Whatever personal motives and feelings people may have on this issue, all the studies and data that I can find make it pretty clear that more guns = more violence, more deaths and less safety.
I think the point was that these louts will one day target the wrong house with the wrong people in it (lets say people of equal or similar vocation) and yes there will be blood but it will be theirs that's spilt. I for one will piss myself laughing. The state of lawlessness in Victoria is a disgrace and something needs to be done. Bail laws need to be revised as matter of urgency for a start as many of these animals are young, repeat offenders in and out of the revolving door justice system we have. Nuffs enuff.
Personally, I've opted for a couple of European Dobermans. Pussycats with us, not so friendly to uninvited guests!!
The rise in violence in Victoria is alarming. But it's not restricted to our state. It's on the rise nationally and even globally.
The Browning 9mm was the first weapon I learnt on in the Navy. Then the SLR17. Then a Remington 700 for Marksman training. But once moving to communications/encryption stuff I had no further use for weaponry. My brother, however (who also served in the Navy) has an impressive safe with serious long guns - all legal of course. Ex military folks often have appropriate training and psych evals to qualify as 'responsible' owners.
But I agree wholeheartedly with Pauly who is 100% right re the availability of guns in the community - more guns, more fatal problems. With a shocking reduction in public safety.
Happens a lot now, we know several people who have had intruders...its getting like South Africa and the USA. Only a matter of time before intruders picks the wrong home. As for these protesters, they block roads, delay emergency services and prevent police from doing other more urgent work by having to babysit these idiots often getting injured performing their duties. Need heavier penalties, Jailtime or a one way ticket out of the country to where ever these problems began.
I have two security guards and my place, John Browning and Pietro Beretta.
Land tax is a rort to cover up for crap government.
With Spring upon us this little black duck went to his favourite local nursery on the w/e only to be confronted by 'For Sale' signs. I know the owner well as I've bought most of my plants from him and we've had some terrific chats. My father was a landscape architect and gardener and owned nurseries in his time. This local, hardworking nurseryman is selling up due to the land tax.
Dead end game granted. When I look at the experience of each team and the lack of consistency we've experienced, I'm bouyed.
In a season where we've had a variety of on/off field challenges, this game shows we've got something to work with.
It wasn't long ago we were overreliant on a few. Had few pushing for selection. And had games where only a few pushed through tough challenges in games. R1 turned out to be a theme for the season. In turn, piling on more pressure and dispersing it across the club.
Whilst far from ideal, these experiences have a knack of sifting the sh"& from the clay. I'm strangely optimistic we have a silver lining soon to emerge.
As far as our kids have performed under such duress, I think we've had more hits than misses. Nobody expects consistency but the effort and perseverance is undeniable IMO. All 7 (?) debutants plus the kids that got a taste last year are showing what they want to bring. Glimpses of mental toughness. Perhaps. The challenge is there for the taking.
It's been a long time since I've seen a crop of youngsters like this. Instead we've had more misses than hits. Think the likes of Jaksch, Boekhorst, SPS, O'Brien, Marchbank ..... quite a trend of misses. For one reason or another.
Anyways. Well done to Frankie, Motlop, Moir, Carroll, Young, HOK, Wilson, and White. IF they keep putting pressure on the seniors, we'll trend in the right direction.
Go Blues
Encapsulated so many previous perceptions mentioned here, sharply.
Love your work, LN. Same page here. Look out for the Bluebaggers in 2026. We'll be ready to surprise.
Still don't get the fascination for Evans, Young & White.
I don't think it's a 'fascination' but rather most of us finally seeing young fellas who offer hope through their enthusiasm, attitude, delivering encouraging results, and the bottom line is we don't know what their ceilings are. We know the ceilings of Fogarty and Durdin.
When we see the palpable improvement in Frankie over the year, well, its taken us all back - from feather duster to peacock!!
Flynn Y was running around for the Werribee Tiggers not so long ago. Take a look at his improvement. Look, just for one example, at his MGd in his last game. Look at his disposal by foot. And the most important question, if he can improve that much in such a short time... What's his potential?
