hemingway

IDees very ragged and being belted at ground level. And sorry to say but Petracca looks slow, overweight and not that interested.

Cotchin is starting to annoy me. Did you see the hairstyle and get up? Not your typical Tiger thats for sure.

Seems strange to me Dee. If you have ever run through snow its a difficult exercise because of uneven ground and uncertainty about footfall. Does not seem like a controlled exercise at all. I would prefer him at home under the supervision of local medicos/rehab people. Being o/s and earning big bucks does not mean anything.

No hosanna in excelsis for you Red ? If Dusty can develop a spiritual life there is hope for all of us. Certainly nothing spiritual about a banana, only sense gratification.

Have a look at Cochins hair. Clarry looks at least masculine.

Diets never work because they can’t be maintained. Balanced eating is the only long term solution. However, fasting has been around for thousands of years as a recipe for good health. But these guys are professional footballers who need to eat sensibly, and eat healthy food in the right proportions particularly in the 48 hour period before games. Losing weight is beneficial for running but you need to know what you are doing. You would hope that the players in question are doing so in consultation and with the advice of Club doctors. It would be a concern if a couple of guys were doing it off their own back.

The biggest challenge will not be driving up the highway or standing in the heat, but it will be avoiding the Richmond fans who are up and about again. Just say over and over again to yourself ""this is just a practice game, this is just a practice game, and it does not count.."

Sorry to be pedantic Sir (although I was reading yesterday, how the use of this term is not PC), but Lance Armstrong was the most professional of all the professionals on the world cycling tour and weighed his own food before each meal . He was absolutely obsessed and scrupulous with his training and preparation but had no problem doping.

Gill and his mates at AFL House make Max and The Chief look completely sane and sensible. Or perhaps it's just that Max and The Chief are not trying to impress anyone and do not take themselves seriously.

Very balanced OD. I feel the same way, although if MFC enjoys a sustained period of success and wins a flag, this may change!

Definitely (c)

Is this really you Uncle ? Not your usual salacious contribution, Uncle. Indeed you sound remarkably sane. Can only assume it was your alter ego at Gosch's

Lets hope so. Would be happy to see the big Prussian getting a hit out, rest Max, and even Tom.

Your almost as old, creaky and dusty as me OD. As Leonard said to Marianne, i'm just behind you, if you stretch out your hand I will touch it. Hopefully plenty of celebratory single malts this season.

On days of extreme heat and wind, don't know why you would not bring forward training to an earlier time, such as 8.00 and be finished by 10.00. If I was planning to run or ride my bike this morning I would be out early.

Good points. If you do not submit or agree to be drug tested, you should not be allowed to play. Otherwise, players and managers will exploit the rules. Imagine, a sprinter in the final of an Olympic 100m final refusing a drug test on the grounds of mental health. A cyclist in the TDF arguing that he can't be drug tested because he suffers from anxiety etc.etc etc. Serious mental health issues need to be taken seriously and treated, but it has nothing to do with drug testing..

I know what you mean, my past wives and mistresses suggested the same thing. Really a win win.

In that case, perhaps you can have a long sojourn from March 23 to September 29.

I am actually reassured by Mick's assessment. Would have been concerned if he had tipped us. At the end of the day, I have no interest in what the tipsters have to say.

Norm went to Fitzroy as Captain Coach.

Just had another look at the photo. A very abstemious lot.

The life long friendships and bond that come from successful teams and premierships. Great champions playing in great teams. These legends deserve to see another flag and should be on the ground to celebrate and be acknowledged by the current players and fans.

Interesting discussion. From childhood we are taught that cheating is wrong. Therefore, the majority view the taking of performance enhancing substances as cheating. And we pass judgement. Cheats are people that break the rules. But it is not that simple. Some substances are banned, some not. Sports scientists around the world are always looking to find or develop substances that improve performance. When steroids were exposed the science and the sportspeople had moved on to EPO, and, later still, growth hormone and similar substances. So the line between banned and non banned substances is thin, despite the fact that non banned substances may improve performance. Caffeine for example. But we don't regard drinking coffee or taking caffeine pills before an event as cheating. Most sports participants consume or take supplements that they think will improve performance and the chance of winning. Some are banned, some not. Often the moral question is blurred by the view that everyone else is doing it, therefore making it more acceptable. In regard to illicit recreational drugs, there are those that think it is wrong and should be punished. And in most cases it is a criminal offence. There are others that regard taking drugs as a normal and acceptable pastime. The use of marijuana is a case in point. Marijuana can be pleasurable and safe for some and also can assist those in pain and with mental illness. Yet at the same time, it can damage peoples health and well being. In some cases these recreational drugs can improve physical performance. In other cases, it can adversely affect performance. What's, the answer ? Like all health issues, information and education can assist. Drug testing and punishment only goes so far and will never eradicate the behaviour. Human nature being what it is, many will continue to take substances that make themselves feel better, improve performance and in the case of sport, give themselves an advantage, whether it is viewed as cheating or not In some cases, it can lead to the ravages of addiction. Cousins is an example of a life destroyed.

I don’t care where he plays but this kid should always be in the team. He’s a beauty and there is a hint of Robbie.

You make some good points. We are all biased to a degree but I have confidence in club culture and the standards set by leaders such as Jones, Viney, Jetta etc. Both the perception and inside goss is that these guys are absolute leaders and sticklers about standards and having professional behaviours. They are squeaky clean guys who do not stand for sub standard behaviour. And we have seen their influence on the kids and one or two trades.