BigFooty

Sponsorship by Online Casinos and Betting Operators: Yes or No?

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 06:05:49 GMT

Sponsorship is highly beneficial for companies these days, generating brand awareness, increasing the brands’ sales and allowing brands to sell to potential new audiences. However, it’s not just beneficial for the sponsor.

It’s a two-way street and a sports team will benefit from the sponsorship, too. The sponsor helps generate revenue and will provide equipment for the team. The better the deal with the sponsor, the more revenue the team can generate.

Sponsorship in the NFL

Until more recent years, sponsorship by casinos and online betting operators was something that the NFL had shied away from. The practice of sponsorship deals has been going on for a while already and the NFL had named Caesars Entertainment as the league’s first official casino sponsor, but sports betting itself wasn’t part of the deal.

The NFL had felt sports betting sponsorship could damage the integrity of the league and had opposed it. This wasn’t the only league in American sport to have done so. The NHL, NBA and Major League Baseball had all felt just as strongly.

Then the US Supreme Court ruled that it was okay for states to legalise sports betting and the NFL started to warm to the idea. In November, the Philadelphia Eagles agreed a sponsorship deal with the operator Unibet.

They’re not the only team to have done so, however. In September, it was reported that the Dallas Cowboys had become the first team to do a sponsorship deal with a casino company.

Earlier this year, and after several months of study, the NFL’s Sports Betting Committee decided to loosen its rules. Now teams can enter into agreements with regulated sportsbooks and advertise with them directly.

Stadiums in states that have legalized sports betting will be allowed to have betting lounges and will be able to display sports betting signage. The stadiums won’t, however, be able to display the signs in the lower levels of the venue.

Sponsorship in the AFL

Betting in Oceania is a growing market. It has been for some time, with leagues such as the Australian Football League (AFL) and the National Rugby League offering opportunities to anyone in Oceania who fancies a wager.

In fact, earlier this year, the AFL signed a new five-year deal with BetEasy, which means the league will have an official sports betting partner until the end of 2025.

The deal is thought to be around $10 million, the same as last year. This time, there will be fewer sports betting ads shown during AFL games and less advertising in the stadium.

Gambling has become more normal than ever in Australia explaining why major sporting events are collaborating together. Sports betting is also popular in Aussie’s neighbours, New Zealand where an increasing number of legally operating sites allow people to place bets on a myriad of different sports matches and events. The most popular sports to bet on in New Zealand are similar to those in Australia like rugby matches, football events and horse racing.

Despite the existence of sports betting on the AFL and of the league’s own dealings with sports betting operators, the league, has been slightly uneasy about such a relationship.

This has especially become the case in more recent times. In June 2019, the league dished out a 22-match ban (with 12 matches suspended) to Collingwood player Jaidyn Stephenson for betting on matches he’d been playing in. Under AFL rules, no player, coach or league official may bet on the league in any form.

The question is whether the league will follow the NFL’s lead and become more comfortable with partnerships between leagues and casino operators. There’s no mistaking the revenue such a partnership can generate, not to mention the levels of engagement it can encourage with the fans.

The power of online casinos

Just how powerful is the online gambling world, however?

With the closure of land-based casinos, and other gambling establishments closing because of the pandemic, there’s no doubt that interest in online gambling has surged. According to the International Association of Gaming Regulators, in the 30 March to 5 April period, online gambling increased by 67% in Australia.

Right now, however, igaming is against the law in Australia. The prohibition has persuaded some Australians to seek illegal gambling kicks and turn to sites offshore. The endings have been far from happy, however, as some have been illegal and the players have had trouble collecting their winnings from the sites. The Australian authorities have taken action, asking ISPs to block access to (suspected) illegal offshore gambling sites.

Way over in the US, online gambling operators have had a similar experience, with the handful of states where playing at online casinos is legal witnessing a surge in numbers. The cancellation of sports events has seen sportsbooks take a significant hit and gamblers have been looking for the next best thing.

The shutting down of the NBA triggered a major shift, with more people turning to the online sphere. The general hope, amongst online casinos who also run brick-and-mortar establishments, is that the online operations will offset some of the losses their real-world casinos have suffered. One thing of note is the potential for the online operations to stay popular when life reverts to “normal”.

Even before the pandemic, though, legal online casinos in some states were doing big business. Take New Jersey. In 2019, Atlantic City casinos won a little short of $483 million online, which was a 62% increase on 2018 levels.

Sponsorship from casinos and sportsbooks is growing in the NFL. Whether the AFL will take to it more keenly like the NFL has done is a different story, but it’s certainly possible. Australians have demonstrated an appetite for gambling and measures to legalize it would certainly raise a cheer from some quarters.

Collingwood: Isaac Quaynor Expected to Enjoy a Breakthrough Season in 2021

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 02:08:19 GMT

There have been many young players who have been tipped for big things in 2021, however, it could be the year that Collingwood’s Isaac Quaynor finally becomes a household name in the AFL. The 20-year old was given some valuable minutes on the field last season, however, his run of games was disrupted by a shin problem and he’ll be keen to avoid any more injury setbacks going forward.

Quaynor is a defensively minded player who has an innate ability to read the game. Although he is a defender by trade, he is also able to operate in the middle, and with Adam Treloar’s high profile departure having been confirmed at the beginning of November, he could potentially be given the chance to step up and fill the 27-year old’s boots next season.

Although he has been praised for his ability to thwart the opposition, the former under-18 All Australian has also impressed with his kicking and athleticism. His precision with the ball at his feet has earned him praise from numerous footy analysts, and he was one of two Next Generation Academy prospects to catch the eye at the 2018 Draft Combine, recording a perfect score in the goalkicking assessment. He also possesses terrific speed and a superb leap, and he appears to be learning and improving on a weekly basis.

He is a rising star of the game, and he is likely to play a big part for Collingwood next season. He is highly rated in Melbourne, and will be keen to help the Pies improve upon this year’s eighth place finish. Despite their inconsistencies, they still managed to reach the semi-final stage. However, their campaign was cut short following a heavy defeat to Geelong at the beginning of October.

Coach Nathan Buckley has been brave with his decision-making and he isn’t afraid to take risks. He has opted to blood several rookie players over the last twelve months, and he will be hoping to find the perfect blend of youth and experience once again next season. They are 13.00 sixth favourites to win the 2021 AFL Grand final in the latest Aussie Rules betting, and lifelong Pies fan Quaynor will be hoping that he can be the man to guide his side back to the MCG.

