Matsuo Basho

Would you conversely consider it ‘no big deal’ if Jack Viney was at an AFLW game wearing an Adelaide scarf? And if not why the double standard?

Summed up neatly? No, but there are themes in the Rocky’s which will stand for all time, whether you think they’re cheesy or not. I’m happy to quote words of actual real life champions if you like, or give links to academic studies on sports psych tomes. It’s all there, in one form or another. Nothing groundbreaking. I just personally enjoy the poetic license of cinema. And old Rancey can punch skulls with the best of them. Just as our ‘Gentleman Jack’ found out.

I stand by my comments and stand by the fact that you have both misrepresented and more importantly misunderstood them. You are missing fully half the picture about toughness and mental strength It is so much more than being in touch with one’s emotion, vulnerability and softer side. It’s also about coping with adversity, developing resilience in the face of criticism and getting back up when you get knocked down. Again and again and again. Fortitude! This is the real world as it exists now. Not some heavenly utopia you hope it will one day become. Angry AFL fullbacks and sports media vultures aren’t , you’ll find, particularly interested in New Age soothsaying and liberal socialist reform. For a young AFL key forward it’s defensive fists raining down on the back of your head and analytical evisceration by journos if you don’t perform. Get used to it - quickly - or find another vocation. “The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very rough, mean place that will beat you to your knees and keep you there, permanently, if you let it. Ain’t you or nobody gonna hit as hard as life. But it isn’t about how hard you can hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep ... moving ... forward. If you know what you’re worth then go out get what you’re but you’ve gotta be willing to TAKE THE HIT!” That’s from Rocky Balboa. Cracking flick. The whole series is really,. Ricky 1 and 2, wow. Classics of modern cinema. Eternal themes and plot lines. Goody should give the boys an afternoon off sometime and have them go watch them together. Mick and Rocky!s trainer-fighter relationship is epic.

Absolutely a compliment. Sensitivity to emotions is a wonderful attribute that should be cherished. When it comes to the unforgiving environment of elite competitive sport, however, it's a quality that can very easily lead to negative outcomes. When things don't go well or heat comes to bear, sensitivity needs to be tempered with qualities like resilience, forbearance and fortitude. You need the yin with the yang or it all falls apart. The good thing is those latter qualities can be developed. Good news indeed for the Weid and all other young men and women in these heady post-millennial times.

Nope, have never questioned his commitment to the team or to football. Nope, never advocated for Goodwin to yell at him individually at all. Criticize me by all means but please don't lie or misrepresent the truth. Yes, I have expressed concern at his mental toughness. Based on his own words in relation to struggling to cope with criticism of his performances and the perceived pressure of a contractual controversy, this is self-evident. The correlation between mental toughness and success in elite sport is no joke. Don't take my word for it. There is a rich history of literature about it online and a slew of academic studies and reports. Self-reflection and honesty about one's feelings off the field is commendable and courageous, you are right. But when those same feelings interfere with one's ability to reach peak performance in a physically demanding sport, a brutal sport at times, you have a problem that needs addressing.

Nowhere, in any thread about Weideman, have I "called him names" or questioned "his commitment to the club". Not once anywhere. And you have the gall to accuse me of making things up? I formulated a perfectly valid opinion based on this comment by him: “It was a lot of pressure which I didn’t really enjoy too much. It affected me quite hard mentally and affected my footy as well." I want the young man to succeed. But this comment concerns me. That is all.

He's not a kid anymore DV8. He's a soon-to-be 22yo young man playing elite level professional sport. To quote Gandhi: "Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny." Emotions and sensitivities do not change this reality. Sam needs a change of mindset pronto if he's going to succeed in this game. This 'aint Ozkick where everyone gets a fair go. The positive thing is that courage and confidence are not inherent qualities. With the right support and encouragement they can be acquired. But it takes effort and diligence and unwavering belief. The clock is ticking.

Geelong have got beaten preliminary finalist written all over them. Again.

For what? I haven’t engaged in any personal criticism, flaming or baiting. I have been warned (as have others) and am adhering to Demonland rules of discussion.

