hardtack

I would have thought that you would've at least managed to develop a thicker skin by now RangeRover. Just a couple of things in an effort to placate the bruising to your sensibilities: Firstly, the reason I used the words "highly unlikely" was because as I understand it, TS has a history relating to said knee issue that goes back to his days in junior football (or was that fabricated as well?). Secondly, the term "barking mad" was directed as a question to those who are insisting Sheedy has lost it... that is, if Sheedy is mad for suggesting this, then by extension, they must have believed that those in the "TS is leaving" camp, were also losing it.

I think the NRL's biggest fear is that if GWS and the Swans start to enjoy on-field success at the same time, then they really ARE going to feel the heat. Sydney (NRL and AFL) supporters are your archetypal "fair weather supporters" as could be witnessed by the crowds the Swans were enjoying at their peak - they could pack any stadium in Sydney, which is something most NRL clubs simply cannot do at the best of times... they even have difficulty in selling out a GF. If the GWS and Swans get to the point where they're both in finals contention in the same year, then the NRL's crowds are going to be affected, plain and simple. The hard core NRL fans will keep going to their games, but the "fair weather" supporters I was talking about (and there ARE many of them) are just as likely to jump on the bandwagon of any successful team regardless of code... and if it means there's a chance of a team from Sydney putting it up a team from Victoria (or Queensland), then the likelihood of that happening is much much greater. So of course the NRL wants to nip this in the bud as soon as possible... but I really don't fancy their chances.

Well, I'm yet to meet a young one :-) It really doesn't matter what Sheedy says as, true or not, TS is at their club now and no-one stands to gain (or lose) anything by Melbourne spreading such rumours if as he claims, they were unfounded. I suppose there is the slightest of chances that the injury was fabricated as a reason for dropping him if knowledge existed at the time of his upcoming defection, but that is highly unlikely - I do recall there were however, a few of the "TS is leaving" camp, who did actually espouse that theory... maybe it's not just Sheedy who is barking mad? ;-)

Yeah, it's a traditional rivalry dating back to the late 70's early 80's, but I would have thought an Eels v Sea Eagles clash would have been a bigger money spinner these days.

I think that the real issue that works in GWS's favour, is the fact that NRL turns off families in droves and AFL has a much more family friendly image. As I said in my previous post, that Eels v Panthers game in July on attracted 17,333 punters and I really believe that the GWS v Swans game will exceed that easily; the story may be different later in the year when they have lost their first 4 games by an average of 150 points, but until then they will have novelty appeal.

He was very good in his first season and his second season saw him getting very little game time. I think he has a lot of potential and on form is an each way bet - as a rookie, he could be worth a punt (although I get the feeling the club may throw Setanta a lifeline).

Do you know what kind of a massive crowd that same "blockbuster" of a game (Penrith v Parramatta) attracted in July this year? 17,333! I really doubt that it will have much impact on the crowds that get along to the GWS v Swans game at all. The simple truth is that Sydney people are not as fanatical about their sport as their counterparts in the southern states. For what it's worth, I think the game will attract a reasonable crowd for a couple of reasons: it will have a lot of curiosity value and Sydney Swans supporters will be out in droves salivating at the prospect of witnessing a victory of epic proportions in terms of score. Hopefully there will also be a few Dees faithful in attendance passing on their "best wishes" to TS... I will certainly try my best to make it along.

Yes, a particular dislike of mine is the use of "Z" in place of the softer "S". :-)

Does it involve stopping to scull a pot every 200m or so? We could end up with quite a large rehab group at this rate.

Well, Jack Trengove tweeted about 3 hours ago: "No shock to hear@nathan2jones crossing the line 1st in the 3km time trial this morning. Sub 10min in movember is impressive."

To be fair, it was actually: Scully said: "I know my future's here and I anticipate I'll be here for the rest of my career." You can blame the journo for the "Giant for life" comment.

I just received an email detailing the first artist announcements for next year's Byron Bay Bluesfest... so far they include among others: Roger Daltrey, the Pogues, Earth, Wind and Fire, John Butler Trio, Yes, Buddy Guy, Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot (my personal fave), Johhny Lang, and Steve Earl. I wonder if they have a sponsorship arrangement with Zimmer?

Maybe he's just had an update on his knee condition?

Spoken like a true Dees supporter WJ - nothing like having the ability to make a sow's ear out of a silk purse :-)

That's crazy talk! You better be careful or you may be dragged over the coals for such seditious comments! (nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition - fetch the comfy chair!!)

It IS quite simple. As far as the accident is concerned, that is an issue between the police and the driver - however, the fact that Col was the owner of the car and handed over the task of driving to a friend who may well have also been over the limit (or at the very least was driving dangerously) and then left the scene, brings into question Col's ability to make smart decisions - but yes, that should not have any bearing on the club imposed penalties. As far as the drinking is concerned, Col has obviously confirmed to the club (and no doubt the police - who may well have breath tested him for all we know) that he had been been drinking and I would imagine there is a good chance he would have told them just how drunk he was (or maybe it was obvious to all and sundry?). Drinking the night before training is a no-no and the club acted accordingly. The drinking was obviously considered by the club to be worth taking reasonably strong action over. The fact that the club also put him down for the alcohol related course, would tend to indicate (unless it is a bar-tending course) that they considered it to be more than just a couple of sherberts at a mates place - perhaps the police passed on a reading to them? To say that if the accident didn't happen the club may not have acted doesn't cut it, as he still could easily have denied drinking the night before regardless... that is, of course, unless there was irrefutable evidence that he had been so drunk that he needed to be driven home. Proof? No... but there is plenty of circumstantial evidence.

It doesn't seem to stop you posting with regularity here :-)

Err, that isn't possible... an edited post is marked "edited" automatically; no way around that. See:

Yeah, it looks like a track in the photo... and a correction... it's Chip Frawley tweeting, not Trengove.

I see Jack Trengove Chip Frawley is tweeting something about going for a ride in a V8 supercar (is he at Surfers?) - it's so tempting to tweet back with a CS reference :-)

Why is it that so many posters here are simply focusing on the fact that he was "just a passenger in a car" (never mind the fact it was HIS car), and conveniently overlooking the fact that he had been drinking the night before a training session as well as being put in a position where he was unable to attend that training session?? Col was representing the MFC as a member of the IR team and as such, apart from letting down his IR team mates and coaches, he has let down the MFC (I agree with you that the punishment fits the crime - just disagree that it was an "off season" occurrence). I wonder what the comments in such a thread on here would have been like if instead of Col, this had been about Didak or Shaw?

How long was 426 (I can't even remember his name anymore) hanging around on the list?

Wish I hadn't flipped through the rest of those shots... rather unappetising shot of Shea McNamara (Pies) giving us a view of what he ate for breakfast.

Trengove tweeted a short while ago: "@MichaelNewto29 @jtren9 @SamBlease spewed” wouldn't be a normal pre season without it!"

Yes, I do understand what you mean about Hendrix. Some of the stuff that Davis did with John McLaughlin ([censored] Brew sessions) is pretty incredible.