Despite already featuring regularly, he will be expecting to play an even bigger role next season alongside the likes of Josh Daicos and Will Kelly. Quaynor missed three games last season after a nasty clash at the Gabba with Swan’s forward Sam Wicks. However, upon his return to fitness, he was drafted straight back into the side, and won six of the eleven matches in which he featured. He averaged 2.3 tackles, 6.7 handballs and 13.5 disposals throughout the course of the campaign, and put in a number of eye-catching performances. Although he showcased his talents on numerous occasions, his 17-disposal, 7-mark display against the Suns in mid-September earned him the Rising Star award for round 17.

Isaac Quaynor is the round 17 Rising Star for his performance against the Suns. pic.twitter.com/tCYfpKZGvT

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 15, 2020

Buckley has a number of tremendously talented young players to work with next season, and it could be an extremely exciting time to be a Pies supporter. Quaynor is undoubtedly the pick of the bunch, and with his attention to detail, and ability to read the game, he looks likely to become one of the AFL’s most consistent performers in 2021.

Will We See Further Night-Time AFL Grand Finals?

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 08:00:44 GMT

As the first night-time AFL Grand Final drew to a close, there was a pervading sense that this was something of a watershed moment. Was this to be the start of a new trend or was it simply a strange final fit for strange times? Ultimately, time will tell, but the change certainly got people talking. The new time slot of the 2020 decider has already drawn much criticism from all corners of Australia, but at least fans got to see just what such a spectacle might look like.

In the end, it was Richmond who triumphed on the biggest stage of all, though for some people, the stage itself was a bit too brightly lit. Playing the Grand Final at night broke a tradition that dates back decades, and hence, the decision was always likely to cause some degree of consternation. It became known as the “Gabba Experiment’, though, if winning captain Trent Cotchin has his way, an experiment is exactly what it will remain. “I love the day game”, he stated. “It’s what I grew up with, during the day playing footy. It is just what feels the norm”.

Cotchin’s point is certainly a salient one, as norms, traditions and customs are concepts that we all struggle to let go of. But new norms must be established at some point, and it’s entirely possible, given all that is happening in the world right now, that playing at night could in fact become the new ‘norm’. The problem is that Cotchin’s remarks are about as diplomatic as it gets when it comes to criticism of the new timeslot. Over on Twitter, it’s another matter entirely.

Online, the vitriol towards the decision was immediate and unrelenting. A poll conducted by the Herald Sun found that only 7% of responders wanted the Grand Final to be played in the evening – not that such sentiment holds any sway with the decision-makers. Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson told ABC; “If the AFL uses Covid to introduce under the cover of darkness a night Grand Final permanently, it will be a disgrace”.

Gideon Haigh, a cricket/fiction writer by trade, was similarly scathing, labelling the decision as “total crap”. Far from just being a few vocal traditionalists, it seems as if the whole of Australia has come out in force to ensure that a night-time event never takes place again.

The animosity towards the schedule change seems to come from a place of frustration on the part of the fans, many of whom believe that the AFL is massively selling out. The move towards a night-time event will, in theory at least, bring in more viewers. This was proven as such, as the national average audience of 3.81 million was the highest since 2016, up 30 per cent on last years blue ribbon clash. In Victoria alone, figures were up 50% compared to 2019 – which has made some conspiratorial onlookers question the true motivation behind the changes.

Breaking with tradition for the sake of financial gain is one thing, but the crux of the issue is that Covid is being peddled as a convenient explanation for the new start time. Elsewhere in the world, grand sporting events are commonly played at night-time. The Superbowl, Champions League final and the soccer World Cup final are all (for the time being at least) played in the evening.

Whether a similar future beacon for the AFL remains to be seen, but if the initial reviews are anything to be go by, organisers might do well to stick to the traditional time slot. The only issue with listening to the fans on this one is that despite their initial protestations, they still tuned in. As hard as it may be to accept, the later start time likely played a big role in the rise in viewers this year – a fact that will do very little to silence the cynics.

Top 5 Australian Players

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:55:04 GMT

Australia has birthed many amazing players thus far, for the sporting football world, that is no doubt. With players featuring across the board of the Premier League with particular legends from decades ago, we have plenty to discuss and remember.

Betting houses like Sportsbet make a buck from player odds, so we can imagine that back in the day when current and old champions like Tim Cahill, Johnny Warren etc. were creating a storm at betting houses!

Tim Cahill

Kick starting our selections, we have a current champion Tim Cahill. This player was at his peak from 2004 and we can tell you that when he played for Everton, he was really hailed as an exceptional player, there is no doubt about it. With over 67 caps and 31 goals to his name to date, most of those were made in his time at Everton. Many remember his first year playing for Everton during the FA Cup matches. The goal that he managed to score was responsible for allowing the team to get a chance to play in the final. As a midfielder, he knows exactly what he’s doing and why.

Even in the World Cup 2006, his amazing talent and control over the ball, was the primary reason as to why he managed to knock up a nomination for the Ballon d’Or. Currently he plays for the New York Red Bulls, but many say he has many more years to come, to make some huge further waves in his career.

Harry Kewell

Many remember Harry Kewell, but with his name comes a certain degree of criticism over the years he has played. His injuries that he has procured during his time in football (1996-2012) has often caused a huge stir of discussion, why? Because you could say that people perhaps doubted his commitment to the sport, being that he took so much time off for his bad health and fitness form. Many say that if it was not for his injuries, he would definitely have much more to give to the sport.

His position within Leeds and Liverpool, earning him 17 goals within his career. However, if it was not for his injury, his explosive speed would still have very much aided him throughout his short-lived career at Liverpool-that is for sure. His scoring debut for Australia against the Iranians is what got everyone excited and rubbing their hands together, especially since he was 17 years old. It was a really sad thing that he could not continue playing at the peak of his career, due to the fitness set back.

Mark Schwarzer

Mark played out his career until 41 years old, which is very impressive for anyone in football! His talent secured him key position as Chelsea’s goalkeeper within the premier league and the Champions league until 2013. His earlier positions for clubs like Middlesbrough are what highlighted him as a perfect option for the bigger teams like Chelsea. Many remember those two penalties that he saved against Canada in 1994 and the same again in 2005 against Uruguay for world cup qualifiers. There are no players to date that have represented Australia more than Schwarzer. Schwarzer is no stranger when it comes to being brought up as a legend by Sky Sports football presenters.

Brett Emerton

Emerton was a huge part of representing Australia in country matches, especially in the year 1998. There he managed to represent his nation within the Olympics hosted in Sydney. This showcased his career more than enough to allow him to continue forward to play for English football teams like Blackburn Rovers. Within the world cup 2006 he also managed to play within all the games there, being picked for his perfect midfield talents. To date from his 1998 to 2012 career, he has scored 20 goals and 95 caps.

John Aloisi

Within his career, he has managed to play in over 12 different teams. Playing as a striker, he has over 55 caps and 27 goals within his career. Although he was not favoured as much as others in terms of skill, he was able to get the job done to support the teams that he was able to play for. Some of those teams included Coventry City, Portsmouth and of course Australia, within national matches against other countries within the World Cup. His World Cup qualifier goals against Tonga, were some of his most memorable achievements.

