4 Thoughts - Lots of Thoughts! - ALL WEEK! (10.09.2026)

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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SPEAKER_3 (1:00)

Let's get on to four thoughts on sport to get us rolling this morning.

First thought is on the Sydney Swans, and what a magnificent statement by a football club in the wake of a scandal that in the words of their own president, Andrew Pridham, had torpedoed their season. The performance of the stars for the Swans was incredible. Charlie Cournot kicked five, so did Tom Papley. Errol Gould and Swag of possessions, including a goal of the year contender. But the lesser lights in this win were just as significant. Logan McDonald's six goal haul, while nullifying Harris Andrews, was nothing short of stunning. Hayden McLean weighed in with three goals as a ruck forward. But the unsung hero for me was James Rowbottom in the midfield. He only had the 13 disposals, but he kept Lockineal in check. He laid seven desperate tackles, and he won seven clearances. He epitomised the Sydney spirit in this game. Second thought is on the coach I am happiest for this weekend, and that is Adelaide's Maddie Nicks. The victim of a rumour during the week that he would be sacked if his crows could not beat the Bulldogs on Saturday night. They did survive some anxious last quarter moments to get the job done.

So we will never know how much truth there was in the rumour.

But if I was an Adelaide board member and I found out a fellow board member was linked to such a rumour, I would be asking for his removal from the club. Third thought on a coach that was removed from the club. Before we get the violins out for Alistair Clarkson Artery sacking by North Melbourne, and some fairly brutal comments from North Melbourne President Sonya Hood, just remember this.

Coaches hire and fire every week when they pick their teams. They hire and fire every season with their input to list management, and they frequently give brutal feedback to players. Now, Clarko will always have a place as one of the all-time great AFL coaches, after four flags with the Hawks, including a three-peat. But at the end of the day, the same mob that hired him have the right to fire him. And finally, fourth thought, if you want to see WaffleFooty at its best and most dramatic, the last ten minutes of the East Perth vs Perth first semi at Mineral Resources Park on the weekend is worth a look. Sealed by a Sam Van Diemen goal with seconds left, a goal came in response to a brilliant Charlie Constable goal that had put Perth in front, and there was a brilliant pack mark from youngster Axel Walsh in the dying minutes as well.

A lot of the stuff that tells you WaffleFooty can still be great came in the critical final minutes of this match. Thought one, fitness and availability for the Dockers this week. It was reassuring to hear Justin Longmuir say on Channel 7 last night that Brennan Cox is unlikely for this week. It is absolutely the right policy not to rush players, even established ones, back into finals. And the same should apply with the injured Brandon Walker, who Longmuir was more optimistic on.

Corey Wagner, Judd McVie and Jager O'Meara are all viable options. Walker shouldn't play this week unless he is absolutely 100% fit after that ankle tweak at the weekend. Thought two, the brutal nature of AFL footy. So Jack Viney is highly thought of at Melbourne. So highly, they rushed him into their team for their wild card clash with Carlton, even though he played no AFL footy this season and only managed minutes in a VFL match to get him ready.

Now, he's been told by the club to explore his options. What that means is that if you stay here, you'll be playing in the VFL. Thought three is on the trade rumour mill, and Rowan Marshall is set to try and exit St Kilda for the second time in as many seasons. Geelong is on top of his preferred destination. The Western Bulldogs are another club in the mix as speculation continues to circle that Tim English might be on his way out of there. It's going to be interesting to see how the Saints handle the Marshall issue this year.