MATT CRAM: You couldn’t possibly say yes at this stage — no coach could lead the exact same group of players to wins. That being said, there’s every indication Stan, and the whole Myrtleford board for that matter, are in the midst of a very thorough and considered plan which they believe will revive the club, and I’m becoming increasingly optimistic.

NS: The wheels are slowly turning at McNamara Reserve but even if things are moving in the right direction, Saints fans — not to mention their loyal players — would be desperate to taste victory. Another winless season would be hard to take.

MC: It’s too early to worry about the possible effect of a win-loss ratio at the end of a season which is still six weeks from starting.

NS: I thought it was a fair comment — hypothesising isn’t against the law, right? But moving on, wasn’t it fantastic to wake up this morning knowing there’s a game of footy to watch tonight?

MC: Love it. Interestingly, have you noticed a lack of NAB cup nay-sayers this year? I think the AFL might have a struck a winning formula and supporters accept the preseason competition for what it is now.

NS: I think it has a lot to do with the lacklustre summer of cricket actually. I think sports fans have been dying to watch anything other than lop-sided one-day internationals.

MC: Oooo, you really want to sink 50-over cricket, don’t you?

NS: More like put it out of its misery. Seriously, it’s in big trouble. Crowds are avoiding it like the plague and the Aussies are giving their stars extended holidays. I’ll give it five years until 50-over cricket flatlines.

MC: It’s almost indefensible at the moment, but I still prefer one-dayer’s over twenty20. There’s no doubt 20-over cricket, which only takes as long as a footy match, is more attractive to crowds compared to the eight hours you spend at a 50-over game. But think about next summer when England tours: surely you’d rather smash the Poms via some well-crafted Australian innings in the one-dayer’s as opposed to emerging on top after the bang-crash theatrics of twenty20?

NS: That response was as drawn-out as those boring one-dayers.