La Dee-vina Comedia

I suspect the true value of the combine is the opportunity for the clubs to have discussions with players. The recruiters probably know everything they need to know about onfield talents by then as they've been watching them for years. But getting inside the minds of these players to understand their desires, their level of maturity, what drives them, their likelihood of being happy to move interstate and their interest in playing for the club would be valuable information.

Quite right. Probably the same people who extracted the money from the NT Government as sponsorship. I'm pretty sure they did this in the knowledge that we'd be playing games in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Why does there need to be another positive? The issue of money is important. If we don't get it from selling home games where does it come from? We already have two poker machine venues which some people don't like; we charge people to attend the B & F which others don't like. We used to have an arrangement with a betting company (perhaps we still do) which some people don't like. Before criticising the selling of games, you need to identify another sustainable revenue stream to replace the money which would be lost. Once you've done that, I'll back you all the way to abolish the game in Darwin.

Not sure I follow the logic. Hawthorn plays home games in Tassie. Doesn't seem to have caused them any problems.

I assume you're saying we won't play finals because we have home games in Darwin and Alice Springs. Why? How does it differ from travelling to Perth, Gold Coast or, for that matter, Etihad to play games? Travelling more regularly than we do didn't stop West Coast, Sydney, Fremantle or Adelaide from playing finals in 2015.

Thanks Gonzo.

I don't get particularly fussed about the draw. I know it's not perfect and that our club will suffer more than others until we show we've improved. But I thought the AFL had said that they intended that in the 2016 competition they would divide the 2015 finishing ladder into thirds (ie, top third, middle third, bottom third) and that each team would play the teams in their third twice and everyone else once. Clearly that's not the case. Am I mistaken - did the AFL never make such a statement?

Would the AFL actually be paying (if they lose) or is it more likely they'll have some form of liability insurance which would cover any payment obligation? It is. The Federal Australian Sports Commission and the Victorian gambling regulator both regulate them for different reasons. The gambling regulator has approved the AFL based on satisfaction with their integrity regime. That approval means that betting companies must have agreements with the AFL, which the betting companies pay for and the proceeds of which are used to pay for the costs of those integrity procedures.

Interesting that people comment on his "training standards" based presumably on those sessions open to the public. What about what goes on behind closed doors? For what it's worth I thought JKH started 2015 with a significantly bulked up body which suggested a huge amount of off-season work in the gym.

One of the problems all fringe players have, and have always had, is that improving by playing in the VFL (or previously the Reserves) is hard. Many players have proven to be stars at VFL level but can't make the transition. I think it is particularly difficult for "touch" players, like JKH, to make the transition because the lack of pressure in the VFL (relative to AFL) means players don't appreciate the difference in reaction time. I think players like JKH (and Toumpas) need an extended run in the AFL to learn how to play under that level of pressure. They may not make it, but they'll certainly never make it if all they ever do is run around in the VFL waiting for an occasional promotion.

I disagree that its the only thing that matters. I think contracts matter. If we want players to fulfill their contracts, we should fulfill ours. How would we feel if Hogan decided not stay for 2017? Ignoring the disparity in talent, that's the equivalent position to Terlich, but from the players' side. If the clubs (not just ours) want and expect players to fulfill contracts, then clubs need to do so as well. On the plus side, if it comes down to a choice between keeping Terlich because he has a contract or Michie because he doesn't, it's really only a decision at the margin. Michie might be a better prospect than Terlich, but not by that much that the team's on field performance will change significantly.

The only question I have is why is the AFL paying Champion Data to develop software when they could just put rpfc in a room with a pencil and a pocket calculator?

Just a minor tweak... I don't care who we pick as long as they become A graders.

And while spanking Richmond would be good fun, what we really need on this night is an exciting close game to ensure the momentum for it as a long-term "blockbuster" event continues to grow. I'll be happy with a close win.

In fact, I don't even think Dunn is a true key position defender. Don't get me wrong, though. He has played very well since being given that role. It's just that he's not tall or big enough to go with the really tall or strong forwards. I think we have only one proven key position defender in Tom McDonald, although Sam Frost and Oscar McDonald may yet add to the list.

He stopped Bob Murphy in the first (successful) Bulldogs game.I'm not a great fan of M Jones and Terlich but I'm even less of a fan of breaking contracts and transferring main list players to rookie lists. If we want players to come to our club, they need to be confident we'll treat them as adults and not chattels. And like rpfc (I think), I'm in favour of getting rid of the rookie list and expanding the main list by the same number of places, anyway.

Perhaps explains Carlton's trading and drafting strategy prior to this year. (Having said that, in some respects he is right. It's just that the probability of success decreases as you drift down the draft order.)

In the overall scheme of things whether it's a home game or not is not as important as making the day memorable and a permanent fixture on the AFL calendar. We'll eventually lose the Queen's Birthday game (because I believe it's inevitable that we'll lose Queen's Birthday as a public holiday), so we need to find alternate "blockbuster" opportunities as it guarantees better prime time TV exposure and therefore the potential for higher sponsorship revenue. This has "blockbuster" written all over it...but only if supporters of both teams turn up, whether it's a home game or not.

"this site is full of nerds" ergo, faultydet is a nerd. What other conclusion could be drawn?

Serious error. As Picket will tell you, "In Vino Veritas", hence, pluralising Vino, "Self flagellation por no choosy Ollius Vina."

The St Kilda Football Club has today emailed its members inviting them to renew membership for 2016. Included is this line: "We also encourage you to check out our official St Kilda social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat or download the app!"

Well said. And I'll go one step further. I can tell that after a couple of drinks, which would probably result in me having a blood alcohol level of something like 0.02%, my driving would be marginally impaired and for that reason I won't drive. Relying on a law to determine whether someone should drive or not is an unfortunate necessity. It would be so much better if we were all self-aware and capable of making a sound decision. However, as a society we're not, so we need a law with a prescribed number to enforce what should be common sense.

Serious question...isn't a player's manager's loyalty to his client? In other words, wouldn't McConville have a duty to represent Carlisle to the best of his (McConville's) ability? If I'm right, doesn't that mean while McConville can't tell porkies he also doesn't have to disclose negative information.

Did I find sarcasm when it wasn't intended? If that's the case, I apologise unreservedly to both you and Jack Watts.

So, you think "scumbagland" means Collingwood only. I thought it was a collective noun used to describe Collingwood, Carlton and Richmond. At least, it ought to be. Can Demonland make it so?