sue

I understand where you are coming from, but no, it could be even more sickening.

All depends on exactly what one means by succcess. If I was a North supporter I'd feel that my club had been reasonably successful in recent times since I agree with Saty's modest defintion of success (competitive against all clubs) and that is a prerequisite for finals success. Obviously North fans, I and I presume Saty are greedy for more. But other factors like finance which might lead to 'unsuccess' are another matter and of less immediate concern to me. I don't chew pencils at the footy or swear at the TV worrying about relegation to Tas. To be provocative, I wonder how many posters whose fervent wish is 'just win a cup before I die' would rank that wish below or above MFC surviving for 20 years after they kicked the bucket...... (/end-sacrilege-head-to-bomb-shelter)

I took comfort from the explanation a lot of what went wrong last year was largely due to lack of preparation etc So how depressing it is that Saty (who usually over-inflates our tyres) is telling us that we were ripe to go last year. I'm losing all hope now. Pass the valium please.

I agree. Just couldn't have happened at a worse time.

I did not say our form was a result of bad luck. Doubtless there were all sorts of real reasons for the bad form etc. I said that it was bad luck that our form was bad just as TV arrived with respect to attracting new supporters. There is a difference. A spate of bad form and decisions in the 1930's would not have had the same effect. I'll stop repeating myself.

I agree with your remark about the effect of lack of exposure. But you have not said why we had a lack of exposure. I presume you'd agree that it was because we played poorly in 1965 and the early TV years. I'm just saying after the 50's and early 60's it was likley we'd have a bad run as it is hard to stay on top forever. And that it was bad luck that an almost inevitable downturn coincided with the advent of TV (which you mentioned as important for exposure). I 'm not putting everything down to bad luck as you imply. We played badly for whatever reasons you care to list. The bad luck was that coincided with TV and so we lost potential new supporters. A run of bad years in earlier decades would have had lesser consequences.

That is not us doing something wrong. That is simply bad luck that in the normal cycle of rise and fall of a club (you can't stay on top forever) we happened to be on the fall during the time TV became important and thus lost new supporters. Why we have been so bad for so long is another matter.

What exactly did we do wrong in 1965 that is relevant to TV? Did our players wear the wrong make-up?

How about being a champion of something uniquely Australian with just a modest fortune.

7 already introduced those a year or two back but they don't take up all the screen. yet...

I see more advertising opportunities as a result. If the players get too tired as a result of the shorter 1/2 time break, they can then introduce 15 second ads at every ball-up to give the players a chance to rest.

A sensible organization would evaluate the decision after a year, allowing for dull games and see if it had the desired effect. But this is the AFL. If the decision was based on player's interesty rather than loot I'd support it and hope the AFL would heavily discount the rent they charge vendors at the grounds and builtdmore toilets.

It is possible to dislike someone's public persona even if they are a nice person in private. Donald Trump may be a nice guy in private (OK, I have a very long bow).

Yes. There seems to be a fine line between 'excuse' and 'reason for' in some people's minds, but if players can focus on 'reason for' it can restore confidence. Some supporters here would benefit too.

At least we get our fridge magnets right, unlike team #1.

Harden up loges. Some here remind me of the Black Knight of MP & the Holy Grail.

I don't know about the wisdom of GWS not paying much attention to the GF, but I'll stick my head above the parapet and get flamed for saying that it is not obvious as many say that Goodwin was wrong. For example, what if Goodwin thought the team was cooked before the game and knew for sure it was absolutely cooked a few minutes after the start. I doubt there much point in reviewing fine details in such a case. Not sure what you would learn other than if most of the players are stuffed, it doesn't matter how talented they are or how good your game plan is.

Yes to 'the last thing we need', but overall, no. It's best if the truth comes out even at the expense of our current coach (who if you believe some posters won't even be with us in 6 months time.)

And another one:- Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge analyse Melbourne's draft How creative Dees have 'outsmarted the system'

I think it was clear that was what you meant. But it is also clear that if we did nothing to address the issue, you (and the rest of us) would be asking why. So if it takes a yellow line and a box of smarties as rewards for good kicks, I'm all for it.

I assume you mean judging on their past rankings. I agree.

Or in the WHite House where theu'd simply call it fake news.

Damn, there goes our motivation for Round 1.

Thomas Hardy - The Darkling Thrush last lines: Some blessed Hope, whereof he knew And I was unaware. Demonlanders can insert the appropriate forum members' names for 'he' and 'I'

You're forgiven. After all mums still make breakfasts too.