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THE KID - A TRIBUTE TO COLIN by Whispering Jack There are some truly endearing memories that I have of the Kid, one or two of them off the ground and others on the field of play. It seemed to me that at every club function I attended, one of the constants was the sight of the much-loved Colin Sylvia, face smiling and friendly, surrounded by admirers, young and old, male and female. There was the promotional clip (Foxtel, I think) with Colin in the locker room beside skipper David Neitz draped in towels and joking. It was as if, from the very beginning, the new boy on the block was being typecast as a larrikin, albeit a lovable one who, in our hopes, would one day become a hero. And that was the problem for the recruit from Merbein which, during my childhood produced another star Demon in Hassa Mann, a shy country lad who went on to captain the club, played in a few premierships and was a solid citizen off the field. The new kid from Merbein simply kept getting into trouble. There were problems with a girlfriend, he broke team curfews, missed the odd recovery session, left the scene of a car accident (it’s unclear if he was the driver). He was often in the wrong place and the wrong condition at the wrong time but we all still loved him. After all, he was going to be our hero. On the field, he was something else. The first time I saw him was in a practice match for Melbourne’s then affiliate Sandringham, at the Beach Road Oval, ironically named after another blond larrikan Trevor Barker who also passed at far too young and age but from cancer. There was one brief moment that defined Sylvia’s potential as a contender when he gathered the ball near the centre, swiveled past an opponent and barreled the ball from 70 metres out. Years later when I recalled that piece of play with him at a club best and fairest night, he laughed and said he remembered it but thought the kick was “from closer to 80 metres out”. It took a year or so to get his career going and it built slowly but surely within a few years during which time he grew in stature to the point that it wasn’t necessary to call him by his surname. He was Colin and we loved him. The tough break for Colin was that Melbourne went into decline just as he was approaching his prime. Most supporters would agree that his best game came on Sunday, 24 May, 2009 on the MCG in front of almost 40,000 fans against Hawthorn when he amassed 24 kicks, 13 handballs, 9 marks and 4 goals that were just not enough to get the Demons across the line. He continued to play good football for the year despite the fact that the club was regularly accused of tanking its matches and again into 2010 but at around that time, the injuries in the form of groin and shoulder problems came, the team was performing miserably as the veterans left while other young saviours who were replacing them struggled. The contender was also struggling to live up to his potential status as a hero; he was failing and the fun had gone. After 157 games and 129 goals, the Kid departed for Fremantle at the end of 2013. Things didn’t work out in the West and, amid ongoing controversy about his attitude and behaviour under Ross Lyon, Colin managed six more games that were mostly unremarkable. Career over before his 29th birthday with life after football bringing further challenges for a young man who found retirement from the game at its top level a tough gig. Colin was working to get his life on track when his car collided with another vehicle last Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Nineteenth Street and Benetook Avenue in the Mildura suburb of Irymple. He died on the scene and will be buried today. We loved him to death - our deepest sympathies go to his family. “I'm the kid who has this habit of dreaming Sometimes gets me in trouble too But the truth is I could no more stop dreaming Than I could make them all come true” - Buddy Mondlock

