Nasher

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?

It goes to show that the Betoota Advocate is a satire site.

No doubt Rhino loved to cross the line which upset people, but he also gave this site a lot of his time - more than most others have. Our jobs got harder when he went and I personally have a lot of respect for him.

The mods do their jobs; then they try and enforce the rules in their spare time. As far as jobs go, Demonland pays pretty poorly and is therefore prioritised as such. I've said for a while that I reckon we're undermoderated at present. To my knowledge there's only one active mod (Grapeviney) with cameos from me, WJ and Andy. We need a few 21 year olds with a good grasp on the rules, with nothing better to do but delete thread hijacks all day long. Yes, I'm describing myself 10 years ago. As to the OP - I don't think we're found wanting for active members during the season. I don't think it comes as a surprise that nobody wants to log in and talk about stuff when the club is on Christmas holidays.

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.

I'm trying my best to grab any memory of Brad Williams and can't find one. I vaguely remember the name but that's it. Can't even remember his feats at Shield level, though admittedly I wasn't paying stacks of attention to it during that time. I always thought Bracken was a handy bowler who was unlucky not to get more opportunity at Test level.

Steve Smith has turned in to a phenomenal player. Doesn't feel like that long ago when he was a 21 year old not-quite-batsman-not-quite-bowler selected early, that had everyone going "bloody NSW bias". Just another case of mugs on the outer thinking they know more about the blokes paid to select the team, really. His early selection was an investment in the future that has definitely paid off.

Best of luck mate. Whenever I hear of things like this I try and picture myself in that situation, and the thought is too unpleasant to hold. Merry belated Christmas all.

That Spencer jumper tackle is quite possibly the best thing I have ever seen. I know the other bloke was only little, but wow.

Agreed Webber. Not sure if Nathan is aware of how much he means to us or how much this means to us, but he's taken up the opportunity to enter a league of beloved that very few players get the opportunity to join. I think it was Chook in Perth who made this point months ago. I was never in doubt that he'd sign, but I'm still relieved and bloody stoked. Grinning from ear to ear. Love you Jonesy!

Get down off the high horse and give me a bloody hug.

"Could be true" isn't the same as "always true".

This is not playing hard ball, it's called a negotiation. You're doing massive logic jump overtime in this thread. Honestly, calm the f down. Being down to a one year difference of term at this early stage is, for me, a very promising sign of early resolution of this contract, considering that this will involve (relatively) large $, and is a crucially important signing for the club. Hopefully the differences will be settled very soon.

Do you think it's possible that an interrupted/completely absent pre-season may actually hamper performance during the season? Could that be way the excuse is always whipped out - because it may actually be true?

:wetfishtoface:

Riley and Michie at times looked okay, but most of the time they looked well off the pace I thought. If Grimes played midfield, I'd be very, very surprised if he was behind them. Newton I can't comment on as I've never seen him. I'm really hoping Toumpas pulls way ahead of the lot.

This just goes to show how bare the cupboard has been, really. And without wanting to be too harsh on a guy who has just bowled us to victory, it probably also shows the overall worth of specialist off-spinners in general at Test level.

Seek help.

Wholly agree with the "made our own luck" aspect, but was it widely criticised at the time? Or are we counting Damo Barrett's "I've never seen him play but they gave up a high draft pick so it must be bad" as wide criticism?

Y'know, I had a pretty lengthy debate with myself about posting that knowing that there'd be a few comedians who did that. I came up with the wrong answer, obviously.

I'd like to know personally, so I can do him the courtesy of saying his name correctly. People often get my name wrong and I find it annoying.

Yep - this probably sums up why it's so hard to get any draft pick right. Parts 2, 3 and 5 require a crystal ball and are very hard to get right, it's probably 25% art, 75% luck (and 0% science). Part 6 is 100% pure luck of the draw. Part 1 and 4 are the only things truly within the club's control, with part 4 being the only one we can influence in the future, as you said.

Yep. I would expect it's pretty common for blokes who are used to eating like an athlete to ditch the exercise but maintain the diet.