Deeoldfart

No bloody wonder they are so expensive here! Give 'em away in Melbourne, add a premium to the price in Canberra, retailers maintain their overall profit margins, and the good citizens of Canberra suffer. I'm envious, and I blame the damn pollies!

You guys are onto a bargain if you can get them for $10:00! $11.39 a KG at Coles, Woolies (Safeway?) and the local fruit and veg. markets where I live. Another good reason to move to Melbourne, but I'd be leaving the 'other half' behind, so I guess I'll be sticking around here, and restricting myself to the usual half dozen games a season, plus finals.

I agree with all that Redleg, especially your point that some of the 'locals' think we we can offer up a stale prawn and catch a lobster. I was wrong to suggest that Neeld could be used as bait, but maybe he could be used as 'berley' if we go after a contracted player who has to agree to be traded.

Geez Redleg, you are a hard man. I think I sort of know exactly what I was trying to say, why don't you? (lol) My point is that I enjoy the anticipation of Trade Week, but I almost always feel let down at the end because we don't land a decent fish. This year might be different. I have a gut feeling that we will land a decent fish, because we will be using fresh bait ie. Neeld, a revamped Footy Dept. and the increased professionalism around the place. Do you fish Redleg? If you do you should never take bananas out on the boat. It's awfully bad luck! If you don't believe me, Google it.

I think Red is commenting on my post old dee. I reckon you had better go back to bed and surface again on Tuesday! (lol)

I'm sure we'll have some we won't want to forget before you and I are d&b.

Jack started the year slowly, blossomed mid-season and tapered off a bit towards the end (I suspect, as a heavy workload started to take its toll on his immature body). Apart from his footy smarts and silky skills (which we have known about for a while), the 2011 highlights for me were his gut running, some strong pack marking and early signs that he might be adding a bit of mongrel to his repetoire. Jack is really starting to show why he was selected at #1. If he has the will to do it, I reckon he can become one of the stars of the competition in 2 or 3 years. The next steps are a bigger, stronger body to assist him in marking contests, increased consistency and 40 odd goals a season.

Enjoy the moment old dee, and look forward to season 2012 with renewed optimism. Go Dees.

I love the anticipation of it, but I agree that its almost always a let down from a Dees perspective (eg. Hale, Ball, Judd didn't like us, and our punts on a host of second and third raters have rarely paid off) .... but for some strange reason, I really enjoy it. This year I have a feeling it might be different. Our recent success in getting our act together in our Football Dept., might just flow over into the playing ranks. Maybe a quality mid to fill the gaping holes in that area. Just dreaming, but I guess that's why I like trade week. It prolongs the dream.

Yourself maybe? ...... but only after a nice single malt, Barossa red or banana smoothie.

Sorry, my bad. Post edited accordingly.

I wonder how that bloke who just moved to Rooty Hill will feel when he compares our coaching structures and talent to what he is now forced to 'live with' in Sydney's west .......... and more importantly, when he reflects in a few years time on 'what could have been', and what he might have been part of.

I see what you mean, old fella!

C'mon old dee. You obviously need something to lift your spirits. How about: Jamie Bennell is one year closer to delivering on his undoubted potential .

Don't do that! I need something to support between October and February.

Only two posts on this thread today, and 25 and climbing on the other one, so I thought I should do my bit to revive our flagging spirits with this little gem that I heard the other day: It seems that a new disease has been diagnosed in the US called 'Electile Dysfunction'. It's symtoms are the inability to become aroused over any of the potential Presidential candidates (Democrat or Republicans) for next year's election. A bit like the Dees 2011 season in a way ..... not a whole lot to get aroused about.

Ditto, but I will follow the off-season developments with great interest. If we can get the critical decisions right, we could be back on track as early as 2012.

I still believe in Santa Clause, you should too!

Just me, I think!

Senility old dee? I think it starts to set in at our age.

Couldn't agree more Redleg! I'm now really looking forward to the off-season, and those critical decisions which will probably determine whether our so-called 'window' opens any time soon. It's the first time I have ever longed for the season to end, and there have been some bloody dismal years in my 60+ years following our Club. I was chatting along these lines to my 35 year old son the other day (a more devoted Dee would be hard to find), and he reminded me that I had at least experienced the euphoria of winning some Flags, albeit a very long tome ago. It made me stop and think. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones!

Yep. It's a simple game really. Why do we complicate it so much these days?

I'm in the middle of reading "Mongrel Punts and Hard Ball Gets ... an A to Z of footy speak". It's a light and often humerous read. It contains a short section on 'Dyerisms'. The late ex-Tiger, Jack (Captain Blood) Dyer had a special way words. As someone I remember fondly from his days on World of Sport, the following quotes had me pizzing myself with laughter when I read them last night. They might also bring a smile to your face, especially if you have been around long enough to remember Jack. If not, they will at least be a change from banana smoothies. "Things aren't the same now there are five teams in the four." I won't say anything in case I say something." "An Essendon supporter is a Collingwood supporter who can read and write." "The only way to tackle Justin Madden. I don't know." "He was tuckled strongly by Tack." "Mark Lees long arms reaching up like giant testacles." (presumably meant to say tentacles) "I want you to pair off in threes." "That's the beauty of being small .... your hands are close to your feet."

Don't we all ....... and we will on Sunday for starters! I know that the patience of us old buggers has been sorely tested over the decades since '64, but I really think both of us will again taste the sweetness of ultimate success. Far from giving up on the work Baily did on our list, I'm convinced we have most of the ingredients in place. In 12 months time I think we will look back on season 2011, and in particular the Geelong loss, as the debacles we had to have. They will be the catalyst for some fundamental changes both on and off the field at our footy Club. These changes will be critical to our future success. It really sh*ts me that it had to happen this way, but the important thing is that it happened now, rather than the 'problems' (whatever they might be), festering away for the next two years when they would have undermined our chances of grasping the holy grail. Hang in there old dee. Right now the glass might seem less than half full, but looks can be deceptive ...... it will be brimming over with sweet nectar before you and I are done!

Geez old mate, things can't be that desperate. Take a leaf out of Redleg's book and cling to the few glimmers of hope that remain from this dastardly season. If that doesn't work, have a glass or two of good red, and try again. We can't afford to lose you.