Lucifers Hero

SEN just announced that Harmes has been elevated to the seniors list. A sure hint that he will be selected! Wish him well for his debut.

I wondered about the same thing last night. During the StK game he couldn't move and had one kick. Then I remembered his 'very rare' torn muscle injury last year, which was high in the buttock and which sports medicos had only seen a few times in the whole world. So on Sunday, I thought it was a recurrence of that which stopped him moving and had him parked in the forward line. At the time of that 'rare' injury I couldn't help but think it could be related to the 'damaging' effect from any of the mysterious substances given him in 2012...only a hypothesis. Jobe may well have a shoulder injury but it may not be the only one. I hope the AFLPA are closely monitoring the injuries at that club.

Yes, the overreactions are just weird. We need look no further than Jack Trengove's situation to know how delicate foot issues are. I hope Frost takes as long as is necessary to be 110% OK before coming back.

If ever we needed reminding of the dangers related to mental health issues what happened in the Walsh home last Friday was incomprehensibly tragic. I am in no way comparing that to the Mitch situation. Simply saying mental issues take people to dark, dark places and no-one knows how those issues might play out. Its possible that some/many of us would have a personal connection to a situation where a person's mental health issues resulted in tragic consequences for them or people close to them So, I feel it is time we all found some compassion for Mitch and let him deal with his issues with privacy and dignity. We can't control what the media do or idiots like Sam say but we can control what we write in this forum. I would like to see our moderators shut down this thread.

Interesting Tribunal dialogue/commentary: “Baguley pleads guilty to intentional striking, but is seeking to have the contact downgraded from high to body contact. - He accuses Lonie of "faking it" when he went to ground after the strike.” “Lonie sticks to his guns when the suggestion is put to him that contact was more than "marginally" less to his neck.” “Adrian Anderson (for Baguley) … infers Lonie's evidence shouldn't be given the same weight as Baguley's.” Odd line of defence by Baguley…’played the man not the ball’ in my book. Lonie not having a bar of it! Good on him! Baguley will be very lucky if he gets off!

Given that Roos came after our eos and Sylvia was signed a few days after the free agency window opened I doubt Roos had anything to do with it all!

Have to agree 'a de c'. In fact Hird is still on his arrogant, self-preservation path. It astounds me that he is taking no responsibility for their woeful form. No comments like: the coaches have work to do, coaches will look at the game plan etc. It is all the players fault: 'they stopped playing' he said!!! Hird has abandoned his players. He is showing the same contempt as when he pumped them with chemical concoctions. The same contempt when he went overseas during the bye but told 'only a few leaders'. Stuff the rest of the playing group! (This may be the defining moment for 'the players to stop playing!') The players must feel rudderless. - Their captain wants to get out. - The coach shows them no respect, has no idea whats wrong but its their fault. - They look at their coaches box which is scaringly uninspiring: Harvey, Neeld, Craig... Can't see them getting out of this abyss anytime soon. I just hope we don't see (in share market parlance) a 'dead-cat-bounce' against us this week!

Yes, Goodwin has had a great training ground: Thompson, Hird, Roos, McCartney. He has seen the good, the bad and the ugly side of coaching and as you say will have learnt a lot from all. It could me more likely we lose McCartney than Goodwin. McC's name hasn't come up yet but 2/3 clubs are our looking for coaches (blues, crows and in time dons). McC's CV is not too shabby either! These two are a great combo who seem to be doing terrific player development to bring out their best. Would hate to see them separated before our team really gets going...a few years, maybe.

In the Age today Rohan Connolly (Ess supporter) tries to argue that Ess performance is basically a result of the mental burdens of the drugs saga. To support his case he asks: "...how do you then account for the current form of three more players involved now at other clubs?Stewart Crameri is stuck in the Western Bulldogs' reserves...Angus Monfries has kicked three goals in Port Adelaide's past four games and hasn't had more than 12 disposals in any of them. And Paddy Ryder has struggled all season..." Connolly is such a Hird apologist he can't see the answer is staring him in the face... ...Rohan! Hello!. The juice has worn off for them all!

Good news folks! Plan for Gus to play! “He will now be treated for concussion symptoms through the week and be monitored...but manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said the Demons were optimistic Brayshaw would be right to play against the Bombers".

You would think anyone remotely associated with Essendon or aussie rules would have learnt their lesson and expect ASADA to always be on the prow.!! But Dean Wallis was never the sharpest tool in the shed. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/suburban-footballers-face-scrutiny-form-asada-20150706-gi63jt.html "In what some believe was an unprecedented move, the anti-doping body (ASADA) tested players from the Essendon District Football League B-grade match between Doutta Stars and Craigieburn on Saturday. The Doutta Stars are coached by former Essendon player and official Dean Wallis, who had the role of maintaining the spreadsheets during the club's controversial supplements program run by Stephen Dank...Asked why ASADA testers had descended upon the suburban clash at Buckley Park, ASADA said in a statement to Fairfax Media on Monday: "We can confirm the Australian Football League (Victoria) Limited contracted ASADA to conduct tests at this level. ASADA implements an intelligence-based testing program, working with sports to target athletes and competitions at highest risk in an effort to deter and detect doping." I doubt ASADA would waste time on B-grade leagues if they didn't have a strong reason. It is galling if there is anything in it that Wallis and others think they would get away with it. If ASADA has good intel it seems they have tentacles in many places and will hopefully eventually pin rogues.

