Macca

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Week 15 already! 2 points on offer in the comp and there are more than a few road teams with a chance of winning (which includes 2 or 3 standouts chances) Could be a trap game in amongst them though. Good luck! Leaderboard in the Tipping Comp 11 - Gorgoroth 10 - JV7, Go the Biff 9 - Dee Zephyr 8 - Dappa Dan, Macca 7 - Layzie, Clintosaurus 4 - DeeSpencer

Here's the Son goal amidst the highlights package DZ ... the linked highlight packages tend to only be uploaded for a day or so even though the uploads are from the host broadcaster.

Weekend Special NFL Monday 5.05am New Orleans vs San Francisco Line/Over Under Double New Orleans -2.5 & Over 44.5 Points (Match Score) $3.60

Steelers Ravens KC

Yeah there often seems to be at least 1 division where we see a winner by default only. And how many times do we see those underperforming division winners win in the first week in the playoffs? Happens a bit

Top 10 in the B & F ... make your prediction. We've now got a list that should be able to at least push for finals. So if we go close (or make it) or even exceed expectations (on what the consensus is forecasting) then we're bound to have at least 8 - 12 standout performers. That stands to reason. The difficulty lies with how the new arrivals will fare. Which ones are going to impact (?) because they've all got credentials that might lead to a top 10 finish in the 'Bluey' ... 3 draftees (Jackson, Pickett, Rivers), 2 traded for or free agent players (Langdon, Tomlinson) and probably '2' signed up delisted free agents (Brown & Bennell) And then we have the established brigade along with those who might blossom or those who are coming back from injuries. Big chances Gawn, Oliver, Harmes, Viney, Brayshaw, T-Mac, Salem, May, Petracca, Lever, Hibberd, Melksham, Fritsch, Jones, Hore, and Jetta & Smith (if healthy) Others in the picture AVB, ANB, KK, Spargo, Bedford, Hannan, Preuss, Jordan, Weideman, Nietschke, Oscar, Hunt, Sparrow, Baker, Petty, Chandler, Josh Wagner, Corey Wagner, Lockhart, Bradtke, Dunkley All things considered it's quite a good list (on paper) but the emphasis should always be on the 'team' and whether we can play as a team - a top-notch team in fact. Kudos for those who get close to the mark but it's a tricky task especially if you are looking outside the square. For what it's worth, here's my top 10 (in order) I've taken a conservative line (obviously) and because of that approach I'll probably miss on 3 or 4 (or more) At least 2 or 3 others will bob up but which ones? 1 - Gawn 2 - Petracca 3 - Oliver 4 - Brayshaw 5 - Lever 6 - Salem 7 - Harmes 8 - Viney 9 - May 10 - T-Mac Footnote: Apologies if I've missed anyone from the playing group

Couple of feature races happening tomorrow ... both good betting races too if you reckon either or both favourite's can be beaten. Ascot - G1 Kingston Town Classic Pakenham - Pakenham Cup But on Sunday we've got 4 big Group 1 races out of Sha Tin. 4 top class fields with lots of familiar names. Racing for a total of $17.48Million (AUD) Lots of Australian representation with a number of the Thoroughbreds being Australian bred Quite a few Jockeys & Trainers hail from Australia as well. But there's a real international flavour at the meeting with horses brought down from Japan & Europe to compete. G1 Vase 2400m G1 Sprint 1200m G1 Mile 1600m G1 Cup 2000m

And my point is that you can cut a player who was drafted in the top 20 but a lot of the time the expectations were never going to be met anyway. Again, clubs are forced to keep any number of NQR's on their lists because they have no other choice. One could make a great argument that under 18 form is largely overrated but the best AFL players are often standout under 18 players as well. It's very confusing to many but the chaotic results & disorder has a certain consistency if that's what you know is possibly coming your way. I suspect the same argument will still be around in 10 - 20 years time. We keep searching for the absolute answers but there are none. Reality is that clubs will 'generally' give a first round pick multiple chances and often other clubs will step in and take over said player and do the same. And that is not going to change in a hurry either. Over 30 years of drafting and that's what we continually see.

10-12 wins but if everything goes well we might win 1 or 2 more games and gain a finals spot. Maybe. Forward line may well remain a bit of a problem although it will improve. Hopefully the yips disappear. Our backline is highly dependant on Lever & May standing out but we need to see some real dash out of defence (turning defence into attack has to be the mantra) Our clearance work needs to improve a lot too - especially 'clean' clearances. Pace & quick ball movement should improve as well but we still might have some disposal issues The better sides will still have our measure (from an overall perspective) but there are at least 10 sides that we have a chance of beating. And we play some of those teams twice. We'll regain respect though especially if we can somehow gain a finals berth. 2 or 3 extra wins could happen if I'm wearing my optimistic hat And if the above happens Goodwin will remain as the coach.

We have a new leader in the tipping comp - Gorg (former winner) has shot to the front entering the home straight! The value of 1 point is never more evident than right now. Tough week to find 3 road winners too. Good luck! Leaderboard in the Tipping Comp 11 - Gorgoroth 10 - JV7, Go the Biff 9 - Dee Zephyr 7 - Dappa Dan, Layzie, Macca 6 - Clintosaurus 4 - DeeSpencer

Keeping first round draft picks around for a lot longer doesn't bother me though old dee. Up to 15 spots with each club or sometimes even more are speculative anyway. Whether unproven, hoping for improvement or to play back-up roles, there are often any number of spots on the list filled by players who haven't really done a great deal (and often, they never will) The choice can sometimes come down to a non-established 1st round draft pick heading into his 5th or 6th year vs a delisted free agent or some speculative pick later in the draft. So the decision to persevere with certain players is largely forced upon the clubs anyway. In a nutshell, a large amount of NQR's end up getting replaced by other NQR's. Or you keep the non-established players around and hope that they can somehow improve. There's close to 900 players in the system but how many of those 900 are genuine Elite, A Grade or B+ players? Maybe 100-120?

