Macca

But the AFL didn't really give us everything did they bub? It's just another footy myth. More lies. A myth that those with an agenda will happily believe. You and others should take the time to read our annual reports. 10 profitable years from the last 11 doesn't make sense for a club that has been mostly poor on the field But we've actually been well protected financially when taking into account the largesse amounts from Foundation Hero's, Pokies ($4Million - $5Million net profit per year) and the NT money (800k per game) But old habits die hard and we spent many years associating big financial losses with poor onfield results. Or vice-versa Having said all that I do have concerns about the income streams that can replace the Pokies money. Hope they've got a good plan.

I suspect that we are being questioned about our on field year and what steps the club will be taking to right the ship The rest of what you say may well be true but I'm not sure that is what the meeting is about. Although it could be. The last time we posted a loss was in 2013. On the back of a 2nd consecutive disastrous season and after the tanking fiasco. For the record we received a one-off $1.4Million grant that year but were fined $500k for being found not guilty re tanking. Hefty fine for no guilt. With Roos & Jackson at the helm we immediately started posting profits again. As far as I can make out there haven't been any more handouts (despite what the masses want to believe)

I don't read it that way at all LH. More so that the AFL are wondering why we've dropped away so quickly this season Maybe there's some issues that we're not privy to and it looks to me that we've been summoned rather than asking for handouts. Can't be sure though but I'll be surprised if we don't post another profit this season (that would make it 10 profitable years from the last 11)

Best Bet Saturday Randwick Race 7 No.1 Avilius (Win) $3.70

Smith has been ruled out of the 3rd Test It will be interesting to see what line-up we go with. Does Starc get a game? And what about Harris? Labuschagne looks likely to replace Smith but do they go with the same top 3 where the 12 completed innings reads as 8, 2, 13, 7, 8, 40, 13, 3, 36, 16, 5 & 2. Looks a lot like my typical batting season at suburban level (I was a bowler!) 12 completed innings for a total of 153 runs at an average of 12.75. Warner, Bancroft & Khawaja are just not contributing. And with Archer up and firing I'm not hopeful. Is Burns still over there? Renshaw has the technique to face up to a bowler like Archer but he seems to be out of the picture (for some reason)

That's a big call. And you say the players were gutless last Friday night? I wouldn't be saying that. I reckon it was more a case of a poor game plan coupled with a dysfuntional forward line. Amongst other 'coach-related' issues. And we definitely have some problems with player personnel and at least 10 will probably be moved on. As well as a raft of assistants. The sign of a good coach is how he goes when the heat is applied. It's a tough gig. Well paid though. Goodwin stays on but if we have another poor season like this season then he'll be let go. That's how it works. So the microscope is on all and sundry after such a disappointing season. Coach included.

You obviously didn't read my post properly Things happen beyond our control. As individuals, we can't change much at all So if the jungle drums are beating, so be it. You think you can change that thinking? 4 coaches have been sacked this season and I'm on record as not necessarily wanting Gpodwin to be sacked. It's my belief that we have a raft of issues. Player personnel, game plan, list structure, disposal issues, coaching, pace, motivation & will to win and various other problems. We're 5 & 16 for a reason. So how is that a problem for you? What on earth are you witnessing? Something different?

I agree (kinda, sorta) But if it is a contract issue then why would half way through next year be the tipping point? It would still be a very hefty payout if all the money is guaranteed If it is purely about the money then he gets until the end of 2021. But the club could lose a stack of revenue in that time-frame if we remain at the bottom of the ladder. Unless we improve, the bottom line is that there will be a downturn in revenue or a hefty payout. Or both. It's why many are calling for his sacking now. And I can't blame them because it's a logical solution. I don't like guaranteed contracts for the above reasoning. There should always be KPI's attached as there are with most businesses. Maybe for a coach like Roos it's different but Roos was not a rookie.

