TRAINING: Friday 11th December 2020

[DeeSpencer 23,051]

9 hours ago, hemingway said:

Casey is a huge negative for the players. The lack of an inner city training venue makes travelling to Casey not only a frustrating bore but not conducive to injury management, general soreness and fatigue after hard training sessions. 

Also thought to be one of the main reasons why we lost Isaac Smith to Geelong. 

Makes securing a more convenient location an urgent need. 

Is or has Isaac Smith relocated to the Geelong area? If not, he's managed to get to Waverley for a decade, I don't think he'd be too worried about another 20 minutes on the freeway to Casey for 1 covid summer and maybe 1 day a week in season. 

We do have a perfectly adequate facility as is, we've just temporarily relocated to give the women and other AAMI teams more room. Overall I think it will be a positive. Brand new facilities, privacy, a chance for some team bonding on the car pool down.

9 hours ago, Ham said:

Gawny now lives in Blarigowrie, meaning he is closer to Casey, than what he is Melbourne. 

I understand what you're saying, but that won't dictate where the players decide to live and the proximity they are to the club's home base. 

Preuss also lived near Nar Nar Goon.

A really bold move for a club would be to build a training base on the Mornington Peninsula and relocate players down there. Even bolder would be to relocate the entire club to a new ground in Frankston or Mornington. The Saints move to Seaford was about a 1/4 measure, if they shipped whole club the other side of Frankston it could've worked. Fortunately they've been bailed out with great new digs at Linton St.

But the number of gun players from the Peninsula might out number the Geelong guys. Tom Lynch, Weitering, the Jones brothers, Hunter Clark, Hibberd, Sam Sturt, Will Hamill, Hayden and Lachie Young, Whitfield and so on. Given so many players  want to live in Torquay it's hard to imagine they wouldn't like somewhere on the Peninsula just as much.

[3183 Dee 2,602]

4 hours ago, old dee said:

Good to hear you are still with us Ernest, I have a feel for your pain at society.  The entitlement of younger generations leaves me breath less. 2020 has certainly not been one I want to repeat but I have a feeling I am going to have more of those than the opposite in the years ahead. Let’s hope the Dees can Brighten our lives in 2021.

I hear you, but the entitlement of the younger generations was born from the generations that preceded.

[chook fowler 18,164]

2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Is or has Isaac Smith relocated to the Geelong area? If not, he's managed to get to Waverley for a decade, I don't think he'd be too worried about another 20 minutes on the freeway to Casey for 1 covid summer and maybe 1 day a week in season. 

We do have a perfectly adequate facility as is, we've just temporarily relocated to give the women and other AAMI teams more room. Overall I think it will be a positive. Brand new facilities, privacy, a chance for some team bonding on the car pool down.

A really bold move for a club would be to build a training base on the Mornington Peninsula and relocate players down there. Even bolder would be to relocate the entire club to a new ground in Frankston or Mornington. The Saints move to Seaford was about a 1/4 measure, if they shipped whole club the other side of Frankston it could've worked. Fortunately they've been bailed out with great new digs at Linton St.

But the number of gun players from the Peninsula might out number the Geelong guys. Tom Lynch, Weitering, the Jones brothers, Hunter Clark, Hibberd, Sam Sturt, Will Hamill, Hayden and Lachie Young, Whitfield and so on. Given so many players  want to live in Torquay it's hard to imagine they wouldn't like somewhere on the Peninsula just as much.

Seaford was a big fail for the Saints.

[dazzledavey36 48,620]

9 hours ago, hemingway said:

Thanks Kenty. 

I find as I get older surrounded by death not too many people miss me. 

Even during my recent stay in hospital, the pretty nurses (yes, there are a few) ignored my ripping physique and special attributes and looked shocked when I told them my birthdate. My Caribbean nurse simply refused to believe that I took no medication. Strangely she did not ask me about hard liquor!

When I ask today’s youth whether they have read any Hemingway, firstly, they ask who the hell is Hemingway, or, secondly, they sometimes have a vague idea and immediately Google the name on their smart phones, and tell me that they only read stuff on the net, and then nothing more than a few sentences. They appear to skim over anything more than two paragraphs. They also favour 15 minute quarters and T20 cricket.  They tell me that watching Test Cricket and reading books is as boring as watching grass grow. Sadly attention spans and standards are dropping every year as more and more people seem to have acquired ADHD and are prone to control and manipulation by those with power and money. The evil doers who are multiplying every day. 

