hemingway

You will feel exactly the same as every other loss that you have witnessed, gutted.

Confident, not a word that I am familiar with. It will take a run of sustained success that includes toppling some of the top sides before I become confident. Another year away I reckon. But my hopes are always present. I really want to see our young kids blossom and become dominant match winning players.

Don't mind the Tiges, long suffering supporters like the Dee's who have endured years of despair and disappointment. In more recent years they have had to suffer the ignominy of being called chokers. Despite my Marxist views, I do see the value of the Indian caste system. It is the glue that keeps Indian society together although increasingly it is being challenged by the evils of capitalism. However, the Dalits or untouchables are a proud caste in their own way. I see the same characteristics of Tiges supporters. They have little hope of achieving Nirvana or even a better life in the next life. The Melbourne Brahmins just need to watch their step as they walk through Yarra Park particularly around the trees and light towers where Tige supporters tend to urinate and defecate. It's always an idea to have a banana or apple to give them. Having some lose change is also recommended as part of having a charitable disposition. Food is always better than money so that they don't use the change for cigarettes or bourbon and coke.

That's pretty rough Daisy, hopefully, readers prefer my novels over listening to Barrett, being sozzled is beside the point. But I get your angle.

and the question choke is given their age profile how long will the success continue.

He is a hack but no journalist Nut. Does he have a degree in journalism from a reputable university? Irrespective, I see him as a football reporter whose only reason for being or relevance is to break stories. This means that guys like DB are desperate for stories and therefore proper fact finding and checking, research methods and balanced reporting go out the window. He needs stories week in week out and that's just what happens.....he provides stories for his employer that justifies his role. Basically, guys like Barrett should be ignored. It's a bit like the old Truth newspaper for those old enough to remember. Truth was a misnomer for rubbish and Barrett pedals rubbish. He has no conscience so he does not care and probably delights in the criticism and commentary around him because it feeds his ego and means that he is being noticed, something common to all egotists. The only answer to football scribes like DB and Lloyd and their negativity toward the Dees is that we keep on winning and build a record of sustained success.

Completely agree would never have Brayshaw out of the team unless injured. Brings so much to the team in toughness, contest, disposal and footy smarts.

Fact is no-one knows. Probably not even Hogan himself. People pretend to know, think they know, have opinions but at the end of the day who knows? It is an industry in which every day second rate media types create news grabbing stories that are pedalled as fact. No-one is held to account so it becomes the story. It is really tiresome and best to be both cynical and detached. Increasingly players jump ship when there is a better deal or other reason such as "going home". Supporters of every club rejoice at picking up a star recruit from another club but become concerned when a player wants to leave their club. Such is the way it is. Swings and roundabouts.

Not to be a pessimist but looking at these line-ups it's hard not have a death wish (for before the game). We look so undermanned compared to North it's depressing . It's hard to see how we will defend let alone get on the scoreboard. I think I might begin soul searching long before the game finishes.

But Daniher's efforts lifted the confidence of the whole team. Had a huge impact on Essendons performance.

Thanks Doc I always listen to doctors advice even if I think they are a bunch of do-gooders so I will get back to you.

Yes Bitters I have lost my grip on the real world, worse than ever since I stopped writing and to face the ugliness that's everywhere. I have lost my means of escape that's why the success of out team is so important. On the subject of lawyers you are unkind. Most of them are loveable rogues you just need to make sure your pockets are empty!

I love you Redders, a person of sensibility, understanding and taste.

Thank you to all the ratbags who live vicariously on this thread. There are times when in deepest despair I turn to this thread for light relief and to catch up on affairs of state, International trade, and activities at the Manor. From Cuba to Romsey, from bananas and guava paste to ugg boots and Conchita. Reading the other threads is just so depressing and this week I got close to ending it all (you know my penchant for alcohol and firearms and my underlying pathology of depression and sense of futility in staying alive). And of course following this crazy football team triggers many of these pathologies and behaviours. Then I turned to this thread and my salvation. Thank you to all the wonderful characters that live on this site. Bitters, Earl, Redleg, Maple, Daisy, OD, Picket, Emerald, Red and Bluebeard, Wiseblood. The list goes on and apologies to those not mentioned who frequent this thread with intelligence, humour and matters of utmost seriousness. You make my day and give me hope that there are enough ratbags out there that make life worth living and provide reason to think that following this crazy dysfunctional football team is worthwhile. What wonderful irony that this thread has for the most part, nothing to do with football.

Wow OD you are a new man. The psychotherapy has done wonders. This must mean something. I was going to post a cautious comment like I will stop worrying when we have a consistent run of sustained success but that sounds a little pessimistic. So I will say we should win this one.

I think this happens every match, and will always happen given the number of umpires and the problem of personal interpretation on the rules. For me the problem week in week out is the complete lack of commonsense displayed by umpires and the picking out of free kicks in a random unnecessary manner, often wrong, but almost a way for the umpire to be seen as important or relevant. Almost ego driven umpiring. This probably reads as a ridiculous comment but I do think that umpiring is increasingly ego driven. I also think the standard of umpiring is generally deplorable.

Tom is a great player. Give me contested ball in the defensive half, give me Tom McDonald. Works his butt off and never shirks a contest. Will (if not already) take over from Dunn as our key back and defensive leader.

Agreed Curry but calls by others to drop him after one game (any player for that matter) seems harsh.

Oliver is our Easter gift after missing out on Wines. And he may well be better.

Have woken up this morning and feel excited. What a great feeling, what a great Easter. And like JC, I feel our beloved old footy club has risen again.

For me it's all about how we play. Do we see a new Melbourne or no? Go Dee's

No Bitters all on Demonland would like to know your attire. Maple might be very fetching but I suspect your get up promises to be outlandish. Despite your modesty I suspect you would like all the attention particularly from the Demon Damsels!

No Bitters all on Demonland would like to know your attire. Maple might be very fetching but I suspect your get up promises to be outlandish. Despite your modesty I suspect you would like all the attention particularly from the Demon Damsels!

Scully seems such a long time ago. He is such old news. I am so far past caring about Tom Scully is does not matter. Let's get excited about your current crop of young players. That's worthwhile. Brayshaw, Hogan, Petracca, Oliver, Salem, Gawn, Viney, Stretch. Vanders etc. that's exciting. Tom who?

A really good point Chris. The AFL was asleep on its watch, in particular, a certain gent of Greek heritage. I still remember hearing him on 774 one morning some years back rubbishing cycling and its culture of doping, saying that would never happen in AFL because of cultural differences but alluding to the fact that the difference was also due to AFL governance and management. The inference being that the AFL would not allow it to happen.