hemingway

The complexity, rules and everything else associated with the administration of this game is a dogs breakfast. Perhaps I am getting old and cranky and this ever changing landscape is designed by marketing gurus to appeal to a new and young demographic. Increasingly I feel the game is being run by second rate executives who have to have a new soundbight every day to justify their obscene salaries. They think that the lemmings that follow the game have attention spans of half a second and need instant gratification. This is undoubtedly the future but at the same time something gets destroyed. The essence and soul is destroyed as TV executives, sponsors and all those on the greedy gravy train think it’s progress. Its becoming like reality TV with a blurring of the lines so we don’t really know what’s going on. Simplicity and the fundamentals of sports administration has gone out the window so we now just watch, listen and observe a circus like sport. Ultimately, it will consume itself. The loyal supporters of the game will drift away to be replaced by consumers who will chose their entertainment based on a range of variables. But the true simplicity of the game and its appeal is slipping away each year into the quicksand. And it will not return. Historians will then try and untangle where it all went so wrong.

It’s shaping up as the most competitive list we have had since.......I don’t know when. The battle for spots is going to be on for young and old. Sure there will be injuries and form lapses but still looking that it’s going to be tight for spots on the flanks, wings and midfield.

I have watched plenty of fights over the years and been in a few in my younger days, but it was one of the lamest excuses for a boxing match that I have witnessed. Simply disgraceful. And it was with gloves on! [censored] Cats. Try bare knuckle fighting.

The fix was on. Its boxing.

Come on Dee Dee, you can’t be serious. Probably still waiting on his new desk and coffee table. He was up and about for Natalie Portman. Good to see he’s got his priorities sorted out so quickly. I suspect the difficulty that Pert will have is that he is going to be compared against Jackson and his achievements. His contribution may be hard to measure unless he has a big showpiece achievement like MFC training and admin set up.

Agree Adam, Bitters has dropped his alter ego and sounds well......intelligent and normal. Who would have guessed that behind the mask lies an astute football judge. Regarding the player his bulk worries me. He is clearly a solid boy but I'm sure less bulk would benefit his game and make him less susceptible to injury particularly knee injury.

For some reason, I have never liked number 1. Bit like 31 post RDB. Or 13. In the old days, MFC did not use 13. So remove 1,31 and 13 please.

Sounds like a Liberal Party celebration. The boys doing a pub crawl. I would suggest quotas be introduced immediately.

Or have chook for breakfast!

Agree with your second sentence. Despite all the speculative opinions, we don't know what else may have affected his form. And I am not a fan. But, I can see the sense in allowing him to play another season given his contract status. Even if we see some Garlett magic in 2019, we will need to see consistent Garlett magic for him to be selected and retained in the team. And that means doing so at Casey first. We know that competition for spots is going to be intense.

so I was adam

He was also the last person to see poor Natalie Wood alive and perhaps the first to see her dead.

completely agree

Now that is well reasoned Jim. And I think I would concur on the 4 years.

Its an interesting one. Remember that its only half a season ago that there were more critics than supporters and even the media were asking questions. Goodwin's improved status came on the back of half a dozen games. Cycles and perception of performance are a constantly moving feast and the critics will be back in a flash if team performance is below expectations or Goody's game plan is superseded by new game plans ? Based on those half dozen games do you reward Goodwin with a long term contract such as 6 years or go for a more conservative period of 3 or 4 years and maybe throw in the option to renew at the end of that period ? Perhaps Goodwin himself may prefer a shorter contract ? Its unlikely but possible. Is it possible that the Demons could go off the rails or simply not make the improvement everyone is now predicting. Particularly given that many believe that anything short of a flag will be a fail. What happens if Goodwin himself has some sort of crisis and a replacement needs to be found ? Giving him a long term contract such as 5 or 6 years would be a vote of confidence and provide stability. At the same time, a long term contract may encourage other members of his coaching panel to ply their trade elsewhere with more opportunities. Is the coaching panel hiding a potential top-line coach? Long term contracts will not stop dissatisfaction and rumours (both inside and outside the club) if the Dees performance tails off. What happens if the President and the Board changes or there is a falling out between President/Board and Goodwin a la Norm Smith? You have to be very happy with a coach or any employee to offer a long term contract. The are many variables and things are in a constant state of flux. You have to be happy to the point of not having any doubts that he is the right guy. Are we sure he is the right guy and will you still feel the same way if expectations are not met in 2019?

Me too OD, although its a case where the ego doesn't protect the body against car metal and bitumen. Indeed, the ego would also be a bit dented. He keeps forgetting that hes not the golden boy anymore.

I am not the mind, and I am not the spirit soul, but gee I reckon my body's awesome. Remember that I am only chasing a ball around an oval. Apologies to all the Sadhu's and yoga and mindfulness devotees .

Never thought I would say it about you BBO, but thoughtful and insightful comments.

Well said, although I disagree that his form was “awful.”

That's a pity OD, we should have a single malt one day and talk about The Creator, but leave aside stories of the confessional and the men in black.

And fortunately BBO, Natalie has never heard of you or the Manor.

Outstanding achievement by Jackson and Co. Not an easy task. An increase spend on the footy department, improved performance on and off the field, and still able to show a profit. Shows that Jackson and his team were smart strategic managers as well as capable administrators.

Hmm, quite right, I was not thinking of a beauty contest DL. . These faces look like they could punish and be punished and not be worried about their looks.

The new kiddies seem to have faces made for football.

With his long lens camera, I think not.