FOOTBALL Page 2 (The finals are close)
And the Eagles took care of the Kangaroos! We'll get that double chance yet. But what about Brisbane, Phil??
Eagle Eye on August 13, 2007

Yeah Phil, what about Brisbane, huh? Told ya so! Cats can't be shifted just by the way! HAHA!
Scratcher on August 13, 2007

You know I'm going to give credit to an old boy - Mark Harvey. He's a Bomber legend and he'll be confirmed as Fremantle's coach next year. Mathematically we can still make it but that loss didn't help!
Pedro on August 13, 2007

I am shocked. I predicted Hawthorn wouldn't win another game! How red is my face right now? Scarlett would be a better description! Yipe!
Timelord on August 13, 2007

Come on, Phil - admit it. Hawthorn will make the grand final against us - and we want revenge for 1989!
Scratcher on August 14, 2007

Oh no, Craig! They've got a danger game this week against Port in Launceston! And even if they do make it they'll go straight out!
Timelord on August 14, 2007

Port Adelaide a threat to Hawthorn? I can't believe you said that, Phil!
Pedro on August 16, 2007

Believe it, Pete - the eight is wide open aside from Geelong and anything can happen!
Timelord on August 16, 2007

Yeah the Power is a threat to Hawthorn, Pedro! A (beep!)ing big threat!!
Syncompac on August 18, 2007

I guess Syncompac was right, but only just!
Mr.Fix-It on August 19, 2007

Hawthorn threw that away!
Pedro on August 20, 2007

That they did - didn't finish it off like the middle of the road side they are.
Timelord on August 20, 2007

Aw come on, Phil! One er doesn't make a team "middle of the road"!
Scratcher on August 21, 2007

You hit five tildes, Craig! Clumsy! And they've erred more than once!
Timelord on August 21, 2007

Scratcher, come the finals the Cats will grind to a halt! "HAHA!"
Eagle Eye on August 14, 2007

Yeah? Want to put your money where your mouth is?
Scratcher on August 14, 2007

How would you pay up, Scratcher? I don't accept cheques! :P
Eagle Eye on August 16, 2007

Me pay up? You're the one who'll need the flaming cheque book!
Scratcher on August 16, 2007

Now, now, guys, I'm blowing the whistle on this. Money talk goes on the political section! :P
Timelord on August 16, 2007

Party pooper, Phil!
Eagle Eye on August 20, 2007

FOOTBALL Page 2 (Power v Pussies)
Hey Scratcher! Get ready for a short circuit tomorrow! And guess what? A bunch of us are coming over for the game! The Pussies are (beep!)ed!
Syncompac on August 25, 2007

Please behave while you are there, Syncompac.
Mr.Fix-It on August 25, 2007

Hopefully he isn't boxed in anywhere. It's going to be packed tighter than a peak hour Sydenham train at Kardinia Park tommorrow!
Timelord on August 25, 2007

Oh. My. God. They did it. They actually did it. How on earth could those from port Misery beat those from the West Melbourne swamps? And why should anyone care? (stirring... stirring... stirring...) hehehehehe
Coach on August 26, 2007

Look out when Craig comes on I think!
Timelord on August 27, 2007

West Melbourne SWAMPS??? Oh you're a bright one, Coach! Who's on top of the ladder - despite being flaming robbed! Son of God wrapped it up! Who was on Cassisi? And where were you, Syncompac? We should have met up!
Scratcher on August 27, 2007

That's two weeks in a row that Port Adelaide has nicked it at the death! Bother you Tigers!
Pedro on August 27, 2007

I was waiting for Craig before I said this - Coach, you want to talk about swamp water? I'd rather drink that than the tap water over in your neck of the woods! :P (stirring back... stirring back...)
Timelord on August 27, 2007

I agree; that's why I have 2 filters! But another wasted year - both SA teams apparently in the finals. The Cows (not a real team) and the Pewter (you either love or hate Port... and I'm a hater). Living in SA sucks something fierce at this time of the year. Did you know, according to the Advertiser, there are 3 teams in the AFL? Cows, Pewter and "others". Teams like mine never get a look in. So let the Cows have their Chardonnay and Pewter their Port Misery... I hope the West Melbourne Swamp Cats win the whole thing!
Coach on August 27, 2007

Is two filters enough for that poor excuse for water? I'd have FIVE! At least!! YUCK! Yeah I know the Addy has a rep for that - especially when that poor excuse for a reporter Michelangelo Rucci lets fly with his biased twaddle! For myself I think Geelong are a better chance now they've had a loss. Look out Brisbane this week I think (the game I thought Geelong would lose if any, but not now).
Timelord on August 28, 2007

Oh so Coach is an Adelaide person huh?

