hemingway

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.

Spot on, he keeps going at each contest. amazing football maturity on young shoulders. He also has the capacity to take pressure marks and kick pressure goals. Not only a good head but a cool head. He just has the workmanlike quality that tells you that he will always be there at the contest or in tight situations.

Must admit to hating the term celebrity. They are not heroic, famous or particularly noteworthy. They may be known because they have TV or media credentials but nothing more. Some may think that is noteworthy. I am more interested in the kids, the mums and dads, the unempIoyed and those making an honourable living. I have a little more time for sportsmen and women, writers and musicians. If there is going to be a list of public figures, someone like ex Seeker Bruce Woodley who has been a committed Demon and spectator over the long-term should be on the list. I have more time for the committed rank and file Demon supporters I saw at the G on Friday. By the way I took my Collingwood supporter wife who said she had never seen such passionate and emotional supporters in her life, including the Collingwood army. The outpouring of emotion is a wonderful thing and makes this old game of ours and this old team of ours important and worthwhile. There will be one helluva Demon Army once the train gets up a full head of steam. No doubt at that time the celebrities will come out and identify themselves as Melbourne supporters. Cannot abide fickle supporters,

Breggsy being worried is being a melbourne supporter. worry or anxiety never goes away. only a flag will fix that although there will still be many worrying that we will fall back down to the bottom again. As far as education standards, demonland offers far more than any tertiary institution. it offers a full syllabus on human behaviour and life skills generally. on demonland you have the rich tapestry of life with more characters than an Agatha Christie novel. Your time is well spent.

crouching tiger, hidden demon or in simple meaning never underestimate the enemy.

so you can check out the new girlfriend?

Not just poor form, downright disgraceful. I have more time for the enemy than I do for supporters who boo or deride their own players. Should be excommunicated or put in the bull ring with a few live bulls.

Given your moniker which is one of the best on Demonland, I am not sure if this real love or fictional love. As well as his good looks, Bernie does have long legs and when he lets fly from 50m out with one of those trademark long bombs I do get a tingle up my spine just like when I see a beautiful girl half my age walk down the street in front of me. A bit hard to find here but definitely found on the boulevards of paris and rome.

Although I have contributed to the discussion on Watts, it really is becoming tiresome. He has to play on Friday night particularly after last weeks game. He is obviously going to play so lets hope he has a good game and justifies his spot. However, the match will be a test for the whole team not just Watts. I respect the views of Roos and the coaching staff in regard to his selection. I have great faith in Roos man-management.

. I think my comments have been taken out of context and perhaps should be reread although boredom and time may make this unlikely. But Beezle old chap I hope you are right. I hope for the same outcome but our view of the international importance and priority differ.

A reality check for us all when we look at the Demons so called failures. Thanks Junior a really useful post.

Interesting opinion. I do not agree that we are a superpower, but I do think that Australia is highly respected for its sports governance. Folks such as Kevan Gosper and John Coates are highly respected and have given Australia a reputation as fair and honest brokers in the politics of world sport. I do not think the world is looking to us. It may be a different matter if it was soccer, athletics, cycling or an international sport. However, I am sure people will be watching and there will be a level of interest in the outcome and any precedents it has for team sports. As I mentioned I truly hope I am wrong and WADA appeal.

Actually I think you were probably the best Bobby. I would be happy to see you on the flank today or tunna or barrie, but you might have to cut out the smokes, post training beers, hamburgers and do some extra laps of the oval in order to play as a defensive forward and to learn to run both ways. And you would have to learn all about structures and playing your role. And just as importantly learn the new football lingo so you can follow the coaches instructions and those team mates directing traffic. However, I reckon you would tell them all to get stuffed and just go out and carve them up in your own laconic way.

I retract the word hyperbole your honour mr justice binman.