Elusive Tunbridge

I think a sympathetic supporter who turns up week after week to training probably has a lot of credit with the players of a team that has gone through such a long sequence of bad seasons.

When he comes back, he plays at Casey until he's match hardened and it's clear that his foot will stand up to it. Most likely he'll play midfield. As soon as his form warrants it he'll start AFL on the bench, replacing whomever is injured or off form. He'll be played anywhere from HBF to HFF, although his preferred position is mid. After that, he is simply in competition with all the other mids. Or so I think. When he comes back.

Lets remember that every year we look good in pre season. Big difference executing good skills at training compared to a game so not really interested in hearing how Grimes and McKenzie's kicking skills are at training. Lets see them in a real game for 4 points.

McKenzie and Matt Jones will be depth players should we have injuries but neither should be in our best 22. We need better ball users. Should be an interesting team selection if all are fit. Watts is a certainty for round 1 if fit.

Seems like a good reason not to read training threads. And yet you do.

You mean the Princeton Uni graduate, who was considered smart enough to be Defence Secretary of the most powerful country on earth???

Easy answer mate.

Its you.

Sorry, that's known to be unknowable.

Marketing types have already been given a free run with "match day experience". But I'm sure more enhancements are on their way - never can have too much of a good thing.

Good leadership material?

The same bloke with the great judgment of dressing up with Terlich, as the schoolgirl opposed to Rolf Harris..?

Ok then.

Norwood probably based their decision on more extensive knowledge than yours. You're clearly deeply attached to your own judgement, however.

To quote many Demonlanders when referring to the banner he will get his name spelled correctly when he earns it. (Joking obviously)

Can I blame auto correct?

Why not? Everybody does.

It's a Python sketch. The tumbrils are waiting, and the players are threatening to slash their wrists with a spoon.

I like the design with Jim and Robbie as ghostly presences. As for the rest of that banner, I'm much in favour of loading it with senior players and youngsters who have established themselves - e.g. Dom. Not sure about Roos - he's a legend, sure, but not a Melbourne legend.

And Demonland, really! How can Garlett expect anyone to spell his name correctly if you don't!

No votes for Gartlett? For shame.

One area that we always had covered under Daniher. White, Jolly and Jamar were pretty decent.

Jamar never got a go under Daniher. For all his virtues, Daniher wasn't a man who took the long view.

Such an evocative avatar.

"Spud" is a word that will be used as long as there are people who feel good when they use it.

Dodging penalties by saying "But I was told it was OK by our doctor" is a recipe for rampant drug cheating. Sadly for the naive, deaf or inattentive, it can't be used as an excuse. It can be used to hang the doctor however.

Further, if they remember this now but didn't mention it in the initial interviews, they may get some funny looks.

Low GI carbs have a more enduring effect, for those who are interested.

In my circles depression is not looked upon well, it's like playing the soft card or throwing in the towel. A typical response when depression is mentioned if talking about someone is "give him a cup of concrete"

He talked about 'his circles'. What would you know about his circles?

Isn't that enough?

He does not deserve to be in the LG.

Appointment to the LG is not a bag of lollies you get for being good. It's a job you're given by people who trust you to do it, it's got nothing to do with anyone's idea of what you deserve. No-one's suggesting Matt will be appointed, but if you still see life in the horse, keep flogging.

Maybe Crossy feels like he owes the club something for giving him a contract, and he is repaying that by training his arse off and playing selfless football.

I think Crossy is just doing what he does, and did at Footscray. Apparently he wants a career in football beyond retirement, and he's making every post a winner in that pursuit. I'm sure he's grateful to MFC for giving him the chance, but there's also enlightened self-interest operating there.

I find it rather baffling that most have not got Grimes in the leadership group, the respect he has amongst the other players is probably second only to Jones

I think those who have marked Grimes down haven't considered what the players' view would be, although that is the biggest factor in selecting the LG.

A smug know-it-all Carlton supporter at work said to me that the without his mate Eddie Betts , Garlett is useless.

He reckons the two of them waxed it when the footy was in the forward line at Carlton, and when Betts left , his usefulness expired.

If he needs a partner, JKH and Kent seem likely for the job.

Grimes - Definitely gone to the next level. Starting 22 for sure. Has bulked up a little and a lot stronger one on one. Killed everything in the defensive drills before having his nose (accidentally) spread across the park by a Tom Mcdonald spoil. Foot skills improved. Will play on HBF with Lumumba on the other from what I could gather.

As an unabashed fan of Grimes as a player and a person, this delights me.

That's a big crowd for a training session on a warm morning in Maroochydore.

We might need a statistician to help us with this, but I don't think the example of clubs that have managed to move sharply up the ladder from time to time disprove the general unevenness of the system, nor does the example of powerful clubs like Carlton so woefully mismanaged that they wobble constantly. And then there's the example of another powerhouse that was so mismanaged after 1964 that it hasn't had a flag since.

Other than Chelsea I think that would turn many away.

So many had the thought, but you were the one to post. Respect.

c'mon colin i'm yet to read an intelligent post from you yet

"yet..yet" Belt and braces grammar.