Your “IT’S HAPPENING” 2023 Aussie Footy Preview and Thursday Night Open Thread

Banner Photo Credit: GWS Giants Homepage

I don’t know how Irish you are, but if you wanted to celebrate drinking as much as possible, wouldn’t you pair up the kickoff of the Australian Football League season with St. Patrick’s Day?  Because that’s what is happening TODAY/started this morning and continues into the wee hours and beyond!  Oh, and also March Madness, I suppose, but I DGAF about that. So let’s talk Aussie Footy.

Carlton hosted Richmond very early this morning, and then the festivities start accelerating late tonight/early tomorrow morning with Geelong at Collingwood at 3:40AM DFO time on 3/17, the Roos at the Eagles at 9:45PM DFO time on the same day, and then a shitload happening on 3/18, including my Giants at Adelaide at 9:10PM DFO time.

And how will the 2023 season go?

WOOOOOOOO GWS GIANTS ALL THE WAY!!!!!

Is what I would say if I were still a naive yank watching AFL for the first, second, or third time after choosing my favorite side.  But as a GWS backer since 2017 (with a LOT of free hats from the club), I’ve learned a thing or two, especially with all the changes this offseason. Oh, and perhaps my view is somewhat colored by the no-longer-an-expansion franchise’s history of final positions on the ladder:

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That chart courtesy of a GWS fan Redditor, and that’s honestly the best place for me to get news about my team. I’m not nearly as self-loathing/wallowing a Giants fan as I am with the Bears and Cubs, so I’ll still enjoy and give the new look Giants all my support. Let’s dig into the changes–

TRADED AWAY:

RETIRED:

  • Matt DeBoer

DELISTED:

  • Jarrod Brander (never heard of him)
  • Will Shaw
  • Zach Sproule
  • Jake Stein

ACQUIRED:

There’s also something about former captain and V for Vendetta mask model Phil Davis being “re-rookied,” but not gonna lie, I have no idea what that means.  I just hope he’s fully recovered, because he, Sam Taylor, and Nick Haynes make as solid a defensive combo as any I’ve seen in this league.

I’m not going to go all Samson or anything, but I don’t take it to be a good sign when Harry Himmelberg, one of the team’s best tall forwards rather than a nazi propaganda protagonist, goes from looking like Thor to looking like Thor: Ragnarock plus an earring.

2022:

2023:

Harry, btw, was the Giants’ third leading goal scorer last season despite the “caretaker” manager moving him from forward to the back line (and the ruck and whatever the hell else the team needed during whatever the fuck last year was).  Oh, and there’s no guarantee he stays with the team after this season, given the interest from Adelaide.

The big change, of course, is new head coach Adam KingsleyLeon Cameron stepped down during last season’s campaign after 9 years at the helm, only the second coach this franchise had ever known (if I’m reading wikipedia correctly).

Coach Kingsley, from whom there was a lovely note included in the membership package, has brought in a whole new staff, traded away a few great players (not his fault; the whole “requesting a trade to return home” thing of Aussie footy is still fucking weird to me), and is implementing his own philosophy to build a sustained winning culture in Canberra.  He told Lachie Whitfield he’ll be at halfback all season, avoiding the moving around that was so common last year (see above re: Himmelberg). The players seem bought in

In GWS’s preseason rout of Gold Coast, my takeaways were that they still have a tendency to start games slow and play down to competition, but their speed and skill puts them in contention in just about any game. Ruckwork, penalties, and injuries will likely be the major risks, and needing to let the kids mature while everyone learns a new system.  This isn’t a wooden spoon contender, but probably not a finals contender either. At least not yet.

Who will be there at the end, making it to the Grand Final? Some experts–including the AFL captains themselves–seem to think Geelong is poised to make a run at defending their title, but there’s also a LOT of chatter about Melboure and Brisbane. Maybe I’m biased, but given that Richmond added two young stars from GWS and gets Dusty Martin back full strength, I don’t see how they aren’t a top 4 contender.

That’s one of the (many many) great things about Aussie Footy–even more than the NFL, every game is up for grabs, and anyone could win the whole flipping thing.  Look back at the GWS chart from above; an expansion team took the wooden spoon its first two years and then by year four of its existence was a legit contender almost every season.

