Macca

The issue is that their criteria is woefully poor ... so poor that they haven't got Gawn as elite. However, it's not like the evaluations are from someone or an organisation without any credence. This mob are supposed to be able to evaluate the numbers so that it makes sense Accurate evaluations can only be taken seriously if the base criteria is close to being entirely accurate It's like they don't watch the actual games and just look at the numbers For instance, Before T-Mac hurt his back he was at one stage running 3rd in our B&F (round 17?) in a team full of gun players Why? Because in my opinion the MC would have been very happy with his disciplined forward play (playing in front) thus bringing our small forwards into play on a constant basis ... as well as impacting the games with marks, kicks & scores Does CD measure all that? I doubt it

Also reckon the MVP awarded for the season needs to include the most important games for the season - the playoffs And there is a way to do it instead of just taking the lazy option of separating the seasons All votes or points could be collated prior to the SB by a panel of 12 hand-picked experts and those 12 can then allocate extra votes (or points) once the SB is completed ... would take 10-15 ,minutes If that was done then Kupp wins the MVP for the season (in my view) Or perhaps even Stafford (who was very good throughout the playoffs) Rodgers was a worthy winner in the regular season but again, the playoffs need to be included in order to find the overall winner

Agree on your 8 and Fritsch makes it because of how well he played in the finals (esp the 6 goals in the GF) But Viney has to be classed as elite because of his stellar performances in the finals ... worth triple points or more, all things considered Missed 10 games because of injury but if we're judging a player before the ball is bounced in a big game, your 8 plus Viney are elite. And the proof of that is the PF & GF ... smashed both teams unceremoniously!

We've all had those moments, layzie ... I've had a couple, just at local level! Equally, one can make amends and quite often the good moments outweigh the bad. But you never forget the bad outcomes... they hover around like covid does now! e.g. As great as the flag was last year not many of us can ever forget the '87 Preliminary final loss. For those of us that witnessed it live, it just won't go away! The '88 & 2000 GF losses hurt but we really were up against it from the start in both those GF's. No disgrace there *Footnote: I'll post up the SB LVI mic'd up (from youtube) as soon as it becomes available. Always essential viewing

And we have joint winners in the post season tipping comp ... DemonDave & myself came from the clouds to achieve victory Well done Dave and good tipping! In my case ... a flukers chance! More details later but here are the Final Tallies Final Leaderboard - Post-season Tipping Comp 24 - DemonDave, Macca 23 - Gorgoroth 21 - Clintosaurus 20 - Go the Biff 19 - JV7 14 - layzie, Dee Zephyr 6 - titan_uranus

Also thought that the Bengals were more than worthy opponents. Nearly all the playoff games were close with nail-biting finishes. The post-season was great viewing all round from a contest point of view Thought the Bengals, 49ers & Buffalo were the best of the rest ... a bright future for all 3 teams by the looks of it. And the Patriots could be a real factor moving forward Not sure on the Packers, Bucs, Cowboys, Arizona & Tennessee ... disappointing exits for all 5 teams and of course, Brady has retired from the Bucs anyway

The half time entertainment was fabulous ... loved it! The Yanks sure know how to put on a show Apparently the performers aren't payed a zac and have to pay (in full) any production costs It's a badge of honour but worth heaps in further exposure re future earnings

That Tyler Boyd dropped catch will haunt the bloke forever. Apparently hadn't dropped a catch all season. Golden rule ... catch it first before the hit comes. After all, you're going to get hit whether you catch it or not And Perine didn't make much of an effort on that final throw from Burrow (albeit a rushed throw) You've got to dive like Brayshaw did in the GF. Make the play! Still, the Rams ate up the clock on that fantastic final drive and were deserved winners ... led by Stafford with Kupp performing like a beast The pass interference call on Kupp near the end was a bit soft but ... you don't give the referee a reason to blow the whistle. However, do nothing and Kupp probably waltzes in for the TD anyway so the manhandling of Kupp might have been worth the risk Rams too good!

