binman

By the by Macca i really like racenets form guide lay out. To be honest i don't like doing form online, partly out of habit t i suspect but key reason is i like to mark the form with a highlighter as i do it (things that appeal, horse i select) then mark the horses at the ned of the process i have selected in each race. Another big factor is i do my form on the train often (or out and about) and using the phone is pretty hopeless I find each online form has its strengths but each misses something, for example official ratings - so i often look at multiple sites. I like racing.com's form, but they only have vic races. Punters.com is probably the best i have seen (and actully really good on the phone) till now but race.net is better.

Lets hope my placegetters don't win again

Haven't looked at the races but my preference would always be Ascot. As i have said before i'm wary of races held at tracks like Sunshine Coast. Ascot on the other hand is fair track that is always in great shape and all horses have their chance - even if they have not raced there before or often. Plus Darren Mcaulley is the best race caller in the county in my humble

hold the press

Forwards don't win brownlows, mids do. Wait a minute... what about forwards who cover more ground than most mids, averages 20 plus possessions, takes bundles of marks all over the ground and kicks 2-3 goals a game?

Well, if my memory serves me correctly the 'he' is doctor operating in the Brighton area. That should narrow it down a bit.

I disagree that that the pies will be a better measure than Crows. I don't rate the pies. They are ok but not close to being one of the top teams

Not sure i agree. i think that ATM our pressure will be too much for all but WC, Swans and Tigers (and i think we will have WC's measure). That pressure combined with our how many forward entries we get will be too much for almost every side. Yes our pressure might drop off - but it doesn't feel like it will. And yes the pies play some good contested footy. But i reckon at best they can only match our contested numbers and we have too much offensive power for them. Agree Grundy is a huge plus f them as he is one of the few rucks who will come close matching Maxy. But our mid field is much better so even that factor will be minimised.

The other thing about the who have we played palaver is its only swans, tigers and wc who are 'top sides'. We don't play tigers again so rhat leaves only our games against the other two to 'prove' ourselves.

They were terrific against us i thought. It was clear to me that they would be pretty strong this year.

And a pretty good side in North. A side we had not beaten for years

I like Canberra....

WERRIDEE, i know it might be a little presumptuous of me to ask this but might it be possible for you to let KC from Casey start this thread and then perhaps you post you thoughts after that? There a several reasons. One is that i am a routine person and i have well got used to the routine of KC starting this thread (like joeboy doing the three word analysis thread). Two, it feels more official the thread starting with KC's post as KC sort of speaks for casey. Three i prefer the format of having the actual selected side and match details pinned to the start of the thread (preferably by KC), rather than who you think might play, which to be honest - and at the risk of being rude - i'm not that interested in. Thanks for considering

Looking forward to the DEES GET OUT THE GAFF HOOK headline

Nope. The old mfc has one, maybe two good wins then a frustrating loss against a team below it. The new and improved mfc wins 5 in a row and keeps going.

According to SWYL it is Channel 7 who want Carlton on Friday nights. Big supporter bases, 70's power clubs and all that. Funny business model if you ask me. Perhaps they have confused the words maximising and minimising. As in: CEO: 'i say old chap we should really look to be minimising our critical Friday night ratings'" Old chap to his underling: 'the chief wants to minimise Friday night ratings. Call Gil and tell him to put the blues on Friday nights as many times as he thinks he could reasonably get away with. Don't ask me why, just make the call'

Tony Campbell? shudder

We absolutely should be keeping things in perspective. Agree fully with those that are urging us to do so. Also agree with those pointing out our approach - and in particular goody's - is very measured and calm. From the beginning of the year Goody has,as is his somewhat annoying wont, being repeating certain ideas over and over. One of them is that the team that wins the flag will be the one that learns and develops the most over the whole season. This points to how long the season is, how many tactical and strategic changes etc get made (often subtle ones i suspect) and the importance of having a learning environment. This focus gives me real confidence in Goody and where we are heading. One thing for sure is that does not feel like a false dawn in the way that win many years back against the swans when smashed them at the g proved to be (Rossy biggest loss as a coach IIRC - he said how awesome we would be). Th pieces of the puzzle are in place and we can all see just how good we really are.

Indeed. Zurich have come on board at an auspicious time.

And the north win is looking more impressive very week. Easy to forget that we won that game by 6 goals.

Fair enough. I don't watch Fox, but the few times i have i've seen few vanilla male presenters too.

So have the umpires. There was one trademark Clarry handball with the ball above his head where the umpire said 'that's a handball'or words to that effect - i assume to make clear to players around the pack that it wasn't throw and there would be no free kick or stop in play. Last year he was getting (wrongly) pinged for throwing in such circumstances.

What have you heard? Is it bad? How many weeks? Was it caused by sub standard footy boots?

Who? i call bull dust on this. Kellie Underwood is terrific, an excellent caller and good football brain who was pathetically hounded from Chanel 10 when she first started because people didn't like her voice. Angel Pipos is likewise a good footy brain who knows what she is talking about. Love hearing Emma Quale talk about footy and Caroline Wilson is a gun. Who else is there (sadly a very short list)?

You can ad Kielty to that list.