Very good point! Forgot Leuy is an FA.

He probably falls into the 'mentally scarred' category. Not mentally scarred from the burden of years of accumulated losses, tho. More from never being accountable for performance and being allowed to get away with cameos. He has never had to work for his spot! A difficult addiction to break! He would be about the only regular 22 player on our list that has shown no real improvement. Show him the door. For best deal available.

Grieving Walsh family thanks public for 'overwhelming kindness' We wish to thank everyone for their overwhelming kindness, sympathy and support during this most difficult time. We take comfort in knowing that so many people are thinking of Phil, and us. Phil loved and adored his family, just as much as we loved and adored him. He was a devoted father, husband, son and brother. He was a much-loved uncle, brother-in-law and cousin, and a close friend, mentor and colleague to so many. Our hearts are broken. How much we miss him is beyond measure. Our lives will never be the same, now that Phil is gone. But we will forever love and cherish him. Phil enriched our lives and the lives of so many, and for that we are eternally grateful. We are searching for the strength and will to deal with the loss of Phil. In the arms of those we love we are coping as best we can. We kindly request that our privacy be respected at this time so we can grieve as any family would wish to do in such circumstances. Please continue to keep Phil and us in your thoughts and prayers.

Great wrap for Leuenberger yesterday. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-05/ruck-dilemma-looms-for-lions-after-leuenberger-finds-form?utm_medium=RSS Heard somewhere the Lions are interested in Howe. Straight swap, anyone?

Not much has been said about Phil's son, Cy except for a story with 'nomad' in the headline. Much has been noted about Phil rebuilding his relationship with Cy. While casually reading the sports reports I came across this from Alan Richardson: "I didn't have a lot to do with Phil. I had a lot to do with getting him to Port Adelaide. I met with Phil halfway through the year when he was with West Coast," Richardson said. "It was pretty clear his want was to get to Adelaide to get closer to his son." At the core of his being, whether drug affected or not, Cy would know that he was a much loved son. At some level he would know that his father was making up for lost time, the time lost with him. So it is unimaginable what Cy will go thru. He will have to live with his crime. More than that he will have to live without anymore time with his father. He has deprived himself of one of life's most precious gifts. That may be a greater burden than any the justice system can issue. Here is a young man who seems to have done no wrong in the past. But in a moment of frenzy has shattered his own world and the world of those he loves and love him. I feel great compassion for him. I hope he is treated well by the press as the story unfolds. And if there is to be a lesson from this tragedy it is to tell your family you love them. And, it is to spend time with them, to do things with them. This was so beautifully said in the song: 'Cats in the cradle':

I can usually dee-cipher your cryptic writing dee-luded but the ************************* was open to interpretation ! LOL! Howe is gone. Geelong was but a cameo game.

Freo doubled their own score in the last qtr to beat Lions by 6 goals. Freo have a tough game vs Hawks next week Hawks played fri night in perfect conditions while Freo had a tough, energy sapping, wet slog today. So Hawks have 2 days extra recovery. Then Freo have to fly to Tassie. Don't like their chances of beating the Hawks next week! If Freo lose it will bring them back to the field (top 4 speaking) a little.

I am itching to pot the Bombers but I don't want to mozz us next week. The only thing I feel ok saying is that at least when we lost by 100+ points it was to the reigning premiers not the reigning wooden spooners. Otherwise I will wait till next week to gloat or jump off West Gate bridge

Sadly, not much has changed in 4 years!!!

I was wrong... ...Howe didn't turn a corner...he kept going straight ahead...straight ahead to a new team He went back to selfish, lazy play last night. He wasn't alone, I know. But, ship him out! Don't care if he goes.

That will probably work out well. As the injured players come back ANB and Stretch might need a rest.

Our team still chooses when to turn up to play. 34 vs 15 shots at goal was disgraceful last night. I would like it if our team played hard for 120 min and won in Darwin before we sweat about the game after.

Hawks & Pies have said players will not run thru banners tonight as a show of respect. But, I think once the first siren goes it will business as usual for them. Having said that players/teams who know him will find a way to honour him. Remember, when our Jim died two players carried his playing jumper. Our game vs the Eagles may have players that want to show their respect as Mr Walsh was there for a number of years till 2013. The team may well decide or leave it up to each player so if it feels right for a player to make a show of respect after a goal or some other stage so be it. It will be a poignant game for the Eagles players. Just heard the winning club theme song will not be played at grounds after the games.

Very good pun, OD!