Uncle Fester

Yep but with a caveat. I see that it many times on the mil history / history / politics forums I visit. Aussies and Kiwis have a real 'I don't give a [censored] that you are a superpower or ex colonial master and have enough nukes to wipe us out 500 times... you're bloody well wrong so either admit it or [censored] off'. The caveat is that I see it in really well thought out and researched posts as well as 3rd grade name calling posts. The latter just lacks the subtly of the former. I think it comes from our history. We don't ever admit that someone is better than us no matter what what background we come from. No Lord Muck-a-Muck or Daddy Warbucks can ever be better than any Joe Blow dinkum di Aussie. It's a great blessing because we won't be cowed by money or titles, but at the same time it's a bit of a curse because '[censored] off [censored] head' is never far from the lips of those we disagree with. I think that - on the whole - it's a good thing as long as we never forget to take the urine out of ourselves too.

Maybe he was 2003 - 2013. (Hey, just joking Olisik. Call my people. We'll do lunch)

I loved watching him get mark of the year every week, but after that the cupboard was pretty bare. Maybe he will learn some team ethic at Collingwood; maybe he won't. Doesn't really matter. I'm happy that the focus is less 'Look at me do something tricky' and more on guys that just think 'That's my bloody ball! Give it back'. Edit bare, not rare

I could. But when my uncle is a 3 time premiership player, captain of the club, ex CEO... and when the great Norm Smith was at my parents wedding... or how Ron Barassi jnr grew up with my dad... or how my nanna's funeral was full of 55-64 heroes as she was carried out... or how my cousin went out with Glenn Lovett before he was a regular in the side.... or maybe how if I went to a party on that side of the family then a 2 or 3 of 4 time premiership player by the bbq was nothing out of the ordinary. Yep, playing the 'who do I know' card. And playing it hard. I was a [censored] footballer but I know how a club works. Nudge does too. Now I have zero these days. Nada. But back in the day ( 90's ) I'd get all the goss, and what Nudge says is 100% correct. Some deals are done asap, but a lot are done or not done by millimetres. Him saying we are close to player x means just that - we are close to player x. That's it. Nothing is done until it is signed. I don't mind people bagging the club. Hell, I do it. We've made some bad calls over the years. But bagging posters that know a bit about how things really work is naive at best and idiotic at worst.

I'm really struggling to think of posts of yours that don't 1/ offer anything but abuse, or 2/ offer substance. You seem to be the self appointed attack dog of Demonland. There is a BigFooty poster that reminds me of you, and I think it just might be. Loves dancing in Bay 13; loves a good troll; never (or on the assumption I've missed posts because I only go there when bored unlike here) offers a reasoned counter argument to anything, but instead runs with a 'lol only a moron could think / say that' approach. I hope I'm wrong, and apologise if I am, because that fella makes me cringe thinking I'll be associated with him if I make a post. But the style and syntax are pretty similar. I'm finding it harder and harder to enjoy this place these days because of people like you and others that have a similar mindset. I come here to learn about my beloved team, not to see you and others use it as a forum to point score on minor matters none of us have control over. It's no fun seeing the same ten posters attack each other because they drew battle lines on some obscure point in 2009. I dunno if this makes sense but how about we try something novel around here: attack the post rather than the poster. Y'know... present a deconstruction and counter argument rather than a 'lol dumbass'. Who knows... maybe it will catch on. Oh and apols to those that do take the time to make considered replies. It's those posts (agree or disagree) that keep me keep me checking in.

Don't go because of the noisy minority that shouts down every one that disagrees with them, or even worse forms a posse to attack on every post people they decide aren't 'in the cool crowd'. There are far too many here that want to shout down the name of the messenger rather than read the message. I'm a long way out of the loop as my family isn't as close to the club's inner circle as it once was, but I know that what you posted earlier about trade week holds as true today as it did 20 years ago. Anyway post away, and know that many people read and enjoy posts like yours (regardless of the credulity they have) even if they never bother to reply.

Ditto, but I want real justice even if it bites us on the arse. This thing is bigger than any club; bigger than the game.

Wallace. lol. The only person in the world to make our drafting over the last 15 years look good.

I'm happy to get this kid for not much, but other than that I'm pretty sure we could walk away from the deal and never look back in regret

All I want for Xmas is a CHF

I was engaged to a girl who died suddenly. I married another girl 3 years later. Harsh? Nope. I loved the first one more than I ever did or ever can love a girl; I worshipped the ground that she walked on and if you told me to this day that she was less than perfect then I'd spit in one eye and punch you in the other. Sam Stynes, Trisha Broadbridge, Glen McGrath... I always cringe a little when someone suggests that they moved on a little too fast (not suggesting that is what being said here btw). I think it is that you move forward, not on. The grief never lessens. I still cry about her loss 15 years later, and am trying hard not to right now, but we are creatures that need a mate, a lover, a friend. It's no disrespect to do that to a lost one and you know in your hear that the one you lost want it for you, and if things were reversed you'd want it for them. At least that is where my head is at.

I say we agree to the best deal offered, and if Howey boy doesn't like it he can go into the PSD or main draft and try his luck. He isn't much more than a journey man, and he's not someone we'll miss or miss the pick from.

Yay! I'm famous

I'm a happy camper too. Not just because I like the way Col goes about it, but also because we can't lose good defenders. Him going would have left a hole we couldn't afford to fill when we have other more pressing issues.

As I said: it depends what is done with it. An upgrade of 8 spots on it's own isn't something I'd consider good trading, but if it is used to gain something we really want then it is. *shrug* You don't like it on the face of it. I'll wait and see what happens after the dust has settled.* *assuming that this deal isn't the figment of a journos long lunch

If you were chasing someone (big fish style) and the deal to get it done was #6 and Howe, you'd do it. How would this be different (assuming that this is the plan)? edit (sorry #6, #24 and Howe)

Maybe. But not if (say) #6 and #16 gets us something we want that #6 and #24 won't. What we do with it will decide how good or not the deal is.

It's the last time we'll see that terrible sub rule. That alone makes it a good day for football

"Your greatest appeal as a coach is to ensure that you've got decent players," - Me I think Roos is doing a good job with that one (but, of course, only time will really tell)

The stuff about him and Mick? Yeah, heard that too. Not that I'm to judge how people choose to love.

Just emailed him to tell him I agreed with this.

No matter the pain I love my club. I'm there. And I can see a bit of sunshine coming through the clouds. Not that it would make a difference, but it will make handing over the cash a bit more of a smiley moment

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.

Fingers crossed. Fit and firing he'll be a great asset for us

Without looking too closely at the stats it seems that when he gets involved then we either score, or get in a position where we should score.