Gator

The degrees are marginal. I think your views are self-serving because you can identify with Melbourne players. And I suspect we're a similar age, we just have different views.

Completely relaxed. Sydney are rubbish. If we can't beat them and beat them comfortably then we don't deserve to play finals. Naturally, I'll take a one point win, but I expect a 30+ point victory.

It's extraordinary to me, completely unfathomable to me, that someone would suggest a ban over a photo of a statue in someone else's avatar. It's one of the more extraordinary comments I've seen on Demonland in 16 years. So one ponders what this individual must object to in real life. The conclusions are as obvious as they are sad.

And I don't follow your logic. You're saying that if Smith didn't get these symptoms your views on the hit would soften. The hit was the hit. It wouldn't be mitigated by a lack of headaches. Tony Lockett was the greatest full forward I've seen. He was also a thug. But because he doesn't have a Melbourne player as one of his high profile incidents he seemingly isn't put in the Matthews basket. Carl Ditterich was a thug. But because his victims were often on the end of someone wearing red and blue he doesn't get mentions. It's all very hypocritical. I can judge the footballers and leave aside some of their brutal moments. It was a different era. Every time you think of Matthews you think of brutality. I'm aware of all that too, but I can also compartmentalise the football exploits. Happy to have a differing view.

I was going to change it today. It was only ever meant to put the wind up SWYL. I'll keep it a bit longer. Btw, what is it with Leftists who want to ban or close down everything they don't like ?

It doesn't make sense to me that any ongoing headaches can be attributed to one hit decades ago when the player in question played 200 games. Smith may lay all of the blame at that one hit and he may be right, but I doubt it. That said, and listen carefully, it doesn't change the act for me either way. It was a callous brutal act that was shocking. Whether he has ongoing headaches, or not doesn't change my view of the hit. I find it strange that your view of the hit is affected by any resultant headaches. For me it was terrible either way. The ongoing headaches don't make it worse.

I doubt your or my "concern" makes any difference. How do you think it would ? Can others confirm there was an 'open Mike' with Smith.

The point I've been making. I'm dubious about headaches today being attributed to this episode from decades ago, but even if it were true it doesn't make the act worse. It was what it was. That's why I said "so what", which you seemed to take umbrage with. Wikipedia supposedly lists every 'open Mike' interview dating back to 2010, but it makes no mention of an episode with Steven Smith.

A couple of things... So you think the incident is worse because of ongoing headaches ? You mean it would have been not as bad if there were no headaches ? Is that what you're telling me ? Also, I can't find the episode. Wikipedia has dozens and dozens listed, but not any with Steven Smith. Please link it for me. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Mike_(TV_series)

He has faced up to it. How often do you want him to ? I'll take your word for it that he told Sheahan what you say, unless it was said in a joking fashion, but it changes nothing for me. He wouldn't accurately be able to align every frigging headache with an incident from decades ago. And even if he could, so what ? The incident is what it is.

You didn't answer my question, "What do you expect him to say and how often" ? And no, I don't accept that every headache he gets is from the Matthews incident from decades ago. He played 200 games of footy. It's silly and doesn't make sense. I doubt he told Sheahan that and even if he did it doesn't make me believe it's true. And even if it was true, it doesn't make the hit any worse. It is what it is.

Firstly, what do you expect him to say and how often ? Secondly, it's drawing a stupid bow to pinpoint every headache Smith gets on a decades old Matthews incident. Smith played 200 games and got plenty of head knocks in those 200 games. It's fair to say that I don't buy it. You're welcome to...

He's admitted the Bruns incident was way out of line. He doesn't now need to comment on what happened decades ago every time a snowflake wants him to grovel.

Thanks ?

No it's not. The greatest player in history deserves a statue. It was a very different era with different standards. I hate it when people try and judge different eras on today's standards. I know you'll say that you're not doing that and that you thought the same way back then. Great. We all have different opinions. I reckon it's great that he has a statue and he thoroughly deserves it.

Ah Lethal Leigh. Probably the most cold-blooded and ruthless footballer I've ever seen. Hated by many Dees supporters and the supporters of other opposing teams. Loved him and just wished he played for my team. What a player.

^^^ Longmire is a very ordinary matchday coach. When they used to beat us easily our midfield was pox and we averaged about 45 inside 50s per game. I'm confident we'll win comfortably.

I can't recall Franklin ever having a day out against Melbourne. His career average is 3.2 and 2.9 against the Dees, which puts us down the list at 11.

You're worried about Rohan's 8 possessions ? Have you seen Hannebery play this year ?

Roos understands the evolution of the team. Many posting on the Goodwin thread would do well to heed his views. Naturally, they won't/can't.

Not sure why you're so negative. We'll win our remaining three.

We're building, we're better, and I expect a comfortable win.

Just heard Mark Brayshaw on SEN. He spoke exactly as I suspected. Thankfully, he has far more class than the outrage merchants on here who seem to salivate during these types of unfortunate events.

“It can be really frustrating at times. Even 2016 I played with a floating bone in my foot and I couldn’t calf raise, I couldn’t run properly. I was just trying to get through the year and it took a mental toll. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/in-a-round-of-returns-from-injury-melbournes-aaron-vandenberg-shouldnt-go-unnoticed/news-story/66a59e6d0b5302a8ecd586a803940f01

Absolutely. The incident has zero to do with awarding votes for the game. In fact, if Simpson thought he was the second best player on the ground he'd be compromising the award by not giving him votes. It's called integrity. This isn't a best and fairest award, this is a best award.