Macca

In my experience I've come across any number of sportspeople who haven't realised their potential. After a while one realises that the outcomes are largely enivitable. The pathways individuals take are self-chosen. I don't believe that Jack had enough basic skills to even have an above average career ... playing in front, contested marking and a drive to succeed are skills in themselves. Doing the extras at training and a manic attack on the ball are also basic skills.

We draft these blokes at an age where we really don't how they are going to turn as footballers or indeed how they are going to turn out as people. The trouble is that we're fed information such as "He's going to be a star" or "He comes from a good family" etc etc and because we want to believe all that we tend to believe all that. There are others (myself included) who prefer a wait-and-see approach which takes away all unrealistic expectations and the angst that can often go with those unrealistic expectations not being met. I often see people lashing out with their anger over the outcomes of drafting as if somehow the future is written in stone. Therefore, I'm neither disappointed with Watts nor am I pleased with the outcome. But that's just me, others can please themselves.

Consolation prize for you @Gorgoroth You're the winner of the post season tipping comp! Well played and good tipping. I'll post up the overall tallies sometime in the next day or so. 2nd goes to @Go the Biff & 3rd place goes to @DeeSpencer Well played gentlemen. Bad luck about the big one Gorg but Belichick, Brady & the Pats were just too good in a fairly forgettable game all round. We kept waiting for something to happen but the only real highlight was the Brady throw to Gronk. That play proved to be the most decisive play as well. Anyway, thanks to all for your participation. Final Tally - Post-Season Tipping Comp 12 - Gorgoroth 11 - Go the Biff 10 - DeeSpencer 9 - Dappa Dan 7 - JV7 6 - Clintosaurus, DemonDave 5 - Dee Zephyr, Macca

If we could go back and add 4 or 5 top players to those Northey & Daniher teams we almost certainly would have won a flag or 2. And top management goes with all that. And a good culture. And you win flags then everything is viewed differently. We've never had the talent levels in my opinion. Hopefully that changes. And just on being a top player ... as a forward the front position is a prerequisite and so is the ability to take a contested mark. Basic skills 101. Without those basics a tall forward can never be a top player.

Our culture at times has been very good especially during the Barassi & Northey tenure's. Neale Daniher's time as well wasn't too bad. And we are doing quite well now. So it isn't 50 years H unless you measure things by premierships. But you are spot on about the fish rotting at the head ... we have had any number of poor managers or people in positions of authority failing at their jobs. Blaming the A-end of a problem is just an easy out. Poor management = poor culture.

A former no.1 pick still resonates - it never ends. We are what we turn out to be - preconceived notions matter not to the subject matter

I Want You (She’s So Heavy) Written by: Lennon-McCartney Recorded: 22 February; 18, 20 April; 8, 11 August 1969 Producers: George Martin, Glyn Johns, Chris Thomas Engineers: Barry Sheffield, Jeff Jarratt, Tony Clark, Geoff Emerick, Phil McDonald Released: 26 September 1969 (UK), 1 October 1969 (US) John Lennon: vocals, lead guitar, organ, Moog synthesiser Paul McCartney: backing vocals, bass George Harrison: backing vocals, lead guitar Ringo Starr: drums, congas Billy Preston: Hammond organ Read more here ... I Want You (She’s So Heavy)

Form Analysts Had some luck with Tony Brassel but his winners tend to be the short-priced favourites. - not a lot of value and us punters are looking for a tipster that can find a way to get the favourite beaten. So for NSW racing, I keep drawing blanks. Brad Davidson can be good but he goes too far the other way. Paul Joyce the same. Ron Dufficy is good but he has a few too many biases. So it's David Gately (Gator) for the Vic Metro & James Jordan (JJ) for all things in SA. Both tipsters aren't biased and they both offer terrific value. They will do a bit of both - find a way to get the short-priced favourite beaten but equally, they will go with the shortie when it suits. What I do is pick out their value picks and go from there. Both for straight out bets and the exotics. Gator's Saturday picks can be found on Racing.com under the banner 'Best Bets' whilst JJ's tips are listed on Saturday mornings also on Racing.com. Ben Asgari for Vic Country racing is worth a look-see with his tips (more so midweek) ... his tipping suits the exotic punters. He recognises a couple/few chances in any given race rather than having a standout pick. So if you like 2/4 or 2/5 exacta's, there is value in his tips if you can pick the eyes out it. Ben's tips can also be found on Racing.com.

