Kento80

Yep, you're right mate. I've mentioned it before on this forum somewhere and will again. The game after Jimmy announced his cancer on 3rd July 2009 round 14 (against WC funnily enough) was one that will linger in my memory for the ferocity the boys played with, and history will show that we won by 20pts. Now I know we had a few older, more experienced players, but the point I am trying to make is to do with attitude. There was no way known to man that they were going to let anyone beat them that day. I deadset reckon we would have given Geelong a solid run on that occasion. Now why they can't go out playing with that unflinching will to win every week, I do not know. But as you said, I will not accept it as an excuse anymore either. My problem is that it doesn't matter whether we accept it or not, the issue is entirely whether the players, coaching staff, FD and administration accept it. And to me, by not finding a way to fix it, they accept it. Tomorrow night will answer a lot of questions I have about the rest of this season. Enough games have gone under the bridge now that they should be playing to their current ability. Therefore if we don't win, it better be bloody close, and one hell of a game.

No mate, I am not too soft. I hate that I think they don't believe they can win, but unfortunately that is my impression atm. This is by no means an excuse for them but a judgement. If players don't believe they can win, they don't run and work hard, and this is where I believe we are lacking so far this year. As I said I hope they have had seismic shifts in their mindsets and change my opinion this Thursday. We shouldn't fear WC, but that by no means says our players don't. I also am not an acceptor of "development games", it is a fair excuse to a certain point, but not any more. This is a game we can win, and at the end of it all on Thursday, we will know just how much our players WANT to win. I think we SHOULD win, and if we don't, my blood pressure is going to rise dramatically

I just got a shiver down my spine

I hope you're right about victory, and I do believe we can beat them. I am not so sure our players BELIEVE they can beat them at the moment. Hopefully the break has given them a different perspective. As for them being wooden spooners last year, we were wooden spooners the year before and then came 10th last year, so it really has no direct relation to Thursdays result. All that matters is how the players are playing this year, and in this case, they seem to be a bit ahead of the curve and we seem to be hovering on or slightly behind it. By no means do I think we will get smashed, but if we do win, it will give a terrific account of where we are at and the desire for success of our players.

What a bunch of [censored]! I blame it on Cam being past it.

I think we are probably on a bit of a level playing field, but due to the fact they were so shizen last year and expected to be as bad if not worse this year, naturally the hype has built. In a way, it is not dissimilar to the hype built up by the Dees last year. We had a year that was probably above expectations, and all of us got swept up in thinking that we were ahead of the curve. Now we are starting to realise that althoughh we are getting there, we still have a long way to go. As Samsara said, I reckon (unfortunately) that they will probably get one over us in the west, but we probably hold the advantage over here. Or at least I hope so.

You won't get yelled at by me, as you are another person reinforcing exactly what I was saying. I hadn't actually heard about Collingw@*ds no comment re the RSL, but that just adds more to what I was hoping people would get from this discussion. And yes, my grandfather is appalled by this state of affairs. And so are a couple of his mates he served at New Guinea with.

That's is exactly what I was talkiing about. But I personally don't think the profits should go to the clubs, because if you take away the AFL "exploitation", it is just a game which would otherwise attract no more attention than usual. Therefore any profits should be used more wisely. I can't see much difference between my opinion and yours at all.

I am not talking about members or supporters or the size of the club. I am talking about people arguing over the financial benefits of this game. I never said you didn't know about sacrifice, as I do as well, but you seem to have a different interpretation to myself and alot of other people as to the amount of reverence this deserves. I am not making a claim to the game, or the money. If the focus has shifted from the ANZACs or just the game itself, then the whole thing should be done with. As for the AFLs intentions, I am well aware that they don't intend to change anything. I am also aware that the majority of the Australian public didn't want to go to Iraq, but that didn't stop Howard did it.

Are you saying you are happy with people squabbling over the financial spoils of a game built on the backs of a sacrifice so great most of us can't comprehend? If you are I have to say I feel sorry for you.

Couldn't agree more. We need a seismic shift in mentality if we are to even offer up a challenge to these two. Our results so far are ok, but the way we got them has been dismal. The bummers lost yesterday, but lost in spectacular fashion. We lost to Colingw@*in spectacular fashion last year too, but the way we played back then seems to escape us at the moment. God I hope we find it soon, cause I couldn't stand getting flogged by either of these two teams (or any others for that matter). Roll on Thursday and hopefully a shift in mentality.

Thanks guys. Deelighted, the double header would be interesting for sure. And Hightower, well, I might just blame that one on a few too many glasses of red Very true Wolfmother, it is not a battle, the players are not brave or courageous, they are well payed footballers. The ones who faced BATTLE were the brave and courageous ones. The intensity of that game is absolutely fantastic, but that is as far as I can stretch it.