For the latest Australian football updates, make sure to check up frequently on ABC, for all the latest updates on current players like Tim Cahill etc.

The delisted AFL players who deserve a lifeline

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 05:50:26 GMT

AFL clubs had prepared for extensive list cuts and delistings following the impacts of 2020.

In an off-season like no other, dozens of promising players both young and old find themselves on the outer of an AFL list and remain at the quality certain clubs are looking to add to their undermanned squads.

With plenty of names up for grabs, we take a look at the seven delisted players cheaper than a Black Fridays sale at Anaconda and worthy of a second chance at the top level.

Lewis Jetta

The 31-year-old offers an unparalleled wealth of pace, experience and versatility in the open market, the perfect balance for a young side looking to move their way up the ladder.

Jetta is an elite user of the ball and offers plenty of flexibility as he can move swiftly from half-back, through the middle and even land as a formidable goal-sneak moving forward.

The two-time premiership player and 2012 Sydney leading goalkicker still has plenty to offer and remains keen to add to his 202 career games.

Best suitor: Melbourne

Jordan Gallucci

The former first-round selection had his 2020 season riddled with injury after falling to a troubled achilles that kept him on the sidelines for the season’s entirety.

His first three season with the Crows showed plenty of promise as a clean midfielder able to go forward and impact the scoreboard.

If the 22-year-old is able to get his body right and remain at full fitness, he has every chance to prove his stature at AFL level and return to his soaring potential

Best Suitor: North Melbourne

Robbie Fox

The cool, calm and collected Swans defender was a shock omission from Sydney’s list for 2021, with fans in disbelief of the 23-year-old’s exit from the Harbour city.

Fox played 14 matches this season, adding a great dynamic to an undermanned back-third for John Longmire and taking on any role that was thrust upon him.

For any rival club looking to add great depth to their defensive structure, Fox is definitely one of the stronger role player in the delisted market.

His ability to add pressure to opposition forwards and play a strong lockdown role shows the ability is most certainly there for Robbie Fox.

Best suitor: Greater Western Sydney

Majak Daw

Daw was one of 11 players culled by the Kangaroos after a forgetful season for the club.

The big-bodied key position player has endured a tough path in the AFL and leads one of the great comeback stories in recent history.

When at his best, Daw was a dominant defender who Paire well with Robbie Tarrant and would be able to return to a similar role in due time.

A constant intercept threat and a nightmare for the opposition, Daw would be a handy recruit for little cost and wan even swing forward when called upon.

Best suitor: Essendon

Oscar McDonald

The key defender certainly has a case to make as to why he deserves a second chance in the AFL.

The 24-year-old offers great depth to a side needing to boost their defensive stocks and would be a great addition to a club chasing a versatile, third-string backman.

With the arrival of Jake Lever and Steven May, the axed Demon was squeezed out of a promising side and would be a great addition for a club stuck in the bottom third of the competition.

Best suitor: Hawthorn

Matt Parker

The St Kilda live wire showed plenty of promise in his debut season last year, playing 17 games and booting 16 majors to become a fan favourite at Moorabbin.

The West Australian’s 2020 campaign failed to backup his 2019 heroics after he was pushed out of a new look Saints side that hit the exchange period with aggression and shot up the ladder to earn a finals victory.

Parker has time on his side and would offer as a great utility that can offer run through the middle and go forward and kick goals.

Best suitor: Fremantle

Jacob Townsend

The premiership Tiger was a key player to Richmond’s drought breaking success in 2017, having a strong end to the season and aiding the club to victory in the season decider.

His move to Essendon looked to be a smart move for both parties before new Bombers coach Ben Rutten looked to move the magnets.

A perfect candidate for a club looking to add a second or third-string forward to their arsenal and will be hungry for another chance in the league.

Best suitor: Sydney

Analysing the top five 2021 premiership contenders

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 06:27:15 GMT

West Coast

Two years on from their premiership glory, the Eagles have taken a couple of steps back despite having a list just as worthy – if not better – for an additional premiership cup to their trophy cabinet.

The Eagles’ torrid battle with injuries was once again a primary chapter in their home and away camping, as was their inability to find success outside of Perth.

If this West Coast outfit can remain on the track and finally find some minutes to play as a collective, their chances of claiming the 2021 premiership are as strong as any of their rivals.

A first week exit out of the finals doesn’t represent where this side places in the competition and they’ll be sure to show why as they begin planning for next year.

With a damaging forward line, a star-studded midfield and a no-nonsense defensive unit all adding to the Eagles’ flag bid, we’d say they’re as strong as a contender as any other side going into 2021.

Richmond

Can the Tigers make it three in a row and move to an impressive four flags in five years? Absolutely.

Damien Hardwick has the formula for success and the squad to match, launching his side into a dynasty to remember, and they’re not done yet.

While 2020 proved to be a test for all, it was just another day at the office by the end of the season-decider and its hard to draw any reason why they won’t repeat history, again.

With all of their best 22 staying on for next season and age well and truly on their side, there is no doubt Richmond will be a strong contender come the business end of the season.

Sitting as the premiership favourites, the likely return to some form of the norm next year will see Richmond’s contention for the flag grow stronger as they return to playing football at their fortress that is the MCG.

Despite all their recent success, the Tigers will be as hungry as ever to add to their glorious dominance of the past four years.

Geelong

You can just never rule out the Cats it seems.

Geelong proved once again in 2020 that their play for a premiership is well and truly alive and now they’ve managed to add an abundance of strength, speed and class to their list.

The Cats added three-time premiership Hawk Isaac Smith, Kangaroos smooth mover Shaun Higgins and if that wasn’t enough, 2019 Coleman Medal winner and Giants superstar Jeremy Cameron to their list in what was a bust trade period.

To go as close to winning the premiership as the Cats did and then to add the names they have, its hard to see this squad not make the big dance next year.

Some will question the age of Chris Scott’s men, but with Tom Hawkins having the greatest year of his career at 32 years of age, the men in hoops have proved that experience is key to moving up in this competition.

With Geelong now having arguably the strongest forward line in the AFL, added to a solid defensive unit and midfield that goes as deep as any, you’d be smart backing the Cats for the 2021 flag on any of the Australian betting sites.

Brisbane

Many believed that 2020 was the Lions’ best chances of winning a flag as they eyed off a home Grand Final at the Gabba thanks to the unprecedented circumstances that took place this year.

While the Lions held onto a top two finish for the second straight year and were once again well into the race for the premiership, they remained off the pace at times due to their limited finals experience.