Enjoy the day Gorg ... SB appearances are rare unless you're a Pats fan so to even make it that far is an achievement in itself. But it's all about the winning and I hope you do win ... and if you do win you'll have beaten a great organisation in the process. All the best.

Adds up to 25-1 or thereabouts but more like 30-1+ with the aid of the odds booster. That's good odds for a 3pick Anyway, it's all about Serie A tonight & tomorrow! Best of luck to all!

Stand corrected then DS ... I don't remember where I got those figures from. I blame the government! I did think those numbers were a quite low ... the pro bowl used to get 10-12 million which in itself is a high number (all things considered) Now down to 8 million which still seems quite high.

Sale races postponed to Monday DZ Edit: El still listed and it was down to 8 runners but now back up to 11 ... watch this space!

My tip ... Rams 29 Pats 28 Paging @DeeSpencer @Clintosaurus @JV7 @DemonDave @titan_uranus @WERRIDEE @layzie @Dr. Gonzo Remembering that we play for 5 points in this, the final week. Made up of 3 points for the correct winner and a bonus 2 points for your winning team's score being within 3 points of the winning team's actual score. The losing team's score has no bearing. e.g. If the Rams win and their score is 26-32 then I'd pick up a total of 5 points for nominating the Rams as the winner (with a score of 29 points) Now that I've used my score as the example you can rest assured that that won't happen. The advanced jinx. Only 3 people have a chance of winning but podium places are up for grabs. The honour board eagerly awaits your presence. Good luck all and go Rams!! Leaderboard - Post-Season Tipping Comp 12 - Gorgoroth 8 - Go the Biff 7 - DeeSpencer 6 - Clintosaurus, Dappa Dan 5 - Dee Zephyr, Macca 4 - JV7 3 - DemonDave 1 - titan_uranus 0 - TWSNBN

Apparently at least 100 of the 250 horses (in work) have been relocated from the Ballarat stables ... and the top 50 have gone to the top 4 trainers according to one local trainer. But above all, it's just a very sad situation all round. And unless the operation is restructured with new trainers from the outside, the staff are going to be out of work. As it stands, it's business as usual but that will almost certainly all change in 24 hours. Read more here ... Ballarat mood changes after Steward raids

Here's a couple of laid-back numbers ...

On SBS tonight - Spurs vs Newcastle. Coverage starts at 11.00pm.

Monday Special Italy Serie A 6.30am $3.00 Roma Win & +2.5 Goals Match Score vs AC Milan I'm giving them the forgive run!

Hutchy said the same thing ... horses often tend to shift out a bit in the straight but as you said, the door could have been shut. Bons Away is a very good horse that previously was less than a length off winning its last 4 starts (3 Group 2's & 1 Listed race) Because of that recent history, the awareness of Bons Away's finishing speed had to be high on the radar. Hard luck.

Thought it was home for you mate ... bad luck. The winner had the dream draw and the dream run.

Alizee way too classy in a class field - hands and heels too. Impressive.

The size of the fields (3 or 4 horses) at Morphettville has to be a genuine concern ... from a punting point of view I stay away apart from the last couple of races (which are often BM64 lottery races anyway) James Jordan's tipping talents are wasted over there ... he's a really good tipster in what is fast becoming a ghost-like environment. I blame the government but that level of blame is quite apt. They do nothing but take from the industry over there.

I've started taking our choices straight out as well as in a tri-bet. 1 winner and it's at least money back most of the time. So it's a good percentage play. I know you go on the place as well when it suits (in a multi) so that's a good alternative also.

2 from 2 for you Wadda since your return ... well done mate. I was on Lamborghini for an ok collect. The 2nds & 3rds contribute to the strike rate so that S/R is starting to look a lot better. That's my excuse anyway!? Best Bet Strike Rate (running tally) 80: 31 - 13 - 12 Australian Group & Listed Races

I can't wait for the better races to get into full swing DZ ... I can figure out exacta's & trifecta's to a certain degree because of the multiple choices involved but straight winners in the lesser races is strictly your domain! Maybe we should give you a couple/few choices so that Wadda & myself can just pick up the collects! ? We can call you 'Deeza' as you are officially 'lands version of Gator. Wadda, Deeza, Macca & BM can be Beema. What do ya reckon?

Damien Oliver in staying races when he is on a good or decent horse ... a no-brainer? Timed his run to perfection to edge out my choice (Pissaro) That's racing - always something to learn!