Macca

Not exactly jazz but fits on this thread rather than the rock thread Both acts from New Zealand

Some glam rock ... hard to believe that this music is 47 years old!

Best Bet Saturday - Flemington Race 2 No.3 Seb Song (J Kah) 6.00/2.00 The double is paying 24-1 (with a boost)

The State governments from both sides of politics are taking a hard line approach to lockdowns ... but some are slower/quicker than others to enact those lockdowns The goal is elimination not containment ... and until we're all vaccinated we can expect more of the same with regards to lockdowns (from the various State governments) We could (in theory) have another 4 or 5 lockdowns in Victoria alone because of the elimination target. And it could all go on for quite some time

In terms of a group of people gathered at one indoor location for a prolonged period it can be. Another bigger sample size could have other variables where people don't come in contact with each other ... like a sporting event or such like But the gist of my point was not the technicalities rather the slow uptake on vaccination. It's fair to say that a similar but bigger sample size could eventuate but we might have to wait months for that to happen In the meantime, we live on a knive edge unless one is on the other side of the argument (nothing to see here people) Where do you stand on compulsory vaccination? I'm not necessarily for it but if that measure was brought in then I would accept it as a 'greater good' ruling And it might come to that if the public doesn't get a move on with regards to getting vaccinated. If not, we may well being going in and out of lockdowns for at least the next 2 years. Or longer Without the masses being vaccinated endeavouring to keep the delta varient confined to one State or another will require a very big dose of luck when considering the shoddy quarantine conditions

The data from that super-spreader party should have been highlighted by all the media outlets (more so with an emphasis on the 6 people who didn't contract the virus who also coincidentally had been vaccinated) We need a greater take-up of the vaccine but in my view, many have been frightened off by the side effects (highlighted in the media) so are prepared to wait And because the virus isn't out of control here in Australia as it is (or has been) in numerous other countries, I reckon many don't believe they are in any danger of contracting the virus But that's just my opinion and there could be other reasons why we aren't getting vaccinated at a rapid rate.

24 people ended up contracting the virus from that super-spreader party up in Sydney A total of 30 people attended the party but the 6 people who didn't contract the virus were the only 6 who were vaccinated against the virus Fairly decent sample size and the story is both frightening and enlightening with a positive outlook (in terms of the effectiveness of the vaccine) Someone else might be able to able to determine which of the 2 vaccine's that the 6 had been administered with (?) Or was it a mix of the 2?

They'll do well to reel in the virus in Sydney/NSW in 2 weeks. They could be in lockdown for an extended period of time Then the danger is that this varient (Delta) could spread outside that State. Too many getting exemptions into other States spells trouble Finger pointing helps no one ... the rest of Australia needs NSW to overcome this latest outbreak The aim is elimination not containment ... this virus can't be contained Vaccinations has been slow in NZ as well ... the mindset is completely different when the disease isn't spread about like it is in nearly every other country

The pressure for spots can only be great for the team ... apart from the 13 or 14 that are guaranteed selection along with the 4 or 5 that are playing too well to be dislodged, the last 3-5 picked will be playing as if their lives depend on it The large majority, if not every player, are contributing in a worthwhile manner But the MC could replace 3 or 4 current players (if their form dropped away) with 3 or 4 others over the next 4-5 weeks and the team wouldn't necessarily be worse off There are 8 more games to go in the season proper and in that time players can lose form or get injured. Right now, spots are really scarce in the seniors but that can change

And if we keep our players fresh and keep winning percentage won't matter Locking down games at the tail end of games can have the cumulative effect of saving the legs of the best players We've been playing a non percentage boosting style all season and sit 2 games clear on top If Ben Brown comes in and fires we are looking even better It's fair to say that our forward line needs to perform better so we need improvement in that area

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

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

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 Sprinters to look out for on the flat/hilly stages ... Caleb Ewan Mark Cavendish Peter Sagan Arnaud Demare Tim Merlier Sonny Colbrelli Wout van Aert Mattieu van der Poel Alexander Kristoff Elia Viviani Michael Matthews And the GC contenders ... Tadej Pogacar Primoz Roglic Geraint Thomas Richie Porte Richard Carapaz Enric Mas Julian Alaphilippe Rigoberto Uran Ben O'Connor Lucas Hamilton Jack Haig Marc Hirschi Tao Geoghegan Hart Nairo Quintana David Gaudu Chris Froome Brandon McNulty Radal Majka Marc Soler Giillaume Martin Patrick Konrad Wilco Kelderman Emanuel Buchmann Michael Woods Alejandro Valverde For more info www.cyclingnews.com has a full Tour de France preview

Been a while for this thread! Anyway, here's a new artist with a new jazz-type sound ... couple of catchy tunes

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

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!

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

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!!

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

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!