Hannibal

I thought I'd see who Port played in last year's preseason competition. While I accept they weren't as scarred as us, who has ever been, they were coming off a low ebb. They struggled to even get someone who wanted to coach them. Port won 5 games in 2012 and had a % of 78. In the preseason of 2013 they played Sydney, who were the reigning premiers, Adelaide (4th) and West Coast (5th), Saints and Dees. They had a mixed bag. They beat Sydney and fielded a young team to us and lost. I don't think who they played had any real effect on their season, other than to say they put in some strong performances against the previous year's top 5 teams, winning 2 of the 3.

Thankfully, the human cost is being saved under Abbott as less people attempt to get here. Lots of lives saved.

Can't remember the leagues I were in. In your snapshot of the Legends League you have my team name from last year, which was Making Headlines.

HA HA HA Btw, how outrageous to propose using children in adult matters. Brilliant Left thinkers... Socialists discuss the danger of looking like socialists at a protest: EAST West Link protesters admitted they are losing the “propaganda war"… Almost 30 protesters attended a three hour strategy meeting held at Fitzroy Pool on Alexander Parade yesterday afternoon, floating ideas to ramp up the anti-tunnel campaign. Tactics raised included parents bringing their children to boost numbers, questioning police at picket events, not allowing workers to leave drill sites and wearing business attire to prove some activists held jobs . Socialists split, with some objecting to a socialist sounding too working class: Socialist Party member Mel Gregson co-chaired the meeting with serial activist Anthony Main. Bizarrely Ms Gregson told the crowd divisions had grown among the protesters in respect to political ideologies as well as media tactics. She said some members of the group had raised an issue with Mr Main being the media spokesman because of his ‘bogan’ accent .

The way I read it, and bear in mind I usually take things on face value, Clark is progressing very well. He had a minor hiccup before Christmas, which he's recovered from, but due to his body not having had the same workload or rigours of footy for 18 months they're managing him very carefully, as they'd rather get 16 quality games than rush him back for round 1 and risk a soft tissue injury. It seems to make sense. So rather than things looking gloomy, I'm optimistic he isn't far away and when he comes in early in the season he'll have a greater chance of not re-injuring himself. I also expect it will take 3-4 weeks for him to find his feet. Others seem to think he'll hardly play again. I suspect they're the types that usually expect things to go wrong. And you'll hear sympathetic ears say, "who can blame them when it comes to Melbourne and the last 7 years ?". My view is that it has nothing to do with it. You either take things on face value from the new regime, or you don't.

I think a few others have got it right. Plan B for Paul Roos would simply mean reacting to a few things the opposition may be doing well, without losing structure, or methodology.

Some people don't like plain speak. I do. Some people like diplomacy. There's a time and a place. Roos hasn't done many interviews, but when he does he's not in control of the questions. Even if he's occasionally repeating himself I appreciate his candour and perspective. He's managing expectations externally to protect his players. But he's also providing an environment for them to thrive. We've had spin for 7 years, but supporters are now complaining that he's repeating himself, or too forthright with the truth ? It's the classic reminder that you can't be all things to all people.

Glad we cleared that up.

So they were funny ?

Yes, they were blowing some cobwebs out of the way. I'm liking how the midfield will look this year. Jones x 2, Tyson, Vince, Cross, Viney, Trengove, Watts, Michie, Toumpas, McKenzie. It should be far more competitive.

Hopeless. He wouldn't have needed 3 fingers to count his possessions.

Three more things: I love Clisby as a player and have him ahead of Terlich. I haven't had Matt Jones in my side, but may have to re-think. He looked quick and more assured. I give him a hard time, but I thought McKenzie was very good.

