Monday, March 17, 2014: Anyone holding their breath has long since dropped dead

"The top four have got every right to think it's between 11 and one, the rest of us ... I would say we're approaching 11 o'clock. There's a lot of sides approaching 11 o'clock. We want to be progressing through 11 o'clock into it. I don't see any reason why that can't be the case. We've got a very good blend of senior players and we've got a good blend in the middle."
Mick Malthouse, Saturday. 

"It's not a matter of whether we're in the window or not, it's a matter of making sure you win enough games of football. The last thing that'll be on our mind or any players' mind is where's the window?"
Mick Malthouse, Sunday

So that's that then, in only a few hours - and following a game in which they were run off their feet by Port Adelaide - Carlton's premiership clock/window is not so much expired as it is now irrelevant. The entire analogy, after forming the basis of his pre-match press conference, was disposed of with the disdain that Malthouse usually reserves for those he's speaking to (or at least a sandwhich-eating cameraman).





And as much as we enjoy heaping the pain on Carlton, we should remember that this is what round one is really about it; the unceremonious dashing of hope from supporters who actually believe pre-season marketing campaigns. Remember a few years ago when we knew Carlton were coming? That was 5 years ago, anyone holding their breath has long since dropped dead.

Carlton won't be alone. Melbourne supporters who overdid the celebration when their team won a practice match a few weeks back, Sydney fans who lauded Buddy as a messiah, Disciples of St. Kilda's Melbourne Observation Wheel plan and Essendon fans who continually declare that ASADA scandal 'behind them', will all have their hearts broken in the coming months.

We've got so much to look forward to.


Monday Wrap
Friday:
Fremantle 116 defeated Collingwood 46
Saturday:
GWS 99 defeated Sydney 67
Spotless Stadium 1 defeated Lightning Storm 0
Gold Coast 87 defeated Richmond 69
Sunday:
Port Adelaide 120 defeated Carlton 87
Premiership Window 11 defeated Mick Malthouse 6

In the news...
After an underwhelming Sydney debut on the weekend, Lance Franklin is leading the Monday AFL news. Specifically, how did it all go wrong? Gary Lyon shares his thoughts here, while Jeremy Cameron heaped praise on Buddy's opponent Phil Davis.

Carlton's Andrew Walker has been handed a one-match ban for throwing Angus Monfries into the Superdome fence last night. He escaped punishment for a late spoil that left Justin Westhoff on the turf. Full MRP findings here.

Hawthorn's phone-smashing, junior-umpire-abusing coach Alastair Clarkson has signed a contract extension which will keep him at VFL Park until 2016.

In a major development at Smother-ville, we are now on Facebook. No one likes us, but you could. Click here to be first