Elusive Tunbridge

I expect Essendon's lawyers (is that you, Tanya?) have coached Mr Little on the important distinction between ingesting and being injected. If you can't have integrity, at least you can have deniability.

At first I thought, "Fantastic!" Then I wondered about half-time breaks, maybe with a boosted sound system...

It's a bit early to be declaring our midfield to be bereft of talent. At least give Jones, Cross, Toumpas, Tyson, Vince et al. the opportunity to prove they're a bunch of hacks. Then you can trade Fitz, assuming our other forwards are fit as Mallee bulls.

Which certain sector? Of course it's not about race - it's never about race. But I'd like you to expand your views on chardonnay sippers - I'm as ignorant about them as you seem to be about Aboriginals.

I think we have a pretty good idea of what Clark and Dawes can do - when they are fit. At 22, having played 14 senior games, I suspect there may be a little bit of upside left in Fitzy.

Can't fault your logic.

Not sure if I agree. Depends on whether that's your judgement or your signature.

In Liam's case, I'm afraid it will turn out lethal.

Put pressure on him? I should have such power! But I would love to see three St Kilda toughs gang-tackle him at the first bounce of the season. Send in the stretchers. Am I asking too much?

If you were Mrs Hird (not that there's anything wrong with that) wouldn't you insist on knowing what was going on? And wouldn't your public statements be calculated to preserve your comfortable lifestyle?

Jack Watts in his first year? Hard to forget. I guess "rarely" gives you an out.

"Toumpas plays like a girl" - sounds like a quote from P. K. Black.

From what I've seen of Clisby, he's good at finding space and time, good at making decisions, but not especially quick. IMO, HBF is his natural position, but the club may be interested in trying him out as an outside mid.

You suspect? But his chances of ever playing AFL again must be close to zero.

What is the mechanism for forcing his resignation? I assume it would require substantial agreement between the clubs. As an AFL subsidiary, MFC's vote is decided. Essendon, GWS, maybe Gold Coast also in the bag. Can't see where the push would come from.

I'm keen to see if Clisby can take the next step. His progress so far has been good, but this is the year that will show if he has a future. Fitzy - use him or lose him. Jakey H to have an impact in the second half of the season.

H O'B's letter to Obama is full of self-important over-compensation, but if pumping your own tires was a capital offence, fan forums would be littered with corpses.

Not to mention the money we've wasted on Irishmen. Just too altruistic for our own good.

Don't mind the surname change - makes sense to me. Expecting people to stop calling him Harry seems a little bit affected, though.

You've got a new fan, Roger.

Got my ten-year button. Reminds me of the passage of time. Thanks.

I don't mind him being a party animal, even at the age of 28 (he didn't like learning he's one of the oldest on the list). His interview didn't tell me much, so I'll suspend judgement until the season. Cross, on the other hand, inspires plenty of confidence. (Probably should have put this on the Vince thread)

I never made it. You're getting a little punchy. I certainly implied that he was a dedicated footballer. I also implied that you had made a racist statement. That was about the time you threw up rape as a smokescreen. Dragging in the issue of rape to cover your tail is unimpressive.

Standing on shifted ground. But do you still stand by your generalisation about Aboriginal players' dedication? Or did that get a bit hot for you?

I'm not sure height is critical to the role he's likely to play - he won't out mark a tall forward in an even contest, but it doesn't sound like he gets into even contests, being primarily a negater. Up to now he's been a half-time footballer, and it will be interesting to see what happens when he goes full-time.