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 ...
this season wasn't already in the crisis category ...
THEN ...
it became official when stand-in captain Tom Doedee was ruled out for remaining matches. One of very few Crows positives.
IF ...
the Lions are doing absolutely everything right, and they are ...
THEN ...
I still can't see them winning a flag this year. Feel their forward line, even with the exquisite Charlie Cameron, lacks the required killer instinct.
IF ...
the Blues are to be honest with themselves at this stage of the season ...
THEN ...
they had the Teague Train winning more than the four matches he has to this point. Teague Train is 10-11 since taking over from the sacked Bolton last year, needs express wins against Fremantle (Saturday) and Gold Coast (next Friday).
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08:57
Teague seeks clarity over holding-the-ball calls
David Teague says the interpretation of the holding-the-ball ruling is becoming confusing for his players but will continue to encourage them to hunt the footy
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08:48
Simmo: 'We're getting hunted every week'
Adam Simpson puts his side's slow starts down to opposition teams looking to him them hard early and states 'we're not where we need to be at the moment'
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06:06
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00:15
Should Shuey sweat after this potential trip?
Luke Shuey could attract attention from the MRO after appearing to trip Carlton's Ed Curnow
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00:29
Super Sheed steps up as hero once again
Dom Sheed lifts to another level when his side needed him most with two beauties in the final term
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00:36
Blues absolutely pumped after Will finds a way
Will Setterfield gets the Blues off to the best start possible in the final term after a sensational effort at goal
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00:28
Stadium goes ballistic after classic Eagles clearance
West Coast finally hit the front again after a textbook burst out of the middle
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00:30
Freakish Cripps smiles at his own one-hander
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps reels in a dazzling one-handed mark and can't help admire his brilliant work
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00:42
Eagles fly to Sheppard after rare stunner
Brad Sheppard gets surrounded by teammates after notching an unlikely goal in some style
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00:33
Holding-the-ball call gets plenty of heat
Sam Petrevski-Seton is adjudged to have had prior opportunity and pays a hefty penalty
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00:25
Returning Fisher nets a snap
Zac Fisher sinks a clever shot on goal in his return to the Blues' lineup
IF ...
there's a guy with a better attitude in footy right now than Bucks ...
THEN ...
not sure who it is. Nothing fazes him, even unfair allegations of COVID-19 protocol breaches. Deserves for that attitude to be rewarded as this most extraordinary of season continues to unfold in unpredictable ways.
IF ...
last week I couldn't work out whether the Bombers were OK or dreadful ...
THEN ...
I'm none the wiser this week. A draw – with Gold Coast, on Wednesday night - will do that. Won't factor them in on finals action, still can't factor them out. Reckon I'll know by Sunday, after their game against the Saints.
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07:39
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08:22
Dew on Rankine: 'He made the right call'
Stuart Dew believes young gun Izak Rankine made the correct decision to hold the ball late in the game and attempt a shot from 55m
-
08:43
Worsfold: 'We cost ourselves early'
John Worsfold believes his side shot themselves in the foot by giving Gold Coast too much of a headstart
-
00:45
King's magical moment sends stadium berserk
Ben King produces a stunning solo effort to tie the scores late in the game
-
01:03
Dons asked for a hero and super Zaka has answered
David Zaharakis nails two crucial goals from similar spots to keep the Bombers in the fight
-
00:42
Wild minute after the night's best and worst tackle
Dylan Clarke endures a fascinating stint of footy after producing a stunning tackle to save a goal, followed up by a reckless tackle that concedes a goal
-
00:29
Zaka gets the feed after Tippa brings the speed
David Zaharakis is the beneficiary of some fine skill and vision from Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
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00:45
You just can't leave Rankine or he'll do this
Izak Rankine is afforded too much time and space and makes the Bombers pay with a beautiful kick from 50
-
00:38
King's long limbs rarely fail him
Ben King drops a mark in front of goal but has enough composure to get down low and soccer it through
IF ...
the criteria for coach of the year was widened to include those who have taken over struggling organisations, and who have then been subjected to absences by his best two players ...