That could only happen if there is AFL intervention old dee. Which probably isn't on the radar right now but I wouldn't rule it out in the future. Could Bartlett and/or Pert sack Goodwin so soon after giving him a 3 year extention? Apart from anything else a termination of Goodwin's contract would reflect badly on them. But McLardy & Schwab wouldn't move on Neeld and we know what happened then. Let's face it, there is a good chance that Goodwin may have been moved on already given the current climate but the 3 year extention is the bug-bear. But for how long? I'm warming to the idea that we might figure out an exit clause for Goodwin. There are ways and means if a decision 'has' to be made. What is the difference between 2.5 years & 3 years if half-way through next year is the tipping point moment? It's still a hefty payout whichever way you look at it. I wouldn't move on him right now but that's just me and I don't make any decisions either. The club on the other hand might have different ideas.

Might be the brother I'm almost sure it is

Rule of thumb with multis is there is always one pick that puts you out Wadda But by doing the value 2/3 multi one pick can miss and you still win (as long as the other 2 salute) Could be tried with a 3/4 or 4/5 but then the picks don't have to be as valuable. And just think about how many times we miss with one of the picks. It has happened to me countless times. One time a few years back one of my sporting events was abandoned but I got every other pick up. I duly collected a 4 figure amount but if that game wasn't abandoned then it probably would have put me out. Murphy's law!

We could do that super-value tri-bet every now and again. Each of us finds something that is paying $3 - $4 (or more) That way any double within the treble is paying 10-1 or more. And the treble itself can pay 30-1 or better. Got the idea from Gator as he does it with 3 of his best bets in the horses. Plus, we quite often get 2 from 3 anyway. It might be a mattet of going -2.5 or -3.5 in baseball or +3.5 in soccer. Doesn't really work with $2 chances. So 4 units = 11 units (at least) as long as 2 of the picks salute. And PSG = Paris St Germain (who dominate the French league) PSV are another standout though in the Dutch league. Just a thought though Wadda as it's not a bad idea to change things up sometimes. Find a way so to speak.

Good point Wadda I might look for some value teams in the soccer at +1.5 (Match Score) ... outside of the elite teams where often +3.5 gets up (especially with Man City & PSG) For instance, Man Utd are showing $3.00 (+1.5) for their match at Wolves tomorrow morning. Juventus, Barca, Bayern, Real Madrid & Liverpool are more likely at +2.5. Porto & Ajax score heavily as well although Ajax have lost a few of their stars. Bayern might be a team that slips into that +3.5 bracket. Maybe Barca as well. We might all go for 3 value picks one time as a trial ... we seem to be very good at getting 2 out of 3 so the extra odds means we could have a dabble at the 3 doubles within the tri-bet multi. I know Gator loves doing that with his short priced tips (the treble & 3 doubles with the 3 picks) It's just a matter of splitting one's initial outlay. Just a thought though.

The Group 1 races are great ... I was initially drawn to the 'Sport of Kings' by the best of the best racing against each other. I go back as far as Vain & Rain Lover Wadda so the history is steeped. Jimmy Johnson was always my favourite jockey. Better still when they are good betting races. The overseas stuff is terrific too mainly because the standouts often win. Good for the all-ups. I followed Dettori in our Winter and had some good collects. But in Oz we see keen, competitive racing in the Group racing. And it's even better because we can have a small wager on the outcomes. Bet small to win reasonably well is my motto. And expendable income only. NSW upping the ante with regards to high stakes races is good for us punters too. The good horses being more prevalent. Bigger pools and better odds. Bring it on!

Can work as long as the player in question has some maturity on his side (age factor as well) As for draftees - it's often a lottery. Players at 17 or 18 can pass all the 'tests' with flying colours. They obviously want to get drafted so they're going to tell the clubs what they want to hear. There's nothing like the big time to find out the nitty gritty though. That is the true test.

Players can be admonished but not in the way that May & Oliver sounded off. After the May incident I imagined that the MC and leadership group would have got on top of the situation but we've now seen it again. And I go past the players involved and straight to the coach. Both Frost & Fritsch have been picked out and we should be putting ourselves in their shoes Would you or anyone else here like that to happen to you? They both could get their backs up and then where does it end? I have seen that sort of thing happen at local level a stack of times and it never ends well.

Not necessarily T ... Fritsch looked like he might have been ignoring team rules as Frost might have been. But neither player needs to be admonished in public. There is a time and a place. One could argue that the team rules are questionable though as Fritsch showed great vision to pick out a teammate Which leads me to believe that the players are often too programmed away from showing individual traits But that's another story for another thread. Related though in my opinion.

