Nasher

I completely agree with Tredrea, I think the fact that they took him is a paradoxical indication that they're not ready for him. I simply can't fathom why a professional football club would want to take him on at this point in his life. It's like they listened to all their forum footy experts who said he was worth a punt and took it from there. I think it's irresponsible recruiting myself, but whatever floats their boat.

Ponting to quit after Perth test: http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2012/content/current/story/594213.html Glad he's doing to before being given the flick. It's been a pretty sad end for a wonderful career.

Spencer isn't an athlete, he's the epitomy of the ten thumbed, lumbering, uncoordinated young tall footballer. That cliche (of Checker Hughes origin?) about giving talls 5 years to demonstrate they couldn't play was written for guys like Spencer. His biggest strength is that he's strong and aggressive; if he can round out the other elements of his game I think he'll be just fine as a first ruck. Being a poor kick won't hurt us greatly so long as he is able to impact the contest both in the air and on the ground, which I think he will be able to.

Jackson Bird's most recent figures outside of Bellerive in first class cricket: 4/73 against Victoria at MCG 0/51 and 3/53 against SA at Adelaide Oval 3/75 and 3/46 against NSW at SCG But you and Rhino must be right, he must just look good because he bowls at Bellerive a lot.

Funny that he's take a number of wickets at Bellerive when that's where he plays 50% of his cricket. Are you suggesting that the selectors should be biased against Tasmanian bowlers? Let's take a look at the most recent Shield match at Bellerive, shall we? http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-domestic-2012/engine/current/match/576097.html WA bowled out for 67, Jackson Bird takes 6/25. This may lend some credibility to the pitch being a batsman's graveyard, yet somehow by the end of the first day Tasmanian side was 2/201. Tasmania made a total of 448 which hardly points to outrageously tough batting conditions; the leading scorer was Ben Dunk who made 97. Dunk is a journeyman Queenslander who would've played fewer matches at Bellerive than the experienced WA batsman like Adam Voges, so you couldn't claim it's familiarity with the pitch that helped him. Mitch Johnson's performance on this bowler's paradise was 4/105, which has half the nation wiping dribble from their chin about his form, but Bird's 6/25 gets dismissed as "oh, it's just because of the pitch". It just seems ridiculous to me.

No it's just rpfc - he posts a lot.

Who does Jackson Bird have to screw in order to at least enter the minds of selectors?

I reckon Port are nuts for taking him on at the point he is at in his life, personally. Anyway, I'm not hurt, disappointed, it doesn't leave a bitter taste in my mouth and so forth. I said at the time that I was relieved that this had ceased being our problem and my view hasn't changed. With my human being hat on I feel sad about how this panned out and disappointed it wasn't the fairy tale we thought it might be. With my Melbourne Football Club supporter hat on I'm completely non-plussed.

rpfc always said "Batram". Baffled me as the guy can clearly spell, made me wonder if it was a joke I'd missed?

Because when he makes his one stuff-up, we've got one fewer players on the list than all the other clubs.

Jeez that was a tough bowling innings from Siddle. I can't remember in my life seeing a bowler as dead on his feet as he was and still tossing them down at 140kph like that (albeit with significantly less control for the last two overs). Du Plessis was brilliant as well, with ample support from de Villiers and Kallis on one leg. How important is Kallis to their side? Two absolutely crucial innings in this test as a cripple. Gripping draw.

That made me chuckle. I wonder at what point the penny will drop that it wasn't just mean old Neeld and Misson that expect him to work hard.

I reckon it'll be Viney or Toumpas. I know, really going out on a limb there.

... uh, I reckon the seasoned training watchers are probably switched on enough to recognise Fitzpatrick.

You'd think that no player who wanted to forge a career would shun constructive criticism, but it's amazing how often you hear this story. "No coach, I don't believe that part of my game needs considerable work. Yes coach, I know you've been involved in football for longer than I've been alive. No coach, I don't think you know what you're talking about. OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE BEEN TRADED FOR PICK 150! I DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

So what did all the romantics do before RDB made the 31 jumper legendary?

This all just boils down to whether you believe in the symbolism of a number or not. This is actually so close to an argument about religion that I can't believe I've been sucked in.

You're a funny fellow, dee-luded. You as an older supporter hold Barassi in the esteem you do because you probably had days at the footy where he got you the blood and adrenaline pumping through your body. I know what that feels like - players like Jim Stynes had that effect on me, especially when I was younger. I imagine it would increase tenfold with each jubilant flag, but I wouldn't actually know and you can't expect me to. It's got nothing to do with a "high ground" - it's just that we had no opportunity to bond. Do you feel as passionately about Ivor Warne-Smith as you do Barassi? How about Dick Wardill? Why/why not? I call a pre-emptive "bullshit" if you say you do. Sure, and many of us young people - especially those of us who waste heaps of time on this forum - are pretty well versed on the history, but that's a long way from experiencing it. Whatever happened to the roll eyes smiley, anyway?

Because, like most of us under the age of 50, Chook would have no idea what a bond with a multi-premiership player would feel like? Ron Barassi to me was the Sydney Swans coach when I started to really have awareness about footy. I didn't even know he was a Melbourne player until I was in my twenties.

I think we should select Toumpas.

How about Imran Tahir? According to the Grandstand boys, it's the most number of runs conceded in a Test match for no wicket of all time. I guess we owed them a destroyed career after the Bryce McGain fiasco. It puts Nathan Lyon's performance in to perspective also. He's done everything you could ask of an offie for mine. He's also a very handy number 11 bat because he values his wicket; it means if you've got a handy lower order batsman in with him they'll still bat as if they're planning to be in for a bit. None of that nonsense you used to see with NZ when they'd start throwing the bat as soon as Martin came in because they knew the innings would be over any minute.

You can't take Demonology's award title and gloss over it by giving them "credit" for it. It would be outright plagiarism to adopt this; if I put my Demonology member hat on, I'd view this as a kick in the teeth.

For me 31 holds no emotion whatsoever - in my lifetime it's been Donald Cockatoo-Collins, Paul Wheatley and some other chump whose name I've forgotten. To me this inheritence of numbers like this is just another reminder that it's been effing ages since we've created any legends of our own.

Would you have preferred another uncompetitive year? Not that this selection is going to be the difference between competitiveness and not anyway, so I'm really not sure what your point is other to whinge and moan and pot the coach.

Addam Maric has *terrible* posture.