Engorged Onion

I just saw this in The Age... now perhaps there isnt full context around what Edward said, but if what was said is true, then culturally, Ed still doesn't get the need for a genuine acknowledgement of what has gone on. HL doesnt want life membership, he merely wants his experience acknowledged.

Peter, is there any redeeming features about the Melbourne Football Club playing list in your eyes?

For mine @Red and Blue realist, both Collingwood and Richmond have incredibly quick players and 'ping' the ball around better than we do. The game was dour because of the defensive structures that both clubs (and the top clubs) can commit to time and time again, not due to a lack of speed or burst from the team with the ball. The question for Goodwin and co, is how do we as a team best break lines and open the game up and beat those structures. A track watcher alluded to a perceived shift in training that it looks like we have pulled back a bit from the notional play on at all costs methodology. That one is great for breaking lines (but seemingly we kick it over our forwards head or to an out number)... the alternate is to slow it down a bit and be more precise which obviously allows the defensive system of the opposing team to set up. Quite frankly, I have no idea what the best approach is. Or...maybe its not as binary as that... anyone (a self appointed coach in waiting?) got some thoughts?

I get confused by that Is it Bennell, like Pummel or Ding Dong Dell, [censored]'s in the Ben Nell? ha...censoring nursery rhymes.

There was a great article (I believe it was in The Age on the weekend just past us) re: Harley, and the great work that Dr Peter Stanton in Geelong here had picked up on some nuances that perhaps had gone undetected in the past screening/diagnosis of Harley. I would argue @Fifty-5, that he hasn't been here before, because this was not specifically addressed. "Stanton thought it unusual that Bennell complained of heel soreness each time he suffered a calf injury, an indication that the nerves were being irritated. He knew the search for an answer had taken Bennell across the world but he wondered whether that numbness was a clue to something previously unidentified. Scans from Perth radiologist Dr Eamon Koh showed an extra band running across the top of Bennell's calf muscle, a rare feature that in other patients seemed to interrupt blood flow and cause calf problems. Vision of Bennell's calf tearing also revealed the nerve lengthening and stretching at the key moment." This is a significant moment in the resurrection of Harley...now whether it results in longevity it's not possible to know, however it has given him the best chance for it.

I thought he was going to leave the club???

Interesting Rd2 in’s Some thoughts...I read it as a signal 2020 would be nice to win but let’s blood the youngsters in a compromised season. So its not so much ‘cue in the rack’ but if we do well, then great, but there are pressing priorities in the meantime. or they simply don’t rate the blues or the rate rivers and Jackson immensely.

100% @BAMF - its a useless article that presumably is deliberately avoiding their own knowledge of how to bring a player back from rehab.

What a great diagram. For the life of me, I cannot see Diesel Williams. Where is he? Also, on Clarry - I like it when he kicks... there is a gut feel that kicking is more productive. Clarry can get purchase for sure, but if he bombs it into the forward line (as more than likely he would be under pressure) - and it rebounds.. perhaps its not as productive. Mind, perhaps he just handballs it, and merely passing the buck on who would 'bomb it in' for a rebounded goal anyway...

How good is the crypticness of that love it

Yeah, thanks for that - I lost touch with how he went last year TBH.

I'm very excited about Rivers, and believe the selection panel (not just Goodwin) will select Pig for this round for another opportunity, and look to blood Rivers when injury or form drops off. BUT I could be wrong. Where does this all leave Marty Hore... I really like him.. but perhaps I'm pumping up a good honest toiler?

I get what you mean about 'feeling' he never got injured. Broken Jaw on both sides over in WA was one I recall...

Didn't quite know where to put this one, I've been watching the replay against the Hawks in 2003 throughout the afternoon interspersed by wrangling kids. Jeez, it took me back to being 23 and my adoration of Neitz. It's fascinating to me, reflecting how, literally E.V.E.R.Y T.I.M.E the ball was kicked in to our forward line when you watched it on TV, there was Neitz, like a [censored] colossus, either standing his ground, smashing packs, merely impacting in subtle ways because of his aura/reputation, taking 2 opposition backman etc etc. Essentially, watching the replay, I recognised the joyous anticipation of what couldn't be seen, left or right of screen when the ball was kicked from the centre square. Some good years back then eh!

I second what you say there @Collar-Jazz-Knee From the 3min mark to see what an under used weapon we have in Max. Someone posted a couple of weeks ago re: Jeff White and his ability to thump the ball forward, I'd much prefer that than what feels has happened in 2019 whereby our midfield does not give Max reward for his excellent tap work (or perhaps its not excellent tap work, perhaps its poorly placed??)

How good is nostalgia. I'm 40, loved Brett Lovett, and acknowledge Nathan has had a far superior career, but I'm still going for Brett. Anyone know what Brett does these days, still coaching?

Mmm, what about Jason Norrish - I was always said he went to Freo... he had rather luxurious hair IIRC.

R U OK?

What point are you trying to articulate @MyFavouriteMartian? Perhaps you misinterpreted my post? My point is, it's a great thing that the players are accessing the mental health services provided to them, even in very very recent years, there haven't been the culture's within some clubs (as it's always lead from the top (coaches, captains etc)) that would advocate for using such services.

That response would be hilarious if it wasn't so misguided. Wow! Some old school coaches, do not like outsiders with breadth of skill set taking over 'their' space. Anyway... an evolved generational shift is occurring, and that can only lead to good outcomes.

All the players 'struggle' - I know of one club in the last few years that had around 50% of their players attending one psych external from the club... ranging from premiership players struggling with weekly scrutiny from public and perceived judgements from teammates, as well as those who felt there were favourites from coaches/selection committee and not getting games... and then more general anxiety. The more the services are used (and advocated for) the better. It's a generational shift...and Thank Fork for that.

It's fascinating isn't it, who provides what expert information to the AFL to make the 'entertainment package' more subjectively palatable. I for one am a purist, and quite like the dull sounds of blokes running on turf, smacking into each other, whilst having a beer in one hand, and goanna oil in the other...

A bit of an Adam Heuskes if my intel remembers correctly...

As we have plenty of time to think... if you had to - who would you prefer? The potential of Jackson on the park or The potential of Hogan on the park

Genius