Crompton's the man

The whole land of Mordor is a dark territory and at its heart is the evil genius that is controlling everything. Thus there is one reason why the descriptor doe not apply to Geelong

Sincerely thanks for this And I will watch it tomorrow but tonight I need to watch the replay again because I have this unrelenting nagging feeling that there is a handball somewhere that I have not committed to memory

I have confessed previously to consenting to an accord with one of my sons-in-law that the progeny of the mixed marriage would be brought up to barrack for whomsoever might be in the higher position on the ladder at the time and time goes by so slowly…… but my second most favourite Russian proverb comes to mind for some reason that I can’t explain: If you live long enough you will see the body of your enemy floating down the river

You mean like the miracle of the loaves and fishes?

I had the privilege of speaking with Ray Shaw recently and discussing the Grand Final - he’s pretty impressed with the current ream and its youth I think it’s fair to say. I was curious as to his take on the Harmes to Fritsch goal that started it all - if that hadn’t happened would Melbourne inevitably won anyway? His take : absolutely not - momentum is a huge thing in football and if that hadn’t happened quite possibly the game would not have turned the way it did (he also observes that the 6-6-6 rule prevents the other side from blocking the game up as would have happened in years gone by). so for me - Bayley Fritsch’s first goal half way through the third quarter when we were 19 points down after our bad position at half time had actually got worse - with an special and honourable mention to Harmes.

That’s a big call but time may prove you right

There’s always next year

It’s interesting isn’t it that these threads generate heat when there’s sniping and dirty play. Our team played great honest football - I can’t think of any action that was below the belt and unless pressed would say the same for our opponents Having been at 2000 and seen a larynx-crusher delivered to - not sure - Brad Greene (?) it is reassuring to think that football can be played and won without resorting to grubby tactics Well played to both sides P.S. we have worn out the tape watching the replay so watched the MFC website Road to Hell and back series today totally fascinating authentic footage of a footy club being rebuilt from the ground up the series is only half finished - the best is yet to come - but this week’s result absolutely was NOT a random result Great people building a great club

We feel your love

and the third quarter in the elimination final against Geelong is possibly the best football I have ever seen over a fair lifetime Mind you, I haven’t seen the replay of the GF third quarter yet

I also was discombobulated insofar as Bayley Fritsch was not the recipient of the Norm Smith medal

I’m glad I broke tradition and didn’t bet on a draw

I saw the 1964 Grand Final and have wondered endlessly whether my grandchildren whose houses are today decked out in red and blue would ever see a Melbourne premiership There is so much to consider and I don’t pretend to be a brilliant analyst Better recruiting allied with pruning of the list A couple of wildcards - Bayley Fritsch For me a special mention of the daring coaching tactic of handballing forward into danger trusting in the ability of the attacking player to carry forward the contest whereas for so many years the convention has been to handball backwards (the only team I can recall as successfully countering this in 2021 was Collingwood for whatever reason) The development through Casey that has given some young ones with talent the experience of this Cup that can be carried forward Also - from today’s game : we are building for the future perhaps to create not a one hit wonder but something special and ongoing My cup runneth over and our fourteen grandchildren not to mention five children have their faith and loyalty rewarded and they have witnessed a true team triumph (without individualism)

Seriously have we beaten anyone above us on the ladder?

Bulliewobbles about to hit

Please know

The Geelong full forward I will attempt to be less cryptic in future Apologies

It was a great victory however, we should spare a thought for TTT ( Tommy the Thug) who must be feeling absolutely shocking after putting in one of the worst and most worthless performances that any Australian Rules players has ever put in in the history of the game. I have gone back to 1898 and been unable to find any player who has piked it as comprehensively and pathetically as that beautiful Tom. It hurts me to say this because I admire him so much

Our daughter just messaged that she cried when they came out. That just shows the superficiality of youth. I’ve been crying all day

Sincerely hope that you’re wrong

Mad Monday should be exciting at Brisbane Watch the players run for the hills when MR turns up as Al Capone carrying a violin case

Since my children got vaccinated they tell me they can charge their mobile phones just by putting them on their forearms

Wheel oil be a flat-earther on this one The 64 GF when I was twelve was a tight game and in the last quarter when we had no idea of time on and how long the game would go, Melbourne was in the lead having kicked a goal (as I recollect - admittedly subjective) and from the centre bounce we got the ball somehow towards our centre-half-forward when inexplicably a servant of evil kicked it back past the centre to where Ray Gabelich had remained as their ruckman (not necessarily that I can speak but he wasn’t the absolute fittest of all sportsmen) and to his shock the ball landed in his arms close to siren time. With not one player near him - neither Melbourne nor Satan’s - he began to lumber towards the Collingwood goal with a 40 yard start and the entire Melbourne team starting a desperate chase to run him down and they nearly did it too but Gabelich had made it to the goal square and collapsed after kicking the goal to put them in front with almost no time left and it was devastating With no time left the coach (you know - the one we sacked) put everyone from down back forward of the centre and after a desperate last bounce and scrimmage with the ball moving forward for Melbourne the back pocket player Neil Crompton did a kick across his body from half forward to score one of the very few goals of his career just just before the final siren I do so hope that this year’s win will be similarly exciting 😱

I’ve seen so many times when the team that wins against opponent Q (Geelong) in the first final faces them again and loses to them the next time they meet having said that Q is older, a little more prone to being tired (think: we should have 16 minute quarters) and if they make it to meet us again they will have had to get past another serious contender The Max Gawn kick was most satisfactory

I can remember watching Dustin Fletcher losing his two front teeth From memory an opponent’s elbow hit his mouth as someone’s shoulder drove into the forearm and created the situation of the irresistible force meeting the movable objects Mouthguards are like vaccines They provide a high degree of protection but no absolute guarantee there cannot be injury That said I sincerely hope he was wearing a mouthguard