In 2019 the Lions left the finals race in straight sets after a promising home and away season, and 12 months on managed to knock off the premiers before falling to the Cats in the preliminary final. The heartbreak of failed campaigns will only fuel this young sides place as a premiership contender.

The astronomical turn around of this club from several seasons ago shows the club is only moving in one direction, up.

With their star names only set to get better and the addition of Joe Daniher to their forward line, this Lions side have the premiership blue print in hand.

Port Adelaide

A minor premiership was a massive stepping stone for the South Australians, with the Power bowing out of the finals by a kick to the eventual premiership in Richmond one week out from the Grand Final.

Ken Hinkley has turned a finals hopeful into a speed driven juggernaut that isn’t looking to slow down any time soon.

The Power enjoyed an exciting trade period following on from their equally exciting 2020 campaign, adding Aliir Aliir and Orazio Fantasia to a list already overflowing with flare.

Add new faces into the mix and Port’s competitive ranks of fringe players worthy of an AFL position hands Hinkley a very good problem to have.

With Travis Boak leading from the front and plenty of eager stars spread across the field, the Power’s shout for flag next year is as worthy as any.

Can the Power prove 2020 was no fluke and add some silverware in 12 months time? The belief Port Adelaide have in place down at Alberton suggests so.

AFL Trade and Draft

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 23:19:15 GMT

AFL Trade and Draft: info, talk, and news

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 23:16:04 GMT

BigFooty has all of your AFL 2020 trade and draft period news and talk:

Calendar Emoji Important Dates

Completed Moves Emoji Completed Trades and FA Moves

Draft Order Emoji LIVE Draft Order

FAQ Emoji FAQ’s

Club Focus Emoji Club Focus Threads

Trade Targets Emoji Trade Targets & Free Agents

Draft Footage Emoji Draft Footage

Draft Hub Emoji The Draft Hub

BigFootyDraft Emoji BigFooty DTFA on Twitter

What’s Going on With Manchester United?

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 02:45:30 GMT

What’s going on over at Old Trafford?

From collapsing mid-fielders to a boss in the hot seat, what’s going on in Manchester?. Manchester United is 2-1-2 in the EPL at the time of writing this piece. And let’s just say that sitting back in 15th place in Britain’s top-flight league is not what Man U fans or top brass had in mind for the 2020-2021 season.

Donny Van de Beek MIA

Just what is going on with Donny Van de Beek? The Dutch mid-fielder signed on to the Red Devils this summer to the tune of 39 million Euros but has yet to step on to the pitch for Manchester United during a match.

Van de Beek is sitting on the substitutes bench. He has yet to start sensei arriving from Ajax; management has elected to go with Fred and Scott McTominay. Some think that Ole Gunnar Solskjær is reluctant to start Van de Beek for reasons unknown. However, the real reason is defensive protection. With the acquisition of Donny Van de Beek over the summer, most thought it was a foregone conclusion that Solskjær would go with a rotation of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, and Donny Van de Beek. Especially given how Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes played together at the end of last season. That said, that’s not what we are season. Solskjær is going with a more defensive-minded strategy. Now because of the formation and strategy, it’s unlikely that Van de Beek will get much playing time with Fernadez and Pogba in the lineup. Because instead of having two of Pogba, Fernades, Van De Beek on the pitch at a time, there will only be one rotating at a time because of the defensive formation. And when you watch the matches, you can see Donny Van de Beek with dejected body language as the cameras pan to him and zoom in. He clearly wasn’t expecting to be transferred just to end up riding the pine.

That said, it has been assured that Van de Beek will get playing time. But without an injury, how much becomes the question. Furthermore, many were questioning the wisdom of the transfer in the first place. Why fix something that isn’t broken? Why the additional expense to strengthen a position where you are already strong? So, Van de Beek may just be a victim of circumstance rather than a regression in his play during practices.

But is this the right mindset for Solskjær to follow?

Manchester United Recent Performance

In the latest tilt at Old Trafford, Man U hosted Chelsea in what was supposed to be an exciting affair filled with attacking offense. But despite the promise, it was a rather anticlimactic affair with just one shot on target during the second half of play. It ended as a goalless draw and was a massive let down in the eyes of most. That said, they did keep a clean sheet for home play. And they won at Paris St. Germaine and got a late win over New Castle.

But can the Red Devils beat Arsenal FC on November first? The odds favor Man U to -0.25 (-117), but you can get a parlay with Manchester on the goal line and Aston Villa FC and Everton FC on the money line, which returns 87 dollars on a 10 dollar wager (77 in winnings).

Now there are rumors floating that Solskjær may be on the hot seat for replacement with Southampton’s former boss. So, I imagine that if the Devils don’t play well against the 11th place Gunnars while at home in Old Trafford, those rumors might come to be a reality. Arsenal seems to be slumping on offense a bit, taking back-to-back EPL losses to Man City and Leicester City without netting a single goal in either match. They did net two in their Europa League affair against Rapid Wien.

For the Red Devils, we’ll get to see how they play in the Champions League against RB Leipzig before they return home to face the Gunnars. As mentioned above, Man U got a 2-1 win over PSG in the Champions on October 20th. In their tilt against Newcastle, Man U put up four goals on 28 total shots and 14 on target. All the while, they held the Magpies to just seven total shots with four on target at St. James’ Park. If the Red Devils formation works like this more, they’ll be a tough squad to face down the road.

Pass accuracy was one of the deciding factors in this match. Man U distributing the ball for 86% accuracy. Meanwhile, the Mags only passed for 71%. Arsenal isn’t a bad team. So, the Red Devils will have to get more than four shots on target during the game –as they did against the Blues– if they want a handy win and to keep that clean sheet at Old Trafford.

Odds on the Game

The three-way money line has Manchester United as a 2.200 favorite to win, Arsenal a 3.710 dog to win, and the Draw at 3.390. You can get a valuable goal line of -0.25 at 1.909.

AFL Grand Final 2020 Teams

Sat, 24 Oct 2020 03:43:46 GMT

You can find all the Grand Final details here:

AFL Grand Final 2020 – All the details.

RICHMOND v GEELONG CATS

Saturday October 24, 7:30pm AEDT/6:30 AEST at the Gabba

TIGERS

B: David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Liam Baker, Nick Vlastuin, Bachar Houli
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Marlion Pickett
HF: Kane Lambert, Jason Castagna, Dustin Martin
F: Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt, Daniel Rioli
FOLL: Toby Nankervis, Shane Edwards, Trent Cotchin

I/C: Jack Graham, Shai Bolton, Jayden Short, Nathan Broad
EMG: Oleg Markov, Josh Caddy, Mabior Chol, Jake Aarts

CATS

B: Jed Bews, Harry Taylor, Jake Kolodjashnij
HB: Lachie Henderson, Mark Blicavs, Tom Stewart
C: Mitch Duncan, Joel Selwood, Sam Menegola
HF: Luke Dahlhaus, Gary Rohan, Gryan Miers
F: Mark O’Connor, Tom Hawkins, Gary Ablett
FOLL: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Cam Guthrie

I/C: Jack Henry, Brandan Parfitt, Zach Tuohy, Sam Simpson
EMG: Tom Atkins, Zach Guthrie, Esava Ratugolea, Brad Close

AFL Best and Fairest Awards – All the votes, all the clubs.