Phil, there is no one worse in the papers than Mike SHEehan!
Scratcher on August 28, 2007

I disagree, Craig! Rucci makes Mike Sheehan look like Einstein! I'm serious!
Timelord on August 28, 2007

He'd have to be pretty bad!
Scratcher on August 29, 2007

Although we seem to have gone quite a way off track, I agree with Phil. I read Melbourne papers as well as the 'Tiser in football season (my team is not from SA so if I want to find out about them... you know). Sheehan has 2 things going for him - his opinions are his own and follow logic (in most cases), and he does research. Rucci is a Cows apologist, seems to think the SANFL is 4th, maybe 5th rate, thinks that if Ricciuto (sp?) killed a busload of orphans with a wooden spoon there would be an excuse and he would defend him... and his opinions are regurgitations of those expressed by KG, Cornes and any of another 1/2 dozen radio commentators... or Cows executives. And, worse, he thinks he's a comedian. Sorry this has gone on so long, but if my sports journalism lecturer had him in his class, he would have failed. Wow! Way off track! Come on West Melbourne Swampies!
Coach on August 29, 2007

There you go, Craig - hot off the presses. Rucci is a biased twit. Heck, he even puts the Power down let alone the SANFL (which he all but ignores!). I don't mind Graham Cornes because he give the SANFL and the grass roots it's due. He and KG tend to wear their SA hearts on their sleeves at times, but at least in that respect (like Mike Sheehan) it's original thought. Unlike Rucci! Yeah we're a bit off track, but that's OK. It was relevant! I taped the game yesterday. It's a keepsake for sure.
Timelord on August 30, 2007

Might have had trouble meeting, Scratcher! Our bus ran (beep!)ing late and we missed the opening bounce! Ah who cares - WE (beep!)ING WON! And Time and Coach are right. Rucci should be (beep!)ing sacked!! I'm going to see us (beep!) up the Dockers tonight! YEAH!
Syncompac on September 1, 2007

The Pewter did it again, 2nd to the West Melbourne Swamp Cats, ahead of the West Coast Weasels... And the Cows made it, too...
Coach on September 1, 2007

FOOTBALL Page 2 (Finals views)
Port play West Coast on Friday night at Footy Park, so we are guaranteed an interstate preliminary final and a semi final. And I'm sorry, Coach, but I think Adelaide will make it through to the preliminary final - beating Hawthorn and then North Melbourne (who I can't see getting past Geelong). And if Port beat West Coast in their qualifying final that means that prelim will be a Showdown! KE bar the doors at Footy Park! 

What say we all? I think it will pan out as follows; 

Timelord
Geelong to beat North Melbourne and Port to beat West Coast in the qualifying finals, and Adelaide to beat Hawthorn and Sydney to pip Collingwood in the elimination finals; 
That means if I'm right North will meet Adelaide in Melbourne and we'll have a grand final replay in Perth between the Eagles and Sydney. I'm tipping Adelaide and the Eagles (just - as usual); 
Again if I'm right - Showdown at Footy Park, while the Eagles come to Melbourne and face Geelong. And I think it will be a Power/Eagles grand final; 
Tip for the flag in that case - Port.
Timelord on September 2, 2007

One issue with that, Phil. The Eagles won't lose on Friday night!
Eagle Eye on September 3, 2007

Are you serious, Phil? The Cats won't lose the preliminary final! No matter who we play then!
Scratcher on September 3, 2007

I think this should get a fresh section!
Pedro on September 3, 2007

Done, Pete!
Timelord on September 3, 2007

I reckon our own views should get a sub section each! I'll post mine tomorrow!
Eagle Eye on September 4, 2007

Great idea, Eagle! I'll do the same! Don't have time right now!
Scratcher on September 4, 2007

Now that's why you two are sysops! Well done!
Timelord on September 4, 2007

Eagle Eye
West Coast will get the week's break after beating Port. Can't see Geelong losing to the Kangaroos in the qualifying finals. Hawthorn will return to form against Adelaide and Sydney to beat Collingwood; 
North will meet Hawthorn in Melbourne and Sydney will play Port Adelaide in Adelaide. I'm going for the Kangaroos and Port; 
Port will meet Geelong and beat them again and the Eagles will thump the Kangaroos at home. So Phil's right about the grand final teams; 
But the Eagles will make it two in a row!
Eagle Eye on September 6, 2007

