Macca

Seriously, a hand goes up and connects with a punt and that's choking? Happens every day of the week in numerous games. I'd more call it dumb luck for the recipient team Go back and have a look at the replay ... that play happens another 20 times and there's no connection with the hand Who's your team?

Ha ha! Cowboys!! What a bunch of losers ... now there is a team that knows how to choke! In fact, did the word choke derive from the Dallas Cowboys organisation? I'm a Packers supporter

A strong argument could be had that the Packers wouldn't even be close to the playoffs without Rodgers, Dave The organisation known as the Green Bay Packers lost to the 49ers in those 4 playoff games. Not Rodgers alone Rodgers carries the team on his back but there lies the problem ... why is that so and why is it allowed to happen? If the team had strong leadership and strong coaching, Rodgers would be used for team purposes only. But again, would Aaron cop that? I doubt it Reckon Rodgers might be on the move after today's loss ... he nearly left last year as it was Looking ahead, the team needs to have an all round focus (like the Patriots) but that thinking is difficult to attain. Especially coming from a gunslinger QB type of game plan

Choking indicates hesitancy or freezing at critical moments ... I didn't see any of that However, I was at Waverley for the Prelim final in '87 - now that was choking! What I did see today was a team that was out of sync in conditions that were tough for both sides. Plus, the 49ers came to play with a real plan in place ... their defence was as good as I've seen this season. Bring that again and Goroppolo can be used in a non-risky way But hey, I can give as good as I get ... and no team will be spared This thread could easily turn into a bar-room brawl if we're all going to throw barbs Be careful what you wish for BDA!

You want to tell us who you support?

The Packers didn't choke, we came out rusty from the bye and were just outplayed And the Packers are a team that needs to keep playing ... that continuous play allows Rodgers to hit deep targets (which didn't happen today) There are no excuses but Green Bay's reliance on Rodger's magic is flawed. It works most of the time but against a decent team with all round skills, that style can come undone (as it did today) The Niners turned it into a grinding affair with strong defence. Credit to them. Once the bad weather set in it was always going to be a line-ball game. Nor do I reckon that the Titans choked ... in an even season gaining the 1 seed was nothing to get too excited about. One win here or there decided things And both games were decided by a field goal ... if either team were thrashed, you might have a point. But the choke jibe usually comes from the ill-informed cheap seats ... or from bad winners or bad losers And on this site, those types are everywhere

49ers win and well deserved too. Packers bog average especially on offense. The wide receivers couldn't create separation and Rodgers wasn't at his best But the Niners defence was the difference as well as their running game, run defence and pass defence. They played a good all round game and were the better team on the day Live Leaderboard Tipping Comp 13 - Go the Biff, Gorgoroth 11 - Dee Zephyr 10 - DemonDave 8 - layzie 7 - JV7, Clintosaurus 6 - titan_uranus, Macca

Scrappy game loaded with mistakes ... Packers have been way below average but the 49ers haven't been able to take advantage (so far) Niners defence has been very good and they get the ball to start the 2nd half

Bengals win!! Live Leaderboard Tipping Comp 13 - Gorgoroth 11 - Dee Zephyr 10 - DemonDave 9 - Go the Biff 8 - layzie 7 - JV7, Clintosaurus 6 - titan_uranus, Macca

Don't forget ya tips!

49ers 18 @ Green Bay 28 Bengals 15 @ Titans 32 Rams 21 @ Bucs 29 Bills 18 @ KC 33

@Gorgoroth @JV7 @Dee Zephyr @Go the Biff @titan_uranus @Clintosaurus @DemonDave @layzie A total of 16 points up for grabs this week ... good luck! Leaderboard Tipping Comp 9 - Gorgoroth, Go the Biff 8 - DemonDave, layzie 7 - Dee Zephyr, JV7, Clintosaurus 6 - titan_uranus, Macca Playoffs Week 2 Schedule (all times AEDT) Sunday 8.30am Bengals @ Titans Sunday 12.15pm 49ers @ Packers Monday 7.00am Rams @ Bucs Monday 10.30am Bills @ Chiefs

Playoffs Week 2 Schedule (all times AEDT) Sunday 8.30am Bengals @ Titans Sunday 12.15pm 49ers @ Packers Monday 7.00am Rams @ Bucs Monday 10.30am Bills @ Chiefs

Leaderboard Tipping Comp* 9 - Gorgoroth, Go the Biff 8 - DemonDave, layzie 7 - Dee Zephyr, JV7, Clintosaurus 6 - titan_uranus, Macca *I'll give the tallies another once-over directly

All Rams so far!

I'm 50/50 on 9th & 10th playing finals in the AFL ... good for the clubs involved and the supporter groups but it dilutes the strength of the finals. If they brought it in I wouldn't be bothered As for the NFL, I haven't been tuned in as compared to previous years but it seems that the Steelers, Eagles and Raiders fell into the playoffs whilst the Pats got found out as well Niners did well though (against Dallas) and now you have a match-up at Lambeau next week against my Packers ... and if Rodgers is rusty, you're a definite chance Should be a good game regardless, given the recent history between the 2 clubs The game is on next Sunday 12.15pm (AEDT) so that's ideal!

Live Leaderboard Tipping Comp 8 - DemonDave, Gorgoroth, Go the Biff 7 - Dee Zephyr, layzie 6 - JV7, titan_uranus, Clintosaurus 5 - Macca

Live Leaderboard Tipping Comp* 6 - DemonDave, Gorgoroth, Go the Biff 5 - Dee Zephyr, titan_uranus, layzie 4 - Clintosaurus, JV7, Macca *Subject to a proof read

The Bills were ultra-impressive today, Gorg Their issue is that they are almost certainly @ KC next week (barring a Steelers win) So as good as they were today, can they beat the Chiefs on the road?

Live Leaderboard Tipping Comp 4 - Gorgoroth 3 - titan_uranus, Dee Zephyr, Macca 2 - DemonDave, JV7, layzie, Go the Biff 1 - Clintosaurus

The Bills are on fire! Dare I say it ... 'The real deal?'

If a player has got the right stuff he'll play early ... at local level I've seen any number of teenagers playing in the seniors (early) because they just can't be held back And there is nothing like learning on the job if the structures, systems and those surrounding you have got what it takes Test them early but only persevere if worthwhile. Or, if they are really raw, give them an extended run in the 2's. It's not one size fits all Equally, I've seen any number of players waste their talent and not make it. Some were so lazy (and not switched on) that they weren't even given a chance. And rightly so too And we now have real proof that the current match committee & coaching staff actually know what they are doing

Live Leaderboard Post Season Tipping Comp 2 - Gorgoroth, titan_uranus, Go the Biff, Macca 1 - DemonDave, Dee Zephyr, JV7, layzie 0 - And the rest

Don't forget your tips you blokes!

I've had various euphoric moments since the win A few examples ... Once it sunk in that the flag was in the record books and can never be taken away from us, that was the moment. Often hearing or seeing 'Reigning Premier' is another reinforcement ... we get that for the whole year too especially if we go deep into the finals again And it's OK to brag when the overwhelming majority recognise that we were clearly the best team in 2021 There were no unlucky tales from the opposition either ... we were too good for them We could win more flags with this group of players but 2021 will remain the breakthrough moment and probably the most memorable for that reason Much like 2005, 2007 & 2017 could be the most memorable premiership years for Swans, Cats & Tiger supporters. 1990 for Collingwood? 1975 for North? And speaking of '190' (the Fitzroy loss), our combined margin of victory during the 2021 finals was .... 190 points!