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Gosh, for a moment there I thought you had too much fruitcake over Xmas and were talking about Lewis, then I remembered to scroll up.

For unknown reasons, players that do an ACL at less than 18 are a very high chance of redoing the same ACL (almost 40%). Maybe the fact they are still growing makes it weak. The second ACL injury repair is usually a lot stronger. So here’s hoping it is like Max who also did his first one at 17 and second at 20.

Lord has arrived. Mrs Worship is a little peeved her Gussy hasn't appeared yet, even though they were purchased at the same time. Actually it's unusual for her to be only a little peeved.

I agree that the lack of 2 or 3 players with genuine line breaking, burst speed is a weakness. It’s the main reason why it would be so beneficial if Hunt was able to improve some other areas of his game and force his way in. The promising news is that a couple of senior players have told me that Toby Bedford is the new recruit that has made the biggest impression amongst the playing group up until Christmas and they believe he will play some 1’s in 2019.

EIGHT REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT MELBOURNE 1. MAY BE CRUCIAL 2. OTHER RECRUITS 3. NEW LEVER 4. BEST LIST 5. TOP MIDFIELD 6. MORE VINEY 7. WONDERFUL WEIDERMAN 8. SCORING POWER

I think we've pretty much got our list now and can't see us making a play for another big name unless one of ours moves on. Maybe with Lewis moving on and Jones nearing the end we might have some wiggle room. To keep this list together would be the primary goal and it's going to get more expensive with Oliver an AA and others like Brayshaw heading the same way. Time to get back to the draft and maybe see how a FA might fit at the right time...but as with Gaff this year the bidding price is going up sharply for these players (desperate clubs like North & the Saints are pushing the market too high)and way over their value to my thinking.

The truth is that we are all the same at any age. We act on our basic instincts. The 'Me' generation can include anyone of any age. The selfish gene can afflict anyone, anytime. Millennials = Baby Boomers and anyone else in between. We forget what we were like when we were young - or perhaps we go into denial as we age. Oldies pointing the finger at the young is hypocritical.

Sorry but our ancestors were Irish. I can spell anything any way I want.

there is only one reason to get excited and we will have to wait about 9 months for that everything else is fugazi

I’m really looking forward to the likes of Hunt and Kolodjashnij forcing Lewis out of the 22. They are the future.

No love for Melksham? I think we need to enjoy the Milkshake for a few more years also. Sign him up.

I am hoping Lewis has one more hungry season. His experience at BEING THE HUNTED will be crucial to the whole side going up that 2 or 3% which we will have to do.

Number 6 has me more excited than anything else.

Interesting that you attacked me and not my opinion. Also interesting that you labelled me with entirely lacking self awareness, when you probably don't know the first thing about me. Anyway, I said it was only an opinion and a very hard argument to win.

Bit of a nothing article. I was hoping it was Gary Pert’s Template to resigning the 27,000 elapsed members from over the past 10 years. 27,000 Demons were Members and dropped off. Get them back and we are into the 70,000s. 5 years 100,000 is attainable IF the team consistently perform as a Top 4 Club and can pull of the Premiership(s). Tall Order. But that is what the game is about. Winning Cups and Honouring the players and Coaches who make it happen.

Lever is a concern to me. I know how good he can be, but those knee joints have to be a concern. This years injury was so out of nothing. I wish him all the best, but i also remember Lee Walker. Stephen May is pivotal. Having not watched a lot of Suns games, i am fascinated to see how he intergrates

There's one where he's wearing a Dockers jumper. An act of rash stupidity that a number of young men these days unfortunately indulge in.

I didn't know Redleg played basketball for Australia. ?

I think its the other way. I think this generation behaves BETTER as a result of knowing everything could be posted on the net for everyone to see. We just see more misbehaviour because we see all of it and not some of it

The 'me' generation that has to spend 12 times the annual median income to afford a Sydney house instead of x4 like in the 70's. Additionally you have to factor in lower mortgage interest rates, higher saving rates, lower educational debt etc. C'mon mate. The baby boomers had it easy compared to today. They are the entitled generation, if any.

Being the Hunted is totally different to where we have been. It was 55 years since we came through on that one. Lewis knows how to prepare and break through

This is the biggest myth who in our midfield group would u say is slow

Troy's short life and developing career were celebrated a few months later at our first match of the season, under lights vs Essendon at the MCG. I'll never forget the eerie silence that enveloped the MCG during the pre-match that evening. For many of us, I think it was the first full realisation of what had happened, not just to Broady, but to the many thousand others who lost their lives in the tsunami. The Dees had an easy win, and dedicated the victory to Troy ..... very fitting1 I also remember the great work done by the MFC in building a new school on the Phi Phi Islands in Broady's memory. Many of the players of the day gave up their time to assist with the building project. RIP Broady. Never forgotten.

The author of the article is a [censored]. I love Jones, but he is far from our most important resigning, as is Ablett at Geelong, by putting ageing veterans in his most important signings takes away a lot of credibility

Back in my day we ate steel and farted nails.

Probably true. But seems like this available technology has pushed “ fame” or getting likes on Facebook or twitter ahead of any kind of moral code.

Unlucky @Macca with your pick. Made up an enormous amount of ground.

3 of the first 5 winners to Craig Williams ... he's on 2nd favourite Demolition in race 6 and the favourite Creedence in race 8. Having a day out. Cash Affair jumped slowly and got too far back - ran 2nd and got home well. Weir mentioned that settling midfield was the ideal spot. Winner too good, all the same.

