I thought I’d start off this blog entry by responding to a few of your comments from the last entry. Unfortunately I can’t always answer all of them, but first up thanks to everyone who was so concerned about my health. I’m sweet now and looking forward to taking on the Brisbane Lions tonight.

Jane – whoever the observant viewer was they may have been off on this one, I do wear a ring on my left hand but it’s on my pinky, not the ring finger.

Silky – When it comes to the boots any version of the Predator is a great boot to wear. Adidas make quality boots and I have a few pairs at my disposal.

Nathan – Dayne Beams for Rising Star is a dead set certainty, not to put any pressure on the kid at all. He’s also in my Toyota Dream Team and going great guns!

Allie – The nickname Daisy doesn’t bother me either way. I think it’s just what you get when your name is Dale., A mate back home in Drouin shares my first name and nickname.

Anyway on to the footy and losing to Geelong is no disgrace. At least we did better than in the NAB Cup final, although it may have been impossible to go worse.

Everyone knows how good the Cats are and it’s no secret many expect them to win the flag this year. In the end we were close enough if good enough at three quarter time, but they kicked away in the final quarter.

Overall I think both sides have a lot of improvement left in them after that game and I reckon that as much as it hurt, we will be better for it.

The biggest issue when it comes to tackling the might of Geelong is their depth. Paul Chapman stood up and was the match winner for them this time, but Gary Ablett also had 30 odd touches and if he has a quiet one by his standards, (which I believe is 29 touches) then someone like Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey or Joel Selwood will stand up and hurt you.

Then there is the forward line: Cam Mooney, Mathew Stokes and Tom Hawkins are all capable of kicking a bag. They are a devastating side.

Now that I have said that, it’s also true they have not blown any sides away yet this year, which may be a good thing for the Cats, but not the rest of the comp as they are learning to win tight games once again. Either that or the AFL is more even across the board.

I think it’s a bit of both. The comp is certainly more even than say 10 years back when one or two teams would dominate and others would struggle. Richmond have not won a game yet this year, but they nearly topped the Cats in round two and Hawthorn haven’t started the season like champions.

This week’s game against the Lions is an example of having yet another tough hit out. Brisbane are never an easy proposition, especially at the Gabba.

In many ways the Lions remind me of Geelong, they have guys like Simon Black, Luke Power and young Daniel Rich in the midfield and if one of them doesn’t get 30 plus touches another probably will. Then you come up against a stiff defence and the brilliance in the forward line of Jonathan Brown and Daniel Bradshaw, who is currently the AFL’s leading goal kicker.

Speaking of Brown, I’m also lining up against him in Dream Team this week, hopefully I can make it 8 points over him in a weekend.

I had a bit of a break over Easter and played golf at ‘The Sands’ down Torquay. It’s not the most forgiving course in the world and after starting well I think I lost eight balls in the space of four holes, as well as my temper.

Frustrating game golf and I’m not a good loser. If I had of been using my clubs instead of a mate’s, I may have had a couple less. It made me appreciate what the real golfers were doing at Augusta National on the same weekend.

Dale

It has been brought to my attention that an article was written today stating: “Collingwood’s Dale Thomas is the latest name to be mentioned in connection with the (Gold) Coast.”
 
I want to be the first to say that while the weather and lifestyle would certainly appeal to me, I don’t think that will be happening!
 
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