I have also tired of posters on this site attempting to one-up others for reasons that are beyond me. Is it simply ego or are they merely downtrodden types that no one listens to in real life?  So that in this delusional vacuum known as social media and Demonland, they are under the strange belief that their opinions are important and valued. Poor souls. 

However, I find humour in many posts and also find value in the better informed scholars of the game that know much more than I do about what’s going on. 

I fluctuate between a crazy emotional state of thinking that footy, most importantly and solely that the MFC is important in my life still knowing that I will descend to hell before we win a flag ( there is something slightly meaningful about maintaining loyalty in the face of never ending failure). Continuity in suffering is one of life’s realities that feed my melancholy and allows one to reflect on the futility of human life and the futility of watching the Demons each week with this crazy feeling of hope. 

Anyway, thanks Kenty, it’s nice to be remembered despite the realisation that the sands of time will soon cover any traces of my existence in this broken world. 

A world increasingly peopled by fools, opportunists and snake oil salesmen (and women) who only want to look at their own reflection in the mirror. 

Returning to smart phones, Its a worry, when the medical staff of one of our best hospitals have to resort to google to provide answers and information on my maladies! 

Look after yourself old mate.

Good to have you back.

[RDBhero 65]

50 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Look after yourself old mate.

Good to have you back.

Erudite....great post from another generation with nothing to prove!

Keep at it !

 

 

[Demon_spurs 1,640]

8 hours ago, 4_Kent_Watts said:

Inverloch. Booo I was born in Wonthaggi. Have family out at Cape Patterson. I like getting down that way too. Inverloch as well.?

Sssh don't tell them about the Cape

[Winners at last 4,672]

10 hours ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Nice work Ernest. You still have the spark in your Autumn ? years...

I concur with SWYL. 

You are two of my favourite posters. I find myself nodding in agreement with most of your posts.

[hemingway 7,583]

10 hours ago, DeeZone said:

I sometimes wonder whether Big Business are using Smart Phones to dumb us all down so we will fit in with the Clock Work Orange world scenario......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good point Deezone. Everything is dumbed down these days and smart phones, internet etc contribute to this. As mentioned in a previous post many young doctors simply turn to their phones for an answer without attempting to find out patient history, family history,, carry out an examination, and importantly fail to come up with a diagnosis based on all these things. In short, they do not have to use their brain.

Smart phones allow people to come up with a smattering of knowledge that is usually superficial (that allows the user to appear knowledgeable) but without any real depth or deeper understanding of the issues. 

There are many advantages of smart phones such as reading Demonland when sitting on the toilet and using your device so as to avoid social contact and other forms of personal intimacy. 

Its a strange thing. When you use a phone, it’s great, but when someone close to you uses it in the same way, you feeling like smashing it into a sensitive part of their anatomy.  

[hemingway 7,583]

10 minutes ago, bingers said:

I concur with SWYL. 

You are two of my favourite posters. I find myself nodding in agreement with most of your posts.

Thanks mate, but like my old friend Leonard, I’m old and grey and ache in the places that I used to play, and simply paying my rent in the tower of song. 

[WERRIDEE 5,198]

15 hours ago, Demonland said:

These are all questions we’d love answered. I’d go down to a training session or two but I’m not driving all the way out there to be shut out. 

Yeah I'll go Friday. I'll leave early 6 in the morning. If there are people who want to shut me out hopefully they will take pity on me for the 2 hours I drove to see my team train. Never been to Casey before so looking forward to the trip. If people have got questions that they want answered send them in and I will try and answer them all. I'll be trying to find out if Petty is playing forward or back other than that I'll be watching them go around the track.

[hemingway 7,583]

3 minutes ago, WERRIDEE said:

Yeah I'll go Friday. I'll leave early 6 in the morning. If there are people who want to shut me out hopefully they will take pity on me for the 2 hours I drove to see my team train. Never been to Casey before so looking forward to the trip. If people have got questions that they want answered send them in and I will try and answer them all. I'll be trying to find out if Petty is playing forward or back other than that I'll be watching them go around the track.

You deserve a medal or free life membership. 

[hemingway 7,583]

8 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Glad to see you're back to your usual cheery self Ernie.

Still waiting on the invitation to the Manor BBO. Or has hard times seen the departure of the maids and entertainment. From Grange to Cleanskins? 

[Pates 9,536]

8 hours ago, raDeelaide said:

I reckon all clubs will use COVID to keep sessions closed from public viewings. No need to give opposition teams a look in.

