praha

The game was lost with 6 minutes remaining. We had the ball at half-back, 1 point down. We chip it around half-back, against the most dangerous team in the league. It was bound to go downhill from there. We turned it over and they scored a goal. Game over. Ultimately, that moment was representative of the final 10 minutes: Port took the game on, Melbourne didn't.

I agree about Queens' Birthday. I don't understand it. Your comment about Anzac Day is abhorrent: no one "celebrates" Anzac Day. Well, if the oppression and shaming of a group by race is representative of a collective interpretation of racial identity, what's "pride", specifically? Isn't it the same thing? This is kind of my point. I am not actually against the week as a recognition of culture, because culture shapes ideas and identity. I get that. I just find that in the same way collective norms have fuelled racial tension, specific recognition of race -- being "proud" of the colour of your skin -- walks the same line of division. Indigenous players, collectively, have not contributed to our game, in the same way the "white" race hasn't. Indigenous players have, on their own accords, contributed to the growth of the game. I'm just of the belief that individual growth and recognition is a great product, representative of Indigenous contribution, as opposed to a collective approach that recognises race as a product of culture (if that makes sense). I feel that in Australia we fight fire with fire. We need greater recognition of the individual, and less of divisive "pride" in race, because said pride, specifically white pride, is also what fuelled the grubs to hurl abuse at Winmar. I hope I'm making sense. It frustrates me that we can't have a discussion about racial recognition in this country without someone hyperventilating (not saying you are, thanks for the constructive response). I don't feel weeks like this have helped stamp out racism. It's a greater sense of awareness in that we judge a PERSON on their acts and character, and NOT that of the colour of their skin. Evidently, a week that highlights the colour of someone's skin seems counterproductive to me.

RACIST!

What's great about it? And for the record, I am not saying it ISN'T a great week. My problem is actually the kind of response you gave to my original post: this self-proclaimed sense of moral superiority initiated whenever someone tries to constructively challenge it. I simply want to understand what the week is ACTUALLY about, because I struggle to identify with racial pride. I find it bizarre, and I think this week actually lacks identity: is it about culture or race? Because they are different things.

Can we use this thread to vent out frustrations about the Indigenous Round?

Sign and trade I believe are possible: you can negotiate the trade and contract mutually so long as the player agrees to the trade (as you said), and then trade off the asset. I'm surprised this hasn't been more prevalent in recent years. Step 1: Negotiate trade with GWS, including contract size for Frawley Step 2: Sign Frawley Step 3: Trade Step 4: Extend Cameron contract Step 5: Profit But yeah, Frawley won't agree to a trade to GWS even for a million dollars a year. QUESTION: Would people trade Watts and a pick for Cameron?

I think in this current free agency environment if you're not prepared to sign good talent you risk falling back into mediocrity. Some of you say throwing piles of cash at someone isn't the "Roos way" but he had a number of stars on his teams with the likes of Goodes so I think it's an ignorant way to look at things. Sydney built a good culture and that doesn't mean you can't sign good talent. Free agency is an important change in the industry and the club can either be at the forefront and be prepared to pay talented players or it will bite them in the bum down the track (think of how the Chicago Bulls have struggled to sign big free agents since Jordan left, partly as a product of ownership reluctance to pay big for stars). We were paying Clark $600,000 a year so I don't see why or how Cameron isn't worth an extra $400,000. Get him.

lol check out the guy tapping Flower on the back at 5:51 with the radio glued to his ear.

They run very very well and very hard and are probably the best team atm on the transition. We have improved tenfold in this area but if we can stop their run and keep them to the boundary we are in with a chance. This is based on the team's performance against the likes of Adelaide and Richmond. If the Rounds 1-3 team show up, no chance. Anything less than 5 goals is a plus imo.

Throw 10 years at Dangerfield for $10 mil.

