Dame Gaga

Any player who places a bet on himself to do anything in a game, including kicking goals, is not being a team player. He is being selfish and looking to influence some part of the game, no matter how small it may be. What next, to pass it to another player who he backed to kick X number of goals? It can begin to be a bit murky when a player starts dabbling in this kind of betting. That is why the rules are there, and everyone is told what they are. As you pointed out, the little things may seem insignificant, but they could turn out to be the thin end of the wedge.

I agree with you in that with most things the people who do the right thing are punished because of the irresponsible minority. Perhaps as I pointed out the alcohol free areas could be increased. I have been going to the football a long time and whenever I have attended our 'home' games but not been able to sit in our reserved seat area, the experience of sitting with opposition supporters who drink throughout the game is not a comfortable experience. I am sure there are plenty of fans who enjoy the football while having a quiet drink with their friends. Unfortunately it's the loud obnoxious ones who make it bad for everyone else. It is a difficult problem.

Making that remark to Howe in the change rooms (if that was indeed what happened) about one of his team mates costing him a multi, shows how Stephenson's betting wasn't just a bit of mucking around with his mates on the couch when he was bored and his mates were betting on their phones. His betting had ingrained itself into the way he looked at playing football. Instead of being a part of a TEAM with the objective of being as good as he could be to work within that team, the ultimate goal being part of a premiership team, the gambling made him selfish. And another thing. I suspect Eddie has done a mountain of spin doctoring to convince everyone Stephenson's bets were only minor aberrations. We only heard recently how gambling is a problem for many AFL players. Yet Eddie reckons his player was a "clean skin" (his words) who picked up a multi for 30 bucks, self reported, and then got "clobbered". Now he says the decision to "clobber" Stephenson will in future drive players "underground" to bet with unregulated bookmakers and in turn this will lead to a gateway to organized crime!! Cor blimey Eddie. You are lucky your player will get to play in finals. Take it and be quiet.

I heard some of Gil's press conference at 2pm today. He sure doesn't like being asked questions by journalists. He got very defensive and bristled at suggestions the fans were upset by the presence of the security guards patrolling the aisles. He said this practice had always been going on, for 20 years! and he made no apologies for making the football safe and family friendly. Well yes Gil, the security have been doing their little patrols from time to time (usually in the first quarter then you don't see them again), but not like we have seen lately. They look like prison guards keeping an eye on the trouble makers who may be a bit loud. He kept harping on about how it was the AFL's responsibility to make sure going to the football was a safe and family friendly experience. Then in nearly the same breath he placed the blame on the stadium management for being heavy handed. Which is it? Yes, we agree it should be a safe and enjoyable environment, but you don't squash a flea with a wrecking ball. Here's a thought Gil. I have said it before and I will say it again. Increase the amount of alcohol free areas for fans, and do not have the alcohol areas immediately above the non alcohol areas, or we have fans being abused from above from others who have been fed too much alcohol. Perhaps alcohol should not be sold in the last quarter, because towards the end of the game the trouble seems to start. Ideally alcohol should be banned altogether, just as smoking was. But that would mean a loss of money wouldn't it? Making football safe and family friendly? Sounds like lip service to me. Politician speak. The bottom line is always money.

I don't know why I am constantly surprised by the lack of intelligence shown by some footballers sometimes. Should be used to it by now. What do these players do at team meetings? Switch their brains off? Surely the clubs drum into the players what is right and what is wrong. Ignorance cannot be used as an excuse.

Heard Terry Wallace on SEN this afternoon talking about the post match calls they took after the Blues-Dogs match. For 90 minutes no one called in to talk about the game. The callers were all concerned about the security guards patrolling the aisles at the ground. Some even left the match at half and three quarter time because they felt so uncomfortable. One caller said he was with his mother and they left the match to go home to watch it on TV. The problem with being so heavy handed with this way of doing things is that the people who do the right thing end up feeling terrible and intimidated. The aggressive drunks don't care who is around, they just carry on as usual. So is the AFL going to alienate all the 'good' fans and we will leave the grounds to all the so called 'bad' fans? There was still a fight between supporters at the end of the game anyway. Two thoughts - Have the security at the back of the bays watching the crowds so they are not obtrusive (it is also annoying when they block your view of the game when they are doing their patrols), then we all know where they are so we can call on them for help if they are needed, plus they can observe the fans just as well from there. Either increase the alcohol free areas for people who want to enjoy the football with their children and families, or even by themselves, without drinkers next to them (another annoying thing about these people always getting beer-they move up and down while the game is being played and also block your view of the game). OR- SHOCK. BAN alcohol totally, if the supporters can't be trusted to behave. I know this won't happen, because there is money involved. That seems to be the number one priority for everything now.

"Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously , and accepting both of them." - George Orwell "1984". "The AFL's message to everyone is clear-come to the footy, barrack as loud as you can, enjoy the game and do so in a responsible manner". - Gil McLachlan. "The fans ultimately decide what that looks like, not me or you, it's the people around you." - Gil McLachlan. "I was on level 3 and it was very awkward. Security was staring anyone down who became animated and several fans were warned for just barracking. It was like we were being spied on." - Nat Edwards. Something may be clear to Gil but not to anyone else. We are all confused. And not happy.

