WITH the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership season up and running, naturally, Damian Barrett's Sliding Doors is also up and about.
So what's Damo saying about your club? Who is in the firing line? And what's he saying about the AFL? You can't say that, Damo, can you?
Oh, and be sure you tune in to AFL Daily as Nat and Damo put the spotlight on all the big issues. Check it out.
IF ...
the start to 2021 was very good ...
THEN ...
the past two matches – bad losses to the Giants and Power - have been worrying. With West Coast in Perth on Sunday, and Melbourne and Richmond to follow, this could still be a very looooong season for the Crows.
ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
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Video00:52 MinsViewed
Is Lycett in trouble for this tackle on young Crow?
Port Adelaide's Scott Lycett could come under scrutiny for this tackle on Ned McHenry
-
Video00:37 MinsViewed
Murphy out with ankle injury
Lachie Murphy has been taken from the field after suffering this ankle injury
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Video00:44 MinsViewed
Drew extends Power lead with snapping finish
Willem Drew's snapping goal has extended Port's advantage midway through the second…
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Video00:55 MinsViewed
Crows go coast-to-coast as Thilthorpe finishes
Riley Thilthorpe has finished off a great end-to-end team play with a much-needed…
-
Video00:48 MinsViewed
Farrell intercepts and goes bang from 50
Kane Farrell has made the Crows pay with this intercept mark and long range goal just…
-
Video06:26 MinsViewed
Highlights: Port Adelaide v Adelaide
The Power and Crows clash in round eight
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Video10:28 MinsViewed
Hinkley on guernsey switch: 'It's a show of respect for our heritage'
Watch Port Adelaide's press conference after round eight's match against Adelaide
-
Video14:36 MinsViewed
Nicks: 'We definitely brought the fight'
Watch Adelaide's press conference after round eight's match against Port Adelaide
IF ..
Brandon Starcevich is not yet in the All-Australian team ...
THEN ...
he deserves to be. Not one opponent of his in 2021 has finished a match with more than one goal, and that list includes Gray, De Goey, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Walters, Betts and even Papley (though in round one he did manage nine score involvements).
IF ...
your plan is to shoot down a media story, specifically that Cripps had suffered a fracture in his back and had required injections to play ...
THEN ...
there are many better ways to do it than the dismissive and indignant manner David Teague embraced on Thursday.
Kennett angry, Cripps latest, Magpie mission
Nat Edwards with all the latest news
Published onIF ...
Bucks wants to throw an unexpected curveball into the conversation about his future ...
THEN ...
leading the Pies to upset victories in the next three matches – Swans on Saturday at the SCG, Power and Cats at the MCG in rounds 10 and 11 – would have that effect.
IF ...
there was one player the Bombers could least afford to lose with injury out of round eight ...
THEN ...
it was Jake Stringer. Was putting together his best season since 2015, now out for a month with a hamstring.
Star Bomber bombs one from 50m
Jake Stringer sends one long and delivers a beauty
Published onIF ...
reality hit in the form of bad losses against West Coast and Brisbane, following good wins against the lowly trio of Hawthorn, Adelaide and North ...
THEN ...
the Dockers need to beat Essendon at Marvel Stadium on Sunday if they want to be taken seriously. After that, a very tough stretch awaits – Swans, Power, Dogs.
ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
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Video00:40 MinsViewed
Lions punish the Dockers through great linking play
Fremantle turns the ball over in defensive 50, as Hugh McCluggage finishes a nice…
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Video00:42 MinsViewed
Jumping Lion reaches over Lobb to haul in this incredible effort
Callum Ah Chee pulls down a great grab from behind the Dockers tall
-
Video00:45 MinsViewed
Lions pair light up the Gabba with brilliant team play
Lincoln McCarthy provides a perfectly weighted handball to set up Rhys Mathieson for…
-
Video00:43 MinsViewed
Daniher takes a MOTY contender with this fantastic speccy
Joe Daniher pulls down this huge grab early in the last, but will he get the MOTY…
-
Video00:26 MinsViewed
Not even umpires are safe from Daniher's leaps
Joe Daniher attempts to stop a goal going through, in the meantime climbing all over…
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Video07:37 MinsViewed
Highlights: Brisbane v Fremantle
The Lions and Dockers clash in round eight
-
Video06:18 MinsViewed
Fagan: 'I'd like to think we could defend better than that'
Watch Brisbane's press conference after round eight's match against Fremantle
-
Video04:53 MinsViewed
Longmuir: 'It didn't always look perfect, but I'd rather us play that…
Watch Fremantle's press conference after round eight's match against Brisbane
IF ...
the Cats were, indeed, the Victorian club which asked a genuine question about Aaron Sandilands' availability for the mid-season draft ...
