Jaded No More

Over time Trengove may over take Grimes, but watching the press conference, Grimes just screams quality. I actually get quite emotional listening to him speak, he is simply sensational. This is taking nothing away from Trengove by the way. And on a side note, how amazing is it to think that Grimes grew up a passionate Melbourne supporter, like us, and he now has the great honour of being the captain. Amazing!

He wouldn't be in the side each and every week if he didn't, because he doesn't have enough natural talent to coast by. Not to mention that you probably never heard team mates or coaches speak about Garland in the same way either. Just because we don't hear about it, doesn't mean it's not there. Grimes has spent effectively 2 years out injured, and he's captain of the club. That's how much influence he has on his teammates. Whether you know about it or not, is irrelevant.

I don't get why people are so bewildered by Bartram's selection. Since when do you have to be the best and most skilled player to qualify as a quality leader? Bartram works his butt off and has done so since the moment he arrived at the club. He is about as talented as bloody Nick Maxwell, and if every one of our players worked as hard as him, we would never lose by 186 points.

Absolutely. We've chosen guys who fit the role not guys who fit the profile. We didn't select just our 'best' or our most experienced players, we selected the guys who best embody the values of the club. Bartram gets every inch of talent out of himself, he never takes a backwards step, and he's worked his butt off to cement a spot in the team. He had to overcome major personal adversity along the way as well. He chose to pull on a jumper and put up for his teammates the day his father passed away. If that's not being a leader and having absolute desire and dedication for the cause, I don't know what is! I'm thrilled for him, and all the other players. None of them are as naturally gifted as say Davey, or as loud as Moloney, or as experienced as Green, but they've all had to overcome obstacles in their careers and they've all been shining examples of hope in what has been a long period of adversity for the club. As for Clark, if he fills the role we hope he does, I couldn't give a [censored] if he's named co-president, let alone vice captain!

BLOODY BRILLIANT! Love this choice (as an outsider). Both these guys can take us all the way into our premiership window and beyond. VERY exciting!

This is like the Tom Scully thread of sponsorships. Will we or won't we? Just let the club sort it out. I'm sure they're not sitting around shaving their heads to mimic raccoons

I'm happy about this draw for 2 reasons: 1) It'll be a good early test of how our new game plan holds up against the better teams, and will give Neeld something to work on before the season starts 2) I can watch us play live 2 weeks in a row, regardless of whether we lose the previous week. So unlike always, it's 3 solid weeks of games, as opposed to 1 week of games, then 2 weeks of practice runs in remote country towns where the grounds are normally in crap condition. Also good to get some much needed practice at Etihad.

"Dad made me do it"

A terribly sad way for him to finish his official role at the club, but he will always be a part of the MFC. What he has done for us since the minute he pulled on a red and blue jumper, until now, will never be forgotten or replicated. I wish him all the very best in his recovery efforts!

Not exactly a music video as such, but Axis of Awesome are too good to miss. Plus it makes you realise how everything we listen to, essentially sounds the same. Also, you might recognise the song at 5:03

What I meant was, it's not "I'm about to hit a ball for the first time in two days, and I'm so exhausted I must screetch". For some reason their grunts seemed in direct correlation to their exhaustion level, as opposed to the women who just always strike me as yelling to distract their opponent from listening to the pace and drop of the ball. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong.

Fair point, but at least they don't scream as soon as they hit a first serve. The men were battling hard out there. If they want to grunt occassionally, so be it. It doesn't really distract me to be honest.

I never said anything about the match not being great, or him not being a great player. I just dislike his attitude (and his super annoying girlfriend who needs to just sit the hell down), and I wanted Rafa to win. Rafa had to overcome a knee injury early on and still made it to the final, so credit to him too.

I couldn't stay up and watch it, given I had to be at work very early this morning, but I am devestated that Nadal lost to that arrogant [censored]. But, now that the tennis is over, we are only weeks away from the return of the only sport I truly care about!

I love an underdog and I DESPISE Djokovic, but if Murry wins tonight it'll be a miracle. Spewing I missed the match last night, although the outcome wasn't what I wanted. Will luckily be out, so will avoid the horror of watching the two squealers go at it tomorrow night. Let's just hope Azarenka wins. She is more tolerable than "I'm being raped by a pack of wolves on the court" Sherapova.

I wouldn't imagine that turnaround for printing sponsorship logo on the jumpers would be more than a couple of days, plus 3-4 days for airing. The jumpers are more than likely ready and finished on the production line, so applying a logo won't take long. The problem is, most factories are closed for between 2-4 weeks now for CNY, so the arrival of these jumpers could take longer than 4 weeks, depending on when the factory manufacturing the goods will get their employees back. It's never definitive in China. In any case, if we want these ready for NAB Cup, we need this sponsorship deal to be signed, like, yesterday. That gives us enough time to get Vlad's almighty approval of the logo and have the jumpers finished when the factory reopens. And this is all of course based on the assumption that the goods are going to be aired. If we're sea freighting them, you can forget wearing them until at least Round 1 or 2. Pre-clearance for vessels arriving end March is about mid Feb.

The only things I remember from that match are how much I fell in love with Brock as a player, and how drunk I got celebrating the win afterwards. Good times. Then came the Nick Smith to the ruck debacle. Not so good times.

Ironic that I'm getting a blank post?

Agreed. As much as he irks me, I admire him for fighting every match out. He was clearly the lesser opponent yesterday, but he kept pushing his way through the game. I don't think he's ever been the best tennis player at any one time, but he got to number 1 and won the grand slams because he was mentally stronger than the other players. To push through injuries at his age (let's be honest, he is no spring chicken anymore, especially when he plays 24 year olds regularly), was good to see. Tomic has probably as much ability as Hewitt, but he is far too arrogant and mentally weak. Needs to change that if he's going to really succeed. Federer gave him a serious lesson, whereas Hewitt can walk away from last night with his head held up high.

Surprised nobody has bumped this up. I hate women's tennis at the best of times, but watching Sherapova play is akin to watching 2 hours of really slow, boring porn. A final between her and Azarenka will be unbearable! My tips for the win are Azarenka and Federer (really hedging my bets here )

Co Captains: Trengove - Moloney VC: Grimes Leadership Group: Green, Jones, Frawley

Jason Reeves writes the sort of mellow, semi-depressing tunes I can listen to as background music all day while I try to contain my rage at work. Anything with a harder edge is too dangerous.

I understand the argument that a leader has to get on the field, but no player should be ruled out of contention because of injury potential, because every single AFL player is at risk of season/career ending injury at all times. For as long as Grimes is a starting 18 players when fit, he is as viable an option for captaincy as anyone. Despite the monumental changes that our club and list have gone through in Grimes' time, he has consistently been spoken of as a leader. He apparently did some great things off the field last year while injured, and he leads by example when he's playing. I'm not suggesting he is the only choice, or even the right choice because I wouldn't know enough intimate club details to make that call, but he absolutely should be considered. Injuries or no injuries.

Best Homer quote ever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0edCAOkdXgU

Depending on your type of work, you might be able to claim Foxtel as a tax deductible expense, so check with your accountant if you're worried about the cost.