H_T

Dreamy Scenario Imagine you were the a senior official at Melbourne back in February and learnt that HWSNBN and GWS were a "done deal". Apart from all the hysteria and media storm, what would you strategically contemplate doing as a club in the period of Feb-April ?- knowing that we'll most likely receive compensation at the end of the year. What input plan might you consider hatching as a way of striking back ? Personally, I'd try and target and coerce a player of interest, a star from another club, youngish. Perhaps, a star player who will be out of contract having recently signed on for just 1 year, from the same team whose President announced the "Tom Tom's are beating". One who also recently announced, "this is not Melbourne where you can just walk in and steal the players.." I can only dream.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-ruckman-mark-jamar-up-for-challenge-from-coach-mark-neeld/story-e6frf9jf-1226197164153

Countdown Mk III: Nine more sleeps (10 days) to go.... hardtack, you are a late starter - better late than never they say. I was 28 when my first was born. When she is 21, I'll be approaching 50.

Well written Franky. I've re-read this thread a few times since two sheds' opening post and reading two sheds' subsequent posts where things were feeling good and up for him. Likewise I didn't know him either, but I know he had great courage in sharing his personal battle with us here at Demonland. I enjoyed reading his contributions here. Every year for the last several I have registered for Relay for Life for the Cancer Council with a group of friends where we walk/run for 24 hours. It's amazing just how many people support, join in, register and help raise funds for friends and family who are fighting cancer. I hope one day they find a solution to fight it and beat it. So young. Condolences to Two Sheds' family and friends. Gone too soon two sheds jackson. RIP.

Certainly would be one of the favourites, surely along with Ward.

I've heard this quite a bit lately as Nine have used it in their marketing of David Attenbrough's Frozen Planet. Which is a good doco for the kids and family.

Any chance for Matthew Wade ? He remains in good knick with the bat. Shocking news.

The pitch may appear fine, but it has a bit in it for the bowlers (a bit of movement). If you listen to the commentators the conditions (overcast conditions earlier in the day when the cloud is burning off), the batsmen must be cautious. Bowlers were getting some movement. Both on Day 1 and Day 2 in the first two sessions, both countries struggled with the bat somewhat. Granted some of the Aussie batsmen are being outsmarted by the SA bowlers and in some cases outsmarting themselves at the crease. Hughes fishes outside off stump to a good line and the slip corden are just waiting every time. Ponting is out of sorts and has been for a while and Haddin doesn't seem to put a price on his wicket. There was some exceptional bowling from certain individuals who were prepared to bowl a good line stump to stump and a bit fuller in length (most notably Watson), so too Philander, Morkel and Steyn in patches. The likes of Clarke's innings really stands out. It's no coincidence that late on both days, there has been more runs and less wickets

I like Watson more and more each outing. Reminds me much of Kallis.

Unbelievable. 47.

Yep. Test cricket is back. It's a Test alright. Ebs and flows.

This would be a handy time for Phil Hughes to dig in at the crease today. edit: As I hit the post button, they dropped him in slips. I think I'll stop mozzing him now !

^This. As for naming names. I like it. The senior guys should be mature enough to take it on the chin. It's about being accountable and putting players on notice. Especially the ones who get paid good coin and have had better seasons than 2011.

96 and out. Sth Africa's second lowest score since re-admission. Aussies lead on first innings by 188 . Inside an hour Sth Africa lost 9 wickets !

Watson bowling stump to stump and consistently, has paid dividends. MJ could do well to take a leaf out of Watson's book.

6/77 ! Watson on fire and now Harris joins in for an important lbw on De Villiers out for just 8 runs. What looked worrying at lunch with the wicket, good bowling is just what the doctor ordered for Australia !

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.