grazman

Absolutely, and it leaves me guessing whether he's just not 'Footy Smart' enough to win the ball himself and prey's on the opposition to do it for him - or he's just a thug that likes hurting opposing players...either or... the results the same he gives away blatantly stupid free kicks and 'just' a player.

No I wouldn't and I don't think they will. Remembering that the English team were in India during the Mumbai attacks and now the attacks in Lahore, there's a worrying new trend. All three countries have been subject to terrorist acts in the past and that's nothing new, but with the deteriorating situation in Pakistan there's a new trend emerging. These aren't opportunistic targets, and this isn't simply the old sectarian violence of Hindu V Muslim (or Buddhist). The attacks in Mumbai and Lahore demonstrate the sort of methodology and ideology of Al Qaeda/Taliban/Laskar i toiba etc. It's East vs West and in a region where it's relatively easy to recruit, train and disguise indigenous assassins then the security risks remain far too great. I expect to see more of the same types of attacks over the next few years given the relative ease in which they were conducted. (It was only the bravery of the bus driver and relative ignorance and inexperience of the attackers that saved the entire Sri Lankan team from being massacred)

I think that's an understatement. Anyone that saw the Four Corners program on Pakistan recently would see this as a very concerning, yet almost inevitable outcome of the fractured nature of the security environment there. The country is on the brink, lucky they don't have nuclear weapons

Church of Scientology and Pixar

I'm a big fan of Ricky Ponting the batsman, not so much Ricky Ponting the captain. When you're 240 runs ahead after the first dig a test match has to be won, not saved from losing, particularly in a game that's lost time every day to adverse weather. Three or four overs before lunch to try and grab a quick wicket may not have worked, but if it had it would certainly have tightened the screws. We were plenty ahead anyway, SA needed to make the biggest ever second innings score at Wanderers to win on a pitch still offering assistance to the quicks and now turning as well. Anyway poor Mike Hussey. I like him, but completely out of form and the longer it goes on the more frustrating it is. I'm surprised they didn't promote Clark to four and put Hussey at five, I'm stunned they haven't tried it in SA.

I work in an organisation where as a condition of employment you must seek permission to have a second job. I know this isn't the norm in many organisations, but the principle is the same - the rule is designed to eliminate any potential and embarrassing conflicts of interest. The AFL should be the same. In the interests of a fair and balanced competition second jobs (and this is what they are) should be subject to approval by the AFL. It isn't a restraint of trade, because if the player wants to pursue an opportunity, they're free to give up their playing career.

I almost feel "unVictorian" for saying this, but Ronnie is in no way shape or form a test batsman. Doesn't move his feet and never looks comfortable. His bowling is serviceable, but hardly penetrating. His last test today I think. Looks like Ricky is dragging the chain with the declaration.

Great century on debut from North. He just looks so composed. 96 not out from Mitchell Johnson. I don't know why the selectors are dicking around with trying to 'produce' an allrounder. MJ is one already, he's all class when he bats. I'm glad Hilfenhaus has been given a go, I think he'll be important in England. Just a pity that McGain was ill and couldn't be selected.

Good point Rhino. The meek shall inherit the earth, but not in my lifetime. The whole Cousins saga is a bit like the Underbelly series, there's an unfortunate fascination with the 'glamour' associated with such things. I note that Tom Hafey was fairly forthright in his comments today. All that aside the proof of the pudding will be in the eating, I've no doubt that Cousins will be a more than handy acquisition for the Tigers if he can stay out on the field, there's also the fairly distinct possibility that the whole thing could blow up in their face.

And for those that missed it Wheels has a calf strain. Given his age and his history with his calves, then I'm expecting the worst. (BTW I think the best will be a minimum of four weeks)

All that matters is the Shield. Win the Shield and the 20/20 and Ford Ranger pale into insignificance. Win the 20/20 and Ford Ranger and lose the Shield and they still pale into insignificance.

Nope you got it. He just doesn't play the percentages at all. You could almost say he plays for himself and not the club.

Senior players couldn't seal the deal. Miller, Sylvia and PJ all missed regulation shots at goal. - Some can say we choked, but Hawthorn had the advantage of a strong breeze and we only ever had a five and a half goal buffer, it wasn't enough.

One positive for me was that while he had a quiet game, there's been progress with Nathan Jones's game. 15 possessions 3 kicks 12 Hand passes.

Good points Red. Unfortunately the question marks about some players just get bigger. I've got one in relation to Dunn, but I thought he was more composed today than in previous years. Our biggest problem still remains - we still have too many players who just can't use the ball - in any circumstances.

Stephen Gilham

Wona, Hammy, Junior Corky and Bruce was holding his arm, but stayed on. Petterd absolute class. Can find the ball and is as brave as they come. Ditto Wheels. Bater playing out of the square along with Newton. I've been dark on Juice for awhile, but a lot more committed today. Strong wind favouring our end of the ground for the third quarter, but we're still giving too many hospital handpasses and not holding our marks. Otherwise a reasonable first half. Young was reported for "tunnelling" if he was playing basketball he'd not be playing for a fair while. It'll only take one player to fracture his back and this will be looked on very seriously.

Ditto. No money in it for the club, but plenty of Kudos. Good work that man!

That's very encouraging. I think his future is as a run with player.

The hell you will - and hurry up and finish the Judd one too damn it!!!!

Hards, check with the club. I got my scarf when I got my membership pack.

Received mine in the post the other day and have worn it a couple of times. I really didn't think much of it when I first saw it, but was pleasantly surprised, very good quality and easy to spot in the crowd. . Of course I also think most of the in-vogue fashion now reminds me of the seventies... so what would I know.

Another good article by Caro, and people will take what they want out of the story... hopefully there'll be recognition we were beaten to the punch by a more professional outfit. Expect to see more stories (but far more rabid) along this line the longer we go without a sponsor.

From WJs summation of the AGM last night in another thread. Without diving into the old guard v new guard argument, I for one will be one very [censored] off little camper if we haven't secured a major sponsor by the start of the NAB. I can't credit Jim's response that they wouldn't accept an offer that was below expectations. I'm happy for them to explore all the options, but if they reject deals as not being lucrative enough (ie selling the club short) and then ask for another round of donations for "debt reduction" then he can go take a flying leap. Let's judge the current board on it's achievements. It'll be strike two if there's no major sponsor by the start of the NAB, Strike one will have been the numerous times we've been assured by the current administration that we'll have a sponsor (including Cameron Schwab's claim after we missed out on Mission Foods that he had a number of options lined up and it was a matter of ironing out the tin-tacks).

Absolutely. I'd also suggest that our bowling is suspect. Apart from Bracken we have no-one we can rely on to keep it tight. Clark is actually a better bowling option than any regular spinner which is a huge worry. I'm bitterly disappointed with Ponting's captaincy. He's been shown up to be a fair weather skipper. He's devoid of any real ideas when the momentum needs to be turned. Bowling blokes like Tait and Johnson in batting power plays is just dumb. The pace works in favour of the batsmen who don't have to do anything except put their bat in the way to clear the infield. The selections are also baffling. The whole process seems so formulaic. Why has it taken so long for Ben Hilfenhaus to play, why isn't Katich (whose bowling adds more flexibility) playing while he's firing? You can afford to stick thick with blokes when you're winning, but this aint working.