hardtack

Maybe it’s because I’m in Sydney and we aren’t saturated with radio (and TV maybe?) talk about AFL comings and goings, but I’ve noticed no media talk of us being a bottom 5 team or even being out of finals contention. But there are good reasons why such a lack of confidence might exist… as has already been pointed out, our very poor second half of last season, we are the equal second oldest list in the comp, Trac is yet to show conclusively that there are no detrimental effects from his injuries (mental or physical), yes he’s looking much fitter physically, but Clarrie is yet to show conclusively that his head is back in the game, we have lost two very important cogs in ANB and Brayshaw (the latter definitely affected last season’s results…you’d hope so, but have we yet found a suitable replacement?), it is yet to be determined if we have a fully and effectively functioning forward line, rookies are known to often have the second year blues (otherwise they wouldn’t have coined a term for it), our new coaching line up is yet to show whether they will make the changes that will bring results (we’ll have to wait until game-day to find that out) and finally, something out of the club’s control, there are 17 other teams, all looking to improve their performances and who also have quality rookies and experienced older heads, so until we face them, we have no idea whether all of the aforementioned will see us rise or fall. Having said all of that, and as I said in another topic, I believe we’ll finish in the eight, but not top four, meaning our odds for a premiership are not good.

It’s my inner realist… let me apologise on my behalf.

I’m thinking top eight, but not top four. At who’s expense I have no idea, but I’m hoping that Freo implodes and does a Dees ‘24.

Hah… so this nickname was bestowed upon him as the team showered post training?

Excuse my ignorance, but where does a nickname of Dirk come from? Dirk as in a type of dagger? Dirk Gently and His Holistic Detective Agency? Dirk Welham? Dirk Van Hartog? Dirk Nowitzki? Deadly Dirk? I needs ta know!

Our saving grace.

Every now and zen.

I’m pretty sure that was the case with ANB.

@Ghostwriter Thanks for taking this on… I’d completely lost track of the original post that I put up at the beginning of last season (life got in the way). @Demonland Firstly, could this post be pinned for easy reference, and secondly, is there any way that Ghostwriter could be given permanent editing permission, so that updates to the original post don’t need to be made via yourself? (I think the Edit option is removed after 24(?) hours)

I’ve just started watching a Japanese series on Netflix called Asura. It is directed by one of Japan’s great directors, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and is about a family comprising aging parents and their four daughters, all of whom have taken very different paths in their lives. It is beautifully written, superbly acted (featuring some of Japan’s most noted actors), and the directing, as is to be expected with Kore-eda at the helm, is simply perfect! Please watch it… if you’ve had the good fortune to have watched Midnight Diner, then you will absolutely LOVE this series.

I hope that was a tongue in cheek comment (emoji’s are your friend), however, and just in case it wasn’t, you know what they say…’if you want something done properly, do it yourself.’

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No no no, keep working on it!! Practice makes perfect, besides which, the bar for perfection here, is set pretty low. Now, have at it!!

His films are so visceral… I feel clammy just watching them. Lighthouse is an amazing piece of art with a plot that is mind bending! Willem Dafoe is his usual brilliant self… he has become possibly my favourite actor now, if not for all time. And yeah, my health is not great, but in Nield speak, it is what it is. I go back into chemotherapy on the 29th, so I’m enjoying my current toxin free state as much as possible before they hook me up again 😁

Unfortunately, with my current state of health, I’m unable to get out to the cinema, but it is one film I will definitely be getting on Blu Ray the day it’s released… I’m a big fan of director Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Northmen and Lighthouse). I already have the original Friedrich Murnau 1922 release and the Werner Herzog versions of Nosferatu, so apart from the fact it is an Eggers film, as a completionist, I am compelled to add it to my collection!

Yes, you’re both correct… perhaps it was a game we were playing that could have secured us a place in the finals? Or perhaps I’ve just lost the plot, along with my memory. With regards to his height, I noticed that of the entire list back then, our two tallest, and only players above 187cm, were just 193cm. i wonder where all of the high 190’s and over 200’s, were hiding back then.

Yeah, mine were Tassie as well as Townsend and Stan Alves, and then along came Greg Parke, Max Walker, Greg Wells and Gary Hardeman; all favourites of mine from that post premiership era. I have a vague memory of Hardeman being knocked out early in a final (can’t recall who the culprit was), something that pretty much knocked us out of the running.

I once had an ale with the whale.

Same! (outranked even Brian Dixon who was our local hero, and was just up the North Croydon end of Dorset Rd, where I was growing up at the time)

Should be ok if he ducks.

I thought he was doing an ‘homage’ to Peter Allen.

Hey, nothing against AoB, but I thought my comment above was good enough to get the Bronze (based on the fact that Tim’s Silver resulted from a comment) 🤣

The old FILO approach (first in, laughed out)

Thanks matey… I look forward to the training reports to follow in the weeks ahead. I’d love to get down to attend a session or two with my son, but that’s looking unlikely now. Happy New Year to one and all and thanks Andy, for providing and maintaining this platform for so long… you’re an absolute marvel!!