M_9

Mathieson's collapsing legs and 'air uppercut' mentioned at length on League Teams tonight. Tony Shaw suggested that his coach should have a word to him.

Nah, haven't changed a bit. As they say in the classics, 'you're only as old as the woman you feel'.

I think the shredded paper followed on from the streamers. In my youth it was common for people leaving by ship to throw steamers to those bidding farewell (on the port). Confetti was thrown at weddings (a big no-no now). It was a 'celebration thing'. There was no concern for the environment in them olden days.

G'day mate. I'm Graham (originally from Parkdale). The only people I can remember are you, Ken Baines and Malcolm. I moved down the West Coast and rarely got to games from 1966 until 1984. I've hardly missed a Vic game since (and catch a couple of interstaters each year). In the 80's we sat behind the cheer squad who'd moved to Bay 12 (?) top level in the Southern Stand and sat with John Hartman, Animal and Gibbo. We need to catch up. It's only been 50 years!

If you look at vision of games from the mid-60's to early 70's you'll see the goal square and surrounds were covered in shredded paper, streamers and toilet paper (used as a streamer. That's why I mentioned in an earlier post that we'd raid all the toilet blocks around Yarra Park for toilet rolls. Occasionally (when the 'confetti' got too deep), the goal umpire would endeavour to clear a path for the full back to kick out. Probably a good thing that it doesn't happen now!

They were used as 'confetti'. Tearing a phone book into small pieces was a Friday night ritual. You'd take a huge plastic bag along to the game. On another note, I remember attending a match at Kardinia Park in the 70's where a group of guys carried a full size iron bath full of VB and ice into the ground. Doubt that a plastic bag full of shredded paper would get past security now, let alone a bath full of VB.

So when you said 'I want to know where they are now', do you mean: a) you've lost touch with ya mum b) she went out for bread and milk and hasn't returned c) she's gone to God or not

The 'poor old duck' probably saw the Demons win at least 5 flags!

Those banners were very heavy when wet. I think I was in charge of 'The Never Say Die Demons' for a while. I recall a post some time ago talking about the wording on our banners. The funniest time I had (as a 13 year-old) was sleeping outside the Linton St. ground on a freezing Friday night when the Saints cheer squad came along and invited us to share the St Johns' Ambulance room with them. They had permission to use the room to store their banners, and would leave a window ajar as a means of (illegal) entry. The stretchers and blankets came out, and it was far more comfortable than outside the gate, albeit with an open fire made from neighbours fence palings. BTW my sex education got quite a kick along that Friday night, with a little inter-squad 'bonding' taking place.

I was a cheer squad member in the early 60's ('62-'66 or thereabouts). Malcolm Turner was President (followed by John Hartman). In those days about a dozen members would sleep outside the gates overnight, at all grounds except Geelong, Windy Hill and Victoria Park (too dangerous at the latter two). For games at the 'G we would raid all the toilet blocks in the vicinity of Yarra Park for toilet rolls to supplement our shredded phone books. A shoutout to Dobbo, Sawry and Mick Pierce (ski instructor and one of the holders of the '64 GF run thru) if you're still alive. Great memories.

I too think Parish will be a good player. Interesting that he didn't play last week (from memory) and is not playing this week. He was just OK in their win over the Blues. Also I checked on the relative sizes - Parish v Oliver. The latter 13 kg heavier and 6cm taller (73 and 181 v 86 and 187). Doubt that Parish will grow 6cm and add 13 or more kg in 3 weeks.

Doubt it very much. Any of Hunt, Wagner or White should step up to the plate. (I'm aware the latter two are rookies).

Hames ain't a rookie.

Not sure this has been mentioned: "Interestingly, [Murray Bushrangers Coach Darren] Ogier will follow Oliver to the Demons after winning a development role." from the HUN

Start of paragraph four: "This isn't a mock draft "

I catch up with Trav most times he returns home. He's now as tall, or taller than I am, and I'm 188cm. He may be listed as 183cm, but he ain't.

sage advice

Garry on TFS tonight following Damian Barrett's take on Prestia being courted by the Dees: "and he's (Prestia) a big fan of the Demons".

Not sure that you can access this article if you're not a HUN subscriber: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-considering-shifting-its-base-to-mcg-on-back-of-aflsponsored-plan/story-fni5f91a-1227075709610