hemingway

Agree, however, I hope we are wrong. He is the player that I cannot emotionally invest in. His second half of the year has been disappointing to say the least (for all the reasons already discussed). He really has the club over a barrel. The club will need to make a lump sum offer without conditions or incentive payments. Other clubs will just throw big bucks and a long-term deal without qualifications. If we don't meet or better any offers we will probably lose him. If we do lose him, the media will be critical of the Dees for not being able to keep him and cast a negative light on the club. There will be no standing ovation from the media hacks if we do keep him.

Exactly, he finishes his coaching career (most probably) smelling like roses. One of the few. T The secret is to have a succession plan, a realistic goal that delivers some improvement, don't make promises (premierships) that cannot be kept, and don't overstay your welcome. And, don't get greedy, finish on your terms before you are pushed.

Disappointed that a private individual has bought the collection. Good that its intact, but not that its in the hands of a private individual unless he is going to donate it to a museum such as the sports museum at the MCG for public viewing. Collections like this have important historical significance particularly one that has come from one of the icons of the game. Lets hope it has a good outcome for all rather than one individual.

To find someone to replace Max in the event (god help us) of a season ending injury is the most important thing of all for 2017. Max's dodgy knee (even his good knee) was my on-going concern this year. To see him land awkwardly or in a tangle on the ground filled me with anxiety every time.. To not have Max for any significant part of the season is my greatest fear and also our greatest threat to making progress in 2017. Spencer, Pedersen or Watts may provide support for a fit Max but they cannot replace Max. I suspect that the King boys are still a long way off.

2 or 3 seasons ago yes. Now, no. At the end of his career. Has really slowed up over recent years and time has caught up with his body, injury wise. His kicking lacks penetration. Now, just a slower version of Nathan Jones.

Disappointing to finish the season this way as it is a reminder that we can take nothing for granted despite some encouraging performances this year. It's going to be a massive 2017 with so much riding on it. It scares me given today's performance as we need top 8 to give everyone hope for the future. A disappointing 2017 would be a disaster.

Glad to see Jack get another year. He is a talented footballer cruel led by injury . He could have been a champion and still could make a contribution. Judgements are made about a players use by date. Some are right some are wrong. Whose to say. Time will tell. However, some players bring something special to a team and the human fabric of a club. It creates culture and a belief in the essence of a club. Individuals make a difference to a club and how team mates and others view it. James NcDonald and Boomer Harvey come to mind. Trengove is a role model for others. He is what a professional athlete should be about. His return from injury is an inspiration to others. Jack is a leader and a great asset to the club. You do not lightly dispose of quality individuals. And if you do, it can have bad outcomes. Disposing of him now would have sent the wrong message to his team mates and ones sense of justice and fairness. In 12 months time, Jack may be gone. However, at least we will then know. And the decision will be fair. Patience can be a virtue and I hope this proves to be the case with Jack.

Like doping, I am all for lifetime bans! Funny thing about social media. We meet idiots or folks we disagree with every day but that does not mean that we tell the person or others what we think of them. Indeed in my experience, when we do, it reflects on us and we regret it. I don't know why we can't have an opinion without voicing it.

Correct it was right in front of me. A complete accident. Anyone who suggests otherwise is delusional.

Amazing footage. The commentary is priceless. The days when commentators called the game and did not fill up the airwaves with analysis, anecdote, and stories of their own greatness. Think of Dermot Brereton's drivel last week. Three classic lines from Jack Edwards, its gone through for a "major" Barassi takes an "easy mark" (when he was backing back into the pack and just about to be poleaxed by John Peck) Barassi's handpass to Massey who then handpasses to Crompton...."this is stupid". (50 years later, I still despair at stupid handball) And how tough was Barassi? He runs over the mark straight at Alan Joyce and cops a boot in the face....and does not flinch or react. Glenferrie Oval always had a glue pot in the centre that the Hawks used to great advantage. Coaches and ground staff colluded to keep it that way. Shows that despite atrocious conditions by today's standards. matches could still produce exciting and gripping footy.

Anxiety levels will rise.

I know a Port fan who travelled from McLaren Vale and left at quarter time .......seriously. He had told me before the game that Port was gone and had no chance so I guess he had negative outlook before the ball was bounced. Now that sounds like a lot of Demon fans over recent years. How the wheel has turned.

Clint I have been on sabbatical over here this year, and I can tell you the rivalry between the die hard fans is not fake. They hate one another more than they hate the Vic clubs. Many South Aussies have a Victorian club as a second team. The hatred has a long history but was intensified at the time leading up to the Crows formation. The belief of Crows fans is that Port betrayed the other SA clubs by trying to broker a deal with the VFL to be the inaugural club when all the clubs had signed an agreement not to go it alone. Ports attempts failed and the Crows were very quickly formed as a response to Ports actions as all the non Port clubs would not have a bar of Port becoming the inaugural club. May be an over simplification but that is what Crow supporters tell me with heated breath. The betrayal has never been forgotten. And the Port supporters see themselves as the authentic Magpies, one of the oldest clubs in the country and a genuine footy club unlike the Crows.

Watched the replay. The commentary was appalling, not calling the game, just going on with twaddle with Brereton being the worst. Was he even sober?

No Will, only quotes from the Adelaide Advertiser would be understood. The lowest common denominator has a whole new meaning when you come into contact with Port fans. However, unlike Crow supporters they are not pretenders and are therefore much preferred.

Great win. Great to be there and see our baby Demons gaining in confidence. Some fantastic signs. Wonderful last Q sitting amongst the silent Port fans. A quick get away after the siren.

Yes they are. Completely different.

British Hotel in Finnis St, North Adelaide is my go to place from the AO.

I am going to throw caution to the wind and wear my scarf. My better half will protect me. She is fearsome.

Great summary GV. Totally agree with your last para. We have the players and we need to keep them together.

Not being at the game, it was good to see our contested footy and improved ball use by hand and foot. Handball in particular seemed much quicker and direct, without the usual hospital hand passes. Don't know if that reflected the entire game but it was a highlight of the highlights.

Suggest you go incognito with no scarf or demon gear. Seriously I regard the Crows fans as even worse and there are more of them.

yes agree with this assessment, definitely aimed to hurt and would have seriously hurt most players. It was head high and designed to take out Oliver. I think other actions by Rioli during the match gives you a pathology that suggests that many of his tackles were not legitimate or fair. In my day, they would have been labelled dirty and the player would have had the dirty label. But because Cyril is special he will probably get off.

There are good reasons for the demise of so many of our young picks. Training and coaching standards are significant, but so is club culture and the importance of playing in a winning team or at least a team that can win more than it loses. You get used to losing and you get used to winning. Attitude and belief are so important. You have to believe as an individual that you are going to be a success and believe that the team can win each week. Players like Hunt (and others of our current crop of young talent) play with a desperation and belief that I have not seen before in a group of young kids. To see Hunt streaming down the ground taking on all comers as if there is no tomorrow is special.

Agree OD, but it also shows that there is always hope given the right circumstances. In our case, getting the right team together on and off the field. "The light is always darkest just before dawn."