Spud

Stokes luckiest bloke around. Could easily still be sitting in a prison cell, got lucky with the court system. Absolutely fluked the world cup final, anything that was needed that has never happened before in such circumstances occurred and now today so much luck despite the fact it was a good innings. Still very much luck got him over the line again. He shouldn't bother with lotto, surely he has used it all up by now.

For us oldies (I was only 7) but this now smells of 1981 when we had it won before Botham pulled the test out his backside ( Lillee and Marsh won a small fortune on the punt). If we won that test we retained the ashes and after losing we just imploded, can see it happening here as they are on paper pretty even.

Seriously professional umpire should be able to see the bleeding obvious. Yes we choked, we stuffed up royal, but still, so did the umpire as that was just plum even on the tv. Just awful all round.

Apparently he is good at fund raising? As for Jesus H Christ I thought he played full back at Jerusalem?

or Attended both games, both awesome days at the footy but 87 still just about the best day ever!!

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2019-08-20/lewis-says-farewell Not one for reading the Tea leaves and conspiracy crapola, but the handshake didn't really appear to be too warm from Lewis? At the end, BV, TV and I wish another person with a V surname (think it was Gary Pert and Chaplin though) were around talking to him, but no Goodwin. Wondering if he actually did want to go around again? His comments and those of Goodwin don't have me thinking he will be at Melbourne in a coaching capacity next year. Anyway, he had a great career and came across when no one else would, trying to get us to take the next step. Still in our best 22 at the minute and giving more effort than most, despite him being almost done. Maybe he can Iron out Goldstein again (lets say legally this time) for old times sake to help us win Saturday! His efforts have been underrated by many since joining and he has been our best recruit up since Bernie Vince in my view.

Been a member 25 years and bought family memberships for the past 15 years when the wife has no interest and never attends and the kids tickets are shuffled between nephews and nieces. After this year, I will definitely downgrade to just a ticket for myself and forget the effective donation of an extra $200-$300 for the other tickets. Similar to @beetle, I feel compelled to contribute in the unlikely event we are ever any good, but the finances can't keep donating as much to rubbish. I might even get back into local footy coaching to ensure I can't ruin my weekends watching them!

Stokes and Bairstow are their fighters. Wont feel like we will rush through the rest until we get one or both of these two.

Ian Chappell was just before my time, I only caught the very end of his career in 79/80. I have certainly heard he was someone to bat for your life. Hussey was great too, probably just didn't have the lifespan of the others having started his place in the Aust team late in career, only reason though I'd have him a peg below.

Haha beat me to the submit button!! Agree

I have seen more graceful players!!! but for sheer accumulation of runs and looking secure in his innings I would have to agree. Border fought like a tiger as did S Waugh, Ponting was technically great and very good as was Greg Chappell, super elegant at the crease. I'd take Smith I think over any of them to get it done though!

The man has serious OCD, but maybe we need to just play OCD players if they all play like him!! Test cricket is still the best form as it can change so quickly out of nowhere.

started positive and usually his first 15 are the most dangerous. Also hope that they bowl the spinners at Paine as his record against spin is excellent (saved the test against Pakistan making 60 odd not out last year in the UE on a turning wicket.)

Well that ensured poor old Trav went!! Smith is a freak and hoping Wade and Pain can assist this time around. If we get 250 in front I think we can bowl them out. If Denley can spin it that much, Lyon will be hard to play. Here's hoping anyway as I prepare for the week with a Tiger snake "Rye of the tiger" on ice to finish another weekend our team has tried to ruin. (they boys did have a crack in fairness last night).

I'd agree with 10-7 as we couldn't knock over this partnership in the last 40 minutes. the total score reads about right too. I think if we could nail the last 2 poms for 10-15 runs it is about even considering the wicket did more day one, but will be a dogs breakfast late tomorrow and day 5 (should it get there). Poms just ahead I agree. Also agree this session could be the decider, if they got away to 100 in front or have us 3 or 4 for, we are in the same creek as our footy team.

Starc was injured, that's why he missed.

Haha seemed that way as the umps butchered every decision. Even Warner and Pattinson would have been reprieved if they appealed the decision. still just the 2 if they get them wrong.

He is a weird unit Smith, but it works and he does fight, absolutely great dig. Credit to Siddle and Lyon as well who hung around to ensure we didn't get run over for 130-140. If the ball moves around a bit like it did for the poms, I reckon there batting is just as brittle. Both sides have good bowling attacks, but a bit soft in batting. As the late Mike Williamson said "It's not over yet"!! BTW I am knackered this morning after staying up!! Could make for long days at work this ashes!

Hopefully Wade will earn his recall and make some runs?

haha, very true, just reading and now Head is LBW!!!

Guarantee the sponsor prize Jag ends up in a Richmond supporters hand to cap off the spanking and show the absurdity that our sponsor will give the major prize to anyone who turns up rather than the cash paying members or the sponsor clubs own supporters!!

100% sums it for me.

The worst loss of the year. On the back of last weeks talk and the quality of opposition (or lack thereof) it was a pathetic effort. The lack of care in disposal, decision making and accountability were just horrible. Half these blokes would struggle at A grade ammo's let alone AFL with the pathetic skill levels. Just embarrassing really. After all these years, its hard not to care, but I'd like to be able to forget they exist and the AFL for that matter. That was another dog awful standard! The audacity to ask for upgrade's for seats and memberships for the next 3 games when they serve up that [censored] week on week this season, they can go EAD.

Clearly Skeletor is a better bloke and had more friends!! One of which has a beard like Gawny but probably has more the body shape of Andre the giant or a hairy Brayden Preuss?

Could play a bit the lad Jakovich. That 90's period was our best chance of a flag if we had of kept our best players on the field!! On the big boy comment, love that he used the exact opposite of Dane Rampe's "little girl" comment. Surely he had it planned for just such an occasion or the spontaneity was genius!