I'll re-post here. THE KID - A TRIBUTE TO COLIN by Whispering Jack There are some truly endearing memories that I have of the Kid, one or two of them off the ground and others on the field of play. It seemed to me that at every club function I attended, one of the constants was the sight of the much-loved Colin Sylvia, face smiling and friendly, surrounded by admirers, young and old, male and female. There was the promotional clip (Foxtel, I think) with Colin in the locker room beside skipper David Neitz draped in towels and joking. It was as if, from the very beginning, the new boy on the block was being typecast as a larrikin, albeit a lovable one who, in our hopes, would one day become a hero. And that was the problem for the recruit from Merbein which, during my childhood produced another star Demon in Hassa Mann, a shy country lad who went on to captain the club, played in a few premierships and was a solid citizen off the field. The new kid from Merbein simply kept getting into trouble. There were problems with a girlfriend, he broke team curfews, missed the odd recovery session, left the scene of a car accident (it’s unclear if he was the driver). He was often in the wrong place and the wrong condition at the wrong time but we all still loved him. After all, he was going to be our hero. On the field, he was something else. The first time I saw him was in a practice match for Melbourne’s then affiliate Sandringham, at the Beach Road Oval, ironically named after another blond larrikan Trevor Barker who also passed at far too young and age but from cancer. There was one brief moment that defined Sylvia’s potential as a contender when he gathered the ball near the centre, swiveled past an opponent and barreled the ball from 70 metres out. Years later when I recalled that piece of play with him at a club best and fairest night, he laughed and said he remembered it but thought the kick was “from closer to 80 metres out”. It took a year or so to get his career going and it built slowly but surely within a few years during which time he grew in stature to the point that it wasn’t necessary to call him by his surname. He was Colin and we loved him. The tough break for Colin was that Melbourne went into decline just as he was approaching his prime. Most supporters would agree that his best game came on Sunday, 24 May, 2009 on the MCG in front of almost 40,000 fans against Hawthorn when he amassed 24 kicks, 13 handballs, 9 marks and 4 goals that were just not enough to get the Demons across the line. He continued to play good football for the year despite the fact that the club was regularly accused of tanking its matches and again into 2010 but at around that time, the injuries in the form of groin and shoulder problems came, the team was performing miserably as the veterans left while other young saviours who were replacing them struggled. The contender was also struggling to live up to his potential status as a hero; he was failing and the fun had gone. After 157 games and 129 goals, the Kid departed for Fremantle at the end of 2013. Things didn’t work out in the West and, amid ongoing controversy about his attitude and behaviour under Ross Lyon, Colin managed six more games that were mostly unremarkable. Career over before his 29th birthday with life after football bringing further challenges for a young man who found retirement from the game at its top level a tough gig. Colin was working to get his life on track when his car collided with another vehicle last Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Nineteenth Street and Benetook Avenue in the Mildura suburb of Irymple. He died on the scene and will be buried today. We loved him to death - our deepest sympathies go to his family.

I don't care about the non-Melbourne games so I came up with this ladder.

Yeah, it’s a hard draw. Good thing we are a great team...

If we are playing the sort of footy that puts us in premership contention, I really don't think it matters who we double up on as we should be better than 50/50 against the best sides. It's also a double edge sword in a good way. Every time we play a good side, it's also a chance for us to deny them 4 points as well. In the context of playing Adelaide twice last year, our two victores against them essentially kept them from playing finals.

This is the first time I can ever recall our fixture being a commercial positive. There's little point in analysing based on 2018 finishing positions as there are going to be good teams from 2018 who slide and teams who right now you might think will suck but who ultimately make the finals. It's the other aspects of the draw which interest me. The things I've noticed are: It's great to have home games against Essendon, Collingwood and Richmond. However, the Collingwood and Richmond home games aren't until Rounds 20 and 21, and our home Friday night game against Sydney isn't until Round 22. Those games pulling big crowds are therefore contingent on the sides (us included) being in contention at that stage of the season. Would obviously be better to get those big-drawing games up early when all sides are in contention by default. But a positive overall. Three Friday night games and a Thursday night game is great, but only two of those are at home, and one of those is the Round 22 game vs Sydney. North Melbourne, by contrast, has three home Friday night games against Hawthorn, Richmond and Collingwood. So there's still room for improvement there. 13 FTA games is a massive win, and 12 MCG games is an improvement on this year. Our interstate games are all on FTA, I believe, except the Round 8 trip to the GC. That's another massive win, allows our fans to be able to watch us more easily when we're on the road. The back-to-back road trips to GC and then West Coast is bad, and the fact there's a six-day break in between makes it worse. We get two blocks of three consecutive MCG games (5-6 and 20-22). Nothing like Richmond's seven consecutive MCG games to finish the season, but again better than this year when we only had that once. The seven road trips this year are more evenly spaced out. Recently it's felt like we've had a good run of Melbourne games to start the year and then lots of travel towards the end of the season. In 2019 we only have to leave Victoria three times after the bye, one of which is Hobart and another of which is Alice Springs I doubt we've ever had a season in which we've only played 5 Sunday games. We had 11 this year. More Saturday games is great commercially but given our supporters are so used to Sunday 1.10pm and, in particular, 3.20pm games, I wonder how our attendance figures will go next year. Ultimately feels about right for us in 2019. Would prefer to see more home Thursday/Friday night games, especially given we're away in both ANZAC Eve and Queen's Birthday, but it's hard to complain given where we've come from.

