nutbean

if only !!

Absolutely - some players do attract more media attention than others but I do not think a preseason goes by where a player (or players) haven't hit the papers as "XXX hasn't come back in tip top shape". The papers were full of Yarran's condition at this time last year.

Control what you can control. The club was obviously aware when they didn't play Jack week one ( let alone week 2) that it would cause a media stir - especially if the reasons being touted are correct. The club (in this instance) obviously and correctly doesn't care. Control what you can control - which is the handling of Watts and as far as the media is concerned - say your piece, as Mahoney has done, and the media will say and write what they will say and write.

I do find the argument that the club has acted unprofessionally puzzling. I think those making that argument need to ask themselves a question. Do you think the club understood that when they decided not to play Watts for two weeks that it would create media interest ? ( it is a rhetorical question but the answer is self evident). Therefore you can understand the stance the footy department is taking ( as they should). The club will manage its players in the way it sees fit and the media are free to write whatever they like.

Ahhh ...the old " I have paid taxes all my life " argument. Having reached 58 I get that a lot in my circles and have to remind that taxation is a "public good" mechanism ** Taxation should be used to help those who need help not those who feel entitled to get something in return for having paid taxes in the first place. I would like a tax funded certificate that says "you've done pretty well nutbean, count your blessings that you don't have to rely on anyone else for your wellbeing". **I do acknowledge there is some disconnect between the theory behind how tax dollars should be used and the reality

I have no problem with how this has been handled. The underlying issue is that if Jack Watts farts it makes the back page of the paper. So do you treat him differently out of fear of it becoming a headline ? Do you set different rules for him ? What message does it send to the rest of the group if you pick a player that apparently hasn't met his KPI's because you don't want it to become a story ? Where is the outrage over Jack Trengove not getting a practice game ? He has worked his butt off and not put a foot wrong. Bottom line for JT is there are others ahead of him on the list and he may have to prove himself at Casey to get a game. But there is no 450 post thread because there is no media obsession with Trengove. So if the football dep't have deemed Watts has not been working hard enough or whatever it is that sees him not picked then the footy department should take whatever action it deems necessary without fearing that it is going to make news.

I mirror this with the exception of being 25 years older, my left leaning started earlier. My first foray away from the libs was Howard. Didn't like his politics but I firmly believe that as a leader he would be up there with the best ( all save his last year where he outstayed his welcome). I was a fan of Costello and would have probably voted Liberal had he got the top gig. Couldn't vote for Turnbull as it was no secret he absolutely compromised himself to the hard right of his party to get the top gig. And.... Cannot bring myself to vote for Shorten, he is a lightweight of the highest order. I honestly struggle with politics these days, I don't feel either major party represents me in any meaningful way and voting a minor party just seems to clog up the works. I'm sick of politics.(acknowledgment to Choke for the last paragraph)

geez... how good was Robbie Flower in those two games ? ( I have zero recollection of either game, but I am pretty certain my above comment will be accurate)

usually for all the wrong reasons....

Firstly - with absolutely no evidence whatsoever (fake news !) I would be surprised if any club was clean on the salary cap and the like in those days. I don't think it was a matter of "if" - more like "if you got caught". Would I take the premiership ? In a heartbeat. Would it give me any real joy ? Meh......

So many good players in that last quarter - if pedersen could do that last quarter consistently he would be a lock. alas..

Yearning for the days of yore ? In the 80's AIDS was a death sentence, car fatalities were higher and compared to car registration was significantly higher and we weren't serious enough about smoking and all its associated health problems. When I was in early high school ( eek..late 60's) a boy in our class who was gay hanged himself - the school at the time really failed to offer anything and pretty much chose to ignore but we knew he struggled with his sexuality and identity ( or at the time - "being a full on sissy") and I would like to say that we his classmates were really understanding but I would be lying. We talked about this at our 40th reunion and discussed what our school does now to help these crisis of identity and sexuality. Whilst not perfect there are systems in place. I sometimes do yearn for what I perceived as simpler times. Whether we consider all progress good, bad or otherwise, one thing is certain - you can't halt progress.

If you can't blame Jack Watts then you are not trying hard enough.

I would be most interested to see the extensive research supporting that claim. I am not defending the overconsumption of junk food but your statement is a tad overreach ?

My qualm is fitness for office. If you look at the voting record of Pence he is harder right than Trump and although I disagree on most of Pence's stances he would not be unfit to be President.

I am also a believer that if you are sitting in 8 and going to play finals you get a lot less tired at the end of the season than if you are hanging on by the nails to keep a slim chance alive to make the 8.

I like JKH - he has tricks and usually very clean. Not super quick but there is talent there. I think last season they rightly queried his commitment to the cause and I suspect this season is the last role of the dice for him. I would like to clone JKH and Harmes ( and throw a bit of hunt pace in as well).

Absolutely no fan of Rudd and egomaniac ? yes .. Bully ? yes. But he is not even close to being in the same league. And I did not see him as unfit to be Prime Minister - ( although I did see him as unfit to be a Representative after he was deposed )

You don't think ? He has kicked so many in the nuts on the way through that there is now unprecedented scrutiny both internally and externally on everything he says and does. To remain in power he has to keep his own party backing him and they are running for the hills. He can't separate his personal dealings with the Presidency. He will be lucky to last 4 years let alone get re-elected. At Ladbrokes he is 10/11 not to last out his first term. No rage - just watching with interest.

Talked to two of my doggie mates and they love the line breaking but bemoan his disposal. He is a turnover merchant and I didn't have him in my top three for the Normie... (either did they)

"Trump is unhinged" ( Fake News reporter Jake Trapper CNN) . Has there ever been a President where so many are questioning his mental stability and his fitness to serve as President ? I can categorically state that there have been Prime Ministers of this country who I have not agreed with any of the policies they espoused - but even in their worst moments I have never thought we have had a Prime Minister who is unfit to serve.

Playing devils advocate - having studied the old testament and Talmud ( years of my life i wont get back) - even the most ultra orthodox jews are not advocating a return to the harsher Judaic laws - for example - stoning of adulterers ( read an interesting Talmudic tractate on false witnesses and in certain circumstances it carried the death penalty) . However are not advocates of return to strict Sharia Law looking for total adherence ?

You have just described Sam Mitchell. (offensively and defensively)

I see what you did there...