Macca

Petracca Oliver Brown Langdon May Brayshaw Unlucky - ANB, Gawn, Viney & LJ. T-Mac in the backline was important as well In fact, our decimated/makeshift backline only allowed 3 goals in the 2nd half. All that talent missing yet we stood up. A sterling performance

Tremendous win, all things considered 5 backmen from the GF out and we still find a way ... too professional for them

With 4 backmen out, any sort of win will do One point does it

I'm not sure Hunt & Langdon working together gets talked about all too often Hunt had his best season last year but often gets remembered for past deeds. But judge him on his improved footy as he could improve again He's a dasher with a few flaws. And as we saw in the finals, long kicks into the forward line to a 1 on 1 wasn't such a bad ploy. Hunt can provide those types of kicks as he gets it a bit Up until round 21 last year his spot wasn't under the question ... gets injured though and couldn't get back in because Bowey excelled. That's footy As a role player, he's unique because of his pace, dash and straight-ahead style. A point of difference that is often needed

We played 7 players through the backline last year with Brayshaw periodically floating back to help out So 3 are out (Hibberd, Petty & Rivers) replaced with Joel Smith (Petty's role) & Hunt probably covers for Rivers on Langdon's side of the ground (Hunt & Langdon work well together) So we're one backman short but are we? Bowey will play more minutes you'd imagine and Brayshaw and/or Harmes & Jordon can help out occasionally across half back (if needed) Which gives the team 6 backmen with possibly 3 others to help out covering for 1 permanent backman-type So if Tomlinson plays (as well as Smith) we might have lacked some dash out of defence. A line-ball call but one had to miss out It's a well balanced side and Dunstan probably gets the sub role ... remembering that we'll need the legs to offset some players getting gassed round 1

It's either/or with retirement in my view Some don't ever want to quit so when that's the case, the mind is right at least

And it looks like Brady is playing on (according to his twitter account)

Shelby Sixtysix is to run in the Galaxy next Saturday!

A boilover in the Newmarket! Roch N Horse! Favoured horses nowhere to be seen

Nice win! I had a bit on it and of course, the multi's are still alive!

All 3 in a multi paying about 85-1 Good luck punters!

We've already got Espiona (DZ's tip) in the same race (see above)

@Dee Zephyr @Gorgoroth So what do we make of the 3 Group 1's? Here's my 2 cents worth ... Home Affairs on top in the Newmarket with 'Finance Tycoon' for the top 4 (for a bit of value) Think it Over & Cascadian to fight out the finish in the Australian Cup DZ has got Espiona to win the Coolmore and I'm all in as well! (Lighthouse to run well) My betting strategy is same race multi's (following the class)

Best Bet Saturday Flemington R5 No.4 Argentia (W) 4.00

Dubai Super Saturday on tonight ... some quality racing with live coverage on the racing channel from 9.30pm. Usually a very good coverage Found a form guide ... go to www.attheraces.com (if you're interested!) I'm just doing a few same race multis for a bit of interest

Yonce just too good for GR (who ran well) Looks a class mare does Yonce ... 5 starts for 5 wins and now ready for the group races

Well, the bonus bets are all on Gentleman Roy! I've had a reasonable day again with 5 winners at each-way odds. Got some same race multi's to finish By the way, don't know who the tipsters are in Adelaide & Sydney (on Sportsbet) but they are both quite good. The Melbourne tips are usually Gator's (on Sportsbet)

One more stride and Brooklyn wins ... got out at the right time but just missed!

Best Bet Saturday Flemington R8 No.2 Brooklyn Hustle (W) $8.00

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Brayshaw has grown into the wing position shown up with his total of 69 disposals in the 3 finals. That's a good outcome (playing well in vital games) These days teams play through both wings as well as through the middle so the wingmen are becoming very important players again especially with the stationary man on the mark ... switching wide from a mark or free (unimpeded) is a weapon And the 666 rule allows the wingmen to be in space 20-30 times a game Brayshaw is not just a defensive wingman anyway ... he just happens to be good defensively as well as possessing other skills (which includes attacking play) Brayshaw & Langdon complement each other very well ... different types but that's a plus As others have stated, unless he gets a colossal offer elsewhere (unlikely in my view) he'll stay a Demon

As for I'm Thunderstruck's run in the Futurity ... got held up so I'll give it another chance (All Star Mile next up by the looks of it) Verry Elleegant is a champ, Marabi is a star (slick time) whilst Daumier looks a real horse of the future ... beat a couple of very handy types

Did you have anything on Sierra Sue yesterday? And yes, quite amazing how well the track played up North We've got some great racing coming up in the next 2 months (and then we get the Brisbane & Adelaide carnivals) Bring it on! Great time of the year with the Footy & League starting up as well Still haven't seen any of the Group 1's from yesterday yet (!!) but here are the replays

We've gone early again and the 3 in a treble is paying a whopping 120-1 (with a boost) Even the early double is showing odds of 30-1 Good luck punters!