hemingway

So that means you will be going to the game?

Can you tell me what those experiments are ? I would be reassured if I saw some evidence of his experiments but I cannot see them.

We have the memory of the excitement of those two finals match and the belief that we were seeing the future. An exciting team with a brave coach going places. We forgot the Perth game, thinking it was an aberration that would be erased. We had a coach that said as much by admitting that they had not talked about THAT game. The warmth of summer and the comfort zone of the track and the reports of good things are now behind us and we entered the Ides of March with the hope that we would see the continuing emergence of our once great footy club as a power in the land. That we had a coach and a bunch of players who would rewrite our history, who could take us on a magical journey to finals and flags. We took pride in reading media reports and walked into the G for the first match with a spring in our step and a wonderful feeling of excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, we forgot that there were 17 other clubs all with the opportunity, talent and commitment to create their own history. After 2 matches and the vision of many more via TV, we see the talent of other clubs and the competitive nature of their game. Christ almighty, there are at least 10 to 12 clubs that have improved or are still competitive and are capable of beating us. We see midfields as good as ours, defensive and forward zones that are better than ours, outside runners that are quicker than ours, teams that have less injuries and are fitter than ours, teams that are taller than ours, and game plans that seem more effective than ours. Suddenly, the draw and finals footy looks like a mountain. Even playing Essendon with zero wins and media ridicule, we look shaky. Every game looks ominous. We no longer look like we will dominate and all we have seen to-date are two teams that dominated us. We look second rate and at times simply embarrassing. At the start of the season we thought we had a good chance to be 2-0 or at least 1-1. We thought our strength of character and team spirit would be on display at Geelong. Well we did have more inside 50s than the Cats, but we were still beaten by a whopping 80 points. I am sorry but I cannot see any positives from the Geelong match. We roll our eyes with the comments of captain and coach. We have heard the words all before. How can a team that loses by 80 points turn it around in 6 days, with injuries and players underdone. We have the realization that individuals are not the answer. Petracca, May, KK, Preuss etc. Even Maxy for all his super powers can be nullified. The thought of losing to the Bombers is unthinkable but a real prospect. I don't know what the answer is. There is no doubt that our preseason injuries and fitness levels have affected us. Many players are underdone. But the competitive nature of the competition means that we need to rediscover our mojo very quickly. If we go 0-5 down, it will almost be season over. Players confidence will be rock bottom. However, sudden turnarounds are possible. But the players will need to believe in themselves, believe in the team, believe in the coach and believe in the game plan. And believe that we can and will win.

I do love you Uncle in a platonic way of course. I think that lurking behind that coarse exterior and fantasy world of depravity, there is a sensitive, intelligent older man who really does like gardening and fine wine. In my case, I have not accepted the new world of diverse sexuality or LGBTI. I still like to think a man is a man and a woman a woman, and behave accordingly. So I love you as a man loves a man in the old world way. Perhaps its called mateship without the bonding.

Pessimistic tonight. Our top players are underdone compared to the Cats. And, the Holy Trinity along with Hawkins, Taylor and Co will want revenge after the semi. And in front of a baying crowd of fans. A couple of new faces for the Dees also underdone. My optimism is that despite tonight we will get a lot better as the season progresses, we just need to win some games to keep us in touch. Anyone going tonight at that windswept hole of a ground surrounded by one of the worst group of supporters needs a Bravery Award or other compensation.

Sometimes you surprise me Dr Jekyll.

Adam, I usually agree with you. And believe me I want to agree with you on this but it is very difficult. Petracca is a lazy footballer. In the old days, he would have been called a prima donna. I have never watched him on the training track but to be successful you have to have the right attributes on and off the track. He does not work hard enough for longer enough and that's why I regard him as lazy. He has to play forward because unless you can run all day, you can't play in the midfield. He has not the speed or the endurance to play anywhere but on a flank or pocket and even then he does not have the speed or endurance to be a constant threat.

Games like this want to make you cry for what the game has become. As for the umps. They never improve but it has become worse now that they are miked up and they actually think they are important. They are a pitiful breed.

The other difference is that De Goey is a match winner and Petracca is not.

Petracca is looming as the biggest disappointment at the Club over recent years. Like many, when I first saw him in a Melbourne jumper, I was excited and wrapped that we snatched him away from the Saints. For a kid that promised so much, apart from a few cameo moments, his inability to develop into the player he could be is a huge disappointment. Lets face it, at many other clubs he would be strolling around a local ground smelling the grass. Many of us have been hoping each week to see a change, to see a break-out game. However this season he turns up overweight, unfit with little sparkle. I am sure he will pop up for a brief highlight or two, but his lack of development as a top line player now has a permanent look about it. He has the potential to be a match winner but it just has not materialised or even got close. Perhaps his off-season surgery can explain his condition and poor form in the opening match, but unless his form tuns around quickly, Casey beckons. Rather than an excitement machine, he has become a disappointment machine. Once there may have been a favourable comparison with De Goey but not now.

great summary

At times we get seduced by the glamour of AFL footy, but these incidents highlight the ever present risk of season ending injury, and, perhaps in Lyndon's case, career ending injuries. There is always the risk like the devil lurking in the shadows, of fate intervening to take you down a path that no one wants to take. Lyndon's career has been one of persistence and determination. It's good that he finished his playing career (if indeed he has) playing good footy in a good team. His development and growth as a person should hold him in good stead for an opportunity in the non-playing footy world.