THEN ...
Justin Longmuir would be in the conversation. You can just tell he knows what he's doing.
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08:02
Clarkson: 'We don't want to make wholesale change'
Watch Hawthorn's press conference after round 11's match against Fremantle
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08:58
Longmuir: Hogan 'committed to playing back'
Watch Fremantle's press conference after round 11's match against Hawthorn
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05:36
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00:39
High-flying Sicily's absolute speccy up forward
James Sicily with a special leap and grab for Hawthorn
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00:52
Smith struggling due to shoulder injury
Hawthorn midfielder Isaac Smith in the hands of trainers after this tackle gone wrong
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00:39
Schultz spots his Hawk prey and pounces
The rundown tackle and goal to get Fremantle going in the second half
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01:05
Taberner gets a stay-at-home reward from Frost's gallop
Sam Frost punished for running too far and Matt Taberner kicks a goal
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00:20
Hold on, who won the coin toss?
Nat Fyfe picks the end to attack but Ben Stratton confuses the matter
IF ...
they've played in seven of the past eight finals series since last making a Grand Final ...
THEN ...
the Cats are doing most things right in their hope of rectifying that this year. Friday's match against the Power might just be the 2020 Grand Final match-up.
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07:36
Full post-match: Saints
Watch St Kilda's press conference after round 11's match against Geelong
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02:35
Energetic Rohan stars in Cats' big win
Geelong forward Gary Rohan kicks four goals and sets the tone against St Kilda
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12:10
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01:36
Tomahawk takes Carlisle to task with five goals
Another dominant performance from Geelong's star forward Tom Hawkins
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06:00
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00:56
Tuohy picks off a pass and serves up an easy goal for Duncan
Mitch Duncan continues the onslaught by Geelong and adds a goal to his statistics
-
00:59
Tap-in for Tomahawk after Cats' fierce pressure
Powerful forward-50 pressure from Geelong creates a turnover and leads to an easy soccered goal for Tom Hawkins
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00:51
Dangerfield blasts one from down town
Patrick Dangerfield puts on a super boot and kicks one from beyond the arc
-
01:00
Dangerous hands leads to lightning Rohan start
Geelong with a perfect start to the second quarter with a goal from Gary Rohan
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01:23
IF ...
two 20-year-olds are prepared to demand the footy in the final seconds of a tight game, hellbent on attempting to lead their team to a win ...
THEN ...
in the big picture it doesn't actually matter that their actions fell short. Loved the way King and Rankine sought their respective moments in the tie with Essendon.
IF ...
last year's Grand Final was embarrassing ...
THEN ...
Thursday night, a home and away match against the second-last team, was actually more embarrassing. There's no vibrancy, no spark, no dare. The three goals they kicked against the Swans were all from free kicks, and NOT ONE of those free kicks should have been paid (which is another story). Think about that. They couldn't find a way to kick even one goal without umpire intervention. This club is broken, for no apparent reason.
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06:56
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08:52
Longmire: 'Our younger players got it right'
John Longmire was pleased his young brigade provided pivotal moments at either end of the ground
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10:14
Cameron: 'We got found out today'
A disappointed Leon Cameron says his side must respond after putting in a 'really ordinary' performance or they risk being 'left behind'
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01:17
Stadium fury after Giants' third free-kick goal
GWS score only their third goal of the game after another free kick decision that raises debate
-
00:51
Young Swans end on a bender
Sydney cap off their wonderful performance with their youngsters completing a stellar play in their forward line
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00:43
First-gamer Zac puts his best Foot forward
Swans debutant Zac Foot earns his first goal in the AFL after a terrific grab and cool set shot
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00:41
Super Swans slip through gentle Giants
The Swans are on absolute fire, this time bursting their way through a number of GWS stars to net their fourth consecutive goal
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00:36
Hand from Foot suits Dawson's boot
Swans debutant Zac Foot decides to allow Jordan Dawson to have his shot at goal and it pays off
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00:57
Pumped Papley makes a statement early
Tom Papley looks like a man on a mission, feeding the ball inside 50 where his teammates finish off his brilliant work
IF ...
