Uncle Fester

And there it is. That's the golden rule in the AFL. Not rule of law, not precedent, not even common sense... but what is good for us in the next 24 hours. Drug cheats, FA, PP's, fixtures, MRP etc etc etc ad vomit. Thank god for the MFC, coz otherwise I'd walk away.

Best of luck to all in their future. Thank you for doing something I never got the chance to do.

It is what it is, and it's not new. It's just more pronounced these days. I try not to worry about it. When they were the red and blue they matter. When they don't then they don't. Put it this way: every trade season we all cry out that we want to poach an A grader from somewhere. We went hard after Dangermouse and no-one cried that we were ruining the game by doing so. I don't see anyone whining that we are unethical chasing Dion. Quite the opposite... we all rub our hands in glee. Anyway, we'll offer Jesse a very good contract and he'll accept it on the basis he likes his teammates and the direction of the club, or reject it because he doesn't see anything worth getting fired about... or he might think we are a great club and loves his mates here but simply wants to go home... either way money wont be the issue because I reckon we'd match whatever offer he was given, if only for the marketing angle.

And they are well aware that while they sell papers, get clicks, get ratings today, that it will be a long time before they are proved right or wrong. The goldfishbowl public won't remember what they were told 12 months from now.

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't care one way or the other if that happened

I drew X's over the ones that are gone. Now I can't see my computer screen.

Now I know who you remind me of.

Your first point is the one that stood out most for me: he hits the pack hard - bash and crash style - but always has it in mind to dish it out to a player that is free if that doesn't work. I know... highlights and all that... but its nice to see a talent that knows that instinctively rather than someone that has to learn it as in the case of the Jones boy.

Maybe... and I say this having no dog in the fight as I haven't seen any of this years crop other than youtube highlights, and am not interested in second guessing the professionals... but spending #3 and spending #46 are differnet things. You expect a top ten pick will be a ten year player. You hope a later round pick will one day be a best 22 player.

Yay! I'm famous

Just emailed him to tell him I agreed with this.

Not a fan, and doubly so with WADA hovering. I'd rather the pick go on a random 18 year old and the money to someone like Jesse or Gus or Viney jnr or Salem etc A poor man's Chris Heffernan with the Sword of Damocles hanging over him.

He cared. He cared about getting our ball back,.

It was like watching a cheetah run down a gazelle.

I missed the first game against the Sts (was working, and when I heard about the heartbreaking result I had no wish to watch it again), but I've got to ask: who was the foolish Sts player in the clips at the start that thought giving Jack a 'don't argue' was a bright idea? Man, that was killer tackle that the Sts boy will still be having nightmares about in his dotage.

Dealing with Essendon is always like pulling teeth at the best of times.I say let them whither on the vine and see if we can get a good (non druggie) player in the aftermath.

Brad Hardie to the Bears rings a bell. They wouldn't kick it near him. But they were a rabble and hardly a football team at that point, so maybe the example falls down.

Is there any reason we can't rookie him? I ask because I've never spent more than 30 seconds looking at the rules around that

Rising Star... pfft I'll take that handball off the pack over any awards and accolades.

Is it wrong to get morning wood about these things? Eh, I don't care if it is or isn't. I'll just enjoy it.

Yeah, I'm with you, but there is an element that goes past that in right into the nasty. Anyway, on the Iceburg (I just made that name up - how cool am I?) A mate at work (also a dee-tragic) was over the moon when we picked him up. Reckoned he was a real find. Played juniors with him or something. I only get to see him for about 8 seconds a week (ie he's working now as I have my 4 days off), but I'm hoping to corner the lad and find out a bit more about the enigma that is VanDemon-iceburg, or whatever his real name is.

Look, lay off. Players enjoy it as long as people aren't being a dick about it. They work hard to get where they are and like to talk about what they do, even if it is in a joking and self deprecating style. How do I know this? I grew up surrounded by the greats of the club. At most BBQ's there was at least one or two greats of the 50's and 60's there. Norm Smith was at my parents wedding. Why is that, you ask? Because my uncle is a triple premiership player that later captained the club. Do the maths and you'll know who I am talking about. Leave DVI alone, FFS. They talk to him because they like talking to him, and because he talks to them as humans rather than demi gods. Which, funnily enough, is they way they prefer. PM me if you really want proof, but for those that only want to argue the point don't be butthurt when I ignore you.

Essendon also has Satan as #1 ticket holder... but they don't advertise that for some reason.

They were billeted together on the GC for the draft. Other than that I don't know.

I reckon we've got ourselves a new locker room pest in Brayshaw.