Demonstone

If you take off the spectacles of bitterness, it is not unusual that a player who was hampered with injury for a large part of 2022 has been able to return to full fitness over the offseason and perform well in the first practice match of 2023. Some people just can't get used to the idea that a Melbourne player would wish to leave us, despite the fact that players leave every club every year. We just picked up three new faces in this very manner.

That would be guaranteed to distract the goal keeper.

Humour works best when you don't faucet.

He's probably sulking because people still can't spell "Sestan" properly.

Article published today about Brodie Grundy leaving Collingwood. There were several clubs interested in his services. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/uncomfortable-reality-how-grundy-knew-his-time-was-up-at-collingwood-20230222-p5cmij.html

I hope they're on the money with prediction #41.

@mauriesy I believe the substance was ketamine, not cocaine. Your argument is valid nonetheless.

If the other poster contacts me, we could pool our resources and share silver and bronze!

They wouldn't be any more or less accessible than they are now. It just means you wouldn't be breaking the law if you choose to consume that product.

So what is it about the use of recreational drugs that is intrinsically "bad" and deserving of being illegal?

I'm sure this is the case, but isn't that an argument FOR legalisation? Just imagine if all those massive amounts of money, time and resources were re-allocated to the prevention and pursuit of crimes against people and property.

@Ethan Tremblay and @Gawndy the Great - I'm interested in your thoughts and pleased that you have responded. It's reassuring that we can have a polite, adult conversation about this subject. However, do either of you (or anybody else) have any evidence/data to support your opinion on what would happen if drugs were to be decriminalised? Or does anybody have any data that would disprove the notion?

I have no idea what points you are trying to make here.

I reckon we've had this discussion before, ET. I acknowledge your first-hand experience, but I think your logic is faulty. You assume that legalisation will lead to increased usage and a higher crime rate. Do you have any evidence that this has happened anywhere? My understanding is that usage and crime rates actually decrease after legalisation. No doubt you have seen some horrible things. People do hideous things while drunk as well, but I don't think anybody would seriously propose that we make alcohol illegal.

1. There is no supply problem. Drugs are easy to obtain if you are so inclined. 2. Taking drugs doesn't necessarily make you an addict just as drinking doesn't necessarily make you an alcoholic.

I'm always heartened when people use this word. It means a lot.

It's currently a 100% black market. Legalising the product won't eliminate this entirely, but I'm confident that most people would prefer to buy from a licensed outlet rather than a seedy crim in a back alley.

Is this incident the first time he's been caught high and not received a free kick?

Drugs are already out there. People are taking them. Prohibition has not stopped and will never stop their use. The question is then how to deal with it. It's completely illogical that alcohol (a drug, by the way), which causes more problems in society than all other drugs combined, is legal, readily available and socially acceptable but other drugs are "bad" and illegal. My opinion is that we should legalise, regulate and tax drugs just like we do with alcohol and tobacco. These taxes should directed into health services because this is a health issue, not a legal issue. By doing so, we would free up Police to concentrate on real crime, clear the backlog in the court system and stop the overcrowding in jails. It would also eliminate the criminal involvement and get the "dirty" back-yard lab drugs off the street. As to your last point, nobody should be driving if they are impaired by alcohol or any other form of drug.

We at MFC have a very healthy culture. It's to be found in YoPRO yoghurt.

Taking drugs doesn't necessarily mean you have personal problems just as drinking alcohol doesn't necessarily indicate an underlying issue. People do it because they enjoy it and, as adults, should be free to choose what they consume. It's time we legalised the lot and stop the hypocrisy and double standards. The "war on drugs" has been a costly and dismal failure and an absolute WOFTAM. Disclaimer: I neither drink nor take drugs.

This player, pf?

Jon Pierik from 'The Age' with a decent write-up of our chances. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/pretty-vulnerable-how-the-melbourne-demons-hope-to-rebound-in-2023-20230213-p5ck1e.html

Well, this is felicitous! Fittingly for a music related teaser, here is a song called 'Felicity', recorded in the early 80s by Scottish indie band Orange Juice. Their singer Edwyn Collins later became well known for his hit song 'A Girl Like You' from 1994.