hemingway

What do you think that is down to, DS ? Weights or a special diet?

Sam has footy smarts. He does a lot of right things instinctively. Must be in the genes.

We fell along way short of the best clubs. But this was the case across the board. We did not have the staff, coaches, admin and committed young players that we have today. Whats that word again? Culture? As we have seen, you need to have a committed and professional club from top to bottom.

Yep, well played Misso. I liked the way how from the very start, he said it would take several years for the fitness and conditioning program to be effective. There were going to be no short-cuts. Honest and real.

Done his job (well), but a good time for change. Good move for Misso and the Dees.

Fair enough. Buttifant is probably the best in the business so I respect his expert comments. We will be able to measure or assess the impact as the season progresses. Many of our injured players have been doing a lot of running and participating in drills. It may not be ideal but they will have some level of preparation, even guys like Lever. I am more encouraged by the fact that we seem to be taking a cautious approach with our players and giving them the best opportunity to get their bodies right for the arduous season ahead.

Or alternately ......................"the late start to the pre-season, combined with our rehab program .............contributed to having a strong list to choose from and our great finish late season."" Is the glass half empty or half full? Given the long and intense season, I see our late start being beneficial to the back half of the season. Hopefully our days of promising starts, injuries and fade-out mid season are over. Our aim is to peak come finals time not early to mid season.

Bub, don't you remember that bloke with the bad body language who used to play in the forward line. No, not the blonde haired guy, the other one.

Unfortunately, Jag along with most brands have lost their distinctive difference in styling inside and out. How do they market a car that looks like so many others ? World wide competition is so great across the board whether it be top, middle or bottom of the range. All brands can only compete on new sale and resale price along with running cost, and perhaps fashion. Why buy a Jag (unless your an enthusiast and its an old one) over any other brand ? Maybe status, but I can't see Jag in that category any more. Although that could be said for BMW, Audi, Benz etc. In the city these brands are a dime a dozen. In the country its very different and the choice of vehicle is usually Hilux or a Japanese 4wd !! Perhaps someone with more knowledge of cars than me can identify what differentiates Jag.

""We can't ever go back to old things or try and get the old kick out of something or find things the way we remembered them. We have them as we remember them and they are fine and wonderful and we have to go on and have other things because the old things are nowhere except in our minds now."" Only problem is that I have forgotten when I wrote this.

Did I write that ? Amazing how you forget what you have written. Sounds like a complete stranger not old Ernie.

Like everything, who owns who , and who is paying the rent! Its like drinking a craft beer and then noticing that the special imported or local brew you have paid extras for is actually made under licence by one of the conglomerate beer companies. Range Rovers and Jags all the same. That's how much I know about cars.

Like the MFC of the past 50 years, Jaguar had breeding, pedigree and beautiful lines, but just kept breaking down. Now, it has lost its breeding and good looks and can be mistaken for a Ford or any other common car just with a higher price. Don't know why you would buy one. Still prefer the Range Rover to get to the snow. Still, beggars can't be choosers, so at least we have a sponsor for the time being.

Assume Uncle you are on your 5/2 diet with tomorrow a fasting day. Only way to explain your svelte head and face. I assume the rest of your body is similarly splendid. Don't forget your make-up, lippy and dog collar on the way out.

Amazing how quickly I have forgotten Hogan

Depends whether you want to evoke Frederic Henry or Robert Jordan ? I would suggest the former because I regard it as romantic but the latter is definitely a tragedy. So let’s go for life and romance not death and tragedy!

I don't think you want to negotiate. You want to put an offer to him that he will accept. You need to take some risks if you think that the investment is a good one. One that shows that the Club/board has confidence, belief and trust in the man. The promised land is sustained success over the long term. The flag is the icing on the cake but it is not the be all and end all Life is uncertain so nothing is promised but decision makers need to make a decision that considers at minimum the next five years. Personally, when you look at the great clubs of the past, you see a sustained path of success over 20 to 40 years. Every season supporters and media will ask questions based on match results. But we don't want a coach thinking short-term. For success, you must be looking long term to the point where success is expected not anticipated and becomes the status quo not the occasional. Sure I want to see success before I die but i also want to die thinking that my club is going to be successful for ever, for my children, grandchildren and those of all Melbourne Supporters. That the rock known as the Melbourne Football Club will outlive me and last forever into eternity.

Simple difference is that it is Yarra Park which for many years has been seen as sacred ground. The pollies have no trouble backing "safe ground" but Yarra Park and environs is a hot potato. You may have forgotten that when plans were announced back in the mid to late 80s for the erection of light towers, there was a huge backlash from the local residents, community groups and greenies. That was over 20 years ago and pollies have become even more sensitive and cautious in making any decision that will get people off-side.

The lower castes are rising Uncle, beware. Lock the gates and stay inside.

Snobbery is only a recognition of your own failings Uncle.

Also natural air conditioning. But did he have clothes? Does explain the comforts of The Gat some years down the track. Must have seemed like a palace with some well fed rats.

A big one for Mum and Dad and little ones for the kids? You were ahead of your time. Small houses are de rigueur these days. Cardboard boxes are the next step and have many advantages. They are portable, fold up and you have no clutter and can accommodate the kittens. For many people of the sub-continent this is luxury living. On the streets of nasty, capitalistic, Melbourne, home of the real estate agent, land developer and marketing executive, they are becoming aspirational for many left out in the cold. Oh yeah, marvellous Melbourne, the most liveable city in the world. Lets hope our footy team keeps its soul.

Thanks Biff. Just concerned about Red's delusional state. Most on this thread suffer the same malady without the public confession made by Red. As for romanticism, it has been beaten out of me by publishers, ex-lovers, enemies disguised as friends, and my own crumbling state of mind . Alcohol, medication and psychosis has not helped.

No judgment required La Dee. Just two blokes having some fun.

A case of irrigation red clean skins suit your tastes Uncle ? I have an old Italian friend who makes it. Very good paint stripper but also suitable for those with unrefined palates or just an insatiable thirst. Would go down well with your bogan friends in the Manor Estate.