No Surprise I guess, however they have gone on and completely made it their own. I am not sure that joining states together would foster the required amount of "state pride" and unity in the teams, as what you get when it is just NSW/QLD. But unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on perspective) we can't make it just two states as we are a truly nationwide code. In reality I would like to see if there is some way to make the decision as to who plays on the day at the latest moment possible, say rd 3, to let some games go by and get a real feel for which two sides are the most "on". I know it is fanciful, and probably too hard to implement, but they did manage to organise a GF in one week last year. In reality it is all pretty hypothetical because Demetriou said today he hopes it is C v E into the future and those two clubs have enough clout to keep it. I just hope they take a long hard look at themselves and try to rediscover the meaning behind the game, not the profit.

Thanks DL. It was really getting on my nerves seeing all the discussion relating to who gets the spoils of one of the most solemn days on our calendar. State of Origin would be interesting. I would suggest Vic/NSW/ACT/Qld v SA/WA/NT/Tas. That said, I sorta don't like to copy Thugby League. I really enjoy the ANZAC blockbuster, even when the Dees aren't playing. I just can't stand any focus on profits and really think that any profits over that of a regular Home and Away game should go to benefit the soldiers and families of soldiers who made this game so special.

Hi everyone. I just found out that an article I submitted to AFL Open Space has been published on the AFL website. Just thought some of you may be interested in reading my thoughts on what I feel is a slightly different perspective on the issue of the ANZAC Day fixture. AFL Open Space

Essendon don't seem to be getting smashed to me. 2 pts in it. Game on

Malthouse = potential to coach next year, but by no means certain Roos = adamant he's not looking to coach again, especially while kids are coming through Matthews = said in Open Mike he isn't interested in coaching again as he doesn't want to leave Qld and reduce time with his grandchildren Clarkson = time will tell Eade = probably needs to get a GF to go around again Woosha = Eagles form atm might just save his skin if they can keep it up Craig = according to Crows pres, future is absolutely certain, regardless of results Lyon = time will tell Voss = players seem to be playing above where everyone expected, probably hinging heavily on results from here on in Scott = well, I think he might be stuffed Bailey = tracking ok, but needs improvement Basically all the hysteria surrounding Bailey centres around the prospects of the Malthouse/Roos/Matthews availability. I think definitely the FD needs to poke around and feel out options IF they are not entirely happy with current arrangements. That said any talk of Roos or Matthews I believe is way off base as both are truly adamant they aren't interested, with good plausible reason as well. Malthouse, well I struggle to see how he wouldn't want to go on, especially if the pies manage to get another one this year, but it will all come down to how the situation as to job description etc develops over the rest of the season. Bypassed in most discussion as to potential coaching options next year are the other coaches who could be in the firing line. Clarko, Eade, Woosha et al. In reality more discussion re next year should probably revolve around this bunch rather than the first three, as they are probably more likely to be available at this stage of the season. Throughout the rest of the season, situations may change and even more than once, but as it stands, I would temper my enthusiasm towards any coaching change based entirely on the fact that any teams form can change in the blink of an eye and completely alter the landscape of the coaching futures of one or many.

What a star.

I agree about not caring to lose a qtr to them, but the media were right with one thing saying it was one of the worse 90 pt wins they've seen. We won, but not prettily. I just would like to see a more positive reaction to our coaching. I know the players have the talent, but they need to match that talent with effort and intensity, which at the moment I don't feel they are.

I should say though that you are right. We will see on Monday. Where I differ is that I actually believe they will make a pretty good account of themselves. I am not saying they will win, but I think they will give it a good shake.

They drew with Carlton, lost by 5 pts to Sydney, smashed the Saints by 52pts and smashed the Dogs by 55pts. Based on that, it is pretty simple. Just have a look at how they fared last year. Equally, it is not the result, but how you go about it. I hate the Bummers and I hate that a team, which I actually said is not as talented as ours, has reacted so well to coaching. Our team unfortunately does not seem to react to our coaches as well. We have an ok record so far this year (and I hope this keeps improving), but the way we have gone about it has been very ordinary. It is a glaring difference between the two, you just have to watch to see it.

Agree to a certain point, but let's just remember that they have been playing really well so far. Part of my problem is that a team who I think have less talent than us, like west coast, have come ahead in leaps and bounds. Esssendon have come ahead in leaps and bounds. Us?

Why do people write this rubbish?

Beauty!

Very true WYL (media are d@*heads), but I just don't believe that for him it was "this circumstance". He had already started this train of opposition destruction he is on from rd 1, so I don't put it down to trying to atone for his mistakes. The club absolutely did the right thing here and he knows it, he is just going out now and doing what got him the VC in the first place, and surely it will return to him sooner or later. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I get the impression that it was actually him that suggested being relieved of the VC.