Well at least we found another MB favourite DZ. The mighty Reds of Sparta Prague! In all seriousness they can be used as a banker going forward as they often dominate the Czech league. Sporting Lisbon often beat up the lesser-lights at home too. Whilst punters look out for Benfica & Porto, Sporting Lisbon often slip under the guard.

Well if Fritsch ignored team rules then he didn't do the right thing. But that doesn't mean he deserved a spray in the middle of the MCG You and I see things differently and that's ok. But in the end we saw 2 players being admonished by their teammates in public It is a bad look and shouldn't happen. Angry supporters are going to be divided on this but I'm looking at it with a cool head. With no one in the gun and not playing favourites In other words no bias whatsoever.

Yes they are quite comparable. For a start the incidents were obviously related to team rules. And both acts were petulant acts. But if you see things differently, fine. I am right though and you'll realise that down the track.

Admonishing a teammate in front of hundreds of thousands of people is a no-no. It is just not on. First May and now Oliver. And does Oliver act the way he does if the May incident doesn't happen? Forget about team rules or whether Fritsch should have given the handball off ... we see team rules broken constantly. There is a time and a place to have things out and that should never happen in the middle of the MCG in front of a Friday night TV audience Quite frankly we look like complete amateurs. And it is embarrassing. Goodwin needs to get on top of these types of situations too. To say that he's had a poor year at the top would be understating things.

Well I've put both combo's on and I noticed that Sparta Prague have already shot out to a 1-0 lead. 'Go the 'Reds!' (the Czech Republic version)

Well yeah, but sometimes that phrase (there's always next year) is said without any real enthusiasm or hope. But most would agree that if we can get our best players fit and firing with a few good add-ons we can genuinely improve. The coaching will get a big shake up and the FD will be on notice Oliver, Viney, Gawn, Brayshaw, May, Lever, Hibberd, Harmes, Petracca, Melksham & Salem form the basis of go-ahead solid outfit. Add in the no.2 pick (midfielder) the acquisition of a key forward and some pacy outside run (with skills) and 10 wins as a minimum is quite achievable. Friday night is a distant memory for me. Ideally we'd acquire another goal kicking forward and a pacy backman but we probably need another off-season for all the parts of the puzzle to fall into place. Frost, Hore, Hunt, Fritsch can all play if used properly and Jetta & T-Mac might find their best form again. Who knows with Weideman? Jonesy has a place as we really do lack enough experience And the players need to work overtime on their skills in the off-season. That is an absolute must. Kicking to position in the dark if needs be. Worked a treat back in my day I've actually been in next-year-mode for quite some time and the club probably has been too. Lofty expectations has a huge downside. It's fair to say we've dropped our bundle but ... There's always next year Rusty!

Yes ... better to err on the side of caution Wadda. The 3rd Test starts on Thursday so the turnaround time is short too. Smith should be getting at least a 2nd medical opinion (which would probably happen anyway) He might end up needing an extended time on the sidelines. It was a nasty blow and when he hit the deck I was really concerned. And that neck area still isn't protected well enough for my liking. Certain fast bowlers can be hard to pick up - Johnson & Archer are 2 such types. So the batsmen need proper head & neck protection.

And I shouldn't have to provide context or even explain. The words should largely be self-evident if one takes a close-enough-it's-good-enough approach. But hey, this is a demon fan site where there are a lot of angry & frustrated people. I just don't get the excessive moaning. It's not like any of us can change anything. Talk of losing 10,000 members is just ridiculous. My projections sees the club improving to a point where we can win 10-12 games and if that happens there won't be much of a drop-off in membership at all. Friday night was awful but we've been in a lot of winnable situations this season. Probably about 7 or 8. But without a forward line we kept getting run over. Add in a forward line and we win a total of 10 games or more. As previously stated, the FD overestimated the worth of our forwards. So, we need to add in a forward line. It's do-able too with some creative recruiting. Plus, we'll be at least adding in a top prospect top-end draft pick (midfielder type) And a healthier & fitter list. And free agency could bring in an experienced player or 2. We're still a bit on the young side. Write this year off and look ahead.