First and foremost, we're not a big club. Yes, we had quite a successful year on and off the field in 2018, but we now need to maintain/sustain that momentum in consecutive years. The NT agreement had a significant financial benefit in our dark years, which has helped contribute to where we currently stand. But at this stage, we still have much to achieve. Is the club taking away anther two games from fans? Maybe, maybe not. Yes, it's difficult for most fans to travel to the NT, so we do miss out on those games. That said, the reciprocal games that we are given means that I probably go to two games that I may not have done so previously. There could be an argument, especially this year, that us playing two games in the NT helped provide us with the opportunity to play two extra games after the season finished. We won both games in the NT this year, which helped us make the finals and play 2 extra games at the MCG. Would we have beaten both Adelaide and Freo if those games were played at the MCG? While likely, it is irrelevant, because it can't be proven. If we win both games in 2019 in the NT, then all of a sudden we are starting to prove difficult to play against up there. Time will tell on that point. With regards to the travel for the players. Most players and coaches comment about how they enjoy the break in routine, especially getting away interstate where they can create a different bond within the group. While it could be just media speak, I could (and do) believe them when they say this. My last point (which was your first point) about the bottom line is an unknown, and I'd doubt we would find exact information on this. What can be said with great confidence is that five years ago, if we played West Coast/Freo/Adelaide at the MCG, we'd get 20-25k people at best. From all reports, those sort of figures would see us lose money, so the NT deal was a no brainer. Given our 2018 performance, I'd imagine our crowds for those games would draw more around the 30-40k mark if played at the MCG in 2019, so we would be making money on these. That said, and as I referred to in my opening paragraph, we've had one good season. Let's see us do it for two or three seasons in a row, then we could look at selling one game out instead of the two. My main concern with this is that we'd want to be very careful how we ended the relationship with the NT, mainly because if our onfield performances turn to poo, we will then see a drop off in members, crowds, and profit, meaning we'll need to go back to the well to stay afloat.

I like the sentiment but I've never understood the semi-ambiguous nature of these type of tributes. What's wrong with a proper tribute from the club/fans prior to the game? Perhaps something during one of Robbo's segments. They could invite some of his teammates who could say a few words, show some highlights and have a moments silence. No need to hide the tribute while the game is on. I think the display that you are suggesting is more suited to protests and not necessarily the right thing for a show of respect for the untimely passing of a past player.

Fitzroy in 1964 were the last team to go through a whole season winless, and before that it was Hawthorn in 1950. As we know all too well, there have been some terribly awful teams in that time, but even Fitzroy in 1996 won a game while in their death throes. There will always be awful teams, but the AFL as a competition is still even enough that they only have to play out of their skins once, or have some bunch of hacks coast and drop their game, and the awful teams will get their one win at least. It won't happen. Have fun flushing your $100 down the toilet lads!

You mean we have escaped from 'The Twilight Zone!'.

Niall and the rest of them can analyse the [censored] out of fixtures. It earns them a salary. However, this competition will only be fair and just when each of the 18 clubs plays each other once, in order to qualify for the finals program - whatever that might turn out to be. Until then, the fixture is flawed and a money making venture more than it is a reflection of last years clubs performance. As noted by others, if we continue our upward projection we should be a strong contender for the flag no matter what the fixture deals out. The commercial side of it is great and a very important variable in club success so it’s pleasing to see the potential in that for season 2019. We need to perform for it to come into fruition however.

What does it tell you? That the NT is further away? How many games does NM and Haw play down there? Twice as many as us - 4. What do we know that they don't. And selling souls is a bit much - that Alice game was pretty life and club affirming from all reports - I don't think it is endangering the club to play these games up north.