As a result, I’m sure others are interested in what else is on tonight, and yes, there will be NBA, NHL, and amateur basketball games on, but I’d remind all of you that for like $130 you can become an overseas member of virtually any AFL team and get access to ALL the AFL and AFLW games all season long, live and on demand. (GWS membership link here if you want to back the Orange). So I’ll be watching the Carlton-Richmond game tonight (hence not mentioning/looking up the score for this post), and I’ll leave it to Dick Vitale to deal with the diaper dandies and such.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

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BrettFavresColonoscopy
BFC is a Chicago native transplanted to our nation's capital and transplanted again to the mountain West, then to SoCal, then back to the mountain West, and then again back to our nation's capital. He enjoys football, whisky, and the oxford comma.
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[…] I pointed out in my AFL 2023 Season Preview, a) the GWS Giants’ likelihood of success hinges on and Ruckwork, penalties, and injuries. b) […]

2Pack

When a person opend Google, why do no bra stories always come up?

/ asking for a friend

ballsofsteelandfury

I’ve been getting those too!

Is that really a thing?

Doktor Zymm

I’m actually in a good time zone for watching AFL, just somewhere that doesn’t have TV or good enough wifi to stream. I’ll have to check the schedule to see if anything is on the night I’m in Singapore

WCS

Are you even on planet Earth, or one of the moons of Saturn this weekend?

Doktor Zymm

Still in Madagascar, until late tomorrow

ballsofsteelandfury

Oooh! Gotta find the LUCKY LINK!!

ballsofsteelandfury

Ha ha! Found one on my first try!

ballsofsteelandfury

Two for two!

ballsofsteelandfury

Three for three! Much appreciated!

ballsofsteelandfury

It’s that type of dedication to the craft that sets you apart.

WCS

Actual line from commercial just aired:

“SEC fans, be sure to ask your doctor about a COVID-19 vaccine.”

Can an entire geographical region and culture be subtweeted onTV?

ballsofsteelandfury

Right???

WCS

These Taco Bell commercials are the audio and visual assault on the senses that Taco Bell’s menu is to one’s digestional tract.

Horatio Cornblower

What are the odds Northern Kentucky’s coach is running a meth and/or moonshine ring just down the road from campus, behind the old McCready place?

Horatio Cornblower

I would 100% believe anyone who told me that Houston was shaving points in this game.

Redshirt

That’s the only explanation I can think of.

Horatio Cornblower

The turnovers are just them throwing the ball right into the legs of the other team’s players.

Brick Meathook

Q: Do you know what’s better than a Klondike bar?

A: Three Klondike bars

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Sharkbait

The question is, what did you do for them?

Beerguyrob

The bananacakes of this tournament will all be worth it when Seamus reaches down from heaven to remind North Carolina they didn’t make the tourney.

Beerguyrob

Update on the brisket – it was delicious, and paired well with a nice Blonde Ale.

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Sharkbait

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Horatio Cornblower

This may be of interest to those of you of exceptional culture and good taste

https://twitter.com/Showtime/status/1636397530257686531

Horatio Cornblower

My wife just called me in to see the local news doing a story about our local strip club being closed down because there have been “suspicions” about prostitution going on there for “several years.”

Buddy, those aren’t “suspicions.”

One of the last times I was in there a charming young thing offered to jerk me off for $100. I responded with regret, saying that I was married, (omitting that I was also perfectly capable of doing said act for free), and she burst into laughter and responded “everyone in here is married!”

Still my favorite exchange with a stripper ever.

Horatio Cornblower

/smacks head with comically large cartoon glove

NOW you tell me!

ballsofsteelandfury

If one was going to pay a prostitute, why would one order a hand job???

Horatio Cornblower

There were other services available, but if you said no to the hand job they knew not to start offering anything else.

Redshirt

Will someone tell the Norse this isn’t NBA Jam, there is no 6-point shot. Just turn every turnover into two points and all will be fine.

Horatio Cornblower

The clock seems to be striking midnight a little early on Cinderella in this game.

King Hippo

One thing I do remember about my DFO bracket – I had the JV Hardwood 500s winning it all. Oy.

Sharkbait

Same!

Horatio Cornblower

I have now spent more time watching Houston than at any point during the regular season and two things are painfully apparent:

1) I will at best go 3 for 4 in my Final Four; and

2) No on on the Houston team is spending their spare time cracking atoms in the physics lab.

King Hippo

TRUE HIPPO STORY – My mom started her college edumacation at UNC-Asheville. Finished at NC State, though. As per family rules.

SonOfSpam

She must’ce realized what the Bruins would do tonight.

King Hippo

To the extent she noticed they even made it! She did text to ask how the Wolven Sort got in, being as sorry as we are.

Sharkbait

I need to find replays of these matches. East coast times and AFL games don’t mix well.

King Hippo

One day, you will buy/program the last new cellphone of your corporal existence. Perhaps you already have?

Enjoy Arby’s.

herodotus450

This Jitterbug is gonna last, bud.

