Earl Hood

I only remember was it Max Robertson tearing us apart for Melbourne High? Big forward/ruck unit who went on to play for the Swans. I only played one BHHS game as a reserve, I was an outsider, latecomer to the school. As I remember it the teachers didn't pick the side after any training sessions it was compiled by Dennis Crozier and a few mates instead. I could be wrong on that one. A long Time ago. But I do remember coming from another school and athletics being my strength but there were no school sports at all at BHHS.And rjay I should add getting to the school and asking a kid if I could join in for a kick to kick at lunch time not long after I arrived. Strewth all I saw were the heels of his boots at my eye height from a standing start next to me! I never got a kick. How Gary Marshall never played VfL I will never know. But as you said it takes drive more than talent, perhaps.

Yes I think you are right. Thankfully we were in C grade and B grade while they were climbing from E then D but I think they were chucked out of the league at that stage. It was Jack Dyers old club. That said I played in a Grade C reserves game against Wattlepark I think when the brawls got out of control and the umpire was decked, got in his car and drove off! What do you do then? It was close to finals time and the league docked both teams points, that cost them a finals place. It ended up in court. They lost the case. Another time we played a spitefull match in Chadstone, can't remember the side's name, we won, many on field fights but the crowd turned nasty and we had to leave the change rooms as a phalanx to stave off the mob. Even so a couple of our guys were king hit. That was really scary stuff. But hey those were the days! Thank God we have moved on.

What I heard about the Young Christian league was a prayer before the game then clock the first opposition player who looked sideways at you and the odd brawl with the crowd at half time. I think it was St Ignatius Richmond that joined the the ESCFA after being booted out of the YCA league. they came into E Grade. They kept winning but every week you would notice one of their players getting six weeks for eye gouging or kicking. Scary stuff. A few years later a mate of mine playing for St Leo's Wattlepark took them on in a Grand Final D grade I think and the cops had to called in. The supporters assaulted a boundary umpire, king hits behind play you name the game had everything. Ahh those were the days! I am talking the late 70's of course.

Yes I remember playing at the ground in seniors. Did you guys have Essendon colours? Did Nick Lyon play up forward for you guys or have I got the wrong Blackburn side?

Did not know that one. He must have played under 15's. when I knew him he was playing for Box Hill colts I think.

Yes I am back and looking very stern!

Oh what a small world. Still remember the Pioneers in the under 17's we never could beat you guys. We played a prelim final where we were about 8 goals up at half time and still got beaten. It was hard to get a ball past Allen Dewold at centre half back that year. He went on to bigger things at the Hawks but he was not the most gifted player running around at BHHS and the Pioneers at that time as I remember it.

Yes a very handy player to have on your side. He had a great left jab and right hook if there was trouble as I remember it. Did you happen to play around the area at the time?

Yes but it was school footy at Box Hill High!

Hey Jumbo I played 175 games for Saint Andrews Box Hill, next door to Saint Peters, I think. Are we talking Springfield Road Box Hill? We took over your oval in 78 and managed to win a flag in 79. You guys were in A grade I think, we were in C grade then up to B grade before we folded a year later after winning 2 flags. Our social secretary did a runner with all the social club proceeds as I remember

WTF? Are you serious, it just gets more absurd by the post. Everyone is on AFL drip feed but it seems it is only us that gets vilified for being leppers.

I am sure we haven't done Tappy any favours over the last few years but I struggle to see what he brings to the table. I like his hardness and the occasional hard hit but he has problems with speed and getting into the contests. If he was a ball magnet like Diesel it would all work. But he is this in between type to me. Average height, average speed, average smarts. Where does he have an advantage, a strength he can exploit this year to save his career?

Unfortunately we are regarded as the long term unemployed of the AFL community so we attract criticism at every turn for being lazy failures who have brought on our own problems and therefore deserve to be scorned at best, if not abused at every opportunity. A million here or there for us is rewarding failure however $100 million here or there for GWS and the SUNS is an investment. The proposed $2 poverty tax, sorry equalisation measure on next years price for a game is just another kick in the guts. Every mention of this surcharge today has made it plain it is welfare for MFC and the Dogs as if we are the drain on funds. Oh and the big clubs would love this option, they give up nothing for equalisation and we cop the wrath of the punters for another welfare tax. It must have been a great pissup equalisation junket tour to the US for Vlad and the Big End of Town presidents this year if this is all they can come up with.

If he plays 20 plus games next year and rediscovers his 2011 form I would back him in as well!

We should pay him out and delist for his own good and ours. Too many concussions.

I think Milne's stats say a good one is worth gold, if you can find one. Farmer, yes, Betts yes, Rioli, but they are rare.

I am holding judgement. I am hopeful but we need to see another year of improvement to be sure.

I would give my other horse for a smart back pocket as well. A Matty Whelan would do us wonders as would a Paul Hopgood or a Yeatsy or Alan Johnston for that matter. An attacking smart player to extract the ball and set up an attack would be great.

Unload or upload?

Fingers crossed your right on that prediction!

We do need memberships so he will have to start selling the vision at some stage!!

I think the issue is more about the forces acting against equalisation. Unequal competition means there aren't swings and roundabouts. In our case maybe its more about one door closes, another one slams in your face! So far FA movements of good players have been from low clubs to strong clubs and strong clubs to other strong clubs. Yet to see a mature elite player go south. We all thought Buddy was headed that way but he pulled a swifty and got to Sydney on a ridiculously contrived deal. Now the AFL is looking to squash FA compensation all together. For why I have no idea except some of the powerful clubs are whinging about their compensation and some agents are saying it discourages FA movements. No compensation to lower clubs would be just another slammed door as far as I am concerned.

Happy to have him as a run with, negating, big bodied mid next year, who can play half back or half forward when required. He can do all that although many seem to hate him because he hasn't been a star and so he should be got rid of. He can be good back up.

This news is big. I rate this guy, if fully fit he could be anything. I remember arguing in 2011 at round 10 that this guy was playing as well, if not better than everyone's hero, Buddy. He was taller at 200 cm, almost as agile on the ground, a much superior high mark, a more accurate kick at goal by a mile, playing in a crap team, with a very predictable game plan. Yet this guy for half a season managed to kick as many goals as big boy Buddy getting it lace out 60 times a match and kicking 60 odd plus 70 behinds because Buddy can't kick. But Gee Buddy is the greatest. Well maybe. If only we can get lucky and Clark plays 24 games.

Was it an Argentinian Malbec yet? Just checking on your drinking habits. Don't take it personally.