Arch's arches?

Dear Dan

Just thought I would update you on some team news as this is, no doubt, your first source of information in relation to what remains of our football club.

And the news is the our Glenn (with two ns) is out of the team for your glorious rooturn. Apparently he has a foot injury and is "having scans." I am not sure what the scans are expected to reveal but one must know that it is a proper injury if it requires scanning to determine its severity. I imagine there will be some speculation that this injury is an scheme cooked up to cover an unthinkable omission. Ever since you cut Thommo down with a metaphoric scythe through the knee our Glenn had been playing forward ... but he played 5 minutes there in round 1 and was subsequently removed to the backline where he stayed. It's his last season - it's time for him to not have to worry about an opponent too much, and to kick a few goals for the fans.

The extended bench - I am glad there is an extra 24 hours for the team to be finalised - includes Riggio, Hansen, Trotter, Campbell, Gibson, Sansbury and Green. Josh Gibson would seem the likely replacement for Archer and may allow Firrito to play in the midfield. Riggio has been pretty good, Hansen is still finding his feet (and hands) and Trotter has not been that impressive. I don't think the inclusion of Sansbury or Green really makes us a better team unless there is a specific role for Green.

Disappointingly, the charmed life of Leigh "the Boggler" Brown continues - the only real explanation appears to be that the magnet has been permanently stuck to the whiteboard and no one wants to admit that they can't get it off. Imagine Donald McDonald including that in his high performance report. Urch and Grima are presumably being given another game at North Ballarat to make sure that they do their collective hamstrings at VFL, rather than AFL, level.

Perhaps, we can discuss the Brad Moran issue at another time?

I read during the week that a group of shareholders is having clandestine meetings to consider selling shares out to the AFL ... if this happens it can really only be a matter of time before we don't really have a club anymore. Somehow, it makes it harder to get excited about a game we have a reasonable chance of winning.

See you on Sunday,

Justin