Everyone knows John Barnes is one of the characters around Windy Hill. One of those players who loves a practical joke, one who will take great pleasure out of poking fun at others. But last week it was Mr Barnes himself who was on the end of a practical joke perfectly executed by his teammates. The players were returning home on the bus from their two-day break at Mt Buller last weekend and as usual Barnesy was the centre of attention. But while Barnesy was entertaining some - others were planning his downfall.

Not far out of Melbourne town the bus driver - who has been worded up - announced that the toilets at the back of the bus were no longer working and that he would stop at the Kalkallo pub so players could use the ammenities. The bus pulled over and Barnesy naturally found his way to the front of the queue and was the first off the bus. He took about 10 steps towards the Kalkallo pub when he heard to bus door close behind him.

The engine roared back to life and a stunned Barnes stood and watched as the bus filled with his teammates left him standing there and headed back to Windy Hill. ""It was one of the loadest roars I've heard,"" one insider said. ""It was very funny -you should have seen the look on his face."" The practical joker had been trumped. But Barnesy being Barnesy didn't take long to find a lift and he arrived back at Windy Hill shortly after his teammates. He's now in detective mode trying to find out exactly who came up with the idea. Stay tuned for further developments!!