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From the Facebook page: Training Report #2 A.K.A the Max Gawn show It’s Max Gawn’s world. We’re just living in it. I turned up 40 minutes late to training, kept guessing by the inability of the open training times page to load. Feel like I don’t miss a lot though. Guessing I would have missed stretches, warm-ups and a kicking drill here and there, so that’s okay. What does happen when I show up is I have a shocked expression on my face. There’s about 26 players here but the quality of those has improved on last week. For instance, Maxy Gawn is here after a trip to New Orleans, Dom Tyson makes an appearance, as does Tom McDonald. For a large part of the session, Tyson and McDonald are rehabbing, doing a lot of running drills. Gawn, however, joins in with the main group on occasion. More on his progress later. First part of business when I get here is the group put in some quick drills when they run in twos. For instance, you’d see Brayshaw and Harmes running together (and looking good), while Harley Balic is improving. The vibe is much more competitive than last week. They’re after good times. This was only brief – a lot of focus, interestingly enough, was on ball skills this morning. After that, the Dees set up a full ground drill. One group working on stoppage work here and there, another small group trying to take marks from a kick up forward. Gus is one of the players up forward (interestingly enough – he spends plenty of time as a forward in these drills) and looks okay again. Clearly the drill is of good quality judging by the applause at the end. After that is quite a red-hot drill – a full-grounder which almost resembles an intraclub at times. The primary focus is ball movement here. It’s also here where Maxy captures the eye for the first time. Bit of a footnote – there’s a piece on the SEN Facebook page with Tim Watson talking about Maxy and how fit he is. He reckons he’s in as good a shape as you’ll ever see from a ruckman. From what I saw out there – he’s pretty close to the mark. Not only is he looking VERY trim, but he’s also moving incredibly well. It’s probably characterised by Maxy taking advantage of an intercepted ball from a teammate, then setting up another with a brilliant handball which eventually finds its way to Petracca who kicks a ‘goal’ in this drill. The prowess of the other ruckman in this side – Mitch King – is also going swimmingly. This is realistically one of his first chances to show the Dees how far he’s come post-ACL and the evidence looks pretty good. Kingy clunks a contested mark over Hunt – not overly impressive on paper but the method of his madness looks extremely impressive – hitting the ball at speed, and holding on to it while his body is at all these different contorted angles… if that makes any sense. Anyway, it’s impressive. He might get game time this season. In fact, he probably will with our ruck situation. The other bloke who impresses me with his field kicking is – again – Angus Brayshaw. Playing as a forward in this drill (as mentioned), Gussy finds space to get a couple of marks after some good ball movement. First kick – absolutely threads the eye of the needle, perfectly weighted to (I think) Maynard who is running back towards goal, going over a defender in the process. It’s an excellent kick. Just to rub it in a bit, Brayshaw then gets another kick. Same spot, same method, rolls around quickly, looks again and takes even more risks with this kick. Again, it’s spot on, except it’s dropped this time around. Seriously, this kid is legit this time around. The boys then revert back to the two-by-two running drills. Gawn, Tyson, McDonald are doing separate running activities. At this point, Gawny has his shirt off, almost as if he genuinely wants to rub in how good a shape he’s in. Honestly don’t blame him. Again, Brayshaw and Harmes are constantly up the front. Good areas. After that, the Dees decide it’s time to do some set shots. The change up has been intriguing. All eyes on Gus as one proclaims ‘safe as houses Gussy’. He doesn’t let them down. In the meantime, Trac is cracking it after every snap shot he does, dropping quite a few f-bombs here and there. That’s November for you. More running to finish off – this time it’s more in the form of set time running – they’ll start off with a two-minute run, followed by 90 seconds, one minute and then a very quick run at the end. Again, Nibs looks good. He’s constantly up the front. This time, Maynard is also setting a very good place, sticking with Nibs most of the way. Billy Stretch looks good too, again. What startles me during the last run, however, is Maxy – randomly joining in – and keeping a very good pace with Nibs and Maynard. I’m shook. It’s just one session but that was a hell of a statement sesh from Gawny. He wants his All-Australian spot back. You can tell. Training finished up after that. A rather quick one this time around, but quite a spirited one. I might be able to make my way down on Friday. Let’s see how that goes.