I was only one at the time but every Melbourne fan I know that was alive at the time relives the year with a glow in their eyes. I've watched a few games from that year. Seemed like a great time to be a fan. That said, the standards are higher, and the team is coming from a considerably further way back. I think the team is now in the 5-16 range in that they can beat anyone within that range, which is obviously very broad, but I'd say they're still towards the bottom of that list. They can beat anyone from 5th to 18th imo. But considering how on par 10-11 teams are on game day, it makes it a lot harder to make finals. I tipped 6 wins at the start of the year, they can probably win upwards of 10, but there are still some very good teams to play (Hawks, Cats, Power, North, Freo, Pies), as well as away games against the Suns, Eagles, Power. Can beat Bombers, Roos, Dogs, Lions, Giants. Reality kicks in and I'm just looking forward to seeing this team compete every week.

We don't score enough. Maybe 8-10 goals.

Does he still live in Melbourne?

Won't be surprised if Bleese is offered up for pick 30-40. IMO he has zero defensive game and even though he's been trying this part of his game at Casey, he is far from AFL standard, or at least the standard we expect of a Roos team. The fact that in his 6th season he still can't get a game is telling. I don't see why he is any more likely to stick around than Tapscott.

Can the OP provide a link to the auction site? That would be nice...

I like beating Richmond not because I dislike the club or fans but rather because the fans are without a doubt the most irrational, whinging group of fans in the league. It's actually funny watching them at games. - They yell "ball" more than anyone, and at times when, clearly, it's not holding the ball (although these days we hardly know) - They boo every. single. free. kick. - They attack their own players more than anyone

He did one or two really nice things last night and he's actually frequently involved in the team's push forward of center. He has a presence where even if he doesn't get the ball he's involved some how. It's easy to miss but with a stronger and improving midfield he'll win more ball. He is invaluable to a GOOD team. He's not the role player we need him to be in a poor side. The better this team plays, the more valuable he is to the side. Harsh reality but still a positive one. If (when) this team is up and running, he'll be one of the fastest. Just can't expect him to be Nathan Jones.

http://twitter.com/barrettdamian/status/464568620413358080

What is currently Demonland's primary source of revenue? Is it ads? Donations?

Tyson's goal. Without a doubt. Was at Crown watching the game. Had this Adelaide couple on a table next to me. The whole game I was pretty timid, only really perking up on an obviously bad call or to criticise Melbourne, but they would get stuck into me every time Adelaide scored a goal, turning to me like as if I had offended them or something. Why are interstate supporters like this? Is it because they're used to sitting among so many of their own? I always just focus on the game, never what other people quip or scream, and always say what I want without ever getting personal towards players or fans. But people tend to take offense far too easily, like as if you can't passionately support your own team: people can say bad things about Melbourne, I don't care, but when people get stuck in for something you direct at a team, that pisses me off. Focus on the game, not what the people around you are saying (unless they're being racist vulgar arses, of course). That Tyson goal was amazing. I clapped so hard and jumped up and down. I didn't look over to them but I could tell they want to throw their drinks at me. Stuff 'em.

How does any of that make him right-wing? You're relying on tired generalisations. He votes Green. That's irrelevant, though. His type is present throughout the industry. They're merchants of negativity. He belongs in the Canberra Press Gallery, not football journalism.

Hutchinson and Barrett are on the AFL's payroll. They are lefty trolls that think everything is non-subjective, that nothing can be discussed, dissected. That there is one way and if you don't fit that standard of morality or whatever then you are wrong. Barrett's "They were 100% right" comment on Viney's suspension is evident of this. He would argue that within the guidelines, he should be suspended. He can't comprehend that maybe the guidelines just don't fit in with how the common person understands the games and rules. Having a lawyer argue rules to a player who responds spontaneously to a situation is a mockery of the game itself. In society we have time to react, to consider the consequences. In Football the goal is to get the football and WIN. That is it. There are rules, yes, but there is NO rule against accidentally hurting someone. The AFL has basically legislated against accidents. It is a travesty. It's like trying to say to someone, "It is illegal to offend someone". These are laws built around human action than are spontaneous but also firmly subjective. Also, Hutchinson says what the AFL wants him to say. He gets pulled into line all the time for anything directly negative of the AFL or sport, and Barrett is the same. There's no doubt in my mind that every story he breaks comes directly from AFL House, which helps shape the narrative to suit the organisation.

At quarter-time we stage a mass crowd protest: We all turn our back on the ground and look inward at each other - the fans. Or we could place paper bags on our heads. Wait, what are we angry about?

Black armbands might rub Adam Goodes the wrong way...