Elusive Tunbridge

In the beginning were the Demons. And the Demons were the light, and where there was no light there was darkness. And the name of the darkness was Collingwood. And strange things moved in the darkness, and their names were Geelong and Essendon, Footscray and Fitzroy. North Melbourne and South Melbourne moved they also, yea even Richmond and St Kilda. Carlton and Hawthorn lay beneath even the darkness. Time passed, and each sixth day was Saturday, and on the seventh day was World of Sport, and on the last Saturday of September time stopped. And on that day there was only the light.

Hypothetical counter to the fact. I wouldn't drop anyone from last week's team to fit in Trengove in a moon boot. Next year, different Trengove, different team.

Essendon claiming the 55, 56 and 57 flags on the basis that Melbourne took unfair advantage of John Coleman's workplace injury.

Blease knows what he has to do to get into the side, and he hasn't done it yet.

The opposition have kicked more goals than behinds in just three games of thirteen this year, including the first two. How did we get so lucky?

The players face an interesting dilemma. If they admit they were injected but claim not to know what was used, they get the six-month suspension and that admission plus the paper-trail is enough to convict the club. If they hold off and the club's desperate legal gamble fails, they'll get a longer suspension which for some will be the end of their footy careers. I agree that a lot of players are dim bulbs at best, but quite a lot of them are pretty bright, had a rough idea of what the club seas doing and will want to find the best way out.

If one breaks ranks, he's a traitor. If two break ranks, it's up to the individual and he'll have to live with the consequences. If three break ranks, the ranks crumble.

I remember participating in forum tough-talk about tanking. Didn't get us anywhere, either. Does the outcome of the court case about the process have any effect on WADA?

I expect Essendon to come out firing, but if they can't overwhelm us early I believe they will crack. McKenzie, Kent and Riley will stiffen up our resistance to any onslaught and for mine, the game will hinge on our forwards making a bit more of their opportunities than they did last week. If the game is in the balance at 3/4, Salem will be very hard to stop. It's set up for a classic Roos game - stop them, then swamp them.

Bomber's employment prospects for 2015 looking more positive by the minute - if he still has a team to coach.

Hogan is essential to our forward setup. It's inconceivable that we would trade him - except that a few D'landers apparently can conceive of it.

I'm guessing that Salem will also be out and the bench will be Kent, Gawn, Terlich and either McKenzie or Riley.

Inserting syllables and an extra stress in the second line and you offer that as an improvement? Keep it singable.

That would go with a Collins St presence.

Think of Jake's salary as the insurance premium on Max's knee.

A few weeks ago he kicked a nice goal on the run and continued, running into the goalsquare and shouldering the guy standing there. He'll be hard to intimidate.

Very likely. I read somewhere that he slipped to 9 because of his underwhelming performance in the 2013 championships, which in retrospect was probably due to his medical problems. Diagnosed, treated and look what you get!

Indeed, I've never played at the original Royal and Ancient. If you have, it might help to explain your otherwise bizarre defence of whatever the status quo happens to be. Don't know why you drag the Yanks in to bolster your case, but if you do really want to lose the demon, how about a nice traditional flower device? A stylised fuchsia?

The current emblem is unbearably self-important. It doesn't offer a challenge to the world, it sits on its backside and says "We are the Royal and Ancient. Admire us." The sooner we lose it the better.

I'm well aware that there are MFC supporters amongst MCC members who haven't stumped up the $65, though a heck of a lot of them do. But a whole lot more MCC members don't support the Dees. And if they really cared, they might give the money to Doctors without Borders. I don't regard MFC as a charity, it's a business, and there's no moral imperative for anyone to give money to the club.

Bit thin-skinned, Saty. I thought CBF's tongue was firmly in his cheek.

I put my hand in my pocket for membership, but I know exactly how deep I have to reach. I think your implication that supporters who don't take out memberships don't actually support the club is patronising and ignores the economic reality of a hell of a lot of Australians. Hope you don't mind the shirt-front, H&S And our connection with NT is a very positive aspect of MFC.

He wouldn't be the first "journo" to make up his quotes.

Bennell has some talent, but he was pretty inconsistent with us. I do wonder how he'd have fared under the present regime - possibly quite well. All the same, delisting him was the right choice. I'm not quite sure what a "spud" is, but I don't think he's one.

Agreed, though the pig dog may be preferred to Kent.