hemingway

They had more composure and better disposal skill than I have seen for a long time. Garlett and lumumba add leg speed and class. First gamers Newton and Brayshaw showed composure and looked like they belong. Hogan is only going to get better. Having said that GC was poor defensively. But a great feeling at the end of the match.

agreed praha, a good summary

Beelze, hope you are getting away at Easter for a long well deserved break. Dr Ernie recommends no access to Demonland.

The Northey years were pretty good. Some memorable moments.

noble comment 3D but I have watched to many games where Ablett has absolutely smashed us. one player beating a whole team. much prefer that he was not playing and we start the season with a win.

"considering how much better a supporter i am than you" really TD, childish comment, unnecessary and ridiculous. thought you were better than that.

reading the Hun this morning is like a bad April Fools Day joke. Truly a sickening revulsion awaits the uninitiated. For those of you who have not picked up this abhorrent little rag. One word of advice. DONT.

yes curry most of us feel this way. it's a bit like going to see a bullfight hoping for the bull to win but knowing that's not going to happen. but hope is eternal.

Correct Nut and the players to this day do not know what they were injected with. Their future health in jeopardy or at very least at risk, all in all a damning situation.

unrequited love?

Has today's decision unhinged some previously sensible and articulate posters. Some of the stuff I have been reading on this topic post decision is ridiculous. I know you are intelligent and sensible people most of the time but this topic has got to you. Anger is winning over rationality.

possible HH but nothing is certain.

why is it that I feel a little sick in the stomach?

I certainly care. If either of my sons came home stoned or drunk I would certainly care. I know standards in society might be dropping but there is no excuse for professional sportsmen to turn up drunk or stoned. How sportsmen train and play is affected by how they prepare and how they look after their health. It also tells you a lot about their personal standards and how seriously they take their profession or sport. As a supporter we should expect that our club and its players are seeking to attain the highest standards in regard to preparation and playing. .

wow great analysis and reasoning GRRM.

the teams playing attractive footy are top teams that have a surplus of talent, speed and skills. they can still play ugly footy when required. we don't have the talent, speed and skills. in regard to Roos brand of footy lets wait and see how the season unfolds before we condemn him prospectively on his brand of footy

We are still a cellar dweller I understand the concern about his development and not wanting to rush him into the side. But we are no Hawthorn and we need to win games of footy. Also Angus is no Jack Watts. I put him in the same camp as Salem, give him game time as appropriate and needed. The main criteria for me is whether he is in our best 22. We have to play our best 22 week in week out. We need to win games of footy.

precisely OD. widespread abuse across the game over a long time. no clubs are immune.

gee junior glad its not MFC rather than EFC. permanently sedated and placed in institutional care?

nice to see differences of opinion without ego and posters getting personal.

Appreciate this explanation. Totally agree with your conclusions except I think Gil does get it. Yes, he is acting like the boss of his schoolyard gang as he is protecting his backyard and his job. He knows which side his bread is buttered on. By looking after one of his most powerful constituents he is looking after himself. The AFL and the clubs are mutually dependent on one another. In behavioural terms, it is difficult to go from being a mate (to AFL Presidents and their clubs) to taking a hard line decision that will end that comfortable relationship. However, as you say, this is different from the normal run of in-house issues. ASADA and WADA provide that difference. One way or another this is going to change the paradigm and challenge the way in which the AFL and clubs deal with issues of a drug related nature.

Compared to the doubt expressed by others your certainty and clarity continue to give me cause for optimism. I must admit to being a born cynic. However you give me hope old chap. You are much better than my shrink. Thank you Dr Beelze.

true, I was just getting wistful OD although I was past my prime by then. In fact I was well past my prime! I had gone very cold indeed.

I am sure old dee remembers the liberating days of the introduction of the oral contraceptive pill when men could throwaway their overcoats and plunge into the abyss without fear....and women could well "feel good."

A lot has been written about Schwab. It is difficult to know the truth. Indeed the truth is subjective. I think Schwab was a creative thinker perhaps even a dreamer but in his later years was given too much power without the proper reporting lines and control by the board. It is easy to be swayed by the dreamer and their persuasive ability. I think he was probably a bit of a loner but had some powerful friends. What we do know was that he was a divisive figure that did not have the personality and interpersonal skills to bring people together. Perhaps it was about personal power and influence and he did appear to work in a Machiavellian manner. Not unusual trait in sporting club officials and other organisations. However, at the same time, he served the club for many years in a loyal capacity. He has not come out post his departure and denigrated the club. He has been dignified in his silence.