Macca

The 2nd paragragh I agree with ... so many unknowns abound. Here in Australia though (sport aside) we'll have a much easier time of it For instance, if we had pro-rata cases similar to the UK (over 44,000 covid cases today) we'd be pushing 20,000 cases per day (140,000 in a week) Then our hospitals would be at breaking point ... but we're heading towards 95% double vaxxed so in my view, we won't hit those sorts of numbers at all With regards to Molnupiravir, yes there will be issues of availability but it's still a huge game-changer. How many do we have at high risk in ICU? We should be able to look after the extreme cases (if we keep the covid numbers down) Google up Fareed Zakaria for his views on the new antiviral medication

You worry too much dieter Deal with what you need to deal with and stop concerning yourself with doomsday thinking

With regards to the footy re covid Crowds will be back but capacity crowds can't be expected or to be concerned about (at least in the short term) A certain percentage will be covid-shy and won't want to be subjected to crowded situations (more so the over 55's) That thinking could change though if the covid cases drop to much lower levels (specifically here in Victoria and to a lesser extent, NSW*) And more people are now used to watching live sport at home in HD on huge screens ... a much cheaper alternative I can see membership sales being maintained and/or increased though (across the board) That connection and support will be continued We could hit 60k-65k members but will we pack out the MCG consistently? Initially yes but after that? *A healthy attendance of 24k attended the Western Sydney Wanderers vs Sydney FC game last night

And I cannot blame anyone for talking through their hip-pocket. A lot of people have gone out of business because of the lockdowns You just have to let people vent in these special circumstances I know a couple who own a gym and there were a few times where they were staring at bankruptcy... somehow they have scraped through (but they are heavily out-of-pocket) One of 1000's of stories ... their dreams squashed. They either do something else or start all over again Part of the protest group? High probability for many (in my view)

And let's not forget the huge game-changer ... Molnupiravir. Already available for emergencies and just approved in the UK And I don't even want to think about a new strain IRW ... all bets are off if that happens!

My only concern is that unless those 12yo or younger get vaccinated they have a greater chance of contracting the disease (albeit in a much milder way) More so aged 5 - 11 And of course if they bring the disease home to unvaccinated family members, the disease keeps spreading There was an article about a week or 2 ago where high profile health professionals from 4 effected countries warned Australia about the measures we still had to put in place ... one of those measures was to get the young vaccinated. The other issues surrounded keeping vigil on safeguards and to not let our guard down But we're coming up to school holidays so I'm expecting a mass vaccination of the children once the new school year starts. There was talk of late 2021 (Pfizer) but no approval yet

Yeah well, I was being slightly flippant adding in a light-hearted prediction in a thread that is a tad serious But of course we can go back-to-back all things being equal. I reckon our biggest issue is if we sit back. The talent and know-how is better than the rest (right now)

Well my view is a realistic view ... using raw data and real numbers. In real terms many countries have far too many of its citizens unvaccinated. We in Australia won't have that issue. An optimist might proclaim that the pandemic is over or perhaps deny that we ever had a problem in the first place (although I'd have a more apt description for the latter category) And I reckon we could reach 96% or 97% vaccinated if we brought in some positive incentives for the unvaccinated. The disincentives would however be having an effect. Reality sinks in eventually With some, you'll never change their minds. The pandemic will never be over for those types as covid isn't going to die off

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)