hemingway

No Mono, I don't think Jack has ever been influenced by Marxist ideology or ever had to do it tough. There were many layers to this novel, but not one that could be a reference to Jack, unless he wanted to market his men's jocks in Cuba or Florida. They might be budgie snugglers but not smugglers. Wattsy and "For whom the bell tolls", I don't think so. I can't see Wattsy as a fighter in a civil war or someone fighting for the communists, let alone blowing up Princes St Bridge Perhaps Jack's footy life could be seen as a metaphor in Farewell to Arms. The love story, the ambulance driver not the fighter, the end of the love affair with the death of Catherine. Now that resonates. However, I never really knew what my novels were about. Critics used to talk about my iceberg novels. There was more meaning to the reader below the waves than in the tip of the iceberg. Well I let that view persist but personally it is all [censored] to me.

Thanks Saty, I seem to be more wrong than right these days.

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".

Talk to Cats supporters and the two players they "hang out to dry" are Motlop and Menzel. And although Motlop is gone, there are no tears from the cattery. Cats supporters attitude to these two make Demons supporters appear soft (vis a vis Watts). Menzel is seen as defensively soft and a front runner, with no ticker.

Interesting stat, it seems that my observation must have matched my mood on the day. but thanks for pointing out the facts.

If you could insure players against injury, Max would be uninsurable. He has dodgy knees. That's why we desperately need another decent ruckman not a pinch hitter.

And he was destroyed by Grundy in the last match, who showed him up Grundy's game showed what a mobile and aggressive ruck man, who can mark around the ground and kick a long goal can do.

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.

29 years old and 2 years on the injury list, no way. We should not take players with long-term injuries period.

For me, the last para is the most relevant. Despite the possible upside (assuming he could achieve and maintain high fitness/match standards, which seems highly unlikely), the upside would be very short term and not represent the future. Would assume that Gary Zimmerman and co have had a good hard look at him and made the assessment that he will not make it back to the big-time, certainly not at the expense of youth. So a big No from me, It would send the wrong message.

Some relevant points and ones that I agree with, but Goodwin and Co are making a Statement about standards, establishing good role models, setting the right examples, and establishing what they see as winning behaviours.

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

that's may biggest worry.

The only way forward for the MFC is to improve its bargaining power. That means being a successful club on and off the field. Win games, double our membership and impact TV ratings. Otherwise, we will continue to be treated as the poor cousins.

Depends who writes it. Maybe two conclusions one from Chewy or Picket and the other from Junior or PD.

Actually they would have made a nice couple but there again, given the age difference perhaps mother and son.

Perhaps a Phd thesis on "why we love Jack". I can see you are just the man. There is enough materail from the lovers and haters. We can read your theories chapter by chapter each week on DL. And of course your final chapter will have no definitive conclusion.

Love and hate are unstoppable forces OD. Just don't click on anything with the name Watts and you will be much happier. The populist media still churns out stuff about Princess Di. I have no doubt that the nature of the Jack Watts story means that the talk fest will continue into eternity.

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.

What I do know is that there are many people who have great potential. True in life as in sport. But very few make it to the lofty levels that we regard as characterizing greatness. We have all known kids and young men who have the skill however choose not to utilize it. Some consciously choose not to do so because of relationships, alternative careers and interests. Some make an effort but the effort falls short of what is required. The one's that make it may not be the most gifted but they have a single minded determination to succeed. A focus and determination greater than others. They work hard. Harder than those who don't make it to the level expected. They are tough. That is, they have tough attitudes to what they need to do to succeed. And again, they train hard, train consistently and don't use social life or holidays as an excuse to have a break. Continuity is the key, which can be a problem when continuity is interrupted by injury. However, their attitude to injury and recovery is just as single-minded and thorough as every other part of their training and preparation. They also bring an incredibly high level of competitiveness to competition. They hate to be beaten and will always get as much out of themselves as they physically and mentally can. Run through walls, run to the point of sickness and collapse. They don't accept excuses for themselves. They are single minded and don't usually need other people including coaches to motivate them. They are self-starters. And at the end of their career they can usually sit back and say "well I gave it everything and have no excuses".

Kind of agree on this one OD. There seems a bigger risk on the investment with Max due to his knees and body generally. We need both his ruck ability at the bounce/ball up and marking power/mobility around the ground. He needs to be able to jump and run. Could we ask that a clause in his contract stipulates that he is contracted as a footballer and not a comedian. Lets just focus on the footy Max.

Jack has left the locker room, building, ground, home and shortly the State. Time to close the book and find a new one to read.

perfect summary ding.

no you cant