La Dee-vina Comedia

I think there are two separate issues. The issue raised above about betting is covered by sports betting rules which, in essence, state that bets are finalised when the result of the game is confirmed by the AFL. So all results in the past are now concluded and the betting results stand. The issue raised in rfpc's initial post is, I think, about licences for poker machine venues run by the MFC. The VCGLR has to be satisfied that an operator of a gaming venue is suitable to hold a licence.

Although he won his B&F primarily playing on ball, I wonder whether the physical efforts required (crunching tackles, endurance running) caused Davey's decline. If so, that was another mistake by the footy department at the time (although admittedly easier to recognise in hindsight). Perhaps playing small forward with just an occasional turn on ball might rejuvenate his body and his career.

Hmmm. I heard some of Rohan Connolly on SEN yesterday and I interpreted what he said about the Fremantle game quite differently. I thought he was arguing that if Melbourne was so keen on tanking why would they have done so well against Fremantle when losing (if tanking was occurring) would be the 'better' option. In other words, I thought he was supporting the argument that Melbourne wasn't tanking. Certainly, everything else he said seemed to suggest he supported the argument that tanking wasn't happening. For example, in the Richmond game he pointed out that (1) Melbourne kicked 2 goals in the last minute or so - surely if they were tanking they would have missed (2) Melbourne were ahead on the final siren and (3) the suggestion that the Melbourne coach's box was unhappy after those goals were kicked (because they weren't overtly ecstatic when the TV cameras went on them) is nonsense because he doesn't recall seeing John Longmire being ecstatic after Malceski kicked the final goal in the 2012 grand final.

Is this thread cryptically and subliminally suggesting 'Swan Lake' as our song?

I think you'll find every professional sporting organisation now has an integrity department. The two greatest threats to each professional sports' existence are performance enhancing drugs and corruption linked to betting. Integrity departments are needed to ensure sports don't allow these misdeeds to damage their sport. They don't always do a good job (think professional cycling) but they are necessary.

1. A properly conducted investigation will produce a report which should include all material collated during the investigation. Whether the information helps or hinders the argument (from either perspective) is irrelevant. It should be included. 2. 800 to 1000 pages is not necessarily a long report if transcripts of each interview are included. 25 people by 30 pages per double spaced transcript equal 750 pages. 3. Any references to whether Jack Watts should or should not have been played may not have been raised by the investigators but by one of the individuals interviewed. As such, it should remain in the report whatever the investigators think. 4. Procedural fairness suggests that the investigators findings should be presented to the club before it is reviewed by the ultimate decision makers. In this way, there is less chance of bias (or perceived bias) in the final decision. I wouldn't want the AFL hierarchy reading anything that the investigators have collected until after the club has filed its response. In short, it all looks like it's being conducted properly to me. And nothing can be assumed to be right or wrong (by the AFL, the media or by us supporters) until the process has been completed.

I'll be very disappointed if Dunn is a regular this year. I believe he can't get any better than what we've already seen, so if he's getting a game we either have too many injuries or the new talent (newbies, recycled players and those who have been around for just a year or two, such as Tynan) aren't as good as we need them to be. And I suspect Jamar will be overtaken by Spencer by the end of the year. No disgrace there - the Russian is just nearing his use by date.

From a practical point of view this banner is easier to maintain than solely having current players who can fall out of favour surprisingly quickly. I think last year's banner included Jurrah, Green and perhaps Moloney - all logical inclusions at the beginning of the year. I think Demonland (Andy) has it just right balancing tradition with the here and now.

The National Draft used to be held earlier but was transferred to a later date to allow the year 12 students - which will be most of the likely picks - to finish their studies without the added distraction of the draft. Presumably all subsequent drafts are delayed by the National Draft.

Rod Keogh?

Carlton or Collingwood? And why would that be a problem?

I'm curious. Which ground?

Perhaps we could argue that CC was misquoted. Sort of like this: From The Australian: "Due to a production error, a quote attributed to Lieutenant Colonel Ghulam Jehlani Shafiq in a report in The Weekend Australian on Saturday (“Afghanistan battles scourge of corruption”, page 16) was altered to change its meaning. Colonel Jehlani did not say: “It’s not like 25 years ago. I was killing everybody.” In fact, he said: “It’s not like 25 years ago I was killing everybody. At that time too we tried not to have civilian casualties.” The Australian apologises for the error." Or maybe there was a spelling error, like this (ouch!) Seriously, we should stop looking for conspiracies at AFL House. If there is a case to answer, we answer it. If we did something that brought the game into disrepute, we face the consequences. But I can't see how we did. Or to put it another way, if we did, then the CEO of the AFL has a problem as he has already said we didn't when this issue was first raised a few years ago. reason for edit: added link which refers to Demetriou's comments in 2009

Plus we could offer up that 15 of the Melbourne players in the Richmond v Melbourne 2009 game will never play for Melbourne again. As long as we get to choose the 15 (Junior, Petterd, Bate, Newton, Bruce, Cheney, Valenti, Bartram, Rivers, Miller, Warnock, Whelan, P Johnson, Martin, Bennell). Actually, looking at that list, we should plead insanity that we played so many NQRs in the one game (apologies to a couple on that list).

I would have thought it's quite a common practice from plea bargaining in criminal jurisdictions to employers asking employees what they think is appropriate under the circumstances when an employee has stuffed up. Note, however, that I'm not commenting on whether it is or is not occurring in this particular instance.

You eloquently said in 17 words what I took three lines to say. Well done.

I'm also impressed at how he has apparently changed roles without rancour. Some coaches would really struggle in the role of being still involved in a senior capacity but not actually being the one calling the shots. Mind you, all the current ex-coaches with a similar gig (eg, Eade, Balme, Bailey) seem to be doing it well. Perhaps that's why they are doing what they are doing...and perhaps that's why Mick Malthouse isn't doing that at Collingwood.

I might be a bit sensitive, but I think this thread needs cleaning. Trying to make jokes about child sex abuse and some racist comments on this page don't belong here.

Should also have some Demonland contribution awards. My favourite contributer, providing ascerbic wit mixed with fashion advice is Jaded. And the most annoying? Nah, I'll let that slide.

Can't be right. Surely Richmond must be 9th on any list before the season starts.

Didn't realise he was only 21 and had only played two games previously (I don't know why, but I thought he played about 20 previously). In that case, you were correct when you said Joel Mac was the only "experienced" player recruited.

And John Meesen? Was he brought in during the Bailey years?

I must be more bitter and twisted than you. As always, I hope Richmond finish 9th after losing a few late in the year.

5. Socks

Could have been worse. I just found out from a magazine at my dentist that when it's released the Leyland P76 will be the best car the world's ever seen.