pitmaster

I often have a beer or wine pre-game because since I sit in the MCC members I have to arrive early to secure a seat in the area I want. So lunch or dinner with a drink follows. But I have begun sitting in one of the alcohol free bays during the game because of the ratbaggery of some. I also hate it when would-be drinkers head off to the bar during play, or arrive with an armful of beers (in plastic!). I have written to the MCC urging them to increase the number of alcohol free areas but had no response. In the old - that is pre-Covid - days there was no drinking in areas like the Balcony on Level 2, but that changed when we weren't allowed to congregate in bars. I wish the MCC would revert to that. The memory of a rabid Collingwood supporter with a beer in each hand going out of his way to harangue Melbourne fans (we were playing Sydney at the time) convinces me the drinking rules have been a step backward, but try telling the MCC.

One of them will win Best First Year Player at our AGM, but which one? Right now, my money is on Judd. Less spectacular and less noticeable but consistently effective and brings a line breaking attribute we lack.

Neither in terms of his physical development nor in his mental approach to physical contests.

It's determined by what suits the Seven Network.

I know it's pointless but go to the replay and consider the high tackle on Kossie (City end) where he is clearly taken around the neck and is running at almost at full height. Then, same end, take a look at the free paid to (some random) Carlton player in front of goal when the player clearly drops his knees. Utterly inconsistent although Hodge in the commentary claims Kossie lowered himself ([censored] ex-Hawk). Then take at look at Docherty, head down, try to bullock his way through a pack. Instead of a free in front of goal against Docherty it goes the Blues' way. A novel interpretation. The umpiring is rubbish. They should be made full time professionals and held accountable but we don't need four of them.

For me the best sign in this game was that we were trying to return to the system that was evident early in the season. Strong defence with a willingness to play on and cop the risks while up forward trying to find targets on short. Had a few usually reliable goal kickers - Fritsch and Chandler - been on target we'd have had scoreboard control throughout. As it was we had control of the contest and while the margin never appeared secure, we never looked like losing. Having said that had Mackay taken a conventional kick in the last quarter and run the margin down to five points it would have been a challenge. As it was, we always found something to hold them at bay. We have several new and newish players this year in McVee, JVR and Chandler who are having a positive impact. Another positive out of the game was how cool and steady we looked in defence with Salem providing the exits and rebound. This was a step forward.

You must be a kid. Common in old Hollywood movies and early American TV.

Very pertinent point. Hard to see how he comes back from that.

The AFL is a farce: How can it investigate Hawthorn for "bringing the game into disrepute" when its own racism investigation made no findings of any sort.?

It’s a legitimate and sad news story. It seems the kid could have been anything but his life in every sense, not just football, was derailed allegedly due to abuse suffered before he was drafted.

I hope folks on here upset about the way we get cited in contrast to other clubs send a message of support to the football department for appealing (as I have done).

Rapt the challenge is on. Hopefully we incinerate Christian’s [censored]…and give it back to Jay Clark as well.

And Jay Clark urging a. jVR suspension as well. since when is it the media’s role to talk up this stuff? How about letting the (albeit flakey) MRP do its job.

Unless my memory is shot Neita was from Edithvale-Aspendale…you know, just beyond Mordialloc.

Yes well I do remember that.

Take a look at Hardwick’s reaction to speculation his time with the Tiges is done: no eye contact with his questioner, head weaving side to side like a boxer on the ropes, sour comments about ‘say that to my face’. It’s ever so with him after a defeat. Remember his “we know what it takes to beat Melbourne” a couple of weeks ago. (Sadly no journo responded “then how come you’ve lost the last three on the trot?) For a proclaimed hard man he’s very prone to sook. Other’s thoughts?

Yes but can someone explain the machinery of the corporate world that landed Scott Morrison a job? I assume a million pound sterling was squandered on a head hunting exercise when they could have asked any one of 11,000,000 Aussies about his skill set and saved the dough.

Funny that- Goodwin made a similar slightly offhand comment in the same vein of disappointment. I remember the times we could not be relied on to win the obvious ones so happy to have the win but giving up a 100-point marker takes the edge off.

Cannot agree. Saints have so many injured their efforts so far have been surprising. It might be that their wins are about their system and personnel matters less, but if I were a Saints fan I’d be upbeat, surprised and looking forward to the rest of the season (for the first time in a loooong time.

Kate claimed 60k today at training. Possibly gilding the lily. Who knows?

The most interesting thing Richo said was that the players and Simon were doing the review as he spoke and no, they would not be talking about energy levels. He went on to say they would only talk about things they could control. It seemed to be a veiled reference to the travel load (3 interstaters in 4 weeks) and prompted a question from the crowd about the wisdom of bringing the players home on a red-eye special rather than allowing recovery post match on a 6-day turnaround. Richo said that was how the players wanted it - getting back to family asap and so on. Richo went on to say the review would be focusing on defence and clearances which were lacking last week. Spoke to TMac who is still sore from the knee in the back he copped. Brown moved well, got down low several times to gather marks; Max looked good and seemed untroubled; Lever, too, although said to be in doubt by Richo showed no signs of discomfort running, kicking and walking. TMac and May did not do much - a bit of kick to kick and uncontested marking while I was watching. Trac looked good in some handball exercises moving the ball fast and low and Riv finished off a drill with a nice running goal that caused a few players to make some noise. Expect they will get up to some serious stuff later this week. This was just a loosener.

Be even worse if we lose.

If contemporary ground staff can handle six games on a wet weekend why can't we train on the MCG?

Rain forecast Friday through to Sunday with six games over four days at the Adelaide Oval should test the ground staff. Pleased to see that ours is only the third match and the first of a double header. It will be interesting to see the state of the surface by the time the Pies and Saints go to work on Sunday arvo.

Yeah...the old VFL said that about Waverley so I'll treat this news of Caulfield as of about as much importance.