Who knows? ... I'm no green thumb. Sounds like a plan though, Gorg But you'd have reckoned RV would have figured it out by now instead of just the endless debate Up in Sydney they more often than not race on slow or heavy tracks during the Autumn & Spring ... and that hasn't harmed the industry up there at all And they still run slick times up there even up to a Soft7 In fact, they are thriving up there with regards to punter confidence & prizemoney

The tracks are often cambered so an even spread of watering is difficult ... same deal when it rains of course Just water the outside of the tracks more than the inside when gravity is going to play its part But hey, there is a lot of money and resources available in the industry so they should be able to find a way The debate has been going on for decades

Interesting that Mick Price has taken the opposite stance ... wants to start at Soft5 (Dead) to protect the horses from concussion type trauma I agree with Mick Price as a Slow5 is ideal conditions for the horses

Well done Gorg! Demons and now the Rams! Hell, even the Bolton Wanderers could win big the way you're going!

Bengals 25 Rams 30

He must have walked under a few ladders, the lad. Hard to fathom his run of bad luck. He was apparently hit with a soccer ball at training this time Things will hopefully turn around but we don't know about the extent of the effect of these concussions or the severity But I'm reminded that numerous people were writing off Pat Cummins and now he's the captain of Australia! Again, we don't know the severity of these concussions so if he battles on, it could be assumed that it's safe to do so. The kid has got talent so I hope he gets back

Don't forget your tips fellas 10 points on offer for the SB (5 for the win & 5 for the correct points bracket)

Tofane way too good ... streeted them! Has now won 4 x G1's (All Aged, Tatts Tiara, Stradbroke and the Orr Stakes) I'm Thunderstruck looked like it needed the run as it's custumary sprint finish was lacking

Managed to get 25-1 for this double ... that would kick things off nicely for the new season!

Scotty James 'Silver Medalist' - Snowboard Half-Pipe

Best Bet Saturday Caulfield R8 No.1 I'm Thunderstruck $7.50 (W)

I'm Thunderstruck has drifted out to $7.50 (with a boost) in the Orr Stakes That's decent odds for a class galloper!

Reckon the SA & WA teams would be quite strong. Vic obviously. Not sure on the strength of a Tassie team or the NSW & QLD teams ... or NT I'm reckoning that a lot of the players who play for the Eagles, Freo, Crows & Port would be locals But we've got quite a few WA lads ... is it 6 with the new draftees?

I grew up loving State footy especially with a keen eye on the Demons who were picked to play The standard of footy was miles ahead of club games but the skills were so high that the games weren't often physical encounters. It was possession football with exact skills before possession football became a thing Just a showcase of the best vs the best But alas, even I've given up on the idea for the reasons outlined by the comments preceding this post I still reckon they should pick the sides though ... just as an acknowledgement For instance, Salem just misses out on the All-Australian team but is picked on the half back flank for Victoria. That's still a high honour

I've been trying my hand at the same-race multi's in the off-season with mixed results ... needing better class of horses me thinks! Usually just pick 2 horses ... One horse to win/2nd and one other 'value' runner 1st to 4th ... aiming to get about 6-1 up to 15-1 all up So 'Sierra Sue @ 14-1, Lighthouse @ 10-1 and Lightsaber @ 14-1 all appeal as value runners

I'm Thunderstruck even at 3-1 looks like good odds ... but it's Caulfield and he'll need to get past a lot of very good horses

Schedule & Results - Official Site Aussies medal chances to look out for Belle Brockhoff - Snowboard Cross (Wed 9th 2.00pm/5.30pm) Cam Bolton - Snowboard Cross (Thurs 10th 2.30pm/6.30pm) Scott James - Snowboard Half-Pipe (Fri 11th 12.30pm) Jaclyn Narracott - Skeleton (Sat 12th 11.20pm) Laura Peel - Aerials (Mon 14th 10.00pm) Bree Walker - Monobob (Mon 14th 12.30pm) Alpine Skiing Schedule Tues 8th 2.00pm Men's Super-G - WC Standings Wed 9th 1.15pm/4.45pm Women's Slalom - WC Standings Thurs 10th 1.30pm/5.15pm Men's Combined - WC Standings Downhill Slalom Fri 11th 2.00pm Women's Super-G - WC Standings Sun 13th 1.15pm/4.45pm Men's Giant Slalom - WC Standings Tues 15th 2.00pm Women's Downhill - WC Standings Wed 16th 1.15pm/4.45pm Men's Slalom - WC Standings Thurs 17th 1.30pm/5.00pm Women's Combined - WC Standings Downhill Slalom Sat 19th 2.00pm/3.45pm Mixed Team Parallel - WC Standings Women Men