La Dee-vina Comedia

I've heard of "making a rod for your own back" but never "adds another rod to their back". Written this way it sounds more like a positive - as in strengthening their spine.. Anyway, I know what you mean.

Mack Horton may have started a "players' revolt". Other Olympic athletes have jumped on board and are basically saying "One strike and you're out - forever". I hope the players' revolt succeeds. Sports like cycling, athletics and many others have been too weak for too long. If the "players' revolt" succeeds, all sports will be better off. And the Essendon situation probably* would not have happened. With a penalty as strict as "One strike and you're out - forever" no responsible* organisation would contemplate going as close to the line as that club did. [*"probably" and "responsible" are my get out clauses. Maybe some professional sporting clubs would be that irresponsible.]

Here are the lyrics (in English) if you want to sing along: Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,Daughter from Elysium,We enter, drunk with fire,Heavenly, thy sanctuary!Your magics join againWhat custom strictly divided;All people become brothers,Where your gentle wing abides.Who has succeeded in the great attempt,To be a friend's friend,Whoever has won a lovely woman,Add his to the jubilation!Indeed, who calls at least one soulTheirs upon this world!And whoever never managed, shall steal himselfWeeping away from this union.All creatures drink of joyAt nature's breast.Just and unjustAlike taste of her gift;She gave us kisses and the fruit of the vine,A tried friend to the end.[Even] the worm has been granted sensuality,And the cherub stands before God!Gladly, as His heavenly bodies flyOn their courses through the heavens,Thus, brothers, you should run your race,As a hero going to conquest.You millions, I embrace you.This kiss is for all the world!Brothers, above the starry canopyThere must dwell a loving Father.Do you fall in worship, you millions?World, do you know your creator?Seek him in the heavens;Above the stars must He dwell.

I've mentioned previously how Robert Flower played even better when in the Victorian team because he was in the right spot and the ball actually got to him. Perhaps part of the improvement in Watts is something similar - as the players around him get better, his kicks which perhaps always went to the right spot now actually have the players at the other end who maximise their value.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn supporters are singing "Jealous Guy"

Rhapsody in Blue (and red)

When was the last time we went through a season with out losing a game by 60+ points?

In my opinion (stated just for you, Saty), one of the main reasons for our win was the relentless pressure applied by the back six (ie, Frost, McDonalds x 2, Harmes, Vince, Jetta and Hunt - I know that's seven players, but between them they rotated on/off). That pressure didn't just make life hard for the Hawthorn forwards but put immense pressure on the Hawk midfielders and defenders as the ball kept coming out of our backline relentlessly. Sure, there were some missed targets, but that's to be expected with an inexperienced team. If the back seven (whoever they might be as individuals) can improve their disposal even more, we'll win a lot more games than we lose. What I find particularly exciting is that most of that backline are late draft picks. Each of the McDonalds, Hunt, Jetta and Harmes were later than pick 50. (As was Wagner and Mitch White). Kudos to the recruiters for their astute selections and to the development coaches for polishing the uncut stones.

Whiplash. (Having said that, I have no idea whether Rioli made contact with Oliver's head or not.) Now that Sicily has been suspended for one week, how many weeks should the umpire get for not paying a free for what was unarguably the most obvious high contact in the game?

The Hawthorn supporter sitting behind me on Saturday will be very pleased. He wants Sicily out of the team.

I really hope you mean fluid flowing from the eyes with supporters rather than some ripped, red underwear.

I'm with Joeboy. If Garlett was tagging, then one tackle seems like an ineffective performance.

Really?

Typical. Over-reaching again!

I would have thought if Hogan is to return, Weideman would go out. He really struggled to see out quarters, let alone the game. I love what he brings, but at this time I'd be keeping in Pedersen (who I thought was just OK yesterday, but still didn't do enough. In fact, I'm amazed he was given votes in the Demonland POTY).. Garlett is clearly struggling. It's not like he's not trying, but if he's not impacting the scoreboard he needs to bring more. For example, one tackle is not enough. I'd be happy to give him another week unless someone at Casey who could play a similar role (eg, Kennedy or ANB) needs to be rewarded for consistent performance.

6. Gawn 5. Viney 4. Tyson 3. Jones 2. Watts 1. T McDonald In truth, I found it hard to find which defender to give the final vote to. All performed well and put intense pressure on the Hawthorn forwards. I could have given that final vote to any one of them.

You're going to eat your underpants?

If we beat Hawthorn...I look forward to the articles in the newspapers in mid-2017 which will refer to this game as the turning point which saw the end of the most recent successful Hawthorn era.

Meanwhile, at Hawthorn:

Daisy, I was going to ask for photographic evidence. Then I saw your gender. Carry on.

Three identical words and, yet, it needed to be edited. I am so curious as to what was edited here. Addition of the third 'please'? Deletion of a fourth 'please'? Or perhaps deletion of a "pretty" before the last 'please'? How can people be wondering about the relative qualities of Matt Jones versus Harmes and not be querying this post?

I'm not sure that's correct. I thought Michie was one of Roos' recruits in his first year. Can anyone confirm?

And second ruck would be...?

Maybe that's the strategy. Either: with the added responsibility of being the number 1 forward for the day, Dawes plays a blinder; or Dawes plays a shocker thereby ensuring Weideman's confidence is boosted because he wasn't the worst forward out there.

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.