hemingway

Usually the threads are high jacked as a result of adjectives or the language used rather than the content of the thread. And clearly, personal asides based on posters view of the personality of other posters and their biases more often than not get in the way. Most accept differing views or opinions, but how those views are expressed become the point of argument. Although I suppose for many posters that is the point of interest! I think that most of us would have accepted at the start of the season, indeed even after the Richmond match, that we will not have a good idea of the progress of the team until second half of season. Even end of season, as views seem to differ almost from week to week based on match results. Unfortunately, this is going to be influenced by injuries as much as form.

From elation to depression in a week. From praise and optimism to criticism and negativity. From feeling that "we are back" to "nothing has changed". From feeling tantalized with what's to come to a return of the sadness which has typified the last decade. From feeling that we are watching "the new Demons" to feeling that we are watching "the same old Demons". From feeling proud to feeling humiliated. From feeling that we have more depth and talent to feeling that we have misread the early signs. From feeling that we are on the rise to feeling that we are being left behind. From feeling that Roos has weaved his magic to feeling that Roos has lost his aura. From feeling impatient for more success to feeling fearful of more crippling losses. What a difference a week makes. Will it get better or will it get worse? I hate this feeling. Well we are prepared for the next 2 weeks. Let's take it one week at a time!

Well said ProDee. However, is that a Freudian slip hoping for some sublime tiptoeing around the forward line? Perhaps some subtle humour? Anyway, beautifully written.

Irrespective of the line up on Sunday, we need to start giving match time to either Spencer or Gawn. Either they develop or we trade for a ready to go ruckman, but either way its a priority

In regard to Bernie, I seem to remember that with the Crows he was predominantly an outside player and also with us in 2014. This year he has become an inside player without losing his ability to hurt the opposition on the outside. He has become a complete player with both sides to his game. I assume this change is the work of Roos in turning Bernie into such as asset this season.

An acquaintance of mine knows Colin very well. He has told me over a number of years, that he is a lovely bloke, considerate and respectful of others. This is consistent with other comments about meeting him at off field events. He has decided to retire which is probably a sensible decision. His career at Freo did not work out. In this case, the irony is that he went from a very poor football club to a very good one. He may not have worked hard enough, however, he was up against it when you look at Freo's list. At Melbourne we seem to have turned the corner and we are seeing some guys who were getting games who are now struggling because of the improved list. However, for many years Col was a loyal Melbourne man during the desperate years of failure of the club on and off the field. He like many others over the years failed to live up to his potential. Perhaps as others say he was a lazy footballer or to put it more kindly, did not work hard enough. However, he is not on his Pat Malone. There were many others in that stable of underachievement. However, does that make if okay to pass snide or contemptuous comments about him. He has already achieved more than most on the sporting field. He has failings like anyone. What satisfaction is there in pointing these out. I don't get it. Would some of the posters on this site make these criticisms to his face. I suspect not. We should congratulate him on his footy career and wish him well.

. I seem to have heard that before

BBB, love your optimism, its so good to have youngsters on this site with such a fresh optimistic view of life.

we need a quote from guru bob and we need a new topic to rattle on about.

in a sense i was talking in generalities and principles although I did highlight Howe given the discussion. but the two points you make are undoubtedly valid.

Clearly there is a need for clubs to trade when necessary. However, I have always thought that a club just like any employer needs to be very careful as to who they trade, how they trade and do so understanding the wider ripply effect on the players remaining. They should be judicious and respectful at all times. Many players and their managers might have become greedy and expedient but the clubs should behave professionally and maintain the high moral ground irrespective of the circumstances. We need to build a team for the next 5 years. Some level of attrition and new blood is necessary for success but a club needs to be careful over the turnover rate and the players it trades. Dismissal, redundancies and in this case trades, will always impact those remaining and affect their morale and attitude to their own future. Howe is a good player and at times with his marking ability can be inspirational or at least a team lifter. I suspect that he is well liked by his team mates. I would be very careful at trading Howe irrespective of the trade. If he was adding no value to the team it might be a different matter but at the moment he adds value. Perhaps Shiel or Treloar may provide justification to trade, however, unless Howe wants to go or decides to go for the money in the contract negotiations I would not favour a trade. So from a Club position my starting point would be that "we want to keep you." If he wants out, that is another matter.

great find, and was up with our best against the Suns. Super impressive with good skills, run, and cool under pressure. None of the old Demon traits. Looks like he is straight off the production line with no defects. As others have said, our recent recruiting has been second to none.

Agree guys, I would hope that the club would strongly protest and not offer a limp objection designed to maintain harmony with the AFL. You know the usual diplomatic response, all front but no substance. Do I think that the AFL would care? No. Do I think the AFL media department would care? No. It will have served it's purpose by attracting attention. You know how it goes, emphasize the good and the bad and not think about the consequences. Journalistic standards or responsibility? Forget it. Call me cynical. Afraid so. Any respect for the AFL and the media? Afraid not. As someone else has said on here, what other footballers have been highlighted in this way for their mistakes? It's a little like our own supporters highlighting mistakes of Jacks and not others. It is one thing for a commentator to roll the video as part of an analysis of the game or to highlight one mistake but for the AFL to put this up is poor form.

To be honest Lucifer, I would be happy to see the back of Hird. He is the one who really deserves the fall from grace and public humiliation. Having said that I cannot condone the players who went along with it. The judgement that the players are innocent participants is disgraceful. Try telling that to a professional cyclist operating under the strict rules of the international cycling federation.