Turned up before 11 to catch 45 minutes or so. Rehab group: Tim Smith doing laps Joel Smith, Flippers, Hannan, McKenna and Tom McDonald with some simple handball drills, kick to kick and then some running. I'd say these 5 are all pretty advanced and just being taken along slowly after injuries. Hannan looks noticeably stronger - couldn't do weights after shoulder surgery before he was drafted. He looked very sharp in an in close handball weaving drill. McKenna another who looks to have done plenty in the gym. Lovely kick on both sides as well The main group were doing a bit of 3/4 ground ball movement, seemed to be about 8 on 9. 4 down back, 3 in the middle, 1 or 2 up forward and just moving the ball to score. As noted a couple of nice Brayshaw kicks were the highlights. Mitch King is another looking much stronger. Still has a bit of puppy fat to trim off his middle but that's probably the price to pay for getting extra bulk in the offseason. His running was decent and he took a nice leap at one stage. Keilty was walking laps around the oval as the main grouped trained. Looked a bit under the weather. Later joined in some of the running. Mainly Max, King and Keilty were in their own big man running group. The rest did runs first in shorter sprints and then some longer laps. Gus and Harmes led the boys off with ANB given something to chase, sometimes he got them, sometimes they were ahead. Rough order after that of Hunt, Salem, Stretch, Wagner, JKH, Oliver then not far back to Tracc, Frost, Vince, Oscar, Maynard, DJ and Balic usually towards the end. In the shorter runs they were all pretty well keeping up. In the longer runs Balic was with King and DJ and they were pushing each other along. ANB made a gap from a tight bunch with Tracc and JKH a little from the back in the longer main group. Around then Weids came out with the boxing coach I think and walked a lap before heading off again and that's about when I left. Takeways: - Good to have Max and Tom back on deck with both looking all clear from injuries - Salem looking strong and running towards the front - Hannan looking stronger - 18 or so in full training and another 5 doing a fair bit in rehab

You track watchers are unbelievable. Passion and dedication. Hats off to you. You deserve medallions of honour. The rest of us enjoy the fruits of your efforts.

Nah his beard does it for me

Balic was there today for the person that asked, seemed to be doing it a little tough with all the running but kept going. Was only there for the second half of training but was interestingly to see the varying fitness levels of the players, some as mentioned like Nibbler were just smashing it but then many others plodding along toward the end of the session and really doing it tough like Petracca and Oliver, and Oscar Mac just kinda cruising a little at the rear. But yes, context required, it is November I know Tommy Mac and I think Josh Smith were doing lots of running and looking pretty good, Tommy post the ankle issues seemed to be travelling well. As for Max well yes he sure was looking sharp and very trim, my only isssue with this is that yes it will certainly enable him to get to many many contests in a game but he seemed to be pushed off the ball in the contest quite easily at times last year as he doesn’t really have the bulk and perhaps strength of some of the other bigger ruckman, just my thoughts though. Anyway, a lovely morning to be outside and having a look at our boys.

Feel free to plug anytime you want. In fact we'd love to have you on the Podcast in the new year to discuss the book and other depressing Dees related stuff.

Generally, you call someone by their name...

Watson on Gawn

ANB.

Let me know which ones??? the reporter missed Bernie, back from his honeymoon

That's nice but its not a sound basis for drafting. Plenty of clubs have been down this path, thinking they are close to a flag and botching it with some mature age players. Port may do well but they have drafted two very inconsistent players in Watts and Motlop. Rockliff is a workhorse, meat and potatoes kind of player but not particularly damaging. They had a pretty good run in 2018 with injuries and maybe have over-estimated where they are as a list. Will be watched with interest in 2018.

