Nasher

Indeed. Mostly the issue has been guilt - didn't want to go on these junkets while the Mrs was stuck at home with the constant baby churn. Kids are a bit older now though so we have a bit more freedom. Anyhoo. Jesse Hogan eh?

I live in Tasmania, not New Zealand. I've had three kids in that time, moved house three times, changed jobs three times including one complete career change. Haven't had the cash or the time to be gallivanting back and forth across Bass Strait. Tried to go last year (http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36432-mcg-to-tullamarine-airport-travel-time/) but circumstances didn't go in my favour. Going to try and make it happen at least once a year from now on.

It's definitely imminent. I can feel it too. Won't be too disappointed if it happens on the QB weekend when I'll be present. First time at the MCG since 2008. Can't wait.

I live in the Huon Valley, co-incidentally, and Lovell is an extremely common name around here (as well as in Tas in general, but particularly around here). My kids go to school with at least three unrelated Lovell families that I've come across so far. Grazman: Andy would've played for Glenorchy because he'd have had to if he wanted to get noticed. Kingborough is a smaller club that played in a lower tier competition back then, and all the Huon clubs (Huonville, Kermandie, Cygnet el al) are lower tier again. As far as I was aware the chopper Lovells were from the west coast of Tassie, but I could well be wrong on that.

He reminds me of Aaron vandenBerg.

It's a bit of a nonce award, really. Jesse is clearly one of the most promising talents in the game. We know it, everyone in the footy world knows it, but because on any given week someone else plays a slightly better game, he doesn't get nominated. The way the system works makes me not feel too sad about him missing out. I don't need a RS nomination to know how good he is, and I don't reckon he does either.

*than. Funny though, well done

The Lockett and Dunstall comparisons are clearly tongue in cheek. Anyway, each to their own. I don't feel the need to keep a lid on it in this case, the guy has all the attributes to be a genuine star of the comp and I think he will be.

I understand the point of having seen promise before, but comparing Hogan to the Gys is beyond ridiculous, ManDee.

Setting the bar a bit low, aren't we? Tony Lockett could only wish to be as good as Jesse Hogan.

?

I know that size doesn't necessarily equal strength, though I don't think Jesse's got his weight by moving from his physically active job to a desk job like you have I hope you're right though, and you would think that at his age he wouldn't have finished developing by any stretch. If he continues to get stronger he'll be very difficult to stop, if he's not already.

Will he get "a lot" stronger? He's already over 100kg's and in his third season on the list - I would guess that improvement from hereon in would be incremental. He is already stronger than most of his opponents now as it is.

C'mon dazz, of course he's going to say that.

Squad for WI tour: NSW Michael Clarke Steve Smith Brad Haddin Josh Hazlewood Nathan Lyon Peter Nevill Mitchell Starc David Warner Shane Watson QLD Ryan Harris VIC Fawad Ahmed Chris Rogers Peter Siddle WA Mitchell Johnson Shaun Marsh Mitchell Marsh Adam Voges Tas and SA not represented. Harris was named with an * next to his name, and is apparently not going. Not sure why he was named in the squad, then... Lots of the usual bitching and moaning on facebook and stuff about NSW being over-represented, but it's pretty hard to name anyone from the squad who doesn't belong there. Everyone has their opinion on Watson, but he's obviously still well in favour with the selectors. There are even a few other NSW players whose cases could be pressed, such as Pat Cummins. Peter Siddle is lucky to be in the squad IMO. Good to see Adam Voges selected as a reward for good form. Players being overlooked for being too old despite great form is hopefully a thing of the past. Hopefully they've learned something from Chris Rogers being overlooked for many years. Anyone know where James Pattinson is at? He took 0/131 in the Shield final and only bowled 5.5 overs in the second innings. Injured again? His brittleness has to be a worry, although we seem pretty well covered for talented quicks at this stage. Really pleased that Fawad Ahmed is in the squad. He is far and away the best spin bowler in the country IMO.

Without meaning to turn in to a whinging bitch after such a good finish, I'd love to see the MFC put in high class performances like that, where ability need to combine with some serious calm to deliver victory against one of the absolute best oppositions. AFL is my favourite sport, and I've almost started to forget what it is I love about sport after so many years of our team sucking. This match - and the Aus vs NZ match earlier - have reminded me of that.

When Elliott and Anderson were new at the crease I was thinking hmmm, don't have much faith in this fairly non-descript middle order. Thought they both batted sensationally - kept the runs ticking along, then picked up the pace at the right time. Shame Anderson got out and wasn't there to finish, though Vettori being there definitely added to the theatrics. I was barracking hard for NZ and felt so nervous I narrowly avoided missing the last 3 overs due to the need to chuck my guts up. Great, great stuff. Up there with the best finishes ever, I reckon.

Sadly I think he's being serious. deeflating, meet (Sir) WYL.

Thanks for sharing dazz - but I reckon this is a bit of a "no duh" type story. I've never understood why everyone flocked to the conspiracy theory ("Neeld vetoed the decision") when the simplest idea was the most likely: the guy in charge of recruiting picked the more highly rated player to the surprise of absolutely nobody with any credibility.

Amazing how the two innings were almost mirrors of each other actually. In addition to Southee and Johnson sucking immensely, it was hard to split Boult and Starc's performance with the ball after both absolutely tore through the oppositions middle-lower order. In the first three overs of his second spell, Boult had 5/1. Wow.

Great finish. The McCullum Show aside, it was definitely the bowlers' day (Johnson and Southee being wayward notwithstanding). Boult was amazing as was Starc. Tim Southee had a game to forget all round - a golden duck to go with his 2/65 off 9!

Three posts in a row about the Heat being put to the sword, Smithy. Not a fan?

Watching the t20 tonight. I know it's not the full picture and I doubt Hogg was suggesting was suggesting picking Boyce, but he was bowling complete rubbish. If he ever gets picked, expect Jason Krezja like figures. Ahmed on the other hand looks very sharp. I haven't seen much of him bowl before, but he hits the spot and spins it. I'm very impressed and if Boyce and Agar are the level of competition he's up against then it's only a matter of time before he's in. What's Ahmed's fielding like?

Assuming it's one of Watson or Burns to go, Agar slots in at 8 with Ryano at 9 (what a luxury), with everyone from Johnson up to shimmy up a spot for mine. Interesting choice - he hasn't stood out at Shield level, though I have trust in the group in charge of the team at present, so if they say so. I'd just like to take this opportunity to declare my man-love for Ryan Harris. He's proven to be a truly dependable, tough, aggressive player. His journey has been amazing too - was a genuine B grader until his very late 20s - just goes to show that it's never too late to hit ones straps in this sport. Even with his wrecked body I reckon Ryano for 1/2-3/4 of a series is better than a whole series of the next best.

Shaun Marsh! Noooooooooooo. Shattered.