The Panglossian

I thought Box Hill had by far the better run from the umpires, who exuded inconsistency and diffidence. Could someone please explain to me that last free they got dead in front after we marked it.Was it no 15, play on, then Petty was deemed to throw it? ( I think he thought the ump was going to say no 15, but he didn’t, so he pulled his handball, expecting to be paid the mark)

Standing near the interchange bench during a game, one can see how easy it would be to make an error and have 19 (or 17) on the field at any time. They are running on and off, sometimes 2 or 3 at a time. Players often seem uncertain if they should go on. Mistake or deliberate , the penalty should be to forfeit all score during the time they breached the law.

In the fifties before the game, the entertainment consisted of a military band. ,who would split up ,with a small group (“ the ball”)marching through small goal posts, for a “goal”. I used to like the goal umps in their butchers’ coats and big white sun hats. After a goal, they would collect the right hand post flag first, then collect the other flag from the other post. Sometimes that was how you could confirm what score it was before they waved the flags, if you missed the quick finger signals. Also , the boundary umps, in their brilliant white shirts and shorts, and long black socks, sprinting back to the centre, knees high, then doing perfect “drop punt spinning” throws back to the similarly dressed ump, before prancing backwards to the wings. Also, all the police coming out to line the boundary line,once there were a couple of minutes to go( how my heart sank in ‘58!)

Hawthorn perpetuate that myth about the Demons kicking with a strong northerly for 3 quarters. Don’t forget, Buckanara was kicking into that “ gale” after the siren, and still maintains he’d have made the distance easily BEFORE the 15 m penalty. His kick from 35 m went through post high. Yes, the wind was on and off that day, but Hawthorn were just making excuses for their lucky win when they were short price favourites pre-match( just as North and Sydney were the 2 weeks before). Hawthorn had a field day with the umps that day. Their experienced players knew how to manipulate the umps( eg the Buckanara dive in the Grinter tackle) No Hawthorn supporter will acknowledge that Kennedy hit the post in Q4,and the( unsighted )goal ump gave a goal....despite advice from Jimmy. I have video proof of this fact. As in all finals that year ,we’d have been rank outsiders in the GF v Carlton. We beat Carlton 3 times the next year, including in the finals.

Geez.......I hope it’s not about big Max!!

There was a fair bit of time left after Froggie's goal. The ball went deep into their forward line. Magpie Ian Graham nearly marked, and could have been paid a free, but wasn't (times have changed....good on you, Ron Brophy!) Barry Bourke cleared it and the siren went. I'll never forget the joy! Like Dante, I expected us to keep winning premierships year after year. It's been pretty rough since then, and the many thousands of Demon faithful should be proud that they've stayed with the Demons so long, for so little reward. That's what's made the last month so good!

Harmes was hypnotised at the Foundation Heroes dinner. Hes been a champ since!

I can’t hack those two thugs pontificating on the Gaff affair. Gaff’s gaffe was a one-off shocker from a previously fair player, and he was lucky to only get 8 weeks. Matthews repeatedly perpetrated cowardly ,behind the play atrocities ( Giles, Smith and McMullin for us, and every team can quote similar incidents against their players) Even worse is Judd, who on two occasions was found guilty of attacking the eyes of opponents.....the EYES! Obviously delicate, sensitive, and important structures, crucial to a normal life. Not satisfied with that, he “chicken-winged” an opponent with a known shoulder injury. He was also guilty of deliberately standing on his taggers abdomen, and twisting his stops into his guts. The guy is a vicious, heartless hypocrite, and should never comment on unfair play.

We haven't played at the MCG much in the last 6 weeks, and I think the Membership booth there is the best place to attract new members. I'm hoping for a big sign-up outside gate three next Monday. There has been a lot of publicity about what a great style of footy we play, and how we're likely to play deep into September. Surely that will attract a few late joiners.

Did you have a good day.? I sure did,and it only took me 10 min to get there,! You deserved it, coming down from PNG,! ut

Geelong seemed pretty "pumped" during their premiership years under "Bomber"

Oscar has beaten Hawkins, Roughead, , Riewoldt, and Daniher in succession. I've forgotten who he beat at Brisbane; they tried several on him. I thought he was good last season, and he has improved. A.A. in the near future.

But it’s all clear with the block chain.

I think Harry's son, Brad, is a Dee supporter.

Does anyone know if Kristen Beams, the Aust women's team legspinner is Ben Beams' sister.? Ben was a talented cricketer who once made a triple century in a 50 over Club game in Hobart. Ben was a last minute replacement for Cam Bruce in the 2000 GF. I know Kristen is a Tasmanian, too. She's 33, and he's about 38.

I was so surprised that anyone could say OMac was "abominable" in the first half, I watched the replay again( for the third time). He played pretty well in Q1, then very well for the rest oft the he game. Yes, he had two hurried kicks in Q1 that did not end up to our advantage, but overall, he defended well. For he rest of the match,he disposed of the ball excellently apart from those two kicks, which were under great pressure, and far from "abominable". Twice his creative play from the backline ended up in crucial goals. My good mate that I sit next to each week reckons he's hopeless. Anything that goes wrong he ends up blaming Omac. You might be like him,jnrmac. ( by th way, Omac is another "jnrmac".)

The Bont

Leading wicket taker, at a good average ,in last year's Sheffield Shield. Deserved selection. Should get another chance.

I reckon he was the only one to think of this excuse. Or perhaps he was the only one not too ashamed to pretend he was scared of injections. Everyone seems to forget that Essendon players are probably still benefitting from the effects of the supplements three years ago.I compare it to the gradual build up of strength in recruits after several pre-seasons. The Bombers had an accelerated bulk-up,and it's still helping. Weve got two of them. I hope it helps us.

Despite this great start, I'm not 100% confident. I might have a nibble at the $12. for SA. As you suggest, Titan, the Aust batting is thin apart from Warner and Smith.

I was very impressed with"SOS"s form yesterday. I'd be very surprised if he's not upgraded next year. He looks to me as if he could be a very useful contributor to our backline next season. Could he play midfield? His attack on the ball, his decision making, and his disposal all impressed me. I was a great admirer of his dad Shaun's guts, standing his ground in "the hole" to be crashed by the likes of Lockett. Shaun Smith, like another brave Demon hero of mine, Steven Icke, was a fantastic transfer from North. I'm so glad we have Joel as a Demon.

We've been pretty competitive v. Port on the Adelaide Oval, though we haven't beaten them there yet. The first AFL game there (?2012 or 2013) we lost by about a point, but we actually won. The home town bias of the umpires that day was beyond belief.

Herath's a good bowler. It was a good tactical move to bring him on in gthe second over. It probably caught Burns by surprise. A poor shot, but I wouldn't write him off on the strength of that one dismissal. Warner's shot was a shocker, but I always think bat to pad to stumps is a bit stiff.

Are you sure that's right, Barrie? I reckon Danny played after the drop kick had faded out. But he could barrel them with a torp. And he was so tough! Tassie did the big drops.

Torpedoes are banned by coaches, yet they allow dribble "check side " kicks with players running into open goals. Players love practising those fiddly skills like curvy dribble kicks from impossible angles. You see AFL players (and kids in parks) spending lots of time having fun practising those things. I contend that training and practising in the special skill of spiral punting should be a routine part of AFL skills drills, which would be thoroughly enjoyed by the players. I think it could be worth 2 or 3 goals a match if all Melbourne players were the best in the league at torpedoes. Have a look at "Fork ''em's" You tube post above. See how inspiring those torps were !