Kane Cornes has offered up his weekly observations from Round 24 of the 2023 AFL season.
GWS' impressive season, ruckmen and ruck rules, the upcoming trade period and Brisbane's September hopes among other topics, are all on the agenda this week.
See the seven observations below, via SEN’s Sportsday.
1. Changing this rule should be the first item on Laura Kane’s hit list
“I've got a quick job and it's an easy one for Laura Kane.
“Get rid of the ruck nomination rule. It is bizarre that we still have this as a rule.
“In the game between Sydney and Melbourne, Razor Ray Chamberlain was calling for Sydney to nominate a ruck. (Hayden) McLean was standing right there right in front of him, but because he didn't raise his hand like he was playing Auskick that, ‘I’m the ruckman’.
“He was shaping up the guy in the ruck but because he didn't raise his hand, Razor said, ‘No Sydney ruckman, no Sydney ruckman’.
“Melbourne won the easy clearance and actually marched it right to the other end of the ground.
“I'm not blaming Razor Ray because he is adjudicating the rule correctly, but it is the easiest fix if two players, one each of the team go up for the ruck, play on. We don't need them to nominate.
“If a third one goes up, play a free kick against the team.”
2. It’s a great achievement for GWS to rebuild after losing so many key players
“In 2019 GWS beat Collingwood in a Preliminary Final with these players.
“Jeremy Cameron, Aidan Corr, Jeremy Finlayson, Bobby Hill, Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto, Adam Tomlinson and Zac Williams.
“All of them obviously play for other teams now. That was four seasons ago.
“It's a pretty good job and a great achievement to rebuild to the point where they are now back into contention with the amount of talent that has walked out of that side.”
3. There’s not many better stories than Toby Greene
“I know he gets spoken about a lot and everyone now loves him after disliking him for so long, but there's not many better stories than Toby Greene.
“If you actually look at what he's done.
“Only last season he missed the first five games of the home and away season after the AFL appealed his suspension for touching an umpire.
“He was getting smashed. The criticism coming his way - it was last season.
“A season later, he's in the conversation as the best player and best leader in the game.
“Credit to the Giants because they saw something that others didn't.
“It’s just a brilliant story and another strong decision by Adam Kingsley to make him a sole captain.”
4. Did anyone have a better 2022 off-season than Jason McCartney?
“Did any list manager have a better trade period than Jason McCartney at the Giants last year?
“He cleared out massive room in their salary cap with Hopper and Taranto gone.
“He turned them into picks 6, 12, 19 and 31 while getting Toby Bedford from Melbourne for the bargain price of pick 44.
“He (Bedford) has been a star and that's allowed other young players to get opportunities.
“In the midfield, they haven't been hurt by losing Hopper and Toronto and they're in a really good position this year with pick six.
“They've got (Aaron) Cadman the number one pick who we think is going to get there at some point.
“Well done to Jason McCartney at the Giants.”
5. Hawthorn are primed for a big trade period
“I'm already loving what I'm hearing out of Hawthorn and what they're cooking up in the trade period.
“Yesterday, it emerged that they're making a strong play for Fremantle Liam Henry who's out of contract.
“Mitch Cleary also reported the link to Bailey Smith.
“Henry's 21 and Smith's 22, they’re the perfect age to come into this rebuilding group.
“They'll also get a very good player with pick three.
“Maybe Nick ‘The Wizard’ Watson who's this unbelievable small forward to replace Luke Breust. when he's had enough.
“I just like what Hawthorn are doing, how active they've been four weeks out from the trade period.”
6. There’s one team under pressure more than any other in September
“Who's under the most pressure in the finals?
“Brisbane's the team under the most pressure this final series.
“A Grand Final appearance is a must.
“I’m very interested to see on the back of some past failures how this group copes with it and how their coach copes with it.
“Fagan is under pressure, he’s been there (in September before but it) hasn’t quite gone his way.
“They haven’t been beaten at home, they’ve got a banged-up Port Adelaide with a lot of personnel issues in the first final.
“Win that, they get a week off, win a Preliminary Final they’re into a Grand Final. It is a must for them I would have thought.
“But I don't know how strong-minded this group is. They miss a lot of easy shots in front of goal and it feels to me like the pressure does get to them in big games.”
7. It’s been a flat year for ruckmen
“Lastly, this is my observation having been in the All-Australian meetings this year.
“Max Gawn has been the standout ruck for the best part of six seasons, maybe more, six All-Australians he's got.
“I think it's been a disappointing year for ruckmen and I think the position is up for grabs.
“Who's going to command the title of the league's best ruckman for the next five years?
“(Kieren) Briggs is in there … (Luke) Jackson is in the mix, (Sean) Darcy is in the mix but I don’t think he can be if he and Jackson are in the same time together.
“This is a challenge for Tim English. It's a challenge for (Rowan) Marshal.
“It’s been a flat year for ruckmen.
“Gawn is 32, the game has gone past Brodie Grundy a little bit, he’s not going to get it.
“Who's going to be the one that puts their hand up and says, ‘I'm the guy for the next five years’.”
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