Jara

Hey WJ. As I said earlier, I think this is a quality piece of writing which should be in the public press. I suppose there's stuff going on behind the scenes that we don't know about, but from what I read, there seems to be a propaganda war going on to deny us a PP. jeez, these buggers have got a nerve. Didn't Hawthorn get at least 2 of hodge, franklin and Roughie from PP? Pies get Swan and Pendles. Etc etc ... The hypocrisy rolls on Somebody needs to get our view out there (although I suppose it's already too late) Doesn't matter what Caro thinks - she's not the editor. I've written a few articles for The Age over the years- have found they're usually quite happy to consider them. Why not just submit it? I think Alex Lavelle is Sports Editor at present - presumably his email would be something like [email protected] (I'd have a go, but am busy with sick child right now, and you've already done a great job) Good luck, mate

Hey Whispering Bit late on checking in, but I did want to compliment you on a beautifully written, well-balanced article. As some of the others here have said, why not submit it to The Age? Cheers A

Excellent summary, Deanox There's no compelling argument against our getting a PP, and it p's me off to see our fellow supporters arguing against our getting one.

Thanks Champagne (andRobbie F). Hope you're right (and that he's wrong again) Cheers

Creating a winning culture and using whatever means are available to level the playing field are not necessarily contradictory. Hawthorn, for example, obviously did both.

Anybody else listen to 'rumour files' on 3AW breakfast? Ross's rumour, this morning, was that we weren't going to get a PP. Hate to say it, but he's usually on the money. As the rest of you have said, it's outrageous. Their argument just doesn't make sense. You're a basket case, so you don't deserve a priority pick. That's exactly when you do deserve one. Jeez, two wins all year... Hawks get Roughy and Buddy (and are about to get a premiership) Pies get Pendlebury and Swan. We get zip.

I'm far from convinced by this heat training thing. Anyone ever seen any scientific evidence supporting it? I lived in the Territory for many years. The humidity makes you feel exhausted, which may make you think you've done some strenuous training, but I don't see how it actually could (if anything, i reckon it could have the opposite effect - and the appearance of the average Territory bloke supports my doubts). Actually, on the topic, during all the recent kerfuffle about sports science, I read that even altitude training is of dubious benefit.

Thanks DemonsWA Still a bit of a mystery, though I wonder how Customs knew that Bombers were implicated Oh and an edited thanks to you too, PJ. I suppose Dank was the key, and maybe before him that 'Doctor Death'

Could somebody enlighten me? How did ASADA (and consequently everybody else) first find out about Bombers' drug regime? Anybody know who was the whistleblower? Cheers

Just wandered over to Bomberblitz for a bit of a peek. My god, they are mad. Totally delusional. They see themselves as victims, rather than pushers. My main hope is that they lose draft picks - lots of em. Nothing else will matter. Points? Seasons already over. Money? Chairmans worth a mozza, they'd pass round the hat. But draft picks? That'd hurt. To see the golden boy go down would be the cream on the cake.

Thanks for that, Dee-Vina. Most interesting. I Spent many years working with the Warlpiri communities, and knew some of the people mentioned. Brought back a few memories.

Hey Django You may not see this for a while, but I'm curious. You mention your interests include 'writing for film'. What writing do you do in this area? Cheers

For the life of me, I can't understand those of you who say we shouldn't get a priority pick. Those posters who point to Pendles and Franklin are right. Just because you get a PP doesn't mean you can't work on other aspects of your culture. Good God, if we don't get one, you might as well abolish the system. We must be the worst team in decades. Nor is Geelong a counter argument. They enjoy so many advantages that other teams, especially us, just don't have - the main one being that they've got such a 'settled' environment with a massive home-ground advantage. To my mind, they are the last of the old style, community-based sporting clubs. I reckon that gives them a huge base to work from. We, on the other hand, 'shift about...like some poor Arab tribesman and his tent' (if you're allowed to quote Yeats on a footy website)

Not that my thoughts on the matter are of any interest to anybody but myself, but god I hate those Pommy scum. The spirit of Jardine lives on. I'll never forget that 2005 series when they brought in the best fielders from the counties as substitutes, and then kept 'substituting' their bowlers whenever they got a bit puffed. Not to mention that most of them are bloody South Africans. Only thing I've got out of this Test has been a reassurance that the difference between the teams is not that great, and that the 10 -0 drubbing I'd feared isn't likely to happen. From what I saw in this game, I reckon we'll knock em over when they get out here. Just hope we doctor the pitches the way they do theirs. (ps sorry Deeluded we seem to have crossed in mid air. Same idea as you. Trouble is, of course, that if everybody does that, kind of ruins the game. Only the really great teams will be able to win away from their home turf. Oh well...hard to resist when everybody else does it)