Clarko keeps talking about playing kids ...
THEN ...
I'll believe it only when I see it. He's said it countless times before. Post 2007, it's actually not in his DNA to do so. Collision course still looming internally over direction of the Hawks from here.
IF ...
the glass is half full ...
THEN ...
massive wins in the past two matches have provided 2020 hope. If it's half empty, the opponents were the equally woeful Adelaide and North Melbourne. It will only become obvious after the Dees play Collingwood on Saturday, and Western Bulldogs in round 13.
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09:14
Shaw: 'Our display was unacceptable'
Rhyce Shaw didn't hold back in his assessment of his side's current state, declaring 'we're below standard' and 'not good enough at the moment'
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06:52
Goodwin: 'Our game's coming together nicely'
Simon Goodwin believes his side are 'becoming hard to play against defensively' and is proud his young leaders stood up in the absence of skipper Max Gawn
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07:13
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00:39
Petracca spins Roos out of their boots
Christian Petracca pulls off a delightful maneuver to set-up Mitch Hannan for the easiest of goals
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00:25
Bad news for Roo recruit after this injury
Aiden Bonar is forced to leave the game after coming off in pain following this tackle
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01:08
This 2020 Petracca is something else
Melbourne guns Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca conjure a scintillating goal out of the middle
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00:47
Weideman turns into main man after stellar term
Sam Weideman had a quarter to remember after clunking a number of impressive marks in front of goal
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00:38
Absolutely top drawer from booming Brayshaw
Angus Brayshaw caps off a wonderful half with a peach of a kick from 50m
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00:56
Kossie can dance alright, that's a dazzler
Kysaiah Pickett shows some beautiful steps to evade a few Roos and snap through an absolute ripper
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00:51
Daw may never get a better opening than this
Majak Daw snares the opening goal after a fortuitous bounce gives him a perfect opportunity to soccer one through
IF ...
the Roos are now committed to a full-on rebuild after the 2020 season ...
THEN ...
I will never stop wondering why they didn't do so after they axed Harvey, Petrie, Dal Santo and Firrito in 2016, or in 2017, 2018 or 2019. Given the loooong delay, simply must get every aspect of that rebuild right from here.
IF ...
the Power are to win the 2020 flag ...
THEN ...
it needs Steven Motlop in the 22. Back from an ankle injury, still an X-factor in his 11th season in the AFL.
IF ...
the Tigers' best is still competition best ...
THEN ...
the premiership defence remains on track. But in the now looming logjam near the top of the ladder, couldn't afford a slip-up against the Suns on Monday night.
IF ...
I'd been all-in on an unlikely top-four finish ...
THEN ...
I'm not now. Saw some very worrying signs against the Cats, and the subsequent loss of Gresham is a massive blow.
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07:36
Full post-match: Saints
Watch St Kilda's press conference after round 11's match against Geelong
-
02:35
Energetic Rohan stars in Cats' big win
Geelong forward Gary Rohan kicks four goals and sets the tone against St Kilda
-
12:10
-
01:36
Tomahawk takes Carlisle to task with five goals
Another dominant performance from Geelong's star forward Tom Hawkins
-
06:00
-
00:56
Tuohy picks off a pass and serves up an easy goal for Duncan
Mitch Duncan continues the onslaught by Geelong and adds a goal to his statistics
-
00:59
Tap-in for Tomahawk after Cats' fierce pressure
Powerful forward-50 pressure from Geelong creates a turnover and leads to an easy soccered goal for Tom Hawkins
-
00:51
Dangerfield blasts one from down town
Patrick Dangerfield puts on a super boot and kicks one from beyond the arc
-
01:00
Dangerous hands leads to lightning Rohan start
Geelong with a perfect start to the second quarter with a goal from Gary Rohan
-
01:23
IF ...
the Swans are still sitting third last on the ladder ...
