AFL: Infected with the bug for football and the Magpies

Play tough but fair, without gratuitous violence

Aussie rules is a great game. In Melbourne, it is in your blood. However, it is sad that players feel obliged to mete out violence before the ball is even bounced. A fair bump going for the ball is part of the game. Belting somebody after they missed a goal is offensive. If you did it off the ground, you could well be charged with assault. My dream is that there is no gratuitous violence today. What a wonderful example to the community that would be.

Stewart Peters, Malvern

A desperate hope that the Demons win after all

My hope is that with five minutes remaining to play today, with the scores level at about 20 goals each, there is a stoppage and the umpire counts the players and finds that each team has 19 on the ground. The umpire has a television review and discovers that each team has had 19 players for the entire game. Both are disqualified and the last team to be eliminated (Melbourne) is awarded the premiership.

Kieth Pyke, Frankston

Fans want genuine competition in all matches

I am a Bombers supporter and think it is ridiculous that Carlton does not have a priority pick or two. Greater Western Sydney, Gold Coast and the Swans have received all the assistance over the years, and the Blues have been left out in the cold. Likewise, all the long-suffering Saints and Melbourne supporters.

I enjoy our old rivals being on the bottom – but this is not what you want to see. And credit where credit is due. The Pies have done well and it is good to see old-fashioned loyalty winning out. I remember the Pies' supporters booing Bucks early on in his playing career with them.

Mark Stoney, Anderson

At last, women are able to play the 'man's game'

How dare Mick Malthouse say the AFL is a "man's game" and that women should play a modified game to reduce injuries (Sport, 28/9)? Women have been fighting for decades to play and now, when they finally have the chance, they are told to play another game. I am a big fan of the AFLW's Doggies and find it as enjoyable as the "other" winter season. You may not like it, Mick, but let those of us who do enjoy a great game.

Tim Hoffmann, Brunswick

What's not to love at a VFL match? Try it

Obviously much has been made of Collingwood and West Coast this week, but the spectacular VFL grand finals last Sunday – the women and the men – have been understated. Both games had tight score margins and showcased terrific skills and determination on behalf of all players.

For anyone who has never attended a match in the second-tier league, I encourage them to do so in 2019: minimal noise through the PA system, no animated and scrolling signage, sitting close to the play, seeing rising stars in action, being able to hear the on-field player chatter, and the kick to kick at the end of the match makes it a most agreeable sporting venture.

Peter Waterhouse, Craigieburn

THE FORUM

A day off for the arts

I worked yesterday, on principle, notwithstanding the public holiday. If there were one to recognise and celebrate the National Gallery of Victoria or The Australian Ballet, then I would be inclined to take the day off work. Not everyone is a footy fanatic, including me.

Shaun Miller, Prahran

Family love, and fear

Daniel Andrews supports the grand final holiday because "public holidays should be time to spend with loved ones" (The Age, 28/9). And on the opposite page, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton says that apart from New Years Eve, "the night of the grand final is the worst of the year for family violence across the state". The police expect a 20per cent increase in incidents after the grand final. What a difference a day makes.

Robert Lang, Toorak

Seeking a day for all of us

Angela Smith (letters, 27/9) supports the Prime Minister's suggestion for an Indigenous Day. In fact, we already have not just a day, but a whole week that celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is held in the first week of July and has been in existence since the 1970s. It seems that non-Indigenous people do not recognise NAIDOC Week as something for them to be part of in celebrating diverse heritage in Australia. So when can we have a day the unifies all Australians in celebration?

Trish Thompson, Northcote

It's the people's ABC

Former ABC chairman Justin Milne said: "You can't go around irritating the person who's going to give you funding again and again and again if it's over matters of accuracy and impartiality" (The Age, 28/9). Just a small reminder that it is the people of Australia who fund the ABC, not the government of the day. There are millions of us and we are very angry.

April Baragwanath, Geelong

Alberici's basic error

Why did Emma Alberici, who is an excellent journalist, on the occasion of this particular article, misrepresent economic fact by omission to present a bias against a proposed government policy? To be unfairly misrepresented would irk anyone, let alone a government.

Any company, large or small, is allowed to deduct expenses to reduce their taxable income. The fact they do not pay tax does not, by inference, mean that the government is singling large companies out for an easy ride.

Judith Durrant, Blairgowrie

A bold new approach

The ABC is portrayed as unfair, publicly funded competition to commercial radio, television and digital newspapers. But it is also recognised for going into new areas considered too risky for commercial media. Think youth radio and community podcasts. So maybe this is the perfect time for the ABC to innovate again, and give national space to the community and regional news teams. Give Landline the same status as 7.30, feature community news, pictures, and sports – all areas that the commercial media are neglecting, and areas of real interest to audiences of all ages.

Tom Danby, Coburg North

Diverse 'independence'

In terms of both generous government funding and critical government monitoring, our "independent" schools seem to do much better than our "independent" ABC.

Diana Snape, Balwyn

A tale of two chairmen

My grandfather, William James Cleary, resigned as chairman of the ABC in 1945, after 10 years heading it. He was made of different stuff, however, to Justin Milne.

