Macca

You edited out the bit where I mentioned ongoing mask wearing with a cautious ongoing approach (in Australia) Personally, I'm not going into party mode but if I was still in my mid 20's it would almost certainly be a different story. Even with the double jab, I do not want to contract covid under any circumstances

Yes there is nuance with different measures still in place in different countries but having close on a 3rd of the people unvaccinated is asking for trouble. There are still outliers either way but the aim has to be 90%+ vaccinated Even at 80% vaccinated the effectiveness of covid is greatly reduced. Bottom line is that Australia is heading for 95% vaccinated where as a country like the USA may not ever get to 65% vaccinated. Real numbers that point to real outcomes We'll possibly level out out at 500-1000 cases per day in Australia (because of our vaccination rates) where as the USA had 119,000 cases yesterday (as an example) The next big task in Australia is getting those aged 12 years or younger vaccinated. And we need to do that as quickly as possible

As faulty mentioned, we have a very high vaccination/take up rate and as we know, the vaccination works so it then just becomes a matter of how many get the vaccine A 59% vaccination rate in the USA and around 70% for a number of European nations isn't going to work. So the pandemic will continue on for the unvaccinated in those countries. A pandemic for the unvaccinated Covid will continue on in Australia as well but the numbers won't be high as there is a real chance that only about 5% will be unvaccinated. 7% tops. Real numbers are trending strongly in that direction And we have brought in measures that will encourage the unvaccinated to get the jab. Effectively, another form of lockdown for those refusing the jab is now in place No vaccine certificate, no entry Hating on and pouring scorn on the unvaccinated isn't the answer though. Gentle persuasion with positive incentives brought in can work. Along with the education process showing these people that the vaccines are effective and safe But Covid is out there and is everywhere (More so in Vic & NSW) so mask wearing along with a cautious attitude when applicable is still needed (in my view)

The countries that are on the verge of going into lockdown again are those countries that haven't got enough people vaccinated The 'Age' has a free to read vaccination rate segment for all countries. As well as the details involving Australia. Google will help with daily Covid cases per day Germany & the UK for instance only have 'about' 2/3rds of its peoples vaccinated So in real terms that means that the UK has about 23 million unvaccinated with Germany sitting at about 27 million unvaccinated. Covid cases are high as a result ... often 40,000+ per day. That number is obviously too high. Covid cases today in the USA hit 119,000 but only 58.74% of Americans are double vaccinated By contrast Portugal has approximately 87.54% double vaxxed and only 291 covid cases today. The UAE is sitting at 89.3% double vaxxed with 2698 cases of covid today Here in Australia we are heading for a 95% vaccination rate for those aged 16 and over (and once those aged 12 and under are vaccinated we'll be at 95% right across the board) Only 178 covid cases in NSW today Make of those numbers what you will but the trends I see gives me confidence By the time we're done we could be in front of just about every country in the world. Setting a fine example Even with the slow availability of the vaccine along with hesitancy rates, NSW is nearly at 92% double vaxxed and Victoria has almost caught up (just on 89% double vaxxed) I'm a born realist so unless another strain of covid appears, I can't see us going into lockdown again So the message is for everyone to do their civic duty and get vaccinated. It's the only way we can curtail this virus In footy terms we'll be able to go the games next season at our leisure ... with a high probability of seeing the Demons go back to back

Couple of high stakes good betting races coming up on Saturday ... ideal for the exotic punters $500k Ballarat Cup 2000m (Racenet Form) $1Million The Gong Kembla Grange (Racenet Form)

Niners, Arizona, Cinci

Dexter* is back and the first episode was very good ... I'd give it an 8.5/10 A few surprises and a totally different location but a fair bit to work with re the new (and old) characters Yellowstone is terrific ... watched the first 2 episodes and I'm already hooked *The official Showtime podcast is available through Podbay ... Michael C Hall features on the first podcast of the new series

Gorgoroth @Dappa Dan @DeeSpencer @JV7 @Dee Zephyr @Go the Biff @titan_uranus @Clintosaurus @DemonDave @layzie 2 big points on offer this week. Can we trust the Pats, Niners or Ravens on the road? Cards, Dallas, Packers, Saints or Cinci? Dolphins at the Jets?? A reminder that we play for a total of 10 points in the last 4 weeks (Weeks 15, 16, 17 & 18) Good luck! Leaderboard - Tipping Comp 6 - Go the Biff, Clintosaurus, JV7 5 - Dee Zephyr 4 - Gorgoroth 3 - DemonDave, titan_uranus, DeeSpencer, layzie, Macca

