Macca

Our batting is the issue and we've had major problems building an A Grade Elite batting order since the early 2000's At times over the last 2 decades we've been very good, other times average and poor on many other occasions ( e.g. the last time we visited Sri Lanka we lost 3-0) Batsmen are supposed to set up wins and our batsmen (as a collective) don't deliver For instance, we should have made 450+ in the first innings in this test match ... but 4 or 5 batsmen threw their wickets away Our bowlers were out on ground too much this whole series and that doesn't happen if the batting occupies more of the match time Placing the blame on Paine's shoulders is classic scapegoating. His own players let him down (primarily the batsmen) Selection is the root-cause of our batting woes though. We pick too many teams for the right-now without having a real eye on the future Since Michael Clarke we've only produced one long term A Grade Elite batsman - Smith. Labuschagne could get there but he is not there yet Warner is good on home decks but struggles overseas. Is there anyone else AM?

There were some telling moments in the Saints/Bucs game including of course Tampa having 4 takeaways with their defence But at 3 & 11 late in the game deep in the backfield that spectacular Tyler Johnson catch was also a game changer (or a game saver) Kept the drive alive which led to a field goal and a 23-20 lead instead of punting the ball away And Tom Brady is heading to his 14th Conference Championship game. That number is just phenomenal. Managed the game exceptionally well today (again) To me it's a no contest Brady is the Greatest Of All Time Here's that catch

Old School Gorg Old School!! Lambeau is a monument and I hope they never move or change it too much But Brady has got those Bucs firing and they will be hard to beat. His cold weather experience with the Pats will be invaluable too You can just see him telling his players to smarten up, get on with it and do the business Any sort of win will suffice Rodgers vs Brady ... classic match-up

So we're the cheeseheads playing at a crappy ground now are we Gorg You lot are such bad losers haha Enjoy watching from the sidelines next week knowing that your own team isn't up to it ha ha ha ha ha!!

Well, well! You blokes were all right about Tampa Bay Brady & his crew now march into Lambeau ... I hope the Packers are ready for them! Leaderboard - Tipping Comp (remembering that we play for a total of 12 points next week) 19 - Dee Zephyr (DZ has shot away like Dan Zephyr in its last race!) 13 - Gorgoroth 12 - Go the Biff, JV7, Macca 11 - Clintosaurus 6 - DeeSpencer

Live Leaderboard - Tipping Comp 15 - Dee Zephyr 12 - Macca 10 - JV7 9 - Gorgoroth 8 - Go the Biff 7 - Clintosaurus 4 - DeeSpencer

Yes I agree Earl and from what I can gather it is being forensically investigated. They're making a number of arrests and many of the perpetrators are being identified as a matter of course Not sure we're going to like some of the answers we might get though (as to why, who, motives & agendas) It is certainly a divided country and that makes one appreciate how relatively good we've got it here. The Coalition & the ALP aren't all that different from each other as I see it and the issues we have are quite mild in comparison to the States As an example, they don't seem to know how to deal with Covid but we're right on top of it on a day to day basis. Their 'attitude' to the wearing of masks is negligent where as here we tow the line and do the right thing

Packers were on their game apart from letting in a couple of easy TD's. But there again, our defence isn't top notch anyway so if we're going to beat the good sides a lot rests on Rodgers, our WR's and the new found (and reliable) running game It's the best I've seen the team play for quite some time. The Rams weren't too bad, they just ran into a better team on the day. Donald not being able to get onto the field was a big blow. You can't replace A grade elite You'll be thereabouts next year ... with Goff? Again, he wasn't the reason you lost today but if the offence improves around him, you'll be back in the playoffs with him or perhaps with another QB

This 60 minute podcast takes you inside the Congress building as the unruly mob were taking control ... first hand accounts with frightening (real) audio emanating from the perpetrators throughout Most inside the building would have been fearing for their lives with Vice President Pence (amongst many others) only minutes away from being ambushed. Many other high profile targets from both sides of the house were being hunted down by these crazed imbeciles. Policemen beating into other policemen (that did happen by many reports) Utter chaos Four hours of insurrection (A must listen IMV)

Live Leaderboard - Tipping Comp 11 - Dee Zephyr 10 - Macca 8 - Go the Biff, JV7 7 - Clintosaurus, Gorgoroth 4 - DeeSpencer n.b. The NFC Championship game will be the early game next week (AEDT Monday 7.05am) The AFC Champioship games will be played at 10.40am Monday (AEDT)

That's an excellent TD by Akers of the Rams ... well thought out play as well. The 2 points after just as clever 7 point game ... now 25-18. GB need another one of those minute sapping drives Edit: Rams had their chances but Packers too good on the day

That TD reply looked a bit easy Gorg ... Green Bay's defence sliced through just as easily It's far from over ... an unforced turnover could swing things either way

The Sprint race I found to be the toughest to find a winner but Bella Vella is a real chance Gorg Swift Witness in the 2yo Classic, Isotope in the Guineas & Athiri in the F&M feature should all get into the finish Every year this particular meeting becomes more appealing ... not long after (Aust Day this year) we're into the Blue Diamond previews Then we're into the Autumn features before you know it

