hemingway

If you don't mind Uncle, you make two wrong assumptions, that I am both dead and an alcoholic. I prefer to be referred to as a "discerning dead alcoholic" I have had periods of abstinence but to borrow the lyrics from my old friend Leonard, "I fought against the bottle but I had to do it drunk." But that's no reason for a reprobate like you to be discourteous.

Good call. Tassie was a great player. Good overhead both mark and spoil, beautiful kick and tough as nails. Looked like a film star with his great physique and slicked back jet black hair. One of the few players that could keep John Peck quiet and not be intimidated by him. I seem to remember Peck saying that had great respect for Tassie and was one of the best FB. Along with Bernie Massey his drop kicks had to be seen to be believed. You would pack the stands every week if you had a defender like Tassie drop kicking from the square. Tassie occasionally went up forward but later on in his career (and after the demise of Graham Wise) spent much of his time in the ruck. A small ruckman (6.1/6.2) he was very effective at centre bounces due to his positioning skills. In fact when you think back to those days, one realizes how many great skills and attributes of the game have been lost as we have moved further along the path of this hybrid game of part rugby, part soccer and part basketball. Despite statistics trotted out by the AFL, I meet more and more people who are so disillusioned with the way the game is played that they no longer attend or have lost interest altogether.

A little out of date Earl. I should update my bio, but I don't want to give my cover away. For that reason, I avoid Facebook, Linked In and all those other sites for pretenders and boasters. In that case, why do I post on this site? I find myself surrounded by a bunch of amiable folks who share a passion whilst at the same time share their eccentricities. . Sure there are the the boasters, the self-opinionated, the egotists, the argumentative, the grumpy, the depressed, the whingers, the crazy optimists, the dwellers of the cellars of the past, and indeed ,the psychotic, but overall a like able bunch of ratbags. I have found it much easier to pretend that I someone else to avoid editors, revengeful women, drinkers, no-hopers, pretenders, neo- fascists, last ditch commos and simply those who want to do me harm. One day we will run into one another and I will buy you a lemon squash.

Unfortunately turned out they were fake diamonds.

Can't see it. This is a young ambitious man with intelligence and talent to have a very successful career and life. I think he will move on. He has played at the highest level and been a Co/ Captain if an AFL side. I can't see him being content to play with Casey in the VFL or returning to Sturt. He is way too ambitious. The SANFL these days is small time. The clubs are struggling to survive and spectators sparse. Apart from the diehards, the locals are consumed by the successes of the Crows and Port. I can only see Jack staying in the game if he is drafted by another AFL club and that must be considered unlikely.

Don't go there Uncle. You know the boys and girls in blue and also those in plain clothes and raincoats visit this thread. Its not Redleg or other Rake like legal eagles that you need to worry about many of whom are as shady as a driveway of elm trees on a country estate.

Frog, the well of personal issues would be too deep and sinister for Uncle. No amount of rehab would ever work because Uncle would need to admit to his problems and face his demons. Remember that Uncles "normal" is not anyone else's normal. The only rehab that has worked for me was dealing with alcohol, and then to borrow a line, "I had to do it drunk".

What the hell are you talking about? Don't worry I don't need to know. Life is slipping by. I just executed a mosquito and realised that may be me in my next life. But it was good while it lasted. Reincarnation can be a wonderful thought except that it requires a virtuous current life. I now ache in the places that I used to play, so perhaps there is hope. The beast is tamed. Sorry Leonard. I will explain when I see you. I spend all my days listening to your music and reading your poetry. It's nice to think you will love forever in the Tower of Song. It is a reassuring thought that there will be no MFC or Demonland in my next life but I suspect Jack Watts will pop up perhaps standing by the bar and telling us what went wrong at Port Adelaide. Don't worry Jack, we all know......you went to Adelaide to live.

You may not be a religious man OD but you strike me as a spiritual one.

Depends on your equity Bub. That's from the worst financial manager in the world.

TEX did not cover himself with glory on grand final day. A time for him to shine both during match and after match and he failed. Defeat is a test of character and strength. Not the behaviour of a good leader or Captain.

