AFL Beat 2020 Season Round 14

This week…

We are in the beginning of the second shitload of games in a row:

 

 

Welcome to Balls of Steel’s AFL Beat!

 

Thank you to BFC for providing a link to an article that showed all of the Indigenous guernseys being worn by the teams this year.  Some were from previous years as the pandemic has, understandably, disrupted normal operations.  Some teams, however, were able to produce new ones for 2020.  I encourage everyone to follow this link and read up on them.

 

BTW, no, mine has not arrived yet, though I was notified that it shipped.  Maybe this week?

In other AFL news, the AFL announced that they would be cutting many positions at AFL Headquarters and otherwise do massive restructuring in order to cut costs and keep afloat.  Similarly, individual teams are expected to cut staff.  One thing to remember is that AFL teams are not owned by individuals or families like in the NFL.  This handy dandy video will explain the ownership structure very well:

So, when you see that clubs are making cuts, it’s not because rich owners are greeedy and trying to keep more money for themselves American-style.  It’s because the clubs need to maintain financial health for the future.  Same with the AFL as it is a non-profit.  It is worthwhile to note that the recent cuts have been to high-level positions, not to low-level employees.  Another reason why I like the way the AFL is run better than the NFL…

Here are the results and highlights from Round Fourteen:

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Hawthorn Hawks 71 v Essendon Bombers 87 at Adelaide Oval

Big win for the Bombers that keeps their season alive and, effectively, kills Hawks hopes.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Richmond Tigers 88 v West Coast Eagles 61 at Metricon Stadium

The Tigers made a YUUGE statement in beating the red-hot Eagles.

Friday, August 28, 2020

Western Bulldogs 61 v Geelong Cats 72 at Metricon Stadium

A remarkable comeback after a 36 point first quarter deficit keeps the Cats in Top Four position.

Port Adelaide Power 73 v Sydney Swans 47 at Adelaide Oval

The Power took care of business at home against a game but inexperienced Swans squad.

 

Fremantle Dockers 53 v GWS Giants 91 at Optus Stadium

This was a much-needed win for the Giants and a bad loss for the Dockers.

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Melbourne Demons 52 v St. Kilda Saints 49 at TIO Park in Alice Springs

The Saints Sainted and the Demons decided to win another game they had no right winning.

Carlton Blues 48 v Collingwood Magpies 72

The Blues were right there at Three Quarter Time and then the bottom fell out. 

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Gold Coast Suns 91 v North Melbourne Kangaroos 28 at Metricon Stadium

The Sunnies have righted the ship while the Roos are in shambles.

Byes:  Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions

***

Let’s take a look at the ladder, shall we?

 

P TEAM W L T PTS %
1 Port Adelaide Power 11 3 0 44 128.4
2 Geelong Cats 10 4 0 40 138.7
3 Brisbane Lions 10 3 0 40 117.4
4 Richmond Tigers 9 4 1 38 121.0
5 West Coast Eagles 9 4 0 36 115.3
6 Collingwood Magpies 8 5 1 34 111.7
7 St. Kilda Saints 8 6 0 32 113.3
8 Melbourne Demons 7 6 0 28 111.7
9 GWS Giants 7 6 0 28 101.8
10 Western Bulldogs 7 7 0 28 100.1
11 Essendon Bombers 6 6 0 26 88.9
12 Carlton Blues 6 7 0 24 97.1
13 Gold Coast Suns 5 8 1 22 101.8
14 Fremantle Dockers 5 8 0 20 89.1
15 Hawthorn Hawks 4 9 0 16 82.6
16 Sydney Swans 4 9 0 16 80.2
17 North Melbourne Kangaroos 3 11 0 12 76.3
18 Adelaide Crows 0 13 0 0 54.9

 

 

Here is the Balls GraphTM:

[gview file=”https://www.doorfliesopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/AFL-Ladder-2020R14.pdf”]

 

 

***

 

 

Footy Tipping Contest

 

Here is where we are after Round Fourteen:

 

P TIPPER Round
Tips
Round
Margin
Total Tips Total Margin
1 SonOfSpam 7 4 86 319
2 Dolph Ucker 7 8 86 356
3 BFC 6 1 85 258
4 Litre_cola 5 10 80 310
5 BALLS 4 23 79 348
6 6 9 79 424
7 Sunrisesunrise 5 7 77 465
8 BC Dick 5 16 76 335
9 Yeah Right 4 24 73 345
10 WhyEaglesWhy 6 16 72 340
11 Game Time Decision 4 1 68 385
12 Maestro 7 6 66 315
13 Sharkbait 5 4 52 510
14 Reverend Mayhem 4 16 51 321

 

 

We have a shakeup at the top as SonOfSpam and Dolph Ucker have both gotten top scores this week and are now tied for first place. Maestro also did a great job with getting a top score.  On the other side of the table, a hearty well-done to Sharkbait, who has gotten out of the cellar by outdoing the Rev this week!  Keep up the good work, everyone!

