Dr. Gonzo

Hackett was demoted to.....I don't know what he does now. New playcaller since Bills game, Browning? Downing? Offense has been slightly better since the change but the O-line just stinks, Breece Hall is almost being tackled before getting the handoff most times. Defense isn't great either, they fixed the run defense slightly against the Steelers but the corners (with Reed out) were horrible. Gardner is having a poor year, being targeted more often and giving away way too many PI penalties. Hopefully Reddick will help if he can put pressure on the QB but who knows what shape he is in after missing half a season.

AND willing to take on his salary?

What a horrible night for Tampa, Evans tears his hammy (he was already suss with the hamstring last week wasn't he?) and then Godwin mangles his leg with the Bucs still playing starters when the game was basically done. Can understand the game was still technically live but it doesn't make it any easier for Tampa fans. Falcons in the box seat in NFC South now could almost wrap it up with a win against Tampa next week.

Your old DC is looking for work, Saleh could return to the 9ers next season. I think Shanahan is overrated, outsmarts himself too often and really he will never live down the 28-3 SB until he wins one. But it's pretty rough to go too hard on him this year considering the number of injuries. Just having CMC out meant they were pushing it uphill but compound that with the emergency ward of injuries and it gets pretty difficult to compete with the best in this league. Hoping they can hold off the Seahawks for the division, they already have a tie breaker against them and get them at home again. I actually prefer the Seahawks but have a multi on with all division winners and SF looks like the one that will cost me (a chance Steelers also upend the Ravens but unlikely).

The Lions Vikings game was incredible. I admittedly watched the 40 minute condensed version but the speed and intensity of both teams was noticeable, felt like a playoff game if not an NFCCG. I'm on the Lions for the rest of the season, very fun to watch and their tortured fans deserve some success. Goff going from near,-bust #1 pick to MVP contention is a great story too. Still paying 7-1 which are juicy odds, Lamar probably the only other one in contention at the moment. I don't see it (yet) with Stroud and Mahomes has been average. Allen or Burrow are smokeys if they get on a good run in the back half of the season.

Native android tv app seems pretty good. Perhaps try a chromecast if you dont have android/google tv?

Probably explains it, screen is only 55", about to increase to either 65" or 75" so will see if I notice the difference.

I thought at least one parent had to be born in either Asia or Africa? Or have they changed it again? The academies are a rort anyway, just brought in to appease the Pies and other big clubs who weren't happy with the northern academies (which are also a rort). They need to get rid of club academies, develop proper pathways for kids to play footy regardless of background and even up the draft. If that means getting rid of father son priority then do that too.

The problem with this theory is it discounts the actions of the main players, ie the club and it's players and their public statements. If there was nothing to the Petracca rumours, they could've been shut down in a split second with one public statement. If there was nothing to the Oliver rumours they could've been shut down in a split second with a public statement. The fact neither Petracca or Oliver spoke publicly until it was clear there was going to be no trade done and the story had been allowed to feed on itself for a week or more (especially so in Petracca's case) speaks volumes. I don't doubt what you're saying about the media and especially these types who feed off the rumours and off field drama. That doesn't necessarily make them wrong though. Another part I think youre discounting in this dialectic is the club supporter who won't hear a bad word about the club and passionately defends them to the hilt. This feeds into the cycle you've mentioned because it invites continued debate/discussion (for want of a better term) particularly on social media. So these mongers as you've coined them throw fresh meat into the water and watch the two opposing groups of supporters go at it. My position is I don't trust these new age media types and find them all pretty cretinous. I also don't discount everything they say just because they are the ones reporting on it. I consider their story and then look to see how the club/the other actors in whatever the story is react to it. If they let the story fester and refuse to publicly deny allegations, especially when they are as charged as a clubs best player who is signed to a long term deal wanting out of the club, then I conclude that yeah, there probably is something to the story. I love the club, I don't always love it's administrators. They are human and prone to faults or sometimes just not up to the job. That doesn't make them bad people it just means they are not the right people to lead the club (or maybe they were but have overstayed their welcome). When things stack up over a period of time then you have to ask questions and hope those who are in positions to actually hold them accountable do so. Supporters should demand success and part of that is not accepting management that has presided over poor governance, culture or whatever otherwise the club is doomed to fail. Edit - also I was never worried about Oliver leaving, I was about Petracca but quickly realised no club would satisfy a trade. These may come to fruition in 12 months they may not, but at the end of the day my concern was more with WHY they wanted out of the club rather than whether they would actually leave.

