Whispering_Jack

What a contrast from when they last played and the Swans struggled in a dull, low scoring affair? It was a game of rubbish defensive slogging. Sydney had 35 inside 50s for the entire game. They already have 36 today and more than two and a half times their final score.

I met Rod a few times in 1991 in the company of George Simon and his son Andy mentioned in the article as the people who “adopted” him as family during his short stay at the Melbourne Football Club. I think George headed up the club’s coterie in those days. They were regulars at the Chinese restaurant below my office and they took Rod there a few times when he was burning it up on the field with the Demons. Needless to say the conversation was pretty upbeat and enjoyable. It was a time when people rarely spoke openly about personal issues and things like paedophilia or alcoholism or the possible connection between the two weren’t even considered in blokey conversation. How different, Rod’s life might have turned out if only ... “Rod's housemate gave a statement to police (about Ray’s paedophilia), prevailing upon Rod to give one too. But fearful of living in a world in which everyone knew what had happened to him, Rod wouldn't unburden himself of 23 years of anguish.”

I first saw him in 1982 when he was starring for the St Francis junior football team in a Chelsea District Junior Football League match. Rod Owen was just 15 and already built like a man. A year later, he was playing for St. Kilda. A year after that, he was already an alcoholic and a drug addict. The troubled young footballer suffered injuries and managed only 60 games in a chequered career of eight years with the Saints before he was traded to Melbourne in 1991. He was spectacular in his brief stint at the Demons but managed only nine games (and two five goal hauls) before he was traded again — this time to the Brisbane Bears. This painful story is a long and harrowing read that details the horrors of abuse as a child by a teacher and by the uncaring officials who advised a 16 year old to sign away his life to a football club and not worry about school just weeks after his father’s passing. It’s a narrative about the tragic journey of a young man who appeared to have the sporting world at his feet but who never achieved the dream of sporting heroism and instead, endured the darkness of addiction, prison and a long journey towards rehabilitation. None of this was imaginable to me when I first saw the young Rod Owen wearing the green and white guernsey against Ajax at Le Page Park in Cheltenham almost forty years ago. He was just playing a game of footy back then. Addiction almost killed AFL star Rod Owen, but he was hiding the agony of abuse

Fabian Francis played one game for Melbourne. I think that might be a touch short of what’s needed to qualify even if he was the biological father.

Knightmare’s first power rankings for 2021 - April. No surprises there - Horne @ #1 and Daicos in the top 5.

Melbourne went on to win by 9 goals to go to 2-0 and our winning streak continued for several weeks. Hoping for similar in the coming rounds.

We played Hawthorn at Waverley and enjoyed a great opening term.

The impression I got from watching the last few minutes of last night’s game was that the Lions looked to have more run in their legs when it counted, culminating in some terrific possessions from McCluggage and Rich and the goal from Bailey. By way of contrast, a few Magpies looked slow in pace and in their reactions. If ever there was a case for holding onto a fitness guru like Darren Burgess, it was made last night.

Yes he will and the resurrection is all happening at the right time of the year.?

The last quarter ...

Quarters 1 to 3 ...

The strength of the AFL depends on football’s grass roots. The local suburban and country clubs that develop young footballers and turns them into stars. Those clubs are also important to their local communities for their sport and healthy recreation and for their togetherness and entertainment at weekends. This is a story of council greed that could kill off Fitzroy for a second time. It shouldn’t be allowed to happen. Council fee hikes threaten to wipe out community sports clubs

So no VFL practice games at the weekend. Presumably the players not in the MFC team will have some form of match simulation etc but it's not the same and makes it harder for those pushing for selection to get into a team that's winning :)

Only disappointment about the interview was that there was no mention of his team manager back in those last days at the club.

Do we have to tag Neale in Round 4?

So here’s hoping that there are no incorrect late umpiring decisions affecting the result and the only ones ejected from Marvel Stadium tonight are the Saints.

Guy Walker signed a Victorian State cricket contract at 17 but swapped codes to become a Melbourne footballer (category B rookie). However, by the age of 24, injuries forced him into retirement without playing a game with the Demons. This is his inspirational story.

According to the article on last Saturday's VFL game - "This weekend’s practice match will see Casey take on North Melbourne, Saturday 10am at Casey Fields."

Are these stats adjusted to allow for %age time on the ground?

That limits the injured list to - 21. Marty Hore 26. Sam Weideman 27. Aaron Nietschke 38. Mitch Brown 41. Jay Lockhart 44. Joel Smith 50. Ben Brown

Take it easy - it’s Sunday morning. Plenty of time for someone who was there to put a report on the club website.

Interesting - we know that Kade Chandler missed because he was the unused sub for the MFC game but did Oskar Baker, Jake Bowey and Harry Petty sit the day out as well?

We’re on our way but we’re looking shakey when in defence.

Upcoming Practice Matches Northern Bullants - 11 am Saturday 20th Mar @ Casey Fields North Melbourne - Saturday 27th Mar @ Casey Fields TBC - Saturday 3rd Williamstown - Saturday 10th April @ Casey Fields

So, Melbourne remains the only side to have defeated Richmond this year.