Macca

20 minutes ago, Colin B. Flaubert said:

In furious agreement.

Crushing teams helps in terms of percentage should we be competing for the last spot in the 8 against two or three teams with similar amounts of wins. 

That's not something we should be aiming for considering the platform we have built. We are aiming for a top two spot. In reality, whether we finish first or second (should either of those outcomes come to pass) is inconsequential in the bigger picture, as we both get a home final in week one and a double chance either way.

Our metrics are simple. Just keep winning, and do so by playing the style that has worked so far.

First noticed the lesser emphasis on percentage with Geelong in 2017

They finished 2nd that year but their percentage was around 117.  Scott started locking down late in games and now many other teams are following suit. 

Defence first ... Roos' mantra from long ago holds up and we are seeing it first hand with our own team

Just now, jnrmac said:

It does worry me slightly that we largely strangle teams but in nearly every game this year we have never been far enough in front that we could relax.

Getting 4 goals up and then letting them get two quick ones to think they have a chance is becoming our standard.

We'd love it to be get 4 goals up then 5 then 6 then 7 but we cant seem to keep that scoreboard pressure up. Thats why we need to sort out our fwd line ASAP. Yes we are winning but could finish the games a LOT earlier if we could score more consistently.

Depends on how one views footy ... when Essendon got within 11 points late in the last quarter I was not in the least bit concerned ... had strong belief in our systems & structures

New dawn, new age, new team.  MFCSS has been buried for now

5 years ago I would have had an opposite view with only an 11 point lead but 5 years ago we were nowhere near as good defensively as we are now

We have become the lockdown specialists ... here's hoping we can maintain that mantra

I reckon the days of needing to crush teams and with it,  thirsting for percentage are a thing of the past

Footy is now a defence first sport so all that really matters is the win

Percentage is worth half a win and is it really worth smashing the best players week after week just so as to win by a bigger margin?

Not crushing teams is not a weakness when you analyse how we go about it

We now have 4 walls of defence ... our forwards applying defence pressure,  midfield the same and then the 2 lines of defence.  May often plays last man as a type of goalkeeper

Earlier in the year it started becoming quite noticeable how well our defence was playing as a collective

But there is no denying actual possessions in the back half and the efficiency of those possessions

So tonight (collectively) May, Lever, Salem, Rivers, Hibberd & Hunt had 109 possessions between them. And if we count in Brayshaw who gathers the ball a lot (24 tonight) in the defensive part of the wing that adds up to 133 ... a big number but we're doing that consistently. 

Petty's role down back is almost as a pure stopper so his numbers are nearly always going to be low

Think about years gone by and compare those numbers to the accumulation of numbers in defence this season.  Often quality possessions too (intercept marks, re-gathers, backline teamwork etc)

As Grapeviney said in an above post, other teams are stifled from their own half back line facing our team defence and the actual defence.  Forward entries by the opposition often result in futile exercises

Starts from the forwards applying pressure, then the midfielders and then the 2 lines of defence.  A four pronged strategy

But we've built a wall down back that is quite dependable

1 minute ago, Gorgoroth said:

Lunar didn’t quite get the job done. Canasta once again pipped over the last 50 meters. 
Away game came very late and stole the win.

Yeah I just missed on the F4 in the Away Game race ... lean day!  (but still way in front from last weekend!)

Tour de France starts tomorrow night (SBS)

SBS cycling commentator Matthew Keenan said today that up to 4 Aussies could end up in a top 10 position (overall) in the tour ... 3 of the 4 are the head riders for their team's with Porte to aid Geraint Thomas when applicable.  A support role but if Thomas falters, Richie can step in especially if he is in and around the top 10 in the GC

Richie Porte - Ineos Grenadiers
Ben O'Connor - AG2R
Jack Haig - Bahrain Victorious
Lucas Hamilton - Team Bike Exchange

So there's a bit to look forward to aside from Caleb Ewan & Michael Matthews probably featuring in the sprint finish stages

There are also another 4 Aussies involved and www.cyclingnews.com has a feature article on the Australian involvement (click on Tour de France on cyclingnews.com or try google)

Here's a brief description of each Stage ... n.b. Cat1, Cat2 & Cat3 indicate the degree of difficulty of the various climbs

Stage 1 Sat 26/6 Flat/Hilly
Stage 2 Sun 27/6 Flat/Hilly
Stage 3 Mon 28/6 Flat
Stage 4 Tues 29/6 Flat
Stage 5 Wed 30/6 Time Trial
Stage 6 Thurs 1/7 Flat
Stage 7 Fri 2/7 ... 2 x Cat4, 2 x Cat3 and 1 x Cat1
Stage 8 Sat 3/7 ... 1 x Cat3, 1 x Cat4 and 3 x Cat1
Stage 9 Sun 4/7 ... 2 x Cat2 and 3 x Cat1

Stage 10 Tues 6/7 Flat
Stage 11 Wed 7/7 ... 2 x Cat4 and 3 x Cat1(includes the double ascent of the notorious Mont Ventoux)
Stage 12 Thurs 8/7 Flat
Stage 13 Fri 9/7 Flat
Stage 14 Sat 10/7 ... 2 x Cat3 and 3 x Cat2
Stage 15 Sun 11/7 ... 1 x Cat2 and 3 x Cat1

Stage 16 Tues 13/7 ... 1 x Cat4, 2 x Cat2 and 1 x Cat1
Stage 17 Wed 14/7 ... 3 x Cat1
Stage 18 Thurs 15/7 ... 2 x Cat4 and 2 x Cat1
Stage 19 Fri 16/7 Flat
Stage 20 Sat 17/7 Time Trial
Stage 21 Sun 18/7 Flat

Been a while for this thread!

