WITH the AFL season in the business end of the season, 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 ...

Brad Crouch got a shock reality check on his true market value this time last year ...

THEN ...

he'd best prepare for a double whammy this year, after his inexcusable night of partying this week with 21-year-old teammate Tyson Stengle. And the Crows will be happy to move him on after his attitude of the past year.

IF ...

big, banged-up Joe Daniher is warming to a life based in south-east Queensland ...

THEN ...

an added bonus was the Lions' medical "sell" to him, centring on the rebuild of ex-Cat Linc McCarthy's body to the point where he has missed just two matches in the past two seasons, compared with missing 136 of a possible 165 in the previous seven seasons at Geelong.

IF ...

one club is going to pull off a trade bombshell in 2020 ... 

THEN ...

it may be this one. Don't claim to know which player it will be, only that it is up to something of a Top Secret nature. 

 

IF ...

I considered Jaidyn Stephenson to be the next big thing at the conclusion of 2019 ...

THEN ...

right now that's looming as a very flawed call. No idea what's happened to him. Gone from being a vibrant, dangerous forward able to have 100 shots at goal, for 62 goals, in his first two seasons to a seemingly lost performer in 2020. Hope Bucks puts him in the 22 for Saturday night's final against West Coast and gives him licence to roam 2018 NAB AFL Rising Star-style.

 

IF ...

Sheeds to the board is the only off-season addition ...

THEN ...

2021 will be like 2020, and 2019, and 2018, and 2017, and 2016 …. and 2005. Not even Sheeds, who was coach when this club last won a final, in 2004, will be able to positively impact from that chair. And not even Sheeds will be able to repair the poor morale of this playing group.

IF ...

the Dockers have tolerated Jesse's many flaws until now but move him out on the back of his latest transgression, a COVID-19 protocols breach ... 

THEN ...

they're being silly. Showed genuine commitment late in 2020, could still become the elite talent he was always meant to be.

IF ...

at the round 16 stage of this extraordinary season the Cats may have felt they had at least a little finger on the flag ...

THEN ...

the three matches since have been sobering. Shocker against Richmond in round 17, massive scare against the third-last Swans in the final round, stinker in a qualifying final versus Port. And now, massive questions re team selection for a sudden death semi-final.

 

IF ...

the AFL has indicated to clubs that it doesn’t want even young players beginning a 2021 pre-season until December ...

THEN ...

not surprisingly Matt Rowell won’t be having a bar of that. Spotted doing drills at Suns' headquarters during the week. Such obsession with personal improvement hasn't been since a young Bucks began making a name for himself in the early 1990s.

IF ...

the unknown about Jeremy Cameron drags on much longer ...

THEN ...

it will be for one reason: he's not sure he should stay. He's certainly not short of offers.

IF ...

Gunston was unlucky to miss the All-Australian team this season ... 

THEN ...

really glad to see him secure a first best and fairest. Clarko has been prepared to push out some iconic Hawks people in recent years. Gunston, albeit at least one level down from iconic, might, for a while longer yet, continue to entertain the many offers for his brilliant services.

IF ...

the Dees were to add big Ben Brown to their mix ... 

THEN ...

I could see that working nicely. Very, very nicely.

IF ...

there is indeed a sound plan around the exiting of the game's most prolific goalkicker of the previous three seasons, the further shedding of another 11 players, the likely exit of at least one contracted star, the ridiculous salaries being paid to a couple of recent recruits and the sacking of an assistant coach just 12 months after signing him ... 

THEN ...

it's high time to clearly articulate that plan to the footy industry and the big name players this club continues to delusionally target, somehow believing they might want to join it.

IF ...

Rocky and Brad and Hamish and Trav and Ollie were crucial as always in a 2020 Port win ...

THEN ...

this time against the Cats in Thursday night's qualifying final it was actually Motlop who set up this famous victory. In true Kenny Hinkley style, he chooses to focus on what players, even frustrating ones, can do. Not what they can't do. Motlop is unique in creating match-winning moments. Kenny encourages him to do so, prepared to live with the frustrations that that can create. Love it.

IF ...

Dion Prestia runs out onto the Gabba on Friday night still attached to the intravenous drip he required as recently as a month ago to combat serious infection ... 

THEN ...

don’t be surprised. Arguably the most resilient player in the comp. Has regularly played hurt. Was never missing this game.

IF ...

he hasn't yet kicked a bag in his very impressive 16 AFL matches ...

THEN ...

what better time to do it than an elimination final? Max King, the Gabba stage is yours on Saturday afternoon.

IF ...

it was big Joe the Swans were said to be interested in this time last year ...

THEN ...

12 months on it may be big Jeremy. Maybe they always planned it that way. Maybe big Joe was merely the Jeremy smokescreen.

IF ...

you listen carefully ... 

THEN ...

that's the alarm bells you can hear, ringing in the distance in the build-up to Saturday night's home elimination final against the Pies.

IF ...

the selection debate has been around the injuries to Wallis and Naughton from round 18 (and both are good to go on Saturday) ... 

THEN ...

maybe there's one more to be had, if not this week then next if the Dogs beat the Saints – Laitham Vandermeer is again fit, and with his speed and endurance he offers a genuine point of difference.

AND THIS ONE'S FOR THE AFL

IF ...

it was good enough for Biden and Trump to slug it out in a much-publicised debate this week ...

THEN ...

I reckon it's high time for Aussie sport's two executive heavyweights to do the same. McLachlan versus V'Landys. Australian football versus "rugba league". Like the Trump-Biden show, it wouldn't solve nor mean a thing, but it'd be a highly entertaining duel of charm, wit, street smarts and showmanship.