Mel Bourne

“Rationonately” Thanks for the further clarification, Dennis Denuto. How about you acknowledge the comment that put you off-side with most of your detractors? Or are you no longer feeling “ashamed” to dwell amongst us? It’s perfectly acceptable if you feel Maynard will be let off, but the ill-will towards your comments could have been avoided if you worded your point of view in a far less arrogant manner. There wouldn’t be an enormous debate over this incident if it was a cut-and-dry case, and because of this, nobody is going to praise your big lawyer-brain if it happens to fall the way you’ve so courageously predicted.

Even if we’re not working behind the scenes, the messaging is correct: we don’t expect to have it both ways. Let’s hope that message gets through.

Let’s be clear on this. You chose to cite both your experience in Australian Rules football and your legal background as some kind of muscle-flex, then added further that people who were in favour of Maynard getting suspended made you feel “ashamed”. You refer to people here taking “cheap shots” at you, but no shots came cheaper than this comment First of all, citing such experience (in vague terms) on an internet forum is not only weak currency, but it makes the supposition that nobody else here has the necessary insight to assess the situation. It’s as arrogant as it is dumb. Further to this, your argument as an “ex-player” seemed to be “Back in my day people got concussed and didn’t sook about it”. You seem completely oblivious to the fact that this mindset is a relic. You probably have a t-shirt that says “Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche”. Yes, there was a lot more “biffo” when you played for (insert irrelevant amateur club name here). Did it make the game better? Hardly. You’re suggesting a time when a bunch of semi-fit blokes with second jobs who could only kick a ball with their preferred foot is to be revered as the pinnacle of the game Basically, if you’re going to pull out your résumé as a reason why we’re making you feel “ashamed”, you’d want to back it up with a solid argument. But instead you’ve come across as half Mark Jackson, half Lionel Hutz.

I can ask him next week (he’s my accountant).

The talk from some posters here about May or Viney “taking out” Maynard if we’re in the fortunate position of playing the Pies again is very misguided and I simply can’t stand by it. It should be Hibbo.

I hope he gets one more chance to grab the cup and run like he just stole something! Thank you for your service, Pig. Sorry that you and Jake had to deal with all of the Bombers horror, but very glad you both found a home at the Dees and gave your all.

More than a possibility, a distinct likelihood. Brayshaw is one of our most important on-field leaders. Here’s a clip to demonstrate… This is an abridged version. The clip that ran on the broadcast was much longer and showed many more instances of Gus in this crucial mode.

Oh, as a former player AND a retired lawyer now? So many attributes The fact that that you’ve deemed any argument in favour of suspension as being purely “political” tells me your retirement might have been forced on you by the bar.

All I know is that when I played for the Sandy Zebras Under 16s I saw some shyt, people. The horror. The horror.

I’m doing my best to understand the point you and the other guy are trying to make with the whole “much worse in my day” comments. Not having a lot of luck.

Exactly. So many times now, I’ve read the question: how was he supposed to make the decision to avoid contact within a split-second? I’m more interested in this question: Why was he in such a position in the first place? The answer given to that question by his would-be defenders would be: Trying to affect a smother. In my view, his case begins to crumble at this point.

Hey everybody, Rollinson 65 saw lots worse than this in his playing days, so there’s nothing left to discuss and we should close the thread before we make him feel further ashamed! “What would Maynard's coach and fellow players have said if he had shrunk from the contest?“ Just a question that might be worth you pondering: What contest?

Yep. And you can sharpen that focus even more. We’re yet to see a game since Oliver’s return where both he and Trac cement themselves in it from the outset. We need to see three before the year’s out.

Yes. Did see that. Between that, and his two absolute clangers on goal tonight, I hope he plays.

Does Harmes come in? 😬

Watch the first five seconds of our Rd 20 match against Richmond to get a glimpse of what that might look like. It’s good, by the way. Kozzie gets an immediate clearance and dishes it to Trac which, although only amounted to a behind, happened within the first few seconds of the match. Then for the next six centre bounces (I figured that was enough research for the night), Koz is moved forward again, and we lose the next four of those clearances. Kinda boggles the mind as to why Koz isn’t used at the bounce more often. Viney and Clarry can be the bulls, and Trac can slip forward. At least try it more than once. Especially when it can work. But boy, was it hard to watch that game then and see Melksham, Petty and Brayshaw out there, and playing so well. Especially Gus. I don’t know if anybody saw Gus doing the “mic’d up” segment on one of the post-match shows recently. It was really illuminating listening to him out there. He is a true on-field leader, constantly giving instructions and boosting morale. He does it really well too. It will be so sad if he decides to call his career, which he would every reason to. Can’t help but feel after watching that Rd 20 game that we may have been cruelled by injuries to the point that a GF is no longer obtainable. Petty will be back next year, but the almost-certain end to Melksham’s career, and the possible end to a 27 year-old champion of our club’s career are the genuine tragedies here.

I can see this eventuating in a one-week suspension. I’m not saying it should.

Shane McAdam

Just wondering, is he available next week?

It must be nice having another code to run to in times of need. Unless your team is not doing well in that code either, of course. Is the Storm going well? I I always forget they exist. It’s a good name. It’s a shame they couldn’t call themselves the $hitty Melbourne Weather.

Welcome to DL mate. A place of relative calm compared to where you grew sick of. Agree on McStay and Hill being unaccounted too many times. An uncharacteristic blight on our otherwise solid defensive structure. Tomlinson up forward is far too radical an experiment for a semi final, as is Schache in the ruck. For mine, Smith takes JVR’s spot. Tomlinson takes his.

“As well as”

There’s better ways to “fly the flag” than exhausting yourself with a bit of pointless wrestling. Would have much preferred Viney to use that energy in the game itself.

I was within smelling-distance of that bunch of mutants behind the goals last night, and unfortunately I did hear that chant. I scanned the faces of that mob more than a couple of times last night, and was genuinely able to console myself with the the thought that no matter what happens on the scoreboard, the ultimate losers were right over there. If aliens were observing us, one of their conclusions would be that any humans born with a missing chromosome were issued with a black and white jumper.

Why….… …oh why….… ….are we….… …….such….… …..slow……..starters?