I cannot believe this Jets team. First Rodgers with the interception and then Garrett Wilson dropping a catch that bounced of his pads and returned 1 yard short of the end zone 🙄 Doing well with my tipping though, only one I got wrong so far was KC, and only missed 3 last week. Picked up $200 on a multi today so that helped alleviate the frustration of the Jets. I can't believe I didn't go with Cousin Sal's special Steelers down at half time and win the game, I stay away from Jets games but this one was ripe for that kind of result. We can sign Rodgers, Adams, Reddick whatever, it doesn't matter this team seems cursed. Probably need to look at the lines, especially the o-line but that won't help with the dumb play and stupid penalties.

Yeah, I'm his mum. 🤫

The situation was bought upon the club by our own actions, whether Pert/board/FD whoever. Oliver was not disgruntled until we started shipping him around behind his back for the 2nd year in a row. You want to talk about destabilising, look at the governance of the club.

No, it's DEEmocracy 😉😂

Big week for the favourites last week AND all the big favourites covered I believe. Wonder if that will continue this week or we'll see revert back to a few upsets.

Broncos Bengals Lions

There are none so blind as those who will not see. You can go along with your head in the sand or you can admit that there are issues and hope the club gets on the right track so they can succeed. Clubs with this level of dysfunction rarely (if ever) succeed. That is what I want, a successful MFC. I don't care about the personalities, I want the club to succeed.

I don't slag off at everything, I've applauded the club over recent years and backed Goodwin to the hilt during 2020 when many wanted him gone. I did waver briefly in that 2020 offseason but took a "wait and see" attitude to 2021 which worked out well. I've often had "discussions" on here with others (won't name them) who were ready to blow the place up because success didn't come along quick enough based on how the process was playing out and could see we were on the right track despite those results not coming quick enough. I've also said many times on here that this administration/coaches have the runs on the board and deserve to be given the benefit of the doubt. Well to me, those doubts are now becoming reality and the ongoing leaks and issues out of the club mean those in charge need to be held to account. Things can keep on keeping on as they are but success won't happen if that's the way we want to let things play out. When the "cultural issues" (can't say more due to DL policy) are so prevalent, when the performance dips, when key players want out of the club, when the club is consistently leaking to the media - questions need to be asked about the current administration and leadership. It's laughable to say I'm the kind of supporter who is negative for negatives sake, I've been posting here for probably close to 15 years (🤯) I was very negative during the Neeld/Schwab years, was far more positive during the Roos/Jackson/Goodwin years and even up until late last year. What has happened over the last 18 months (not just onfield results) is alarming for those who want and expect the club to have good solid governance and leadership that will lay a foundation for sustained success.

We'll said layzie, you're often the voice of reason (and levity) around here mate, love your work 👍

I have no inside knowledge or contacts but I am able to see the fallout from those cultural issues which play out publicly and are reported on. Someone trying to play down those issues which are publicly known based on people within the club saying "nothing to see here" is fanciful.

To be fair, they wouldn't have much of an idea of any cultural issues which might be prevalent within the board, senior admin, FD or playing group.

I included it because it is emblematic of the cultural issues so many want to excuse under the current leadership. Btw we didn't finish top 4, the season doesn't end after round 22/23/24

I'm saying the culture is not as great as the club wants to think it is. To be honest I don't really care about those other clubs but yes, the culture of Collingwood in 2017 was a disaster too. Who was CEO there at the time? Keep your head in the sand Katrina, the club loves supporters like you who forgive every indiscretion of the club and every poor administrator we've had, supporters who clap the team off when 10 goals down at half time. I want to see a successful MFC, that doesn't happen when you sweep massive issues under the rug and don't hold those in charge to account.

You're right, it is normal for a player to be investigated by SIA for trafficking, other players to be implicated based on the messages found on his phone, a star player to go off the rails, another star player wanting out, players punching on in public, multiple leaks coming out of the club, a President stepping down after a disastrous radio interview after hearing not a peep for months, multiple court cases ongoing some with former administrators, serious allegations about the coaches behaviour in public and with the playing group - did I miss anything?

Having King Henry at RB has been huge, he is an absolute beast. He's the reason I had more than a passing interest in the Titans for a few years and with Lamar at QB I think they'll topple the Chiefs in January.