binman

I was thinking the same thing. As you say he knows this is the last roll of the dice. He sounded completely sincere when he said in the short interview at Perth airport before flying into Melbourne that he would give anything to play AFL football again. I have a good feeling about this. A redemption story. The headline might be: Bennell exorcises his demons at the Demons

Thanks Webber. A couple of questions. I didn't follow Bennll's' effort to get back playing, but my sense is he was training ok but when he ramped it up to get game day ready he inevitably broke down. Am i right in thinking that if that is the case he might have a reasonable fitness base? And i know it is not you area of experise as such but if his calf issue is sorted is there any impediment related to the issues he has had to reaching optimal fitness?

Don't mock his dyslexia

I think we are showing some balls.

From the article: 'Bennell on Wednesday met with the Demons, who put on the full court press in showing him the opportunity in front of him as a half forward at Melbourne. He could see himself fitting in at the club, and felt comfortable after speaking to former teammate May about his prospects. At Melbourne he would also be close to former teammates Dion Prestia and Tom Lynch only a few hundred metres down the road at Punt Road.' Great highlights Dazzler. What stood out for me is how smoothly he moves but most of all how beautiful his kicking is. Perfect technique and arrow straight. Interesting that in that clip most of the footage was of him as half forward, which is where the article suggests he might play with us. Which would make sense given it fills a need and he will take some time to get to his previous fitness (if he ever can). Oh and on that clip, had to laugh with the final comment from Derwayne - "forget the icing on the cake, that is the caviar'. What?

Because so many players want out the door. Sheesh

Good point. If we do lose a fighting loss will be important. And if we win, it is a great start and builds confidence.

That's a good point. We will be as fresh as we are going to be all season. If we only play them once then obviously a pity it is in wa. But if we play the twice then good to get it out of the way early. That said let's hope we get an easier game round two. Imagine the is goodwin the right coach? thread if we started 0-2!

Good.

Your heart is literally beating again.

I'm a firm believer in sarcasm being the lowest form of wit. But I have no floor under my wit. Was an attempt at low wit. I need a sarcasm emoji

Curious use of the word literally

Unlikely to be us. Classic move from a player manager. Keep his/her client in the press, reinforce the message that 'four clubs' are into him (unlikely to be true) and put a little rocket under any club that is toying with the idea of signing him - '' better make your move the dees are doing a MEDICAL'

I remember him destroying us a the G early in his career. Moved beautifully, got a tonne of possessions and from memory he might have kicked a few goals too. I remember thinking how much i would love for him to be be at the dees. If we can get him i'll be thrilled. One because of his talent, but as important if we do select him it means that the club has dome their homework and decided he is ready to contribute physically and mentally ie they are not going to take a punt on him if they think he is a risk from a cultural perceptive

Yeah agree. Just like Yze at the hawks. Everyone bangs on about how great it would have been for the dees to get him to the club. But how did they perform with him the role last year? Yawn from me.

LH, your research and thoroughness in your posts is impressive. One of the reasons why dl is a legitimate alternative for me to mainstream football media.

Yet another sign the dees are a club in crisis - a veritable basket case

On track bias this website is brilliant and highly recommenced: http://www.australianracingreport.com/index.html https://melbournetrackreport.com/track-bias-report.html

For me i guess that what i most most enjoy about punting is doing my form and selecting who i think will win. Like trying to sort out a puzzle. I lose that enjoyment if i follow a tipster's selections (and you're right about Gator, he is pretty good). I like to back myself in. But i do like to keep informed about any issues that impact on how my form analysis - eg track condition, history, how the track might play, race shape, weather etc. And the perspective of tipsters is great for this sort of stuff. I really like BZ and Hutchy for this stuff. On boas i try to be as objective as possible with form and put a lot of stock in weights, rating, record at track/distance/conditions, first and second up form etc. I put weight on the jockey, trainer and a bit on the barrier. And i have a preference for hoses that race on speed. I don't look at time much, to my detriment probably. But all in all i have pretty good strike rate. All of the above howver applies to the punting i do with my mate with our banck. Whan i'm having random punt myself at the pub tab that is all of the window (no time when you are machine gun betting!). I really like the Racenet app you put me onto Macca. Reads super well and their tips are really good. And i go for vibe betteing. Which is a recipe for losing of course.

I had a brilliant day yesterday. Lots of winners and got 41% of the first four in the plate. Could have been even bigger as i as i got a couple of close seconds and had marked broadwayandfourth but went more conservative and landed on Mint something. Made up somewhat for a nightmare weekend over the grand final where my mate and did not get a collect over the three days (save for a few money back for running second and third in Melb and Syd races 1-6 that sportsbet, and other, have - great deal i reckon as it is like an each way bet. Had three yesterday). Had marked the winner of 80% of the races too making but puled the wrong rein each time. On the first four i don't actually like following any tipsters. And i never listen or read any before i do my form. I like to trust my own judgement and find it colors my assessment. Once i have completed doing all my form and mark all horses i think can win in each race i will then sometimes read tips or listen/watch some tipping shows and might use that info in totality to land on on my selection. I was not going to put Calcevivechio in my my first four but was swayed by the views of a number of tipsters and their reminder he was carrying only 49.5. Very please i listened.

Backed loving gaby, purely on price ie overs. Loving gaby has been racing with the best of late and held her own. Bivuoac was the winner on form but the valley can be be a minefield for short price sprinters. So unders I thought. Start poorly over 1200 at the valley and it is very hard to recover. Got caught in traffic and Terry bailey said he had 'beef steaks all around him'. Unfortunate turn of phrase given the news of late. Liked the way loving gaby kicked right at the end. Also snagged greysfull glamour. Good ride.

Another indication of our fitness woes. Hard to raise second and third efforts if you are spent from your first one.

You may well be right. But the fact there is question mark on his ability to reign his instincts and follow instructions (which he arguably didn't do at the dees) make our decision to trade him understandable IMO. I doubt he would have been allowed dance to his own tune at the dees if we didn't have the injuries we did. He would have seen out his career with us at Casey.

It will tighten a little i reckon. Because it is the best horse by a mile. The track will be firm as there has been basically no rain today (so won't chop out tonight) and it will be windy tomorrow, drying out the track and making it hard for leaders (my understanding is Lys Gracieux is very versatile - has the speed to start quick from his wide barrier and get a good smother up 4th or 5th, or can sit at the back and has the brilliance to quicken from the back and make a sustained run over the last 400. Look at out WFA races this spring. This horse is better than out best by panels. I mean Black Heart Bart is carrying 2 more kilos - 4 lengths. Please. Currently at 3.70 which i reckon is well overs. Only the wide draw and the queries about travelling and being first up at the valley (and the massive pool) have stopped it getting into something like 2.50 or shorter. So great value. I plan to launch at it. And a have throw at the stumps in exotica with only internationals, who i think will fill the first four placings. I'm going to get in early and even without having done my form make it my best bet for the day. Moonee Valley: Race 9 number 9 Lys Gracieux @ 3.70

I think you'l find that was one of the issue we had with Frost. The dees didn't want him sprinting out of the back half ball in hand. Not his job. And yet he continued to do it.