La Dee-vina Comedia

You're making me feel guilty for not giving him votes this week. He was close, but I just couldn't overlook six others.

I think the media would argue that it's the audience (viewers, listeners and readers) who aren't deep thinkers and without long attention spans. The media then plays to the limitations of its audience by discussing something as fresh as possible. And I suspect that view is probably correct.

Think of it this way. Kim Jong-un is also part of a dynasty.

I'm just grateful the Bulldogs won the Premiership in 2016. That should mean that come September we'll be everybody's sentimental favourite.

Actually, I was only curious, not sceptical. Until I read your post and now I'm sceptical as well as curious!

Bit of subtle but nevertheless mixed messaging in Pert's note. He says (paraphrasing) that it's both good that we're getting out of gaming and good when Jim Stynes and Don McLardy got us into gaming. While a "Future Fund" sounds good, I'm interested in knowing what this actually means given interest rates are essentially zero. Investing in equities? Other real estate? (I'm not being critical, by the way. Just curious.)

I really think people do not understand that the issues with AZ (and any other drug) are all about risk management. When Covid numbers are low (or non-existent), the risks associated with having the AZ vaccination are considered to be higher than catching Covid. Hence, the recommendation not to use it. When the numbers of Covid increase and ergo the chances of catching it increase, the risks associated with AZ are no longer as problematic as the risk of catching and being affected by Covid. That's when the health advice changes to recommending people have an AZ shot. That leads to two conclusions. Firstly, the AZ vaccine is still a fine product which will provide protection, albeit with a very small risk of ill effects for some people. Secondly, when you chop and change the advice - based on sound risk-based probability analysis - it can be too late, because in doing so, you've unfairly and unnecessarily trashed the brand.

I was at the ground on Saturday and thought ANB was pretty good. What I saw wasn't based on his disposal numbers (13 disposals including 10 kicks) but rather, his relentless chasing which kept putting Essendon players under pressure. I think his position is safe. I suspect if I were watching on TV I might come to a different view, but at the ground, I always see so much more of what is going on.

If we'd lost, we'd be complaining about the umpiring. It was poor on Saturday night with inconsistency heaped on inconsistency. Pushes in the back paid and then not paid; similarly with incorrect disposal. But I reiterate what I've said before, the AFL heirarchy is to blame by having so many rules that are open to an individual's interpretation. And before we get too critical, how dumb is it to give away a free kick for not having the 6-6-6 in place after a goal twice!

I think you'll find that a sheep is quite different to a pig.

I'm also hearing that the half-time sprint will be replaced by nudists being chased by deer

6. May 5. Langdon 4. Lever 3. Salem 2. Hunt (great stopping job on the dangerous McDonald-Tipungwuti) 1. Brayshaw (Interestingly, all defenders or wingmen. Hopefully one or more of the forwards will come to the party soon). Unlucky: Oliver, Petracca and especially Gawn who taught Draper a lesson.

I suspect it's a horses for courses selection. Essendon's backline isn't that tall but has plenty of run. If we had Weideman or Brown (either of them) playing, we could be exposed when the ball hits the ground. An extra smaller forward might help block Essendon's run off the backline. On the other hand, if one of Weideman, Brown or Brown were dominating with consistent mark-taking, they would probably be selected. But as they are not doing so, they become too much of a liability when the ball hits the ground.

Some of the extra doses - whether its Pfizer, Moderna or AZ - might be for distribution to other nations, particularly in our region.

I'm truly astounded at the level of obscure knowledge of musical bands harboured within the minds of Demonlanders. Thankyou Demonstone for the challenge, even though I knew none of the answers.

It's "who?" for numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5. I would assume Tom Lynch would be ideal in case all of Ben Brown, Sam Weideman and Mitch Brown are considered surplus to requirements!

Struggling to work out whether this is two clues or two answers! I can sort of get the LBJ reference if you're working on the assumption that "Jack" is a version of "John" and Silvagni is a well known father-son - hence "John" and "son" equals Johnson. But Baines from Barry Hall? Or is it just the first initial? Or am I overthinking it? All I can see with the mixed marshal arts is "MMA" which is the first initial of each name in the full back line. Surely it has to be more than that!

Is that correct? Isn't the whole idea that unvaccinated people can incubate the disease and pass it on to others more readily than the vaccinated? If so, I think you would be putting others at risk. I appreciate your previous point that no-one has died from Covid this year (I'll believe you, I don't have the facts in front of me). But that's just like saying we don't need the polio vaccine because no-one had died from that, either. Ignoring the separate point that Covid can make people seriously ill without killing them causing those patients longterm health problems, why would we want to give Covid the chance? It's a similar argument to leaving the drawbridge down because the barbarians haven't yet raped and pillaged even though you know they have a reputation for doing so.

People are also much more likely to get Covid and die or have serious long-term health complications if they don't take the AZ while waiting for an alternative*. (I know it's been mentioned ad nauseum, but I'm always in favour of emphasising this point). *Keeping in mind that we don't know the long-term side effects of any of the alternatives, either.

This year is highly discombobulating, isn't it? Mind you, we're well into June and have only won one game this month which is not dissimilar to most years. It makes me nervous for the rest of the season!

There could be scientific/medical reasons for the different approaches. After all, there are differences between the States and Territories such as climate, population density and community movement (ie, how much people move within and across their town or city), all of which are known factors in Covid management.

I used to enjoy the regular training reports posted to this site. Why have they disappeared? Is it because: We are required to train in private because of Covid rules? (Previously didn't seem to stop Picket Fence, though) We don't have any posters any more who attend training, even if it's allowed? We're winning so often now, that training reports have become passe? Any other reason?

I suspect the delay is not related to the number of new cases but to finalising the details in the plans submitted by the AFL and MCC. It's even possible the delay is because the AFL and MCC are trying to convince the relevant officials that 50% capacity at the MCG is do-able and that some procedures to allow that to happen have yet to be agreed upon.

Clubbing? Do you mean clapping? The Japanese are essentially uber-polite and respectful. I expect they'll follow the instruction and not participate in clubbing/clapping. I suspect the best thing about these Olympics will be the absence of boorish international fans, particularly those in green and gold.

Not so much the AFL (except for Marvel). It would be a "money thing" for the ground managers, such as the Melbourne Cricket Club for the MCG.