Games start again tonight so, as always,

DON’T FORGET TO PUT THE FOOTY TIPS IN!

 

 

***

I’ve been providing, for your advanced Tipping reference, the schedule for the next few rounds (All times Pacific). Here then are the game schedules for the rest of the year: 

 

Round Fifteen

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

12:40 AM – Hawthorn Hawks v Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval (FS1, TSN1)

3:10 AM – West Coast Eagles v Essendon Bombers at The Gabba (FS2, TSN1)

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

2:10 AM – Richmond Tigers v Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium (FS2, TSN1)

11:40 PM – Sydney Swans v Melbourne Demons at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns (FS1)

Thursday, September 3, 2020

2:10 AM – GWS Giants v Carlton Blues at Metricon Stadium (FS2, TSN1)

Friday, September 4, 2020

2:50 AM – Brisbane Lions v Collingwood Magpies at The Gabba (ESPN2, TSN1)

Round 15 Byes: Gold Coast Suns, North Melbourne Kangaroos, Port Adelaide Power, Western Bulldogs, Geelong Cats, and St. Kilda Saints

 

Round Sixteen

Saturday, September 5, 2020

2:40 AM – North Melbourne Kangaroos v Port Adelaide Power at Metricon Stadium (ESPN2, TSN1)

8:05 PM – St. Kilda Saints v Hawthorn Hawks at Metricon Stadium (FS2)

10:35 PM – Geelong Cats v Essendon Bombers at The Gabba (FS1, TSN1)

Sunday, September 6, 2020

1:10 AM – Western Bulldogs v West Coast Eagles at Metricon Stadium (FS1, TSN1)

Monday, September 7, 2020

2:10 AM – Melbourne Demons v Fremantle Dockers at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns (FS2)

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

12:40 AM – Adelaide Crows v GWS Giants at Adelaide Oval

3:10 AM – Carlton Blues v Sydney Swans at Metricon Stadium (ESPN3, TSN4)

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

2:10 AM – Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba (FS2, TSN4)

Round 16 Byes:  Collingwood Magpies and Richmond Tigers

 

Round Seventeen

Thursday, September 10, 2020

2:10 AM – St. Kilda Saints v West Coast Eagles at The Gabba (FS2, TSN5)

Friday, September 11, 2020

2:50 AM – Geelong Cats v Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium (ESPN2)

8:45 PM – North Melbourne Kangaroos v Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium (FS2)

11:35 PM – Port Adelaide Power v Essendon Bombers at Adelaide Oval (FS1)

Saturday, September 12, 2020

2:40 AM – GWS Giants v Melbourne Demons at The Gabba (ESPN3)

8:05 PM – Carlton Blues v Adelaide Crows at Metricon Stadium

10:35 PM – Hawthorn Hawks v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval (ESPN3)

Sunday, September 13, 2020

1:10 AM – Sydney Swans v Bribane Lions at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns (FS2)

Monday, September 14, 2020

2:10 AM – Collingwood Magpies v Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba (FS2)

 

Round Eighteen (Dates and Times TBD)

Adelaide Crows v Richmond Tigers

Brisbane Lions v Carlton Blues

Collingwood Magpies v Port Adelaide Power

Essendon Bombers v Melbourne Demons

Fremantle Dockers v Western Bulldogs

Hawthorn Hawks v Gold Coast Suns

North Melbourne Kangaroos v West Coast Eagles

St. Kilda Saints v GWS Giants

Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats

The postponed Essendon-Melbourne game will be made up in Round 18.  

***

Without further ado, it’s

Balls’ Sechs

1- The Marquee Matchup of the Round did not disappoint.  It was definitely a different ballgame without Eagles star Josh Kennedy, who got knocked out with a concussion early.  It makes for an appetizing rematch in finals.

2- Melbourne is a very perplexing team.  They win when they shouldn’t and they lose games they should win.  On the other side, St. Kilda tease like the worst high school girlfriend ever.  Blue Ball City.

3- The Giants can sneak into finals if they continue to win. It’s difficult, but not impossible and anything is possible if they can get in.

