hardtack

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.

Cannot see it happening praha. With all of the talk of a 2nd wave of infections being expected, coupled with the fact that a vaccine is nowhere in sight anytime soon, they will not wish to tempt fate by having crowds at the footy. Imagine if a cluster appeared that was traced back to a big game at the MCG (and that could mean hundreds, not just a handful of cases - think Ruby Princess); that would be the end of football games being played live in front of crowds for a loooooong time.

Nothing serious... he came back on to the field not long after.

Our chances against the Swans must be looking a little more positive with the fact that Sam Reid has a calf strain and now Buddy with a possible hamstring injury. Given Buddy's injury history in recent times, I think they will be taking extreme care with his recovery, so unless it turns out that there was no damage, then I think he will be off the track for a few weeks. Reid and his calf strain though... no idea.

All being well, this could be one of the biggest recruiting coups in many a long year! All extremities crossed.

I'm not so sure about that. The potential losses for any club if one single player comes down with the virus, could be enormous, and I'm not sure any club will want to be taking that risk by allowing supporters to attend training sessions. And with a vaccine possibly unlikely to be available until late next year (or beyond), then we had better get used to closed training sessions. At least at games, they can control how close to the grounds supporters can be (possibly only allow crowds in the second tier and up in stadiums), and stadium security can also form a barrier between players and potential supporter incursions. There will definitely be no supporters allowed anywhere near the players race (imagine if the Toigs or Bummers started performing badly and those ferals returned to their old habit of spitting on players).

Must be a slow news day.

It's a still photograph ?

Well, I was also taking into consideration Hannan, Petty and Preuss - two of whom, along with Jones and Salem, could probably have helped make a difference, and who could make a difference going into round 2, depending on general "match fitness" (although I'm not sure that's going to count for anyone in the entire comp considering the isolation).

Put my order in for a couple of the beanies for myself and son.

Exactly!! Which is why I called you out on this: "We’re highly likely to lose with this useless coach and game plan and an improved Carlton side." ?

I can see why you chose your screen name... are you talking about the coach who got us to a preliminary final in his first full season? Sure they failed miserably last year, but I'd be holding off on the crucifixion a little longer; and the first game of this year was lost in the first quarter after which they adjusted but were not good enough to overhaul what they had already given away. And have you noticed that the new "improved" Carlton have a rather extensive injury list that includes two of their main forward targets, while we are pretty much at full strength (something we were nowhere near in the first round).

So what is it with Betts... calf or hamstring?