bing181

Not a fan of Dean Kent's game tonight. So many errors.

We had the chance to put them away, even that quarter there were some easy missed shots on goal. If we lose, no-one to blame but ourselves.

Thank god for that. But still, messy, and plenty of poor disposal (not to mention, some really poor kicking on goal ...

Nasher, Nasher ... I think you know the answer to that.

Not sure how the plot thickens. There have been ongoing reports that he's still showing symptoms of concussion, and with no realistic possibility of him playing again this year, makes sense to give him some time away. Whether there are other factors, who's to know. Wish him well, must be difficult for him.

I don't think Weideman will keep his place ... both Hogan and Dawes (OK, I know) should be available. I'd take Pedersen over Weideman at this stage. Otherwise, maybe a mystery injury? Oliver got a heavy knock, Bernie's nose and Jetta's everything. The player I'd like to see is Salem, but not sure if he's ready. Is 2 games back in at Casey enough? Also BenKen, must be an outside chance. etc.

Salem ready for a recall?

It'll change. My teenage son has been on/off lukewarm, but is becoming a convert.

That's because he was up in Jackson's office, signing a new contract.

Is there an idea in here somewhere for Demonland? Not just sponsoring a player, but make a contribution elsewhere, where it can really have an effect and is needed. Just saying.

Time to review the "If we beat Hawthorn I'll ..." thread. Form an orderly line people ...

Can't ask for much more.

Kicking ourselves out of this. Got to be able to hit targets.

If we lose this, it'll be through turnovers. Need to tighten up our disposal. A lot. Still, loving the endeavour.

Notice he's kicking it more - time spent at Casey isn't wasted.

Only one quarter of footy, but so much to enjoy watching that. Credit to the players and coaches to have them come out and play like that. They believe they can win.

Can we hold you to it?

Perhaps starting to look that way.

Rested. Regardless of how he plays, it seems pretty clear that his body is fairly shot, and just getting up each week is touch and go. "Dawesy definitely [needs a rest] with a six-day break, with his body the way it is at the moment,” “He came in, after having a weekend off and played really well the first game, but we’ve got to be mindful of that. There are some tough games coming up and we’re going to need all of our players playing well."

Demonland delivers yet again.

H has had a couple of concussions. Pleased that the club is being responsible and prudent in putting his longer-term health and well-being first. If there are other issues, presumably the club will deal with those as well. If they are private issues, the club is right to protect individual player's privacy.

Advancing years has taught me that there are far more conspiracy theorists than actual conspiracies.

Whoops, spoke too soon. 3 Missed tests in a year? Not a good look Lizzie. (There's an Oscar Wilde quote in this somewhere ...) http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riders-react-to-the-lizzie-armitstead-case/

It's not 10% for all the teams - Sky have over double what Orica Green Edge do for example. It's clear that it gives them an advantage, though a lot of the big bucks goes in building and running a Grand Tour squad, and then doing those races and everything that goes into them. If you're not sending half your team (plus everyone else they need) out for 2-3 weeks reccing all the main stages, you can start to make serious savings. Worth remembering also that while Sky have been dominating the TDF, it's a pretty level playing field everywhere else. You only have to look at the RideLondon race on Sunday in Sky's backyard ... highest placed Sky rider was 26th.

Not disagreeing at all, and yes Sky's budget is higher than anyones ... but not THAT much higher. 10% more than Katusha, then similar to BMC, then Tinkoff etc. Sure, it's whopping compared to the smaller teams, but that disparity has always existed. Sky have managed to snap up the best cyclists - over half their team at the tour would have been leaders on many other teams - but it's their focus and single-mindedness that makes the difference. Look at BMC, first of all they have two GC contenders, and then they have Van Avermaet going for stage wins. You wonder what might have been if the whole team was there for Porte, and only for Porte. Even that time loss with the wheel change on Stage 2 - where were the other BMC riders ready to give him a wheel? As for doping, the subject of the thread ... the only way anyone could be doping at the upper echelons these days is through products that we don't know about. The scrutiny is so intense, as is the internal pressure, and cycling is an international sport, so what happened with the Russians and their lab is hard to envisage - the French labs don't take any prisoners. Cycling was pretty well brought to its knees through doping, and the sponsors and managers know it. Lower down, could be a different story, but I knew a pro in a smaller team who said to me that given the little amount of money involved at his level, it wasn't worth the risk. Still, no doubt it's going on, and presumably always will, it's the equivalent of the jumper tug while your opponent is running for the ball.