Odd Couple: SA’s finals fling — One, two or none?

OUR Odd Couple Chris “Bone” McDermott and Michelangelo “Rooch” Rucci look at the big issues ahead of Round 21, including how many — if any — of our SA teams will play in September, seeing red, and the VFL rules trial.

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OUR Odd Couple — Chris “Bone” McDermott and Michelangelo “Rooch” Rucci — look at the big issues ahead of Showdown 45 at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

1. WILL September have two, one or no SA team?

BONE: I’m leaning towards none. I can’t believe it, but that looks the most likely outcome. The Crows can’t make it. They could win all three games, but their percentage is so inferior to their rivals for eighth spot that they can’t bridge the gap. They’d be dangerous if they did, but it is not happening. Port Adelaide has dug itself into a hole — and they may not get out. They need to win two of the last three to be secure — and recent results suggests the Power can’t and won’t. The defence has let Ken Hinkley down. Good teams are built from the back — and the Power’s back seven have proven to be suspect.

ROOCH: Have faith Christopher. We might even have a Showdown final. Fifth-ranked Port Adelaide hosting the eighth-placed Crows after they have beaten the Giants, Kangaroos and Carlton by a combined margin of 333 points (most of them against the Blues) while the Power makes it three from three. And the final will go into extra time, then sudden-death golden goal with score review on a Charlie Dixon goal or Taylor Walker kick from 70 metres … And then again.

Eagle Andrew Gaff shows his devastation after whacking Andrew Brayshaw. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

2. ARE you seeing red? Red card for Andrew Gaff? Red card for score review if it does not work?

BONE: Split Enz wasn't it? “I see red, I see red. I see red.” I don’t like red in any form. Certainly not for reportable offences. It will create more harm, more confusion and more controversy — and the game has enough of that already. Andrew Gaff’s moment in the Western Derby is a once-in-a-decade act. Thomas Bugg, last year. Barry Hall, 10 years ago. Leigh Matthews, 30 years ago. It is rare and it has been dealt with appropriately at the tribunal this week. As for the score review, if there was no review system we wouldn’t have a problem would we? This game is not perfect and was never meant to be.

ROOCH: You loved red on a SA State jumper Christopher. You didn’t mind red on the Sherrin. And you certainly enjoyed a red bottle top on your beer after a match — or two or three (bottles rather than games that is). Red cards can be messy, but when it is a clear-cut moment such as Andrew Gaff’s hit on Andrew Brayshaw, the case of instant send-offs is made. And if it is only once every 10 years, there should be no drama. As for score review, the AFL has to take responsibility for this flawed system rather than leaving its telecasters to set up cameras and provide the vision to the “sitting duck” score reviewers. You will see red more if score review continues to be so poorly managed.

3. DID the VFL trial of proposed new rules convince anyone that starting positions and a larger goal square are the answers?

BONE: No. I am in the Damien Hardwick camp — and my lawns have been mowed too!

ROOCH: One concern from the VFL trial between Werribee and Coburg was the hope that VFL players would replicate what AFL players could do, particularly with the kick-ins from that 18-metre goal square. They cannot. So it was not a true test of what could be in the AFL. The AFL games on Friday and Saturday were not too bad with the current rules, were they?

Sam Jacobs and Paddy Ryder contest a boundary throw-in in Showdown 45. Picture SARAH REED

4. IS it time to get ride of the boundary throw-in to have a ruck throw-up 20 metres from the boundary?

BONE: What? Now you’re taking the mickey out of me. I’m going back to check my lawns.

ROOCH: No, it is a serious thought Christopher. Our good friend Robert Walls, who has just returned from the south of France, is concerned that some boundary umpires are not getting the ball in more than five metres. He thinks the boundary umpires should come in five metres to throw in the ball — but surely that puts another body in the field of play. So let’s have ruck contests from the umpire’s throw at 20 metres from the boundary.

Robbie Gray collects his record fourth Showdown Medal on Saturday. Picture SARAH REED

5. RETROSPECTIVE medals at the Western Derby. How about the first six Showdowns?

BONE: Someone here needs a Bex! Me. First it was red cards, then it was new rules, then changes to boundary throw-ins and now new medals. Let’s just make up a new game — and we’ll award medals to every player for every game ever played. Australian football is a team game where the team must always come first — or do you want to change that too?

ROOCH: It is only six Showdowns — the first six, Christopher. The people who would have voted in those six games have already voted for their various media outlets. It is not a major stretch to do six retrospective Showdown Medals. There are six players who are deserving of the honour. Yes, it is a team game, but there are many meaningful individual honours — and the Showdown Medal honour roll should start from Showdown I not Showdown VII.

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