I would prefer under your wing than in your hands Uncle. We would not want him exposed to any undesirable influences that may distract him from the main game.

I notice with some concern that young Lever comes from Romsey. Perhaps we should be suggesting to the club that they keep him in close reach and only allow brief chaperoned visits back home. One would not want our star recruit wandering up any alleyways or country lanes. He is not in need of any distractions or introductions to the local fauna.

There are not heaps of top line players available each year. When they are, most clubs want them. When you have a top liner like Lever with proven ability and attitude you have to go for it. We have all seen the difference one top grader can make to a team. Draft picks can be hit or miss. Oliver is a beauty but the field is littered with the bodies of the failures irrespective of the wraps on them prior to drafting. So far this season, Lever is the pick of the bunch. A proven track record and still developing. There is no guesswork or luck involved in the choice. We may need another forward, midfielder or ruckman but the young man is a champ. The only risk is serious injury and that can be said for all players that step onto the turf. Despite the debate about what we have given up, the risk is worth it. All success requires risk. You have to be in it to win it and watching his highlight reel is bloody well exciting. And it is a credit to the Dees that he has chosen us. And those involved in his recruitment should be given a big pat on the back and not receive criticism.

A good analysis. the comparison is a useful exercise and provides perspective. Also agree that "as we get better we'll have other players keen to join."" In any negotiated outcome, there are differences of opinion. A good outcome is one where both sides feel they have had a win or gained something from it. in order to get the outcome we wanted (get Lever) we had to trade. It could be better or worse, only time will tell, but to criticize Mahoney and the club for their efforts is unreasonable. If the Lever deal had fallen through, no one would have been happy.

Indeed. That is for judge and jury. Fortunately, if BBO does require representation, Red or his barrister will not be required to make any moral judgement or establish whether he is telling the truth. However, his legal representation might have a breakdown sifting through the evidence and attempting to establish a defense. However, I have know barristers like Rake, perhaps paler imitations, that sleep very well at night.

Sounding more like Rake every day Redleg. Soliciting for clients like BBO will not help your reputation unless you are changing your line of business. Although everyone mellows in old age, so BBO might not be so bad as a client but getting the truth from him may be difficult. Still better than the Melbourne underworld.

No need. As sure as night follows day, his day will come. In any event he has already destroyed himself personally and professionally.

His improvement over the year reflects well on Jake and the coaching staff. It shows what can happen when a player is given a chance by being regularly selected rather than being dropped after a game or two. Another one that fits this bill is ANB. In both cases, the players were able to develop confidence and form and reward a coach who was prepared to back them. Finding the right position was also key.

Grapefruit juice is bitter, cleansing and accordingly to Uncle very refreshing after a good flogging.

And a couple of other peccadillos but nothing to match BB0 tastes.

OD is there any other fruit you consume? Surely there is another fruit you can glorify?

It's the cycle of life. The aging body versus the growing of wisdom. In the case of Lewis., we benefit from his experience but old Father Time is catching up on the field. How much do we gain from his experience versus how much do we lose from his slowing body in the increasingly frenetic manic game of today, This season we have seen the benefits and the deficits. The balance will begin to tip in 2018 and beyond that it will be evident and perhaps embarrassing. Also with all aging players the question is how long do you play an old body against the new young kid who needs game experience. Its a little like Luke Hodge. Great leader, great experience but the body was gone and at times was slower than the mind. I like Lewis and think he was a good pickup. His calmness and know how has been valuable but like Hodge his physical body can no longer do what it did 5-10 years ago and the game had changed. Retirement and the failing body comes to us all. Lewis clearly has abilities as a leader, mentor and coach. Let's hope the club manages the transition in an appropriate and respectful manner so that the club benefits from his knowledge and coaching skills.

Sounds like there will be no more bananas on fire at that particular establishment.

Kevin Skeeter Coghlan was an ex Collingwood and Hawk who also appeared on World of Sport footy panel for a few years.