hemingway

I think at times, you need to look beyond statistics and see what other attributes a player brings to the game. Hunt and Spargo are two such players, They have deficits and disposal is certainly one. However, I would rather see players have a real crack and who are always running and chasing or at the contest, irrespective of the score line or tempo of the game. These two guys play with a passion for the contest that many others don't. And as I said somewhere else, you can see that these guys lift and inspire others. They are natural competitors who don't overthink situations or drop their bundle. I was watching Spargo and whilst he had few possessions he was always running, chasing, giving opponents a bit of lip and hip, and chasing a Tiger over the boundary line. I would have these guys in the side over more polished but less committed players. They have the X factor.

I went to Shepparton to look at a couple of players close-up. Oliver was one of those players. He may not be a brilliant high mark or play with the dash of others. He is not a Dusty Martin or a Robert Flower but as I watched the game I began to realize that this son of Mooroopna is already one of the great players of the MFC and a future great of the game. Outstanding people in life have a unique set of skills that set them apart from others. It is an hereditary trait. It can't be practiced or copied. If you think of all the great footballers over time, they were unique and special. The Tigers have Dusty and we had Robert Flower. When thinking of Flower it is with the privileged memory of a player whose like we will never see again. We have some great young footballers. However, they do not all possess a distinguishing characteristic that makes the way they play unique. Angus Brayshaw is a ball magnet but I would not walk over hot coals to watch him play. But I would walk over hot coals to watch Oliver. Wiseblood, Clint and Tony have described his attributes perfectly. What amazes me watching him is his mind-body connection. The speed of his brain, the assessment of the situation, the decision making and the speed in which he uses his body and hands to possess the ball and do something with it is unbelievable until you see it. He is so quick that unless you are fully focussed, you miss it. And this speed means that his opponents miss it and also miss his delivery. You don't know where the ball is going to go. As others have pointed out he is often to quick for his team mates. As a result of his unique skills, Oliver is almost impossible for opponents to counter and match up, at least for the whole game. Oliver may be held or his influence reduced, but he will still manage to break out and do something special. His speed of decision making and action is something that I have not seen before. It is beyond belief.

Oliver is a superb footballer. Like Dusty he is a rare talent. Not as flashy as Dusty but equally as effective. A footballers footballer.

Went to the game to take a look. Not too worried. Lacked structure and lacked leadership. A few of our key players would have made a huge difference. Disappointments for me were Preuss, Petracca m, Neal Bullen and Tommy. The fringe players looked like fringe players. They looked lost. There is no way they can ruck Preuss with Gawn. Tommy could not leap or run in his usual manner. And Petracca is not fit enough to play 4q. He is a burst player and unless something changes he is going to be a wasted talent. I have to say that after quarter time the boys looked like they had turned off. Despite criticism by some, Spargo has a red hot go and is a team lifter. He’s a must for me. Brayshaw has a fantastic work ethic and ball getter and has no fear, Harmes also. But there were many passengers. What ever his injury, Jeffy is not going to make it. Nothing has changed . Don’t kid ourselves though, the Tigers were only idling. They had a lot in reserve. Not much fiercely contested footy as you would expect in a practice match.

Tommy Mac having a shocker

His backside is his most prominent feature OD

More like a broken arm

Gee this looking likes half arsed effort.

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.