1. Sometimes you just have to rip the band aid off when the relationship with player and club is done.
No matter how good the player is you just have to move on. The Charlie Curnow trade has been a win-win for all parties involved. Currently sitting atop the goalkicking with 50 goals, he could end having his best season in front of goal if the Swans go deep. He kicked 81 goals in 2023. Ditto Clayton Oliver, leading a resurgent GWS. He’s first in the comp for clearances and contested possessions. His old team, the Dees, are flying again. I’m betting people at Essendon now wish they had done the same and let Zach Merrett go to Hawthorn. Sometimes you just have to admit its over and move on.
2. It’s been an horrendous year for the Essendon footy club but it always turns eventually at any footy club.
Sign up to The Nightly’s newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
There are always positives to be found and the signing of Nate Caddy is a huge boost for all Bombers fans. Clearly their best young player and highest priced commodity, Caddy is made from the right stuff. His re-signing is a huge sign of faith for this footy club and the new coach, whoever that is. He could have demanded more coin on the market, particularly the deep pockets of the newest club Tasmania. They want a marquee signing and Nate would have been that. I heard he said he could not have lived with himself if he left and the Bombers had success. He clearly cares deeply for the club. Love his passion.
3. The Richmond Football Club and their head of fitness, Ben Serpell, have parted ways after 18 months.
This next appointment is critical for the Tigers and they must search far and wide for the best available person. For whatever reasons, bad luck or otherwise, they simply have not been able to get their best young talent available and on the field at the same time. It’s hurt Adem Yze’s ability to get the best from the current list. The talent is there but it’s imperative that they are playing regularly in 2027. I think this position is almost THE most important at an AFL club. It doesn’t matter how good the recruitment, list management and coaching is if the players are not playing. Massive off season ahead at Punt Road.
4. I never thought I’d say this of Nick Larkey, but he has the yips in front of goal.
This is the man with the best goalkicking percentage of all players with over 300 goals at 72.5%. That’s better than all-time greats Tony Lockett, Peter Hudson and Matty Lloyd. Over the last 4 games, he has kicked 6.12 at 33%. Proof that the “little man” can get anyone.The bonus for Nick is he still wants the ball and is getting the shots. With his very sound technique and routine, it will turn for him quickly. If it was more technical and he had no set routine, you would be concerned.
Nick Larkey. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
5. The Melbourne footy club are the real deal in this AFL season.
They are well and truly in the hunt now for a top four spot. They are 9-0 at The Mighty MCG, where the grand final is played. They need to make sure they beat North at Marvel this week though because two of their last three home games at the MCG are against the Cats and Fremantle. In between the have Port and Gold Coast away and then the Western Bulldogs at home to finish the season. It may even come down to this game for a top four finish. Put aside the superstars in Max Gawn and Kozzy Pickett, one of the major reasons Melbourne has improved so much are their key bookends in Daniel Turner and Jacob van Rooyen. The big Roo has now kicked four bags of five or more goals this season. Turner is almost the most improved defender in the competition. They move the ball fast and are exciting to watch. Why can’t the Dees make a run in September? What a year they are having.
6. Aliir Aliir is going about his season very, very nicely.
Not many people are talking about him for the All-Australian team. He is currently third for total Intercepts and first for intercept marks. He leads a Port Adelaide defence that, despite their ladder position, is the third best in the competition. Aliir is my smoky at this stage to gain his second All-Australian blazer.
7. It’s proving to be worth the wait for Sydney and young defender Will Edwards.
Will had a horror run with various injuries his first few years at the Swans. At 23, he’s now thriving as a one-on-one defender. His size has him able to halve most contests and get the ball into dispute. Only two weeks ago, he had a Swans-record 18 spoils v the Dogs.
When he wins the ball, he doesn’t panic and generally makes the right decisions. I’m a fan and am going to make a bold prediction for an 11-gamer. He’ll play between 150 and 200 games for the Swans and be a perfect key position partner for Tom McCartin. I could be wrong. Time will tell
8. I didn’t know we had a taunting problem in the AFL.
So if we didn’t have a problem, we most certainly didn’t need a rule for it. This creates another can of worms, this new rule. I mean what is taunting and what isn’t? The umpire has to decide, I guess. From what I’ve seen, a gentle pat on the head is but a sarcastic pat on your opponents bum isn’t. Are you allowed to tell your opponent to look at the scoreboard or point to it? These are all very minor, little things in the scheme of a big, emotional game. Players get emotional and will interact. It’s all very harmless and if it isn’t, the MRO will deal with it. Let boys be boys in the heat of the battle. A gentle rub or tap should not be ending up in a goal to the opposition. Players are not robots. Dumbest rule ever!
Luke Ryan. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images
9. Murphy Reid needs to tagged.
This guy is the ultimate connector between D50 and F50. He had 12 score involvements again against the Swans last Thursday. His ability to be composed in traffic and the distribute to a teammate is elite. How many times does he start something at half back that ends up in a Fremantle goal? He often gets multiple possessions in those scoring chains. Forget team defense, Murphy needs a hard one on one opponent. He’s too smart to run free.
10. Rowan Marshall is a ruckman, not a forward and he needs to be played in the ruck 80 per cent game time.
I feel he enjoys this and works his way into a game better as the sole ruckman. His form supports this the last few weeks while Tom De Koning has been injured. It was always the question when TDK was recruited. Was he really needed with Marshall already an established ruck? It’s an interesting watch moving forward how Ross manages this while trying to get the best from both these rucks when Tom returns.