The pick number is not as important as many would think. However, top end picks often get a lot more time to prove themselves but that often serves as a waste of time Worth the risk though IMO because it's usually just the 1 or 2 spots involved.

Even so, you should be able to beat Washington & the Giants (twice) And if you beat Dallas as well you're in the playoffs. A tougher draw and I'd say no real chance (because of the way you're playing right now) but if your offense plays to their best you can win all 4. Win at home to the Giants and the team might just rally. But you'll need your offense to get you over the line in all 4 games. It's do-able.

I like our approach to the current rucking situation and going forward Tony. The kid is the (hopefully) heir apparent to Max down the track whilst Pruess is very good reserve. Paying a bloke to be pure back up is necessary. Let's face it, we often have any number of NQR in betweeners on the list but at least with Pruess, you know what you're getting. The other talls (Weideman, Smith, Petty, Oscar et al) need to fully concentrate on nailing down a KPP spot. But sight unseen Jackson has the most upside (all things considered) old dee may well be right though, it might take quite a while. But there again, Jackson might make a bit of an impact in his first year. Good players often show you something early. Obviously he'll be a few years off being a consistently good player (but only if he is a good player to begin with) Anyway, it's exciting to have 3 decent young prospects. Drafting has its flaws but it's the pathway for all the good players. We could have traded the picks for proven talent and I'd be just as excited.

Bring back Foles? Just joking! Whichever team wins your division will probably end up playing a lot better by the end of December than either team is playing now. So there's a bit of hope with 1 home final. But a trip to the Dome, Vikings, Lambeau, Seattle or San Francisco will happen in week 2 and that'll be tough. And the AFC is hotting up with the Texans playing well along with the Pats faltering again. Scoreboard flattered New England today but I'm still not prepared to put a line through them ... in fact, they'll probably rally as they always do.

Pruess is a more than decent ruckman but he's not a natural forward nor does he have good hands. It's Jackson, Weideman or Pruess for the 2nd KPF IMO and they'll all almost certainly get opportunities to prove themselves at some stage (probably by half way through the season) But if we're looking at playing a proper back up to Gawn then I'm not sure Weideman will get in the 22 as well. Unless he trains the house down in the off-season. Petty or Smith are a chance too although we might see Petty down back Nothing is written in stone though and it's just different opinions. We've seen all the others bar Jackson but I wouldn't like to see a Watts-like unveiling either. Part of my reckoning is to debut the bloke early and get it out of the way. We won't be expected to win either of the first 2 games so it's an ideal time to try the new blokes out. Low risk in my opinion but others may see it the opposite way. Anyway, we're mere onlookers and Goodwin will do what Goodwin will do.

Maybe but whichever team wins the NFC East gets home field advantage in week 1. I recall a number of years ago when the 7 & 9 Seahawks won the NFC West and then defeated the Wild-card Saints who's record was 11 & 5. So anything can happen and you just need to qualify. Eagles are by no means out of it yet. You'll need to win-out but that's do-able with your remaining schedule

There aren't many easy games Dappa even though we see a bundle of blow-outs from time to time. Any road game can throw up skewed outcomes which are hard to predict. Cowboys losing on Friday keeps your division interesting. 9 wins will almost certainly get it done in the NFC East considering the Eagles are hosting Dallas in a few weeks. That match probably decides things as does the Vikings/Packers match up in a few weeks. Both games to be played in week 16.

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Weideman's 2 excellent games in the 2018 finals were more '3rd Forward' style rather than 'Power Forward' style, SJ. The 2 games had a touch of opportunistic about them. And that's ok too because a player doing well as a 3rd forward is a valuable commodity. But these days the 3rd forward is often surplus to needs if your 1 & 2 are functioning well. Fritsch is a better option (right now) Where it all changes is if the one of the 2 KPF also plays on the ball or up the ground (periodically) We know T-Mac can play that other role and by many accounts Jackson might be able to play that role as well. So there is room for Weideman in the right mix as long as Sam finds a vein of form (or starts bringing-it in the pre-season) But being able to play well in the ruck as a relief ruckman is also extremely valuable and that's where Jackson could fit the bill. Previously when Max has been rested we've often struggled at the stoppages.

Here's a few previews of the bigger match-ups

You make sense with what you're saying but the leap forward for draftees is always a factor. And that includes the gap from the VFL (Casey) to the AFL If he wasn't also a ruckman I'd be more cautious but we need someone to give Gawn a rest during the games so who plays that 2nd ruck role instead of Jackson? Effectively. We need T-Mac to focus on his role as a KPF and if Jackson plays then Weideman probably doesn't play. Petty or Oscar are vying for the one KPD spot it seems. Pruess is pure back-up for Gawn. And then there's Smith who might be able to play a role forward or back There's a number of options but who is best equipped to play as the 2nd ruck/Forward? Give us your alternative plan old dee

The messiah attitude can be a thing but not in this thread at least. From my point of view I've got Jackson in the forward line instead of Weideman and he can also ruck for 10% - 15% of the game. There are at least 6 or 7 other forwards rotating through and the expectations are equal for all of them. Same for all members of the team in fact. And it won't matter when he makes his debut ... there will be hype. Probably better to get it out of the way (done quietly with zero fanfare) Besides all that if he's best* 22 play the bloke. It's just 1 spot in the team. Pickett is in my team early as well mainly because the other small forward options aren't much chop. Rivers can also force the selectors hand early as well if his training form warrants a spot in the starting 22. *My best 22 nearly always means with a bit of an eye on the future.