Clayton Oliver: A real Mensch.

[Antioch 184]

Mensch is German for person. That’s all.

[Monbon 1,516]

13 hours ago, daisycutter said:

don't you mean a Scheißkerl?  😎

Ya, however, on the other hand, as the dialogue goes, when three Jewish people get together, and you get four opinions - it's one of the things I love about - it's not all about the Sch part of Scheißkerl. There are also, shall we call them the fallow periods, or when one wishes to recite the Lord's Prayer - a great example of Tautology, mind you - 'Give us this day our daily that word beginning with sch' When it happens, finally, after 4 or 5 days, is when I have the Damascus Moments, a la Saul of Tarsus, and I believe in de Lord!

[Neil Crompton 4,788]

Clarrie appears to be in a much better place these days and for that I’m sure all of us couldn’t be happier. May that better place remain his for the rest of his life.

But there are always trade-offs in life, and maybe one of those trade-offs (although minor in the bigger scheme of things) is that, given what @Monbon has described above, perhaps Clayton has lost some of the football motivation that he had in previous years - because he may now feel he no longer needs football to prove his worth as a person. The massive talent is still there when he wants to pull it out, but his form and on-field attitude since his hamstring injury last year have been very un-Clayton like. (This might be all BS, but I haven’t seen Clayton-the-best-player-of-our-generation-Oliver since that injury and this may well be an explanation).

if Clarrie is happy and healthy I’m happy, even if it results in him having transformed from a “brilliant” player to an “average” player with occasional “brilliant” glimpses. But if he comes out next week and has an absolute blinder then I’d be even happier for him.

[Lucifers Hero 37,123]

58 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

If Clarrie is happy and healthy I’m happy, even if it results in him having transformed from a “brilliant” player to an “average” player with occasional “brilliant” glimpses. But if he comes out next week and has an absolute blinder then I’d be even happier for him.

I agree that Oliver is being ‘transformed’ but my take is a little different in that he will be a better player than he already is as he feels more loved, and valued as the person he is warts and all. 

One aspect of the transformation is he always shunned the limelight.

But look at him now! 

• Chosen to model our ANZAC jumper – a great honour and implicitly equating him with the ANZAC spirit:  Courageous, mate ship, sacrifice.  Oliver has those in spades.
• Recently he has conducted several postgame interviews even when not BOG and has embraced the role of representing the club with humility and courage.   His confidence is growing with the media showing him respect and love.  They are implicitly saying no one cares about his past foibles.
• His self belief as a person is noticeably growing.

My sense it is a deliberate strategy by the AFL, the club and the media.  If so, kudos to them all.

I’m loving watching Oliver mature as a person and come what may in his football I have little doubt he will be in a better place generally.  

Like you, just seeing him happy brings me joy.  

[Queanbeyan Demon 5,997]

3 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I agree that Oliver is being ‘transformed’ but my take is a little different in that he will be a better player than he already is as he feels more loved, and valued as the person he is warts and all. 

One aspect of the transformation is he always shunned the limelight.

But look at him now! 

• Chosen to model our ANZAC jumper – a great honour and implicitly equating him with the ANZAC spirit:  Courageous, mate ship, sacrifice.  Oliver has those in spades.
• Recently he has conducted several postgame interviews even when not BOG and has embraced the role of representing the club with humility and courage.   His confidence is growing with the media showing him respect and love.  They are implicitly saying no one cares about his past foibles.
• His self belief as a person is noticeably growing.

My sense it is a deliberate strategy by the AFL, the club and the media.  If so, kudos to them all.

I’m loving watching Oliver mature as a person and come what may in his football I have little doubt he will be in a better place generally.  

Like you, just seeing him happy brings me joy.  

Reflection of the year. Beautiful.

[Cranky Franky 1,489]

Mensch is just more US cultural Imperialism stolen from Israel.

How about Clarry is a good bloke. Or a bonza fellah.

[tiers 2,775]

2 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

Mensch is just more US cultural Imperialism stolen from Israel.

How about Clarry is a good bloke. Or a bonza fellah.

In Yiddish, to be known as a "mensch" is the highest praise possible - it covers integrity, compassion, decency and many other virtues.

Applying it to Clarry in this instance is appropriate. He deserved it.

[monoccular 16,120]

2 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

Mensch is just more US cultural Imperialism stolen from Israel.

