La Dee-vina Comedia

Interesting how quickly people came to the defence of Matt Rendell yet jump all over Akermanis. Both probably said something they wished they hadn't and both sets of comments should be looked at in context. If the quotes attributed to Aker in the Sportsnewsfirst article are correct, the 'nasty' quote appears to refer to what might otherwise be called 'on field mongrel' - something many posters are clamouring for more of from our current players. However, the bit about questioning the State funeral seems completely foot in mouth. Aker also suffers from being a repeat offender. On balance, he has created animosity he didn't need to do by speaking when he shouldn't have. But how do we think Jim himself would have reacted? Probably with a smile and a comment something like, "Well, that's just Aker. It doesn't worry me". So perhaps we shouldn't give it the time of day, either. http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2012/03/22/aker-attacks-nasty-man-stynes/

But did he mean "best available" in the category (or categories) of player type(s) the coach asked for?

Relatively speaking

Steve J is a good example of what happens after recruitment. What would have happened to him at another club, such as Melbourne? With his lack of off-field discipline in his earlier days, would he have been managed as successfully as it turns out he was at Geelong? The point is, it's not just recruiters who determine whether a selection will be ultimately successful. There's a lot more required with respect to skills development, pastoral care, team balance and game style. And I know it's been said before, but recruiters also have to choose players based on the coach's requirements. The coach will identify what he wants - KPF, running half backs, grunt players, or whatever. It's hardly the recruiters fault if he picks up a skinny, highly skilled outside player instead of a hulking key position prospect if that's the player type the coach wants. In short, only those inside the club will know whether a recruiter is good at his job or not.

I recall in the 1993 Ashes series, Shane Warne was carted all over the ground in the one day games prior to the Test series starting. But he later said he deliberately never bowled a wrong 'un in any warm up game or during those One Day games. I'd like to think that we've not shown our full bag of tricks during the NAB series. (And it was that Ashes series which probably brought me back to having an interest in test cricket).

Jim's impact? Look at the numbers on this page right now... 173 user(s) are reading this topic 47 members, 123 guests, 3 anonymous users La Dee-vina Comedia, why you little, RobbieF, Roost It, Outside fifty, Great_little_footy_team, gg24, stevethemanjordan, reynolds46, Clint Bizkit, Key Deefender, danboyle99, Ascobar, dandeeman, Magdog#49, Deeoldfart, Stylus, Oucher, Geddy Lee, daisycutter, juzzk1d, WhateverItTakes, Heart Beats True, Spook the magpie, bazza226, Demon Land 7, Louie, gOLLy, Chook, Crowley, hells bells, daveytrain1, Pates, stranga, Alan Johnson, Chris24, JimmyB, Dr. Mubutu, hayz, stephen247, Old Man Rivers, fitness, Dr. Gonzo, IWAP, Bingo, andrewlamprill37, Daz's Dee's

Reminds me of the story about how 'Pravda' might have reported a race between a Soviet and a US runner. The US runner came first, but Pravda reported that the Soviet runner came second while the US runner came second last.

Mike Sheahan publishes a top 50 at the end of each season and another at the beginning of the next. Given nothing has actually happened in the time between the publishing of the two lists, the only justification for any change must relate to expectations. Consequently, the list just published must be Sheahan's prediction of who he thinks will be the best in 2012. And good luck to him. He knows he puts his head in the noose every time he does this. I may disagree with his choices, but I admire his willingness to put his reputation on the line.

Can I put in a vote for my least liked? Mark Robinson, hands down. But to answer the question, I like Commetti and for special comments Matthew Lloyd and Robert Walls (but the latter on radio only).

Gee...if putting on weight was all that was necessary to be a champion footballer, I'd have been a star! (I still have the weight, I'm now just too old). But it is interesting in these days of sports science that some players (Morton, Cook) seem incapable of filling out and others (Dean Rioli) seem incapable of slimming down.

While the MFC statement uses the word "dropped" it might also be nothing more than list management. Other players have been "rested" in previous weeks. The NAB Cup is all about list management, trialing options, etc. Of course, being "rested" might actually be the wrong word. It's possible players "dropped" to Casey work harder for longer because of the extra players allowed in the NAB Cup games all requiring game time.

We're they the usual experienced umpires or, like clubs do at this time, was the Umpire's Department trialing their equivalent of "rookies"?

Agreed. if I were starting from scratch, I'd make green my dominant colour. No clashes with current AFL clubs and a huge potential sponsorship market - green energy, gardening products, etc

Well reasoned and articulated.

According to the AFL website, Liam Jurrah turned up for training at 8am today. According to Channel 7 Melbourne News last night, Liam Juarrah failed to attend training at Melbourne yesterday. So, was there even a training session yesterday? Or did Channel 7 make it up?

It's sort of the "Moneyball" approach. For those who haven't seen the film, Moneyball is about a baseball team that changes recruitment philosophy from "young, up and coming stars" (think AFL draft camp best performers) to experienced players who score highly in particular areas ("needs based recruitment"). I probably haven't quite explained it properly, but hopefully readers will get the idea.

Excellent post by The Fork. For additional insight into indigenous issues, I strongly recommend a book called "Raft" by Howard Goldenberg. The author is a GP who spends his holidays relieving other doctors working in indigenous communities. His stories are funny, sad, confronting and humanistic. A very accessible read.

Cameron Schwab's press conference highlights one of the emotional issues. In answer to Q8, Schwab says "...when he goes home" (meaning NT). The very next question, Schwab answers with "...to get him and bring him home". I don't know Liam, but I suspect that "home" is, to use a cliche, where the heart is. And perhaps his heart is divided. If so, that's an enormous emotional burden for anyone to carry. (Thanks to demonland7 for providing the transcript).

A bit of distraction is in order. The Age online describes Liam as "Melbourne forward". The Herald Sun describes him as "Melbourne star forward". Is the Herald Sun overstating Liam's position in the game or is The Age playing him down? In short, is Liam a "star"? My view? He's exciting, he's green and he's not yet the full package. So I don't think he's a "star". But I also think he has genuine potential to become one. Let's hope he gets the chance to get there.

Thanks for filling me in on O'Brien. I'd like to think his 22 MFC games weren't that memorable. The alternative - that my memory isn't so good - is a less palatable option.

I remember those days and quite a bit before, too. But I can't recall anyone called O'Brien. Can you please remind me - what was his first name and his jumper number? And did he play many games?

Warning: the following is not intended to re-start a debate about personality. Compare the body shapes of Ablett and Tom Scully. If Scully does not build up his body size, particularly around the hips, I think he will struggle to convert his talent. And that comment would have applied whether he had stayed or not.

I haven't renewed yet (but will soon). But why hasn't the club sent me a reminder? Would have thought the best method to get 2012 members is to pursue 2011 members yet to renew.

Being short and a little chubby meant he had a low centre of gravity which in turn made it difficult for players to knock him over. He used that physical attribute particularly well. I always liked him. This discussion leads to another question. Which of Peter Moore and Brian Wilson - being the players recruited from other clubs in that period who won a Brownlow with us - contributed more to the club? Too close to call, for mine.

I wouldn't mind at all if it's a "Geelong 1-2 weeks"...didn't Ottens come back in time to win a premiership with the Cats? I could live with that sort of injury concern.