THEN ...
they're much better than that in the big picture, and are starting to play with some genuine freedom and creativity. Massive win against the Giants on Thursday night. Horse coaching beautifully, as he has done for nine seasons before this one.
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06:56
-
08:52
Longmire: 'Our younger players got it right'
John Longmire was pleased his young brigade provided pivotal moments at either end of the ground
-
10:14
Cameron: 'We got found out today'
A disappointed Leon Cameron says his side must respond after putting in a 'really ordinary' performance or they risk being 'left behind'
-
01:17
Stadium fury after Giants' third free-kick goal
GWS score only their third goal of the game after another free kick decision that raises debate
-
00:51
Young Swans end on a bender
Sydney cap off their wonderful performance with their youngsters completing a stellar play in their forward line
-
00:43
First-gamer Zac puts his best Foot forward
Swans debutant Zac Foot earns his first goal in the AFL after a terrific grab and cool set shot
-
00:41
Super Swans slip through gentle Giants
The Swans are on absolute fire, this time bursting their way through a number of GWS stars to net their fourth consecutive goal
-
00:36
Hand from Foot suits Dawson's boot
Swans debutant Zac Foot decides to allow Jordan Dawson to have his shot at goal and it pays off
-
00:57
Pumped Papley makes a statement early
Tom Papley looks like a man on a mission, feeding the ball inside 50 where his teammates finish off his brilliant work
IF ...
the big boys are all firing again up forward ...
THEN ...
the backline will be back in sync, too, now that Gov has regained fitness. Beautifully positioned for another flag tilt, this mob.
IF ...
there's one facet of 2020 where the Bulldogs have found consistency ...
THEN ...
it is their inconsistency. Started with two losses, won five of the next six, now lost three in a row. Couldn't possibly lose to the Crows on Sunday. Then, the Demons await in round 13.
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00:15
WATCH THE INCIDENT: Rich banned for this tackle
Daniel Rich has been suspended by the MRO for one match after this tackle on Ed Richards
-
04:32
Fagan 'really proud' after consecutive four-day breaks
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan was impressed with the way his side performed after dealing with a compressed fixture
-
07:51
Beveridge: 'Terrible second quarter cost us the game'
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge pointed to his side being 'immature' and its inability to play well throughout the whole game after losing a crunch clash with Brisbane
-
01:45
Gun Lions forward snags five
Star Brisbane tall Eric Hipwood kicks a bag to help sink the Western Bulldogs
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07:39
-
00:51
Star Lion limps off after scary knee injury
Concerns around Brisbane star Charlie Cameron's left knee after this awkward landing
-
00:24
Soaring Naughton clunks pack mark on return
In his first game in more than a month after being out with an ankle injury, Aaron Naughton takes a great grab
-
00:16
Perfect bounce for Brownlow fancy
In yet another performance that should capture attention from the umpires, Lachie Neale snaps through a goal
-
00:16
Charlie turns on afterburners to set up Hipwood's fourth
There aren't many who can catch Charlie Cameron when he hits top speed and Eric Hipwood finishes it off
-
00:21
Smith disappointed with Lions skipper after this incident
A shove from Dayne Zorko sends Bailey Smith into the fence
-
00:34
Flying Ah Chee shows up Big O with MOTY contender
Brisbane big man Oscar McInerney takes a great mark but his teammate Callum Ah Chee outdoes him moments later
-
00:38
Sharpshooter nails two early to give Dogs hot start
Mitch Wallis converts well to get the Western Bulldogs going early
AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL
IF ...
I'm a betting man – small amounts only, always responsibly and very rarely successfully – ...
THEN ...
I'll be having a dollar on the Western Australian government, despite providing only scant assistance to the AFL to this point of the COVID-19 ravaged 2020 season, making a near-compelling financial case to host the Grand Final.