But not confident enough - at least at this stage - to prevent those vulnerabilities from affecting his on field performance. Brilliant for Sam the private individual, not so brilliant perhaps for the MFC forward line. Note the distinction.

No-one will give up two first rounders for a 29yo again after watching Gibbs and Dayne Beams this year. Insanity. A very classy player in his heyday Gibbs but he's cooked. The urgency is gone. Can see him going to the Suns to get a tan on the way out.

What I have or have not achieved is unimportant and irrelevant to the discussion. I'm as entitled to comment as anyone on here.

10 or so years ago I clearly recall a young Jack Watts stating in an interview that 'winning wasn't the be all and end all' for him or words to that effect. A huge red flag moment that one eyed supporters dismissed out of hand at the time. "You're reading too much into it. It means nothing", they said. Mindset is everything.

I make positive, negative and neutral comments based on things as I perceive them. I also come up with creative ideas and left-field suggestions, ALWAYS with the motivation to see this club get better and succeed. You choose only to focus on the negative aspects of my posts. How about engaging in actual football discussion instead of these constant pot shots from the shadows? Try a different tack for once.

This comment doesn’t instil confidence to be frank. It may sound harsh but this is a brutal game which doesn’t care much for sensitive souls. There’s ALWAYS going to be pressure of one kind or another. Some guys lap it up, others it eats them up and spits them out. There’s nowhere to hide for worriers and second guessers patrolling an AFL forward line. Sam’s challenge over the next 24 months, whether in the seniors or at Casey, is to transform his mindset from WORRIER to WARRIOR. Success is not going to ‘just happen’ for him as we can plainly see.

LittleGoffy - peace in the Middle East is possible

Based on his numbers over a five year period he is worth a second round pick and half that amount of money, at best. Good B+ grade player who would suit our needs but would not get into a bidding war for him.

B: A.Johnson S.Wight M.Whelan HB: B.Lovett D.Neitz S.Stretch ?T.Johnstone N.Jones R.Flower HF: G.Lyon D.Schwarz R.Robertson F: J.Farmer A.Jakovich L.Jurrah R: M.Gawn G(erard) Healy C.Oliver I: J.Stynes T.Viney J.McDonald A.Yze E: B.Wilson A.Davey S.Febey Coach: N. Daniher Assistant: Swooper Northey

Like it! Good find GCDee. A look at the 2020 FA list also sees Kennedy, Tomahawk, Daniher, Cameron, Patton and a few others named. Whether through FA or direct trading there are moves to be made by the Dees this off season. Darling is a terrific player. Would be a huge get.

See my entire commentary on Cox. They also have Reid and Mihocek. Hogan was offloaded for a reason. Look at the goal kicking table. Cameron, Hawkins, Lynch, Kennedy, Darling, Finlayson. Only Ben Brown comes from a club not in contention for the flag. West Coast, Richmond, GWS, Geelong, Collingwood. All of them have quality KPF’s. The MFC is not in development mode. We have gone through the rebuild and recruited to challenge these teams. I have no doubt internally the club will already be having this discussion.

14 goals in 18 games COMBINED from your two “key” forwards by round 11. There’s no argument on the need for one. That is totally unacceptable regardless of any mitigating factors. How much lower do you wish to set the bar? No need to sell the farm for anyone but you do have to get creative and sometimes you do have to give in order to get. No calculated risk, no reward.

Cox is a man mountain who offers far more than his goal returns. He is also improving season upon season having not even played the code before. The fact they even made a GF with him underlines his value. He was BOG in the preliminary final!

He may more love the fact that it would at least triple his current salary.

Just because his brother is Nathan is no reason to recruit him. Does not suit our needs at all. We need skill, skill, skill!

Well at least you got that right. You’re missing half the tale about big dog key forwards. They completely change the complexion of a side, straighten it up, instil confidence in the crumbers and secondary talls around them ... and in the midfield brigade upfield as they set up attacks. The ones with presence do anyway. They bring goals and STRUCTURE. Re the 2000 GF - I loved the Ox but he was cooked late in his career and just filling out a jumper.