QueenC

The situations that Cousins and Farmer have put themselves in are staggeringly different but I don't think that was the point WJ was trying to make....... The media and general public mentality is one of complete flagellation of Jeff Farmer, wanting him to be sacked or worse. Ben Cousins copped the same (with plenty of justification), but probably not that kind of attitude, particularly the sought of actions people (media) seem to want to see from within his own football club. Not that Farmer hasn't deserved that treatment. He has been a repeat offender, and should never just be allowed to get away with the crimes he has committed, particularly those that have involved violence towards others. But there must always be an attempt at rehabilitation, particularly if alcohol is involved as that can be a problem that can be helped, before your throw someone, anyone including Jeff Farmer (and Ben Cousins) to the wolves. But that is the thing that Ben Cousins is trying to do. He shouldn't be criticised for trying to clean up his life, and it completely riles me when someone who is trying to make some kind of amends gets treated with contempt. You don't have to respect, like or approve of what he has done in the past, but I have seen the struggle to overcome a drug addiction first hand, and while you are never not an addict, if you can remain clean you deserve to be praised. Maybe, or more likely definitely Farmer needs help, and if he is willing to help himself then a second chance should always be forthcoming, but that is the thing here isn't it? Farmer has to want to be helped. That is the only way anything will help. Although I genuinely hope that Fremantle do look into some kind of help for him. But the media only report on the sensational and never have to be held accountable for their attitude or opinion. And unfortunately if he keeps offending his reputation will proceed him and it will be the first thing taken into account when anything is reported on him whether that be the bad or the good.

Fair enough, thanks kieranbj !!!

If we lose the first nine and aren't accused of tanking, what is the difference if we lose the last nine? When does tanking actually become tanking and not just playing with the same poor form you have all season? But at the end of the day nothing has really improved (injuries and form etc) throughout the course of the season (and we have lost a coach, more or less, because of it) except for our options for next year, which is absolutely the biggest goal for the rest of the season. We need to see who can and can't play and where, to see who should and who shouldn't be here, and to get some competition and game time into our future which is our kiddies. If this is regarded as tanking then so be it (and I genuinely hate the perception of a team throwing games, and there is probably something wrong with a system then seems to encourage it), but to me it is the most logical thing any team can do when they are in the position we and a few others are in.

Quick question for the better informed........ Is Pagen actually contracted to the Blues for next year?

Amen Graz, well said !!!

Congratulations to Robbo on achieving his 200th game, it is truly a wonderful milestone....... He has been a loyal, hard working and regularly spectacular member of the Melbourne team. Not to mention he has been one of the most memorable of Demons we have seen in recent years!!! And hopefully he will have a fantastic game this afternoon to mark the occasion in style :D !!!

I actually have one living next door at the moment ........

Very well said Dan, I couldn't agree more...... It is long overdue considering he was one of the original members inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 1996, but thankfully that over site has been rectified. There is nothing much else to say about Norm Smith that hasn't already been said (other than my dad went to school with his son, Peter!!!), in that he was a true monument, and now a recognised legend, to not just the Melbourne Football Club, but to the game of Australian Rules itself. Congratulations to Norm Smith on his new Hall of Fame official Legend status, but that is a position he has always held within the club and to its supporters. Smith recognised as a legend

And again....... Police charge Freo's Farmer

Fremantle....... I think!!!

That quote always makes me giggle ........ But while I definitely think that falling asleep (read: passing out) in public due to being totally sloshed is never recommended and is hardly being condoned by anyone around here, it is the "without incident" part of that quote that seems important here for some reason that completely escapes me now, sorry. But that could be because I continue to be unsure why there is yet another comparison between the two incidents, one being an aggressive on-field foul involving Davey, while Sylvia's adventures, while not great, is way off field. While both are generally regarded as mistakes they are really not closely related.

Apropos........ Farmer to be questioned over Burswood incident

Ok this may sound a bit dodgy........ A friend told me that it was reported on SEN tonight (wed) that Melbourne have actually spoken to Buckley regarding a potential coaching position. So can anyone in here confirm or deny if there is any truth to this?

True BB, anger is most definitely part of the game, therefore so is being able to control it or channel it, even when provoked........ And frankly I would rather see a respected but uncompromising, unrelenting and tough football side in The Demons. However throwing indiscriminate whacks into the guts of your opposition does not make you that. I understand that yes it happens, but what Davey did does not make you tougher, and it will usually end up costing your side at the Tribunal.

I posted this on the other thread but it seems more appropriate here....... Buckley suffers hamstring injury At the end of the day this is a very rough and decidedly unfair way to finish what was a truly stellar playing career, despite all the rhetoric about loathing him for playing for the Pies and his arrogance etc. I just hope that he doesn't push it too much further, given I think that there is a time, no matter how hard it is, to pull the pin as gracefully as possible. And unfortunately for Nathan Buckley that time would seem to be now.

I would have thought that that could have something to do with the fact he was coming back from a massive injury and is still rusty. And unfortunately for us he is a far better footballer and stronger defender than Carroll will ever be IMO.

Adelaide...... ETA - And you beat me to it, nevermind !!!

There would be some fairly useful acquisitions if this was a recruitment criteria, although we would lose a few too :D !!!

Well, without wanting to put my head in the lions mouth here........ I am not sure thumping the tagger in the guts and subsequently getting suspended is handling the tag all that well !!!

Maybe it was just a combination of the red and blue all over the place ?!!!

That's funny, he is listed on the Saints site as being 192cm !!! And he may not be quite as tall as some of our defenders (although he seems very strong, still plays on the big opposition forwards, and does do it pretty well) but he is, and this is just my opinion, a more solid and generally better player than most, if not all of our "bigger" defencive options.

Well he may be a little closer to that coaching career after today....... Buckley suffers hamstring injury

It was funny listening to the folk "On the Coach" the other night, and none of them (two of whom are actually involved in our appointment process) could quite understand why Connolly was being pushed as Melbourne's next coach, other than the slightly romantic notion that he played for us.

Agree with that Hards, he handled the press conference well and has always seemed pretty open and honest...... But this is also true and hopefully we don't go down that path.

Petterd in the pink after purple haze