Our Odd Couple - Chris “Bone” McDermott and Michelangelo “Rooch” Rucci - look at the big issues in football

OUR Odd COUPLE - Chris “Bone” McDermott and Michelangelo “Rooch” Rucci - consider all the big issues in AFL, including Thursday night footy, Port’s form, Adelaide’s fortunes, Gill’s menu and whether the Suns have a future.

• Bone’s team of the week
• Port Adelaide’s mid-season review
• Port can’t let goalkicking yips get bigger
• Chase for All-Australian selection

DO we want more or less of Thursday Night Football?

BONE: Definitely not more Rooch. Haven’t we been here before with Monday night footy? Now it Thursday nights. Don’t worry Tuesday or Wednesday, you haven’t been forgotten. Thursday night works as a one-off special occasion, but it must be when weather permits - and that is not in the middle of winter.

ROOCH: Smells of a television move here Christopher. And that it is why the middle of winter - when many people are at home with nowhere else to go and will tune in to a football match. Pity those who cannot get to the game - those in retail, the country fans, the kids needing to go to school the next morning and those on early starts.

Justin Westhoff celebrates a goal with Steven Motlop. Picture: Sarah Reed

ARE we convinced on Port Adelaide?

BONE: Yes, but - and there’s always a but - they must win tonight’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval to back up that strong performance against Richmond last Friday.

The beauty of the Power is it has not reached its peak, individually or as a team. Port Adelaide has enormous upside - more than any other team.

ROOCH: Defence is sound - and needs to stay that way. Midfield is like the buffet at a breakfast hall - where do you start? And the attack needs to deliver more.

There is, as you note Christopher, plenty to come on the scoreboard if Ken Hinkley finds the right mix. This is a team that needs to deliver on a long run before anyone believes the consistency bug is gone.

BAD luck or bad management with Adelaide?

BONE: Both, but more bad management than bad luck. The bad luck has not helped them.

Now the Crows face the biggest four games of the season with Hawthorn at the MCG and then three of the top-four teams - West Coast, Richmond and Geelong. Their season so far proves one thing: If you blow your preseason, you’re in big trouble. They did just that and they are in a big stew now.

It might be a blessing in disguise as they build their next serious premiership contending team. ROOCH: Definitely both Christopher, but one could have been avoided ... Now it shall be interesting if the Crows are forthright in admitting such or play the spin game.

SHOULD the AFL persist with Gold Coast ... or cut its losses?

BONE: Can’t see the AFL relocating another team at the moment. The pieces are being put in place off field at the Gold Coast, but on field will take time. The impending departure of free-agent forward Tom Lynch will be the bottoming out the Suns must have. They’re not there yet and only then can the rebuild begin.

Remember, in 2014 they were 10-8 with four games to play and had finals in their sights.

They lost all four. Patience Rooch, not panic.

ROOCH: It is the Bermuda Triangle of Australian sport that will test the AFL for a long time. North Melbourne in a co-locate between the Gold Coast and Arden Street in Melbourne had a better chance of working but there is no going back to this model.

If the AFL is indeed a master of building the Australian game, even this battle can be won to show up other sports that have failed on the Gold Coast.

IS it time for Gillon McLachlan to have dinner with the fans, not just the coaches?

BONE: Depends what is on the menu. I don’t mind the suggestion of one or two selected members of each football club having an opportunity to meet Gil or his team to discuss “The state of the game”.

Everyone else has had their say, so why not the fans? But after all this consultation, can someone please make a decision. The indecision frustrates me. When’s our turn Rooch ? ROOCH: Interesting you ask Christopher. Mum says if you are better behaved than that day she sought to teach you some manners with her now damaged umbrella, she will eagerly have you around at God’s country at Alberton for a very nice dinner with all the trimmings.

As for the fans, it is pretty clear what they want from the AFL. But is anyone at AFL House prepared to hear it again? Interesting that no-one is consulting the umpires to ask them how they feel about being handed constantly changing interpretations of the rules.