Would somebody mind satisfying my curiosity? I know we're hopeless, rebuilding and all that, but do we prepare pitches to suit our own team the way the Poms have obviously done? (I mean I expect Indians etc to do it, but I kind of recalled the idea of a level playing field as one of the honorable aspects of playing England. No more it seems. I remember a few years ago a Pommy groundsman openly boasting of preparing a pitch that would limit Warnes effectiveness)

Excellent post, Chippy. For the life of me, I can't understand all this talk of him being a [censored] just because he's discussed his own psychological well-being. I've always admired his stance on social issues, and I also reckon he's an excellent role model. If more Aussie blokes talked about their personal issues, we might have less suicides. Not do I get those of you mocking him for being "attention seeking". He's an AFL footballer - they get press hounding them 24/7.

Morning. Sorry to bore you with something I should be able to research by myself, but I find it's often easier to get on here and ask some of you knowledgeable people. My brother and I were discussing last night how much the benefits given to these expansion teams has hurt us ie did our demise unfortunately coincide with the period in which normally poor teams like ours would receive higher picks? I know we got Watts Scully etc before the expansion teams appearance (and yeah yeah, I know somebody will jump in and say we would have stuffed up the picks anyway) Seems to me quite important I'm sick of people at work, in press (eg Emma Quayle) etc telling Me it's all our fault, we should be relocated, etc Maybe part of our problem is that we were shafted by the Afl - part of a perfect storm of events, other factors of which included the growing commercialization of the game, which means that the poorer teams become less attractive investments, and money equals on field success these days Anyway, sorry if I should know all of this, but I'd appreciate some feedback Cheers

Hey Ralphius Dunno that my expectations were inflated, but, given the level we were at when Neeld took over (8 wins) I sure as he'll expected something better than the pathetic drivel we've had dished up to us this year. It ain't just the losses - it's the margins, the lack of initiative, the lack of a discernible game plan other than stultifying defensiveness, the way the players just seem to stand around in some kind weird zone while play flows around them and Neelds uninspiring leadership that have lead many to conclude that we made a hell of a mistake when we appointed him. Main reason I want him out sooner rather than later is that the longer he stays, the greater the danger of our better players walking, a la Moloney and Rivers

Glad to see Rivers leave? Cheeeze

Rhino No defense for Wilson. She lost me forever because of her biased, scurrilous leading of the charge on us during the tanking debacle. Where was her attack on the other alleged tankers? We are still suffering from that, both on and off the field. I think her real agenda is to do everything she can to win a flag for Ninthmond.

Freddy I loved and respected Rivers as a player; he was one of our best every year and a courageous leader in the back line. I'd give what he says a lot of credibility. Neeld was an arrogant ponce for coming in and getting players like that off-side. Surely one of the basic tenets of leading any sort of organization is to capitalize upon what strengths you do have. The appointment of Grimes and Trenners was the first of many mistakes brought about by Neelds lack of footy smarts. Cheers

I couldn't care if he crapped on the bar. He crapped on us today.

I don't get what you're saying. I wouldn't mind a bit of one-way traffic. At least it would be better than the multiple-car pile up we find ourselves in at present. Beating Adelaide and Freo? I wish... These guys are like politicians or new bosses: first thing you do is bag the old mob to make yourself look better.

Tall D and Hogans I appreciate your insights into the power of WADA. But what if the relevant sporting body does it's best stifle the investigation? Wasnt this what kept Creepy Lance safe for so long? Demetriou has made a few noises about ensuring that nobody will be protected. More power to his arm, but I'll be keeping my nostrils open for a few ratty smells myself. All this Golden Boy Hirdie stuff is making me puke. What sort of Golden Boy injects pigs brains into his players or needles himself in the guts when he's feeling run down?

God I'm getting sick of hearing ex-players, mates, talk-back callers etc defending Saint James Ok, innocent until proven guilty and all that, but I reckon he's seriously weird. Implementing a drug regime that sounds absolutely disgusting. Pigs friggin brains? Hanging out with Doctor Ageless. What sort of effing idiot goes and has a creep like Dank jab him in the guts because he's feeling a bit rundown? If I'm feeling run down I have a fruit juice. (maybe I'm just jealous at the respect his players have for him - they'd walk on broken glass for him - reminds me of how important it is for players to respect their coach - another reason I reckon Neelds hopeless - I reckon Malthouse runs around recommending his assistants for coaching jobs because he knows they'll be his opposition one day)