Sat, 24 Oct 2020 03:40:19 GMT

Votes in brackets.

Adelaide Crows

Malcolm Blight Medal

1. Reilly O’Brien (81)

2. Rory Laird (80)

3. Luke Brown (76)

4. Matt Crouch (72)

5. Ben Keays (65)

6. Brodie Smith (61)

7. Shane McAdam (56)

8. Kyle Hartigan (54)

9. Tom Lynch (53)

10. Rory Sloane (51)

Brisbane Lions

Merrett-Murray Medal

Lachie Neale (305)

2. Jarryd Lyons (269)

3. Hugh McCluggage (237)

4. Oscar McInerney (212)

5. Dayne Zorko (206)

6. Harris Andrews (201)

7. Darcy Gardiner (197)

8. Charlie Cameron (189)

9. Zac Bailey (183)

10. Eric Hipwood 182

Carlton Blues

John Nicholls Medal

Postponed until Feb 2021

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/814117/john-nicholls-medal-postponed-champions-to-be-farewelled

Collingwood Magpies

EW Copeland Trophy

1. Taylor Adams (100)

2. Scott Pendlebury (71)

3. Jack Crisp (63)

4. Darcy Moore (62)

5. Brayden Maynard (59)

6. Josh Daicos (50)

=7. Jamie Elliott (47)

=7. Brodie Grundy (47)

=8. Brody Mihocek (46)

=8. John Noble (46)

Essendon Bombers

Crichton Medal

1. Jordan Ridley (333)

2. Zach Merrett (308)

3. Adam Saad (292)

4. Kyle Langford (281)

5. Andrew McGrath (270)

6. Darcy Parish (263)

7. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (261)

8. Devon Smith (253)

9. Will Snelling (247)

10. Dylan Shiel (239)

Fremantle Dockers

Doig Medal

1. Luke Ryan (207)

2. Nat Fyfe (167)

=3. Adam Cerra (150)

=3. Andrew Brayshaw (150)

=3. David Mundy (150)

6. Matt Taberner (125)

7. Ethan Hughes (124)

8. Michael Walters (120)

9. Caleb Serong (103)

10. James Aish (94)

Geelong Cats

Carji Greeves Medal

Oct 29th, Live streamed to members.

Gold Coast Suns

Club Champion

1. Sam Collins (339)

2. Touk Miller (335)

3. Jarrod Witts (327)

4. Hugh Greenwood (291)

5. Brandon Ellis (279)

6. Noah Anderson (273)

7. Lachie Weller (243)

8. Will Powell (231)

=9. Jack Bowes (223)

=9. Jack Lukosius (223)

Greater Western Sydney Giants

Kevin Sheedy Medal

Oct 27th, live streamed.

Hawthorn Hawks

Peter Crimmins Medal

1. Jack Gunston (102)

2. Tom Mitchell (96)

3. Chad Wingard (73)

4. Ben McEvoy (71)

=5. James Worpel (61)

=5. James Sicily (61)

=5. Liam Shiels (61)

=8. Sam Frost (59)

=8. Jaeger O’Meara (59)

10. Will Day (53)

Melbourne Demons

Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Medal

1. Christian Petracca (385)

2. Steven May (362)

3. Jack Viney (311)

4. Ed Langdon (296)

5. Clayton Oliver (291)

6. Max Gawn (234)

7. Christian Salem (208)

8. Angus Brayshaw (186)

9. Michael Hibberd (179)

10. Sam Weideman (172)

North Melbourne Kangaroos

Syd Barker Medal

Oct 29th – Live Streamed

Port Adelaide Power

John Cahill Medal

Oct 29th

Richmond Tigers

Jack Dyer Medal

TBA – Live streamed to members, highlights available afterwards.

St Kilda Saints

Trevor Barker Award

Jack Steele (207)

2. Dan Butler (126

3. Dougal Howard (122)

4. Rowan Marshall (120)

5. Nick Coffield (119)

6. Zak Jones (117)

7. Callum Wilkie (113)

8. Paddy Ryder (107)

9. Hunter Clark (100)

10. Sebastian Ross (92)

Sydney Swans

Bob Skilton Medal

1. Jake Lloyd (421)

2. Luke Parker (357)

3. Tom Papley (341)

4. Dane Rampe (221)

5. Harry Cunningham (211)

6. Callum Mills (203)

7. James Rowbottom (198)

8. Josh Kennedy (195)

9. Jordan Dawson (182)

10. Oli Florent (177)

West Coast Eagles

John Worsfold Medal

1. Nic Naitanui (194)

2. Andrew Gaff (192)

3. Brad Sheppard (163)

4. Tom Barrass (154)

5. Liam Duggan (152)

6. Liam Ryan (150)

7. Tim Kelly (148)

8. Jack Darling (145)

9. Josh Kennedy (131)

10. Shannon Hurn (127)

Western Bulldogs

Charles Sutton Medal

1. Caleb Daniel (205)

2. Marcus Bontempelli (195)

3. Tom Liberatore (160)

4. Jack Macrae (154)

5. Bailey Williams (121)

6. Alex Keath (118)

7. Bailey Smith (105)

8. Tim English (89)

9. Lachie Hunter (84)

10. Mitch Wallis (83)

AFL Grand Final 2020 – All the details.

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 01:41:44 GMT

The times, the entertainment, the Norm Smith predictions, and what happens if it’s a draw.

The Grand Final Fixture – It’s a night game!

Richmond Tigers v Geelong Cats
Saturday, October 24 7:30PM
The Gabba

It was nine years ago that we last saw two Victorian sides in the Grand Final. The Cats were “at home” to Collingwood that year, and lost by 38 points.

Richmond’s last two flags in 2017 and 2019 involved knocking the Cats out in the finals.

Third time’s the charm for Geelong?

Tickets??

Good luck! Or try the GF Ticket Thread.

Start Time

As above, it’s a 7:30PM (AEDT) game.

The Victorian Government is, by sheer coincidence, slipping in a Coronavirus-related public holiday on Friday 23rd – “Thank You Day”.

Half Time Entertainment at the AFL Grand Final

It’s Aussie-fest for the Grand Final at the Gabba.

