hemingway

The reality is that we cannot take any game easily. Any team can win on the day if it's opponent lacks intensity, run and spread for any part of the game. So we must show that we able to play consistently from one week to the next.

A track record though

One can argue about the merits of individual players, but we won the game through the contributions over the match from all players. In short, it was a team effort.

Despite rumours that I have been dead a long time, yesterday's result has brought new life to my spirit and soul.

High art Uncle, I can't wait to read the proofs. Booker Prize coming up or Nobel Prize for literature?

I reckon its inevitable Clint, given the zone defence. Goodwin seems set on an attacking game plan which will result in leaking goals. Will we leak less goals than the Saints? We can only hope. All I know is that we are not going to win with an uneven contribution. We will need a complete team effort across the entire ground. We have added pace and grunt. That will help us. I suspect that a few Demons are going to upset a few Saints with their attack on the ball and man. Still a possible goal shootout in store. .

Those of you who have suffered from any sort of achilles injury be it a rupture or soreness will know all about it. Achilles is one of the most frustrating injuries to have and one of the most difficult to manage. Recovery must be very strict and controlled with improvement incremental. Unfortunately, running has to be restricted and only increased in speed and distance when there is no pain or discomfort. Its one thing to run in a straight line, but footy requires speed, distance, together with stopping and starting, and sudden twisting and turning, the latter moves a little like a squash player. The key thing is to get it right in the first instance and not bring a player back to re-injure or worsen the problem. Only time and strict management will get it right. For a footballer, let alone one who has already been out of the game for some time, it would be incredibly frustrating. You are watching your teammates improve in leaps and bounds and you seem to be standing still and losing ground on fitness and game time. I can understand if he appears to be down in the dumps.

Agree. Lets hope that we are able to change game plan if required. TMac is the obvious person to go to Riewoldt with his height and run, however, Riewoldt will still hurt us. I am not so concerned if that is up the ground, but if its in the forward zone we must be able to limit the supply to Riewoldt. They have other options but Riewoldt is the one who ignites the Saints.

A moot point. Given Melbourne's record over a 50 year period, I don't think there is a "biggest rivalry." At least from the other side, as our club has such low credibility with opposition supporters. Over the past 10 years, I reckon the Tigers go close. There are good crowds, the result is always uncertain and the Tigers also have a record of failure over many years. Supporters of both sides are always desperate to win this one and there have been some close games. For older supporters, I suspect the Collingwood rivalry is probably still the big one, however, I don't think this is shared on the Collingwood side with Carlton and Essendon seen as the big games. Strong rivalries can only develop over time if both sides have a sustained record of success.

Agree with your last sentence Lucifer. We have seen over the years what a resilient character he is. Strong of character and loyal, A team and club man, I suspect it says more about Jonesy than anyone else. Sure it may be a media beat up, but I have little confidence in the people management skills of footy clubs. I am not sure if Melbourne is better or worse. However, from what we know it sounds a rough way of communicating the news to a club legend regarding a questionable call in the first place. And the Watts saga also does not look good. Different messages from a range of people, from coach to captain to players, all disseminating a view that has not been entirely clear or coherent. It has left more questions than answers and appears uncoordinated and unprofessional. Again, I suspect it says more about Watts loyalty and conformity than the blokes calling the shots. There are so many other aspects of the footy club that the MFC decision makers seem to have got right.. I may be wrong, but the management of the Jones and Watts issues leaves me with an uneasy feeling.

I am far away, but the club has found me. Well done to the club but I will have to do better to cover my tracks.

Thanks Daisy, always on the ball. You are right, its been a long time and my spirit soul sometimes misses the things that my material body once experienced and enjoyed.

The GP over the first match. Shame on you. On second thoughts.........

"Dead bastard". Well it comes to all of us Bitters, and given your proclivities, you will not have to queue. I suspect that posterity will remember the name Hemingway, long after the name Bitter but optimistic. Unless, you have a literary masterpiece that you are working on between floggings. Perhaps you could get some tips from my old friend, Elliot Perlman. His latest novel, Seven Types of Ambiguity is a beauty. Perhaps your novel could be in braille and be called the Seven Types of Ambiguous Floggings. Further down the invite list than Picket, well that's a relief. But don't worry, I realize that this is all just amusing imaginings as the reality of the Manor is very different, How is life in the new housing estate. The Manor Estate ?

The Dogs and GWS successfully employ the knock on tactic, in addition to the throw or flick pass.

Thank you for the invite Biff, but it is a bit like an invitation to the Manor from your step brother Uncle Bitters. You are both great characters, however, I prefer to keep you both as figments of my imagination.

Correct, now for another attempt by Hird and his supporters at revisionism. But there is no redemption.

A great pity. An era is over and there has been so much to love about the normal afternoon granny. Good for the whole family and the myriad activities organised before, during and after the game. Done for TV/media/financial reasons. Justified by the line that the fans and the players want it. How about polling members of all AFL clubs and see if fans approve? I may be wrong and out of touch but I doubt there would be a simple majority in favour.

What's the world coming to? Seriously!

You need a medal or medication to watch that crap. Not even the queen can save that show. Demonlanders are better than that.

Positive about the season but not this game. The Saints and that poor excuse of a ground just has a bad feel about it. I am not sure about the Saints, but our line-up is unsettled. The practice matches have not helped us that much in determining our line-up in either our forward or defensive zones. And we may well select a few guys who are underdone for match time. The thought of playing underdone blokes like Jetta, Hibberd, Garlett, or Kent does not inspire confidence but there again the alternative selections have also not given cause for confidence Its going to take time to sort out our best 22.

We better get used to this over the next few years. Jesse is going to be one of those guys, who may get injured, is carrying an injury, or recovering from an injury. The physios and doctors are going to be busy. And the hearts of Demon supporters will in their mouths every time he comes down awkwardly and gets up limping.

Check with them again, mid-season. Predictions. predictions. Really who cares.

have to train hard with intensity. train hard but not tackle or make contact in a reckless manner. but easier said than done with a competitive list.

Sometimes think that D'landers should be on the marketing team, often good ideas that should be considered.