It was well reported in the papers, and Cleary went on the public record, that Labor ministers were not happy with the ABC's news reporting, but that he resisted the attempts at interference and intimidation. Prime Minister John Curtin complained about an alleged ABC tendency to broadcast material unfavourable to Labor.

In the previous Menzies government, a minister phoned Cleary to tell him to fire a commentator for criticising the government. Cleary asked him if the commentator could criticise the Opposition, to which came the reply that the cabinet was not concerned with that. The commentator was not sacked or muzzled. My grandfather resigned because of political interference and lack of support; Mr Milne resigns because he gave in to political interference.

Peter Woods, Bittern

Knowledge and kindness

Sue Allen (Letters, 27/9), many aged care workers have "genuine patience, empathy and compassion", and are willing to do "demanding physical, mental and exhausting work". However, the kindest workers will deliver poor-quality care if they lack the knowledge and skills necessary to care for frail, older people with complex health conditions. Conscientious, gentle carers will cause harm if they are not supervised and guided by registered nurses with geriatric expertise. Increased staffing ratios will not lead to quality outcomes unless more registered nurses are employed and there are significant improvements in the education of aged care workers.

Sophie Cuttriss, Inverloch

Try one day, Mr Morrison

As a 103-year-old resident of an aged care facility, I can say that Scott Morrison has got it very wrong. The proper training of staff and respect for such a system is the basis of any solution. I am horrified at what is happening to those who are not as lucky as us. I have been in aged care for a year now as I have lost my mobility, but I still retain my cognitive powers. Please, Prime Minister, spend a day in a proper aged care facility.

Ella Ebery, St Arnaud

Impersonally 'personal'

I was a loyal customer of the Commonwealth Bank for more than five decades but finally tired of its constant mishandling of my accounts. Coincidentally, while in the process of closing my accounts, I received the form letter from the CEO, inviting customers to contact him at his personal email address about their unhappy experiences. How stupid was I to believe him? My responding communication was shunted off to "customer care", with whom I have had previous unsatisfying dealings. I feel I have been sucked into a massive, meaningless PR stunt.

Graham Devries, Camberwell

A scheme for the workers

Richard Barnes (Comment, 27/9), the superannuation system is not "fundamentally flawed". As you say, it is an "employment related" scheme. It is is not meant to assist the unemployed or those who have voluntarily taken time off work. If you want a system to assist them, create a new scheme. By the way, no one assisted my father when he could no longer work due to a stroke, except through the pension.

Peter Howell, Watsonia

Look up and keep left

Graeme Russell (Letters, 27/9), VicRoads could update signs but I doubt mobile-toting pedestrians would see them, even if they were painted on footpaths. Perhaps intrusive messages interrupting their social media might be more successful. Sometimes I have to stand still and let these people run into me, rather than change my course and encounter other obstacles. Once upon a time, we walked on the left. It is a pity we have not continued that practice: we could safely deliver these "communicators" to their destinations as they joined the flow of foot traffic.

Sue Anson, Mount Macedon

Expansion of the rat race

Geoff Wescott says "decentralisation to regional locations that are well serviced by high-quality rail are beneficial to country Victoria" (Letters 27/9). I cannot agree. Decentralisation could be a good thing, but the same old "Melbourne mistakes" are being made: characterless, "display home" subdivisions well out of town, increased car use and inadequate public transport.

Ken Turnbull, Maldon

Where the power lies

Donald Trump has shown you can make yourself a laughing stock in the world, but as long as you have armaments and a strong economy, it does not matter.

Lesley Black, Frankston

AND ANOTHER THING

The ABC

All joking aside, Tony Wright (28/9), I've been waiting for the return of Bellbird for 41years.

Vivienne Bond, Warburton

I approve Tony Wright's application as ABC supremo, especially plans to resurrect The Goon Show. We could do with a little levity.

Aitor Orive, Hampton East

Nobbling the ABC: one of the Coalition's rare achievements.

Bill Burns, Bendigo

Make the ABC great again.

Laura De Bernardi, Doncaster

Rupert arrived. Malcolm ousted. Michelle terminated. Justin resigned. Border Force should be more vigilant with visa approvals.

Ross Coulthard, Glen Iris

Please ABC, can we have Lateline and Emma Alberici back?

Gaell Hildebrand, Cohuna

What's so special about Alberici, Faine and Probyn?

Penny Hamilton, Shepparton

ABC, thanks for axing Red. I now laugh and sing to Gold 104.3.

Mary Harmes, Mordialloc

The Liberals' internal problems are as simple as ABC.

Rex Condon, Ashwood

Follow the smell to the source: Guthrie, Milne, Fifield, Turnbull and the hand pulling the strings, Rupert.

David Martin, Mount Martha

Was Guthrie's sacking a failed coup attempt? Was the board seeking a government-friendly replacement?

Kim Bessant, Footscray

Football

It's time to bury the hatchet and cheer on the Magpies.

John Bye, Elwood

I hope the Eagles who flew into Melbourne avoided East Gippsland. They poison eagles there.

Ron Hayton, Beaumaris

It's good that three days of religious observance – Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and grand final Friday – will be enshrined in law.

John Andrews, North Fitzroy

Will it be a public holiday in Perth on Monday?

John Walsh, Watsonia

*Sign up to editor Alex Lavelle's exclusive weekly newsletter at: www.theage.com.au\editornote.