Looking through our fixture yesterday, I had us down for 16 wins. That's mostly beating the teams we should beat and winning a game against Collingwood, West Coast or Richmond. * I can't see Geelong making the 8 next year. * I think Hawthorn over-achieved this year and are starting to remind me of Geelong in that they're desperately topping up in the hope they've got enough talent to pinch one. Even with Clarkson, I don't see it. * Port are massive under achievers, but they could just as easily miss out on the 8 again. I expect them to scrape in next year though, otherwise a change of coach is coming. * The Dogs could turn it around, but they lack the midfield depth required and barring a miracle they won't make the 8 either. * Gold Coast, Fremantle and Carlton will be similarly placed come the end of the year. I really can't see them getting out of the bottom 4. * Unless Horse changes tact, I see Sydney missing the 8 next year. * GWS will probably finish just inside the 8, but could easily miss. * North will be on the fringe again. I could see them sneaking into the 8. * St Kilda are ordinary, but if they can bring the pressure game they brought under Richardson 2-3 years ago, they could finish on the fringe, but I can't see them making the 8. * I think we'll see Brisbane rise and finish anywhere between 13th-10th. A year too early for them to make finals IMO. That leaves the following teams to thrash it out for the top 4: West Coast, Collingwood, Richmond, Melbourne, Essendon and Adelaide. The rest of the top 8 will be made up of two of GWS, Hawthorn, Port and North. OF THE TOP 4 With injuries, Richmond could miss out on the top 4 altogether. They've had an incredible run with injuries and if Rance goes down, that's 3-4 goals a game they'll be worse off. I think Riewoldt and Lynch will change the dynamics of their forwardline and transform them into a higher scoring team, but a more predictable unit, which will see them lose more often. Collingwood had a very, very easy draw this year. 2019 will test them, but through their easy draw this year, they built some confidence in their system and they still have 2 older champions in the midfield and emerging half backs and mids. I could just as easily see Collingwood tipping out of the top 4 too. West Coast have been thereabouts for the last few seasons and their defensive system and power forwards will make them difficult to beat. Particularly, now that these guys have a flag under their belts. They're beatable, but I think top 4 certainly beckons for them in 2019. Adelaide still have a good list, but injuries proved this year that they're not as powerful as it may have seemed leading into 2018. When we had crucial injuries in 2017, Goodwin pulled the right reigns and devised a system that enabled us to finish 9th and missing by percentage. In all honesty, even though they finished a single win outside of the 8 in 2018, Adelaide were a long way off being the standard of a top 8 team (bar maybe their Richmond game). They're the wild card entry for top 4 in 2019. The hype around Essendon is actually justified IMO. Their midfield is shaping up nicely. Their problem is little margin for error, both in injury (if Daniher goes down again and Fantasia misses, they'll struggle to make the 8 ) and in work rate+system. Their lack of a decent second KPF and a good ruckman will probably see them just miss the top 4, but who knows? This leaves us. If we can stay healthy and fit, our list is well balanced, although still slow on the outside. If Gawn, Oliver and Brayshaw stay fit we'll push for top 4. If they all play and are accompanied by Viney (IMO almost our most important player), we'll make the top 4. I hope Lever, May and one of McDonald/Frost get some serious continuity together next season. If they do, we'll be hard to beat.

Gold Coast will win at least 2 games, more likely 3.

My poor wording. I meant that he was nearing the end in regard to his broadcasting career and that he should retire gracefully.

Yep they are indeed but practice makes perfect they say. We got slaughtered in a final with 1 reason being a lack of games against top sides i reckon. Being em on, will make us better.

Fantastic that we are no longer stuck in the world of sunday twilight footy!

Don't agree 'norm'...he's not up to the level no where near AFL standard. Gets knocked off the ball too easily, not quick enough or enough tricks for his size. I think JKH finally started to come good toward the end of season 2018 and showed enough to be kept on as depth. As for Maynard, he still has some growth left in football terms and gives coverage as an inside, hard at it player. A position Honeychurch can't cover. He would add nothing to our list...

This person has changed it to reflect 2018 ladder positions. We come out as hardest:

We’ve had the Demon flag at half mast since we heard. He and J Watts visited our critically ill son at RCH, had respect and admiration for them both since then. Rest easily Col.

Just a look at Bowmans rides. Hes got Ranier in r1 Osborne Bulls in r3 and Hartnell r7. These are his best 3 i think. In the last he has one called From Within which has had 4 wins and is a smart type according to Hugh. Could be a good one for the Get Out Stakes.

Better than most comparisons. Funny to look at the 2018 analysis that had us as the equal 3rd most difficult draw! Yet everyone else saying we had an easy draw by the end of the season. I don't mind our double ups and difficulty of the draw. In 2018 Richmond, Geelong, and Hawthorn were handed ridiculously good schedules. In 2019 all the top teams have tough schedules due to more Thursday night games. I think the top end of the draw is fairer this year. I also think it helps us as there is a lot of "veterans" in the other top teams that will be more injury prone than our younger list.

