Deemania since 56

Sniff, sniff ... another Essendon something or other? Sniff, does it stink? Thompson, Salmon, Madden, monetary profiteering, what else?

It does stick in the back of the mind...taking the reckless advantage option too far for most peoples' liking. Good indicators have been the movement of previous Essendon players to other clubs.

I seemed to have received ( in the membership pack ) nearly all of what could be regarded as the 'full kaboodle', as did my wife. These few extra scarves will be good to hand out to others in the extended family who currently do not own one - as nothing is wrong, faded or farnarkled to warrant a replacement of previous largesse from the Club that assists with neck warming at the 'G. At the Club's membership department, I guess that different people do different things on different days and hence, in my case, Vive la Difference!

Watson must return the Brownlow for re-awarding to a more meritorious player that did not take performance-enhancing drugs. Watson, like all others of the affected Essendon players knew he (and they were) was taking such illicit substances as professional sportsmen and this was encouraged and endorsed by Hird at the helm. The AFL would be highly remiss if it did not impose sanctions, as appropriate, to those at Essendon who were identified as using performance-enhancing substances; in fact, there must also be sanctions against Essendon receiving 'sympathy' draft or recruiting rights because of this massive transgression. Courts and international authorities do not get these assessments wrong.

Across this summer season layoff where news of any kind is gold, yet hard to find, I just watched for the sixth time the Demonland Podcast of 'Rare Robbie Flower Highlights' - and it still makes me well-up inside, brings a tear to my eye and forces me to analyse in a myriad of ways just how good he was as a player and a team inspiration. Whilst this is a 'highlights' reel, there is so much of Robbie in this vault across so many games and against such talented opponents - all over the ground - that clearly confirm him as the best player I have ever had the privilege to see. For those who have not seen this podcast, may I strongly recommend it to you. Will there ever be another player this good?

The game is now out of our hands, largely. One corporate ticket is worth more to the AFL than 10 general admission tickets - and the fanfare for catering and refreshments and ego-time seems to have surpassed the general principles of spectatorship and team loyalties. In a very short time, footy will be out of the reach of those who made it great with their loyalties and affiliations. If this is going to be the case and in fact, does eventuate, its 'goodbye' from me and 'farewell' from him. All we really wanted was a seat, a beer and a pie with sauce - for two hours per week during the season - or even more occasionally. Shame really, the AFL hierarchy seem to prefer to behave like politicians with their accumulated largess.

I used to be a secondary English teacher.....

I wanted to call any one of my sons 'Ronald Dale' but she who must be obeyed let me down on this one.....

Good, possibly means that these are all going to be distributed from now on...I need a new car sticker!

Thanks, Bombay Air. Nice city, it is too (Bombay).

You are luckier in Sydney than we are in Adelaide, as far as airfares go. We can sometimes get a cheap one-way flight to Tulla but usually it is a way out single direction to Avalon. The return trip costs up to 6 times the discount fare paid to get to Melbourne and seldom are there 'both ways' tickets at discount. To achieve these 'discounts' and airline profit opportunities, we usually must travel on a Wednesday and return on a late Sunday flight that would be readied overnight for a return to Melbourne on Monday morning. That means finding relatively cheap accommodation Wed,Thurs, Fri and Sat - usually about $240/night. For two, it is expensive. We drive over quite a bit to see the Dees, averaging about 6 or 7 trips per year and each trip takes about 10 hours each way at the speed limits. Still, we love our footy and team so we sacrifice. At least we get some reasonable TV and cable coverage, these days. Combine our Memberships with a pie and a beer at the game, and car rentals if we fly, then we have a millionaire's hobby to contend with just to stay in touch with our interest. Is that any way to treat a 'purebred' Melbourne boy in his retirement? Hahahahaha ha....

Sure is looking stronger and more demonic. Great to see, and let''s hope it comes out on game day.

I got into a Melb-Rich game back in 1960 for free! Tickets were issued at skool as I lived in the Richmond zone in Melb, in Malvern, and we had pies and pasties with heap'sa dead horse on top carried on trays by some of the greats and I remember Jack Dyer farnarkling around spilling soft drinks and cordial as he progressed through the crowd! But, I loved the Demons, even then....so it was a win, win, win and pretty special.

Elegantly posited, Skuit. Can you imagine Leigh Matthews tolerating such prejudice?

Tough, ain't we?

If need be - partially 'Yes'. Seen a good deal of footy in my time and strong at analysis. Certain elements of play and execution stick in one's mind as 'above average' or unexpectedly capable - even in a young 'un. Petty displays these characteristics....

Too right, he is quick. Remember his goal from the boundary line? The was no snap towards goal, that was a receive-'pick-up'- goalward glance-body positioning for impact-lightningly fast kick - and then a re-balance all mixed in with an initial shepherd for his teammate who could not acquire the ball in the massing crowd. All from inside a rapidly growing pack of both teammates and opposition players with a tagger on him, as well.

It does look like he is a great recruit for us. Agility is just as important as speed and he has that. Endurance to do it again and again and to recover quickly will be his test the the coming season. Very happy that he was picked up - and it is an indication of how much our recruiting respected the potential of those appearing to join MFC before his selection.

I'd reckon he would be much better than Oscar McD, right now!

Of course, why didn't I think of that?

A haircut would bring this all to fruition, given that the base model displays so much talent. Might even make him more speedy when he sees where he is going....

Ah, the poet arises! What a refreshing spin on the evocation of a love for a game, a team and a discussion point.

Yeah, good, FDet

Agree in general with these summations, Faultydet, except with the Weideman tackle, bodywork or defensive pressure. He has always been a 'skirter', running around as if to pounce but never doing much about it. He does need to build his upper body, considerably and to be able to deliver body contact interferences in order to acquire the ball, a tap-on to advantage or to shield/screen a more agile teammate's pathway forward. Time with Casey will be invaluable to him.

When we were talking about the showers shyness at other clubs, I just presumed that this was unstated 'tinea' detritis about his person but now he is signed on, I have been assured that this has now cleared up and he is raring to go. He has even enrolled in a course in modern language, reads well now, including other attribute developments to meet those standards expected of him. See, your motivation was outstanding in more than one regard. Even CityDee (above) has commented as further proof that he '...looks to have a good turn of foot...', which in itself regarding the above, now-unmentionable ailment is a definite sign of his positive change and readiness. Good onyer, Redleg.