Macca

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.

I'll be having a few 3 picks with the English league's later on. Haven't had a good look yet but I like to pluck out 3 winners using the +2.5 goals match score across the 4 leagues (Premier league, Championship, League 1 & League 2) Any tips here would be appreciated!

James Cummings & Godolphin could and quite possibly will dominate both carnivals Can't ignore class and Godolphin only keep the top raters. Gator left Exhilerates out of his first4 in the Quesette Stakes but I was stunned as to why? Another Cummings horse And Bivouac was absolutely supreme in the Vain Stakes. Won by 4.5 lengths. Wow! Cummings again. Begood Toya Mother just keeps winning in impressive fashion. Tip against it at your peril. And as previously stated, Mystic Journey is an absolute gem. Up in Sydney 'Wolfe' won well and 'Girl Tuesday' may be back to her best again. The focus switches to Randwick next Saturday with 5 group races including the Group 1 Winx Stakes over the 7 furlongs. I'll post up the early odds for the Winx Stakes later on along with the link to the group races. And I agree Wadda ... this week is a better time to start recording the Best Bet strike rate 4: 2 - 1 - 1 though as Fundamentalist 'acted' as a win. Place bankers should be recorded as a win if they run a place yeah (?)

Close but no cigar fellas! Still, the 2 bankers with a value pick or 2 makes the multi a worthwhile exercise. Even 3 bankers with 1 value runner has merit. All 3 or 4 picks being bankers often doesn't give enough value. And 1 of those 3 or 4 nearly always misses. That's how multi's work. ? I like the Miss Iano type pick but it's a matter of identifying something that can get into the finish (which brings the place option in - as a saver)

2 from 2 here ... way too late for BM's Toryjoy tip. No worry anyway as the treble gets up if DZ's pick (Miss Iano) salutes. Got about 37-1 too so good odds. Good run from Fundamentalist Wadda and my default mode of the class preference came through with the mighty Mystic Journey. A real good horse.

Best Bet Saturday Caulfield Race 8 No.11 Mystic Journey $2.20 (Win)

Over to you @Wadda We Sing for the clincher!

A stay-away day at Flemington in hindsight Wadda. Can't remember the last time we had a heavy track there either. Rosehill raced better but only got the one winner there so an average day. Not much better with my exacta strategy as well! Gator's tips are now available on the Sky Racing app (but you have to wait until Saturday mornings) His tips now encompass Melb, Syd, Adel & Bris. He tipped 2 winners in both Syd & Melb despite having a lean day overall. Often gets 3 winners per meeting so definitely worth following. Gets a lot of placings as well (with his value picks) If I get time I'll post up his & JJ's tips (here) but I am very busy at work on Saturday's these days.