Scratcher
Cats will scratch out the Roos for a start! Port and the Eagles is a tough one but I think the Power. Hawthorn will beat Adelaide Collingwood should bounce back against Sydney; 
North v Hawthorn I think the Hawks and West Coast will knock off the Magpies in Perth; 
Cats will beat the Eagles in Melbourne and the Hawks will end the Power's season; 
Cats to get revenge on 1989!
Scratcher on September 6, 2007

Pedro
Geelong to defeat the Kangas, the Power to beat the Eagles, the Crows to beat Hawthorn and Sydney to beat Collingwood; 
The Kangas to bounce back over the Crows and Sydney to surprise the Eagles; 
Geelong to knock off Sydney and the Power to defeat the Kangas; 
I agree with Phil - the Power to win the flag
Pedro on September 6, 2007

Coach
Geelong over 'Roos. My heart says Sydney over the MudPies. I think Port Pewter may do it over Weagles. Hawks over Cows. 
Week 2 - Hawks over 'Roos, and then Weagles over Sydney 
Week 3 - Geelong over Weagles, and then Pewter over Hawks 
Week 4 - GF, West Melbourne Swamp Cats over Pewter. Flag returns to Victoria, hopefully shutting the whingers over there up for a while...
Coach on September 6, 2007

Lee
I had to help Lee with this as she doesn't follow the way the eight works very well. Anyway.... 

Port Adelaide to beat West Coast, North Melbourne to beat Geelong, Hawthorn to beat Adelaide and Sydney to beat Collingwood 
West Coast to beat Sydney and Geelong to beat Hawthorn 
Geelong to beat Port Adelaide and North Melbourne to beat West Coast 
North Melbourne to win the flag
Timelord on September 7, 2007

Phil, what will we do with anyone who post only on the weekend, like Syncompac and Mr.Fix-It? I think we can assume Syncompac will pick Port Power all the way, but I don't know about Fix-It.
Eagle Eye on September 7, 2007

Isn't Bill a Collingwood fan? Maybe you should email him for a tip for tonight, Phil?
Scratcher on September 7, 2007

Way ahead of you, Craig. He picked Port. And yes, he is a Magpie supporter.
Timelord on September 7, 2007

Syncompac
Port won last night! I picked us of course! As for the rest... 

Cats will belt the Roos, Hawks will crap on the Crows and the Swans will beat the false Magpies! 
Semis - Roos will beat the Hawks and the Eagles should beat the Swans 
Prelims - Power will short out the Roos! And the Cats should beat the Eagles 
And I don't need to say who will win the (beep!)ing flag!!
Syncompac on September 8, 2007

Mr.Fix-It
As Philip correctly observed I tipped Port Adelaide last night. The remainder of the finals I have tipped Geelong, Collingwood and Hawthorn 
In the semi finals I'm tipping West Coast (regretfully) and Hawthorn 
In the preliminary finals I'm tipping Geelong and Port Adelaide 
And my tip for the premiership is Geelong
Mr.Fix-It on September 8, 2007

FOOTBALL Page 2 (AFL 2007 - The Haikus)
Those who have known of me may know I like to try to write. And in that vein, here is a haiku series based on this year's AFL teams. BTW, haiku, Japanese poetry, 3 lines, 5 syllables, then 7, then 5, last line slightly non-sequitur in content... Enjoy... or not. Your call: 

The West Coast Eagles / Prem’ership winners last year / Ben Cousins on drugs 
Sydney South Melbourne / Moved further north for money / And then won the flag 

Adelaide F.C. / Made by S.A.N.F.L. / Coaches come and go 
New Port Adelaide / Moved to Victorian league / Always whinge a lot 

Saint Kilda football / Always promising the best / Never deliver 
Geelong has Abletts / First Gary and then his sons / Still can’t win the flag 

Fremantle from west / An anchor on their jumper / Stuck on the bottom 
Carlton once was great / Greedy presidents take over / Money is now gone 

Eddie’s Collingwood / Complain about ev’rything / Black and white and rude 
Brisbane once the bears / Merged with Fitroy the Lions / Won it all three times 

The Western Bulldogs / A vicious and violent bunch / Hit but do not win 
Richmond and Melbourne / Can’t win a game between them / Useless and hopeless 