How about Clarry is a good bloke. Or a bonza fellah.

Yes probably US cultural imperialism, but stolen from Yiddish long before the existence of the nation Israel.

And yes - Clarry is a beaut bloke, quite bonza.

[picket fence 15,241]

7 hours ago, Neil Crompton said:

Clarrie appears to be in a much better place these days and for that I’m sure all of us couldn’t be happier. May that better place remain his for the rest of his life.

But there are always trade-offs in life, and maybe one of those trade-offs (although minor in the bigger scheme of things) is that, given what @Monbon has described above, perhaps Clayton has lost some of the football motivation that he had in previous years - because he may now feel he no longer needs football to prove his worth as a person. The massive talent is still there when he wants to pull it out, but his form and on-field attitude since his hamstring injury last year have been very un-Clayton like. (This might be all BS, but I haven’t seen Clayton-the-best-player-of-our-generation-Oliver since that injury and this may well be an explanation).

if Clarrie is happy and healthy I’m happy, even if it results in him having transformed from a “brilliant” player to an “average” player with occasional “brilliant” glimpses. But if he comes out next week and has an absolute blinder then I’d be even happier for him.

Agree with most of what u say except for the Average player bit! I believe his hand/ finger injury was at the more serious end to the effect that for the most part in 3 games he was way down on output. This is fact. He was not out of form but injured! We can debate at length the shoulda woulda coulda been rested but he played. I Would think in the next few weeks we WILL see High calibre Clarry Choo Choo express back on track, blowin away the opposition with his undoubted briiliance🤩

[Lexinator 785]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/melbourne-demons/wow-clayton-olivers-unseen-act-of-sportsmanship-to-patrick-cripps/news-story/b38888e15b2213b3524a4110883e6492

Not his first rodeo.

If I recall, Oliver, mostly because he was nervous, while waiting for Gawn to kick the goal after the siren to win the minor premiership was talking to Dangerfiekd about his recent ankle injury from memory.

[Billy 1,973]

21 hours ago, picket fence said:

You dont often see this in Footy and it was impressive and noteworthy for the reasons aluded to. CLASSY CLARRY might just be the start of his Renaisance as a footballer, and compassionate human. Anyone else notice the affectionate cuddle and kiss from Abbey Holmes when he was interviewed? WONDERFUL, seems like there is Real Empathy. Great stuff Clarry!🤩

He’s a great down to earth bloke & a brilliant footballer, wish nothing but the best for him

[picket fence 15,241]

7 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I agree that Oliver is being ‘transformed’ but my take is a little different in that he will be a better player than he already is as he feels more loved, and valued as the person he is warts and all. 

One aspect of the transformation is he always shunned the limelight.

But look at him now! 

• Chosen to model our ANZAC jumper – a great honour and implicitly equating him with the ANZAC spirit:  Courageous, mate ship, sacrifice.  Oliver has those in spades.
• Recently he has conducted several postgame interviews even when not BOG and has embraced the role of representing the club with humility and courage.   His confidence is growing with the media showing him respect and love.  They are implicitly saying no one cares about his past foibles.
• His self belief as a person is noticeably growing.

My sense it is a deliberate strategy by the AFL, the club and the media.  If so, kudos to them all.

I’m loving watching Oliver mature as a person and come what may in his football I have little doubt he will be in a better place generally.  

Like you, just seeing him happy brings me joy.  

Post of the season re Clarry

[Neil Crompton 4,788]

51 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Agree with most of what u say except for the Average player bit! I believe his hand/ finger injury was at the more serious end to the effect that for the most part in 3 games he was way down on output. This is fact. He was not out of form but injured! We can debate at length the shoulda woulda coulda been rested but he played. I Would think in the next few weeks we WILL see High calibre Clarry Choo Choo express back on track, blowin away the opposition with his undoubted briiliance🤩

I really hope you and @Lucifers Hero are correct. I guess only time will tell. 

[Monbon 1,516]

4 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

Mensch is just more US cultural Imperialism stolen from Israel.

How about Clarry is a good bloke. Or a bonza fellah.

Nein, mein herr, mensch as a Yiddish term has been around long before the Balfour Declaration. And, just for the record, nobody hates US so-called 'Cultural Imperialism' and everything it stands for more than me. 

