The Reverend

We've cracked 60 posts! This makes me optimistic about the future of Demonland. GO DEMONLAND!

Reasons to be optimistic: We cannot lose this weekend We will be well rested and ready to belt the Crows Adelaide will be over-confident after beating the Roos. It's just so good, so well set up for an upset... Can't lose! GO DEES!

Well, yeah, but only an optimist would expect everybody to have perfect grammar!

Only a pessimist would think that.

A fantastic example of the sort of negativity that infests the pessimist. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume this is an attempt at the lowest form of humour - sarcasm. If it's not, you have my sympathy for your miserable life.

Good work DD. 38 posts on an optimism thread could be some sort of record. Keep up the good work. GO DEES!

Agreed. Thank you for your positive contribution. It warms an old optimist's heart.

You see, that's optimism. The pessimist would say, Nah, he'll never be any better than his brother, and he's a spud. The realist would say, Nah, I haven't seen anything to suggest he's anything special. The optimist says, I think he will....

No, optimism is different to realism. Realism is about the way things are now. It cannot factor in the future because it's unknown. Optimism acknowledges this fact but chooses to adopt a positive view of what could be. They are different concepts. Pessimism is at the other end of the scale. It refuses to acknowledge their is any future other than that which the past predicts. Realistically, we are a team that has made some improvements to our list and have begun to win a few more games than in the past. We have also managed to eliminate the big thrashings of the past few years. These are observable facts. Pessimistically, we are a team that has been abysmal over the past decade and, based on those observable facts, it would appear, to some, that we will always be abysmal no matter what happens. Optimistically, the past is behind us and, based on that observable fact, there is the possibility that the next few years will bring great things for the club. I choose optimism because I don't have enough years left to waste them living the past again and again. It can't be changed. It is what it is - to quote a recent past coach. I would probably prefer to say, it was what it was. The present gives me some evidence to believe that my optimism is not completely unfounded. That's good enough for me.

I think we all agree with you but we didn't! The past is history. Move on. This thread is about the future and all the magnificent possibilities that lie ahead for the MFC. If you feel the need to dwell on the past start your own thread. Maybe it could be called the 'I'm only happy when I look back on all the miserable moments in my life' thread. If I've misread your intention and your post was actually an ironic jibe at the pessimists, I apologise. Sometimes irony and sarcasm go right over my head.

Could be my favourite football shot of all time! It just says so much about the boy. Can't wait til he's our captain.

I was hoping nobody would pick me up on that. I did say I was a bit premature! What can I say, I'm an optimist!

I tried to start a thread like this a couple of years ago. In hindsight I was a bit premature, or maybe ahead of my time, Whatever, it took no time at all before the negative Nellies on this forum hijacked it and killed it off with the usual pessimism. I hope this one can endure a little longer. I agree, we are seeing the beginnings of something good coming our way. There is a spirit among the boys that I haven't seen for a long time. The heads don't drop any more and they keep doing what they have committed to. Jack Watts now attacks the ball with vigour because he knows everybody has his back. This is something I haven't seen in a long time. There's a sense of togetherness that will eventually lift every one of them to greater things. We have some great young talent but I don't think we're just going to see a team of champions - I think we're going to see a champion team. It's going to be great. This shot says it all... Good luck with the thread. Long may it live and prosper. GO DEES!

Could play a little bit!

See, feel, taste, scrape off, etc.

It's not so much 'breathing' it, it's more like digesting it.

I'm stuck in Beijing - zero games.

Why is it that Demonland seems to insist on having a "whipping boy" every year? Last year it was Watts and before that we've had a succession of easy targets that give the keyboard heroes on here the opportunity to stick the boots in. Yeah, everyone's entitled to their opinion on here but sometimes it gets ridiculous. If anybody thinks TMac cost us the game yesterday they're kidding themselves. There were plenty of inept performances out there. He wasn't Robinson Crusoe!

Don't worry BB. I'm sure the big fella is watching this closely and will make sure that any No 1 draft pick will turn out to be an injury riddled, massive spud who will infect the club with an aggressively virulent STD.

Go to Hou Hai, the wife will love it. Take her for a boat ride, a walk and a meal. All will be well with the world!

Yeah, it's not great. Not sure where bars get their stream from but it's always subject to internet speed. Picture quality is generally watchable but a long way from HD. Lots of pauses while the buffering catches up.

Depends what you want. The bars at Hou Hai are fantastic on a Saturday night - live music, beautiful surroundings, lots of happy people and expensive drinks. Great place to take the wife for a romantic walk along the lakes. If you're after western style bars, Paddy O'Shea's in Dongzhimen is an Irish sports bar with a French barman and an Indian restaurant upstairs. There are several other western bars in Dongzhimen but I haven't tried them. Have a great time. It's a pity you won't get to see the 28 point victory on Sunday. GO DEES!

They had 22 players on the field. Same as us. We were better than them. A win is a win. End of story. Enjoy the win FFS! We've been fielding undermanned sides for a decade.

From last week's game day thread it seemed there might be a few of us in Beijing. It would be great to catch up and watch the swans game together over a couple of friendly ales. I know a great bar that will put just about anything on one of their many screens. Let me know. Cheers, GO DEES!

No idea really but there is a faint bell ringing somewhere in the depths of my pre-Alzheimer's consciousness.