DMA’s
Sheppard
Cub Sport
Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale,
and Electric Fields feat. Thelma Plum and Busby Marou

Plus a special treat – Mike Brady with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra sings Up There Cazaly.

Norm Smith Medal: Top 5 Predictions

Dustin Martin (Richmond)

2. Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)

3. = Bachar Houli (Richmond)

3. = Dion Prestia (Richmond)

4. = Mitch Duncan (Geelong)

4. = Tom Hawkins (Geelong)

4. = Trent Cotchin (Richmond)

5. Tom Lynch (Richmond)

What if the Grand Final is a draw?

First up, the umpires have a little meeting and confirm the score. Just in case someone mucked up.

Then there’s a six minute break.

Then teams change ends and play three minutes plus time-on.

One more change of ends, and another three-minutes-plus is played.

The highest scoring team is then the winner. Unless it’s still a draw, in which case we repeat the time-on process at both ends.

Ambulances are called for those who over-exerted themselves in front of their TV after months of little to no physical activity.

Will this game move the Premierships Tally?

If Richmond win they step up to 13 wins, equal with Hawthorn.

If Geelong win they just bump up to 10 wins, and stay at 5th spot on the tally ladder.

Go here for the full AFL Grand Final Premiership Tally.

Preliminary Finals Teams – AFL Finals 2020 – No change for Geelong.

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 03:31:27 GMT

Port Adelaide Power v Richmond Tigers

Friday 16 October 2020 – 7:20 PM (CST) – ADELAIDE OVAL

The TigerCast Prelim Episode

https://www.spreaker.com/user/bigfooty.com/bigfooty-tigercast-prelim-port

Live call from 7:30 Friday:

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/afl-2020-first-preliminary-final-port-v-tigers-fri-october-16th-7-50pm-aedt-7-20pm-aest-ao-bf-tigercast-live-call-link-in-op.1249564/

Port Adelaide

B: Ryan Burton, Trent McKenzie, Dan Houston
HB: Hamish Hartlett, Tom Jonas, Darcy Byrne-Jones
C: Xavier Duursma, Ollie Wines, Karl Amon
HF: Zak Butters, Todd Marshall, Brad Ebert
FF: Connor Rozee, Charlie Dixon, Robbie Gray
RUCK: Scott Lycett, Tom Rockliff, Travis Boak

BENCH: Sam Powell-Pepper, Steven Motlop, Tom Clurey, Peter Ladhams
EMERGENCIES: Riley Bonner, Boyd Woodcock, Justin Westhoff, Jarrod Lienert

Richmond

B: David Astbury, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Liam Baker
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Marlion Pickett
HF: Kane Lambert, Dustin Martin, Jason Castagna
F: Daniel Rioli, Tom Lynch, Jack Riewoldt
RUCK: Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin, Shane Edwards

BENCH: Jayden Short, Jack Graham, Shai Bolton, Nathan Broad
EMERGENCIES: Oleg Markov, Josh Caddy, Mabior Chol, Jake Aarts

Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats

Saturday 17 October 2020 – 6:40 PM (AEST) – THE GABBA

Brisbane

B: D. Rich, D. Gardiner, H. Andrews
HB: Z. Bailey, R. Lester, G. Birchall
C: H. McCluggage, M. Robinson, C. Ah Chee
HF: D. Zorko, D. McStay, C. Rayner
F: O. McInerney, E. Hipwood, C. Cameron
FOLL: S. Martin, J. Lyons, L. Neale

BENCH: J. Berry, L. McCarthy, C. Ellis-Yolmen, B. Starcevich
EMERGENCIES: K. Coleman, M. Hinge, J. Payne, T. Fullarton

IN: C. Ellis-Yolmen
OUT: K. Coleman (omitted)

Geelong

B: J. Henry, H. Taylor, J. Kolodjashnij
HB: L. Henderson, M. Blicavs, T. Stewart
C: M. Duncan, J. Selwood, S. Menegola
HF: L. Dahlhaus, G. Rohan, G. Miers
F: G. Ablett, T. Hawkins, S. Simpson
FOLL: R. Stanley, P. Dangerfield, C. Guthrie

BENCH: J. Bews, B. Parfitt, Z. Tuohy, M. O’Connor
EMERGENCIES: T. Atkins, Z. Guthrie, E. Ratugolea, B. Close

Preliminary Finals 2020

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 03:59:50 GMT

It’s that time of year. We are down to the last four and there are only two weekends left in the season.

It’s been a strange and truncated season, the likes of which we haven’t seen before and hopefully will never see again. Judging by the activity on BigFooty.com the enthusiasm for AFL has waned in 2020 but this was probably to be expected.

If your team isn’t still in the running then you are not reading this to hear me wax lyrical about how impressive Geelong were vs Collingwood last weekend, even though they were! Geelong taught a master class to a Pies team that looked like they shouldn’t have bothered showing up. To be fair to Collingwood they haven’t been firing this year and only scraped into the top eight. The Pies were relegated to a warm up session for Geelong in their bid for the flag. Coach Nathan Buckley said the players were spent. It has been a short but hard season on the pies.

St Kilda came to their match ready to play a hard game and they did but Richmond are just too strong this season. Let’s face it they have been showing that consistent strength the last few years. Shane Edwards rejoined Richmond after the birth of his first child played a pivotal role along with Shai Bolton. The early goals served up by these two had St Kilda on the back foot early and the Saints never really recovered.

It’s not all bad for the Saints, they had a good season and coach Brett Ratten has combined the old guard and the new recruits into a formidable team that I predict will feature again at the finals end of the 2021 season. Watch this space.

Port Adelaide v Richmond

This Friday Port Adelaide and Richmond will go head to head. Port Adelaide beat Richmond in round 11 but Richmond have seven players on the field that didn’t play in that round. Richmond feels the stronger team but Port have rarely put a foot wrong this season so this will be a hard-fought match. It’s a shame that one of these teams will be knocked out in this round as Richmond and Port have never faced off in a Grand Final.

Brisbane v Geelong

The other match this weekend is Brisbane vs Geelong and if you were going to play the odds you would have to give it to Geelong. They have won eight of their last nine matches versus the Lions but Brisbane did win the last one so maybe we shouldn’t write them off too quickly. Both teams are fired up and looking strong this game should prove to be a proper Prelminary Final.

