Jara

I was having my doubts late last season - feel the cards are so stacked against us, it's all a big business, the power teams have got it sewn up, etc. Did my share of whinging on here. Then Robbie died and I felt a little ashamed of my own negativity. Thinking about all the pleasure he gave me over the years, seeing those photos of him as a schoolboy, etc... So moving. Reminded me of why I love the game. Don't expect to ever see a premiership, but have been a member for nearly twenty years and will be one until I drop off the perch.

That Elvis clip....weird. Like, really weird. Was tempted to show it to my kids, but I was too embarrassed to admit that I came from the same decade.

Yoicks! Whispering, what's the significance? Evidence permissible?

Pyne. Jeez, what is that guy on? That merde-eating grin (all the while sending our universities back into the Dark Ages, when only the rich went there)

Huh? Stood up for what was right? Hello...? He went to ..er ..(cough) ..Carlton. They were even more blatant tankers than we were. A dead-set moron. My favourite image of him is of him standing there with his uncle Rickie in their Chesty Bond singlets bragging about their connection to the Moran family.

Weird. Carrying on like they're Ruben Carter or Liu Xiao Bo when in fact their entire court case consists of nothing more than a desperate search for a technicality which will prevent the truth from coming out. If they get away with a token wet-lettuce slap (or if Job keeps his Charlie) I'll be really peed off.

Exactly. Gill's pulling the wool over our eyes. Like the rampant commercialisation that has swept through the game in recent years, free agency is murderous to the clubs which were down the ladder when it came in. Just seems so unfair - the receiving club gets a proven, quality player and the brutalised club gets a draft pick, who, if he's any good, may well run off to a top club as soon as he's able.

Hey Song Really loved that photo. Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Nothing original to add - sorry bout that - but I'm quietly pleased we've got Lumumba - seems like a real character, and a decent human being - so many of the things he's been upset about in the past have been on behalf of other people, as opposed to the feller he's replacing, who's main area of concern has been himself. I also used to think that watching Flying Harry O running off the back flank was one of the pleasures of the game in recent years. Wish he still had his hair, but... Get the feeling that he and Roosy will get along okay, unlike him and the meat-head at Collingwood.

Bit reluctant to bag a bloke with depression issues, but this whole business leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Surely one of the triggers of depression would be guilt? If somebody paid me a fortune and I gave them nothing in return, I'd be feeling pretty guilty, and if I had the chance, I'd feel ethically obliged to do what I could to repay them: i.e., if I really felt well enough to play football, I'd train my arse off over summer and try to make a contribution to the team next year. He's a bloody talented footballer. As it stands, he may well be unleashing those talents upon us in a few months.

Yes - and one of the benefits included a Brownlow for their captain. Going to be interesting to see what happens there.

My god. Just home, catching up on Demonland. Only to find this. Broken hearted. I loved that man. He was what football was all about: grace, decency, courage, loyalty. Vale.

Only ever known a couple of AFL players in my life. Both of them (one played for Hawthorn, coincidently, though 30 years ago, so I suppose the situation's changed) told me that they made more "unofficially" than they ever did officially. Maybe the top clubs just have more cunning accountants.

That's kind of how I feel right now. Been a supporter for fifty years, member for 20, yelled my pathetic support at hundreds of games, but the divide is so entrenched, it all seems hopeless now. Never seen a premiership, dont think i ever will, wonder why I bother. Finals were a snore, totally predictable. If they dare give us pick 20.... That said - I'm looking at my membership renewal form on the desk and I'm thinking: oh well, where there's life.....maybe one more year. My main pleasure in footy these days comes from a) Demonland, and b) watching the Bombers crash and burn. 2000 was the only Grand Final I've ever been to. Karma.

Care factor less than zero. Anger factor: through the roof. Competition divided into haves and have-nots. Wonder what Swans or Hawks thought about our asking for a priority pick?

Hey Beelz - always like your thinking - hope youre right - my worry in all of this is that, yeah, - while I know frawley has been crap of late, he can be a bloody good player. I get the feeling he's been affected by (yeah, I know, maybe one of the ones responsible for) the malaise at out club. My fear is at we'll get some other mucked-up draft pick in his place, and lose one of our few senior players. And that he'll prosper in a new environment. Suppose we just have to have faith in the new regime. Seem to know what they're doing so far. Just wish every free agent wouldn't desert us as soon as they are entitled to. Doesn't happen at the top clubs.

Lose-lose situation. I'm with Monoccular. Dawks win yet another flag? Ugh... Would prefer Swans, but hate the sight of Buddy when he scores a goal: the out thrust arms, the wiggling fingers, the arrogant strut. Revolting. Reach for the bucket. Was looking at some past grand final on TV tonight. The players back then seemed so humble by comparison. I'm not watching a minute of it tomorrow. Will have a quiet kick with my daughters down the park.

Yep, all our fault. No doubt about that. All our fault. But your solutions: genius! Win games. My god, why didn't anybody else think of that? Quick, tell Roosy. Draft well. Wow, somebody FF this to Todd Viney, priority paid. Draft well. So cunning, so original, a simple but effective solution to our problems.

Usually pretty uninterested in state elections, but right now I'm praying for a Labor win. Main difference: freeways vs. public transport. I know which I'd prefer. Hate freeways: sooner or later, they always fill up. Public transport: way to go! Go Dan the Man!

This dog-eat-dog world makes you bitter about the AFL and other clubs. Interesting example, in my own head: Watson's Brownlow. I've always thought he seemed like a decent guy, and wouldn't have been too upset should he be found guilty but allowed to keep it. Thinking right now: stuff him. It was drug-assisted. He's a cheat. Did he think those 40 injections were just for a tan? They oughter go the full Lance Armstrong on him. Stripped of all honours.

Roughhead and Daisy Thomas say hello.

Kind of how I feel. Would love to give it up if I could, but am kind of hooked. AFL a bit like China. Corrupt crony capitalism.

Disgusted Not surprised. Spivs, hookers and yellow-bellied con-men in charge everywhere I look. Each man for himself. The poor can eat each other. What's that quote from Pablo Casals? "The situation is hopeless. We must take the next step."

Hey Whispering That is a superb little piece of writing. Hope it makes its way to The Powers. Do hate hearing moronic commentators saying, yet again, "oh, them, they tanked, they don't deserve a draft pick." How the hell long is the punishment meant to last? Cheers.