pringle

I'm in Mexico at the moment and had to rely on text messages from my brother. But I had a dream we would win the night before the game. I was well progressed in the nightly ritual of getting intoxicated when I realized I didn't have my phoe on me. Ran back to my hotel room to see the message "up by 4 goals in the 2nd". Not realizing it was the early game, i texted back that I had a good feeling and to keep the texts coming. 2 minutes later I get a message "5 points down with 2 mins to go". Then I got "just hit the lead". The next few minutes whilst my brother was probably singing the song were the longest few minutes of my life. When i got the message "won by a point...", I dead set cried for 15 minutes in the middle of the bar, before shouting the closest 4 Aussies I could find a tequila shot (and 2 for myself!!!). This means more to the club than any 1st draft pick, and having read the dribble from some tools in another thread about being upset for winning, I have to say I have no idea where they're coming from. Winning games of football is everything. Full stop. I'm still crying even the morning after and desperately trying to download the highlights on afl.com on the slowest computer in history. GO DEES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hear Hear. The most over-rated, over-hyped man at Melbourne for the past 10 years. Never could work out why people loved him so much. We have not had one star of the competition selected under his tenure as list manager. Good riddance.

Mykonos

I live around the corner from revolver (aka "Revolting"), and the people I see coming out of there between 8am and 2pm every Sunday look like they've been on more than just a few frothies. Pretty much ferrals and if he's out with that type of crowd seeya later. However before people get too hard on Colin, I have to say that besides this incident, there's not much he's done wrong this pre-season. From all reports he's been training and playing better than ever. Everyone would recall the suspension of last year's Norm Smith medalist early on in 2007, before he came back and made a massive contribution to the team's success. Colin is in a similar situation. He still has a chance to turn things around, and this system of team-imposed punishment is probably the best way to convince him of what he needs to do to make it in the AFL. The main thing he needs to do now is to sit back and take a look at how his actions have affected his club and whilst he's on the sidelines in round one, hopefully he feels the pain of being unable to have any influence on the game.

2pm start on a 30+ degree day sounds ridiculous. Are there lights at Casey fields?

Brilliant news. Touch wood it all goes well for each of these really important players. There's no doubt we'll be a MUCH better team with them in the side - especially whhels and Rivers, who would improve our backline by 110%.

From what I have read, Sam is in with a reasonable chance of recovery. Whilst I don't know the particulars of his case, I have had some experience treating patients with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is by no means a death sentence. Most of the time it is picked up by routine screening blood tests and digital rectal examination (yes exactly what that sounds like). If these tests are suggestive of cancer, the patient is advised to have a 'TRUS' (transrectal ultrasound) biopsy, whereby a needle is guided (with the assistance of an ultrasound probe up the back hole) to randomly take biopsy samples from the prostate. If these biopsies detect a cancer, this can be graded and its malignant potential estimated. Those who are under the age of 70 with no significant medical comorbidities are considered for surgery. The operation is called a 'radical prostatectomy', and involves complete surgical removal of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles (which help produce some of the fluid that is ejaculated with semen). The 5 year disease free survival rate following prostatectomy depends on tumour stage (T1, T2, T3). Between 80 and 90% of patients who have organ-confined disease (no spread outside of prostate - stages T1 and T2) will remain free of recurrence after 5 years. The 5 year disease free rate of locally invasive disease (T3a/b - spread through the capsule of the prostate but not to other organs) is about 75% and of T3c (worse local distribution of cancer) 10 - 20%. Most surgeons would not operate on patients with evidence of metastatic disease (spread to other organs). (Statistics from Oxford textbook of Surgery, 2nd edition) So from what I can gather, Sam has an operable cancer and hence at least a reasonable chance of gracing our TV screens for years to come. His main problems from here on will likely relate to potential post-operative complications (impotence [40-50%] and urinary incontinence being the main issues in these patients). And of course he will have to deal with regular trips to the doctor, pathology lab and CT scanner to help detect any recurrence should this eventuate.

Very poor membership numbers and very disheartening. This club needs much more than this to survive. Suffering from last year's failures. Only a few early wins can save us from having the lowest membership of any club this year.

I have only seen the one game on tv so far, but did anyone else get the feeling that Weetra wet his pants when surrounded by Geelong traffic in the 1st game at Cardinia Park? I think he is still too small and lacks toughness at the moment, but maybe others have seen better from the boy?

Senstaional food at Fubar. Kobi the chef does a fine job. Been dining there once a week lately and can't recommend it highly enough. If you happen to get down there for breakfast, I suggest trying the 'shakshooka'.

That's actually 14 goals to 4 since we kicked the 1st 5 of the game.

If buckley is 'flying', why can't he get a gig in the best 22? Not a bad line-up, but perhaps too focused on reputation/past exploits and not current or future value.

It always amazed me that people on demonland pumped Craig Cameron up so much. Never could really work that out.

Pretty sad state of affairs at their club if a first year recruit can walk straight into the captaincy. Speaks volumes about what they think of their home grown 'leaders'.

Well done boys. A great win! Someone with writing skills and a good memory should post a report and scores etc.

That's right. Of course it was Steve Harris' fault (sarcasm). Had nothing to do with the fact that we couldn't win a game and subsequently had poor crowds (and probably less members than we would have had if we were winning - don't be fooled by the 'record' numbers. It was the 1st time MCC affiliate members were counted).

You forgot to put me on the list. Did I not pass selection criteria?

I'll be available to play on that date. Looking forward. Apologies for missing last game, but that was unavoidable due to a work conference. This time I'm on holidays at that time and have NOTHING BETTER TO DO.

Why is he not training with the main group? He hasn't played since about round 2. Surely must be ready and raring to go by now.

I don't mind the speculative pick, but worry a bit as I remember Collingwood tried something similar with Fanning, who turned out to be a dud. I hope Stafan is not a Fanning.

If he's got any pace on him, he could be groomed as a full-back option.

I am also of the opinion that Buckley will make it in the AFL. He impressed me in the 1st wizard cup game (I think vs Tigers earlier this year), and it surprised me that he took a while to get a game. But when he finally did get his cance, I don't think he did too much wrong. Am I right in saying next season will only be his 3rd year on the list? If so, he is still on track to develop into a solid player for us.

Well done boys. Good effort. I apologize for not making it to the game, but in the end I only got back from my conference at 4 pm and didn't really think the game would still be going on by then. But I would definitely be up for it if another opportunity came around.

G'day guys. Sorry for pulling out the other day, but as it turns out, the conference I'm at ends by about 12. If I get out of there quick smart, I have just realized that I may be able to get back from Lorne by about 2:30 or 3pm. That would make me available for the 2nd half or even 3 qtrs if it starts late. If there are already too many players then I won't bother suiting up and may just watch, but if I'm still able to play and can get there, then I'd love to slot onto the bench for a run at some point.

Very sorry fellas, but I have to pull out as I'll be at a conference. Thought I was presenting on Saturday, but only found out yesterday that I have to do it on Sunday. Good luck.