AFL Teams – Semi Finals 2020 – Lynch returns, Mabior out; Saints 3 changes

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 23:07:36 GMT

RICHMOND v ST KILDA

Friday October 9, 7:50pm at Metricon Stadium

TIGERS

Our semi-final side

— Richmond FC (@Richmond_FC) October 8, 2020

B: D. Astbury, D. Grimes, N. Balta
HB: L. Baker, N. Vlastuin, B. Houli
C: K. McIntosh, J. Graham, M. Pickett
HF: S. Bolton, J. Castagna, D. Martin
F: T. Lynch, J. Riewoldt, D. Rioli
FOLL: T. Nankervis, S. Edwards, T. Cotchin

I/C: D. Prestia, J. Short, K. Lambert, N. Broad
EMG: O. Markov, J. Caddy, M. Chol, J. Aarts

IN: T. Lynch, N. Broad
OUT: J. Aarts, M. Chol (both omitted)

SAINTS

The Saints have arrived on the Gold Coast ahead of tomorrow night’s semi-final against the Tigers #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/t7xrGmvYed

— AFL (@AFL) October 8, 2020

B: J. Marsh, D. Howard, B. Paton
HB: N. Coffield, C. Wilkie, J. Geary
C: B. Hill, S. Ross, J. Billings
HF: D. Butler, T. Membrey, J. Sinclair
F: D. Kent, M. King, J. Battle
FOLL: R. Marshall, Z. Jones, J. Steele

I/C: S. Savage, H. Clark, D. Hannebery, J. Lonie
EMG: R. Abbott, D. Roberton, N. Hind, J. Webster

IN: J. Marsh, J. Battle, S. Savage
OUT: B. Long (suspended), J. Carlisle (family reasons), P. Ryder (injured)

GEELONG CATS v COLLINGWOOD

Saturday October 10, 7:40pm at the Gabba

CATS

Announced Friday evening

MAGPIES

Announced Friday evening

Manchester United set for a testing season

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 10:00:08 GMT

For a manager of a club as big as Manchester United, it is never easy to see opposition managers get all sorts of backing in the transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has so far only welcome one new face at Old Trafford in the shape of Donny van de Beek. The young Dutchman was initially linked with a move to Real Madrid but due to the current financial climate, the Spaniards chose not to spend as lavishly as they do in transfer markets.

This is why, United lured the talented midfielder away from Ajax. However, that move had nothing to do with Ed Woodward’s negotiating skills. The club’s supremo gets quite a bad rep for never being able to seal moves for prospective targets and while such statements can be a little unfair, even the most distant punters willing to use US bonus codes would put there money on Woodward having yet another disastrous window.

Frank Lampard is relatively new to football management but has been given a lot of backing in the transfer market by the Chelsea management. The Blues got most of their transfer business done quite early, bringing in Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva.

Knowing that Kepa Arrizabalaga was struggling, Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was also signed.

Liverpool might not have been that active but the signing of Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich is a shrewd acquisition.

In a similar vein, Manchester City have been genuinely concerned about the areas they needed to improve on. Defense was an issue last season and Pep Guardiola was able to bring in Nathan Ake from Bournemouth. Moreover, Ruben Diaz was also signed from Benfica which means that Aymeric Laporte has a trustworthy partner on his hands.

The departure of Leroy Sane was a big blow but the arrival of Ferran Torres from Valencia gives City another good long term option down the flanks. The Citizens may have lost their title to Liverpool by some margin but it is clear that they have a plan this time around.

The likes of Everton and Leicester City have also invested very smartly in the transfer window which piles further pressure on Manchester United.

Throughout the summer transfer window, The Red Devils have been trying to bring Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund. However, the Germans are not too eager to allow their star player to leave and have reportedly rejected United’s latest offer for the England international.

Solskjaer has been chasing the gifted winger for quite some time and in all honesty, this move should have been finalized. However, the fact that Ed Woodward has been thrifty in his dealings, now threaten the chances of this deal ever happening.

United are now looking at alternatives that include Watford’s jet-footed winger Ismaila Sarr and Barcelona winger Ousmanne Dembele.

Defense has been an issue as well. Harry Maguire is not the fastest center-back on the planet while Victor Lindelof is always one mistake away from catastrophe. The Swede is clearly not good enough to start on a weekly basis yet United haven’t made any movements in this regard.

Down the left back position, Luke Shaw is also no longer the hot prospect he once was during his time at Southampton. The Englishman is a marauding full-back but seems far from imaginative in attacking phases.

Following a very indifferent start to the new campaign which started with a 3-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace, Manchester United should consider themselves lucky that they were able to beat Brighton in their second league outing.

With Tottenahm set to visit on Sunday and the transfer window shutting down on October 5, Manchester United might be in for a very testing season.

Everton flying high

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 02:45:53 GMT

Following a 4-1 win over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup, Everton are inching closer to perhaps finally ending a really long wait for a bit of silverware – a feat attracting all sorts of punters using sites like bet-bonuscode.ca. Ahead of the game against the Hammers, manager Carlo Ancelotti had made clear that winning the League Cup was a top priority this season.

No one can blame the Italian tactician for wanting to go for the cup competition given the fact that winning it would give them a guaranteed path to Europa League next season.

With competition for the top six places in the league getting intense with each passing week, Ancelotti simply cannot rely on his players beefing up for one route towards Europa League. The League Cup not only provides the Toffees a definitive chance of winning some silverware, it is also a rather more straightforward chance to gain access to Europe.

After winning a lot of trophies during his time as manager of AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, Carlo Ancelotti was never going to take any cup competition for granted.

The game against West Ham was Everton’s toughest test in the competition this season. They headed into this fixture on the back of a great start to the new English Premier League campaign. Since the beginning of the new campaign, Everton have looked like the real deal.

James Rodriguez has taken no time to get settled while Allan is linking up very well with Andre Gomes.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a great 2019/20 campaign and continues improving at a phenomenal speed. The English striker scored a hat-trick against David Moyes’ men. No wonder Manchester United have been linked with a move for him.

Following this win over the Hammers, Ancelotti’s men are only three games away from finally winning some piece of silverware and guaranteeing themselves European football next season. While there is still a long way to go, the Merseysiders are riding high and looking at their form, who can bet against them?

There are a few issues that need to be addressed however!

The team’s defensive situation is not the best. Both Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite are out injured and Yerry Mina has only just returned from injury. The Colombian was not used in the win over West Ham and Lucas Digne filled in admirably for the former Barcelona man.

Michael Keane has proven to be quite the leader in the heart of defense, with the Manchester United academy graduate stealing the show with yet another accomplished showing.

Injuries might have created a few problems but Michael Keane is really thriving which bodes well for Ancelotti who at least has some depth in defense.

Keane is perhaps one of the most underrated defenders in England.

The 27-year-old has great ability with the ball at his feet and actually made more successful passes than all of his teammates. Boasting a 96% pass accuracy would definitely inspire Ancelotti’s confidence.

Solely due to Ancelotti’s trust in him, Keane’s overall gameplay has improved and he has become more or less and undroppable member of the starting XI.

Calvert-Lewin shows no signs of stopping.

The youngster showed great composure while scoring his first goal against West Ham, controlling the ball brilliantly from his first touch and then beating Darren Randolph before thumping the ball in the back of the net.