4- I don’t know what to say about the Cats.  The first quarter was awful, but they managed to right the ship and got the win.  That’s a good sign and a bad one at the same time.  They shouldn’t have been behind by that much against the Doggies.

5- The North Melbourne Kangaroos join the Adelaide Crows as being mathematically eliminated from finals as they were embarrased this weekend.  Hawthorn and Sydney still have a mathematical chance but are realistically out while Fremantle must win every single game going forward and hope for help.

6- This round will be a bit weird as many teams are on Bye and there are only 6 matches before the weekend.  Make sure to put your footy tips in!

***

 

That’s all for this week.  

As discussed last week, Fox Sports has the rights to the AFL in the United States while TSN has the rights in Canada and the AFL is pressuring them to have more games available on the FS1, FS2, and TSN networks. Now is the perfect chance for you to see what all the fun is about! 

Not only that,  but ESPN has jumped back into the AFL pool! They’ll be broadcasting one game per week live on an ESPN network and streaming another live on ESPN3.

You can find the latest broadcast information on the Australian Football Association of North America website here.

Here is your Round 15 live broadcast schedule with North American broadcast partner:

 

Round Fifteen

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

12:40 AM – Hawthorn Hawks v Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval (FS1, TSN1)

3:10 AM – West Coast Eagles v Essendon Bombers at The Gabba (FS2, TSN1)

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

2:10 AM – Richmond Tigers v Fremantle Dockers at Metricon Stadium (FS2, TSN1)

11:40 PM – Sydney Swans v Melbourne Demons at Cazaly’s Stadium, Cairns (FS1)

Thursday, September 3, 2020

2:10 AM – GWS Giants v Carlton Blues at Metricon Stadium (FS2, TSN1)

Friday, September 4, 2020

2:50 AM – Brisbane Lions v Collingwood Magpies at The Gabba (ESPN2, TSN1)

Round 15 Byes: Gold Coast Suns, North Melbourne Kangaroos, Port Adelaide Power, Western Bulldogs, Geelong Cats, and St. Kilda Saints

 

 

***

Like before, the AFL Beat will have to run on a different schedule than normal in the next few weeks.  Here then are the publishing days and times for the next few weeks:

AFL Beat Round 15: Friday, September 4 (Another AFL Sexy Friday!)

AFL Beat Round 16: Wednesday, September 9

AFL Beat Round 17: Tuesday, September 15

See you next time!

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ballsofsteelandfury
Balls somehow lost his bio and didn't realize it. He's now scrambling to write something clever and failing. He likes butts, boobs, most things that start with the letter B, and writing in the Second Person. Geelong, Toluca, Barcelona, and Steelers, in that order.
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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
Don T

And, thanks to Balls, WEW, and “Rake”, I declare my love for Australia.
comment image

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Does that guy look like an Aussie douchebag to anyone else?

Don T

That’s Cleaver Greene, criminal barrister: 51% success rate, but 99% of his clients are guilty. Truly an epic and picaresque* life.

* Apologies to Gumbygirl and Huck Finn’s back cover.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Thanks for confirming.

Don T

?? His signature move is going to a fancy cocktail party and getting obnoxiously plastered through drinking two flutes of bubbly at a time. It would be double fisting, but holds both in one hand #Legend

Don T

Honorable mention, Swans.
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Don T

The Giants one is lovely
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BrettFavresColonoscopy

And designed by an active player

rockingdog

in other news
San Diego padres makin moves
yay baseball!

Rikki-Tikki-Deadly

Man did the Bombers need that win. Thank goodness.

LemonJello

“THESE ESSENDON BOMBERS, I CALL THESE GUYS THE DOOLITTLE RAID BECAUSE THEY GOT AN IMPORTANT VICTORY, EVEN IF IT WAS ONLY FOR MORALE PURPOSES!”

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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LemonJello

Xenomorph prototype?

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

Depends on your vacation.

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BrettFavresColonoscopy

GWS is absolutely going to win 3-4 of these last games, surge into the playoffs, and flame out as soon as Toby Greene loses his temper.

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh
blaxabbath

Rev is the worst at this.

Sharkbait

Right? He totally sucks.

litre_cola

Almost there Sainters. Don’t let this season be any different than expectations….

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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LemonJello

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I thought this was your Buttsquad (TM) service vehicle.

LemonJello

I would think Buttsquad™ vehicles would have a much larger trunk…

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

I think the one pictured is just the trouble shooting technician.

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Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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LemonJello

Isn’t it always that way? Some other guy gets lucky and you just sit there with your cock in your hands..

King Hippo

judging intensifies

Moose -The End Is Well Nigh

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