G'day and welcome back to it all, folks. We've been through the mindless searing wasteland that is the Season Without Football and, while still stranded just on the wrong side of highway, so to speak, we can almost see the Sherrin again. 

It was tempting to put finger to blog a couple of times over the last few months, just to crap on about something, really... and the annual Dockerland shutdown had me venturing into virtual spaces that are, perhaps, best left for discussion among trusted friends and allies, those who understand arcane rituals like passing the ball backwards to go forwards and the like. It's that dynamic I thought I'd tip the lid to today... hence the title.

Before I do, though... I trust everyone had a decent festive season, not least of all Shane. The effort that must go into this place has to be considerable and I know everyone who visits appreciates it immensely, while a few of us took the opportunity to put thought to page in the thread announcing the holiday closure there's no harm in acknowledging it again, here... well done Shane, and thanks for making this place what it is. A pleasure, an addiction and a conversation.

I was a bit of a late arrival to the internet. I read somewhere, back about 8 years ago, that if you didn't get yourself onto the information superhighway (remember THAT term?) within a few years, you'd miss out... so, in the best easily led consumer fashion, I shot out and bought the first big assed computer I saw and did some courses...as a lot of us do, I s'pose. Through trial and error, you learn what works and what doesn't, you negotiate all the hype and must have this, don't buy that flying around and eventually settle into some sort of pattern regarding your computer usage and internet dependance.

I visit a few different websites and one thing is consistent... the thread of conversation that we all share. I find myself morphing some conversations from real to virtual world and vice versa... I find, especially here, that a lot of the web based stuff enhances perception and knowledge although you have to be honest and admit there's a truckload more kraptonite floating around cyberspace than you'd ever have the misfortune to encounter in the physical world... I hope.

Anyway, the hiatus is coming to a close and we are about to set out on another season of hopes, dreams, aspirations and laughs... along with frustration and disappointment. Let's not kid ourselves about the last two while we stretch our sweaty, grasping fingers out for the first lot, eh? I've got the slow burn of early excitement settling in already... enthusiasm for the game, interest in the young blokes and the shape the club is taking on under a different regime. We've just been through a massive turnover of personnel when you think about it... management, players and coach.

So, a new year, new season, new things left right and centre... but one thing's for sure, we'll have our conversation.

And, of course, there will be plenty of this....