hardtack

From memory that was the thing that I didn't like about the VFA back in the day. It made it a faster game, but lacked a lot of the nuances of the main game (VFL).

Um, you're talking about a TV show. Unless you want to start your own TV show, then there's not really any other way you're going to be able to respond anyway... try yelling at your TV; that might help.

He's doubly negative?

Hey, at least I said "should be" and not "will be"... I always leave myself with an escape clause ?

I should probably rewatch the game I suppose... my memory of it was that although he had something like 21 disposals, his efficiency wasn't particularly good, and he had been off his game for some time up to that point (last season's performances). Maybe I'm being too harsh.

No, as the article said: "Wednesday morning’s session at Casey Fields finished on a high as Simon Goodwin revealed the trio would be pulling on the red and blue against Carlton this weekend." "The remainder of Melbourne’s side will be confirmed on Thursday evening in the lead up to the AFL’s return to play this weekend." They will definitely be playing.

I think Werridee has got it wrong with the omission of Jetta (I doubt they'll dump him when he's about to play his 150th game), but otherwise it's looking pretty good. Hibberd is the one I'm a bit iffy about... he's been playing well below his best in recent times (late last year and round one this year), so do they risk him in the hope that he finds form in what should be a relatively easy game, or do they sit him out?

Don't forget that VDB came back to play around finals time in 2018 and it was as if he hadn't been out at all; he had an immediate impact. The guy has incredible, seemingly natural, stamina and if his foot is not hindering him, I would put him straight in as top 22, if not top 10.

I'm pretty sure I saw the Big Freeze TV coverage listed somewhere for different states at different times of the day (on 7 Mate). Anyway, for those of us in Sydney at least, the coverage begins from just before 2pm. Prior to that, from 12pm midday, they are showing one of the Queen's Birthday games, but don't say which one it is (hopefully one that we won). Edit: it’s the 2017 match.

I've experienced this kind of excitement for a club debut a couple of times in the not too distant past... Aaron Davey and Liam Jurrah. Davey... well, we all know what he was capable of and what he became. Jurrah on the other hand could have been anything. He was a player who through his own failings (more than anything else), never got the chance to show what he was really capable of; but the glimpses that he did show, were stunning (I was fortunate enough to see him at his best in the China game).

Thanks Ding... the second is actually one of my favourites, just because it's such a bizarre topic. I take it that you won't be live streaming any shows from your shower ?

@drysdale demon Believe that if you wish. General Mattis has a good take on this. For the Trumpet supporters, they could do with listening to the good general and many other thinking conservatives (not democrats or left wingers) who can see the damage being done by this President. The sensationalist headlines unfortunately don't look deep into the issues. Trouble is we will get caught up in it, we are not immune. General James Mattis was one of Donald Trump's most high-profile appointments. Mattis resigned as Trump's secretary of defence in December of 2018, but has largely kept quiet about his former boss … until today. Mattis has issued a pretty extraordinary statement just now, saying Mr Trump makes a "mockery of the Constitution": Mr Mattis said he was "angry and appalled" by what he had watched this week, and threw his support behind those at peaceful protests: And what does Trump come back with... the kind of response one would expect if a 12 year old were running the country...

Not sure how I managed to sneak into your quotes... I've spent very little time on this.

Then perhaps Nelo's question should be rephrased to "What has he got to lose?"; after all, it is Bennell who is going to have to manage any such chronic injury after his football career is over. Hopefully the MFC aren't quite so bloody minded.

Of course.

It was just a protest, but like the yellow vests in France, it has been hijacked by many others with different agendas and I would suggest that there is likelihood that a number of those are extreme right wing as well as left wing. This is hardly the fault of the BLM movement.

Regardless of that, the current protests focus on the BLM movement.

For the injury/issue that HB is coming back from, unless he was to have his calf stomped on or kicked (which would take out any player regardless), I don't think bruise free or otherwise is particularly relevant. In the footage available, he is twisting, turning, accelerating/decelerating and kicking at pretty much full pace.... all of the things that are likely to cause a recurrence of his calf issue. The more of these sessions he can get through injury free, the stronger he will become.

Yep, it's now entirely dependent upon the players being smart enough to not expose themselves to the slightest possibility of contracting the virus. It will only take one player or club official becoming infected, to take down the entire competition.

I agree... I thought that it's not so different to the canned laughter used in TV comedies; it does actually affect your involvement in the action as a viewer.

Part of me hopes you're right binman, but I really don't think the AFL will be willing to risk it until after the anticipated 2nd wave has occurred, because one cluster could potentially set them back even further then the position they are currently in as it would mean the complete and indefinite abandonment of the competition. Next year, yes, but not yet.

They must keep Fritsch; he's our next Brad Green.

To paraphrase W C Fields, "two fingers of brown eye thanks bartender!"

He's always looked the part (in my opinion). If he has managed to mature in his approach to the game, then he could be anything; the skills have never been an issue, just the mindset.