Eagle Farm to host Deja Vu race? Here is the race in question ... Eagle Farm Race 3

Cheers Macca, haven’t looked at final fields yet, back soon with another. Edit: We’ll go with Flemington Race 6 Number 6 - Order Of Command $2.40

Nariko scratched DZ ?

Best Bet Flemington Race 5 No.5 Cash Affair $4.60

Best Bet Morphetville Race 7 Number 10 Nariko $4.00

A few decent betting races for the weekend with the Group 2 $400k Ted Van Heemst Stakes being the standout race from Ascot ... Galaxy Star ($1.65) probably wins with Willie Pike on board but Material Man & Gatting could both give a good sight. Out of those 3 you'd reckon with Perfect Jewel & Prying Tom running on perhaps. The Ted Van Heemst Stakes is the often used lead-in race to the Perth Cup (to be run on 5th Jan) Also of interest is the December Hcp from Warwick Farm - just the one turn over the 1400m as they run out of the Shute at that venue - as illustrated here Ted Van Heemst St - Ascot December Hcp - Warwick Farm Christmas Hcp - Morphettville Open Hcp - Flemington

FFS. Take a valium.

Great post Steve. I believe it's questionable however as to whether it was intoxication that was the cause of Maxy spewing on $cumbag. I think it's just another example of good judgement.

Well @Dee Zephyr , Aloisia ended up running second in the Villiers Stakes and very nearly won at big odds ... my place chance Goodfella wilted late after having to cross the field early from a wide barrier. 'Sky Boy' won the race as expected and looks a very likely prospect. And your choice 'Invincible Al' was very unlucky in the Sprint at Flemington. Whispering Brook too good though ... as was 'Victorem' in the Lough Neagh Stakes at Doomben. 'Arcadia Prince' won the AJ Scahill Stakes at Ascot - it is a full brother to 'Arcadia Queen' so another horse to look out for if they bring the horse East. Australian Group & Listed Races Best Bet Strike Rate 69: 23 - 9 - 10 And here are a few stories from yesterday's racing ... Weir Declares War on Bookies with Four at Flemington Houtzen Smashes Clock in Record-breaking Win Accession Steps up in $500,000 Inglis Nursery Unbeaten Zoustyle Something Very Special Emotions Pour Out as Sky Boy Wins Villiers Stakes

Yep ... when in doubt form-wise at this time of the year, trust the ratings. Aloisia falls into that category along with 'Most Important' in the 'Lough Neagh Stakes' at Doomben However, Most Important is racing well and has a very good rating ... it's probably the only true WFA horse in the race and at 10-1, is over the odds you'd reckon DZ.

think your on the money here

Not a bad race at all for this time of the year Macca, didn’t look at the fields until late in the week. The gentleman was more hopeful with Aloisia than extremely confident although the horse seems ready to fire. As you stated it hasn’t been that far away recently. I noticed 3 of our previous bests are up against each other in the last at Doomben. I’m A Rippa/Niccanova/Prioritise Can’t see Prioritise troubling the other 2 after last week’s effort but it’s a decent price and maybe one for the wider exotics.

Yeah it's a good race the Villiers Stakes tomorrow DZ ... was looking for a value runner to include in a Box-Exacta so 'Aloisia' it is then! The horse hasn't been far away running against some very good company in Group 1 & Group 2 races so it has decent claims. 'Goodfella' is a particular favourite so it goes in. If the favourite 'Sky Boy' is run out of a place in the Villiers then the exotic dividends will pay extra well. That's what I bank on although I will still include Sky Boy. Have followed a similar path in the singular feature races at both Doomben & Ascot as well as the 1100m Sprint at Flemington where your choice 'Invincible Al' is running. Those are my 4 standout plays tomorrow.

Small world Macca. At my daughter’s primary school graduation tonight I met the father of one of her friends and he’s into horse racing. He’s part owner of a few and one is running tomorrow against Goodfella. Her name, Aloisia. He seems to have some good types. Will post when they are running.

Best Bet Flemington Race 7 Number 9 Invincible Al ( Each way) $6.00W $2.20P I think the horse is due for a change of luck. He’s a good place price. Picking it each way as I think he can finish top 3. Also think he can win.

Best Bet Randwick Race 7 No.11 Goodfella (Place Only) $3.70

Found 4 decent betting races for the weekend in 4 different States ... one sprint race with the other 3 races ranging from 1350m up to a mile. Some good types in all 4 races. Randwick - Villiers Stakes 1600m Group 2 Ascot - AJ Scahill Stakes 1400m Group 3 Doomben Lough Neagh Stakes 1350m LR Flemington Open Hcp 1100m

Some great racing at Sha Tin today with Beauty Generation, Exaltant & Mr Stunning all winning in fine style - read more here Australian Group & Listed Races Best Bet Strike Rate 67: 23 - 8 - 10 Replay - Kingston Town Classic

Cheers Macca, never pictured 4. The wife’s definitely the stronger one. Still amazed to be honest and pretty cool to have 4 little Dees in the house. Best i go and update the total in the membership thread ?.

Congratulations DZ ... 4 tackers! You're a marvel ... actually, your wife is the marvel. Great news and all the best mate. 4 little Demons running around - there's hope for the club yet!

Wow, exactly Macca. What a win! New bubs arrived this afternoon and didn’t have any time to watch the races but managed to catch this one on the phone. Spectacular win. Well done on The Velvet King pick too. Just watched the replay of my pick. The two favourites seemed to have cut each other up at the front and mine didn’t give a yelp. Will try and put something in Monkey Business as well.