John Crow Batty

Interesting you say that. At our last game against Collingwood, early in the last quarter when we still has a chance, Collingwood were applying the pressure and pressing and kicked a point. During the following kick out Jones had his back towards the full back 20 metres out on the flank and stood there sucking in air as the ball sailed over his head to the boundary contest. He did not watch nor had any interest or involvement in the rebound play. Of course Collingwood rebounded back. I think he tries too hard to do it all by himself. A good player but hopeless leader. At that moment in the game I knew it was game over.

One could also say their younger brigade will benefit more from hardened experienced campaigners and champions who have experienced some success unlike the losers our rudderless lot have to look up to. Careers could be made or burned. We need to unearth a truly exceptional leader or else.

if Darcy Moore continues as last week he will make up the slack.

What is the biggest statement Roos could make? Drop Hogan? It worked against Geelong. Arguably our best forward line performance for years.

We played that McCartin spud into form too. His best game for the Saints by miles. Doubled Hogan for possessions, marks and tackles.

What are the chances of Darcy Moore upstaging Jesse Hogan on Saturday?

I am seriously entertaining the idea of hiring a plane to tow a banner around the MCG next Saturday at 2pm with something like MFC SQUIBS or JELLYFISH written on it. Hope my tax refund appears soon.

The same for the third quarter. We started off well, attacked hard. Kicked a couple of behinds and despite Hogan. McDonald and Gawn lurking, we let them take two big pack marks right in front of our goal. Then we run out of steam and let them kick a few easy goals quickly. Our third quarters have been woeful this season. Only won four and tied one. Lost the rest easily. Allowing 6 goals in the third in horid conditions was inexcusable. Game was lost here again.

Out of form Collingwoud out. In form Collingwood in.

This is the worst time of the year for heavy use of the ground. The grass barely grows in this cold weather and cannot repair itself quickly. Plus the wet conditions make the problem worse by ensuring everything gets churned up.

I am still of the opinion, most of our problems lie between the players ears. We can play well and that has been demonstrated but players choose when they want to fire up and are bedevilled by poor leadership. Grimes, Trengove and now Jones are perhaps the most ineffective captains I have witnessed and we have had to put up with their non leadership for 4 seasons. In the past 10 years we have seen many sides bottom out but suddenly improve with minimal changes. Even Essendon with all their problems show more resistence to mediocrity. Inability to install an elite mindset is the most obvious and unimpeachable Roos failure.

Again a pathetic third quarter. Giving them 6 goals in wet slippery conditions is an abomination.

Our typical 3rd quarter effort again.

Vanders looks injured, better get him off.

On the radar its going to rain soon.

The highlight of the quarter was the closing siren.

Not really a valid comparison and rather pointless. The game then was of mostly part timers and a less sophisticated game. Today highly professional. Both are among the legends in the Pantheon of coaches. That Clarko is this good and may still have another good ten years in the business is a marvel.

The thought never crossed my mind that Carlton had 7 Friday night games this season. Given their ordinary form over the past few seasons the largess is completely underserved and unjustified. They certainly have a guardian angel over there. No wonder the comp is ailing with this kind of corrupt scheduling and favouritism going on.

Hawks are coming in their pants. I bet they run out of jizz come finals.

If any changes are to be made they should be gradual. 10 interchanges a quarter would be a good start and if it doesn't' work them expand on it. Radical changes implemented too quickly will make a mockery of the game. Best to devolve the game back to something less riotous without overreaction.

I believe reducing the interchange rotations to 10 or 15 a quarter would be a good start.

There are a lot of halfwits in the workforce. Every industry has them.

By the time the tree has played 50 games it wil be big, strong and dominating in the air. Just needs to build experience.

Might suit the AFL to a tee.

If the soccer missionaries want to convert us heathens they should at least play three man forward lines and second rate goal keepers.