Nathan Exelby (who?) of the Courier Mail has tipped Quackerjack to win and he's the only tipster to include the horse in any way. Which kinda makes one sit up and take notice DZ! ? Carbine Club Stakes Tips (Herald/Sun)

Enterococcus Faecalis and Bactericides Fragilis say hello, and respectfully beg to differ. It’s probably about perspective in the end.

Nothing tonight Macca. I was told at work today to look out for Flemington Race 1 Number 4 Quackerjack tomorrow. Decent odds of around $14. Barrier could be tricky though but it’s worth a small each way bet to set up the day should it salute.

Just to clear things up ... we put forward our own tips but putting forward 'received' tips are always welcome. Everyone loves the hot tip. If there is a clash, we can sort that out as individuals. So the above conversation is a case of cross-wires rather than anything else. Anyway, anyone got a tip for the Valley tonight? ? The fields are a bit on the thin side with a host of BM64's on show.

There is no need to apologise PD ... we each put forward a tip and the unwritten rule is that you steer clear of a race that has been taken up already. The tips are for the benefit of others so having 2 tips in the 1 race defeats the purpose of the concept. What we are doing here is a departure from the usual way of receiving tips ... which can often leave the punter scratching his or her head if there are a multitude of different tips in any given race. It is more of a team concept here where we often trust each others tips.

Original sin It worked for christianity and satan

Its worth remembering we are contracted to play only 9 Home games at the G. So the extra two 'Home' games will almost certainly be at Marvel Stadium. Plus the two 'compulsory', 'Away' games there it totals 4. Not so good for members. Without NT members gain only if there are more (total) games in Vic but lose because we will no longer get the 2 NT substitute games at the G. It will be only the 9 contracted 'Home' MCG games. What could be worse, the AFL could change other aspects of the fixture: oh, gee whiz the Dees go i/state only 5 times lets even it up with other teams and give Dees extra 'Away' game(s) i/state'. Two annual trips to Perth, anyone? Lets be careful what we wish for.

Maybe between Monday and Thursday?

i understand the afl is obsessed with profit, it is self evident. the afl was originally setup with the agreement (and behest) of the clubs because the individual clubs could never agree on most issues and they needed an organisation which could fairly look after the interests of all clubs, and grow and protect the sport. it is a not-for-profit organisation that wasn't specifically setup just "to maximise profits". however, the afl has over time more and more put the pursuit of profits as its highest priority and often only played lip service to the interests of the lesser successful clubs, or the fairness of the competition

it's only 'as simple as that' if you see the only goal is to make money, smokey. i would suggest that many, if not most, supporters of what was once a sport may have other priorities

I feel like the club/fans could arrange for some sort of show of respect at our round 1 clash. Like maybe the 12th minute mark of one of the quarters everyone can stand up for a minute or something..I just think it would be a nice touch as he was a fan favourite for many years and close to many of the players.

Would love to know how much the same game at the G instead, plus less costs would work out at. In other words what is the bottom line difference? Also taking away another 2 games from your fans has to be factored in, not to mention the travel for the players and the extra disruption to recovery etc. The big clubs don’t do it for a very good set of reasons, I would hope that we have now entered the same set of circumstances and can get rid of one or both games.

Why not. Damn them for eternity.

You want to play in Ballarat?

I wish i could watch this day of racing. It begins at 1.45am here. Pretty hard timing which ever way i try and do it. Hope i can catch a few. I think my strategy will involve doubles, triples and parlays. There are any number of combinations involving places and wins through the card. many good horses are paying really good place dividends. A few examples are Sixties Groove 2.80, Oohood 2.80, Le Romain 3.60....theres 28/1 right there. I will do a few trifectas on some of the main races as well. Hartnell, Le Romain, Land of Plenty and Iconoclasm is looking at me. Not sure you leave out Cliffs Edge either.... Have a great day everyone and May the Horse be with You.

Best Bet: Flemington Race 3 No 1 Osborne Bulls $3.10 ADAR has already had 2 wins from Ozzie, lets make it 3.

Great draw. Only 5 sunday games. Which is great and blockbuster games against Richmond, Collinwood and Essendon. Can't ask for much more than that. BRING ON 2019.

I think you are writing his obit a little early 'hemingway'. The form of Leukaemia Bruce has can hang around a long time with minimal intrusion. It's not like the more devastating forms some get in early life. My father had it for near on 30 years. ...and it doesn't excuse him calling EFC everyones 2nd team. They most certainly aren't mine...who in their right mind has a 2nd team anyway?

