Macca

It's accurate in the context I was making it in. If you want to be all A.R about it you're wasting your time with me. They weren't quitters on the field and gave 100% to the club in their time at the club. Barassi left for a coaching opportunity elsewhere (rightfully) and Smith was sacked, later reinstated and then left when his time was up. Meanwhile, we've got so-called supporters wanting to jump ship because it's all got too hard for them. There's no comparison really as the quitters don't deserve to be in the same conversation as the greats of the club. I'd be happy to see the end of them to be perfectly honest. The same types continually moan about all and sundry and offer absolutely nothing.

Labuschagne to apparently replace Smith with regards to the concussion protocol. Becomes a full member of the eleven under the new rules (to an immediate effect) Steve Smith complained of headaches this morning upon waking up. Hope the lad is ok. It was a nasty hit.

Jeff Thomson debuted in 1972/73 but played with a broken foot (typical Thommo) and had no impact But upon his return in '74/'75 it was a completely different story. Early in that Spring/Summer word had spread that Thommo was terrifying Shield batting line-ups and when he played against England in the first test he unleashed hell. Man he was quick and I watched him live. Superhuman. Archer is not quite as fast but he is quick and nasty all the same. This series just got real interesting. Amazing what a difference an extra 10kph or 15kph can make to a batsman's reaction time. There is a tipping point and Smith was exposed. Archer bowls close to the stumps too so he is right at you. Nowhere to go. You've got to play him. By the way, David 'Bumble' Lloyd faced up to Thommo in all of those '74/'75 Tests. With only a set of skimpy pads and one of those pink* protectors. And no helmet. That's courage! *Thommo duly smashed that pink protector to pieces in one encounter. Ouch!

There have been many years following this team where I thought we were 5 years off playing finals. At least. 3 or 4 good players and that was it. But if we could add in 2 top inside/outside midfielders along with 2 marking forwards who can kick straight then we'd be a definite finals contender again. I rang a few mates early this year and stated that our forward line was cactus. The signs were there from the get-go but many here were pointing the finger at the A-End of the problem (backline and backline personnel) Oscar, Frost and the like were never really the problem because May & Lever were returning. But we had no one 'Returning' to the forward line. Pick 2 will be a big prospect midfielder from the draft but we're going to have to be super-creative with the recruitment of forwards. I am not as big on small forwards as I believe they often run on the shirt-tails of proper key forwards. We can get a lot better but we're going to have to work really hard to get what we need chookrat.

We should have a disagree icon. They'd have to set a limit of 100 per day with me though. I'd go to town if let loose. Anyway, I concur. I disagree wholeheartedly but that's just me.

Good point Wadda ... my previous reply related to the 'general' booing. So you are correct, all things considered the booing was crass and unnecessary. But how do you stop it? ... the pack.mentaliity rules at sporting events. Even in 'polite' England. Mind you, the soccer crowds leave a lot to be desired and the balmy army are a crass lot as well.

As previously stated, it's best to view the club as if it were your own - and in a way, it is. Once you're a member you are a part of the club. And if a member has concerns, there are avenues to voice those concerns. And the club does listen to it's members by default. When everything went pear-shaped in 2012/13 the club made some massive changes. We embarked on a clean-out and we therefore got better and improved (albeit slowly) We are going to see a lot of changes in the off-season. And to me that will be a sign for members to renew. So rather than quit, us members can help the club rally. It is after all, our club. With a new set of assistants, Goodwin comes right under the microscope. But so does everyone else too. Anyone thinking that it's not also about the player personnel is not evaluating things properly. We need a big injection of talent just to become a finals contender again. As for being a flag contender, we're a ways off. The list contains about 8 good to very good players when all those players are fully fit - after that we have 5 or 6 who play well periodically and then it falls away. You don't win flags with those levels of talent. But add in 2 or 3 top players and few reasonable types and we're a finals contender again. So I say renew those memberships. All is not lost.

