hemingway

Some really well balanced view points. Good to read. Like with many other players, where Lewis and Vince play in any individual game or part of a game will depend on our match ups, team balance and tactics. We need to have players settle into a position but also the need to make changes when the needs of any particular game changes.

On the footy field he was a wasted talent. However, there are many out there who never fulfill their potential and talent. That's sport and that's life. However, his off-field stuff is a major problem. From all accounts, he can be a very pleasant and nice guy. Some years ago when I was bemoaning his wasted footy talent, a friend who knew him off the footy field told me that he was a lovely guy who had great respect for family and friends. However, it appears from his actions that there is another side. Many of us have a bit of a JekyIl and Hyde character, at least in a mild or moderate way. Behaviours and actions can vary from appropriate to inappropriate or from good to bad. How often do you hear family or friends say "that's not like you". The downside can involve risk taking, poor judgement, extreme or inappropriate conduct. And of course, in Mr Hyde's case, much worse. Actions show that there is no recognition or acceptance of societal or personal boundaries. Today, a psychiatrist would say that Mr Hyde suffered from mood swings. Highs and lows. The condition is not helped with alcohol or illicit substances, but these substances are a symptom of the condition. Mr Hyde was clearly a psychopath as are all serial killers. Violent people can be very charming, and, at times, gentle people can become violent when they are consumed by psychopathic rage. No one is suggesting that of Colin. However, many of us suffer from mood swings that can be mild or moderate. Most people can live happily and have family and friends and be able to function normally in society. Some people never improve and their life takes a downward spiral leading to the breakdown of personal and family relationships, inability to hold down a job, breaking the law, and, in extreme circumstances, self harm and prison. Our jails are full of people who would not be there if they had sought help, been helped and they had been treated for their mental health conditions (rather than been viewed as bad people who need to be jailed). Unfortunately, our jails are not mental health institutions and only the extreme cases get treated. It's why so many prisoners never make it back to a normal life. The ones who improve do so by way of a personal epiphany (this is the value of organizations such as AA) or by way of treatment and medication.

The good life BB. An apt time to say "well it sure beats working" Just avoid the crocs and other deadly creatures such as the elderly (in particular avoid the bus tour group), low class tourists in floral shirts especially the Poms, and the locals. You know the ones who are morbidly obese with no necks, faces full of skin cancers who speak in a completely incomprehensible lingua franca.

Magnificent BB. I have partaken in a few cleansing ales myself at Hemingways. Anonymously of course. A very pleasant spot late in the day or early evening. I feel thirsty.

Always have had mixed feelings about Caro. I often read her articles because unlike many of the journos they are well written and provide entertaining reading. She is smart, wily and can write well and is able to analyse an issue. More often than not, her conclusions are highly subjective and reflect the angle she has decided to take. She manipulates the facts to suit her story line. Her articles are usually a mixture of footy politics, personalities, club infighting, disharmony, rumours and scuttlebutt. She rarely writes a positive story unless its about something or somebody she likes. She is opinionated and melodramatic but knows how to write a good article. Hence all the media awards. I give her credit for her attack on some holy cows and for not backing down to personal attack. Her scathing criticism of the EFC and James Hird is the best example over recent years. Compare that to the journos of other media outlets that helped run the EFC PR campaign and Hird defence. Yet she is full of prejudices and biases that influence her articles, reduce her objectivity and make one query the truth of what she writes about. As Nutbean pointed out, her articles are a mixture of fact and fiction but with a strong angle or story line that can produce a conclusion that is debatable, overblown and sometimes unfair. Anyway, it sounds like she is going to continue to write weekly articles so she will continue to provoke comment and argument. I have no doubt that she will dredge up dirt on Goodwin or the MFC if we have a poor 2018.

Like the highlights, definitely an X factor which is a bonus. With that number 2 on his back and his light frame, some of his plays remind me of a young Robert Flower.

Looking at the film, Oskar looks a player. As do the others. I think we have done well.

My main point was that I hope Angus and the coaching staff can change or modify the way he plays. Lucifer has confirmed that the coaching staff have been working with him on this very issue. For me that's great news.

That's great Lucifer. However his knocks can't just be bad luck or coincidence. As we know, the helmet is not the answer. I just hope that Angus and the coaching staff are looking at ways to modify his style of play. I don't know if this is possible given the nature of the contest these days and Angus will never shirk a contest. Perhaps there are ways that he can gain greater awareness around the contest or where he puts his head or positions his body. Something just needs to change.

Just cant get excited. Every club will talk up their selections for marketing reasons. It will all be idle speculation until one or more of our draftees get on the park, and, in particular, are selected for their first game of AFL footy. We have seen plenty of our past draftees play out the season at Casey and not make it beyond. I have no doubt that our people will make the right decisions at the time of draft selection but we have a long time to wait to see if the selections bear fruit. The most important thing is that our young boys from 2017 go the next step and develop into great players in 2018.

Given the disappointment of missing out on finals, I think it will take a while for many 2017 members to come on board again in 2018. Perhaps the Watts affair will also have some impact. So good wins in the early part of the season are going to be very important. Supporters will climb aboard again if we have early success.

Had forgotten how big the debt had become prior to Jackson. Scary. A remarkable turnaround. Prudent financial management by Jackson. Highlights the key role of a capable CEO with his hands on the clubs financial levels. The fact that Jackson has achieved this with a minimum of fuss and without ripping the guts out of the club speaks volumes for his management strategy and style. Also a reminder that significant financial improvement can only come by long term sustained success on the field over a 5 to 10 year period. Better take out that membership again for 2018.