He missed a word... 'everyone's second LEAST favourite team'. For me only the Failmantle Muppets rate lower.

Respect Bingers. Bruce is getting to near the end but he is battling a form of leukaemia. He also has an unbridled enthusiasm and statistical recall that will never be matched in sports broadcasts. His research and homework is prodigious. He has integrity, honesty and sincerity. His enthusiasm is unmatched. And he is everyone’s friend, never a bad word against anyone. He’s annoying at times but is a guy that deserves respect and the job that he has done for almost 40 years. He may be annoying but there will never be another Bruce.

I agree Geelong, Sydney, and Hawks will slide. Suspect Adelaide, North and Bombers to come up. Don't think Port will. Is Gil from Adelaide? They have no back to back 6 day breaks. Have 12 games at Adelaide Oval and mostly very winnable away games (Sydney where they do well, North at Marvel, St's, Lions, Cats, Suns, Carlton, Dogs). They double up against 2 bottom 3 teams despite not finishing bottom 6. They won 12 games in 2018 having a shocker, and have been gifted an extra 2 wins this year. I can't see them winning less than 15 games and they will probably win 17 and finish top 2. Considering Essendon finished equal with Adelaide on points and percentage, the contrast could not be more different. They double up against 4 of last years top 9 (like us but we earned it) plus the Dockers who will improve and be tough in Perth. The first 8 weeks could cook Essendons season with 4 x 6 day turnarounds and 1 x 5 day turnaround in a 7 week stretch. Let's see how Danihers groin stands up to that. The back half they have two 6 day turnarounds leading into away games (Eagles at Optus, Adelaide), and head to the Gold Coast after Adelaide (kind of game they will drop). I expect them to be more hot and cold than they were in 2018 and no certainty to make the 8 despite looking good on paper. We have a tough first 5 weeks due to short turnarounds (5 games in 25 days), but after that we have a good draw and will not have any excuses if we don't finish top 4 (we should be aiming for top 2). We can beat any team anywhere in 2019.

I have blockbuster fatigue already. Go the fkin Dees!

It’s a relatively meaningless stat. For example get a young star in instead of an old average player and stat gets worse.

Im happy with the lack of Sundays.

Agree with 90% of what you are saying here, but I really do feel like we have been short changed for Jesse, based on the hit and miss rate of KPPs in the draft. A proven commodity should always be worth more than an unknown. Just look at Josh Schache and Tom Boyd as two virrually failed top draft pick KPPs. Yes we got May, KK and a little bit of loose change, but I recon that in the scheme of things: 1. Freo got a bargain; 2. We got somewhat short changed and; 3. The Suns got completely shafted. Basically they got pick 6 for x 2 top 10 club B&F players - one a pretty solid defender and the other a running player who has been a bit patchy for the last few years (like if we traded Brayshaw at the end of last year). Pick six could be the next Lucas Cook, just an average on baller or a pretty remote possibility of being a superstar - more than likely it will be one of the first two. I don't buy the injury doubt thing. Not only have Freo got a known commodity, but compared to a raw draft pick, they have also got a player with half a dozen years devopment already put into him and raring to go in his prime physical maturity for a KPP. I still hold the view that free agency has skewed the system way too far in favor of players, because the club that recruits them doesn't have to give up anything with respects to draft value. Would the Tigers have thought twice about Lynch if they had to give up their first and second round draft picks for him? The draft has become broken as an equalisation tool when players can serve a few years on a list and then walk to basically anyone they chose to as occurs these days.

And don't get me wrong. I hate Essendon with a passion. They're a blight on our competition and should have been sat out of the league for a year and not allowed access to the first round of 2-3 drafts. Their 'sanctions' were far too weak.

That May change now. I've got to add my voice to the collective bewilderment that Essendon are clearly being spruiked by the AFL as media darlings and next year's feel-good story, as if this season's throat-gargling commentary on them wasn't bad enough. Adding tangible commercial benefit to that is just an insult to the several honest struggling clubs. They cheated, systematically, and actedlike the victims of a conspiracy when it was uncovered. I'm not a football sadist, I have a natural sympathy for clubs when they are struggling, but I would savour every moment if the Demons put on a show and crushed Essendon to the tune of 20-goals. Hell, I'd savour it no matter who crushed them. In fact, I would have long term more positive feelings about any club that put a boot in Essendon.