I only want to know where the goals are going to come from. Goals win matches don't they? Or is that too simplistic in this day and age?

Point taken, this can be true, but I was thinking more of dogs as loyal, loving pets. Humans do a lot of damage as well. Plus dogs need to be trained and restrained. They are pack animals and there is always a leader. The human owner needs to be the strong leader and be the boss of the dog, but with discipline and kindness, not cruelty. They are need a lot of commitment to look after and personally I have never owned a dog because of the work load this entails. People don't realize they are a big responsibility and shouldn't take them on if they haven't got the time to look after them and train them. One of the reasons I objected to the saying was I have seen humans do some terrible things to animals, watching animal rescue channels. Even after being abused, these dogs and cats look for love and affection from humans even after being tortured by them.

To be honest, I have never heard of the term, but it is just as bad! I have two cats and I would be horrified if something happened to them, especially if it was done deliberately. Pets are part of people's families. That's terrible. Watch some animal rescue channels and see what so called humans do to defenseless animals and how they treat them. It breaks your heart.

PLEASE! Cats don't have opposable thumbs to enable them to pinch people! I should set my cats on Stratton to teach him a lesson! But they are too lazy. They only want to eat and sleep. Smarter than us, their servants. LOL.

I agree with everyone's poor opinion of Stratton on here. My only request is please don't call him a dog or call it a dog's act. Dogs are gentle , loyal creatures who do not deserve to be put in the same category as some humans. Thank you.

What an abysmal example of a captain he is. He should be ashamed of himself, but I'm guessing he probably isn't. Am I being harsh? Yes, and I don't care. Sometimes a spoiled brat needs to be told the truth.

Umpires are so gormless. Instead of trying to be the players' mate, they should be tough and crack down on this rubbish. And the AFL are always rattling on about the look of the game. This is childish behaviour from Stratton and he should be treated like a child. Punish him. Pay a free kick against him and if he protests or gives some lip, pay 50 meters against him. Tell him if he keeps doing it, he will be reported. Umpires need to grow some and take control sometimes. This can be stopped easily but no one shows any initiative or any guts to stand up to these smart guy players.

Same here, plus: Wimbledon (Barty having a go) Tour De France (beautiful countryside to look at) Brownlow Medal Count (Max winning)

Always try before you buy.

Like the way Damian always defers to Mrs. Hardwick, so in my view he is a smart man!

I watched some of Bob Hawke's State Memorial Service today and what astounded me was his granddaughter's speech about how a treaty was about to be signed for Antarctica to be exploited for its resources in 1989, but her grandfather refused to ratify the agreement and instead set about convincing the rest of the world Antarctica should be a natural reserve, devoted to peace, co-operation and science. How close we came to losing the continent to the mining industry and short term gains with no thought for the future. Hawke spoke of global warming and the consequences for our children and grandchildren 30 years ago. I wasn't even aware of this great legacy he left behind. When Hawke spoke he appealed to us as fellow human beings. Now we seem to have leaders and politicians who speak to us as though we are merely consumers who should be grateful for what we manage to attain for our families and not ask for anything else. I think this is why the AFL is on the nose at the moment with the fans. They are treating them like consumers who should just pay the money without question and do as they are told. They are forgetting the passion many fans have for their teams. For some their team is deeply ingrained in their life, just as going to church on Sunday is for others. Just as players are not robots, neither are fans. Stop the preaching.

"We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it." - George Orwell, 1984. That press release from the AFL sure sounded like a preach from the pulpit. Sounds like power has gone to their collective heads, telling us what we can and can't do at the football, like we are errant children.

No, no, no. You are not allowed to think! Thinking only gets you into trouble. Let the AFL do your thinking for you. As soon as they make up their own minds they will get back to you.

Am a fully fledged member of the unofficial Marty Hore Fan Club.

The AFL apologize? Tell him he's dreaming.

Really dislike a sore winner. If Grundy wasn't fit then he should not have played! Sounded like an excuse to protect his player's reputation. Should have given credit where credit is due instead of pouting about his player being not at his best.

"1984" turned 70 years old recently. Every day George Orwell is proven to be a genius. He only got the year wrong. The Thought Police are here and among us. The AFL are adept at Doublespeak. I see the AFL Fans Association wants a list of words people can say and can't say at the football. How has it come to this? As my dear old Dad used to say - the world has gone mad.

What hypocrites! When I questioned a police officer at the Giants game why the loudmouths who were abusing and baiting Melbourne supporters, with their children (some of whom were very upset by the constant barrage) below them were allowed back into their seats (which were MFC members seats) after being taken away, his only reply was they were allowed to. Are they being selective in choosing who to speak to or take away? Sometimes the abuser is clever enough not to swear, but it is the way they use their loud voice and their language to intimidate others. For example, the young children near me were made to feel like they were losers simply by supporting Melbourne. I wouldn't blame families for not wanting to take their children to the football anymore. And this was in an alcohol free area. But they were subject to abuse from above because those fools were allowed to drink. More alcohol free areas should be allocated. Just a thought- are interstate supporters given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the criteria of what constitutes abuse or loud barracking? Hmmm....