binman

I think you would find most coaches and clubs would happily not play any of the AFL sanctioned pre season games, precisely because of the risk of injury. The pre season games are icing on the TV right's cake. Here's my tip. the AFLX will, from next year replace all of the pre season games. Clubs that want something close to a dress rehearsal will play modified intra club practice games (eg short quarters, 8-10 on the bench, using VFL players to fill teams etc etc) though i suspect some won't even do that. Because of the reduced risk of injury to players clubs, whilst no doubt preferring to play no pre season games at all, will likely prefer to play AFLX games only to a normal pre season games

I for one am looking forward to it. More interesting than the jlt pre season games. In terms of injury risk again i point out the aflx fixture replaces one jlt game. Only 14 players ate playing not 25 (with only 10 on the field) mean8ng less playets who can get hurt and more scope for not playing specific players (eg you can rest all talls, something that would be hard in the jlt). Also the games are shorter. So all in all less injury risk.

Hasn't Lyon quit Footy classified (or perhaps was shown the door) ?

I'm not convinced. You have form on this thread.

Could not agree more. In this day and safe it is simply ridiculous to have such a poxy website. Made worse by the lack of any half decent content. Our you tube channel is even worse. I know pj has focused on the FD but he has dropped the ball - or more accurately never picked it up - when it comes to the increasingly critical digital platform and video content. Bad business and a lost opportunity to engage with new young fans. Kids these days watch online video content not tv.

Except the clubs who pay bucket loads for their data. But what would they know?

Insert why can't we have both gif

Hawkind?

Particularly if the camera has a confirmation bias lens attached......

From burgos day 2 diary: Simon Goodwin watches over training with eye-eagle intent, and gives strong reinforcement – positively and in an educational manner. “Great power,” he says with genuine excitement of Oscar McDonald’s play.

Going by the photos on the mfc site hogan is lean and in fantastic shape. His body shape looks more like that of a mid than power forward, which fits with comments he might play more as a mud this year. Scary thought for opposition mids.

I hope he does go up a level. He fell away last year. I would love to see him be a bit more aggressive with his kicking and running. Take the game on a bit more

Agree. Used to love it. Loved the diff types of players with my favorites being the serve volley players. Also liked players with a good touch. Too much power tennis these days

Backhand. Forehand.. Forehand. Backhand. Winner.

Yes, agree. Tennis has to be the worst sport in the world for radio. Just behind motor sports. I have actually listened to golf on an internet radio stream (majors where i haven't been able to watch on TV) and found it actually works quite well. Sort of like test cricket, but with the hushed tones of green side commentators.

Who will listen to radio coverage of the Super Bowl? Bizarre decision.

I really like Waterhouse trained horses in Sydney, but more so 1400 meters and above. I love that they are mostly front runners as you always get a good sight and there is no doubt that taken in totality horses that race on speed win more races. I hate backing a horse that gets caught in traffic or cop interference, which is obviously more of a risk for back markers. Front runners also even out the skill difference in jockeys (because jockeys at the front just have to focus on tempo, not weaving through traffic or timing their run), allow a jockey to control race temp and crucially in Spring ensure they are better placed on those days where there is a leaders bias (which seems to be happening more often).

Ta

Happy to have horse racing only thread.

Agree on name change of thread. A few years back i started a punting thread but got no traction so haven't bothered. I saw this one and assumed it was out of date. I love the horses but largely focus on the Autumn and Spring Carnivals. I also like footy betting, the line mainly. Autumn carnival is my favourite carnival. It stretches from aprox next weekend through to Easter, with ours first and then Sydney (and obviously their Autumn carnival is much better than their short Spring Carnival) whereas over Spring they overlap meaning big outlays. Also i find the form is more reliable over Autumn. In Melbourne there are smaller fields than Spring but importantly the form lines are much more reliable and easier to line up, with many horses coming through the same races. Also the consistently firm tracks help and some horses just like this time of year more. In Sydney the wet tracks make picking winners easier as it they knock out half the field. The Spring carnival is a lottery. The odds on futures are tempting but realistically they are always super weighted in the bookies favour given how many horses don't get to their GF. I only ever take them a week or so out, and even then not very often. Actually the only race i really look at for futures is the Blue Diamond. I liked the fight Long leaf has been showing but Olivander also appeals with how it has been running on.

Have to agree, unfortunately. I'd add bringing back viney too early (might have cost us finals) and the muddle they got themselves in down back by dropping frost at the end of the season. Yes Frosty's form had dropped off but at a crucial time dropping him completely unsettled the backline (for whom synergy is critical) and forward line with tmac having to go back. Making things worse was tmac was poor down back, particularly against the pies. Again you could argue that call cost us a finals spot given we missed them by such a small percentage. In hindsight picking watts at the end of the season was perplexing given no doubt the decision had been made to trade him. Probably the right call given finals on the line but that also reinforced we were trading a key player. What would happened if we had made finals and heaven forbid won one? Still trade him?

Some good points. A couple of comments. Agree lever is the 3rd tall. But i don't think we will really play a lock down defender and will continue to predominately rely on a zone. That said agree that frosty, kielty et al are the muscle and will take the big boys. The other comment is the goal is clearly to have tmac up forward on a permanent basis. But just as they did last year he will go back if required. We have weed, smith and Fritsch who can replace him up forward.

Oh yes, simply hilarious old chap. I nearly spat out my tepid earl grey when i saw that post! How about we have a little wager old chap. I bet that scally wag ne'er do well, T Mac's younger brother, if not injured, plays the first ten game of the season in the firsts. If he does i get to choose you avatar for the remainder of the season. If he doesn't you can choose my avatar for the remainder of the season. Now, given how lowly you rate the young fella (and you are clearly are an expert judge in both humor and the ability of AFL footballers) this bet is seriously weighted in your favor. But i am prepared to take that risk old chap. Just for a little fun and a few giggles. If you choose not to accept i can only assume you lack the courage of your convictions (unlikely given you are a MFC supporter of long standing) or you are, what do the young people say - a troll. But no doubt you are a man of honor so if you do not accept my little wager i can only assume you will desist from making any further snide remarks or puerile critiques of T Mac's younger brother's ability or character. Tally ho. Are we on?

Love it! Watched a few minutes, very good. Will watch in full at home. Looks very similar to the one i'm staring at right now. I have detached the speakers to increase the stereo effect. Because that's how i roll. I had a super cheap boom box as a teenager in the 80's. Fondly recall a tape a mate gave me - one side with Loudan Wainright III and the other Hendrix. Loved both but it was the first time i'd heard Hendrix (and Loudan for that matter) and it blew my mind, crap sound and all.