Mel Bourne

If there was a button that shared half your school-lunch with another poster I’d hit that, but for now I’ll just hit “thanks”. ??

That’s an interesting perspective. I’ve tried to think of more players, but I’m a little stumped. Had Jesse Hogan reached a new level this year, he might have been a contender. Alas, he did not.

Hey, what’s the deal with the aggro here? I make a pretty harmless observation (sure, it might not have been an accurate one), some guy jumps down my throat and six of you pile on with the ‘likes’. Am I not in the Cool Club?

For sure. I guess I could’ve said “I wonder if that flare-up was the catalyst for a decision”. And yes, that decision may very well have been the club’s, not his.

Well, actually I was just positing an idea that his on-field altercation with another player -an altercation that had a couple of articles written about it, mind you - might have played a role in the whole story. Not suggesting it was the principal cause by any stretch. Also I’m just sitting here, pondering a fairly insignificant-in-the-scheme-of-things story about a player in a team I support, and just generally passing the time. I guess that’s cause for laughter?

Can’t stop thinking about that flare-up between him and May at the GABBA. I wonder if he decided to leave then n’ there.

Finally got around to watching this. Regarding NJ: “He’s lead the club with a great legacy”. Nathan must be quite touched by that delightful little word-salad from his coach. Especially when delivered in such a passionate way. I was very disappointed when we took on Goodwin. Anyone that followed the Essendon saga closely, was struggling to believe we’d actually reward his behaviour during that period, with such an appointment at our club. I thought that there must have been something particularly ingenious or incredible going on there for us to overlook such a serious transgression (along with the rest of his chequered past). After watching that cyborg struggle through another public address, I’m now going to wholeheartedly embrace these few months until he reappears to frustrate the living hell out of me. Oh well. As the person in question muttered in an entirely uninspiring and unconvincing manner at the end of his speech... ...go dees...

I find it incredibly strange that somebody would want that information out there. I would find it quite awkward knowing that my colleague was “sorrowful” they couldn’t be elsewhere.

Well, let’s see which clubs are looking for a new coach soon then, hey?

What a drag.

Dignity and common sense. Great to see. And hopefully it affords him the freedom to have an excellent year.

Yes, it’s been quietly astonishing to notice certain supporters go from “fist in the air” to “cap in hand” within the space of a year. Most undignified.

This bloke from Shepparton had some luck teaching the Hawks to kick their way to a couple of premierships...

Which is what I implied, no?

He should earn his spot every week like every other player in the team. If he gets to 300 by doing that, then fantastic. But there’s increasingly less room for sentiment in the modern game.

“Don't forget the good gear today buddy." “Don't forget the good gear mate." “Bring some of the good stuff in buddy." “Sorry mate forgot to see you yesterday. Am heading to Adelaide today can you please bring some of the good stuff in buddy." These are some of the texts Simon Goodwin sent to Steve Dank when he assistant coach at the Bombers. I could be wrong, but I think the “good stuff” he is referring to in these texts, is “club culture”.

I’m not trying to dissuade you. When you see a club like Richmond being managed by a former great, with another as their CEO, how can you not be moved by what is very obviously a strong sense of tradition and camaraderie? And furthermore, how could one not see how it could be one of the major ingredients of the club’s success?

Be careful suggesting this. I’ve done it in the past (specifically referring to Adem Yze) and some of the more supposedly-learned people around these parts were very quick to tell me that having former players at the club is a foolish thing to want for. I guess Neil Balme and Brendon Gale are just freakish anomalies.

Which I will always happily attend!

Though it’s true that constant negativity can be tiresome and even more dangerously, risks becoming the accepted norm, I’m becoming increasingly bored by people who rap others over the knuckles for not being positive. Though the game itself is anchored in undeniable truths via a set of rules and results, following a sporting team is altogether abstract. Investing time and genuine emotion into a group of strangers chasing a ball around a ground week after week is f$&king strange no matter which way you slice it. But you take what you want from it. There is no “correct” way to enjoy sport. If somebody wants to be negative about the sporting club they follow, then absolutely go for it. And the exact same thing applies to the opposite. If you’re a supporter who is affronted by another’s negativity, then go and stand somewhere else or ignore what they write. But the second you start berating that person you’re being a bit of a fascist. Also, people who have lived out the majority of their life without seeing their team win a premiership have every right to be a bit negative, so I don’t blame any of the posters here for having a vent. It’s a frustrating thing.

Cotchin sounds like Gore Vidal compared to Jack Viney.

Watching the captains/coaches press conference today, I’m struck by the vast chasm between theirs and ours when it comes to confidence, eloquence and overall intelligence. We’re not going to win a premiership until we have that kind of leadership. Right now, we are not even close.

I googled it for you. He’s 47.

Yes, Lockhart. Absolutely needs to be groomed for the role of small forward now, and I believe with a proper pre-season with the club we’ll see some great stuff from him next year. I just watched some clips of him (including his first goal, which was a classic piece of small forward play) and knowing that he did what he did with us this year with a perfunctory preparation at best, I’m full of genuine optimism we could have our next gun small forward right under our nose

I’ve been wondering if there is an intention to groom Lockhart for the dedicated small-forward role. And if not, why not. From the little glimpses we got this year, he could definitely fit the bill. I still think Spargo deserves another season before we make our minds up about him, but to my eyes Lockhart has more silk and seems more athletically gifted than Charlie.