THEN ...
it would make sense. Now that they've answered their forward line questions with Cameron, the ruck remains the biggest worry.
IF ...
there have been many false promises and dawns in the Suns' 11 years in the AFL ...
THEN ...
Saturday afternoon's match against Brisbane in a QClash at Metricon Stadium presents itself as the perfect occasion to stand for something meaningful.
'They've got a lot to lose': Suns and Lions set for QClash
Gold Coast and Brisbane players discuss what's at stake in the upcoming QClash
Published onIF ...
the last time this season Toby and his Giants ventured to Melbourne resulted in a belated kick-start victory to the 2021 season, with a round four win against Collingwood ...
THEN ...
they will be expecting the same outcome on Saturday night, against the Tigers. Both teams are 4-4, separated by 4.5 per cent.
Greene steals the spotlight with a handful
Watch as Toby Greene tears up the 'G as acting captain for the Giants
Published onIF ...
you're familiar with how Jeff Kennett operates ...
THEN ...
it would have been no surprise when he last year got personal against Jordan Lewis for daring to express the truth about the sorry plight of the Hawks' list. And even less surprise to see him now attempting to spin his way into the future, and in so doing actually agreeing with Lewis.
IF ...
all the pre-season plans had big Ben Brown and Sam Weideman in the key forward posts ...
THEN ...
it's yet another massive positive for the Demons that they boast an 8-0 scoreline before getting the chance to unleash this combo. Weideman in for the injured Jackson for Sunday's game against Carlton.
VFL Showreel, R3: Four-goal Weideman knocking on door
Melbourne young gun Sam Weideman continues to mount his AFL selection case with another dominant VFL hitout
Published onIF ...
the Roos abruptly ended Boomer's extraordinary career in 2016 ...
THEN ...
they should consider selecting him in the looming mid-season draft. He'd not only still get a game in this side, but be one of the better players.
Fantastic Five: Brent Harvey's best moments
Diminutive in size but huge in impact, 'Boomer' holds the record for most VFL/AFL games with 432 across two decades at North Melbourne. His ever-present speed to burn made him a handful for the opposition
Published onIF ...
you're already battling a sprained MCL in one knee and a torn medial meniscus in the other ...
THEN ...
Tom Rockliff could have done without deep vein thrombosis in a calf and even more worryingly subsequent blood clots on the lungs. Hope there is enough time for him to recover for finals.
Silky Rockliff squeezes it through space
A quick pick-up and goal from Tom Rockliff sees Port Adelaide score its first and only goal for the third term
Published onIF ...
it wasn’t Richmond sitting in eighth place on entry to round nine ...
THEN ...
I'd be totally writing off that eighth placed team's premiership chances. It has looked ordinary in losing four of its past six matches. But I made the embarrassing mistake of writing off the Tigers after round one 2019, the day after Rance went down. So I'm not writing them off again until mathematics proves they can be written off.
ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
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Video00:50 MinsViewed
This Higgins kick is just pure gold
Cats recruit Shaun Higgins shows his absolute class with a beautiful delivery to Gary…
-
Video00:56 MinsViewed
Rioli lights up the 'G with some serious wheels
Daniel Rioli gets the MCG rocking after a brilliant burst on the wing leads to…
-
Video00:26 MinsViewed
Is Selwood in trouble for this clash?
Joel Selwood collects Richmond's Rhyan Mansell high after a ferocious attack on the…
-
Video00:27 MinsViewed
Smith snappy at the scene, Cats on fire
Isaac Smith continues a barrage of goals for the Cats with a silky snap on his trusty…
-
Video00:41 MinsViewed
Jezza is a man possessed with number four
Jeremy Cameron notches his fourth goal of the game after a truly dominant performance
-
Video00:24 MinsViewed
Edwards limps off to add more misery for Tigers
Richmond have suffered a big injury blow with Shane Edwards leaving the field after…
-
Video10:23 MinsViewed
Scott: 'We're not falling in love with ourselves'
Chris Scott refused to get ahead of himself after his side dismantled the reigning…
-
Video06:30 MinsViewed
Dimma: Injuries aside, 'we still expect to be better'
Damien Hardwick refused to attribute his side's lack of regular personnel to the…
-
Video07:47 MinsViewed
Highlights: Richmond v Geelong
The Tigers and Cats clash in round eight
-
Video02:35 MinsViewed
Jezza has arrived for the Cats and it's frightening
Jeremy Cameron proved how much damage he can cause with a mesmerising six-goal…
-
Video01:44 MinsViewed
Shai's staggering MOTY contender is an absolute classic
Shai Bolton heaves himself on top of Mark Blicavs for an unbelievable Mark of the…
-
Video14:20 MinsViewed
Mini-Match: Richmond v Geelong
Extended highlights of the round eight clash between the Tigers and Cats at the MCG
IF ...
a 2-4 start to the year has become 4-4 after wins against Hawthorn and Gold Coast ...
