John Crow Batty

For an example of some of the dodgy fund raising, minor but poignant. Yesterday I took my car in for a service at a dealership. I was told if I forgo the washing of my car they will donate $10 to the bushfire appeal. I told them no, wash my car and I will happily donate an extra $50 myself and why they don’t just donate the money without any pre conditions on customer largess? They are a big organisation. They are saving more money and time by not washing my car and $10 donation per car is a pittance for them. Can I be sure they will be actually donating the money? More likely are being self serving and taking advantage by donation shaming.

I have issues to where is the accountability of all the money being donated, who will co-ordinate and distribute it and how it will be distributed? There will be many people who have lost everything who need money but many others will be compensated by insurance etc. Will some go to upgrade fire prevention services? There may be millions poured into token efforts to save the few injured animal rescued. What is certain is that the money will not help restore the destroyed environment, burnt forests and lives lost both human and animal. I have donated money but have absolutely no clue to how it will be spent. I just hope organisations and fund raisers do the right thing.

One aspect of the Daniher/Northey eras and to a lesser extent now with Goodwin is that when on the cusp of tangible success and it appears achievable we get stage fright and exit ingloriously. I can’t recall any of our finals exits with the exception of the elimination final in 2004 against Essendon since 1987 that were fought out to the finish or we being unlucky. We tend to fold like a cheap suit and get tossed out in an ugly manner.

We were definitely too cocky and arrogant in 1990 against WC. As keeps on happening for us when the media pumps up our tires we fall in hole. Everyone was saying there’s no way WC could beat us. We had an undisciplined and lazy start, were jumped early, game totally lost at half time and played catch up footy for the remainder of the game but never got close. For those who are too young to remember that game was eerily similar to the round 23 debacle against Collingwood in 2017. As for the the comparison between the Northey and Daniher eras, Northey wins hands down. He was remarkably consistent with a workman like list that in many ways over achieved. Daniher had better talent but inconsistent year to year results. It was the “Hollywood” golden era for us with too many easily satisfied players.

Phil Rhoden, stalwart reserves player and Gardiner Medal winner who only played a few senior games but arguably one of the best booming drop kicker in the games history. Was a joy to watch him kick out from the goal square 65-70 metres every time. Always worth getting in early to watch our reserves games to watch him. He was a master of such a difficult and rare skill.

I got my pack in WA on Monday. Pleased that it was free of useless junk. As for the scarf I have concerns that if we bomb out of the finals race by round 6 it might be a danger in the hands of depressed supporters. A baseball cap or beanie would have been a wiser gift.

You are right, in his first few seasons he copped a lot of criticism and controversy for the way he played. Richmond supporters were angrily demanding why he ever got a game. But I don’t see OMAC if he ever reaches similar heights receiving as much attention. Other than his outstanding play, his controversial onfield antics, wearing his spirituality on his chest and his version of “Elvis has left the building” whilst wearing a flashy white suit, headphones and riding a skateboard shows he is also an attention seeker with ego issues. He and Israel Folau have some similarities. Somehow I believe he enjoys all the lampooning and mockery thrown his way. He knows he’s going to heaven and all his knockers are not.

This could be his new career. After all he was the master flopper on the field.

Like wow! We have the best winning finals percentage of the decade. We are a beast in September.

Oh well, be prepared for outraged caterers and fans that scramble for the toilets, bars and kiosks at half time next season. If you are in your seat be prepared for interrupting annoyances as other fans try to get back into their seats at start of third quarter.

And there are still many posters here that insist the elephant in the room is really a moose.

How bad would have Geelong’s free kick differential been without Duckwood? WC have their well known maggot parasites but their positive differential is Bradmanesque in magnitude and almost 95% better than next best North. Fremantle playing at same ground have one of the worst negative differentials and don’t appear to get any home town favouritism at all so I don’t put too much weight on the crowd effect. Something stinks.

I predict global warming will increase rapidly next year and our experience in playing in Darwin for the past decade will finally pay off.

It’s just sad. He must have gone off the rails after his fine work at Geelong.

Filling the Weids shoes will do.

I find it pointless to give ourselves a rating at this early stage. It’s like marking exam papers with all the questions unanswered. Overal it looks like a promising mix of draftees and trades that appears to fill holes on our list. Some risk but also no brainer choices also.

Some nostalgic Demon names returning from the past in this draft. I like our recruiting this off season. Best for a long time IMO

Thanks for the correction, haven’t seen them around in years.

R Rothmans haven’t been around for a long long time. You wouldn’t have to leave your seat to smoke one or a whole pack last time they were sold.

They don’t see consequences. Only dollars.

AFL logic. Keep TV viewers tuned in so that they can watch more adds hence make more money for AFL and media partners. Place more ads to replace talking heads hence make more money. Less taking heads that need to be paid hence saving more money. Less half time activities and entertainment hence saves more money. Ancillary staff work up to an hour less thus saving more money. Less resources used at stadiums like lighting, etc hence saving even more money. AFL and media bean counters must love it.

In rugby they play two 40 minute half’s. About a third of the game appears to be time wasting and dead play time. Like it takes about 5 minutes to set up for a place kick and the clock still runs.

There will also be the health and safety issue with tens of thousands fans all rushing in haste to get to the toilet, food kiosks and bars in a mad rush to avoid the queues. Order is bound break down and some of those steep stairs are dangerous. Also fans in their seats at start of quarters can expect at least 5 minutes of annoying interruptions by other fans rushing to get back to their seats.

Apparently the main reason for shortening quarters is because it will improve the television product. What a great idea. I imagine stakeholders like caterers, fans in attendance and players would be wowed by that.

Sharp objects are a no no. Manual extraction offers the speediest controlled relief. Ensure fingernails are well trimmed.