fensaddler

But the rule of 'too big to fail' applies. Victory are too big, and too influential, to be treated like other, smaller clubs. You only have to listen to the commentariat, and the often gushing enthusiasm expressed for Victory. The NSD needs to be very careful of Sydney 58 for many of the same reasons.

Not so fast. They actually came at us up at their place. They are better than just parking the bus. We need to play well.

Saddest about Sulemani. He's 16, 17 at most and a real prospect. Scored for fun in the youth and knocking on the door of the first team. Will be tough for him being out that long, and I was looking forward to seeing him play in the first team.

Some interesting injury news today. Leckie out for 6-8 weeks as had been hinted. We've also lost Arion Sulemani, one of our best youngsters and on the edge of the first team, for best part of a year. Good and Jamieson close to being back.

No, he definitely hated the first half and was much happier with the second. Much more interesting to listen to than Paddy! No 5 in that epic against Adelaide. The most 'hold my beer and watch this' goal that I've ever seen. Tilio's was a better, but the fat Scotsman got a few too....

2. Tilio 1. Bos

That yellow card for Van der Venne was utter bollocks. Nothing in it but Brattan and Sydney screaming for a red.

Why were we worrying? Would maybe have done so myself, but realised too late that trains were buggered.

Second red was a bloke losing his rag and poking his oppo in the eye. Often these things don't get the sanction they deserve, and I was glad he got the red. Need a few more like that. Also glad that dissent from the bench was punished. I haven't got much sympathy for dissent either. Shut your mouth and don't retaliate.

It's long term according to Joey Lynch on Twitter. That sounds like gone for the rest of the season, or most of it, to me. Our best player. And thank you V Line. Can't make it because bus replacements have made it a 4+ hour round trip for me. Probably nearer 6 door to door.

That muffled boom you heard was the Mariners season imploding.

My missus did. Didn't bother to write to me... Knows I'll be there.

For the days when you could give the little buggers a clip round the ear and their parents would thank you...

Weather looking OK, not as feared and forecast a week ago. Lots of coverage re the Pride Round. Hope that gets the positive reaction it deserves.

Another oldish bloke here shares your sentiments. Having seen the Trent End in action from the far end as an opposition (Walsall) supporter I know exactly what you are on about. And I crave an ounce of the spontaneous passion and humour that I recall from the Street End at Walsall. We come from a different fan culture, and as such don't understand why active support needs to be organised. Just turn up, gather with the other noisy buggers and sing. Doesn't need megaphones or tifos. Bring your own flag, drum or ukelele if you want to. Also agreed re these wannabe ultras. I remember the eighties in the UK and the associated violence and hooliganism. I remember being herded about as if I was a dangerous invader, and having to jump over walls, run away and hide, and constantly watch my back. Can I say this bluntly. WE DO NOT WANT TO FUCKING GO THERE. Kids won't listen of course. Some always want to play with matches and then wonder where the fire came from and why they have no house anymore. I share your sad ambivalence and even recent memories of the warm, noisy, funny atmosphere we had even a few years ago, and in the Heart days. I don't want to be Victory. I don't want to be anything like fucking Victory. That's why I chose Heart back when I arrived in the country in 2011. I want us to be us, because we're a fabulous bunch of supporters, at heart. Too many gone, too many disillusioned. Good, genuine people who have even given up this season. I feel a genuine sense of mourning for what and who we have lost.

Unfortunately noting that the clubs posts mentioning that this is the Pride round is already starting to attract comments from the less tolerant members of society. Mind you, they're saying they won't be there, which suits me fine.

Thank you. Then there is hope of some sense prevailing!

And there we go. Mariners pick up only a point, and WSW and Adelaide play out a very entertaining draw. We lose, and we're still seven points clear, a game in hand, and far enough ahead in terms of goal difference to add another point to that. For all that others are getting better, and we aren't at our best every week, it's going to take a lot for anyone to catch us. It's the league that counts, finals are now hugely devalued. And it's the league that gets us into Asia.

Unfortunately that was the storm protocol for risk of lightning strikes I think. Not sure we're as careful with mere heat exhaustion... But I hope you're right and sense prevails...

2 Leckie 1 Bos

One emerging issue for this one already, the weather. Peak of 36 or 37 currently forecast, and with a late afternoon kick off, it's going to be stinking hot. I don't relish it, and I doubt the players will. APL have no record of responding by altering times, so I guess we're going to be stuck with it.

Looking like one of those weekends when almost nothing goes to form. Could end up not much worse at the end of the weekend than we started.

Hold my beer @haz

All over now.

Hold your beer...