hemingway

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.

I can see her in the dressing room handing the towels to the boys as they get out of the ice bath. See how they react and how she performs.

Dee, you mean minor speculation. Hogan wanted to go home. I don''t think that''s speculation but the main reason,

Old Dee's last comments suggest that he has been to confession and should be given partial absolution.

Never heard of her. However, it may be that one young gun has something to report.

Oh well, respectful difference is the stuff of interest. Its just good to see his development last season and his impressive role in two finals. Like a plant or tree that you have planted a year or two ago, emerging out of winter in spring bud and emerging flower with the prospect of further growth and beauty as time passes. He strikes me as a young man that has not got ahead of himself and is prepared to work hard to improve his game. We have got a very impressive group of young men that have loads of potential, and who all seem to be level headed, and share in common a good work ethic with great attitudes..

Weideman is going to be a beauty. He has all the physical attributes and skills, and has footy smarts. He seems intelligent, well grounded and level headed. His behaviour and body language on the field is positive and he does the team things well. Also a cool head as we saw in the finals. He’s a team player and seems bonded with his team mates. The reaction from his team mates suggested the feeling is mutual. His attitude and behaviour on the field reminds me a bit of Tom McDonald. He keeps battling irrespective of the score line. He is going to become a very valuable player and will be chased by other clubs no doubt with Collingwood at the top of the list. As you can tell, I’m a huge fan.

Competition for spots is going to be intense assuming that we don’t have a spate of injuries. It will be a challenge for selectors to get the right balance between selecting and playing individuals on form and achieving team stability. It’s a good problem to have. We have come a long way.

Yes, I agree, I do have these moments. Perhaps 3 whiskys too many tonight. Forget the soda. Thanks Moon for keeping me honest.

Bye you precious thing.

Keep it going boys, love the debate with all its feigned outrage.

Your full of surprises Biffen or don’t judge a book by its cover or confuse alter ego from ego. Are you Superman or just a loser ? The jury is undecided.

Not yours BB.

Eating bacon is a sin.

Anyone know Peter Hudson’s conversion rate.

Wow what a manifesto, you seem to have summed up all your ""alternative"" views over the years. Now I fully understand your core beliefs. Pity they are not in common with a progressive or even stagnant society. But they should get you a gig in the Senate or Legislative Council in the future. Although I thought BBO would have been worthy of mention but I suppose his presence has become irrelevant.

Makes me feel very old, even more so when you look at birth dates. Each year, I see these images of new recruits and think how excited and hopeful they appear. The fulfillment of a dream. The dark side is that most of these kids will not make it and be forgotten in time. Chewed up and spat out by the sausage factory that the entertainment industry known as professional sport has become. In the early days we vicariously live their dream as many of us had these same childhood dreams of playing for the Demons or playing Test Cricket for Australia. Before our unreality became our reality. And then later we criticize many of these kids and tear down their dreams with our words. He's a spud, he's soft, he's too slow, he's a turnover king, he's only a depth player, he's a list clogger. How long will it be before we experts make our assessments and condemn these kids with our words ? We will be quick to name the young star with words and labels such as he's a gun, he's a jet, he's elite etc and identify ourselves with the talented ones such as "Clarrie", yet at the same time be quick to condemn others as "spuds."" We live in a fickle world and nothing is more fickle than footy. It would be nice if we supported all our players through thick and thin irrespective of their talents and performance on the field. They could be our sons and they deserve our support and encouragement, knowing that many will face disappointment after a year or two. However, they have been successful in making an AFL list and have experienced training and playing at the highest level. How good would it be to say that you had been on an AFL list. I have met many ex-Demon players that live in the country and played footy with the Dees. Some played a few games and some played more, but they are all proud to have played for the Dees.

Most white urban folk will never fully understand or comprehend the connection that our first Australians have to the wider family or mob, that in many cases has multiple layers and complexities. They bring responsibilities and at times distractions to indigenous footballers and sportsmen. Just as the importance of connection to land is so important. Plying your trade in a city or urban environment away from your family and home town can be very difficult. Having indigenous mentors can help but it is often not the answer. This may not be Jeff's problem but there has clearly been something missing that can't be explained by just loss of form or confidence. Attitude and motivation is impacted and deeply rooted to a persons happiness, emotional psyche, and sense of place.