perhaps this is an opportune moment to strip the game back to its core after years of corporatised growth?
This will not be a forgotten year after all.
FOUR AND A HALF HOURS TO GO!
Collingwood arrive for tonight’s match stalked by negative headlines. The Black Lives Matter protests are forcing Australian sport to confront issues of race and inequality, topics the AFL in particular haven’t always addressed adroitly.
Ben Simmons
(@BenSimmons25)To make any progress in stamping out racism in Australia and working towards equality you HAVE to HAVE the uncomfortable conversations. Time to step up. Enough is enough https://t.co/GgzIW8KVmn
How have you been passing the autumn-winter weekends without footy? Have you established a new routine? Will you now have to drop something to get back on board with your team? In the AFL’s absence did you *gulp* check in with the NRL?
Me, I’ve been binge-watching Queer Eye and heading to bed around 9pm. It’s going to take some adjusting to remain awake for some second-halves during these early restart rounds.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
On a Thursday evening in March Richmond notched the first win of the 2020 AFL premiership. A bit has happened since.
Eighty-three days later round two has finally arrived – on another Thursday, with another blockbuster Victorian derby.
So much has occurred in the intervening 12 weeks almost every aspect of life has been affected. That includes footy. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic the season will restart with a revised schedule in largely empty venues with players and staff adhering to strict biosecurity protocols. Because of the global response to the death of George Floyd, Collingwood come into tonight’s fixture fending off scrutiny of their treatment of Héritier Lumumba. Because of the timeless and tiring code wars the AFL’s best attempts at fanfare have fallen flat in the face of NRL grandstanding over the resumption of its season a fortnight ago.
How does all this make you feel? Excited? Indifferent? Where would you rate your enthusiasm, on a scale of Big Kev flogging kitchen spray to Lenny Hayes lifting the 2004 Wizard Cup?
Let me know via Twitter @JPhowcroft or drop an email to [email protected], about this, or anything else footy related.
I’m going to be here for the remainder of the afternoon then as night falls Scott Heinrich will take over and steer you through the action. Get in quick, there’s only…
FIVE HOURS TO GO!
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