WITH the AFL season heading into finals, Sliding Doors is hitting its peak.
>> See more Sliding Doors here
So what's Damo saying about your club? What's he saying about the AFL? Check it out.
IF ...
it was a week later than it should have been ...
THEN ...
ultimately it didn't matter – Lachie Sholl a very deserving round 18 Rising Star nominee.
IF ...
Andrews, McCluggage and Neale were the worthy All-Australian nominees ...
THEN ...
Lyons was very unlucky not to have joined them. One of many unheralded guns in this team.
IF ...
Zac Williams has already been secured for 2021 and beyond ...
THEN ...
the only question now is: who is next? Seemingly prepared to go all mid-1980s-style, the Blues, in this Trade Period. Obviously, without the brown paper bags.
IF ...
the Pies beat West Coast on Saturday week ...
THEN ...
the hottest ticket on the Gold Coast that night will be to Ed's private party at the now famous Pink Flamingo.
IF ...
you line up some of new president Paul Brasher's words off the Bombers' website from Thursday night with some of Joe Daniher's on and off field moves in the past two years ...
THEN ...
he's clearly played his last game for the club.
IF ...
you listened to a few key recruiters last year as they were assessing the credentials of Caleb Serong, the official 2020 NAB AFL Rising Star ...
THEN ...
a regular observation was an uncanny likeness to a former Docker, Lachie Neale - a 2020 All-Australian (for the second time), AFLPA MVP and AFLCA Champion Player of the Year.
IF ...
it was a massive unknown and at times insurmountable problem in an otherwise very good 2019 ...
THEN ...
a year later it hasn't gone away. The ruck position. Stanley will return, but until they get back to a Grand Final, the doubts won't.
IF ...
it was 18 consecutive losses to close the 2019 season ...
THEN ...
the one-win-one-draw-eight-loss close to 2020 wasn't much better.
IF ...
Corr and Williams have already walked ...
THEN ...
they won’t be the last. But Stevie J as an off-field "in" is a very good counter balance.
IF ...
season 2020 saw the Hawks finish equal third last ...
THEN ...
there was at least one positive. Will Day. Officially fifth in the NAB AFL Rising Star. Just as Bailey Smith (fourth last year) has reached star status already, Day has the potential to be anything
IF ...
the Demons played in an American sports competition ...
THEN ...
they'd be receiving some credit for having a "winning" season (nine wins, eight losses). But they don't, and therefore they're judged harshly. Which I reckon is wrong. Sure, they were capable of making finals, but they didn't do a lot wrong in 2020.
IF ...
Ben Brown and Shaun Higgins (and Goldstein, for that matter) all had genuine trade currency 12 months ago ...
THEN ...
they don't now. Had no idea how this club felt it was at least top six-bound back then, have less idea now. What's going on right now is a partially self-inflicted, near-rock bottom status in a 96-year VFL/AFL life.
IF ...
you believe in omens ...
THEN ...
prior to this season, the last time the Power finished top of the AFL ladder after a home and away season was their (only) premiership one of 2004. But wait, there's more. As happened this year, the Lions finished second then, the Cats fourth. Those omens are positive right now.
IF ...
Harris Andrews is back for the Lions in next Friday's qualifying final ...
THEN ...
Tom Lynch had better get himself right, too. And while his odds right now are 33-1, reckon Prestia will be at the Gabba on that night, too.
IF ...
the 2020 season has been a good one for the Saints ...
THEN ...
in the brutal way the industry rates itself, only a finals win – against the Dogs on Saturday week – will allow the club to say it was a very good one.
IF ...
he hadn’t kicked 2.5 in the final round for a season tally of 26.27 ...
THEN ...
Tom Papley probably would've been a 2020 All-Australian. Love watching this guy play, hope he never loses his flair.
IF ...
Yeo's already ruled out for the year ...
THEN ...
the Eagles can’t do anything significant in 2020 if McGovern stays sidelined too.
IF ...
a 24-goal return from a forward pocket from 17 matches may not at first look seem sufficient enough for All-Australian consideration ...
THEN ...
a deeper study of how, and when, those goals were kicked would be cause for a rethink. Reckon Mitch Wallis should've been in the 22, and certainly the squad of 40.
AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL
IF ...
a flexible fixture already seems to be one of the major take-outs of this COVID-19 interrupted season ...
THEN ...
Thursday night's rolled-into-one event of All-Australian, AFLPA MVP, AFLCA Champion Player, Rising Star (and Coleman Medal acknowledgement) should also be deeply considered.