Anyway, here's a new artist with a new jazz-type sound ... couple of catchy tunes

1 minute ago, Gorgoroth said:

Sportsbet won’t allow me to cash out the multi, maybe cos it was just out two horses? Anyway, means it really becomes a $5ew bet ?

Laddies keep about 10% but I like my multi's to be on my terms so I'll take that small hit. 

Trouble is that Lunar has come into 2.40 for the place (was 3.20) ... so I'll find another along with Canasta to get the odds up.  An all-up place bet might salute

There's plenty of value in Melbourne & Morphettville though.  Waiting on Gator's Randwick tips but there's 3 or 4 shorties so the multi's up there might be the go

By the way, www.skyracing.com.au has all the big tipsters picks from about 9am tomorrow

40 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

All races are off from Rosehill and now at Randwick hence Canasta was scratched but it’s still actually running.

Righto then ... makes sense now

I'd already put Canasta into a 2/3 parlay but the Canasta legs were refunded.  I ended up cashing out the multis so will have to start all over again!

On 6/23/2021 at 4:58 AM, Gorgoroth said:

Yeah always a roughie there abouts. Nudge is def in the mix and Lyre could easily place.

Yeah those 2 can be the add-ons Gorg

So I'll be cheering on Lyre! 

All the picks are renowned strong finishers so it could easily be a blanket finish

Can't say I like any of the other races at Eagle Farm apart from the last (race 9)

Each-Way Saturday - Flemington

R7 No.9 Lunar Flare $12/$3.20 

Will end up doing a parlay 2/3 with Lunar at the place (3.20) as one of the 3 legs

Meanwhile up in NSW they might have to go a stage 3 or stage 4 lockdown after the latest outbreak

8 people contracted the virus at one party and goodness knows where those 8 people have been since

Swans & GWS out of that State for a time

59 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

Yeah, I’ve been a fan of Odeum for a while, Brooklyn just got it last start. Add in Tofane and Sav just for starters… can’t wait!

Yep those 4 would go into my F4 ... thinking of boxing 6 and taking a small percentage.  Apart from Brooklyn, the other 3 you mentioned have excellent Group racing form  

Nudge & Charleise have both been running well lately but for value and previous G1 & G2 form,  Lyre & Dame Gizelle could be thereabouts.  There's always a roughie

I have narrowed it down to 10!!

28 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

Tatts tiara looks like it’s going to be a cracking race.

Just had a look at the field on racenet ... any number of chances!

One for the exotics

On 6/19/2021 at 4:53 PM, Gorgoroth said:

Yeah it looked it but the winner came past like a rocket

Had a lean week at Ascot until last night ... managed to land a 2/3 parlay with Point Lonsdale,  Wonderful Tonight & Dream of Dreams.  The treble (especially) paid very well

Will post up all the Ascot G1 replays soon enough ... this thread acts in historical fashion if people want to scroll through (or back) for replays of most of the G1 races

But sitting up until 2am - 3am has taken its toll!  Tired as!

49 minutes ago, Gorgoroth said:

And Axe pipped on the last 10 meters

Unlucky .... sounded like it was home

Just now, Gorgoroth said:

Ipswitch race 8, no 10 axe $4.20

Saturday Best Bet

Flemington R7 No.1 Curran $5.00

'Jack Irish' is back starring Guy Pearce and in this new series, Gary Sweet.  Good show

2nd episode of series 3 airs next Sat on the ABC at about 9.00pm (episode 1 is available on iview)

The team had an off-day.  If these sort of days are inevitable (as they often are for the best teams) then the team just has to make sure that we bring our best against the best sides (especially in the finals)

We haven't lost a game to a top 8 team as yet but if that starts happening, we are in trouble. 

We're in uncharted territory as supporters as the expectation can be that we bring our best and win all the time.  I don't believe that is possible with our current list.  We are very good but we're not a superstar team

Collingwood played very well too ... their lesser lights collectively did well, they tackled us with intent all day and we didn't have much time when we had the ball

But nearly all our players were below par ... as previously stated, we had an off-day and those sorts of days will happen unless the team is full of stars

The BBC are covering all the games ... the audio feed can be found mostly through their 5live service

Just go to www.bbc.co.uk then click on the 'more' dropdown tab then click on 'sounds' ... then scroll across to 5live and there you have it

The Euro's got it's first must-watch-replay last night with the Netherlands-Ukraine game last night ... and the big guns are already starting to rack up the wins

5 hours ago, Macca said:

A nice warm up for the World Test Championship where the Kiwi's will take on India.  Begins on Thursday (18/6) ... being played at Southampton (4000 spectators per day will be allowed to attend)

Make that Friday the 18/6 for the New Zealand/India World Test Championship

And the Kiwi's wrapped up the test & series against England about an hour before lunch

New Zealand are all over England in the 2nd test at Edgbaston ... they should wrap things up before lunch tonight and take the series win.  England lead by a mere 37 runs with only 1 wicket in hand in their 2nd innings.

A nice warm up for the World Test Championship where the Kiwi's will take on India.  Begins on Thursday (18/6) ... being played at Southampton (4000 spectators per day will be allowed to attend)

And the G1 replays from the last few weeks (including the Stradbroke)

Replay catch up