John Crow Batty

They would not touch us with a ten foot pole or broomstick.

In hindsight Ely Lilly could have been a great potential sponsor for us touting their wonder anti depressant drug PROZAC. Shame it is out of patent and every drug company now makes their own version hence sponsorship options are out the window. We should have signed them up after the 2000 grand final or even the 88 grand final. A missed opportunity. We could have made millions for them and us.

North historically have always drawn less than optimal attendances even in their heyday. They could never live down the fringe suburban club perception. Thats why they even ditched their name a few back to reposition themselves in the new world order of footy until backward thinkers took over. I prefer to see us as something like Richmond. Start winning and the fans come back.

Because it is part of Essendon's punishment? Let them be saddled with the low gate returns. Overall it is not bad relative to our under achieving. A huge bonus not to go back to Geelong.

No. There is too much science. The game needs more Gypsy fortune tellers, swami's and head bump readers.

Dalziell will be picked up for sure by some other club. Playing 17 games this season and getting delisted was unlucky. A victim of WC's disorganised season. Perhaps he did not fit the requirements of the new coach? There will be a place for him at a few clubs.

Cale looked promising under the attacking Bailey game plan. Was never the headbanger in the Neeld mould. In the end fate was against him. When was the last time a magpie legged footballer made it? He was the kind of footballer that would have been a star in Robbie Flower's day.

Moore was a good example for not getting a big star player into a dud team. Had zero impact on out fortunes then. We were crap when he came and still crap when he left with the big bucks and Brownlow. Better build a robust side that plays with a bit of elan first.

Another Brent Grgic but with a shorter UBD. Both looked so good but then WTF happened? I cringe at the days when we all crowing how a great deal we thought we got when we effectively swapped him for now reformed spud Mclean.

I can agree with you on Phil Rhoden. Never saw him play a senior game but plenty of reserves games before the main event. His drop kicks from full back had to be seen to be believed. Plenty of oohs and aahs from the crowd. My only remaining memories of these reserves games are of him and his bald head. I tried to copy his kicking style and managed on the rare occasion to put in a real long one.

I was being facetious.

I seriously doubt that Roos could sink us to lower depths. These no names come from an organisation that knows its onions. At this stage the old boys argument is irrelevant because they show the hallmarks of quiet achievers hopefully of the same quality of ex old boys Ross Lyon and Longmire. There is a lot of quality pedigree coming out of the Swans. One could also argue Neeld came from a successful culture. But I still believe when Malthouse famously said Neeld would make a good coach was a backhander of sorts. What else could he say when asked directly? He's not going to say Neeld is a psycho chicken loose cannon.

Quite frankly, you will look delicious on a spit roast. Just add the apple

Played all through school and with North Kew juniours. I broke my arm in my last game which led to a nasty infection that put me into hospital for over a week. My parents would not let me play after that.

Thanks, just got mine up. too easy.

A good chance to catch up with the Jurrah and Wona clans.

A few days ago after many tries I manged to upload my new avatar but I touched the wrong button and deleted it again. Since then no luck. No hurry though, its a long off season.

I don't miss not having that deceptively soothing fuzzy feeling of warm amber liquid swirling inside my ears.

You may be right. The way he owned the forward line he looked like he did. I thought he played over 50 games for us?

Jakovich was was far better value than Jurrah. Excitement levels about equal. For one thing he always got a lot of the ball despite his lack of discipline and accountability. 20+ possessions playing out of the goal square was routine for him. With him our forward line was very potent. Jurrah for most only put in solo highlight reel cameos. Was never a forward line heavyweight who could influence games like Jakovich could. I remember what I think was his third game at Moorabbin against the Saints. He kicked 8.7 by three quarter time. Upstaged Lockett and humiliated Danny Frawley. The St Kilda fans were completely shocked and feral. With a better temperament and luck with injuries he could have been a bigger superstar than his brother Glen.

I was a harsh critic of Cam in the past and unfairly so when he departed. I did apologise to him here when things that were happening at the club became more clearer to me. It sucks that just when one of our players is about to break into the superstar realm something bad always happens to them. Interesting how Clarkson has surrounded himself with a lot of ex Demons. Some say he was never really one of us because he played more games with North. But it appears he has made a lot of strong bonds with Melbourne teammates. Good luck to Cam. Who knows, he could be a future great senior coach. He is having an apprenticeship to die for with the best.

Somehow I think all will be forgiven.

I heard a rumour that Wallis may be coming to us

Both have been underwhelming and I am a bit miffed that Blease only seemed to play his best footy just prior to contract negotiations last season. But both had one off debilitating injuries that has set back their natural development significantly. They are still young and callow and may benefit from strong off field leadership which they never had. I would like see them under Roos for just one more season before I make a final judgement.

Of course Connoly was never going to retire to help ease the clubs financial burden.