Rhino Richards

The rumour was that when at the end of his Test Career, Tony Greig was one of the first players to sign for WSC in the late 70s, it was said that Kerry Packer promised Greig a job for a life as a cricket commentator. I cant tie it to a direct source but I think its true. How else can you explain how he is still there?? I am not sure what promise was made to Chappelli. But he is as interesting as a soggy salad. I still listen to the radio and stuff the deliberate timing difference caused by the Ch 9 live telecast 5 second delay.

You got to a sensible conclusion in the end. Cheers

Yep. Go with that. Girld did like him?? I would be rapt if TJ did it every 2nd week. No wonder they rate Hayes. FWIW, i think Hayes is far more consistent (ly good) than you indicate.

No it isnt. Maric has shown little to date. I trust that was before he kicked 5 against the Tigers in Rd 4. Part of 4 of the same issue. Clearly that was the coaches strategy to do that on the day. I think the spur was for the players mainly. It was the same game plan in Rd 1 as it was for the rest of the season. The difference in the players was significant in the following rounds.

If any media outlet uses this then I will sue.... At with Merv no longer as a selector, there can be no claims of bias in selecting Beer... I think I will leave the Beer lines to those witty wags on Ch 9 Grieg and Chappelli.

We already have a seperate thread for that atm. Correct. Especially those hard task masters that claim there are no excuses this year. Ewwww it could get tough indeed.

McDonald is unlucky with the injury and would possibly have been a chance. Its a bit like Paul Johnson. He has won a Liston in the VFL but he is a proven fail at AFL level. You know what you need to know with PJ. The same goes for Hauritz. I dont want to recycle crud. I would be prepared to give Beer a chance (think about that) than get a greater sense of deja vu with Hauritz. I am not sure what value a 5 for is at Shield level as it does not translate to Test standard. Hauritz and Doherty have had their chance at Test level and blown it. Beer gets the opportunity being in the right spot at the right time.

Missed point part 3. They havent and it hasnt been the nature of this thread at all. But thanks for the advance notice. This year we know there "are no excuses".

Morton Bate Maric Spencer And if we dont make the finals and seriously challenge for the flag..Dean Bailey.

Missed the point part 2. Its not a criticism thread at all just a recognition that certain players cop a hiding on this site out of whack with their performance. Its not a case of ripping in at all.

We know Hauritz is not good enough to bowl a team and probably never will. (Though he is more likely to win a game off his bat than with the ball). Beer gets his opportunity. And if Beer is not good enough for the baggy green then is Hauritz? Anyway I had thought the name had been synonymous with Australian cricket for decades. B). And I am not sure what value it is for DHussey making statements to the selectors. I agree with the quicks that I would have gone Cameron or Copeland instead of Hilf and Mitch but its line ball and a case of the cupboard is bare. Careful you want to drop his brother even though he is making all the runs. And well done thats the closest you have got to making a coherent selection decision. Its a start.

To be fair England gave us 16 years of good laughter in this area. B)

I am not too sure who you would want to replace Doherty with. He was not up to standard and I am not sure who you put in the spinners spot otherwise.....Hauritz. I am not against Hughes getting a chance. I dont think selection is just about the last 2 innings but it would be nice to have some runs. But he does have some claim on the opening spot. Marsh may not have to wait too long to be selected. Smith is an interesting one. Think Steve Waugh in 1986. The selectors are really backing him in. Bollinger bowled poorly (injury or not) and had to go but who would you have replaced him with?

Its definitely not the sarcasm meter playing up...

Either the sarcasm meter is on the blink again or you're completely off the track.

It was good football...for 2 quarters only. For some it defined how "good" Travis apparently was. He really has been given far greater currency as a footballer over his career for that cameo than it reasonably deserves. But honestly it is the most overhyped peformance by supporters who have been starved of success for too long

Agree OD it did start on TJ. At the time of trading TJ was lauded on the basis of what he had done in 2002 and 2005. His radar went wonky in 2006 and on the blink in 2007. If he was our best kick the trade was right not so much for what we got for it but that TJ was diminishing as a footballer, had no leadership value (quite the opposite) and had become a downhill skier who was not prepared to work hard. At 28 and in those categories, he had to go. We were lucky to get a 1st rounder. We were lucky to also get Grimes. Especially when we could have come 3rd!! B)

Such irony from someone who was claiming Bruce was sacked! People have to have something in their lives 45. Such cheek. Careful he can make something else up now.

May have been the case for 2009. But in 2007 and 2008 he was a regular for the Cats. He is no Keating. Keating had injury hassled years in 2000, 2002 to 2004.

Luck??? They traded for him as he is one of the links missing in their pursuit of premierships. With every trade there is always the sniggering. Guess who had the last laugh with 2 flags? He is nothing like Jack Hawkins at all. On that basis alone, a player who performs in finals is worth gold. Even more reason why he was better than gameboy Travis.

We had Jeff White so we did not need Ottens at the time. Suffered back injuries early on and his initial years were typical of a young ruckman growing into the role. Was traded for 2 first round picks so he was hardly flung at all. It was part of the deal that ulitimately lead to Beamer coming to MFC. Was a key element in the Cats premiership run as No 1 ruckman. Far better performer than TJ by a street.(And not Peter Street). TJ was the standout junior footballer of his year but these days his gameboy character would see him as a 1st round pick and not a number one pick.

Unless a player divulges it or you get this information from a "reliable source", I dont think Clubs can force a medical examination on a player. However in good faith this should be something disclosed from an OHS perspective. Nevetheless their drafting, recruiting (Lovett ) and meandering over Cousins just does not reflect well on the Club. Whlist other elements of the FD may have an input on trading, drafting really should be the domain of the head recruiter. And they have not done well there. Sometimes you are a tad subtle. B)

The Cripps issue is unfortunate and unusual and the condition may have emerged only post draft. However, the Saints drafting and trading over the last 5 years has been ordinary to say the least. So its no surprise heads would roll there.

I recsll Tony Mann (a WA leggie) made a century for Aust in Perth as a nightwatchman in 1977/78 against India. Didn't take many wickets though and was dropped for next Test. Bowlers need to take wickets at reasonable economy. They are an unconditional must have. Runs from tailenders are nice to have.

Warne said we should pick Beer. But he may be just alluding back to his wild playing days. Anyone selection could go something like this: In Beer Out Bollinger. And the way Australia is playing its a pity we dont have a player with the surname of Shandy instead. And footnote: While being great cricketers in there time, Botham and Chappelli are 2 wuckfits. I watched Chappelli on Australian story. For a much travelled sportsman, he came across as incredibly unworldly and naive.