Dr. Gonzo

Well that's not a slippery slope...

Unless it's a PED or its in their system on match day its no one's business.

We don't travel much because we cop all the interstate clubs as home games that we struggle to make money off. We only get home games against Carlton, Essendon and Geelong every 5 years, haven't played Richmond as the home team for 3 years now. It's a joke.

We did play them at the G last year.

You could say the same for us though - Ablett takes the handball they kick a goal. Toumpas gets the handball away we kick a goal. Watts kicks from the boundary it's luck. Rischitelli kicks one from a similar position that's also luck. Garlett missed a sitter early and there were a couple more missed opportunities as well. If anything we should've won by more, probably about 40 points. The good thing though is that we didn't capitulate when challenged. That's my take from the game, last year we would've panicked, ran out of legs and rolled over in the last quarter, instead we kicked on and ran out the game.

Don't worry I have a feeling the supporters are starting to turn - their hatred is now being directed towards Toumpas instead.

Yep, didn't see much of the fumbles he exhibited during the NAB Challenge either. He's made for playing in the middle of the G not in the middle of nowhere.

I've said it before but I wonder whether any thought is given to having membership tents outside the ground after games? With people riding high after a good win and perhaps a few beverages it could be the perfect time to get people in to commit for the year. Obviously would only be worthwhile after a win but I reckon if they had a tent or two set up outside the ground yesterday they may have got a few hundred extra sign ups.

Yeah Viney really surprised me too, his game was a step above what I've seen from him in his first two seasons. He really added another dimension to his game.

Frost - I didn't expect he would have such ferocity and courage and thought he would stink it up as the second string ruck. Definitely proved me wrong.

Hopefully that showing will convince some fencesitters to join up this week. Difficult with no home game til round 5 now but if we can get the phones going this week we should be able to crack 35k by the end of the week. A few more showings like that and 40k is certainly not out of the question either.

Against Mumford? Bwahahaha good one.

Toumpas for Vince. That is all. Make Dawes come back through Casey for two reasons - 1) I couldn't drop Frost on today's effort and he did a decent job as second ruck too 2) it might make him think twice before doing something stupid again that will cost him and potentially the team and set an example to the rest of the side that there are no automatic inclusions and spots have to be earnt.

Agreed - you'd think the Watts experience would give some supporters some perspective. He's still a kid and he has clear talent.

He was in the cheer squad and started belting out "It's a Grand Old Flag" deep into the final quarter. Was great.

He wasn't hopeless and actually got to some contests but he did a hospital pass early to Howe which resulted in a turnover plus a couple of other fumbles which weren't really his fault as the ball was passed to his feet or out to the side. The crowd have already decided he's rubbish though so every time he fumbles the comments and sighs are audible and I reckon this is affecting him. It's all mental once he gets a bit of confidence he's gonna be a good player. Hopefully the supporters stick with him because he needs the support.

Haha said the same thing to my brother about the tolling bell sounding like the Undertakers entrance.Also loved the bugler in the crowd once the game was one. That's how you use him, not before the game in the middle of the ground. Well done. I'm also out your way (Niddrie) been living here for a few years now after growing up in Eltham and the Essendon supporters are unbearable. Makes me sick every time I drive down the Tulla and see their "Don the Sash" billboard.

Haha nope!

How good was the crowd today also! Very vocal, 27k there usually we'd get 10k less than that against these interstate sides.

No way! Frost was very good, did better than expected in the ruck and has physicality and [censored] about him. That spear tackle he laid in the centre square was brilliant.

Holy [censored] that was awesome. Was a great team effort, they took the game on and played some really great attacking footy. I was gonna start naming guys who had a good game but would end up naming the whole side! Only player who didn't play well was Toumpas, he had an absolute mare of a game. Felt really bad for him when he fumbled in front of goal and the crowd really gave it to him. I think it's all above the shoulders with him - he's still young and when it click (and I have faith it will) he's gonna be a very good player for us. How good was Viney on Ablett? Watts up forward? All the new guys had rippers, super impressed with Brayshaw and vandenBerg.

Hey mate usually if you go up to the members tent or the members info desk outside the ground they should be able to sort you out. Take that letter with you just in case.

Getting up to the 35K but will still fall short. Wonder how many they'll sign up at the membership tent tomorrow. Anyone know what the first home game figures usually are?

You're preaching to the choir here mate. I would be shocked if the majority of people on here arent signed up members every year by November. Youre asking us to be realistic about the on field results well you need to be realistic about the off field results. Getting annoyed at people who are signed up because they're telling you why others wont doesn't seem very reasonable. What you say may be right but the fact is people won't jump back on until they start seeing results or at the least that the club is now longer a complete embarrassment. (sorry for the multiple posts)

All of them.