Deemania since 56

Good report!

Reminds me of the story of a merchant navy sailor just getting off the ship in Port Melbourne, with eight months of pay in his pocket, heading for the pub across the road. He passes a lady of the night leaning against the pub entrance, who asks: 'Hi, Big Boy, lookin' for something different?' To which he asks in return: 'Why, what have you got, leprosy?'

In the parlance of footballing purity of thought, AVB is an agent of indecision within the competitive moment. I really liked the reference to a B-double truck, because that is what I am waiting to see. Such an anticipation is not a blood lust, it is its effect that it has on the rest of the game - and you summed it up perfectly as '... indecision which in turn creates opportunity for our guys...' .

POTENTIAL! Bradtke has it. Sparrow has it. The team wears it.

The Melk at the front, I think(?)

Cannot get that out of my memory. What he offers is remarkably good, so let's all light a candle to his immediate recovery. How frustrated must he feel? In a crowd striding independently around the Northern Stand last season, he looked as impressive as a young Ditterich caught in a world of midgets and I was glad that I did not have to play on him - or his ilk - in my day. AVB, May, Petracca, tough nuts and hungry ... can't wait. I get these chills about having another Rod Grinter (or three) back into the MFC team - ready to wreak carnage with grace, poise, footballing nouse and intent.

There was something strange about his goal kicking; too indifferent to analyse it, though - after all, it was the Tigers in the days of Esso petrol stations. Stickers everywhere - 'Carna Tiges, Put a Tiger in Ya Tank', etc. Paddy had a presence, though. My mates in those days were largely all Tiger supporters and the first person that they ever mentioned was Paddy - a hero-like status, and he could do no wrong. He actually did a good deal wrong, come to think of it ... but in a charming way(?) and the apple of that monotonous Richmond supporter throng. An untidy footballer, at best; strangely this was largely due to those enormous ankle boots with the up-turned toe that he wore (White Diamond brand I suspect). These were great footy boots - wore them myself - but no-one else's toes turned up like Paddy's. He had this larrikin image at all times - and the 'Paddy' instead of the 'Patrick' gave him a leprechaun status but very much larger than the traditional Irish pixie - amid the very deepest jest and jangle of the Irish and thus, widely celebrated, loved and tolerated despite (let's say 'occasional') flaws in technique. As stated before, he still gave his heart and soul to the RFC, and never stopped trying for team success. He attracted large crowds to the Richmond matches, and was rightly and boisterously applauded by his fans, particularly when something onfield went correctly for him. A great past icon of the game we all love.

Thank you for this separate report, Saty; it is difficult to amass news of the Dees from Adelaide - even though this site is far better than the MFC site, there are gaps in information, naturally, from time to time. I appreciate your efforts and reports - and this specific missive. Keep up the good work on our behalf.

There are many words quietly expressed about Bradtke, his ability and his developmental progress as a senior footballer. It may be opportune this pre-season to include reports on him and one or two others in similar circumstances. B-rookie is the hard route so I guess we all hope that he emerges well.

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.