rumpole

Crawford was reported last week. As for Hodge, he was reported twice today. The law presumes a person innocent till proven guilty but if he is found guilty as charged on both counts, Hodge could miss our meeting in round 2. L Hodge (Haw) by umpire L Farmer for striking M Lloyd (Ess) in 2nd quarter and by umpire M James for charging D Peverill in 4th quarter.

Fair go, it's a squad of 31 players and includes a few who start on the bench in the Geelong game - big deal!

The reports in the media from yesterday's practice match are interesting. The Herald-Sun's Jesper Fjeldstad writes about "Melbourne's reliance on handball at all cost in the first quarter – earning the Demons a three-goal lead" (HERE). He then says that the Crows "heeded coach Neil Craig's demands they be competitive at all contests and move the ball swiftly." In other words, it sounds very much as if Melbourne played keepings off with handball in the first quarter and were overrun by a far more direct style of football for the remainder of the game. I'm fully aware that this was a practice game and that these games are for experimentation and we were half staffed yesterday but rather than blithely dismissing what goes on in these games I'm interested in understanding whether our experimentaton is getting us anywhere. I'd like to hear from anyone who was at the game what they think of Melbourne's experiment with this run and carry style. Surely, it's something that's only going to exercised at particular times during a game and not exclusively throughout a game? I would have thought that in windy conditions as applied yesterday, Melbourne would have been far better off playing its more direct long kicking style with the first quarter wind. To come in at quarter time with four shots at goal to two after having the benefit of a strong wind just about sums up how effective we are at "run and carry" as things stand. On that basis, it's little wonder that McDermott on 5aa was bagging us even early in the game.

Here's a turn up for the books! Adem Yze has been charged with attempting to trip Robert Campbell during the fourth quarter of the Round One NAB Cup match between Melbourne and Hawthorn, played at Telstra Dome on Sunday. Yze can accept a reprimand and 60 points towards his future record with an early plea. If I were Ooze I'd take the early plea and get on with life.

The AFL is an "authority"?

How many exceptions to a rule do you need to disprove the rule? Why did the Baby Bombers and not the mature Carlton of 1993 win the flag that year when the Blues were right on 12 midnight? Three years later, the same Carlton which should have been at 3am by then but instead they had a sensational season losing only 2 games and winning a flag. It's also arguable that the Kangaroos won the flag in 1996 and remained a power through '97 to at least '00 but were overshadowed by Adelaide who were nowhere near optimum on the clock in 97-98. How do you explain Collingwood in '02 & '03 compared to '04 & '05 with the aid of the clock?

The puntroadend site has an interesting analysis of our list as well. On the basis of the data, they're tipping us to finish in 10th spot this year which suggests we've passed our peak for the moment - read it here http://www.puntroadend.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=25260.0

If the rule is 10 years minimum service then that's how it's got to be unless someone can point to some very special circumstances.

If I had an account with Betfair or Tabcorp and it's true that these agencies have divulged information about people's betting accounts, I'd be cancelling those accounts quick smart. They should be respecting people's privacy and not giving out information to the AFL or anyone else - even if that person "authorises" it by virtue of having a contract with an AFL club. This is another example of Big Brother at work in the 21st century!

I hope that he's as good a defender as another wearer of # 8 - Bob "Tassie" Johnson who played in a few premiership teams and became captain og the MFC and a hall of famer.

Shirley Booth. She was one of my favourite actresses years ago. Good on yer Shirley!

Here's the betting for the NAB Cup according to Norm Short Sportsbook. Norm thinks the Swans aren't interested in the competition and we're almost line ball against the Hawks in the first round. $ 5.5 Western Bulldogs 8 Fremantle, Geelong 9 Adelaide, Port Adelaide 10 West Coast, Melbourne 11 St. Kilda 12 Hawthorn 14 Essendon, Kangaroos 17 Enron, Richmond 31 Collingwood 41 Sydney 51 Brisbane The bookies obviously don't believe in the old adage about being as good as your last game. They were thrashed against the Eagles and now are flag favourites.

I think the stability issue is a bit overrated. As long as the footballers are not themselves personally involved in internal club politics they should be professional enough to not let it worry them. It's a job for these blokes after all.

As it turns out I can't make it myself but I hope for the players' sakes that they get a good crowd and that there's not too much rain around to spoil the fun.

And Jones looks superb in the photographs I've seen of him at training. I wonder if the club has tested the players over the 20m sprints to get a guauge on whether the trimmer bodies of some of these players have contributed to greater speed.

Good idea to give Junior the captaincy in the absence of Neitz in recognition of his fine performances last year.

Quite true. The penalty will not be as great as Carlton's if the allegation is proven. However, it should still be reasonable harsh if it is found to be a deliberate attempt to get around the salary cap rules.

Strong rumours in Sydney that the man with multiple chins and saviour of Austwalia is about to lose his position as CEO of the 9 Network and will return to hosting TV programmes. Such a move would ensure that Eddie remains a little longer as Collingwood President giving him more time to preside over a team of failures. It could also be a big blow to our own Garry Lyon because Mr. McChins would no doubt return to the job of hosting The Footy Show. Only a rumour and so far no comment from Jessica Rowe.

Bizzell would be handy as a depth player but I can't see him playing the same role in defence he played three or four years ago.

I trust the royal blue will be outa here by the start of the nabcup?

I'd rather spend my money on Brock. What are his odds.

I'll always remember the big red headed bloke running the ball out of defence at the G. Go Broady!

There's a great article about Brock McLean in today's Sunday Herald Sun but I can't find an internet link to it ATM.

The local Free Press Leader Newspaper has an article on prospective draftees - D-DAY FOR YOUNG TALENT DANIEL HAYES (180cm, 70kg, Montrose) "Hayes, a lightning-quick winger, had an interrupted season at TAC Cup level but his talent and physical attributes are undeniable. He produced top-10 results for the agility and vertical leap tests at the AIS draft camp and applied himself diligently in every challenge presented. He was a surprise selection for last year's Vic Metro team." John Lamont (coach): "It depends on how much the AFL clubs like him. Obviously, there are a few that are interested in him because he got an invite to the camp. He worked pretty well up there; we've just got wait and see now.''

Another midfield type - exciting young Indigenous lad for Eastern Ranges.