Hawthorn brown and gold / In the 80’s they ruled all / Now old and has-been 
Northern Kangaroos / They once were named North Melbourne / But no-one liked them 

Essendon Bombers / Sheedy been there forever / Thinks he’s god, he’s not 
Coach on September 3, 2007

I enjoyed it - although you can keep your "Northern Kangaroos"!
Timelord on September 3, 2007

Get off Benny Cousins! He's clean now!
Eagle Eye on September 4, 2007

I follow the Kangas so sticking with them
Lee on September 6, 2007

FOOTBALL Page 2 (Finals views Week 2)
Well here's how everyone went and I've left the sub headings below for you to fill in if you didn't get four; 

Phil got two out of four with Adelaide and Sydney losing. So now what, Phil? 
I also got two out of four thanks to Sydney and the EAGLES! URK! 
Scratcher picked the card! 
Pedro tipped the same as Phil 
Coach got three with Sydney his only blemish 
Lee got two with the Kangaroos and Sydney letting her down 
Syncompac only missed on Sydney 
Bill also picked the card
Eagle Eye on September 10, 2007

How good am I huh?
Scratcher on September 10, 2007

Lucky!
Timelord on September 11, 2007

Timelord
The Eagles to still win, only more easily. North Melbourne should take care of Hawthorn (who I STILL can't believe got up!!). 
Port will beat North and the Eagles to defeat Geelong even though theya re looking a bit more vulnerable now. 
I'm still thinking Port for the flag.
Timelord on September 10, 2007

And nice work, Andy! You bucking for another Member of the Month gong?
Timelord on September 10, 2007

Am I? Is it up to me?
Eagle Eye on September 11, 2007

Eagle Eye
I got one semi final right (North and Hawthorn) and I'm sticking with the Kangaroos. The Eagles will bounce back over Collingwood and I'm going!; 
The Eagles will meet Geelong and beat them and Port will thump the Kangaroos at home; 
The Eagles will still make it two in a row!
Eagle Eye on September 10, 2007

Pedro
I still think the Kangaroos will bounce back even against Hawthorn. With Sydney gone, the Eagles will make the prelims. 
No reason to change my prelim final tips of Geelong and the Power. 
And no reason to change my premiership tip
Pedro on September 10, 2007

Coach
I'll stick with my original call - Hawks over 'Roos and Weagles to win, only over Collywobblewood. And I did say I was backing Sydney with my heart, not my head...
Coach on September 10, 2007

Lee
The Eagles are flying high 
The Magpies go soaring by 
The Kangaroos will jump 
The Hawks will score a trump 
My picks are Eagles to beat the Maggies & Kangas to beat Hawks
Lee on September 14, 2007

Clever! :)
Timelord on September 14, 2007

Syncompac
Sync has emailed me from his work (and I now know his real name at last!) advising that he's picking Collingwood tonight.
Timelord on September 14, 2007

And Hawthorn today, Time! I changed my mind! And shhhh with my real name, OK?
Syncompac on September 15, 2007

FOOTBALL Page 2 (St.Kilda woes)
It's all over the joint at St.Kilda, isn't it?
Pedro on September 13, 2007

I'm considering an article on this mess, Pete.
Timelord on September 13, 2007

On the whole thing, or just Butterss, Phil? Hope it's Butterss because I want to nominate him for Idiot of the Month!
Scratcher on September 14, 2007

I was going to talk about the whole thing, Craig, but now that you mention it that might not be a bad idea! I'll consider it.
Timelord on September 14, 2007

I would certainly second such a nomination. The man doesn't belong in football!
Mr.Fix-It on September 15, 2007

See this latest news article? Butterss seems to be clutching at straws to maintain power, doesn't he?
Coach on September 25, 2007

You're not kidding, Coach! The good old fashioned "divide and conquer" tactic, and Nathan Burke saw right through it as any reasonable footy person would have. And as for trying to lock the gate after the horse has bolted (promising to put money into the football department) Butterss should have done that ages ago!
Timelord on September 25, 2007

Well, it seems some people have either finally come to their senses or some-one talked them into doing the right thing. Thank God for St Kilda this seems to be all over... for the moment.
Coach on October 2, 2007

Butterrs is gone - that's all that matters. Now perhaps St.Kilda FC can now be a football club instead of a business!
Timelord on October 3, 2007

FOOTBALL Page 2 (Finals views Week 3)
Eagle didn't do it so I will. Time for Week 3. Here's how everyone did in Week 2 who didn't pick the card (like I did!) in Week 1 

Phil went one for two getting the Eagles wrong 
Same for Eagle (haha!) 
Pedro also blew it on the Eagles 
Coach got absolutely zero! 
Lee also went one for two missing on the Eagles 
Syncompac also got one but it was Hawthorn who let him down 
For me and Mr.Fix-It, I blew it on the Eagles as well and Mr.Fix-It must regret picking against his team now! I got the Roos, but Mr.Fix-It missed that as well. So Syncompac was the only one who picked Collingwood! 

