Back in the day, a footballer would turn up to training every day, maybe have a word to the media if they were in-form, play a match on the weekend and retire home…but not any more.

With the institutionalisation of Twitter in Australia, football players can now speak their respective minds to the world every waking minute of the week.

While we do love hearing from the men who represent our 18 great clubs, it’s easy to be left bemused by the bizarre things they type, despite being armed with the knowledge that anybody and everybody has access.

With a gloomy Monday ahead, try and enjoy an insight into what happens when you let over 750 AFL listed players (and numberless media personalities!) on the loose with a smart phone, a laptop, and a complete lack of decorum.

Tweets:
Sam Blease ‏ @Sam_Blease
Gotta bit of the one direction fever haha #catchy

Melbourne speedster Sam Blease opens himself up to perennial ribbing with this beauty of an admission about British boy band One Direction. We were all thinking it Sammy, but maybe keep it in the journal next time.

Marc Murphy @marcmurphy3 ‏
Looking forward to @GaryAblettJnr Supercoach score. Putting on yet another display! #three40+gamesinarow #scskipper

Carlton superstar Marc Murphy shows where his head is after Gary Ablett’s stormer against Essendon. We now await the follow up tweet, with ‘Gaz’ awaiting a prognosis on his knee.

Alex Silvagni @Alexsilvagni36 ‏
I’m a horrendous singer @delta_goodrem, but I’ll be on your team!

Fremantle full-back in reserve Alex Silvagni extends his support to ‘The Voice’ panellist Delta Goodrem after her numberless rejections from prospective finalists. Watch out for Zac Dawson’s audition next week.

Adamcooney ‏ @Adam0017
Basil zemplis #whataname #goodnightbasil

Brownlow Medalist Adam Cooney reflects on the other half of the McLachlan/Zemplis Saturday afternoon dream team with a timeless Fawlty Towers reference. Good night Bas!

Kane Cornes ‏ @kanecornes
Im pretty sure all the crows supporters booing chad would have given their left arm for him to be playing for them. Keep booing he loves it.

Kane Cornes repays what must have been years of brotherly protection from the overly aggressive Chad with a shot at the Adelaide supporters who attended the game against GWS. I think he can look after himself, Kane!

The best from the outside:
Jon Ralph ‏ @RalphyHeraldSun
Mitch Clark worth every bit of his $700K a year at the ‘G so far. The blokes taking up the other $8.3m of the salary cap are the problem

Herald Sun journo Jon Ralph provides some free insight on the much maligned Mitch Clark.

If you spot a tweet that catches your eye, feel free to pass it on to @bigfootynews!

We’ll see you next week, don’t stop Tweeting fellas!