HT, given you are from Sydney, it is little surprise a few of the locals on the street are losing interest. Queensland has won 11 of the last 12 series, of course NSW supporters are over it! That said, if you look at recent crowd numbers, I think they would show your comment to being quite off the mark. 2017 - 185,189 (Total crowd numbers) 2016 - 138,111 (Game 3 a dead rubber) 2014 - 180,432 I have deliberately left 2015 out because one game was at the MCG, which historically inflates the crowd size due to the popularity of the game in Vic. I've also compared 2017 with 2014 as both series had 2 games in Qld and 1 game in NSW. The stadium in QLD fills up at around 53k. Reality is, SOO is as strong as ever, which is amazing given Qlds recent domination. And while the SOO series is definitely more of a dream for a (league) kid growing up, the lesser players wouldn't call their GF ring "poor". Just have to watch how much it meant to the Melbourne Storm team this year.

Or captions....

Ernest, when you live a 10 min scoot from Goschs, it's not even an effort, but thank you

Mr Demonland sir, you can steal any photos you like off my Instagram feed and put them on here, some from.last Friday are there Demonpk, will probably be there this Friday as well

Well, to be fair, I'm hardly in the league of the likes Saty... I get down to Melbourne on very rare occasions (unfortunately) and if they coincide with training sessions and I am not otherwise committed, I will drag myself and camera (and lens') along to get some shots. Don't expect any written reports though as my attention span is practically non existent these days. But thanks for your kind words anyway

I'm going to be in Melbourne from Thursday, heading back to Sydney on Monday evening... so I will post some photos of both the Friday 17th and Monday 20th sessions to a Facebook album and put a link in here once done. Does anyone know if Jake Lever and Harley Balic will be training on either of those days? I'm hoping to get a jersey and have it signed for my son to help with the mental side of his knee reco recovery - I know he would dearly love to see Lever's autograph on there as he's already achieved the status of favourite Dees player

One, next Sunday. I don't understand the antipathy to these games. The players seem keen to participate and it gives us something a bit different to watch during the annual footy drought. If people think it is silly, they don't have to watch it (and if they don't like the ridiculous hype the commentators make about it, there is the volume switch thank god). The injury rate seems pretty low, no worse than training. The Irish get the advantage of the familiar round ball, Oz has the advantage of having fully professional super-fit players and tackling, though I wouldn't mind if tackling was not allowed. So what if it is a 'game that doesn't really exist'. I can't get emotionally involved but am interested enough to watch it. Better than many other 'real' sports.

A lot of people are saying that, yes, Reese is the problem. The superbowl wins are the insulator though. And I can't see that stopping, not when there's a sacrificial lamb right there in McAdoo.

actually there is a stack of out of copyright and open source music http://www.openmusicarchive.org/

The music was perfect for the drone clip. I’m sure the drone operator knows exactly what he/she is doing. MFC used the drone last year in training footage and it’s great to see it again this year.

This reminded me of a club in particular...

Alex Neal-Bullen

Saty?

In fairness it was bloody hot today.

Comrades, apologies for plugging my own [censored] but I'm doing an order directly from Amazon for a few people who want kooky nonsense written on the inside cover. So, if you're interested or want to torment friends/family for Christmas DM me on here or via Twitter @demonblog. Otherwise it's available any time via the Createspace link above or via Amazon. Thanks everyone for your kind words, I'm confident that the first year of the sequel turned out 100% on brand.

LOL. Now fixed Mr typo policeman.

Thanks ... very enjoyable ... even though I got every one wrong

I don't think the club has any say in it. I'm pretty sure it would be part of the players CBA and the players association would be keeping a close eye on it. Having said that, as a new recruit who is yet to prove he is worth the salary he is getting, you would hope he would return early and bond with the team.

A mindful backman has just intercepted a forward thrust from the opposition, has skilfully passed the ball quickly to a running teammate and surveys the progress of the ball whilst picking up his opponent. Blissful is he who has initiated a chain of promise that led to a goal scored from his instigation. Fairly similar for a midfielder ... very similar for a forward. Both of these are of a lesser duration; but, the vibe is stronger and so they must attempt to set the patterns again, and again, and again to play winning football. And then, they think as one to do it again, and again, and again. A win results. Simple? Or do I need psychoanalytics ....

