Jumping Jack Clennett

Borderline Hawk equals best 22 Melb. Good disposal. Good mark for his size. Adelaide see that. Melb didn't.

I'll believe that when I see it!!!

I went from Albert Park to Forest Hill to buy my squash racket, just so that I could meet him! He was so pleasant to talk to...asked about my squash game etc,while I was in awe.

Brilliant,loyal,skilful, courageous, stylish,modest,unique,loveable. Demon lovers, in fact all footy lovers, will miss Robert Flower greatly. This true champion will never be forgotten.

As distinct from Strawbs O'Dwyer, who was likened to a "string bag full of set -squares".

It was incredible today in the Haw/Port prelim. Hawthorn seemed to get every 50:50 decision(plus a few 40:60's.) Port found out what it's like for Melb in Adelaide. You've got to hand it to the Hawks supporters. They're past masters at pressuring the umps!

I watched all the finals and one of the things that struck me was this...... these good teams PLAY ON at every opportunity. And they play on FORWARDS! We seldom play on, and when we do, it's backwards or sideways. I noticed in the last quarter today in Adelaide, Port , knowing they were unassailable,started to play sideways and back, after not playing on. Richmond then kicked 5 goals to 1 in junk time. I reckon Port would have increased their lead if they'd continued to attack. It didn't matter, but I thought it was instructive.

For heavens sake don't pay them any more! They are already paid a fortune ($100000 for a part time job). It just makes them feel important , and want to be the centre of attention. They need to be told to play a low profile, and DON'T LISTEN TO THE CROWD.

I cannot understand why Pedersen was repeatedly dropped when in form and contributing.

Also, Phil Davis crashed him from behind, and had to be taken off! Salem looked a bit dazed, but got up and carried on!

Jack ,I'm not sure you're exactly correct about our standing before that Hawthorn game. I can't find the ladder after round 16, but my memory is that we really needed to beat the Hawks at Glenferrie to stay in the four, or the last game at the Western Oval would become crucial. Neither Hawthorn nor Footscray were easy beats at that time. Do you remember Graeme Jacobs had a sitter, 20 yds out directly in front with about 3 min to go, and missed. ?Our hearts sank, but then Hassa goaled with a snap from the boundary near the behind post. Remember their ugly, violent,detestable,but effective full forward John Peck? We used to stand behind the goals and chant, rhythmically....."we hate Peck, we hate Peck,etc" Charming,eh?!

Great pitch to bat on in the sixties,though.

We had significantly more possessions than WCE on Saturday but half as many frees.So it has nothing to do with getting the ball first. The umpires are pressured by the crowd.

You booed Nathan Jones. Well done.

I don't like the idea of booing your own team. Remember, you're booing the guys who gave their guts(eg N Jones), as well as the ones you thought didn't try. You're booing the jumper and the club in general. Do booers really think the players will try harder next week because they boo them as they come off the field? I reckon it's best just to shut up. Absolute silence as they leave the field is enough.

The magoos were at 11. Firsts at 2....as in OP

Yes, I think that is why he was dropped, and it think it was daft.In response to "Dr" Gonzo, it' s blatantly obvious that Murphy is an elite player, and McKenzie isn't. I was just pointing out that even the most skilful player can miss a sitter. I think that miss was the main reason McKenzie was dropped, and I think it was an error.

Murphy missed a set shot from 12 yds out directly in front tonight. We dropped McKenzie for a similar blunder, though he kept Hanley to just over half the possessions he gained the previous week. I bet the Blues don't have the same knee-jerk reaction. We could have made good use of Jordie against the Hawks.

It's just a matter of opinion, but I think your comment is absurd. I'm not alone in thinking Mark Jamar has passed his use-by date. Many would challenge your contention that he "easily beat" Stef Martin against Brisbane. I reckon Stef's annihilation of Jamar was crucial in their defeat of us. He was better v. the Hawks, but I felt big Max Gawn showed he's a class above.

Couldn't agree less.

Jamar....tries hard...delist.

Replying to Nasher's post 23.It's important to look into it more thoughtfully and critically. Of course one can't expect equal frees every match. BUT, when you consistently see a tendency for the side with no supporters present getting a raw deal, it's worth pointing it out. Melbourne is greatly affected by this , since our supporters are always outnumbered.

My point is completely different to the Selwood ducking manoeuvre. I'm talking about the way players with the ball see an on-coming tackler, and bend forward, presenting their head and shoulders, giving the tackler a choice of getting out of the way, or tackling and giving a free (or whacking him, possibly breaking his neck) It's got nothing to do with the Selwood/Shuey " duck" to get a high tackle free, which also shouldn't be rewarded, but isn't dangerous. This thread has been diverted to the Selwood tactic. I'd like peoples' opinions on the forward dive to draw the high tackle. I think it's a terribly important point. I hear Lynch is OK..... Thank heavens. Let's stop it NOW, before there's another Neil Sachse.

Umpires have fallen back to the habit of rewarding players who bend over and present their head and shoulders to the oncoming tackler, by awarding frees for "high tackles". The player who ducks should be penalised for "dangerous play"(danger to himself) I brought this up a few years ago on this forum, warning of the possibility of a serious spinal injury. While not penalising the ducker, they usually haven't rewarded him ,in recent years, but I've noticed a recent tendency to pay the free for the high tackle in the last few weeks. I just heard about Lynch of Adelaide ducking and receiving a heavy knock today. I hope he isn't seriously injured, because I think it's the fault of the AFL Umpiring directors.