There was the horror of knowing that it would be at least six months before I could once again watch a fair dinkum game of football. There was the dismay that once again we had fallen at least one step short of Mecca for the third year running.

On the up-side there was the relief that the turbulent ride that was season 2001 had finally derailed. That and the fact that there were going to be two free kegs at a '30th' that I was attending that night went someway towards comforting this self confessed poor loser. We played like wounded dogs against the Tigers and lets face it, taking a Ratten & 'Koutaless' outfit to the Gabba would have been a waste of airline fuel.

At times I wish I hadn't got so passionate about this great club and envy those that can shrug off a loss as easily as Andy McKay does an oncoming tackler. Phrases such as "It's only a game" and "Winning isn't everything" don't sit well with me when trying to come to terms with the lows that "a game of men in tight shorts chasing a piece of pigskin", can take us to. As much as I would love to watch the Blues play 24/7/365, I'm afraid my general health would deteriorate at a rapid rate.

So we spent the last weeks of the season barracking against Essendon in preparation for our six month vacation. Nothing against the cricket but as much as most of us enjoy this gentle game, it doesn't stir the emotions or reach the level of passion that Australian rules can. By stumps on day one of the 1st test I'd already starting counting down the days until Round 1.

Unfortunately the last two off-seasons have produced their fair share of scandal to add some spice to the summer. The 2000/2001 sabbatical was particular memorable for Carlton supporters with the departure of fan favourite Aaron Hamill, the annual 'will he wont he' Craig Bradley saga, the off-field antics of our President and the University escapade featuring Carlton's answer to Larry, Moe and Curly.

With last years events still fresh in our memories I for one was thankful that apart from the usual trades, retirements and delisting's, it had been relatively quiet in the corridors of Optus Oval during the 2001/2002 break. Meanwhile around us the headlines such as "Drug shock rocks Eagles", "Spider to miss twelve weeks " "Grant Insurance disaster" and "The King is dead" were emerging on an almost daily basis. My colleague and I commented just yesterday about how refreshing it was to have escaped the tabloids.......neither of us were within reach of a piece of wood to touch......the inevitable was to follow.........

As I write the details of Matthew Lappin's last escapade are sketchy but there's enough confirmed evidence to suggest that the club must now take a stance. My initial reaction was comparable to that of a mother who looks at her son through loving (and obviously bias) parental eyes, so naturally I looked for all the excuses:

* The story was run by the Herald Sun and not The Age (Another tabloid beat-up??).
* The story was written by Mark Robinson (See the Bombers fly up, up........).
* The 'victim' was just another nobody trying to make publicity for himself (See the Lappin/Murphy 'abusing the crowd' case). The quote in today's paper from Lappin's victim where he claimed he was "a little bit drunk but didn't provoke anything" was in many ways similar to the Geelong supporter that claimed he "didn't swear as there were children present" and that "he only retaliated after being provoked by Murphy".

Unfortunately even in the best case scenario that all of the above has occurred, Lappin has still overstepped the mark. Twelve months ago we argued the pros and cons of suspending a player found guilty of an off-field discretion and once again our Chief Executive is regurgitating the same old clichés about such courses of action "penalising the team". As much as I believed it then this latest indiscretion has given new meaning to the term "short term pain for long term gain". Anyway, who is to say that suspending a player would penalise the club on field??? I'm sure the 22 players that take the field that day will have extra incentive to show those disinterested in representing the Carlton Football Club what such an honour means to them.

The club can deal with this in house how they like but to repair the damage that has been done, a clear show of strength is needed. All the counselling, fining and community service in the world is not going to satisfy those that are bewildered by the actions of Matthew Lappin. We await the clichéd apology and token remorse but alas they will fall on deaf ears - we've heard it all before.

Even if all that Matthew Lappin is guilty of is self-defence he should still have the book thrown at him for stupidity alone. With all the publicity from last years events still hanging over his head why in God's green earth (Note the clever St Patrick's day pun!) would you put yourself in a situation for such an incident to occur?? My message to the Carlton Football Club is if you are going to take the soft option and just fine him - fine him enough so he can't afford to go out. The average carton of beer costs $30.00, the equivalent amount of beer at the pub will cost you $77.50!!!! Force him to stay at home and drink like the rest of us peasants have to!!

In all seriousness I have waited all day for the 'true' story to be revealed but disappointingly it looks like it already has. It's ironic that up until today the main concern regarding our forward line was how we could get our dream 'starting six' on the park for Round 1.

To be honest if one name in particular was missing; I wouldn't be overly concerned.