H_T

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.

Agree on everything here. But just one point. The issue would be a professional one and what comes with that is a reasonably good relationship (minus Jeff Kennett) with Hawthorn. You cannot discount the manner in which Clarkson has helped create at the Hawks and the relationships formed there. Clearly the Hawks remain a power of the competition and the star players there, their superior midfield, superior FD, would be difficult to let go of, with a 3 year offer apparently on the table to sign.

Caroline has a knack of gathering some information, that others struggle to get. You have to wonder if she obtained it through her FC colleague or not.

And James Hird repeatedly said last year he wasn't going to coach Essendon. Now look. Honestly, if you find it unbelievable, good for you. If the offer to Clarkson is true, it's a good move at precisely the right moment before anything is penned with the Hawks. Surely it must be worth some consideration, former club, 5 year lucrative offer, Lyon, Viney , Connolly - all acquaintances. But it would be hard to let go with what he has helped build and the superstars available on the Hawthorn list as well as Jeff on the way out. It would be a great coup in netting a visionary coach who has his finger on the cusp when it comes to tactical game plans. Although it must be said, he has benefited from the quality players and good recruiting at his disposal.

Our last night game at the G was the win over the Bombers.

Late start though. Twilight.

Any suggestions of players you might like on our list old55 ? (To either suit need, leadership need or two birds with one stone)

I've given a bit of thought to it...ok, a lot then. I 'liked' Nathan Fyfe, but then he extended his contract with Freo. I like Sharrod Wellingham, Tom Rockliff, Sam Reid, Tyson Goldsack to name a few. I've considered ready made small forwards, but they're hard to come by - maybe a Todd Banfield. The Wellingham and Goldsack's of the footy world have been overshadowed by their bigger name teammates but they are very handy in their own right. Goldsack seems to have been on the cusp and is very handy, struggles to get a look in when Maxwell is up and about. Wellingham was excellent Queens Birthday with Swan and Thomas out. Quick reflexes and footy smart. I'm not sure on any of their contract status, but these are the type I think we need. Sam Reid is obviously is one to watch and would have to give up a bit in return - as with all four mentioned. Rockliff is hard at it and passionate about his game; demanding. Both of these latter two would be very hard to obtain - can't imagine their clubs letting them go.

If you had the pick of the crop from the AFL after the season (hypothetical), to target a player who would address a need as well as leadership/purpose on field, who would it be ? And hypothetically what would you be prepared to give up in return ? {thought I'd post this here rather than create a thread of it's own, given this thread covers banana's}

Sick bag Redleg...(s.p.e.w.) You know..."turbulence"

Ouch. Let us pray we don't have to reach for the bag in 2012.

A few here, including moi, were predicting a turbulent season just prior to commencement. IIRC old55 was definitely one that comes to mind. The younger list, pre-season form and injuries to Frawley, Morton and another who escapes me for now, along with the loss of experience in Junior and Bruce were massive factors for this reasoning. I guess it's subjective as to how turbulent it would be, but a younger inexperienced list can produce inconsistent results.

That's probably the glimmer of hope I have. A new focus, instilling and enhancing his strengths, whilst improving the attributes that need addressing. Thanks for chiming in with that. That said, it still has to come from within and knuckling down.

Like you and others I hope he shows something. But I've been hoping for some time and my patience is admittedly wearing thin. Some instances this season and before have been unacceptable. I have referred to them in the past as non negotiables. I don't like the hesitation, I don't like second guessing or on far more than one occassion the decision making on Morton's behalf. I understand he has played 60 games, I understand his height, scope for maturity, etc, I understand the interruption through injury late in the pre-season, but all said and done I haven't seen progress from him in 2011. It's been one of my biggest disappointments for 2011. I still hold hope, although it remains only a glimmer. I'd love to see him become the player we wanted. There is still time..

And the service ?