Deemania since 56

Beloved footballer, highly respected, effective battler and hard worker for the Tiges. Vale ...

Ah, the picture of my mother-in-law's front door step. Reminds me of the great Rodney Dangerfield joke: ' Every time that we go to my mother-in-law's home for a meal, we say grace AFTER the meal.'

I would hope that that numerical assessment is fact - it truly proves a point if that is the case, let alone the 'general' indication that the longitudinal positive free kick differential over such a long time might assert without deep scrutiny.

You are correct. Regretfully, there are still many ways yet to be mentioned for umpires to affect game outcomes. What is good for the goose, ain't necessarily good for the gander.

These stats are interesting and the differentials are most annoying in first analysis. Care is given to certain teams and the majority of teams make up their rewards. This has little to do with the even playing field that umpiring should be providing. It must also be considered that it is not just the number of free kicks that are (nowadays) traditionally awarded and/not awarded in the realm of such 'officiating' care; it is more important to analyse those frees that: make or break the winning of a game for a particular team in 'care' (for example, where and when the free kick was awarded) and did it/ did it not affect the outcome of the game as a result - ie: assured winners/assured losers or even, force a team to lose a game or to provide 'eveners' between the sides to enhance the 'spectacle' from the AFL points of view? This is not cynical; this is a feature of our game these days.

Imagine the screens we may be able to set up - multiple dead-ends for opponents, with Oliver and Brayshaw and perhaps Sparrow flanking but goalward at full pace for the taps and handballs. Then Preuss and AVB to clean up what is left of the opposition defence/interceptions.

Thanks, interesting recollection. Still, in my eyes, a gentle giant and very kind hearted.

John Lord was my favourite - I was so young I am not sure that I have the correct Christian name ... but he got me a pie at schoolboys training clinic and looked awesome holding my hand (big, brave bloke) when I cried (someone punched me in the nose during a training run). One helluva Demon, was he.

It is likely to be so, NC, all is in the performance and contribution.

Wonderful to see him back.

So pitifully true ... Christian needs to be given a big warning about the independent incorrectness of his decision=making so far.

Guess you may be correct, Clint. He certainly can do nice things onfield and he is certainly hungry for the game with some sincerity and perhaps, justification. Hope his injuries and recoveries (2 knee reconstructions have been mentioned, I think) do not hamper his potential contribution. He could also impart forward-play skills to others who have so far missed the key points ...

Statements are good, but the wit is excellent. Onyer, Mono...

Great, freely-available example there, Tarax. It used to be called practising 'til it's right ... not mundane Tues/Thurs night time wasters.

Pleased about Rivers being picked-up by the MFC ... he is an exciting prospect ripe for the bigtime. He will get a larger frame and I suspect, quickly, too. Could develop into a key backman, for mine; has that Gary Hardeman look about him and related movements, yet taller. If he turns out to be half as good a footballer as GH, then he will star after a decent. complete orientation.

This delivery problem has to be fixed, pre-season. Our players constantly make disposal a difficult task. Yze is the answer, perhaps.

Goodwin sacked after Round 6, replaced by Yze and Lewis working together OMac traded for free to the Filth as an incentive for the trade of the Weed From Round 7, Dees win every game and play in GF (and winning the Premiership) Preuss kicks 80 goals at FFwd, Jackson nabs 50 for the year Oliver wins Brownlow Pickett wins Rising Star and kicks 60 for the year Vanders returns in 'break out' fashion Membership hits 80K Gawn becomes Co-Captain with Viney

Generalisations only. That's is why I cannot truly '...get a grip...', as you recommended. The comment is meaningless and if you align yourself to it, what else could one assume now? Further, it was naive to suggest it was a character reference in the first place. Just have a lovely day and evening, to come.

Over the years, I must have studied the attributes of a far greater number of good-to-very talented MFC players than you have Lord Nev and hence, formed the view of the Weed as a consequence. Sorry, it was just my opinion and that of others who have contributed their thoughts on the same player to this site. If it brushes your opinion with barbs, just ignore it. Your comment is like labelling theory: meaningless. Thanks, anyway.

Very interesting ... will this be a point of focus?

Brilliant reminder....

A top ten pick. Age: 22. Showed very little at all, over the past 3 years. But wait! There's more ... OMac is the same!

Bludoath. A recent focus of fitness, readiness and craft skills as a forward amongst our improving mosquito fleet sounds pretty damn good to me - we have all seen his ability to screen, block, bump, shepherd and terrorise opponents with good effect - honing playable skills with the ball can only be good stuff for Preuss. As it is, he can kick 'em, surprisingly well. He could be a vastly improved asset to our team - and for mine, a better asset than the Weed, for example. He could change upwards, really going for the marks and the snaps in the half-forward zones; and, he could well clear areas of forward play for teammates. I like the lad, so I hope the coaches can work on his skills as a forward and his running pace/take-off to space (he already has commendable ruck skills, to boot).

Dunno, this player has been given extensive opportunities so far to polish his game.

Yes, the early debut is important; a major reason for this - if appropriate to 'risk' an appearance and the circumstances of the opposition on the day - might well be to identify areas for inexperienced players' subsequent training and development at such a level of football. If the talent, as described so far, is there then such exposure may well prove to be a Godsend for a 'learner' and his readiness for duties on a more permanent basis.