So here we go for this week and I've shifted Lee's tips down to her section
Scratcher on September 17, 2007

Scratcher
Obviously I'm sticking with the Cats! And the other prelim is as I predicted and Port will win. 
The Cats will still win the flag!
Scratcher on September 17, 2007

Timelord
Well I have to admit now that the Cats will make the grand final. But I'm sticking with Port for the other prelim and the flag.
Timelord on September 17, 2007

Eagle Eye
I didn't do it because I was still recovering from the late night!! 

Looks like the consensus generally is the Cats and the Power. I agree.
Geelong for the premiership
Eagle Eye on September 18, 2007

Pedro
Still no reason to change from Geelong and Port.
Pedro on September 17, 2007

Coach
Ditto. Port v Geelong in the GF... 

Having said that, of course, the Kangas to upset the Pewter would not surprise. But Collingwood are so far out of their depth at this end of the season... 

[Which means Collingwood will win the flag...]
Coach on September 18, 2007

Funny that, Coach - I heard someone say today that they were taking 5 to 1 on Collingwood winning! Mind you, he also admitted to being the eternal optimist!
Timelord on September 18, 2007

Eternal optimist is right! 5 to 1 is generous!
Pedro on September 19, 2007

Which team did (former) North Melbourne send to Adelaide? Their reserves team? What a shellacking! And, hence, what a boring game!
Coach on September 22, 2007

Lee
Going for Kitties to beat the Pies;Kangas to beat Power even though Power has home advantage- mind you -thought that with the Wiggles too and they still lost at home - who knows, anything can happen - maybe kangas will still be in with a chance .Hope so.
Lee on September 17, 2007

WIGGLES??????? (LMAO!)
Eagle Eye on September 18, 2007

Wiggles! That's too funny... I'm stealing that one!
Coach on September 18, 2007

Did you ask permission, Coach? :D
Timelord on September 18, 2007

Coach,you've got the Weagles, Wiggles is my one lol :)
Lee on September 19, 2007

There you go, you've been told, Coach! Hehe!
Timelord on September 19, 2007

Well maybe we do need to WAKE UP, don't we?
Eagle Eye on September 19, 2007

You said that, Andy! So where is Jeff anyway? LMAO!
Timelord on September 19, 2007

Syncompac
From email again - Sync is picking Geelong tonight.
Timelord on September 21, 2007 

You could have said I'm picking the Power today, Time! Or was it not obvious? And I'm going!!
Syncompac on September 22, 2007

Mr.Fix-It
Also from email, Bill is choosing with his heart this time and picking Collingwood.
Timelord on September 21, 2007

And I wish I hadn't! Port Adelaide should win today.
Mr.Fix-It on September 22, 2007

FOOTBALL Page 2 (RIP Len Thompson)
This is shocking news. I think this is the first person I remember seeing play live that has passed away. Something of a reminder of one's mortality I guess.
Timelord on September 18, 2007

Condolences to the Thompson family
Lee on September 18, 2007

My Dad remembers watching him. One of the great really big guys when being a ruckman meant something.
Eagle Eye on September 19, 2007

Len Thompson was the cornerstone of Collingwood's success in the 1970's. He rucked tirelessly and had a great band of small men around him like the Richardson brothers and Barry Price, and the Magpies had a great full forward in Peter McKenna to finish things off. He will be missed.
Mr.Fix-It on September 22, 2007

At Bairnsdale yesterday I got the chance to ask their guest speaker Peter Daicos for a reflection, and he spoke of Len Thompson in glowing terms. A big man with a heart to match in a nutshell - pretty much what I heard about the man as well.
Timelord on September 24, 2007

What a wonderful opportunity, Philip! Did Daics tell any good stories?
Mr.Fix-It on September 29, 2007

Oh did he what, Bill! There's a ripper I'm going to put on the Funny Story page when I have a chance!
Timelord on September 29, 2007