The problem with Gosches was that it was open to anyone walking past. I would assume that this is not the case with almost all of the other teams.

This I think is nailing the point, closed sessions until further notice for “COVID” reasons but I think secretly the club would not be unhappy about it being closed off to the public and opposition. Mind you how much can you learn at this stage, it’s mainly fitness until after NY. 

[DeeSpencer 23,051]

9 hours ago, raDeelaide said:

I reckon all clubs will use COVID to keep sessions closed from public viewings. No need to give opposition teams a look in.

The problem with Gosches was that it was open to anyone walking past. I would assume that this is not the case with almost all of the other teams.

Collingwood is all meant to be public space, they never close anyone out in normal times I don't think. Hawthorn you can wander around Waverley. The Saints and North you can easily wander around unless they've upgraded the fences for AFLW games.

Essendon you might have to stand in Melrose drive but you'll see in. Same goes for Richmond and the Dogs if you're willing to stand next to Punt Road or Gordon st.

Of the Melbourne teams it might only be Carlton that can truly lock down their ground. That's why the teams agreed not to spy on sessions that are deemed closed for all clubs. Most clubs wait until their camps or train at special venues for there more secretive game plan sessions anyway.

[RalphiusMaximus 5,993]

15 hours ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

Is that true?  Thats a fair hike to the MCG/Etihad

He was spotted in Mt Eliza the other day. 

[monoccular 15,991]

On 12/12/2020 at 8:14 AM, Ham said:

There are definitely supporters and track watchers down Casey way (including myself), but they have the facilities closed, so you can't actually enter. 

*I should add, this is because the players/coaches/etc.. don't enter where patrons do, so they have no reason to open the gate to let watchers in, so they simply don't*

Does anyone have a drone?

22 hours ago, hardtack said:

Once when I was visiting from Sydney I ran into DeeSpencer at Casey... not sure if that means he's a local.  Also, there are a couple who often report on Casey games, so another possibility?

How about KC?

21 hours ago, hemingway said:

Thanks Kenty. 

I find as I get older surrounded by death not too many people miss me. 

Even during my recent stay in hospital, the pretty nurses (yes, there are a few) ignored my ripping physique and special attributes and looked shocked when I told them my birthdate. My Caribbean nurse simply refused to believe that I took no medication. Strangely she did not ask me about hard liquor!

When I ask today’s youth whether they have read any Hemingway, firstly, they ask who the hell is Hemingway, or, secondly, they sometimes have a vague idea and immediately Google the name on their smart phones, and tell me that they only read stuff on the net, and then nothing more than a few sentences. They appear to skim over anything more than two paragraphs. They also favour 15 minute quarters and T20 cricket.  They tell me that watching Test Cricket and reading books is as boring as watching grass grow. Sadly attention spans and standards are dropping every year as more and more people seem to have acquired ADHD and are prone to control and manipulation by those with power and money. The evil doers who are multiplying every day. 

I have also tired of posters on this site attempting to one-up others for reasons that are beyond me. Is it simply ego or are they merely downtrodden types that no one listens to in real life?  So that in this delusional vacuum known as social media and Demonland, they are under the strange belief that their opinions are important and valued. Poor souls. 

However, I find humour in many posts and also find value in the better informed scholars of the game that know much more than I do about what’s going on. 

I fluctuate between a crazy emotional state of thinking that footy, most importantly and solely that the MFC is important in my life still knowing that I will descend to hell before we win a flag ( there is something slightly meaningful about maintaining loyalty in the face of never ending failure). Continuity in suffering is one of life’s realities that feed my melancholy and allows one to reflect on the futility of human life and the futility of watching the Demons each week with this crazy feeling of hope. 

Anyway, thanks Kenty, it’s nice to be remembered despite the realisation that the sands of time will soon cover any traces of my existence in this broken world. 

A world increasingly peopled by fools, opportunists and snake oil salesmen (and women) who only want to look at their own reflection in the mirror. 

Returning to smart phones, Its a worry, when the medical staff of one of our best hospitals have to resort to google to provide answers and information on my maladies! 

Lovely post, Ernest

But you need to summarise it for the younger members whose attention span wouldn’t allow them to wade through it, and appreciate the wonderful  prose 

[hemingway 7,583]

15 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Does anyone have a drone?

How about KC?

Lovely post, Ernest

But you need to summarise it for the younger members whose attention span wouldn’t allow them to wade through it, and appreciate the wonderful  prose 

Thank you for your sage advice my friend, but really I like writing and don’t care for the opinion of others. We all have our selective likes and dislikes, so be it. As long as we are respectful and kind to one another. I would not expect many to read my ravings. Most of the time, I don’t even like what I write.