Phew, finally someone I agree with. Mind you, I only saw quarters 2 and 3. Someone said Mitchie got 2-3 touches. I saw at least 10. I love what JKH brings. We have no other player like him and he looked right at home. I have him as kicking 3. I also liked Tyson's poise and movement through traffic. Dropped a mark he shouldn't have and turned it over a couple of times, but the class is evident. I knew people would rave about Toumpas, but I have very low expectations of him this year. He's just so frail and weak looking over the footy. He needs to be out wide where he can link play and kick a goal. Salem looks FAR better. Salem is going to be a beauty. To think Stevethemanjordan (or whatever it is) says he's an ectomorph. He's already got a terrific frame.

Really ? Who'd have thought ? England used to lead the world in manufacturing until the unions excessive demands over the years finally ruined it. Poor management also didn't help.

I'd like someone to play devil's advocate and post a realistic report. I don't want them to be overly critical for the sake of it, but I also don't want the gushing reports where every player on the list looks like a frigging Super Duper STARrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Know what I mean ? Thanks.

The modern Left at work. How proud they must be.

Fantastic, isn't it ? Another potential 34 lives saved at sea and less likely to follow.

I understand your sensitivities. But yes, they are funny.

I would like to see one of those Hitler videos doing a parody of McLardy, Schwab, Neeld and possibly Prendergast, although he was only there for Neeld's first year. There's a fair bit of material. I know there was one done of Melbourne's playing fortunes, but I'm talking on and off field.

You would. In an SPC media release sent to all Coalition colleagues by Ms Stone yesterday, [sPC Ardmona] said the excessive redundancy payments had been trimmed back to 52 weeks in 2012. However, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has confirmed that almost all of the plant’s more than 400 or so employees were employed under a previous enterprise agreement that provided for redundancy of four weeks’ pay for every year of service, up to a maximum of 104 weeks.

These guys have won a flag. They've shown they're prepared for hard work and sacrifice. Buckley still has his 'L' plates on. I don't think he's managed the group at all well.

That's just "coaching".

Yes, I'm familiar with those players. thanks.

You would have to ruin your post by bringing up McKenzie. You don't know his player sponsor, do you ? I agree with your points. I look at most clubs and Hawthorn's lack of star power in the middle is an interesting case study. They're able to usually neutralise or win the stoppages, even without Mitchell, and once the ball gets "outside" you'd back Hawthorn to win and control it more often than not. They get tremendous run from their back half and the ball use is second to none. They also benefit from tremendous class forward of centre. They are a perfect example of how to win big games without a star mid, save for Mitchell, who, as you say, spent more time behind the ball than usual. And when you look at Sydney and Freo, they too don't have greats of the game running around in the midfield. Fyfe, Mundy, Barlow are strong over the footy, but it's not easy to name their 4th banana, although Danyle Pearce joined them in 2013 and was very handy playing every game and averaging 20 disposals. Their strength comes from a solid midfield, great structures, discipline and unity across the ground. Sydney is very much in the mould of Freo, but with perhaps a stronger midfield. O'Keefe, Kennedy, Jack, Hannebery, Mitchell is formidable. It provided them the luxury of McVeigh going to half back. In many ways it's difficult to know why they didn't have a better year. Jetta was nothing like the player of a couple of years ago and Goodes missed half the season. It won't take much to go right for them to be right back at the pointy end. The common denominator for Sydney and Freo being Longmire and Lyon, who both learnt their craft under Roos. Spread, running two ways, strong at the stoppages, and controlling tempo through possession, being the hallmarks of their play. When I look at Pendlebury, Swan and Dayne Beams, together with a power forward such as Cloke, I can't help wonder how good Collingwood would be with a great coach and a better leadership group. Like you, I'm bullish for the future. We need a little luck with injuries, complete buy in, we need to overcome any mental fragility as quickly as possible, and for a few players to take the next step. When that happens we'll gain confidence and momentum. Momentum is one of the most powerful intangibles in sport. That said, a couple of "stars" in the midfield and up forward wouldn't go astray. A few flags would be nice. ; )

Get ready for a wall of text that says absolutely nothing.