H_T

My memory is a little cloudy right now, but he has bowled well there in the past, has he not ?

Steyn is a very good bowler. And Clarke's innings is a very important one for the team and it was good to see him score an innings like that (not out, mind you) when the team requires one to stand up. The Australian bowlers will have some work to do if we're to win this Test.

Other than the continued T$/GWS and DB threads and a bit of the Sylvia thread you haven't really missed much. Yes, the Cup has gone been won by the French again, Black Caviar has made it 16 from 16 starts and Banana prices are dropping. And there's training this morning with what should be a fuller squad at 10am. Welcome back.

"We thought he would have gone early second round, maybe even late first round - we're certainly fortunate for him to be there at pick 36. The other two selections - we can't believe they weren't picked up earlier - put it this way, we were looking at them for pick 36 !" - quote to come from MFC recruiter post draft.

Wow. Right on the money on Katich. This latest outburst will prove costly. In more ways than one. If he wants to make runs, he'll have to stop sulking first.

It's a small world.

You know I tried plugging your name in the search engine with Scully and like Andy's efforts, it almost blew the search engine. Can't find anything you mentioned with the name Phil "you know who" also. But I know you stated that months ago anyway. Someone will get it. If I had a year up my sleeve I would trawl through each of the several 30+ page "you know who threads"....

Could be right, Redleg. Will he walk around the fence before the game signing autographs ?... a la Ablett style at Skilled (Now Simonds Stadium). Btw Redleg, heard from a good source Americain has pulled up very well from it's Moonee valley Cup win and looking wonderful for the Cup. Another whisper is Jukebox Jury has been impressive at the quarantine centre on it's morning work. Americain does quite a bit of work building up it's stamina with 1800m workout gallops, looking as good if not better than last year. Hard to toss. Your call on back to back looks very good. Could have put this in the sports board but there's tumble weeds present over there. And horses love bananas, so I guess it's relevant here.

What I have seen of him has been impressive. Does look the determined type with a cool head in the limited exposure of 2 games. Prefer to see more of him and I hope he progresses into a big plus for the team.

Oh..

Yes, Hewitt has lost his zip thanks to a series of injuries. It's a demanding game physically and emotionally and he has lost the ability to maintain a competitive edge. Let's not forget his young family whilst been the joy of his life, have no doubt also moved the goal posts on his priorities and for some time now - he no longer plays the amount of tournaments he used to - year in, year out. He targets certain tournaments nowadays into his schedule. And that has to effect his consistency and hence results. Anyone who ranks at number one for a large chunk of time as Hewitt had done, plus win a Grand Slam event or two (Wimbledon & US Open) , as well as represent Australia at Davis Cup with distinction over a long time, deserves praise and recognition. Even if he did get a little heated on court. I'll always remember him as a great competitor when his tennis career is over. And I have no doubt so will many of his opponents.

3 x 400metres before the first bounce. Well done on your coaching feat.

Agree on Americain. (see Sports Board). Btw Black Caviar is now a 5yo br mare.

Today's Sunday Herald Sun, Greg Chappell has a view on today's landscape of Australian cricket and what needs to be done. I share his opinion and have touched on some aspects in the odd post in this thread. The Argus review highlighted areas of concern in Australian cricket. One of being the contracts in place for the experienced players. Good informative view. http://www.heraldsun...o-1226173941775 As Chappell mentions, they need to search and back young potential champions, re-assess the steps to top grade cricket and ensure a contract system review.

Maybe if we threw in 5 Kg of Banana's at the latest price along with pick 12 and one of our compensation picks. That might have done it. Sheeds loves banana's.

Same old dee. As Tim Harrington said about 2 % of the stories being floated around trade week come off and are true. The rest is really spak filler. Clearly it gets the blood pumping for some and like our resident member daisycutter it represents a chance to boost their post count. haha. I think it would be worthwhile after 5pm Thursday and at the conclusion on Monday for results.

RIP G.Dilley. Always liked his approach to the crease. Good fast bowler. Deceptively fast.

Sth Melbourne market has "FREE" bananas this morning. Limited time only/until sold out ....taken. That's right...FREE.

Enormous win ! Good on Sammy.

Yeah I know...Matt Thomas.

Let us know what you think of the Oval and it's surrounds 45 on return. I'd be interested in your thoughts. I have toured the ground with a tour by SACA staff including the scoreboard. I think it's a fantastic cricket ground. And one hell of a scoreboard. Unfortunately I'll miss the game and will be in Sydney for work committments and won't get to see it until the weekend after thanks to IQ, unless they have it on somewhere on the Sunday somewhere around the Darling Harbour precinct. Anyone ? Might have to get the work done asap and head to Star City...

So I take it the Red & Blue Print journey might finish somewhere between Base Camp & In the game if this is true ?

Agree regarding Thomas and Lyon having a go at Hutchy. And Hutchy may want to have a swig of Demazin before going to air next time. Very nasily. Regarding Roos, I agree with him on comments made regarding both Richmond and Melbourne's accountability and that good teams would just pick them apart at every opportunity.

Ok, fine. I just thought you might want to support your argument for clarity. It would add some much needed weight to what you find 'unbelievable'.

Ok. You identify the poster(s) who have written off Clarkson by replying to their posts and/or highlighting instances of such comment. And I'll refrain from questionning your post in an "apparent"(IYO) pig headed demonlander fashion. Vague generalisations of such nature of posts regarding comments on Clarkson & Malthouse I believe are distasteful, unless you can hold them to to account by replying to these examples you speak of.