What about our recent history of increased memberships despite having any number of pus/putrid seasons ('07, '08, '09, '12, '13, '14) When Jimmy Stynes talked of 40k we had our doubts. We might be looking at a few thousand dropping off but if we rally after a positive off-season, who knows? It's often been said that Demon fans are the most cashed up and let's face it, we can all afford to go to the snow every year on extended holidays (it's true) We'll be right - the messiah is on the way anyway (pick #2)

Well that's a whole other issue Gorg ... bring on the NFL I say! Pack Pack Pack The other thing is what do lapsed members do when we come good? (as early as next year?) Do they jump back on as fairweather supporters might? The very type of supporter that those who might feel inclined to criticise for being fairweather? ha ha All in all, you're better off renewing. At least you can then always say that you stuck it out. Different story for those who can't afford a membership. As bad as the year has been, we've seen far worse. The 2 years under Neeld/Craig were shocking. And the first 2 years under Bailey were terrible. I could name another 10 seasons where we were non-competitive. Including RDB's first year (1981 - 1 win) We probably would have won another 5 wins this year at least if we had some semblance of a forward line. And that's the biggest woozy. The MC went into the season with either a lot of fingers crossed or they overrated our forward line personnel. Either way it's a massive fail.

Here's a quick story for you Gorg (and others) I started supporting the club when I was 6 years old. 1965 For the next 22 years we never played in 1 finals series. For the most part we were directionless and inept for that time period. Never looked like it save for a fleeting moment in 1971 and the end of 1976. 28 years old and my team finally plays in a final (1987) If I was ever going to quit it was then. But it's my club. And it's my club for life. I'm still here and there are many here who share almost the exact same story. Nutbean, Go the Biff and numerous others including those who I'm often in conflict with (Bub & Wyl) I share their frustration but often a club falls away because of the people within the club. They are not the 'actual' club - they are mere custodians passing through. We're here forever. The cure for me is that we need a whole new bunch of personnel to be injected into the club. The head coach needs wins early next year or he is gone. And if Goodwin needs to be replaced there's a good chance we'll rally anyway. So it's a win/win if things pan out that way Mate, you live miles away. Many out that far just take out a country membership anyway. Just do what you can.

You haven't been here long have you? You're therefore coming across as a troll. In fact, you probably need to prove that you're a true demon don't you? I normally give the newbies the benefit of the doubt but here you are urging everyone to not renew their memberships. I reckon even those who do want to quit don't need an outsider telling them what to do Let's just see if you stick around hey.

We might lose some members because of a poor season but it won't be 10,000. There's a reasonable chance we'll rally anyway and the membership tally has a mid year cut-off which is often related to a teams improvement or otherwise. Goodwin will be surrounded by a whole new crew of assistants and up to a dozen new players. Our season was shot to pieces after round 6 and completely gone after the QB game. I didn't expect the team to rally but I do expect wholesale changes. So I'm sticking fat. As others have said, people like you need to address the club directly. Go to the AGM and voice your concerns.

I couldn't care less what you do If you want to spit the dummy and quit then the club won't be losing much. Cya

Well go then Bye bye

What? He left for greater opportunity (coaching) Your point? Oh hang on, you've already told us 10,000 times. If you want to go, go now. You won't be missed. Leave demonland as well. We'd be eternally grateful. Cya

We need better people in the club (players as well) ... those who are there are mere custodians. Poorly performed people rarely last very long so others come in and try their best. I view the club as I view the clubs that I played for - I'm there for life. Through thick & thin. Never quit. It's your club, support it. If you want to criticise those within the club, go right ahead. But don't punish your own club. Smith, Barassi, Flower, Neitz and numerous others never gave in, why should you?

The Aussie crowds would be booing Joe Root if he oversaw a situation where sandpaper was taken on to the field. I don't believe that Smith ever knew the exact details but if you're in charge, you're culpable (in many situations) Warner on the other hand does fully deserve to cop it (forever?) I am not surprised that he's struggling with the bat and in the field. The us against them thing only really works under normal circumstances. I doubt Warner would have many on his side. Do his teammates trust him? Cricket is a sport played by individuals as a collective. In the end, a player is on his own.

