pitmaster

They are precious. You are absolutely right. Another example is their outrage whenever N Daicos is closely tagged. They seem to think, and some of the media go along for the ride, that Nicky should be allowed to play the game entirely on his own terms, that is, scouting about off the contest and with a licence to receive the ball at will and distribute as he wishes. He is very effective when left to run free, but what other player is entitled to play without an opponent? None of course. And when a close watch is kept on him, as in both Kings Birthday and Round 24 against us, he is quelled. I suspect Matthew Nicks is regretting little him run free last night.

It was a speak tackle similar to what cost Kozzy three weeks a couple of years back but Kozzie ran passed the ball to lay his hit so that may be the difference.

Adelaide fans are bogans (generally speaking) and they hate Victorians almost universally, so no surprise they'd boo a player from an opposition club for any reason. But the hypocrisy of the Collingwood club whinging about it is breathtaking since they boo players who joke about them (Ed Langdon) or who consider them beatable (Steve May) or who is kicking for goal (any Collingwood opponent of any club at any time).

Reading this morning's Age (Sept 1) where Tim Membery talks about the difference between being at St Kilda (where players talk passionately about ending the club's premiership drought), and Collingwood (where reminders of past glories are everywhere - "it's painted on the walls"), so that "you just feel that as a player being in this environment it's going to be successful", this new base cannot come fast enough. For all our sakes I hope Brad Green, Paul Guerra and Steve Smith make it happen and give us something to see taking shape by the end of 2026. It would make a great marker for a 100th premiership anniversary.

Fair point. He has never had an impact at senior level but has not really been given much opportunity. The sub role has diminished the prospects of a few players. The one who got away and now playing strong footy for the Giants is a similar example. I had given up on Laurie but watching him today thought it may not all be on him.

Possibly a condemnation of Simon Goodwin.

Yeah, but as a kid. He was in premiership sides in his first and second years, so not a senior player or leader. Just a lucky kid, so that premiership record was never particularly persuasive to me, although I love what he did for our club as a coach.

Only Sam Darcy saved his arsey.

Interesting observation if true. I'm interested to know how you know this.

Supposed to share the Burgess philosophy but the evidence of the past four seasons is of declining impact. Selwyn needs to be part of the clean out.

Even the MCC members was chock-a-block B & W.

Exactly so. Sitting on second level northern stand I scanned the rest of the level with binoculars at 3/4 time and could only see b & w. Where I was (MCC section 42) there was a Dee presence but elsewhere it looked totally occupied by the opposition.

Just a word of thanks for fronting up after another deeply disappointing loss. Your weekly discussions have been my primary therapy this year. I am going to miss our counselling sessions. As I noted in the post match thread, that was a game lost not by lack of fitness but by lack of composure. I can't bear to watch the replay and I was at the wrong end of the ground in the last term so please explain what was that kick of Max's that knocked over the pie stand on the second deck about? And how did Trac miss from close in? It's all in the heads isn't it? Trying too hard? How do they fix this? And let's celebrate too how we turned the game in the third.

Please elaborate.

That loss had nothing to do with fitness. I was really impressed with how the Dees kept pushing through the final quarter even as the goal tide shifted. The third term was brilliant: after losing centre clearances in the first half we turned the game on its head with some great work from Rivers running off the work of Oliver and Trac. Fritters' 55 metre goal was a ripper. And while we were a little lucky to be as close as we were at half time JVR and Petty had really showed something early. That same drive was still there in the final term but what cost us was lack of composure in front of goal. One goal from eight shots with five behinds and two OOB was crucial. We needed one of those snaps to go through. I was at the city end but from what I saw Trac did well to win a contest in close but missed from very close in. Langdon sprayed wide. Trac too. Gawn's attempt I'll never understand. From one of those points the Pies played on quickly up the guts and foaled within seconds - a huge two goal moment - because we had not set up defensively for the kick in. We did not make that mistake again. There were several marking contests where it seemed Petty or JVR might replicate that gras they'd taken earlier but it was not to be. Our sixth loss by a goal or less and the third in the past (is it four?) few games: Saints Dogs and Filth. The answer is in the heads of our forwards and midfielders. I hate to say it but that was a brave effort. It showed much more heart than I feared might be displayed before the game. Oh, and May's lazy short pass brain face kick did not help. Is it time Steven?