Diamond_Jim

Take it as you will...... The phrase franking is derived from the Latin word "francus" meaning free. Another use of that term is speaking "frankly", i.e. "freely". Because Benjamin Franklin was an early United States Postmaster General, satirist Richard Armour referred to free congressional mailings as the "Franklin privilege.

From that article....... There is the possibility that Dimattina’s pre-existing health conditions contributed to his reaction to the booster shot, as myasthenia gravis causes muscle weakness and has an effect on the nervous system. However, it remains unclear exactly what the decisive factor — the Pfizer booster, the treatment for myasthenia gravis, Covid or an undisclosed condition — was that led Dimattina to be placed into intensive care.

Just noticed that "omicrom" is an anagram for "moronic"

Yes right hand facing goalwards. I believe the plan frees the area directly in front of goal allowing the quick kick/handball to a free centred player from the boundary line throw in. It's a dramatic change from 2018 where we attacked the goal square

Centre clearances went very well in the finals but as I recall it wasn't a great stat for us in a lot of the H&A season. Also noticed that one of our most common means of forward entry is via the right hand forward pocket allowing a boundary line throw in. Memories of the Brisbane set up during their glory days.

22 degrees... cloudy and medium winds forecast for next Sunday. Sounds good !

Having become vaccine experts over the last two years the next lesson for the masses is "monoclonal antibody treatments". There's lots about to hit the medical cabinet near you. Do they work... yes... but ... hard to say how well. They could be the key to limiting death and severe cases which in turn allows the world to lower its risk level. For example there's one produced by Brii Biosciences presently before US authorities for emergency approval that claims a 78% success rate in reducing severe cases. The Merck pill is another example but unfortunately its efficacy may not be as high as first thought. https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/brii-biosciences-eua-us-fda-covid-19-combination/

The travel bans on Southern Africa are coming thick and fast. Pfizer has announced that it can tweak its formula and produce a modified vaccine in 100 days if necessary. Meanwhile I shall continue watching the 2021 season on replay. Appropriate perhaps that this week's match is against Adelaide. All good things come to an end. Could this be the "variant we had to have."

Israel has followed suit. WHO to meet today. Expect several more countries to close to Southern Africa in the next few days. If identified as a variant it will be called "Nu" Quite ironic if it's the Big New One

Not too far off the tangential topic but I would like to see each club being able to employ two non male coaches outside the soft salary cap. The position level would need to be fixed at a minimum which reflects available candidates but at a level that avoids tokenism.

They were warning months ago that the new variants would come from the low vax countries. The latest one is "Out of Africa" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/24/scientists-warn-of-new-covid-variant-with-high-number-of-mutations Scientists have said a new Covid variant that carries an “extremely high number” of mutations may drive further waves of disease by evading the body’s defences. Only 10 cases in three countries have been confirmed by genomic sequencing, but the variant has sparked serious concern among some researchers because a number of the mutations may help the virus evade immunity. The B.1.1.529 variant has 32 mutations in the spike protein, the part of the virus that most vaccines use to prime the immune system against Covid. Mutations in the spike protein can affect the virus’s ability to infect cells and spread, but also make it harder for immune cells to attack the pathogen. The first cases of the variant were collected in Botswana on 11 November, and the earliest in South Africa was recorded three days later. The case found in Hong Kong was a 36-year-old man who had a negative PCR test before flying from Hong Kong to South Africa, where he stayed from 22 October to 11 November. He tested negative on his return to Hong Kong, but tested positive on 13 November while in quarantine.

Thanks KC... your Casey/VFL news is much appreciated. My take after a quick read of the article. Looks like they are still including the non aligned clubs from Qld. The two games extra should reduce the number of byes but it's still 4 weeks of the AFL season when there is no VFL match. Nothing on the season commencement date which has consistently been aligned with Round 3 if not later. The good news is that at least they didn't kill the comp but it's still on life support

Essendon just released their latest financials. Apparently they received $7M in grants and donations to "extend and improve the hangar." Essendon have posted a strong financial result for 2021, recording a statutory profit of $8.2 million and becoming bank-debt free again. The Bombers’ profit for this year is made up of $1.2 million generated from operations, and $7 million derived from grants and donations which were used to expand their Hangar facility in Tullamarine. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bombers-post-strong-financial-result-for-covid-hit-2021-season-20211124-p59bp4.html

Starting to see reports from around the World that the booster take up is substantially less than the original vax rate. For example in Malaysia 40% of people eligible for boosters haven't turned up. The human race never ceases to amaze me with its stupidity. https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/11/747859/govt-has-booster-shot-plan-b

watching the replay will be easy... no one will bother until around 10 minutes into the third quarter and then it's 45 minutes odd of pure bliss. Hopefully it's a nice day and one can wander in Yarra Park until the big moment

the question is what price we are asking for the 2022 sponsorhip assuming Jaguar didn't have a multi year deal? The ultimate prize for most clubs is an airline (do we still have China Southern) but I'm thinking new age... Tesla here we come or perhaps SpaceX !!

Relatively depressing article on the likelihood of a new variant from today's Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/21/is-delta-the-last-covid-super-variant

Production is the issue here as usual Macca. Needs to be given early and will likely be rationed to those with very high risk. 2022 is increasingly looking like a year which the world will stumble through. After two years of no meaningful travel my patience is almost exhausted. Might do a long roadtrip through the USA around March including Mexico perhaps.

The new normal I think Interesting to see what is the reaction in April I've given up trying to predict government and public reactions these days

Need to start the building of a solid financial base. In a time of dynamic fixtures and covid limits/hesitancy it won't be easy. Also need to double our FTA appearances medium term to drive sponsorship dollars. This list should give us a five year window of relative success. Let's not squander it.

you have to wonder how Melksham will approach the season. Surprised no other team was interested in him and hard to see how he will break into the team without significant injury. Needs to dominate three or more games at VFL level and even then does he have the goods to demand a spot over ANB or Spargo. He's also competing with the likes of Bedford and Chandler at VFL level for the AFL spot

2022 season will be interesting as players catch covid as some undoubtedly will. (Essendon CEO just reported to have a mild version). Who will be deemed to be close contacts. Will the rules for testing and isolation be the same in each State. Do you organise indoor training in limited groups. What mix of players makes up a group. The questions go on........

Probably of all the players Hunt surprised me the most in 2021. Having seen no glimpse of his run and carry from the backline in the VFL I was convinced that the game had renedered his main skill nugatory and that he was a medium level forward opportunity only. How wrong I was. He'll be vying for the spots presently held by Bowey and Hibberd. Pre season match form will be vital in the short term as both he and Tomlinson try to break back into the team

The AFL will tell clubs if any draft nominees do not intend to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before they make their selections in this year’s national draft, in order to guard against players being added to a list who aren’t eligible to play or train due to the league’s vaccination policy. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-clubs-will-be-told-of-draft-nominees-who-don-t-intend-to-be-vaccinated-20211110-p597r8.html but Draft nominees who are fully vaccinated, or intend to become fully vaccinated, do not have to inform the AFL of their status, and clubs have been allowed to ask potential draftees whether they had any issues with being vaccinated during their interview process.