Mr. Ayo

Ugh, had my phone fixed today and they required a factory reset. So happy to be installing and signing into all my apps again.

King Hippo

That’s what you get for being such a Bastard Man tho

Horatio Cornblower

Upon further review my Final Four bracket is still intact. Now to take a big sip of this beer and turn on the Houston ga…WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK!!!

Sharkbait

Why yes Fanduel. I will take your new state special of over 1 point in the West Virginia – Maryland game and double my $50.

King Hippo

The sweet siren song of GAMBLOR. Like the sound of God flossing.

Sharkbait

Oh yeah. Once these bonus bets/specials are done I’m pulling most of the funds out of the apps I have (probably straight up closing a couple of them) and shutting down til football season.

Redshirt

That’s what I did. I know shit about basketball and I know better to put money on baseball games when umpires are involved.

WCS

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Redshirt

JV Houston during that last timeout:

Rocky Vs Apollo Creed Full Fight (1976) – YouTube

Horatio Cornblower

We’re back home. Karen’s husband told her that her conduct was “unbecoming”, (he actually used said that), and apparently that’s their safe word because instead of doing what my wife would do to me if I said that, (although in all fairness I’ve never had to stop her from going on a rant about Satanists during an awards dinner), she just sulked until she won $50 in a raffle.

Somewhat disappointing end to an evening that was showing some promise to turn into an absolute shitshow that for once would not have been my fault.

Mrs. Horatio would like it stressed that no flags were obtained during the evening.

Sharkbait

I love how flag larceny is now a standard unit of measurement when it comes to evenings out.

King Hippo

When UConn lose, you’ll look back in regret.

Horatio Cornblower

No UConn flags were available.

Given what’s happened to Arsenal since we ‘ahem’ purchased that Arsenal flag way back when if there had been a UConn flag hanging around there’s no way I wouldn’t have it flying outside Casa de Cornblower right now.

King Hippo

There was no state flag flying ANYWHERE?

Horatio Cornblower

Nope.

Brick Meathook

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King Hippo

Ah, the countenance of a novice criminal

herodotus450

Heard Colgate will be in dire straits if they lose this game, might have to merge with their bitter rival Palmolive.

herodotus450

Wasn’t a big fan of Oral Roberts until I met the right Furman

herodotus450

“Howard Bison? Well does he have a wife?”
-a hopefull Scot

herodotus450

Someone please help I cant stop

herodotus450

More like PennITENTIARY State amirige?

Horatio Cornblower

Colgate should really change their nickname to Cavity Creeps.

Redshirt

How is Northern Kentucky’s abbreviation “N Kent”? Are they afraid people don’t know the abbreviation for Kentucky?

And Louisiana is “L’Siana”? Are the Graphics People paid by the letter?

Last edited 1 year ago by Redshirt
SonOfSpam

“NO KY” sounds like Ben Shapiro’s wife’s nightmare

Redshirt

U.C. X.U. No. KY

You see ex, you no K-Y.

Brick Meathook

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King Hippo

Little Brick looks so guilty smh

scotchnaut

The Canadiens got Dolly Parton’d by the Panthers to the tune of 9 to 5.

King Hippo

Islanders in the Stream?

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

THESE TEXAS LONGHORNS I CALL THEM COLE BEASLEY’S TEETH BECAUSE COLGATE WAS NO MATCH FOR THEM.

Beerguyrob

The Penguins – Rangers game I have on in the picture-in-picture is a delightful tilt

Beerguyrob

The MSG “Crosby sucks!” chants bring back fond Denis Potvin memories.

Sharkbait
Horatio Cornblower

Denis Potive Beats His Wife, Doo-Dah, Doo-Dah!

I have no idea if that’s even true, I just remember that being chanted.

Sharkbait

I need another goal (hopefully an ENG for the Rangers) and I get paid (if NYR win)

Last edited 1 year ago by Sharkbait
Beerguyrob

Congratulations!

Sharkbait

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Beerguyrob

Tonight’s sports dinner is a brisket that was given a 21-hour sous vide and a three-hour pecan wood smoke. It is currently in the process of getting into my belly.

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scotchnaut

You forgot to tell us about the Viagra-centric seasoning rub you used.

Beerguyrob

I should have gotten the mushroom rub from the dispensary over town so I could tell Hippo about it.

blaxabbath

Looks like something Megan McCain picked out from between her teeth.

Beerguyrob

Did you know her dad was a senator?

King Hippo

I really like the tenth of the seconds shown on the shot clock. Apparently the Iggles want to bring these extra significant digits to NFL time keeping and I love them for it.