Another example of the winning side dominating uncontested possessions.

The wish of the AFL and broadcasters to have Hird involved in the game is obvious to all. Yes, I know forgiveness is an important aspect of our lives and part of the moral underpinning of society, however it's a bit rich when you welcome back someone that has been involved in activity that has deliberately broken the governing rules of sport and its moral code. "Cheating" is as bad as it gets. However, if Wayne Carey can return to the game as a respected commentator after his activities, anything is possible. I suppose, it just highlights that commercial interests are paramount. Sadly, it is also proof that the ethical and moral standards of footy and all sports have declined.

At the same time, BB he remains in our best 22 and will do so for the season. However, the question becomes what about 2020 ?

Agree with your comments Chook. At the same time, we had a whole team of players making mistakes throughout the game. Many players making more mistakes than Jones. The focus on Jones is a bit unfair, but was highlighted as a mistake due to the late stage in the match and the consequences of the turnaround. If Sparrow had kicked the goal then it would have been different. The fact is the team was playing poorly and trying to scrabble its way back into a game that could have been well outside its reach if Port had kicked more accurately. In the second half, Port was the superior side, looked like the likely winner, and the Dees were playing catch up. Jones's decision making and disposal has always been poor, or at best, fair to middling. Never endowed with pace, I think he has got slower and he is being caught more easily. He reminds me a bit of Ablett, however, Ablett's reading of the play and his skills are a cut above those of Nate.

get out of town quickly.

It seems to me that he is stating the truth or the bleeding obvious, it will be a massive challenge to win at the Geelong fortress. Geelong after a good win, some of their match winners in form and the capacity Geelong crowd baying for blood. And lots of easy frees from the umpires who will respond to the noise. Of course, if our mob has some backbone it might work to our advantage.

In the first 15 minutes the crowd support was building but after that it was very deflating to see the rubbish being played on the ground. Very hard to get excited over a slow, listless and mistake ridden team. No energy no enthusiasm spread to the Demon crowd. I started watching from the MCC balcony, which was a mistake as you are detached and folks are more concerned about heading to the long room for refreshments and ensuring they observed the protocol of having a seat ticket, a bit like going to the Opera. And frustratingly, no-one says anything ! Its as if barracking on the balcony is frowned upon. Frowns came my way when I voiced support for the team and also my anguish. Went down to the bottom deck hoping to reboot my enthusiasm levels only to find the same mute Demon crowd. Not even the angry cries of "your hopeless......."" Although in fairness, it was difficult to discern which one of the 20 hopeless players to abuse. At the end of the day, my main disappointment was how the Club had blown a great opportunity to encourage Demon supporters through the gates. On the train coming in and on the walk-in to the G, I felt buoyed by the large number of Demon fans and their palpable anticipation and excitement. All those fans decked out in the colours who had made the long journey from country towns to watch their side. It reminded me of the feeling before the two finals games. A feeling that we finally had a footy team to be proud of and one we could anticipate winning. Looking forward to singing the song before and after the game. Alas 30 minutes later that energy and enthusiasm had evaporated, and, after the brief exhilaration of the two finals, it was like a return to "here we go again." .

Unlikely that Viney will play and if he does he will be struggling to catch Ablett and thats saying something. Of the holy trinity, I think Ablett will be the big threat at KP. I think his possessions are much more damaging that the Dangerman.

When I reread your comments this morning, there is nothing that I disagree with. I thought your tone was a bit over the top but again this morning it seems appropriate.

And you did not get a Nobel Prize for grace or courtesy. But you did get one for professional snobbery. I hope you feel better.

Oh give me the off season any day, where we have our hopes, dreams and expectations, so much better than the cold reality of defeat and pessimism. One game in and I am sick already of the footy media, pundits, ex-players, second rate journos spruiking their half baked opinions and angles on the game and the fortunes of clubs. I am already in shut down mode on all the external stuff.

Foot injuries can be easily diagnosed but difficult to know how long to rest. The injury can appear healed and then suddenly recur without warning. Those who have had plantar know that you can think your right only to realise that the pain or discomfort can sometimes be only a step away. A little like achilles injuries. Rest and rehab are key components to recovery, but for a professional footballer or any sportsperson, rest is the saviour but also the enemy. The longer the rest the more chance of recovery but try telling that to anyone who has a burning desire to be back on the ground. It would take a brave coach or club doctor to say to a player that they will not be allowed to train or play for 12 months or more. Impossible. For most recreational sportsmen and women, surgery is the last resort whereas for professional footballers it is normal and expected. If you don't do it, Clubs will be criticised. Everyone will ask "why was something not done sooner" when for most of us, it is the last resort. One thing's for sure. You should try and rehab the injury to avoid surgery, because if you embark on surgery, you still need to rehab afterwards. Once you start limping, you know there is a problem that can't be remedied by pain killers.

Yes, and body builder unable to sprint. I went to Shepparton and was shocked at CPs condition. He was as overweight as I have seen and looked like a park footballer that had wandered onto the ground by mistake. Unfortunately, this makes him look a lazy footballer as he cannot chase or break away from his opponent. Sadly, I think he is only ever going to be a "burst player" but unfortunately even his ability to play in bursts is hampered by his poor physical condition.