I favour a draw in the cricket (1.70) but you never know Wadda. That would be my multi choice if I went down that path but I could never bet against Australia losing. There are other events to bet on. And I watched Smith closely against Archer and he looked quite uncomfortable. But that doesn't mean he won't be able to overcome Archer. Getting struck around the neck area will shake him up a bit. The other batsmen need to stand up around him. It is just a big step up in terms of facing someone bowling at 96mph. He needs to get used to it so they'll do the simulation training (or they should do) And the Poms will zero in with Archer ... like any other sport, you're always looking for an edge (no pun intended) It's all about the X's & O's.

Ha! MFCSS = TSSS (Test Side)! I don't carry it over DJ as the Test side has given us great reward over the years and we've nearly always been a power team in our time (often the best side) We're not that power team right now but we're far from being an also-ran or a basket-case. We'll bat it out if we have to but it might not be easy. We could get tested. I'm a huge fan of express bowling so I'd love to have an Archer type in our team. Cummins, Pattinson & Starc can bowl quick too but this Archer bloke is a nasty type. He's quick!

Yep ... and it should always be remembered that when one wins that luck factor works in our favour. In horse racing a nose often separates a significant win as opposed to a loss and in sports betting the same sorts of factors apply. We can apply all the science to it but you still need luck. It's why I reckon identifying a value pick to be included is a good way of going about it. That way if you do win, you win a bit. As previously stated, just finding the 1 choice each should pay off in the long run. We often get 2 of the 3 up so there's a pointer! And as individuals we can add-on (or subtract) as we see fit.

Weekend Special Primeira Liga (Portugal) Monday 06.00am Sporting Lisbon vs Braga Sporting Lisbon Win and Over 2.5 Match Goals $3.40 Over to you @Wadda We Sing for the final installment!

And your Spurs took it right up to City too DZ! It's just a pity that Man City not winning put me out of my multi's. Reckon a match score (only) of +3.5 goals was a better option but isn't hindsight a wonderful thing hey? Annoying when everything else salutes and the sure thing doesn't. Still, that's more of an observation than a whinge - I fully expect the sure thing in sports betting to lose (unless it doesn't) ? Might have some better luck with our joint multi tonight How did you go last night?

Our batsmen need to be able to overcome Archer's pace. He won't be going away in a hurry. Smith was targeted as expected so it's up to the other batsmen to stand tall. Especially when we bat again. Archer is doing what any express bowler would do under the circumstances. We saw Mitch Johnson unleashed just a few years ago (as an example) Bouncing Archer won't make much of a difference although we might be able to incapacitate him if we're on target. The sport can be brutal at times. The test could go any of all 3 ways tonight ... the draw favoured if England bat us out of it. If they get through to lunch with wickets intact they'll bat on. So I favour a draw with the Aussies being a small chance to win if we can run through the England line-up.

Best Bet Strike Rate 4: 2 - 1 - 1 Australian Group Races Calendar And here is the early market for the first Group 1 race for the season - next Saturday (Randwick) The race is a much more interesting affair with the absence of Winx but that's horse racing for you and certainly no knock on the wonder mare. Winx of course was arguably the best ever but there's nothing like a bit of competition. Not sure we've seen Avilius vs Alizee before but I stand corrected on that. It will be interesting to see how 'Kolding' goes up against this sort of company too. Big step up in class. We should see a top class field assembled all the same.

Yeah I've settled on a couple of bankers in Man City & Liverpool and have worked my trebles around 1 or both of those teams. Lincoln City in league 1 are a standout chance as well. Tottenham are highly likely to score and we know Man City's scoring ability. And I can see Liverpool scoring at least 2 goals in their match at Southampton. In the MLB the Yankees with Sabathia on the mound could prevail DZ. Quite fancy the Atlanta Braves at good odds too. Both are up against good teams but both are at home.