I love the International Rules games until one of our players get injured.

Yes, but I doubt that they are complaining OD... I saw Selwood interviewed on the sidelines during the game, and he didn't seem too upset about being selected despite his carried over injury... in fact he seemed rather disappointed that he couldn't take the field. I enjoyed yesterday's game as a spectacle and as I said, I think you'd probably find that there are less injuries to players from this than there are through non footy related injuries during the off season.

As I have said numerous times to all your skepticism on this subject, (and of course your not a denier)Just sit back and observe what is happening with the world's weather! Climate change is happening now and we are experiencing it across the globe, in extended droughts, intense storms, wildfires in the USA, the list goes on. But go study the data further for possible errors and ignore what's happening as we blog all this!

Ended in a draw of course. Remember when NZ went through an entire World Cup undefeated because they drew every match!?

Work of prominent climate change denier was funded by energy industry Willie Soon is researcher at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Documents: Koch brothers foundation among groups that gave total of $1.25m Willie Soon does not accept that rising greenhouse gas emissions cause climate change, instead blaming the sun. Photograph: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images View more sharing options This article is 2 years old Shares 14,707 Comments 878 Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent @suzyji Sunday 22 February 2015 08.32 AEDTFirst published on Sunday 22 February 2015 08.14 AEDT A prominent academic and climate change denier’s work was funded almost entirely by the energy industry, receiving more than $1.2m from companies, lobby groups and oil billionaires over more than a decade, newly released documents show. Over the last 14 years Willie Soon, a researcher at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics, received a total of $1.25m from Exxon Mobil, Southern Company, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and a foundation run by the ultra-conservative Koch brothers, the documents obtained by Greenpeace through freedom of information filings show. According to the documents, the biggest single funder was Southern Company, one of the country’s biggest electricity providers that relies heavily on coal. The documents draw new attention to the industry’s efforts to block action against climate change – including President Barack Obama’s power-plant rules. Lobbyist dubbed Dr Evil behind front groups attacking Obama power rules Read more Unlike the vast majority of scientists, Soon does not accept that rising greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial age are causing climate changes. He contends climate change is driven by the sun. In the relatively small universe of climate denial Soon, with his Harvard-Smithsonian credentials, was a sought after commodity. He was cited admiringly by Senator James Inhofe, the Oklahoma Republican who famously called global warming a hoax. He was called to testify when Republicans in the Kansas state legislature tried to block measures promoting wind and solar power. The Heartland Institute, a hub of climate denial, gave Soon a courage award. Soon did not enjoy such recognition from the scientific community. There were no grants from Nasa, the National Science Foundation or the other institutions which were funding his colleagues at the Center for Astrophysics. According to the documents, his work was funded almost entirely by the fossil fuel lobby. “The question here is really: ‘What did API, ExxonMobil, Southern Company and Charles Koch see in Willie Soon? What did they get for $1m-plus,” said Kert Davies, a former Greenpeace researcher who filed the original freedom of information requests. Greenpeace and the Climate Investigations Center, of which Davies is the founder, shared the documents with news organisations. “Did they simply hope he was on to research that would disprove the consensus? Or was it too enticing to be able to basically buy the nameplate Harvard-Smithsonian?” From 2005, Southern Company gave Soon nearly $410,000. In return, Soon promised to publish research about the sun’s influence on climate change in leading journals, and to deliver lectures about his theories at national and international events, according to the correspondence. The funding would lead to “active participations by this PI (principal investigator) of this research proposal in all national and international forums interested in promoting the basic understanding of solar variability and climate change”, Soon wrote in a report to Southern Company. Harvard's high-profile alumni join fossil fuel divestment campaign in open letter Read more In 2012, Soon told Southern Company its grants had supported publications on polar bears, temperature changes in the Arctic and China, and rainfall patterns in the Indian monsoon. ExxonMobil gave $335,000 but stopped funding Soon in 2010, according to the documents. The astrophysicist reportedly received $274,000 from the main oil lobby, the American Petroleum Institute, and $230,000 from the Charles G Koch Foundation. He received an additional $324,000 in anonymous donations through a trust used by the Kochs and other conservative donors, the documents showed. Greenpeace has suggested Soon also improperly concealed his funding sources for a recent article, in violation of the journal’s conflict of interest guidelines. “The company was paying him to write peer-reviewed science and that relationship was not acknowledged in the peer-reviewed literature,” Davies said. “These proposals and contracts show debatable interventions in science literally on the behalf of Southern Company and the Kochs.” In letters to the Internal Revenue Service and Congress, Greenpeace said Soon may have misused the grants from the Koch foundation by trying to influence legislation. Soon did not respond to requests for comment. But he has in the past strenuously denied his industry funders had any influence over his conclusions. “No amount of money can influence what I have to say and write, especially on my scientific quest to understand how climate works, all by itself,” he told the Boston Globe in 2013. As is common among Harvard-Smithsonian scientists, Soon is not on a salary. He receives his compensation from outside grant money, said Christine Pulliam, a spokeswoman for the Center for Astrophysics. World's biggest PR firm calls it quits with American oil lobby – reports Read more The Center for Astrophysics does not require scientists to disclose their funding sources. But Pulliam acknowleged that Soon had failed to meet disclosure requirements of some of the journals that published his research. “Soon should have followed those policies,” she said. Harvard said Soon operated outside of the university – even though he carries a Harvard ID and uses a Harvard email address. “Willie Soon is a Smithsonian staff researcher at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, a collaboration of the Harvard College Observatory and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory,” a Harvard spokesman, Jeff Neal, said. “There is no record of Soon having applied for or having been granted funds that were or are administered by the University. Soon is not an employee of Harvard.” Both Harvard and the Smithsonian acknowledge that the climate is changing because of rising levels of greenhouse gas concentrations caused by human activities. Pulliam cast Soon’s association with the institutions as an issue of academic freedom: “Academic freedom is critically important. The Smithsonian stands by the process by which the research results of all of its scholars are peer reviewed and vetted by other scientists. This is the way that the scientific process works. The funding entities, regardless of their affiliation, have no influence on the research.” Topics Climate change