The 23-year-old is slowly becoming a more complete striker than we imagine him to be a few years ago. Perhaps Ancelotti’s biggest concern would be to convince his star striker that he can achieve everything at Goodison Park.

All in all, Everton are one of the most in-form teams in England and the run they’ve put in, needs to have enough longevity in order for them to finally become a team that can more than just punch above its weight.

AFL Teams Round 18, 2020 – Updated daily.

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 03:10:28 GMT

NORTH MELBOURNE v WEST COAST EAGLES

Thursday September 17, 7.10pm at Metricon Stadium

KANGAROOS

B: E. Vickers-Willis, R. Tarrant, F. Perez
HB: S. Atley, B. McKay, L. McDonald
C: B. Scott, J. Simpkin, J. Polec
HF: C. Zurhaar, J. Walker, J. Ziebell
F: T. Garner, N. Larkey, S. Higgins
FOLL: T. Goldstein, J. Anderson, T. Dumont

I/C: L. Davies-Uniacke, S. Durdin, T. Murphy, A. Hall
EMG: M. Wood, M. McGuInness, T. Campbell, L. Hosie

IN: S. Durdin, T. Murphy
OUT: M. Wood (omitted), A. Bonar (injured)

EAGLES

B: T. Cole, T. Barrass, B. Sheppard
HB: S. Hurn, W. Schofield, L. Duggan
C: J. Nelson, D. Sheed, J. Waterman
HF: B. Ah Chee, J. Darling, J. Petruccelle
F: O. Allen, J. Kennedy, L. Ryan
FOLL: N. Naitanui, T. Kelly, A. Gaff

I/C: L. Foley, B. Williams, B. Ainsworth, J. Rotham
EMG: J. Brander, X. O’Neill, J. Cameron, H. Edwards

IN: D. Shee, B. Ah Chee, L. Foley, B. Williams
OUT: H. Brayshaw (omitted), X. O’Neill (omitted), J. Brander (omitted), J. McGovern (injured)

Is Ken Hinkley Right to Call Out His Veterans?

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 00:32:03 GMT

Across the globe, few industries are more ruthless than sports. Because of the sector’s physical demands, age and injuries can unquestionably impact career longevity and selection processes. Recently, this issue has come to the forefront concerning the AFL, with Ken Hinkley publicly calling for more from his veteran players, Brad Ebert and Justin Westhoff. So, let’s consider whether the Port Adelaide coach was right to question two experienced players.

Laying Down the Gauntlet Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

In sport, experience is an invaluable trait that is only acquired through years of hard work and unrivalled professionalism. That said, career longevity shouldn’t make competitors immune from criticism because of their previous contributions and success. Between them, Ebert and Westhoff have given a combined 21 years to Port Adelaide, but that hasn’t seen them avoid criticism from their 55-year-old coach.

According to a report by News.com.au, Hinkley declared that both of his veteran players need to earn their places in the team, implying that reputation alone is no longer enough. The public call-out comes after both were dropped in advance of the one-time AFL winner’s clash with North Melbourne. Moreover, the decision to implement change comes following the Power’s victory over Geelong, which saw them retain their spot at the top of the table.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9-EQAzxKN0

Crucially, the decision to drop Westhoff – who has played 277 games for Port Adelaide – came through Hinkley’s desire to implement tactical alterations. As per TripleM, the 53-year-old believes that two ruckmen offer more mobility than Westhoff, who is predominantly playing as a forward. Furthermore, from an individual standpoint, this decision will likely hinder both Ebert’s and Westhoff’s chances of clinching individual accolades. At present, Ebert is 66/1 with Aussie Rules betting regarding Brownlow Medal individual player club votes, as of September 4th.

Pressurized Man Management Doesn’t Always Work

Outside of the AFL, there are numerous examples of pressurised management resulting in fruitful player improvements and trophy-winning success. However, this is often rare. Perhaps the most notable example of this style in sport comes from Jose Mourinho, the current Tottenham Hotspur manager. The Portuguese coach is notorious when it comes to questioning his player. While his record somewhat speaks for itself concerning success, his man-management hasn’t always yielded positive results.

Although, of course, there are distinct differences between football and Aussies Rules, managerial styles aren’t limited to specific sports. If Hinkley is drifting towards a Mourinho-like approach, then he may find himself being unable to once again get the best out of Ebert or Westhoff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RgRGnaN4rs

Over the years, the two-time Champions League-winning manager has questioned the likes of Joe Cole, Juan Mata, and Ricardo Quaresma. Ultimately, according to Football Whispers, each failed to deliver their best performances after being singled out. There’s a lesson to be learned from this, and that’s that public questioning of professional athletes can drastically backfire. As such, Hinkley is taking a risk, especially calling out two Port Adelaide veterans.

How Will Ebert and Westhoff Respond?

Having given so much of their professional careers to Port Adelaide, both of the Power’s veterans may feel like any discussions should take place behind closed doors. However, being singled out in the press has the potential to spur players on to perform to their best, though it’s not guaranteed. What happens next will be fascinating, particularly given Ebert and Westhoff’s popularity among the team’s supporters.

AFL Teams, Round 17 2020 – Updated daily.

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:37:34 GMT

ST KILDA v WEST COAST EAGLES

Thursday September 10, 7.10pm at the Gabba

SAINTS

B: J. Geary, D. Howard, N. Coffield
HB: H. Clark, C. Wilkie, B. Long
C: J. Battle, S. Ross, J. Billings
HF: J. Lonie, R. Marshall, B. Hill
F: M. King, T. Membrey, D. Butler
FOLL: P. Ryder, J. Steele, Z. Jones

I/C: B. Paton, J. Sinclair, D. Kent, N. Hind
EMG: D. Roberton, S. Savage, J. Marsh, J. Carlisle

IN: M. King, T. Membrey, N. Hind
OUT: R. Abbott, J. Marsh, E. Phillips (all omitted)

EAGLES

B: W. Schofield, T. Barrass, B. Sheppard
HB: S. Hurn, J. McGovern, L. Duggan
C: J. Nelson, T. Kelly, J. Waterman
HF: J. Brander, J. Darling, J. Petruccelle
F: O. Allen, J. Kennedy, L. Ryan
FOLL: N. Naitanui, B. Ainsworth, A. Gaff

I/C: H. Brayshaw, X. O’Neill, T. Cole, J. Rotham
EMG: L. Foley, B. Williams, J. Cameron, N. Reid

IN: W. Schofield, S. Hurn, J. Brander, J. Petruccelle, N. Naitanui, H. Brayshaw
OUT: T. Hickey (omitted), L. Jetta (injured), D. Sheed (injured), M. Hutchings (injured), J. Redden (injured), B. Ah Chee (injured)