WITH the AFL season in full swing, Sliding Doors is hitting its straps. 

>> See more Sliding Doors here

So what's Damo saying about your club? What's he saying about the AFL? Check it out.

IF ...

Reilly O'Brien's ultra-awkward Twitter post was cleverly and classily rectified with a video explanation ...

THEN ...

there's still the small problem of a resurgent, and lippy, Eagles midfield waiting for him on Saturday. Really hoping for his sake that his "absolute mare" on social media isn't followed by an "absolute mare" against Nic Nat.

IF ...

the straight sets Gabba finals exit from the 2019 finals series left some nasty questions in the Lions' minds ...

THEN ...

Thursday night's bad loss to Geelong has only added to the list of queries that now need to be addressed when this team plays a big game in a primetime slot.

IF ...

the Blues want the footy world to take them seriously ... 

THEN ...

they will challenge Western Bulldogs in the Sunday twilight fixture. I have a lot of doubts, though.

 

IF ...

Bucks has played and coached in dozens of history-shaping games for Collingwood ...

THEN ...

as weird as it may sound, Friday night's match against Hawthorn looms as one of his most crucial. They're in a mess, the Pies, on and off the field. Need a whole-of-club stabilising four premiership points.

IF ...

it was only three weeks ago that some in the media ridiculously and pathetically launched into Conor McKenna for recording a positive COVID-19 test ...

THEN ...

rapt that he gets to play his first game of 2020, against North Melbourne on Saturday night. A crucial component of this emerging Bombers team.

IF ...

Nat Fyfe has had some problems with soft tissue issues in the past ... 

THEN ...

no idea why he's playing this weekend, just one match after he felt hamstring soreness.

IF ...

there were doubts after the bad loss to GWS back in March ...

THEN ...

it's now fact the Cats were the big beneficiaries of the COVID-19 shutdown. Four wins from five since. The one loss by two points. Thursday night's performance against the Lions the most impressive of the year. Danger, Hawk, Gaz, Joel, Blitz were huge, Simpson and Parfitt equally impressive. Chris Scott in his element in this season of uncertainties.

 

IF ...

the hype was massive on Izak Rankine when he was pick three overall in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft ...

THEN ...

it's still very big, 20 months later when he gets to play his first AFL match, against Melbourne on Saturday night. Rowell out, Rankine in. Really excited to finally see him in the big time.

IF ...

Nick Haynes hasn't yet been a Virgin Australia AFL All Australian ...

THEN ...

he will be in 2020.

IF ...

it wasn't fact before last weekend's matches were umpired very differently to the previous four ... 

THEN ...

it now is. When Clarko sooks it up, everyone listens and acts.

IF ...

you're 6-21 since a prelim final finish to 2018 ... 

THEN ...

you're horrendously broken. And yet season 2020 is not yet a write-off. Really keen to see what Bennell can do this weekend.

IF ...

the Roos medicos don't fix Cunnington ... 

THEN ...

this is going to be a very long year. Still can't believe those medicos cleared him to play last weekend.

IF ...

the wins have been against the Suns, Crows, Dockers and Eagles, and the one loss - a big one - against premiership contender Brisbane ...

THEN ...

as impressive as the 2020 start appeared to be, there's now a lot of question marks. We'll know everything about this team after Sunday's massive match against GWS.

IF ...

you were unsure of the origins of that guttural noise you heard last Sunday ... 

THEN ...

it was this sleeping giant, just starting to stir after a little snooze. A massive amount of star talent will be absent for a while, but the renowned Tigers' system and attitude has returned.

IF ...

Hannebery is the "out" and Jones the "in" ...

THEN ...

it's not like for like, but the net result may well be even. On a nice roll, the Saints. I expect it to continue against the Dockers on Saturday.

IF ...

you take a close look at the as-named forward line of the Swans for Sunday's match against Richmond ...

THEN ...

you wonder where the goals will come from. Need a trick, but can't identify who is to provide it.

IF ...

the sleeping giant that is the Richmond Football Club reawakened last weekend ... 

THEN ...

so too did this one. Finally got out of its woe-is-us outlook, and returned to 2018-19 attitude and impact.

IF ...

Bevo has sometimes horrendously missed the mark with his media musings ... 

THEN ...

he absolutely nailed it on Thursday. Certain people – hello to some umpires - did indeed flinch last weekend after Clarko's big sook.

AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL

IF ...

you take yourself back to the momentous March day when the AFL commission decided to reduce the 2020 season to 17 matches per club to be played whenever convenient and lessen the length of quarters to 16 minutes (plus time-on) ...

THEN ...

the foresight of the people who made those calls was extraordinary. The 2020 season will hang by a thread until the moment it is completed, but without the calls made in that meeting, it might have already been called off.