[picket fence 15,040]

11 hours ago, hemingway said:

Still waiting on the invitation to the Manor BBO. Or has hard times seen the departure of the maids and entertainment. From Grange to Cleanskins? 

Invites to the "Manor" are as rare as Rocking Horse Sheeeit. If anyone deserves and invite it is my good self!! Would love to see the moat infested with man eating crocs and the maids of the manor all ready and willing to serve his highness Uncle Bitter!

Cleanskins and Uncles are no match for a good Red!

PS If any Land folk can confirm Tommorrows session is at Casey and Time, I just MIGHT be able to swing down and have a squizz

Edited December 13, 2020 by picket fence

[goodwindees 2,117]

On 12/12/2020 at 8:36 AM, hemingway said:

Casey is a huge negative for the players. The lack of an inner city training venue makes travelling to Casey not only a frustrating bore but not conducive to injury management, general soreness and fatigue after hard training sessions. 

Also thought to be one of the main reasons why we lost Isaac Smith to Geelong. 

Makes securing a more convenient location an urgent need. 

Absolutely agree Hemingway.  2 players I’ve spoken with that live in Elwood were less than happy with wind swept, and desolate Casey fields. I recall the recent disaster of the Saints move to Seaford with Players & Club admitting it was a very poor decision. 

[BDA 19,978]

54 minutes ago, goodwindees said:

 2 players I’ve spoken with that live in Elwood were less than happy with wind swept, and desolate Casey fields.

Casey sounds like the perfect place to prepare before Cairns games in the future!  

[Willmoy1947 3,758]

There is a big difference between being hot and sweaty and wet, and cold and sweaty and wet.

As well as 3664 kms....

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

13 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

Yeah I'll go Friday. I'll leave early 6 in the morning. If there are people who want to shut me out hopefully they will take pity on me for the 2 hours I drove to see my team train. Never been to Casey before so looking forward to the trip. If people have got questions that they want answered send them in and I will try and answer them all. I'll be trying to find out if Petty is playing forward or back other than that I'll be watching them go around the track.

Legend.

I want to see a best 22 of who impressed most at the session.

[BDA 19,978]

21 minutes ago, willmoy said:

There is a big difference between being hot and sweaty and wet, and cold and sweaty and wet.

As well as 3664 kms....

It wasn’t hot and sweaty when we played in Cairns this year.  It was cold, wet and windy. For both games. 

[Tarax Club 2,856]

On 12/12/2020 at 10:43 AM, hemingway said:

When I ask today’s youth whether they have read any Hemingway, firstly, they ask who the hell is Hemingway, or, secondly, they sometimes have a vague idea and immediately Google the name on their smart phones, and tell me that they only read stuff on the net, and then nothing more than a few sentences.

Why bother reading books when 'it' is available on audio books, graphic comic novel, kindle or whatever passes for literacy these days?  A brief search of the 'net' did reveal a list of suggested reading for the Demonland literary cognoscenti , most probably in or approaching their sunset years. Including most aptly The Old Man and the Sea  and For Whom the Bell Tolls. And for those still wishing for the elusive grail, To Have and To Have Not. The joy of reading great imaginative writing, is entering the realm of a good story told and taking that solo journey of pleasure and reward.

[Whispering_Jack 27,884]

On 12/12/2020 at 12:13 PM, hemingway said:

When I ask today’s youth whether they have read any Hemingway, firstly, they ask who the hell is Hemingway, or, secondly, they sometimes have a vague idea and immediately Google the name on their smart phones, and tell me that they only read stuff on the net, and then nothing more than a few sentences. They appear to skim over anything more than two paragraphs. They also favour 15 minute quarters and T20 cricket.  They tell me that watching Test Cricket and reading books is as boring as watching grass grow. Sadly attention spans and standards are dropping every year as more and more people seem to have acquired ADHD and are prone to control and manipulation by those with power and money. The evil doers who are multiplying every day. 

I know how you feel. I bumped into Wayne Johnston (who I have known since he played his first game of VFL) recently and he expressed an interest in perhaps helping out with some training sessions for my grandson’s junior footy team. I mentioned this to the coach (mid to late 20s) and he hadn’t heard of him. I said between the two of us, we’ve played in four premierships and over 200 games of league football. The youth of this world have collectively lost their perspective on life.