QueenC

And we have played that ground over the years so beautifully !!!

People?!!!

21 500 (just).......

I didn't know that, my condolences to the Rohan and his family.......

Oh Whitito the situation as it stands is completely ridiculous...... It was ridiculous a couple of years ago when Carlton tanked, and in any number of years prior to that, and nothing has changed. And nothing is going to change given the idiot attitudes of those in change. You are right though, the "want", or in our case "need" to lose does go against everything sport is meant to be, but it is unfortunately the situation that we must operate within and ridiculous or not, we are quite within our rights to make sure the club gets what is most needs to secure its future. Besides I am not sure how a team who only won one game in their first twelve (but two since) can be accused of anything unto-wards !!!

And maybe a little harsh at this point in time..... If he gets a game, and I hope he does, then lets just wish him luck and given him our support.

And this is at the Dome right?...... Even at our best we couldn't win there, let alone now !!!

I am not sure us getting the "support" from Vlad is really that good a deal for us..... I mean seriously the guy is existing in a self made land of ego induced non-reality and yet supports us in our "experimenting"? Maybe he just bought Bailey's argument, which just makes him (and probably Dean) sound even sillier. Although at the end of the day it doesn't matter, you do what you have to for the betterment of the club, and this is unfortunately it for us.

Thanks for the run through Dees of 26..... Some of us can never get to these things and it mans a lot that you take the time to fill us in. It sounded like a great evening and I'm thrilled with your assessment. Thanks again !!!

Dee Strauss out for the season

I too am a bit split on this one...... He should have served a suspension. I mean seriously you really shouldn't be able to punch a guy in the guts, miles off the ball and be rewarded with a Grand Final appearance. That being said I wanted the Swans to win so having him there was of great benefit. But he still punched Maguire, and should have served the penalty dished out to so many other players throughout the course of the season. But his penalty was not his concern, it was the AFL's, and they let him play so he played and they won, so you can't really blame Hall for wearing a Premiership medallion with pride.

It's being treated wierdly up here, like he is being disloyal abandoning the Swans now, even if he wants out at seasons end leaving now is being regarded with little merit. That being said...... Barry Hall, Sydney Swans go separate ways after colourful AFL relationship

Me too ....... Congrats to young Jack on a well deserved reward!!!

We're probably down one batsman all things being considered, especially now that Watson is injured....yet again. Hughes's biggest issues may well be the sharp bounce, given that he got out twice in the trial game to short pitched stuff from Harmison. And our spinner is quite useless. The question is do they risk going in with the four quicks or play a useless spinner?

Is that why he hates us or why you hate us <_< ?!!!

Shocking news both for Jim himself and obviously for the club..... If the reported illness is proven to be correct tomorrow, then I hope for a speedy and healthy recovery asap, for Jim and his family. As for the club, this is potentially horrible news, as he has been one of the few shining lights and is the saving grace for the current red and blue. But lets wait to see what will happen tomorrow and hope for the best for everyone.

Congratulations Territory !!!

So I'm guessing you don't think he deserves any nomination this week? The way I see it, yes he has made some costly mistakes (and this has to and hopefully will change), but honestly I really don't find that particularly surprising, nor concerning from someone of his experience (especially when those with a hell of a lot more are just as bad). This is not an argument for the Rising Star nomination, because I really have no idea what boxes these kids have to tick to get picked (although not being part of this particular Melbourne side would probably be a good start), but you would hope that he is in calculations for one sooner or later. But he is a shining light for us (intermittent crappy disposal included), and I would have hoped most thought that way !!!

Fox Sports Search TV Guide Wednesday, July 01 09:30 am - 11:35 am LIVE AFL : Under 18 Championships Tasmania v NSW/ACT 11:35 am - 01:40 pm LIVE AFL : Under 18 Championships QLD v NT 01:40 pm - 03:45 pm LIVE AFL : Under 18 Championships VIC Country v WA 03:45 pm - 06:00 pm LIVE AFL : Under 18 Championships VIC Metro v South Australia

Sad, but not surprising given the last few weeks....... A win would be nice, not being embarrassed would also be good, but a loss will be what it is, unfortunately !!!

While this is good in theory there is no guarantee, especially now, that the TV rights will increase at all........ Nor is there any guarantee than the market (biggest in the country) the AFL wants to conquer actually wants to watch what it is selling. This will absolutely effect the next broadcast deal, and not to the better I would have thought, as there will be a huge pull on the AFL finances, without the means to sell it to the very people it is there for. Ratings lead to advertising revenue and networks aren't stupid. True, this is the theme (reason for) of expansion no matter how unbelievably arrogant it is...... But the thing that everyone seems to be forgetting here is that in Sydney, particularly out west AFL is the foreign code.

Ok quick quetsion for those in the know more than me....... Is the membership cut off at the end of June, or some other time after that? Thanks !!!

I like that idea Bub, there really isn't much of a second tier system currently for the Swans to work with up here......... And as for Vlad he seems to have ordained himself as the man to bring AFL to the poor uneducated masses out West, either that or it is just his ego doing the talking.

Ahh yes but this seems to be the way - gutting youngsters before they really get a chance to prove themselves !!! I have no issues with him, but I like that kind of player who is hard at it and tough. That being said there are unquestionably plenty of things that he needs to work on, but given, as Bub said, it is his first real year and first genuine taste of what is, and going to be required. he is finding his way. He may not be the most exciting player on our kids list, but it is way too soon to pass a complete judgment.

I live in Sydney, and again IT WILL NOT WORK....... There is this assumption, seemingly held by the AFL in all their arrogance, that because we are as big a city as we are then we should and will automatically support another team. This is complete and utter crap. There is little to no real or substantial support for the code up here at the best of times (just ask the Swans, who had to win a Premiership to get any attention even after years in the finals) let alone in the part of the city where kids grow up with either a league footy or a soccer ball under their pillows. And as for TV money, well that comes down to ratings, and who the hell really wants to see Sydney v West Sydney? No-one up here I can assure you. I understand that this franchise is a long term investment, and any benefits to it will probably not be seen for upwards of twenty-five years, and that given the massive levels of growth in the Western demographic of Sydney the AFL don't want to miss out on plundering it, but at what expense along the way? The ratings up here for AFL games are abysmal and decreasing (Channel 10 must be kicking themselves that they are committed to broadcasting all Saturday night Swans games, while Channel 7 has never bothered broadcasting live into the city on Friday nights given the ratings black hole), as are attendances and that is for a side that is actually well loved, developed, well established and by and large pretty damn successful.