The 2023 AFL Season Thread

[Cork Evertonian]

I have been watching Aussie Rules since the mid-70's when there was no AFL (national competition), only state leagues. The biggest & best comp in the country was Victoria - the VFL. Everyone who liked footy outside of VIc generally followed a local team & a VFL. team.

Though I have never lived in Vic I have supported Hawthorn since 1977. When my folks emigrated from the UK dad took a liking to the Hawks in the early 70's - mainly due to "Lethal" Leigh Matthews. I starting supporting the Hawks because he did. I am an Evertonian for the same reason.

We hit the jackpot with Hawthorn - I've watched 10 premierships.

You support Carlton? They were a powerhouse back in the 70's & into the 90's. It's been lean pickings for them over the last couple of decades but they seem to have a pretty decent team at the moment.

Yeah Carlton are my team. Like Everton we've won nothing since 1995!

We've had the salary cap debacle in 2002, then we disgracefully sacked Brett Ratten as coach and hired Mick Malthouse as his replacement.

It's been a chaotic last twenty or so years alright, but hopefully the current team will fulfil it's potential and land a flag or two in the next couple of years.

 

[Cork Evertonian]

I first came out to Australia in '99. My wife is a Carlton fan, so I naturally became one as well. Watched many a game on the old terracing at Princes Park, back when we had players like Ang Christou, Craig Bradley, Kouta and my favourite, SOS.

Mrs Thumpety-Thump has never forgiven me for barracking for her club, she blames the Everton curse for our recent woes!

Carltons demise happened because they kept John Elliott on as president for too long. A bit like Everton with Bill Kenwright, but unlike Bill John Elliott did actually deliver two flags during his term as president.

It's ironic really because Carlton and Essendon are the two most successful clubs in the competition, and both of these clubs have been poor for pretty much most of the 21st century.

 

[Bishop Thumpety-Thump]

Yeah Carlton are my team. Like Everton we've won nothing since 1995!

We've had the salary cap debacle in 2002, then we disgracefully sacked Brett Ratten as coach and hired Mick Malthouse as his replacement.

It's been a chaotic last twenty or so years alright, but hopefully the current team will fulfil it's potential and land a flag or two in the next couple of years.

Hiring Malthouse was a disgrace imho, comparable to us hiring Benitez. Crazy decision.

 

[Andy is the King]

I first came out to Australia in '99. My wife is a Carlton fan, so I naturally became one as well. Watched many a game on the old terracing at Princes Park, back when we had players like Ang Christou, Craig Bradley, Kouta and my favourite, SOS.

Mrs Thumpety-Thump has never forgiven me for barracking for her club, she blames the Everton curse for our recent woes!

Poor Mrs Thumpety-Thump, struck by the Everton curse. At least you don't suffer alone

 

[Andy is the King]

Carltons demise happened because they kept John Elliott on as president for too long. A bit like Everton with Bill Kenwright, but unlike Bill John Elliott did actually deliver two flags during his term as president.

It's ironic really because Carlton and Essendon are the two most successful clubs in the competition, and both of these clubs have been poor for pretty much most of the 21st century.

Essendon got hit hard with the doping saga

 

[Andy is the King]

Yeah Carlton are my team. Like Everton we've won nothing since 1995!

We've had the salary cap debacle in 2002, then we disgracefully sacked Brett Ratten as coach and hired Mick Malthouse as his replacement.

It's been a chaotic last twenty or so years alright, but hopefully the current team will fulfil it's potential and land a flag or two in the next couple of years.

Yeah, should not have sacked Ratten.

The way Clarko was moved out of the Hawks was appalling. Likewise the players they have shipped out - cannot get my head around Mitchell & Gunston being off-loaded, especially Gunston.

 

[Andy is the King]

Hawks absolutely spanked by the Bombers

Me thinks the Hawthorn rebuild is going to be long & painful

 

[Bishop Thumpety-Thump]

Been a great weekend of footy (Carlton result aside!). Love this time of year in Victoria when the days are still generally sunny and the evenings start to get a bit crisp/chilly.

Just had a week up in FNQ and couldn't imagine living there permanently, far too hot and humid for me.

 

[Cork Evertonian]

Hawks absolutely spanked by the Bombers

Me thinks the Hawthorn rebuild is going to be long & painful

It looks like it's between Hawthorn, North Melbourne and the West Coast Eagles for the wooden spoon.

Did Clarko make some mistakes post the three peat i wonder? Then again a club like Geelong are unique. The Cats are always able to stay around the top of the ladder for some reason.

 

[Cork Evertonian]

Carlton 90 Geelong 82, great win that was for Carlton. Carn the Blues!

 

[Andy is the King]

Carlton 90 Geelong 82, great win that was for Carlton. Carn the Blues!

Great win for the Bluebaggers. Also pleased that the felines have lost two straight

 

[Andy is the King]

What happens when you turf out all your experienced players.......

 

[perth_blue]

Great win by the baggers.
Next few rounds:
GWS
North
Adelaide
Saints
West Coast

Great chance to solidify a spot in the top 4, let alone the 8.

 

[Cork Evertonian]

Great win by the baggers.
Next few rounds:
GWS
North
Adelaide
Saints
West Coast

Great chance to solidify a spot in the top 4, let alone the 8.

It would be typical Carlton if we drop points in some of those games. I hope we've learned our lessons from last year!

 

[Cork Evertonian]

What happens when you turf out all your experienced players.......

View attachment 207422

Ouch! Still though you Hawks fans have been spoilt rotten with a lot of fairly recent success!

Hawthorn have won a flag in every decade since the 60's, and i wouldn't be surprised if you're back competing for and winning flags sooner rather than later.