[Jibroni 4,127]

Certainly a class act by Clarry and well done to him. Would be nice if the morons in the media would actually acknowledge the benefits of a player showing sportsmanship to his opponent.

[Fromgotowoewodin 730]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4MXr6bPW6v/?igsh=MW9hcmNrZnB2bWltaQ==

A few months ago now but nice little clip with one of the young blues talking about Claz giving him tips during the preseason game, he’s a nice guy Clarry 

[Cranky Franky 1,489]

2 hours ago, Monbon said:

Nein, mein herr, mensch as a Yiddish term has been around long before the Balfour Declaration. And, just for the record, nobody hates US so-called 'Cultural Imperialism' and everything it stands for more than me. 

Yes but it's only become popular in the West because Jewish idioms have become standard on American sitcoms like Seinfeld.

[daisycutter 28,578]

1 hour ago, Cranky Franky said:

Yes but it's only become popular in the West because Jewish idioms have become standard on American sitcoms like Seinfeld.

and broadway productions ...  toss in hollywood too

[Monbon 1,516]

21 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

Yes but it's only become popular in the West because Jewish idioms have become standard on American sitcoms like Seinfeld.

Funny, I never, ever watched them.

[Monbon 1,516]

19 hours ago, daisycutter said:

and broadway productions ...  toss in hollywood too

I avoid both like I avoid untermenschen who reckon Brayshaw ran into poor Maynard.

[praha 10,283]

On 25/04/2024 at 14:24, adonski said:

From Milan to Mensch, an erotic journey

 

What if Seinfeld was set in Melbourne?

Kramer: "I got tickets to the game, Jerry!"

George: "To the ANZAC Day game?"

Jerry: "Thomastown vs Whittlesea. He only watches local leagues."

Kramer: "It's more real."

[Ethan Tremblay 28,427]

23 hours ago, Fromgotowoewodin said:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4MXr6bPW6v/?igsh=MW9hcmNrZnB2bWltaQ==

A few months ago now but nice little clip with one of the young blues talking about Claz giving him tips during the preseason game, he’s a nice guy Clarry 

What a legend.

[redandbluemakepurple 318]

On 26/04/2024 at 08:50, Antioch said:

Mensch is German for person. That’s all.

Generally, it has connotations of mankind, grouping of people, etc. rather a particular dude c.f der Mann

In standard German, that is.

My recollection is that we have been schooled in Yiddisch by American movies and TV since say, 1970.  Before that everyone was of Britsh, Irish, Black or Generalised Foreign heritage.  

Edited April 27 by redandbluemakepurple

[Bay Riffin 1,420]

On 26/04/2024 at 08:24, Queanbeyan Demon said:

Clarry can be seen regularly having a chat to the player closest to him - Demon or not. I've always wondered what he's saying. Be pretty random I think. Recon it could be something like these:

• The wind has really sprung up - good for you guys
• Where did you guys get that number 21 from - he can play?
• Do you understand all the ads on the scoreboard?
• Did you hit the traffic snarl on Swan street coming in?
• You recon all the balls are the same pressure today?

or..."You recon all the balls are the same pressure today?" oh you havent touched it 35 times like me. sorry"

[RedBlueandTrue 217]

On 26/04/2024 at 09:28, Neil Crompton said:

Clarrie appears to be in a much better place these days and for that I’m sure all of us couldn’t be happier. May that better place remain his for the rest of his life.

But there are always trade-offs in life, and maybe one of those trade-offs (although minor in the bigger scheme of things) is that, given what @Monbon has described above, perhaps Clayton has lost some of the football motivation that he had in previous years - because he may now feel he no longer needs football to prove his worth as a person. The massive talent is still there when he wants to pull it out, but his form and on-field attitude since his hamstring injury last year have been very un-Clayton like. (This might be all BS, but I haven’t seen Clayton-the-best-player-of-our-generation-Oliver since that injury and this may well be an explanation).

if Clarrie is happy and healthy I’m happy, even if it results in him having transformed from a “brilliant” player to an “average” player with occasional “brilliant” glimpses. But if he comes out next week and has an absolute blinder then I’d be even happier for him.

I know we don't like to talk about it and a lot has happened since then but for me he was our best player in the finals series. Clearly a lot would have been happening at the time but he was still near his very best particularly in the first final.