pitmaster

Why? Just means he doesn't have much to say. Can't all be talkers. (Maybe laconic was the wrong word)

In a field of FIVE. Call it a practice match.

naaah. Gilbert's weird.

Strewth you blokes are quick to judgement. If Reiwoldt is right he did not 'pose' for the pic but was captured much as the papparazi capture celebrity shots. The goose in this appears to be Gilbert who did not delete the image when asked to by Reiwoldt. Let's acknowledge that almost everything aired on this topic is rubbish until we know more about how the pics came about and how they came to be installed on the internet - I am trying not to label the girl involved as malicious and vindictive, because she may also be the victim she claims to be.

Maldon: they play in Essendon jumpers don't they, Maldonboy?

Who is number for your kid's jumper?

Interesting comparison. The striking difference between Dew and Bruce is that Dew had one outstanding attribute, his powerful kicking, whereas Bruce's great attribute is his application. In other words, one had a weapon the other has an attitude. When you think about it, there's no comparison at all really.

My goodness. Those colours! How do they stand them?

Paul Kelly jumped to Adelaide when they were admitted...and junked us.

Misses Jesse Hogan (the age) - Big Demon fan.

The magazine cover, and headline, says it. It's Green. Personally, as much as the romance of an indigenous captain appeals, Green is the better option. His form, his willingness to put the body on the line, his strength in the air, his reliability as a target for our blokes and his finishing are first class. Davey is already enough of a target for the opposition and has enough to deal with.

I have said before we won't miss his hot potatoe and hospital handpasses putting team mates under pressure. That is not to dismiss his contribution - no-one gets 200 games without having something to offer - he won his own ball, gave us drive through the middle, and took on highly rated opponents and often did the job on them. But I also listened to the Leach/Ox interview and that question Leach asked about finals said it all - in the end CB was most concerned with how it went for CB. I'd like to think that there is something honorable in playing out your time with one club and playing a part in preparing future success even if you yourself were not going to be there to participate directly - that was the least of CB's opportunity, and he spurned it. More fool him.

This looks like a dare, so I'll bite. get on to the red fox website and read the 128 pages of Len Smith's coaching notes. I haven't read the book you point to but if you are trying to claim there is a greater strategic background to soccer you might need to try harder.

That Sydney got it was not my point or relevant to it. I was making the point that WHENEVER we bid for one of these international events we somehow think we have an automatic entitlement to it. (Look at the Hun website today - it's a joke) And I was saying that we don't play these games well. Melbourne was cheated out of the Olypmics in '96 by Atlanta and within the Melbourne bid there was a belief that our own Australian delegates worked against us to Sydney's benefit four years later. But my point was about EXPECTATION and ASSUMPTION. The World Cup of soccer might actually be bigger than the Olympics but most countries that host it don't profit financially anyway.

I know plenty of Aussie Rules fans would have been happy to see us win the World Cup but I am glad soccer in tis country is not getting a free kick from FIFA. The fact that 300 people in Sydney turned up to a live site for the announcement sums it up. Three hundred gave a damn, but when it came to the Olympics 10,000 turned out for the announcement. It simply ain't a dominant sport here. It is hilarious that whenever Australia bids for one of these events (Melbourne 1996 another example) many people suddenly believe we deserve it. FCS this is the first time we have shown interest in the World Cup and we have barely ever qualified. Knocked out in the first round while Qatar scores in every round should tell you something. TV scheduling may have turned FIFA voters off, but let's not forget these international circuses are totally corrupt and we don't know how to play these games so well. Fundamentally, it's good for our indigenous game - footy - that Australia missed out. Maybe they can go back to calling it soccer again.

The answer to those Demon-supporting MCC members who say they get nothing out of an MFC membership, even a $50 one is this: ask them how much their MCC membership would be worth if there was no MFC, or if we were forever non-competitive?

Absolutely correct. As for the incident, it has been hugely overplayed. The guy was a highly skilful attacking player who could have a big impact on a game. Dipper was a thug, a brute and an animal who should have been muzzled and in any case would not be tolerated today.

Golly, I can be your seconder if you need one - I started refusing to nominate non-Demon supporters years ago (well, not refusing exactly, just not offering or bringing it up in conversation) but I'll always do it for a Demon. Before anyone jumps on me I also buy four MFC memberships for the other members of the household,

[As one of those who opposed that crazy Sheedy-for-coach push I can say that I don't rate that old coot, however, any time a Melbourne player is discussed as a benchmark for talent and achievement is a good time, whatever Folau does in future.

Disappointing on his part. This club gave him his chance. He is a 10-year player. Could/should have been a one club-life member man. That is his loss. It's one thing to say he has to maximise his earning potential but it's one year in what will be a 12 year career (possibly 13). He has been on good money and in the end it was all about Cameron. If he was good enough he could have won a second year with us - that's where he cheapens himself in this walkout. I suspect McDonald's fate has figured heavily in his thinking, but that does not overcome the fact that he is now one of those journeyman types with mixed loyalties. I for one will not miss those hot potato handpasses of his that put team mates under extreme pressure, and I won't miss his mis-kicks and mongrel punts, but we will miss his ability to nullify good opponents and win his own ball. He has been brave and taken some blows for us. Clearly the football department saw more in him than many contributors to this forum. This is a short term loss for a side that lacks experience but I reckon by the second half of the year we'll have adapted, and won't be missing him. Basically, I'm sorry he did not see loyalty to the club as worth more than one lousy year.

I am not wanting to buy in to your blue and I don't claim to know s--- from Shinola when it comes to under-age football, but the designation of Jay's slection for us as a medium defender says it's unlikely to come through if Bail's stated intention to seek a forward is even close to the truth. And I don't care if someone says the Dragons kid can play both ends - if you're a defender by age 18 that's usually pretty much it.

Also, only four home games at the 'G against sides that pull a crowd. Extra Friday night is good but commercially not a great draw.

Rounds 12-15 every one of them is a six day week. Monday to Sunday to Saturday to Friday. A player management disaster, or challenge, if you're a glass half full sort.

Whatever he eats, if he's any good give thanks he's Greg's kid and not Gerard's. And hope he's a better kick than his old man who was dynamite over ...err...30 metres.

Both Beaus break easily (ie: injury prone or car accident victim respectively - stay away.)