Clucka

I see ch 7 tonight mentioned that our new facilities are shortly to be announced. 5 stories high across from Groches and costing 300 million.

Possibly to Peter Ryans left could be Shane Ward? ..both good mates I played with at Shepparton United.

46.80%????

For those who are trekking to my home town of Shepparton for the game.... I’ll be going back to my old ground of Deakin Reserve the day after my daughters wedding here in Ballarat. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to post some pics on the long drive home Sunday night.

Just an article that caught my eye this morning about the father of Lynden Dunn entering the coaching ranks... http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3723139/chfls-girls-set-for-2016-season/?cs=63

I wouldn't worry about it mate....get here early with your membership card and you'll get in easy.

North Ballarat are expecting 4000-7000 crowd.....last years game North v Blues was 7850

North Ballarat sports club will be open but it'll be packed.... the other should be the 'bar' under the scoreboard on the 'hill' ... that's where all the action will be!

For those visiting our grand city of Ballarat for the game the weather will be changeable. An expected top temperature of 27 degrees before a cool, windy, showery change. Bring a jacket as the ground is quite open to the elements and there is no cover at all. Fingers crossed the change holds off till after the match ends.

North Ballarat Roosters chief executive officer Mark Patterson said preparations had gone smoothly for the match, with expectations of a crowd size between the 4000-7000 mark – slightly lower than that for the North Melbourne v Carlton encounter last year, which drew about 8000. Patterson said the AFL had already distributed about 2200 tickets, with 700 more already pre-sold. Quote from today's Ballarat Courier....

Just ran it past the wife and I think the look she gave was no!

Certainly will be a big day. Last year I was at the North v Blues game and official crowd was 7850 give or take a couple. Certainly room for a few more but then viewing options become limited. They won't have 8000 'booked' tickets so if you get there early you'd be safe. I'm local so it's like 10 mins to the ground so 2.30 I'll be there to soak up the build up.

Guys, Just some more info for those attending on Saturday. If travelling by car take the 3rd turn off to Ballarat from the Freeway. You need to turn off towards the A300 and then will have an intersection which is Creswick turn right and Ballarat turn left. Obviously here you turn left and just follow this road and the ground is only 5 mins drive. For those thinking of staying over...GOOD LUCK! Most of the City is booked out due to The Red Hot Summer Tour on Saturday night...best I can offer is a link to wotif.com http://www.wotif.com/search/Simple?region=1436&cid=SEM-3330&s_kwcid=AL!1912!3!38114402299!e!!g!!ballarat%20accomadation&gclid=Cj0KEQjwifWnBRCB5PT57KSVw-kBEiQASV7aRHkBlm7Nu0wCBXWxj5jfu08lZldOqYMTVJyqbt2U51UaAoLL8P8HAQ&ef_id=UntGyQAABTjSz07z:20150310051539:s/

I'd be looking at The Western Hotel in Sturt St. http://www.westernhotel.com.au/

Guys, as being a local Ballarat Dees supporter I'm just giving you the heads up if you are attending the NAB Cup game v Doggies Saturday 4.10pm start in Ballarat. If travel by train check the VLine site for times etc then a short Taxi ride from the station. By car, turn off the freeway at North Ballarat and the ground is 5 mins away. Parking? They will try to slug you $5 to park next door at the Showgrounds...cheaper to turn East at the Subway/Servo and park down a side street then it's a short walk to the ground. Show this years membership card to get in for free. Last years game here Blues v North had 7850 crowd and I would think max would be mabye 9000? You will be standing! The small grandstand will be full of players families and officials etc. If you can't stand all day you would have to take a chair and get there EARLY! If disabled I'd assume contact the AFL as would be normal practice. The only tiered viewing is the Northern end near the scoreboard behind the goals. If watching from the east (highway side) expect the setting sun to be in your eyes. The ground will have a great atmosphere and the surface is exceptional, if the weather is nice pop into town early have some lunch and make your way to the match. Alternatively arrange to have a catch up for a bbq with friends at Lake Wendouree then off to the game pumped up for a Dees win! Enjoy the day! EDIT BY DEMONLAND: The Game will be LIVE on http://melbournefc.com.au

Actually N.Jones was head down getting his breath and Dunn turned to him and told him to get over to Salem!

Went to training when MN was coach about 3 or 4 times... never saw him! How refreshing to see a coach work 'with' the players and be a part of it. Certainly not rocket science to do that but that should've been a priority when appointing a new coach you'd think? How poor we've been in employing the right people...scary almost .

I watched a couple of games on my ipad with not many problems. Cost is reasonable as you can buy per game and I don't have fox. I have a connection that mirrors my ipad to the tv but it doesn't work with AFL live. They have somehow stopped this happening which I guess we can't do much about.

I was at the GWS Brunch and that's exactly what Jackson said! 1.5 million only and it was to pay out contracts. The AFL only want to make sure our board is ok and the rest is up to us. Jackson said the rest is a media beat up!

Some interesting stuff from Peter Jackson who spoke at the NSW Demons Brunch yesterday morning... 1. The AFL is only giving us 1.5 million to help pay out contracts etc and is NOT conditional on anything. He said the media beats up the story big time and Andrew Demetriou only says what he does so the other clubs don't crack the shits. He said the AFL wanted to make sure the board makeup was right so we could move forward. That is all. 2. Jackson was asked about past players etc like James McDonald and others who were let go in unsavoury circumstances. Jackson said that on Friday he went to James house and had a few beers with him and let him know that he is welcome back anytime. He admitted its a long road to get over his hurt but hopefully he can see the light in the future. 3. Peter spoke passionately about getting the playing side of things right first and this helps the income coming in. Nothing new here obviously but he kept reinforcing how quickly things can change and cited Geelong as an example from years ago when they were completely stuffed and broke and now they are an AFL role model.

From our website it says as a member we get in for free with your card as it is our 'Darwin Game, swap and seating is as follows General Admission Seating Ponsford Stand M28-M33, Q29-Q36 Olympic Stand Q49- Q57 Southern Stand M1- M4, Q1-Q15½

It's scary how positive we can be and yet outsiders think we are a basket case!

Today's insipid soft non inspiring effort to me heralds the start of a slow death of our club. Surely after all we have been through then today would have been our day of reckoning? We failed big time!

More detail now that i am home! As I said before no Barry and Hogan.Jetta or Davey there today. Viney and Toumpas only did make 25 mins to a half hours training then both left together. Longer drills were mainly ball movement around the ground...changing sides etc but done as one would expect at high intensity. Kicking was better today even though the breeze picked up during the morning. Close in drills were usual smaller groups working on tackling or clearances from ball ups or throw ins. Guys were moving from one smaller group to another and so it was spread around a bit. Weather was warm and mabye this led to 11.10am finish but I'd say that this was always going to be the length of training. Interesting that there actually is minimal drinks breaks considering the work load. Everything involved footys today as one would hope at this time of the year and after watching training at Casey 2 months ago it is noticeable that a few players have bulked up a little eg.Jack Watts Some observations I had... 1. Chris Dawes looks as fit as anyone 2. Trengove ran timed laps after walking about 5 and whilst he is in rehab he looks fit 3. Nathan Stark did 3 of the worst kicks I've ever seen at training with no pressure! 4. Byrnes looks a treat around goals snapping them through left right and centre 5. Watts looks like he SHOULD be there 6. Rodan was pushed to the ground by Howe during a drill and hurt either his wrist or elbow? He came off went into the tent an took no further part. After he ws helped to get off his jumper and GPS he still was turning his wrist and moving his elbow around? That's about it.....basically a good solid session for this time of the year...