Agree with most of the comments which are well balanced. In all contract negotiations, the Club has to make a judgement between the $ demanded by the player or his manager against his worth in a developing team with all the downstream implications for salary relativities between players and the salary cap. You can't blame the player or the club as it has become a ruthless professional business. it has become an expedient business on both sides. Player loyalty needs to be viewed in the context of this increasingly business/dollars driven approach. From a players point of view loyalty only goes as far as the player and his managers view of his price on the open market, just as that call is made by the club. In other words no different from the wider employment market. Sure, we have exceptions where players decide to stay with a club for less $ due to their loyalty and indeed love for the club. Nathan Jones probably fits into that category in the past although now I assume he is being very well looked after. The late great Robbie Flower is another one. Melbourne and all clubs do look after their marque players and pay them well . In this case, loyalty and being paid top dollar have a symbiotic relationship. It seems to me that we cannot demand loyalty or abuse players for lack of loyalty and at the same time take the view or openly argue that a player should be traded because of his perceived greed or lack of value to the team. Most of us still have a romantic notion about club loyalty. However, in today's football meat market this is unwise. We cannot have it both ways.

Beezle, I usually agree with your comments, but with Jack we have to live with it. Jack will be Jack and the opinions are always going to be the same. There will always be debate as to whether the criticism is fair or unfair. Whether he be in a Melbourne jumper or another club's jumper. I hope he remains a Demon and is just one of 22 players contributing to team success,

Although part of me wants to hear no more of Essendon, James Hird and the drug scandal, part of me still wants retribution and to see the pain continue for Essendon, and, in particular, its coach who continues to show no humility or contrition. However, the part of me that still wants retribution is the winner. Let the pain continue for as long as it takes.

The more i think about it, the more i see his absence as a big loss. His dash and goal kicking ability, his toughness, competitiveness and defensive pressure. The reason he did his hammy was that he was running flat chat to catch the Richmond guy running from one flank to another. Absolutely desperate to stop their run. Something we have not seen for a long time until this season. No one from Casey comes close to offering what Kent has.

dwayne is an absolute shocker. everything that is bad about the modern medial commentator, loud, opinionated, arrogant, matey with fellow commentators, and lacking any objectivity or considered analysis. Lowers the median IQ of all bogans. should be calling the country races on one of those dedicated racing stations where opinion is not required.

harsh assessment mo, but it's really about selecting the best available from the pool of possibles for the match in question. You could say the other possibles are average footballers. We are dipping down into the 2s now and the pool of footballers are not the ones we want to see playing. Best fit for the match is the issue. don't disagree about Tyson.

yep agree with you Devil Man. Would be happy to see Riley. Tough nut who will maintain our new founded reputation for toughness and the contest.

Is there any decent footy TV show? they all seem a waste of time, particularly with so much stuff on the net these days most of which satisfy the needs. I am just not watching anything anymore only vision of the games.

what is killing the game for me at the moment or at least reducing my enjoyment of the game is the new electronic signage around the ground. It relentlessly pours out advertising and slogans for the home team. On Friday night viewing the game from the Northern side at least for the first quarter was almost unbearable to the eye. What is particularly annoying is that it goes on continuously during game time. Not even any relief at half-time with the sound of announcements making discussion almost impossible. Headache materail and just another example how these things distract from the game.

There are not many footballers if any that have been subjected to the criticism, negativity, and ridicule as Jack Watts. What concerns me most are the comments from the media (recent comments from Wayne Carey aside). Indeed, I have developed some respect for Wayne as a result of his comments. He had the capacity to look inside himself and ask the question. We should all do the same with Jack. The ridicule of Jack has now gone on for over 5 years. It is not always ridicule or criticism but there are on-going comments about the comments if you know what I mean. The ridicule I find particularly unfair and unreasonable. We would not make these comments of our sons or daughters so why do we think it fair game to make them of some one we do not know. I have vented my frustrations with Jack but it has not made me feel any better only worse. I do not know Jack but he must be very resilient character and have a lot of inner strength. He also must have a lot of support from family, friends and his football club. Fortunately he has the unwavering support of his coach. However, the commentary from others is relentless. People will say well that's the nature of the gig. Public figures just have to cop it. However, most of us would not be able to cop it. It it was a normal work environment, we would pack our bag and leave. We need to remember that we talking about a person not an object. We need to remember the impact that this sort of sustained ridicule and questioning of a persons abilities and character can have on a person. People will say he is a footballer earning big money as a justification for negative comment. I disagree. He is a nice bloke, a decent person. He has feelings, doubts, sensitivities and weaknesses. However, does he deserve all the comments that are made of him? He is not a murderer, rapist or drug dealer. I am seriously concerned about the impact that this must be having on Jack, the person. A decent and kind individual. To all those Jack critics think before you comment. How would you feel if people were making these comments about you or a family member? I would not blame Jack for walking away from the game. I am concerned that he might. It is a real option for him. I don't want to see that happen but it may be the best thing for him. We all want to be be treated with respect, kindness and consideration. We should show some to Jack.

damn that's bad news but it did look bad at the time but I was hoping for 6-8w. as we know there is no quick fix for hammys unfortunately, only time and very careful management. he has an explosive style of play so this will be a major consideration in injury management. cannot afford for it to happen again in the same spot. hammy's also worry me more than knees in terms of the inherent weakness of having a bad one and the liklihood of recurrence. would be a disaster to rush him back for any reason although with the demons careful injury management this is unlikely.