Well here we are its another Grand Final week for the Carlton Football Club I have experienced around 17 (Night & Day) during my lifetime for a strike rate of around 66% .

Now my kids have not been to a Grand Final, they were a bit young for 95, 97 and 99, but they are really looking forward to this one.

But I have a problem, I have a long standing invitation from my brother who has invited us to share a weekend at his holiday house doen at Phillip Island for this long weekend.

Now our wives are very close but my brother and I have had our share of ups and downs over the years. They see it as a perfect opportunity to spend some "quality bonding" time together.

However my kids are looking forward to the Grand Final, the first Grand Final they have ever been to - the attraction of the Fairy Penguins ain't cutting it for them.

Who knew that we would make the Wizard Cup Grand Final - when we booked this weekend many weeks ago. Do I let my brother down, or politely?

Customers I find myself in a moral dilemma, I do, spend time with my brother and his family and let my kids down or take them to their first Grand Final.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Argo, go to the Grand Final.. Easter is just around the corner you can go down then. Spending time with your own family (not your brothers) is more important. A family that plays together stays together as they say. The smile on your kids face being at the GF will be a memory you will never forget.

I'm in the same situation, told my brother I will come down to Rye to go fishing on Sat/Sun/Mon but then the GF happened. So I'm going to the GF with the wife and kid and then straight from the dome to Rye only to have a couple of hrs sleep then a nice early start.
Actually go out to Western Port and then out to cowes near the jetty, great spot. If you want to get away from your brother and come fishing let me know...

it six of one half a dozen of the other AGRO but i would go to your brothers place especially if things aren't great between ye- u can take your kids to the real GF in september

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Setanta Ó hAilpín 64 AFL Games 45 Goals

Up the Rebels All-Ireland Hurling Champions 2004/2005

I'd go to phillip island for 2 reasons
1. importance of family, particularly given that there have been previous differences
2. a person should always try to honour their prior commitments whereever possible. Footy is great but at the end of the day, it just footy not something that should prevent one from fulfilling a prior commitment.

Pretty sure you would get coverage of the game down at phillip island and you can always get tapes etc. As for the kids, there will be plenty more grandfinals and premierships for them to watch in future - afterall, we are carlton.

The other aspect for the kids is that you need to impress them the importance of family and commitments (call it ethics/morals/whatever) - I'm sure you make the effort but perhaps this might be a good time/example to teach them about priorities in life?

just my 2 1/2 cents

What is it with everybody's brothers?

Agro if Nick Stevens can make the game i am sure u can.
Besides if u dont u will be letting ur own kids down. Ur brother is a big boy he will get over it but ur kids will hold it over u. Like someone said, easter is on its way just catch up then.

You're a better man than me Agro, since I know how many day GFs Carlton have been in during lifetime (and can tell you the years and who we beat or should've beaten) but I'd only be guessing about the number of night GFs. (I'm sure Tim Watson beat us in one.) So don't go looking at me for advice on resolving your dilema.

As it happens, my oldest is currently on a three week school camp. He'll be missing the Big Night (and I'll be a Dead Man if the video doesn't work), so it'll be just me, my father and my youngest who'll be at Telstra Dome on Sat'dee night.

Agro I am missing a friends engagement to go to the Wizza final. I warned her when I got the invite that if Carlton made it I would be a no show. Lets face it you can catch up with people on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...but grand finals only come round once a blue moon. Imagine how you will feel WHEN we win and you didnt see it?

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I stole Sheedy's Gatorade...

Simple compromise is leave first thing Sunday morning.

You'll still get 2 full days down there.

Win-Win (and hopefully Win for the Blues as well).

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NOW YOU'RE JUST SOME CLUB THAT I USED TO KNOW.

your a smart old bugger- thats a great idea

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Setanta Ó hAilpín 64 AFL Games 45 Goals

Up the Rebels All-Ireland Hurling Champions 2004/2005

Agro what's more important - family or the chance you have to sledge your mortal enemy along with fifty thousand others?

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"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." - Gene Hill

Just do what I'm doing Agro. My wife and I are heading down to the island Friday night with my parents, and after Dad and I play golf Saturday morning, we are coming back for the Grand Final, and then going back to the island on sunday morning. Win Win!

Hell Agro, even I'm going.

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

I'm in the same boat except my conflict is a great ticket to the Mark Knoffler concert tomorrow night.... The man with the Strat or the men with the cup, which one to choose

As for your choice Agro, the relationship sounds rocky so, if it's important to you, take the chance to bond with your brother....... in front of the telly.

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In Bolts we trust.......Until we don't anymore

F..k Philli Island
Telstra Dome is where all the popularpeople are going

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T E A M

Gee Stretford if you don't go to see Knoffler, that'd be money for nothin.

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This might sound extreme in the context of alleged sexual assault, drunken violence and a drug trafficking charge...

So Munga.........

you have to choose what you prefer........
love over gold..........(holds tip of his
nose between thumb and finger....and
makes squinty face...).......!

you must ask one question.......would your
brother.....understand.....!

yes or no......?

if yes....simple.....game sat night....then
drive down sundee mornin........!

if no....simple.....you get there fri night....that
way your well settled in....and can then ask
for one favor.....!

you will make the tv zone yours...and the kids....
and whoever else supports the mighty blues....
can sit around and enjoy......!

surely your brother would at least understand that.....!

me.....well i have to decide stuff too ya know......!

do i feed the cats before i go......i do i let them
starve till i get home.....!

if i feed them to early they don't eat it all.......still
full from breaky ya see.....then the birds come
along and help themselves.........!

i tried buying a big bag of sunflower seeds......but
all that happened then was....they'd eat the seeds....
then move onto the cat food.....!

and there was more of them.....!

freaks.....!


kindest regards tommi

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

...and the really freaky thing about birds eating cat food is when said cat food is bird flavoured i.e. turkey - breeding a race of mutant cannibal pigeons.

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"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." - Gene Hill

O-oh Bee Bee.......

now i'm really freakin out..........!

at least Hitchcock didn't have cat food........!

i don't know what that really means.....
but it sounds scary........!


kindest regards tommi

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that'siti'mnotchangingthistagain......!

Hey guys it looks like we are driving up - post game on Saturday Night, so I can't stay for a post match celebratory drink .

So see you at the Dome.

And if you dont see me you will hear me.

I will be the one booing Demetrispew and Evans.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Excellent Agro.

Tommi that movie traumatised me as a kid - that scene with Tippi Hedren outside the school and the bird numbers that steadily increase-

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"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies." - Gene Hill