Whitey works his @rse off and gets to, and impacts contests, and provides strong enthusiasm. Great attitude. But of this three he may find himself delisted, then hopefully is rookied as there is something to work with there.
Most folks have mentioned the plusses in the past month or so. I also saw plenty of positives and heard many encouraging things. Very noticeable was few to no passengers. Impressive attitude across the board. Spread and attack tweak to our game plan warmed the cockles. Vossy and on-field leaders didn't shy away from the negatives of the year - at last, but started making changes this year to take us into pre season and 2026. Reality + grounded optimism also warm the cockles. Really impressed with Walshy's comments post game. Leader. Especially pleased to hear him mention adjustments to game plan. Really impressed with Vossy's post game media conference. The only negative... FFS sound people get a fckng mixer and drive all mics through it so we can hear the damn questions!!!!!
To moi 2026 was the year that the band-aids came off, exposing the reality and extent of our problems. They're not bad enough to consign us to a rebuild or abject future failure, just enough to demand attention and strong fixes. There's still plenty that is very good.
Well, I think that the debate over whether we should have taken Flynn Young or Liam McMahon has been resolved.
I felt just a little sorry for Liam as he sat forlornly at the back of the bench; he was on a hiding to nothing against Weiters.
I've always been of the opinion that we had good reasons for not picking him up as opposed to players we picked ahead of him. McMahon was under scrutiny from our list people fo an extended period. They would have known his strenths and weaknesses and how he would have slotted into our team.
But his situation at Essendon in the last half of the season was a little different to the role he would play in a fully fit Carlton side. He was asked to be the main man. In a Carlton side he would be third tall at best and probably not even in the side. At a fully fit Essendon side, he may also struggle for a spot.
Now for the ones we've picked up instead of him at the various points where we could add players-White, Carroll, Evans and Young. Carroll has a contract till 2027 Young and Evans are both showing a bit. I suspect we'll keep Evans. I'd like to think we'd hang on to Young as well, at least for another year. They give us a bit of depth. Frankie may be starting 22 even with everyone on deck. What we need to see with both those guys is how they peform against the really top sides....(and we wont know that until next year now) White's probably in most danger of not being kept on, and that's a bit of a shame because the kid has a really good positive attitude. He's just behind the others with a few tricks
Same page, Principal Lods. I suspect we'll delist Whitey but hope he is then rookied for next year.
I was wrong about Evans and I was wrong about Haynes.
You're not Robinson Crusoe there, BM. An entire barn of eggs on my face after my comments on these two in their early games for the club.
With aggot in hand Frankie showed up Durdin, Fogarty and others... Big time. Terrific disposal by foot and footy IQ, and he hits the scoreboard - how novel for one of our small forwards!!
And Haynesy showed his class and footy smarts down back, consistently.
Mate, by the time he finishes his career, Carlton will be a distant memory and he will always be considered a StK player, maybe even legend depending on what he achieves there.
You could be right, but I have a feeling that it will end in tears ...
Inclined to agree with David on this one... The path of loot over loyalty in strewn with regrets.
Since our game plan has received a 'tweak' (according to Vossy) we've been much better and as David (DJC) mentioned, actually really impressive to watch. Exciting even.
I think one of the great stories out of this train-wreck of a year is George Hewett.
He was absolutely sensational yesterday, and has consistently performed right throughout the year. Would have to be a mile in front of our B&F.
Makes me think back to the middle of last year when he was 'managed' for a few games, which corresponded with us losing all momentum.
Amazing how the guys who fly under the radar can surprise the most. Reminds me a bit of Brett Ratten.
Well said, T.
In a year of inconsistency, disappointment, failure and false dawns/promises there has been one reliable, dependable and constant performer - Georgie.
And a few emerging, potential bright lights for the future including Cooper Lord, Lachie Cowan, the old bloke Nick Haynes, Carroll, HOF and dare I say... Frankie!