Wait until you see the answer DJ, it's one I'm particularly proud of, along with No. 9.

Nah we're not. We always overate our list. We barely have 2 players in most independent top 50 lists...

shut it down already!

If we recruit this Bloke then the club may as well Fold! What are we doing If IF we recruit a no skills player and let our BEST ball user go. Let's wait and see!

It was mostly tongue-in-cheek. But I do feel Lever is the wrong candidate if you want to enshrine the #4 as a jnr. fan fave. Spoils aren't the most glamorous aspect of our beloved game.

There are no experts here mate. Just a lot a people with an opinon,a drinking problem, and too much time on their hands.

Commercially, I'd like to see Lever in #4. There are currently a large number of kids running around in #4 jumpers. Having Lever take the number on gives them cause to continue wearing the number proudly.

Sure W45. Firstly, I appreciate there are many alternate perspectives/theories. In my experience one way of explaining this could be: 1) You can observe your mind thinking 2) The mind is a tool that when trained it thinks and acts when it asked it to think 3) Most of us let the mind do as it pleases so in some ways are a slave to the mind. This is what the term Monkey Mind relates to 4) The real you is that which observes the mind 5) Meditation can assist to quieten a mind that just goes on incessantly by focusing it on a word(mantra), the breath, the senses Eg If you are a stage coach driver, the horses are the mind. If you don’t hold onto the reins the horses will go where they like. Usually all over the place and namely on well worn tracks that most 7.2Billion humans repeatedly & habitually think(most of it not useful). Every time you use a tool to focus the mind you are grabbing the reins and steering the mind where you need it to go. Many experience a freedom and less unhappiness by focussing the mind in this way. Note most of us think we are the thinking. Once again this is one of many points of view and some posters may articulate it more simply.

