1. I’m losing patience with the negativity in some areas of the media around the Tassie Devils entering the competition.

So are a few other Taswegians working in the media. Channel Seven match caller Al Nicholson being one. Al is right across the Devils’ progress and has been since day one. So why are we frustrated? Mainly because I’m not hearing a lot of facts, just rumours - especially in regard to supposed cost blowouts for the stadium based on a report by a group which is called “No New Stadium”. Also talk of what if this doesn’t happen or that does happen which is just aimless crystal balling. I was on the ground at Glenorchy Football Club in the heartland of Hobart last week. The positive energy around the club was infectious. The junior club was flying. Kids were wearing Devils jumpers as they dreamt of living out their AFL dream. The senior club was knackered four years ago but they are now contending again. I didn’t hear any negative comments surrounding the Devils or the stadium. As I’ve said many times, the Devils are going to be a real grassroots footy club.

2. The match of the round this week is Friday Night Footy on Seven.

The Suns and the Hawks at People First Stadium on the Gold Coast. The Suns simply have to find a way to win after three straight losses. There is no doubt Dimma is frustrated with his team. I think if he had his time again, he might not have gone after the umpiring decisions last Friday night. It certainly didn’t cost them the game. As for the rumours of fractures between players and coaches, I’ll reserve my judgement on that. A strong performance can put that to bed very quickly. The players clearly need to step up. Ben Long and Bailey Humphrey have not been able to recapture last year’s form. The Suns need these two to get going inside forward 50. Their biggest problem is inside-50 ball retention, long high balls simply don’t work against the best defences and Tom Barrass returns for the Hawks so he will love that. They must lower their eyes inside 50. Clearances are the other issue. I’m calling this the Witts effect. Jarrod Witts was a key factor Gold Coast’s clearance wins last year. Unfortunately, the rule changes have hurt his ability to dominate and cost him his place in the team. This in turn has directly impacted their clearance numbers. Matt Rowell’s injury in State of Origin killed their midfield momentum as well. Improve both these areas tomorrow night and they can get the crucial four points they need with the Dockers waiting next week.

3. Quick one, every time the AFL changes rules on the run it creates other issues that I’m not sure they have even anticipated.

Players are now trying to tap the ball back into opposition players’ feet near the boundary to get a last-possession free kick. Why does our game change so frequently year to year? It does my head in.

4. I have written about the two front runners for the Rising Star being Jagga Smith and Willem Duursma.

Well, I think they have been joined by the Giants’ Phoenix Gothard. This kid is a beauty and is playing in a harder position than the other two as a small forward. He is averaging 15 touches and a goal-and-a-half a game. He also tackles strongly in the forward 50. He is number three in the competition for forward-50 tackles. Any experienced small forward would be happy with these numbers let alone a first-year player. If he keeps this up, he is right in the mix for this award.

5. I know injuries can be hard to predict and it’s sometimes challenging to put a timeframe on them.

But I’m sensing a growing frustration among fans with the transparency of clubs’ injuring reporting. I see a lot of TBC and big weekly gaps like four to six weeks that don’t seem to change. This infuriates already frustrated supporters. Paid up members deserve as much information as is possible on player time frames and expected return dates.

6. Of the top 30 goal kickers in VFL/AFL history every player that is eligible is in the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Except one - Saverio Rocca. Big Sav played at Collingwood and the Kangaroos finishing with 257 games and 748 goals. That’s 2.91 goals per game. A better average than a lot in that top 30. Sav kicked eight or more goals in a game 10 times. The players in the top 30 not yet eligible are Lance Franklin, Jack Riewoldt, Jeremy Cameron, Josh Kennedy and Tex Walker. I think there is a strong chance all of them will be inducted at some stage. Sav simply has to join them, as I’ve said for years now. Why isn’t he in? It’s got me stuffed.

7. The Crows are back.

After a slowish start to the season, going 1-3, they have now gone 7-2 since then. Their only two losses in that time were away to the Lions and Hawks in Launceston. The loss in Tasmania was a close one and the Hawks never lose there. The last two weeks have been impressive, beating the Cats and smashing the Dogs with a nine-goal first quarter. The most pleasing thing is seeing Riley Thilthorpe back in the team and looking healthy. It feels like they are timing this season better than last year to hit the finals with huge momentum. Don’t forget Izak Rankine is still to come back in. Jordan Dawson appears in a zone at the moment, and I think the whole group is riding his unbelievable leadership and form. It feels like a sense of destiny with him right now. Incredible really after what he’s been through personally. They have two games at home now, including the Showdown next week. A top-four finish is looming again for the Crows.

8. I was a poor shot at goal in pressure situations. Jake Waterman might feel the same right now.

I swear some players still treat goal kicking as an afterthought with just a couple of shots before or after training. Come game day under extreme pressure, this costs teams games. No routine equals no consistency (trust me I know). In soccer the penalty kick is a similar situation, yes it’s harder with a goalkeeper. But a strong mental and technical routine is required. The English soccer team had a terrible history in penalty shootouts because they never practised them. After losing countless games in major tournaments, Gareth Southgate changed this as manager when he required each player fill in a questionnaire as to how they would take each penalty. Left corner, down the middle etc. They then practised these routines over and over. Then come the pressure moment they knew what they were doing and so did the manager. They then won three of four shoot outs under him, having lost seven of eight before he took over. I wonder if AFL coaches know each player’s routine as they are having a shot. It’s accountability 101.

9. Do we need four umpires?

How often do you see an umpire not make a decision and then one out of that zone calls it a free kick instead. I feel sometimes they are almost waiting for one of their colleagues to make the decision. Watching the World Cup, I’m convinced we could go back to three. Soccer has only one referee. Yes, the Aussie Rules field is a lot bigger but surely three could do the job. One in each third of the ground. We would need less umpires and the quality would be better. Surely that makes for better officiating in our game.

10. I really admire Harley Reid.

This guy is producing. I can’t imagine being the No.1 pick and the pressure that brings. Let alone being the face of a rebuilding club at his age. Add to that he is doing this in footy-mad WA where the Eagles are an institution. This guy puts it out there. He’s an in-your-face player but he backs it up with what he does on the field. I think he’s finding the balance of how to control that now too. I love big personalities in sport. He has it in spades. First and foremost, he wins the hard footy. With his ability most of the rest will happen. West Coast are in good hands with Harley. He’s a leader.