titan_uranus

You'll find that a lot of Melbourne supporters are MCC members, and as such sit in the MCC reserve. Since that includes me, I can't really say where the best place is to sit. Just that when we play Collingwood, there will probably be a 3 to 1 ratio of filth to MFC supporters.

There's an upset brewing in NZ: NZ 9dec/619, and in reply, India's 2/73. Good for cricket if NZ can win.

Spot on.

Having said that he was pretty bad last night. Dropped a few sitters, missed easy targets. Then again, the whole team was rubbish.

I have to say, I don't mind who makes the final cut, so long as it's not Meesen. And Dunn probably shouldn't play. Other than that, any combination of Martin, Jones, Jetta, Bennell and Cheney would suit me. Hale's not that good. I'm happy to place our confidence in Warnock. Garland and Rivers will help out. It shouldn't be that bad a problem.

There is only one Melbourne in this city. The other team is North Melbourne. That's a suburb, just like all the other clubs are. Definitely. Most AFL supporters don't comprehend the state of other sports. The NRL is on its knees. Golf is floundering. Plenty of other sports have meagre attendances or cannot establish a proper foothold in Australia. But AFL is going strong. Being at the bottom of the AFL puts us above most other codes.

Richmond is pathetic. Unbelievably poor skills, which is closely followed by a dumb coach who insists on a game plan that does not suit his charges. You can't play possession football when you can't kick the ball 15m to a target. Richo looked like he was going to burst into tears last night. I feel somewhat sorry for him.

This is so stupid. Firstly, Bailey is contracted for next year. Secondly, we haven't even played one match yet this year. Thirdly, Bailey inherited a pretty pathetic list. No chance.

Without making a comment about the double meaning there, how does Dunn pick himself? Could hardly get a game last year, did nothing over the pre season to impress, and we've named Bartram. Dunn won't play. Agree with your selections on the bench. I just can't believe Meesen was even named. Martin might be in danger, but I'd have him in front of Meesen, Dunn and Bennell. Agree too about Sylvia. Probably just makes the best 22, but I have no qualms with him being omitted to make him work harder. We can definitely win this match.

There's an article in The Age today about these two; I can't find it online. Both of them have put on a couple of kgs since they joined us. From the article it would seem that Jetta will debut first, possibly this week. Bennell seems to think he'll need time at Casey before he gets a game (he's being groomed as a half-back flanker).

Yarran's injured, so you won't want him this round. And it looks likely that Garlett's going to be named this week.

Where did you hear that? I'm fine with the Norm Smith medal.

Good of the Age to point this out today (calls the HUN 'The Little Paper').

Have a look at the back page of the Sport section of today's Age (the Sporting Life column). It explains that someone was asked to do something a bit different for those little player comments this year, and it seems as though people were complaining to the Age about it too.

In other tennis news, Kim Clijsters (remember her) is about to announce her return to professional tennis: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...6-11088,00.html

Agree with those above: surely meant Jetta. In fact, reading the article, Jetta is named and Jurrah isn't.

One Monty is too much for either side. Besides which, they're playing Graeme Swann now I think.

In this article Bailey says that Spencer, Bail and Jetta are all 'in the 28' and are pushing for selection.

Australia keep spin option open for Ashes Ponting doesn't really want to rely on 3 part-timers. In the article Ponting says that he pulls up sore in his lower back after bowling, so he doesn't want to make him sore before he opens the batting.

Number of wins: 7 Average losing margin: 30 Average winning margin: 20 B&F top 3: 1. McLean 2. Green 3. Davey Leading goal-kicker: Miller (46) All Australian representatives: Davey, McLean Top votes at the Brownlow: McLean Best first year player: Bail Breakthrough year (first-year players do not count): Moloney Disappointment of the year: Newton (I'm not sure if this can count as a disappointment because I haven't got high hopes in the first place) Biggest area of improvement: Less handballing to players under pressure Surprise packet of 2009: Moloney Headline of the year: Malthouse blames the AFL for 10-goal thrashing on Queen's Birthday Best win of the year: Rd. 11 vs. Collingwood Worst loss of the year: Rd. 6 vs. Geelong Final membership numbers: 32,666 (bringing back the Demon)

I quite like that actually. Quite witty.

Robbo and Watts combined won't play more than 12 games this year. No chance either of them will be leading goal scorer (you'd hope). And Newton? Well, if he's leading goal scorer this year that would be a very nice surprise. But unfortunately I don't see it happening.

I certainly couldn't see Frawley (or Garland for that matter) playing on Lindsay Thomas or Matt Campbell. They're far too fast.

Monday March 23: HUN interview with Dean Bailey: 'I'm a very normal person'

I can't remember when, I think he said it in the lead up to the third test, when everyone was talking about his 3 wickets in Durban. And I'm pretty sure it's his shoulder. Agreed, but I can't understand all this talk about Johnson batting at 6. He's over-worked as it is. He plays to take wickets, not make runs. The runs are a nice bonus, but we need him fit for bowling, so he shouldn't be batting any higher than 8.