Taken from a post on Facebook: Jack Viney, the consummate professional that he is, is here. I wouldn’t blame the bloke if he wanted to go overseas for a bit and enjoy some time off. However, he looks like he’s a man on a mission as he walks into the café. Gave away the game by deciding he’s wearing shorts and wants to get rehab off to a strong start. Likewise, Cam Pedersen and Dean Kent show up. Full kit training gear, maybe doing their own thing but also maybe training. Can’t confirm as yet. After an hour – boys finally make their way over. Little media here so if something happens I’ll be breaking it. Good areas, personally. Park myself at centre wing for this one, might go over elsewhere and keep looking for more spots. Here today: Hunt, Hannan, ANB, Harmes, Oscar, Stretch, Clarry (third season, remember???), JKH, Johnstone, Balic, Maynard, Keilty, Brayshaw, J Smith, McKenna, T Smith, Vandenberg, Weideman, Petracca, King, Salem, Filopovic, Wagner, Frost The absolute photography king, Wayne Ludbey, is here taking photos. He’s the main source of media right now. Few run-throughs to kick things off. Petracca and Brayshaw leading one group through, Balic and Nibbler leading another. There’s three separate groups here. One is doing handball drills on the Swan Street end, a small group of six (including Hunt, Hannan (I think) and J Smith) are seemingly doing light running drills, whereas there is also a main group consisting of roughly 15 or 16 players. Run-throughs decidedly light as I kinda expected. Can only imagine the slog this pre-season will be like this year to be honest with the way we finished off 2017. Main group doing running straight away. It’s not a pace that takes down the surrounds of the Coles Express across the road just yet and the reason for that is the boys are running more than just one lap. Early going has Nibbler leading the way from Stretch and Oliver, however the latter starts to fall behind a little bit after one lap. JKH assumes third, while Frost brings up the rear of the field, falling away a little bit behind the rest of the group. Nibbler is motoring. Third lap of the oval and he has a solid 20m gap on Stretch. The gap that covers the players by the end of the second lap is roughly 80 metres. Harley Balic is second last in this field, locked behind Keilty and King, who’s about 15 metres further up the ground. Four laps of the ground done. Nibbler looks super impressive with his running pattern – something to monitor throughout pre-season, absolutely smacking the field. Footballs are out. Let’s see who has the most capability here to genuinely bring down the entire state of the houses around the Richmond area. First drill is a casual kick around drill which lasts around two minutes, and then the boys go into a zig-zag formation in two groups. One group is doing slightly different work – the one nearest to me actually screws up the drill on the first kick which is… yeah. Lot of kicks from here which are short, which is what you kinda expect at this time of season considering that they haven’t picked up a footy for a little while. Just getting the rust out by the looks of things. Crossy working the rehab group pretty hard. Likes of Hunt and Hannan getting their monies’ worth with the footy. In the main group, there’s a lot of faster, frentic ball movement going on. Most players are spending not much more than half a second with ball in hand. The patter is literally mark/pick the ball up and use it, either by hands or by foot. Few contest-based drills in front. One thing that’s noticeable (perhaps because of the matchup) is Gussy’s upper-body strength matched up on Harmes. If he doesn’t win the footy, he’s making it hard for Harmes to win it. Another group is doing some loose-ball get work, while the group on the far side of the ground are doing contests while the ball is on the ground… if what I said just makes sense. Think the most pleasing thing – even if it is only the first session – is seeing Gussy just be so clean every time the ball is around. Looks composed and looks ready to make a point about making 2018 his year after such a tough run. I think every Melbourne supporter wants to see him not only be on the park consistently, but put in a huge season as well. I expect him to play off half-back at the moment, be a bit of a ball carrier and creator, while also pushing Hunt a bit further up the ground. That’s my expectation, anyway. Next up, boys swap their footy boots for running shoes again. In one group – Nibs, Stretch, JKH, Clarry, Maynard and Gus; in another – Pedersen, Keilty, Kent, Oscar, Frost, King; in the third group, Harmes, Salem, Trac, Johnstone, Balic, Wagner. Meantime, rehab group currently consists of Hunt, McKenna and Smith doing some reasonably-paced running, while Filipovic is doing some work up forward along with Hannan. Mitchy seems to have had a bit of a change of hair colour since our last correspondence in Round 22 (let’s be honest here). Yet again Nibs looking very good in the running drills, constantly leading the way. Something to keep in mind a bit later on, especially if he has a good pre-season.

