La Dee-vina Comedia

At this stage, it's just an Australian Parliamentary report. Which recommendations are adopted remains to be seen.

Nicely argued. The point about funding integrity is a good one to make.

The Federal Parliament's committee looking at online gambling has released its report today. In no surprise to anyone, it recommends a ban on all advertising and sponsorship, to be implemented over four years. I'm not particularly interested in prosecuting the argumenmt for or against the ban. What I am interested in is the effect of the lost revenue on the AFL, either as direct payments by betting companies or from reduced broadcast rights which are likely to follow. The AFL (or VFL) has previously had to manage when tobacco advertising and sponsorship was banned. But where's the replacement revenue going to come from this time? Different advertisers? Increased ground entry fees? Increased membership fees? Or will costs be cut, and if so, where? Player salaries?

Engineering wouldn't be the only problem (if, indeed it were to be a problem). Ownership of the air rights above the road could be more complex than it seems. I know that building bridges over the railway line next to the MCG was delayed for years because no-one could decide who had responsibility for maintaining the bridges.

They got there a bit earlier than that. It's now 47.3%. It could, of course, get back over 50...or below 45 by the end of the year.

Let's forget the "travel for the players" as being an issue for two reasons. Firstly, every club outside Victoria travels more than any Victorian club having to travel almost every second week. Secondly, what did most players do over the bye? They got on a plane and travelled to the Gold Coast.

I just looked through this thread. Not one person gave Pickett votes (including me). Yet the The Age had him as one of the best five on the ground by including him (and Petracca) in their votes. Not sure about anyone else, but that certainly surprises me.

Do you mean more than other interstate trips? If so, in what way? For example, is it not a direct flight?

There is another possible reason why Collingwood doesn't play in Geelong. We all know the State government has been happy to fund the redevelopment of the stadium because it is in an area with a few marginal electorates. But has the government adequately funded the Police? With insufficient police numbers in Geelong, hosting a Collingwood game with its supporters is a much higher community risk than having the safer Melbourne supporters in town.

You're assuming, of course, that the extra home game would be played at the MCG. It could be scheduled at Marvel.

Was Petty moved forward to play defensively on Stewart or as a genuine attacking forward? And who did he replace?

6. Viney 5. Salem 4. Rivers 3. Petracca 2. Hunter 1. Langdon I felt like giving Stewart votes. He positioned brilliantly to allow us to pinpoint kicks to him with unerring accuracy.

How can someone with your name complain about the cold?

Some typos are better than others.

This museum, perhaps? (Warning: It's a genuine museum in Iceland, but careful who you open this link in front of)

It takes a special skill for the AFL to schedule a match in Geelong on the night of the winter solstice. Nevertheless, this story about a festival held during the northern hemisphere winter solstice includes a rather gruesome picture which looks a lot like a Demon demolishing a young Cat's supporter. Appropriate for tonight, I think.

And you can add that Geelong have done exceptionally well out of the father-son talent pool, too. Not just Hawkins, but also Ablett (x2) and Scarlett. And they've had others, too, who were not quite in the same stratospheric league, but nevertheless quite handy, such as Mark Blake. In terms of real success we've had Viney (and arguably Barassi), and that's it.

Have you been brainwashed by the AFL to believe that Friday is actually part of the weekend? I'll let out my inner curmudgeon and for the record repeat what I've previously said...I detest Thursday night football, whoever is playing. I know "detest" is a strong word, but its use here is considered and deliberate.

It's somewhat sadly ironic that it was his uncle* Frederick Nietszche that coined the expression (paraphrasing) "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger". I hope these setbacks make him stronger for whatever else he chooses to do in his life. *not really, the bit about being his uncle.

Not sure I want to see the mascot for your suggestion.

Everything about them was artificial, fake or pretend, including the supposed wealth of their owner. Koalas fitted right in.

The club has announced the passing of Premiership player Bernie Massey Vale Bernie Massey I'm sure I speak for all in extending condolences to his family.

The Bombers current logo is, apparently, the oldest in the AFL with all others having had some sort of change since Essendon last changed theirs in (I think) 1995. I doubt they're seeking my opinion, but if they intend to keep the nickname "Bombers" then they don't need to change their logo. It's actually very good as it is.

Quite right. I have admonished myself appropriately.

I also hope he's full recovered, but we need to remember that every concussion does not necessarily heal following a standard timeline. The 12 day compulsory time off is just a minimum figure. The clubs have a responsibility to make sure all players are given all the time they need to recover, however long it takes.