Macca
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Joined
Everything posted by Macca
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And now your Eagles look set to host a playoff game in week 1 of the postseason Unless you lose to the Eli led Giants next week -
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We're playing for 1 point only this week with 3 points up for grabs in Week 17 ESPN Playoff Machine Leaderboard in the Tipping Comp 12 - JV7 11 - Gorgoroth, Dee Zephyr 10 - Go the Biff, Macca 9 - Layzie, Clintosaurus 8 - Dappa Dan 4 - DeeSpencer
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We have a new leader in the tipping comp - JV7 has regained the leader (Schillaci always did have that extra kick nearing the finish line!) Leaderboard in the Tipping Comp 12 - JV7 11 - Gorgoroth, Dee Zephyr 10 - Go the Biff, Macca 9 - Layzie, Clintosaurus 8 - Dappa Dan 4 - DeeSpencer Next week we play for 1 point and in week 17 we play for 3 points. All active participants are in a position to win outright or tie for the win ... we don't have a tie-break to decide the winner. Thus, there can be multiple winners. The tallyboard is the closest that I can ever remember too. ESPN Playoff Machine As for today's games the highlight might have been the Bills winning and therefore setting up a showdown with the Pats next week with the AFC East title up for grabs. All over for the Rams you'd imagine (unless they win their last 2 with the Vikings losing their last 2) whilst next week's Dallas/Eagles game will almost certainly decide that division as well. All the big guns secured victory in week 15 except for the costly loss by the 49ers. Still, if the 49ers win their last 2 they'll win the NFC West. But a trip to Seattle awaits (Week 17) It's all happening!
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I've only got 9 Gawn, Oliver, Salem, Brayshaw, May, Lever, Harmes, Viney & Petracca Outside of the above with a need to establish themselves (or re-establish) as notable contributors to the team (on a regular basis) ... Melksham, T-Mac, Hibberd, Jetta, Jones, Fritsch, Hore, Tomlinson, Langdon, AVB. Of the rest many need time (at least a year or 2) but a few could make the quantum leap even this year ... in fact, 2 or 3 possibly/probably will establish themselves as permanent fixtures in the top 12 or 15 as part of the 22. And of course the injury factor will no doubt intervene.
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That's another category DJ Clubs with ultra-talented list's that only achieved the ultimate prize once. Pies of 2010, Pies of '90? Bombers of 2000 (as you've pointed out) Saints of '66, maybe the 1980 Tigers?, Blues of '95 are another. Port Adelaide of 2004 should have added another flag given their list. We're not in the conversation though as the '88 team and 2000 team had a collective H & A record of 27 wins with 17 losses. We have clearly never been good enough since '64. Having said all that we look to be building a very good list but we are still a fair way off having a great list. And as previously stated, teams with a great list don't always win big. How about those Buffalo Bills? 4 Super Bowl appearances in a row with a fantastic team but they missed out every time. Sport can be cruel at times.
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Talent and good coaching wins games - and a team needs lots of it. All the rest of it is mostly bs. And good coaching and a top-rate list requires a switched on board, a top level CEO and good admin along with a well stocked and well functioning FD. Right now, I'm not sure we've got all of the above or even any of the above. We're probably 'ok' in a number of areas. But ok doesn't win big. The Junction oval was canned left right & centre yet we played in 12 finals series over a 20 year stretch from '87 to '06 whilst residing there. No real aftermatch facilities either. Also, the Junction oval was well renowned for having the best surface going around so maybe there's a bit of a clue on what is actually required to be successful. But I'm not advocating a return to the Junction oval. What I am saying is that having first class facilities or a spot to meet after the games doesn't matter that much. That stuff doesn't matter at all if the list is devoid of talent. Prior to '87 and from '64 onwards we were devoid of real talent Post '06 we were devoid of real talent. So it's about talent, pure & simple. And we've never had enough talent to realistically challenge for a premiership or 2 ... post '64. We've seen 5 teams have terrific era's where they've had really talented list's and they've still missed out on a flag (Pies '64 - '69, Pies '70 - '73, Pies '77 - '81, Cats '89 - '95, Saints '08 - '11) So there's your answer folks ... IMO. Having said all that, it would be 'nice' to meet up with fellow Demon supporters at a designated centralised venue
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Our forward line (as a whole) was mostly dysfunctional in 2019 and we needed to change things up in that area. We've drafted a forward/ruckman (pick 3) and spent a top 10 pick on a small forward. So the FD must believe we've got some issues to address in our forward line. Again, on paper the forward line looks ok but that's not how it panned out in 2019. The delivery to the forward line was often poor as well but it would help a lot if our forwards played in front and got to the right spots. To be a top 4 team you generally need a forward line that is firing on all cylinders. And to be consistent finals team the forward line can't be anything worse than B or B+ I would give our forward line in 2019 a 'D' so there's a lot to make up, old dee.
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We'll be lucky to play finals ... the list looks good on paper only. And even then that's with many on the list being over-valued anyway. 12 wins is a possibility though but that number doesn't guarantee finals. But I'm not one to get all buoyant in the off-season (in a general sense) Building up false hopes often leads to anger & disappointment. The issues we need to address ... A dysfunctional forward line without any real marking power A lack of genuine leg speed (especially from the stoppages) Dash out of defence as well as the ability to set up goals out of defence Disposal issues with regards to kicking to position Kicking for goal (yips) Clearance work that leaves a lot to be desired A/B+ talent depth at the top end and a lack of talent with regards to the last 6 or 8 picked in the 22 The ability to play as a unit (team football) 2nd & 3rd efforts aren't up to par Overall coaching that may or may not be up to scratch That's a lot of boxes to tick in one off-season. Again, despite all of the above we've still got the ability to win 10-12 games as there are any number of teams who are in a similar position to us. But it's a rarity to see a team beat all the teams they should beat unless that team is a genuine top 4 team. And we are not that team. Not yet anyway. 2020 is about gaining respectability and setting the team up for a genuine shot beyond next season. If we get a dream run with injuries we might end up playing a final or 2. But that's an optimistic call. I just can't see the team winning 14 games (which would virtually guarantee a finals berth)
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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?
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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.