King Hippo

I think maybe Baba Booey’s illegitimate child plays for Northwestern?

litre_cola

Got a ticket to The Cure. Am as happy as you could get for something so sad!

WCS

Derek Carr can never get ahead.

Beerguyrob

Nothing makes him happy anymore.

WCS

He only hurts to feel alive.

King Hippo

My hippie child just called (from a bar before some random concert), needing the code they texted to my phone b/c she was locked out of her snapchat.

Probably best I don’t think about that too hard. Oh HAI PILL BOTTLE my love

scotchnaut

some random concert

I saw “Arbitrary” open up for Random back in ’03. The show was kinda, ‘meh’.

herodotus450

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: every upset in the tournament should require the public hanging of one Selection Committeee member (or lacking sufficient numbers, a close personal friend or financial advisor) as recompense.

WCS

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King Hippo

I was also thinking how you could get killer ratings televising prison rec yard fights (live). Plus it’d help keep family members in touch who are too poor/far away to visit!

WCS

Coming soon to a for-profit prison near you! Livestream on Truth Social and Parler!

King Hippo

We should totes start having Dark Thoughts Saturdays in this dreaded off-season

scotchnaut

Colgate Dental College getting roughed up by Texas.

Horatio Cornblower

Quaren got the lowest award and just complained that she’s going backwards and my wife smiled and agreed with her.

The boss is now shushing her.

scotchnaut

Springsteen is at your table and is agreeing with your wife?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fzJGxpcenc&ab_channel=StyxVEVO

Don T

Watery margaritas are for closers!

Horatio Cornblower

It’s like you’re here drinking them with me.

Had to stop; they’re all lime juice.

scotchnaut

“Did they put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up?”

-H. Nilsson

blaxabbath

Is this a MLM thing?

Horatio Cornblower

Real estate, so yes.

King Hippo

Of all the shithead coaches I’ve seen so far, I think I’d enjoy wood chipper-ing Iowa’s the most

King Hippo

TRUE STORY! Oral Bob was the prototype for Sleepy Gary.

/not actually true, mind

Horatio Cornblower

Quaren is in her husband’s face because she got a question right and has repeated the answer three times so far, saying “I was right” each time.

Horatio Cornblower

I need to redirect this back to Satan, but do so in a way that doesn’t get my spouse filled with murderous rage towards me.

King Hippo

Bill Gates. That’s the perfect trigger.

Horatio Cornblower

Oh that’s good.

Horatio Cornblower

Folks, the Trumper is mentioning Satanists and her husband is shushing her and this night just got a *whole* lot more interesting!

litre_cola

You at a community association meeting?

Don T

Shout Bart-style at the teacher’s strike

High voice: I thought this was a free speech zone

Low voice: what’s with the Satan bashing?

WCS

Mention Qaron has some interesting ideas on vaccines.

King Hippo

Full Q!

Don T

I read St. Patrick’s and TODAY at the top and I panic-called my sister to wish her a happy birthday. She humored for a minute, then I realized today’s Thursday.
Classic 7 behavior in the burnout scale
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litre_cola

Yeah I figure I am a 7 too.

Don T

Work is gonna kill me. But the boss is humane whatarya gonna do 🤷🏻

King Hippo

Mine’s is also killing me, but the slowest way possible. Like an unholy spork of benign neglect.

Last edited 1 year ago by King Hippo
WCS

TWWL has less than 3% of their brackets left intact, so everyone’s a loser this year.

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SonOfSpam

Oral Bobs gettin shut out by Dook.

litre_cola

Going to be real funny when ASU advances again and Arizona didn’t.

King Hippo

Blax is 100% gonna murder you.

blaxabbath

Well he sure as hell isn’t getting a Sweet Sixteen XL Long Sleeve Tee…..

And I wouldn’t worry about ASU.

ballsofsteelandfury

All’s I’m gonna say is that it was an insane way for the AFL season to start!

scotchnaut

/me, heading off to my wee tv nook

Wifey: “Where you going?”

Me: “It’s March Madness time.”

Wifey: “Oh, is that a hockey thing?”

Me: “Basketball. It’s the college basketball tournament.”

Wifey: “Oh, right.”

/bless her heart. We have this exchange Every. Single. Year.

Horatio Cornblower

My wife just asked me if something I was talking about yesterday was basketball or football.

Me: (pause) “hockey. So close.”

blaxabbath

Things getting hot with the first caller suggesting Arizona fire Tommy Lloyd on the Meridian Wealth Management Post-Game show.

WCS

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Horatio Cornblower

They should really rehire Lute Olsen.

SonOfSpam

Or his brother Mandolin.

WCS

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