Occam's Razor says rash decision but I wonder. If it's only about the vaccine then you have to wonder if his head is in the right place

Moved on (delisted, let go, sacked) or moving on (need a fresh start) who knows for sure? Depends on the individual If a person involved at the club understands the pitfalls going in and knows how to deal with that, there shouldn't be any issues But when ambitions & dreams are cut short, grudges can sometimes be held. Or, over time, people get over it There'd be quite a few of that ilk ... former board members and administators, numerous former players & FD personnel. Nose out of joint at the time with a few but time heals Most would be happy to see the club break through as their previous connection to the club was often a very big part of their lives

Might be someone else other than his mother then ... he is grieving over a loss according to radio host Stephen Rowe

Fair reporting would have noted his state of mind and mental health issues ... as well as his ongoing grieving with regards to a loss Our own Kozzie was given an extended time in Adelaide to grieve with regards to a loss ... these sorts of things can effect people in different ways We should hold fire until more details emerge ... there is more to the story other than passing up on the money and jeopardising his own position (in my view) Carlton have given the lad another month to sort things out I can see your side of the argument but we've now got some new information to process

The lad in question is still dealing with a loss and is not in a healthy state of mind. Mental health related Those who broke the story knew about the issues but failed to even mention the background issues at all. Poor form For me, he gets the benefit of doubt for now. All things considered

Keeping in mind that there are 5 former winners as well as 2 in the comp who are dual winners ... here's my latest market 'Board Odds Are Laid' 7-2 Go the Biff 4-1 JV7, Clintosaurus 11-2 Dee Zephyr 13-2 Gorgoroth 8-1 titan_uranus 10-1 DeeSpencer 12-1 DemonDave, layzie 16-1 Macca *GambleResponsibly

The 'Medusa' touch at work again I am a fair dinkum mozz!

I've known about those 2 earlier drafts for a few years now but have zero recollection from that time. Nothing And it was the end of RDB'S first year as coach as well ... maybe we just dismissed the concept as being too American because when the 1986 draft came along, I distinctly remember there being a lot of scepticism And that lasted for at least 5 years until we did take it seriously Remembering that the metro & country zones still operated to a degree concurrently to the draft for a time For instance, we recruited David Schwarz as a 15yo junior development squad player from Sunbury in 1987 It's all a bit murky though

For those without visual coverage, SEN radio are covering the t20 S/F later on (1.00am)

And you know what's going to happen now! As a general rule, I don't like including the Thurs night game haha

Yeah winning a flag changes everything Wrecker You could pick any of the premiership 22 if compiling a favourite players list (all time) I've still got Hardeman, Wells, Flower & Alves from the earlier days. Biffin too and I always admired Callery From the premiership team where do you start? Too many to choose from but Max as captain you can't go past (that clutch goal after the siren against the Cats set everything up - never to be forgotten!)

There were 2 other drafts in the early 80's (not talked about much or even heard of) Might have been '81 & '82 (for interstate players only) With one of our early picks in those 2 drafts we picked Alan Johnson. But I'm not sure whether any of those players in those 2 drafts were tied to clubs or obligated to those clubs Although AJ did end up playing for us of course Danny Hughes was another

I recall that earlier to when the draft came into being, we tried to secure either or both of the Jarman bros with 'Form 4's

Years later and the NBL has come alive again. Who would have thought? A lot of work behind the scenes but the interest has grown to a point where the games are back on free-to-air again 2 games will be shown (live) on FTA every Sunday afternoon ... most always the times will be 1.00pm & 3.00pm on the 10 Network - C007 (Peach) Season starts December 3rd

The A-League kicks off on the 17th of November ... the free to air commitment is a Saturday evening prime-time live game every week (Ch10HD)

Agree wholeheartedly, JNM The Aussies ended up with the 6th most amount of medals and once again our athletes did us proud ... as is often the case, we continued to punch above our weight

Ravens, Bills, Bucs