Magic Millions tomorrow ... high stakes with very competitive fields Full Fields, Odds & Form - Gold Coast

Get ya tips in fellas - 16 points up for grabs this weekend (see the leaderboard and the breakdown of the points available in the post directly above) @titan_uranus @layzie @Clintosaurus @Dee Zephyr @Gorgoroth @JV7 @Go the Biff @DemonDave @DeeSpencer I'll kick things off with ... Sun 8.35am Rams 21 @ Packers 25 Sun 12.15pm Ravens 21 @ Bills 30 Mon 7.05am Browns 24 @ KC 34 Mon 10.40am Tampa 22 @ Saints 30

Hadn't thought of that ht but I couldn't see him attending the ceremony anyway

Trump has tapped in and emboldened a part of America that has always existed. Lord help them (the good Americans - Republicans included) It's going to be an interesting week ahead deets. Not holding my breath that there won't be carnage of some description Trump hosing down future violence won't help that much. These fanatics have already made up their minds. They're angry and almost certainly well-armed

A more than revealing podcast from The New York Times ... well worth a listen. Towards the end of the 30 minute podcast a suggestion was made that these groups might decide to bide their time for a year or 2. And that they are not going away in a hurry Is More Violence Coming? And here's a revealing article from SBS FBI warns armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration

Whilst I'm not at all surprised at the storming of the US Capital, the worst may well still be ahead of us Apparently there are 50 planned armed 'Rallies' earmarked for the 50 State capitals (in the last fews days of the run-up to the Biden inauguration) This is according to the FBI (use google for more details) A frightening prospect even if only a few of these rallies get going They're going to need a lot of law enforcement just to quell things down. The reports are very real too, not scaremongering These people are fanatical and they seem to have a complete disregard for the law. And they number in the millions If we get say, 3 (of 50) carbon copies with what happened at the Congress building, lives will be lost. Many lives (especially when considering their archaic gun laws) Parler has been shut down at least but there are numerous other forms of social media where these fanatics can organise themselves I'm all for free speech as long as it doesn't endanger peoples lives

Schedule for next week (all times and days AEDT) Sun 8.35am Rams (+7) @ Packers (-7) Sun 12.15pm Ravens (+3) @ Bills (-3) Mon 7.05am Browns (+10) @ KC (-10) Mon 10.40am Tampa (+3.0) @ Saints (-3) Leaderboard - Post Season Tipping Comp 7 - Dee Zephyr 6 - Macca 5 - Gorgoroth 4 - JV7, Go the Biff 3 - Clintosaurus Remembering that we play for a whopping total of 16 points next weekend. 4 games x 2 points per win with a bonus 2 points on offer (for each game) for the correct margin (1-6, 7-12, 13+) i.e. Each game is worth 4 points The weekend after is 3 & 3 for both games with 5 & 5 on offer for the SB So it's not too late to join in the fun & frivolities! We often see an upset or 2 in the first 2 weeks of the playoffs too

There is too much money at stake (Broadcast rights money predominately) for the games not to be played in some way (reduced quarters and/or reduced season again?) There will be hubs or no hubs but the games will somehow be played regardless. Remembering that the players are still 'supposed' to be paid so without any real income, the clubs will go broke The NFL & EPL have continued on in a relentless manner despite both the USA & UK being ravaged by covid. Mostly empty stadiums as well. NBA as well And many of the teams from those 3 competions have had numerous players test positive left, right & centre. Still the games go on TV ratings through the roof have resulted. Ratings so good that the broadcasters may have to fork out more dosh in time. Same story here in Oz Big sport & big money rules. The Sydney cricket test match went ahead despite widespread condemnation. The players will be told to play or take a huge pay cut or perhaps not get paid at all. They'll play. Money talks

Give Goodell a call ... he might be able to help! I work 6 days a week like you do but not Sundays and not until after lunch on a Monday so I'll be able to watch all the games I taped the Cleveland game but kept an eye on the scores. What the hell happened early?

Well done! Did you win millions? haha We've got the first game on offer next week Gorg ... Sunday morning 8.35am. There's some must viewing Good luck and may the better team win!

Leaderboard - Tipping Comp 7 - Dee Zephyr 6 - Macca 5 - Gorgoroth 4 - JV7, Go the Biff 3 - Clintosaurus Remembering that we play for a whopping 16 points next week. 4 games x 2 points per win with a bonus 2 points on offer (for each game) for the correct margin (1-6, 7-12, 13+) So it's not too late to join in the fun & frivolities Schedule for next week (all times and days AEDT) And what a good set of games they are. It looks like Vegas fancies Tampa a bit at that tight line. The Brady factor Sun 8.35am Rams (+7) @ Packers (-7) Sun 12.15pm Ravens (+3) @ Bills (-3) Mon 7.05am Browns (+10) @ KC (-10) Mon 10.40am Tampa (+3.0) @ Saints (-3)

Cleveland Rocks!