I met "H" at the FH Dinner last night.

This is is a big statement, but I think he was the most impressive man I've ever met.

How were the players J? what was the mood like after the exceptional display just hours before?

Did anyone see Cross throw his mouth guard about 30 mtrs down the field after a clanger he caused?

Just a disgusting day for the club.

I met "H" at the FH Dinner last night.

This is is a big statement, but I think he was the most impressive man I've ever met.

Sounds like there is more to tell JJC. Care to share some more with us?

Sounds like there is more to tell JJC. Care to share some more with us?

I was there as well. Lumumba spoke with great passion about the club.

He clearly loves the club and wants to do well for the players who have been through the hard times. He made a point of singling out a few players including Garland.

Lumumba wears his heart on his sleeve which is not everyones cup of tea but he clearly cares about his team mates. I was very impressed.

At Club functions where the players are required to attend, there is often an embarrassing period at the start where the players are chatting together, and the guests are reticent to join in their conversation.

The players were fairly subdued, talking together in groups, probably relishing the rare opportunity to have a club-approved stubble. Obviously they were far from jubilant, but they weren't moping around looking like there'd been a death in the family.

I was talking to a few friends when "H" came over and introduced himself. He told us how happy he is at Melbourne , ( though he wished we were going better!), and how impressed he was with the atmosphere, and back up facilities at our Club.

He said how he fervently hoped to be able to one day share with his new young team mates success like he enjoyed at Collingwood.He was in the leadership group for 6 years at Coll., and really loves that part of his duties at Melbourne.

He told us in a sincere and respectful way how much he appreciated the support of the Melbourne fans, despite recent lack of success.I took it to mean all Demon fans, but I guess he was particularly referring to this group, at such a major fundraiser.

Everything he said suggested to me that here was a fine "leader of men". There is a real aura about him. I guess he was just following orders and mixing in with the fans, but he did it brilliantly.

^ good read on a Monday morning. Thanks

At Club functions where the players are required to attend, there is often an embarrassing period at the start where the players are chatting together, and the guests are reticent to join in their conversation.

The players were fairly subdued, talking together in groups, probably relishing the rare opportunity to have a club-approved stubble. Obviously they were far from jubilant, but they weren't moping around looking like there'd been a death in the family.

I was talking to a few friends when "H" came over and introduced himself. He told us how happy he is at Melbourne , ( though he wished we were going better!), and how impressed he was with the atmosphere, and back up facilities at our Club.

He said how he fervently hoped to be able to one day share with his new young team mates success like he enjoyed at Collingwood.He was in the leadership group for 6 years at Coll., and really loves that part of his duties at Melbourne.

He told us in a sincere and respectful way how much he appreciated the support of the Melbourne fans, despite recent lack of success.I took it to mean all Demon fans, but I guess he was particularly referring to this group, at such a major fundraiser.

Everything he said suggested to me that here was a fine "leader of men". There is a real aura about him. I guess he was just following orders and mixing in with the fans, but he did it brilliantly.

Good on him. Don't underestimate his leadership on and off field. It will help us in the long term in terms of culture.

I always thought HL was a top bloke. I think his action with Col Garland was only supportive. Col strikes me as an emotional guy. I think I can recall the time Mark Neeld was sacked, Col was filmed standing away from the rest of the playing group at training looking like the end of the world had come. It must have been really difficult for our backline over the past decade.

I really hope he doesn't leave at the end of the season. I always feel more confident seeing him walk down to the backline at the beginning of the game (as well as Tommy Mac now).

Did anyone see Cross throw his mouth guard about 30 mtrs down the field after a clanger he caused?

Just a disgusting day for the club.

are you sure it wasn't him throwing it at the umpire after that shocking free kick paid against him after being tunneled?

Garland actually gave the Hawks their first goal with a very short pass which went along t he ground. And he certainly gave away the goal which lead to Heretier's sympathy. But he played a darned good game, marking fearlessly. I would be devastated if we lost him. Sure, he makes the odd blunder but he can play on talls and bigs, and never turns it in. Regrettably in the third quarter I thought a few of his team mates did.

And well done Heretier'.

I thought it was Bail, have to watch the first quarter again Dammit!

Did anyone catch a replay I think about ten minutes into the last quarter after a Hawthorn goal where Garland hunched to the ground with his hands on his head.

About two seconds later Harry ran over to him and fervently picked him up from the ground. Garland didn't remonstrate but he just looked mentally and physical gone. I think Lynden Dunn then came over and gave garland a pat on the head.

Is this where the mentality is at with this club? I don't blame Garland with the crap he has put up with over the past 8 years but I thought it was quite telling about the mindset of our players and it is obviously quite foreign to the environment Harry has been in.

Lumumba was actually terrific at getting around his team mates in the last quarter. He did it at just about every contest. Made that extra effort to run up and really get in the ear of his team mates and encourage them. I thought it was terrific.

Our gut running to provide an option was VFL standard.

Is that you Jeff?