Roos was really big on this. His wife Tammy did a bit of work with the players and I recall some saying it really helped them. Post Neeld, he and Tammy were starting behind the eight ball but still helped achieve a much improved mindset and consistency during the 3 years. Roos employed it at Syndey and they also went onto win a flag. Captain Kirk was one who really embraced 'mindfulness'. Also. I read recently that Dusty did regular sessions to help him - can't remember if it was meditation, yoga or both. Cotchin also spoke highly of the program. Some might say 'mindfulness' is all a bit airy fairy but when really tough guys like Kirk and Dusty take it on then it is worth paying attention. Goodwin is more about contest and competitiveness. Also, I think Goodwin wanted to leave Roos' initiatives behind and introduce his own. So to answer your question, I doubt 'mindfulness' will be back at the Demons. Nonetheless, Richmond and Sydney have shown the value of both. Edit: The article D4life refers to http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/mindfulness-and-meditation-helped-richmond-break-afl-premiership-drought-20171103-gzed1o.html

Just a note that moderation on training threads will be strict on the issue of poster abuse. Please respect each other's views and no personal attacks on players, posters or moderators ? Thanks.

Um.

I claim the right to stone to death those people who wear cotton-polyester shirts. Or to take into slavery the first New Zealander I can find. On a personal level, I have very close friends in four different same-sex relationships (2 x FF, 2 x MM) and the descriptions here of "abnormality" and an "abomination" are to me deeply hurtful. It's straight from the 18th century, or before. And if you are going to (disgracefully) define homosexuality as "abnormal", then do the same for left-handedness, blue eyes, dimples and red hair and see how ridiculous it sounds. All my friends are over 50 and have been in continual relationships with their partners for well over 20 years. They want to marry to confirm their relationships to their family and friends, and gain the legal rights that every MF marriage has. I thought society would want to promote love and enduring relationships. Their position also has nothing to do with children, procreation or safe school programs (or any other concocted diversion from the main issue). They (and I) again find those absurd connections with their desire to get marriage deeply offensive. And if marriage has "consequences" and is solely about procreation and bringing up "good" kids, 1. why on the one hand do we allow childless couples to remain married, and 2. on the other hand why don't we allow same-sex couples who already have children (it's not iilegal for them to have kids and plenty do) to cement their relationship through marriage for the benefit of their kids?

Didn't the bible also say that it's ok for a man to stone his wife to death if she commits adultery; in which case it is condoning domestic violence. Didn't the bible also say that the marriage must be fruitful; that is, must bear children... in which case infertile persons need not apply. Didn't the bible also say that the man is head of the family and that the woman is insubordinate; in which case, women must be inferior. Now, if you could please quote a passage, any passage from the bible that apparently does specifically state that homosexuality is an abomination and that it doesn't apply the same standards of "unholy" behaviour to straight male/female relationships (apparently sexual orientation wasn't something that was well understood in biblical times. Another thing to consider is that the bible was written and rewritten over hundreds of years by men... not by god. We went from creationism in the old testament to a more "realistic" view in the new testament... now why would that be? The bible in essence is a book written using the same principles as that old game called Chinese Whispers... as the stories have been handed down they have been embellished and the end product is something that reflects man's beliefs more than it reflects the word of god (if it's to be believed such a being even exists).