corowa

Cricket does not now get the TV coverage that it once received. I can remember seeing regular reports and even live coverage of Sheffield Shield matches. This doesn't happen now. How many of us could name the best players in each State team, or which ones are pushing for national selection? And when less cricket is shown live on TV interest in the game will dwindle considerably. Recent on field bloopers and general boorish sledging do little to enhance the once popular sport.

What a huge difference a few wins makes. Add increased skills and a much more positive supporter confidence and you've got, for the first time in years, a 'destination' club. We can attract 'top' players, the likes of Gaff and Sloane who would slot straight into the team. Gone are the days of hoping we can 'jag' a couple of 'depth' players at other clubs who might, but probably won't, cut the mustard. We are joining the Geelongs and Hawthorns who couldn't care less about the annual draft and who have simply waited for 'lesser' clubs to develop young talent before plundering them. How sweet it is!

Obviously Adelaide don't have a memory as long as mine. The mongrels pinched Scott Thompson when he was just hitting his straps with us. No suggestions from them that he was a traitor for leaving us. And I wonder what they think about Gibbs going to them from Carlton.

Knowing that if they're playing well at Casey they will get their chance. There's bound to be injuries or loss of form. Hawthorn, Geelong and other 'successful' teams seem to be able to keep 'fringe' players. Part of a successful club culture I guess.

You've picked a great team, Big Carl. For what it's worth my team is as follows: B M Whelan D Hughes S Wight HB B Lovett G Hardeman S Woewodin C R Flower B Wilson S Tingay HF G Lyon D Schwarz L Jurrah F J Farmer D Neitz A Jakovich R J White J Stynes T Viney Int G Wells S Alves A Johnson N Jones E A Yze Ger Healy S Febey B Green

14 pages of comments on Harley Balic is incredible. How many games has he played at Fremantle? Just as well we're not expecting an Ablett or a Dangerfield.

We are a sad lot! With all respect to young Balic, he's hardly a household name at Freo, as indicated by the number of games he's played for them. I look at the players linked to other, more successful clubs, and shake my head in wonder. Apart from Lever - and what a great get he will be, if we get him - we are still not a destination club.

Fair enough, MW. Collingwood die-hards might not agree with you. I guess I'm more of a sentimentalist. I'm old. I attended the 1964 grand final. I liked the 'good old days'. But each to his own.

With his name, and I don't mean Sam, would he ever be satisfied or allowed to play with ease at a club other than Collingwood? It just doesn't seem right. My 10 year old grandson is in a similar position, regarding name. His other grandfather played in five winning grand finals for Melbourne. This little bloke gets around with grandfather's number on his Guernsey. I'd hate to think he might play at a club other than Melbourne, should he make the grade