Chook

Saw some footage of Garry in his prime, pre back injuries. He was svelte, bounding around the half forward line and wings like some kind of eternally 5 o'clock shadowed adonis. Almost looked like a different person. Time robs us of many things, but Garry has found a way to persevere in the media if not in coaching (where he could have achieved real immortality if he wanted to), so well done to him. Everyone who knows AFL knows who Garry Lyon is, and there's not many you can say that about, much less from Melbourne.

Ever notice how every week there is one or two incidents that seem to be the media’s focus that week? It’s not an accident. It’s by design. The sooner you tune all of it out the better.

Hope we win our grand final.

I would love to know the providence of the tape. These stories can be just as interesting.

Good smother from ANB. Geez he's giving the crows a lot. 😰

Correct me if I'm wrong but we'd be death riding the Hawks in this game regardless of how much we Hate Collingwood?

If so, then they would already know if there is structural damage. The lack of immediate retirement says there hasn't been (which is a good thing).

Brayshaw retired due to scans revealing uncorrectable brain damage. Totally different scenario to Viney, who is unable to pass his tests. To compare the two, you would need Viney to undergo a brain scan.

I would be very content with Melksham being our next senior coach. In about 5-7 years after doing his apprenticeship (either here or elsewhere) when Goody moves on as all coaches inevitably have to at some point. Big call but there you go.

I witnessed Powell live but was too young to care who kicked the first goal in a losing granny I remember the Geelong one as I had to rush off to work as soon as the final siren sounded I forgot/blocked out the existence of Mark Riley until just now. This is a chronicle of my life.

Counterpoint: do you think Oliver, Fritsch, Salem, Windsor, Lever, May, Petracca, Viney will be in better or worse form in another 4 months than they are right now? To my mind none of them are remotely near top gear at the moment.

I don't buy that we can't compete with the Geelong lifestyle. We simply need to play to our strengths. Some players like city life, while others could easily set up on the Mornington Peninsula (e.g., I believe Jake Lever has done this, as has Max Gawn?) Competing doesn't mean "doing the same thing". Obviously we can't compete with the farm life by offering farms. But there are things we and other clubs can do/offer that Geelong can't. Ditto for every club. Though I will admit that if I were a footy player and didn't have a hatred for Geelong I'd probably want to set myself up at Torquay with a hobby farm and a new truck too.

AFL's pet cat.

Next time you speak to him, tell him Chook thinks he's got himself in ripping nick.

Leaving that game I overheard a father consoling his young son wearing a Hawthorn jumper. Dad was consoling his boy saying "there's always next year." For a moment I pitied that young man, born too late to experience the flags and success of the 2008-2012 Hawks. Only for a moment.