http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/articl...ong_sports.html

Thoughts?

Whateley can talk, the word around the water cooler is that he isa serial poster on many sites known as "crannypete", did you see the gig he got in the Herald Sun? Nuff nuffs from Cranbourne don't pull those kind of column centimetres.

In the immediate aftermath of September 11, Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly penned a piece I keep pinned to my desk at home.

His opening contemplation was whether he was supposed to say that sports were pointless now. Instead he concluded that it could be more important than ever. ``Let's hope, now that sports are in perspective, we keep them there. Sports can be smaller now, purer, the dessert cart on the menu of life, not the whole meal.''

Reminds of forum-goers who get angry because they see Demons players out and about in the week after a loss who don't look like someone told them their beloved grandmother died

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/articl...ong_sports.html

Thoughts?

Fantastic article. I like:

"It is sheer reckless stupidity when talkback radio is over-run with the conclusions that Adam Selwood is a pedophile or Des Headland a lunatic.

It's worse in the popular footy chat rooms. The abuse in these forums beggars belief both of the participants and the correspondents.

You'd be forgiven for concluding Aussie rules inflicts nothing but desolation, division and bitterness. They can be miserable websites, written by miserable people, for miserable people to read.

It reflects perfectly the depths we have reached."

It's interesting to see the content of posters when things get tough, and those that post less rather than more.

It's worse in the popular footy chat rooms. The abuse in these forums beggars belief both of the participants and the correspondents.

You'd be forgiven for concluding Aussie rules inflicts nothing but desolation, division and bitterness. They can be miserable websites, written by miserable people, for miserable people to read.

I wouldn't disagree with that but it depends how your team is going doesn't it?

Forums such as this discuss current events and Selwood/Headland was a particularly unpleasant one. I proabably wasn't surprised how some people interpreted and extrapolated the events.

It is often said along the lines of.....If you don't want bad news, don't open the papers!

Fantastic article. I like:

"It is sheer reckless stupidity when talkback radio is over-run with the conclusions that Adam Selwood is a pedophile or Des Headland a lunatic.

It's worse in the popular footy chat rooms. The abuse in these forums beggars belief both of the participants and the correspondents.

You'd be forgiven for concluding Aussie rules inflicts nothing but desolation, division and bitterness. They can be miserable websites, written by miserable people, for miserable people to read.

It reflects perfectly the depths we have reached."

It's interesting to see the content of posters when things get tough, and those that post less rather than more.

I think that despite the heated debate, we've remained fairly sensible here on Demonland, which is a credit to everyone who posts here.

awww....pawwwww Gerard.....must have been having just a miserable day !!!

I think that despite the heated debate, we've remained fairly sensible here on Demonland, which is a credit to everyone who posts here.

Yep that is right, i have tried to keep within the demonland code of conduct. And it is only by moderators like yourself Jaded and the admins that have keep this site clean from too many heated debates. Like when a topic is starting to get out of control, the mods or admins decide to close the topic. That is very good, prevents unneeded abuse. This is why i like demonland. :) Keep up the good work

Must be no control on other sites, no wonder he is frustrated

As a football commentator I would rate Gerard Whately as one of the best in Australia. His pre game introductions on 774 are full of genuine passion and excitement. He is astute, thoughtful, and most importantly he has a healthy sense of perspective.

Armageddon, hahaha, good story.

Im sorry...maybe its just me that sees this as quite hilarious.

Here you have someone who works in the media.. yes the media...that innocent of all contributors to life !! yeah right ..lol ..taking umbrage at how we amatuers view and comment on things sporting.

People have probably been cr@pping on about sport since roman times,, hey Antony, did you catch those lions last night.. that forward pawket seemed limping, maybe his trainer ought to be sacked !!

Honestly there is nothing new at all about any of this.

perpsective..hmm...we all have one..and this article needs to be put into one. quite frankly I think its bit of self serving rubbish makig its author out to be a bit holier than most. Sure it's commentary, but what does it say...Yo..people get a grip !!.. so what s new. People will get invective whether its the ol bay 13 times or the members ( seen it happen ..lol ) the office on monday.. . Ive seen AFL argued 12000 miles away.... well he was an idiot wobbly supporter ( vbg ) .

His article is commentary on...COMMENTARY !!...and this I suppose is commentary on that.

None of it really matters.

What he did manage to evade in his wordsmithig was the fact that had not the AFL in this instance fallen into some swamp of ineffectiveness over the last...ooh say 5 or so years, then possibly the rabid masses migt not seem to vindictive !

why is he at all surprised that in a city where the predominant religion IS football.. I mean...add up all the patronages to the various grades , levels of footy on a weekend and compare to church attendances !!lol..

melburnians are passionate about football, so what new for Abletts sake !!