I love Jack so much that I want this thread to continue into eternity.

My memory of VB was of being devoured by man eating mosquitos. Now I don't have many phobias, but mozzies is one of them.

As well as whats been said, it would induce greater instability and uncertainty, greater media speculation, and endless rumour. The football hacks would love it. That has to be bad. It's bad enough as it is but a mid season draft would be a disaster for the competition, and, as has been said, for weaker clubs. Opportunistic players, agents and clubs would prevail. And it would be a media frenzy.

I think Norm Smith played in 4, but my memory is getting hazy!

Oh BB that really is not only very true but funny. Many of us can relate to the diplomacy of marriage. It was noticeable 2 years ago when I spent 2 weeks in Port Douglas with my better half just how much the locals don't tell you. Just like the tourist brochures. I'm talking about stingers, the location of crocs, and other deadly creatures. As one local explained to me, ""no we don't swim at the beach, we swim in pools." They really regard us Mexicans as a bunch of mugs. Anyway as they say in the classics, happy wife, happy life. Enjoy.

Interesting. Had wondered for some time why we had so few players using this technique when so many others were doing it. High profile players like Dusty (the master of the fend off) but also Toby Greene, Joel Selwood, Danger, Sam Mitchell, Ablett etc have been doing it for years. Perhaps these guys just do it more often but it has become a very effective technique. You need to be very strong, but also very quick with the ball. The bounce off the opponents body, quick leg speed and quick kick is very attacking and aggressive but also team lifting. Every time I see it, and again Dusty is the expert, you sit there and think, wow how good was that. Sets an example to his team mates that no-one will stand in the way of his will to win. Almost Barassi like. Lets hope our guys can do it effectively.

I'm not sure that you are not boasting BB, making us suffer down here, whilst enjoying the tropics. Be aware of the creatures that lie in wait for the unsuspecting tourist. Keep wifey close at hand. I must say though that your sentiments about preseason and what may happen on Friday are shared. Also cricket. I would normally be looking forward to the Ashes series but not at the moment. As my better half said last night, its like following the no name brand or black and gold brand of cricketers. Is it simply that all the codes are just saturating the market these days and we only have to wait 5 minutes before there is another match, game or competition here or in other parts of the planet. It leaves many of us sports lovers feeling jaded. Perhaps we need a bit of big game fishing or bull fighting to raise the adrenalin levels.

Please. After all that's been written, give us a break. Its all been said, written about or thought about. We must have other things to discuss. Please.

Thanks Lucifer, always with a finger on the pulse. My post was a waste of time. Although that can probably be said for all of my posts. Still and all, great news. Got to say I am surprised, but for once we can say well done AFL.

Apologies if posted by others. In the distant past, we had one umpire bouncing the ball not only at every centre bounce but every ball-up, unless they were required to throw the ball-up when the conditions were exceptionally wet or muddy. From what I remember, when the latter occurred, the umpire threw the ball up a lot higher than the pathetic little ball-up practiced today. As others have said, a variable bounce was accepted by players, coaches and spectators. It became one of the variables that made the game interesting and when reading the bounce and the play became an important attribute of ruckmen and rovers (remember that term). The ""luck of the bounce" was a term commonly used by commentators and spectators. The same thing happens with boundary umps. In the old days, a crook throw-in was again part of the game. Now, if the ball is not centre metre perfect, back it goes and we try again. The attempt to perfect or standardize all manner of things obviously makes things more predictable and perhaps fairer, but as a result we lose some of the flow, spontaneity and unpredictability of the game. Talented and experienced players and coaches created opportunities out of the luck of the bounce. Even today, good players and good teams make the most from mistakes or an unpredictable bounce. Remember when the term "lucks a fortune" was commonly used by commentators. Changes often bring improvement, no doubt, but often the improvement comes at a cost. We always lose something and often that thing becomes lost forever.

Spot on, very noticeable over the past season or two that Hawkins has become a liability for the Cats. Just as Hogan becomes a liability when he stands within the 50m arc and tries to arm wrestle his 2 or 3 opponents. He occasionally takes a grab but 9 times out of 10, it becomes a loose ball and there is a turnover. Occasionally, Garlett or a small might crumb the pill but not often enough for this to be a good offensive option.

Wondered myself whether BB was referring to the dearly beloved or a pseudonym. I assumed given BB's credentials that it was the former. Lets face it, it is unlikely that one would be wearing "togs" if catching the sun with the pseudonym. Now if it was the good old Uncle, we would be assuming the opposite. I must admit, I am also surprised by your admission Redleg that you are acquainted with Wifey. Perhaps from your perusal of the evidence against a client. Or just research.

Now BB, using the term "togs" is like carbon dating. Although not an archaeological dig, the picture tells the story. You are clearly a baby boomer who enjoys the beach in his togs. The phallic cactus design, however, suggests some retro togs recently bought. It also suggests a "middle aged man" making a last ditch attempt to establish .....err lets say tasteful masculinity. I am afraid that my togs are an old pair of rather thin speedos that do nothing for my shape and for some reason seems to draw looks of disgust or laughter from the fairer sex. I also seem to attract much attention from the men, particularly the male twosomes, who or some reason seem to approve the look, obviously preferring the retro speedos to the boardies.