ROUND 1

(excuse the highlight of my own name ... it was a screen grab from my own login.)

Patrick has just declared from the sink, 'Gee I'm enjoying my time up the top. It will be short lived.'

The jockeying has begun. Already after Round 1, we find ourselves divided as a community, sorted into individuals. We journey alone now. After Round 1, there is pride mixed with fear; disappointment mixed with determination; doubt, doubt and then hope; the even temper of marathon mind.

Fitting that John of the Backpocket finds himself on the top rung of our ladder. Newcomer Jack, possibly the most exercised 'footy brain' among us, is clearly motivated by coming from behind. Recidivist wooden spooner, Richard, is reaching for the oxygen tanks, unaccustomed as he is to such heights as tenth. Defending Champ Lyndon is nicely positioned in third - although he has much bigger things to think about, such as how will his beloved Cats deal with losing and ... who will replace Scarlett when they front up to Hawthorn this week? Lucas has struck a healthy ninth in his first year alone - striking out from Mum Sally. Perfect that a Tigers supporter should find himself in ninth! For the rest of us, it's elbows out and bustle, bustle.

And I'd like to know ... did anyone tip Port Adelaide??

As for the J@TS Round 1 Margin Trophy, it would appear that three of us are in contention: Myself and Lyndon, with 64 and Cath with 62. I trust Tony will put us all in his backpocket and let us know who makes it out first.