THEN ...
the jury is still out on the Saints' credentials. It will return with a favourable verdict in the event of a surprise win versus Geelong under the Friday night lights.
ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
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Video00:31 MinsViewed
Brother Ben off to flyer in King clash
Gold Coast's Ben King draws first blood for the Suns after mark and tidy conversion
-
Video00:22 MinsViewed
Big Sun soars to bring down high-quality hanger
Caleb Graham rises over the pack and is paid a memorable mark
-
Video00:39 MinsViewed
Skipper brilliance finally gets Saints on the board
St Kilda captain Jack Steele gives Saints their first goal of the afternoon with…
-
Video00:51 MinsViewed
Could key Sun be in MRO trouble for high hit?
Nick Coffield left dazed following this high hit from Touk Miller
-
Video01:44 MinsViewed
Lemmens body slams Butler as tempers flare after half-time siren
Gold Coast and St Kilda players in heated half-time fight
-
Video01:00 MinsViewed
Three goals in three minutes sees Suns take control
Gold Coast put scoring gap on St Kilda with quick scoring blitz
-
Video00:54 MinsViewed
Ryder gets Saints rocking with big grab, go-ahead goal
Paddy Ryder shows his class with high mark and important goal in close final term
-
Video06:46 MinsViewed
Dew: 'It was just glimpses of the team that we have been'
Watch Gold Coast's press conference after round eight's match against St Kilda
-
Video05:37 MinsViewed
Ratten on Ryder: 'He gives our group a lot of confidence'
Watch St Kilda's press conference after round eight's match against Gold Coast
-
Video07:49 MinsViewed
Highlights: Gold Coast v St Kilda
The Suns and Saints clash in round eight
IF ...
some have been prepared to write off Bud after a lacklustre performance in round eight ...
THEN ...
I'm not. Backing him in for a big second half of 2021.
Franklin puts past five in dominant performance
Lance Franklin put in a dominant outing with this five-goal display in his side's nailbiting loss
Published onIF ...
the Eagles were to tear up their contract with Willie Rioli after another drug related issue ...
THEN ...
they'd be more than justified. But I reckon they will give him one last, last chance.
Sack, support, suspend: Eagles' Rioli options, Saints' primetime 'blindspot'
Damian Barrett with the latest on Willie Rioli, an unsung Lion, and St Kilda's horror stat
Published onIF ...
there are still some who doubt the Bulldogs' premiership credentials despite their 7-1 start ...
THEN ...
there will be no one unsure if Port Adelaide, at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night, is added to the hit list. A massive game for this club.
ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
-
Video00:39 MinsViewed
Betts kicks a ripper out of mid-air for Carlton's first
Eddie Betts turned back the clock with this brilliant major to open the Blues'…
-
Video00:43 MinsViewed
Blues unite for this Owies snap
Carlton's fantastic ball work from the backline results in an easy snap for Matthew…
-
Video00:50 MinsViewed
Brilliant Bont play leads to a much-needed major for the Dogs
Marcus Bontempelli uses his composure to his advantage to clear the ball, resulting…
-
Video00:35 MinsViewed
Treloar turns on the afterburners and seals the deal from 40m
Bulldog Adam Treloar finishes a great run down the wing with a ripping goal
-
Video00:39 MinsViewed
Carlton forward will miss the rest of the game after head clash
Jack Silvagni has been subbed out after copping a knock to the head by teammate Jack…
-
Video00:23 MinsViewed
Crowd gives a standing ovation for this ripper Keath mark
Alex Keath takes a stellar grab right in front of the boundary, bringing the crowd to…
-
Video01:25 MinsViewed
Five-goal Eddie turns back the clock at Marvel
Eddie Betts got the Blues faithful rocking with a vintage showing against the…
-
Video05:57 MinsViewed
Highlights: Western Bulldogs v Carlton
The Western Bulldogs and Blues clash in round 8
-
Video11:42 MinsViewed
Bevo on Hunter: 'It was a great effort to keep playing'
Watch the Western Bulldog's press conference after round eight's match against…
-
Video11:27 MinsViewed
Teague: 'Putting four quarters together is a challenge'
Watch Carlton's press conference after round eight's match against the Western…
AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL
IF ...
the AFL spends more than 45 seconds analysing a North Melbourne bid for a priority draft pick ...
THEN ...
it's about 44 seconds too long. No. No. No.