Macca

Fair enough too. They have fought gallantly. Still reckon that if the Aussies get a wicket soon then the pendulum can swing the other way. Butler & Woakes can bat but Broad, Archer & Leach aren't great. Their strength before the series started was identified as their late middle order but that included Moeen Ali (replaced by Leach who bats at no.11) I still favour the Aussies to win but only just.

Did the Poms replace the wicket at lunchtime yesterday? One of those drop-in types (road) that the Aussie curators specialise in? These 2 (Stokes & Bairstow) look super comfortable. Advantage England.

Their best chance is to counter-attack with these 2 at the crease. And of course if we bowl well to counter, the wickets should come. Or at least 1 wicket and that's all we need - 1 wicket to keep changing the balance.

That was the wicket ... not sure why Root played across the line to Lyon though. Loss of concentration?

As for the technical aspect ... the wicket did lose it's venom after lunch yesterday as I forecast it might do. I was just throwing it out there though. Didn't think I'd get it right! But just prior to lunch Archer was getting variable bounce and a few flew off the pitch in startling fashion. But he is a special talent. The new ball will tell the tale. Or if we pick up a wicket just prior to taking the new ball.

Most people I know are expecting an Aussie victory tonight. But there again, not many of them are Demon fans. Nearly all are former cricketers though with a rich knowledge of the game. I never really expect the footy team to win or to win anything. So there is no carry over to any other sport and I don't let the MFC affect my life (at all) Supporter syndrome is confined to the MFC only with me. But I see it all like a realist would anyway so it's not really MFCSS anyway. The data means more to me. But because of the Test side's incredible success rate over the same time period (50+ years) I often expect the cricket side to win. And we've won 5 world cups in the 50 over version as well as being such a dominent team in Test cricket. We're not a great team right now but if we unearth 2 or 3 A grade batsmen in the near future, we soon will be. England aren't a great team either. If the Poms win tonight I will give them great credit rather than pay out on the Aussies. There are always doubts but I like playing the percentages. With the footy team, the percentages tell us that you can't win with a team that lacks real talent. It's always about talent ... the coaching is often overrated. So Justin Langer as a coach is only as good as the players he works with. Same deal for footy.

I'm sticking to my call of 270 max. They have to survive the 2nd new ball and if they can do that they then have to handle Lyon throughout. At some stage they have to try and score runs too. Even just losing 1 wicket exposes a new batsman up against a bowling unit which knows how to take advantage. Totals such as the one they're chasing are rarely reached. But usually the side batting last would be dealing with a well-worn 5th day wicket. If they achieve the total it will be one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history (after being dismissed for 67 in their first innings) And kudos to them if they do so.

That is a stunning development. I'd half expect him to be back in 12 months if he can get his body & mind right. He's only 30 and 12 months off will allow enough time for his injuries to heal which in turn should help with to get his mind clear. The other thing about Luck is that he lives eats and breathes all things NFL. I wish him all the best and hope he returns

Weekend Special Portugal Premeira Liga Monday 03.30am Portiminense vs Sporting Lisbon Sporting Lisbon Win (+2.5 Goals Match Score) $2.75

Best Bet Strike Rate (took a hit yesterday!) 8: 2 - 2 - 1 Australian Group Racing Calendar And here are the 4 notable replays out of Melbourne & Sydney (last week & yesterday) Followed by the early market for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (to be run next Saturday at Caulfield)

Replay time. In the post to follow (below) there are 4 replays from the meetings in Melbourne & Sydney - 2 from last weekend and 2 from yesterday. But in this post you can view the 4 big races from the York Carnival (which came to an end last night) We may see some of the participating horses in our Spring. Notably 'Japan' and maybe 'Battaash'

England get to 3-156 by stumps which was a stoic effort. Still require another 203. But credit it to them for refusing to yield. Stokes is 2 off 50 balls! As you stated Wadda, 1 wicket changes things but they've obviously come out with a plan to bat with time on their side. Root is a fine player but we need to dislodge him all the same. It isn't quite over yet and they are making us earn it. I didn't believe that they'd only be 3 down by stumps and if they'd had got to 220+ (about 3 runs per over) by the close of play you'd be quite concerned. But 359 is a tough ask. The new ball is due in 8 overs and you'd expect 1 of the 3 quicks to therefore make a breakthrough. Essential viewing once again tonight.

270 max is my tip. They are going to need one of their batsmen to get a 100 in order to challenge for victory. Can't see it on this track with the way it's played so far. 1 wicket often changes things quite a bit when the wicket is assisting the bowlers. The only doubt I have is if the wicket loses it's venom after lunch. It's only the 3rd day and usually a wicket is often at it's best for batting on the 2nd & 3rd day. Still, 359 is a tough total to reach

Watch out for some bat pads off Lyon in their 2nd innings. Was getting extra good bounce in their first innings and the wicket is still lively.

I've seen less dismissals in a t20 match played on a bunsen burner. They're dropping like flies.

Lots! We'll cash in now ... England are shell-shocked. Warner needs to go after them and put them to sleep. Edit: So much for that wish. Warner out. Harris might take up the attack instead.

Big Josh with a 5 fa! The Ashes are ours mate. The Aussies are men on a mission. That was just sensational.

Dave Warner back in form and he alone could end this today (in virtual terms) England 9 - 66 We have been ferocious Wadda. Playing like winners.

It's not a knockout but close to a TKO Wadda In boxing terms it's probably a 10 - 5 but the scoring in boxing has always been kind to the vanquished. I like the fighting qualities with the kid ... and it looks like his innings has inspired the bowlers. Just 1 wicket at a time (work for 1) to gain the upper hand even more comprehensively. Edit: England 8 - 60 and staring down the barrel.

Reckon I prefer something a bit more contemporary @Diamond_Jim for Marnus Labuschagne Dubbed 'Kid Charlemagne' by Wadda (Circa 1976!)

We can't let 'em get more than about 250 - 260 Wadda. And yep, the sun is out and the wicket might be bat friendly. Need one of our paceman to get a 5 wicket haul. Love the nickname for Labuschagne too. A demonland special. 'Kid Charlemagne' Looks a player of the future. Nice technique and good temperament. Need a few more. I'm a Renshaw fan for the same reason and hopefully, he'll get another opportunity down the track. Edit: 2 for 10 with Hazlewood & Cummins both bowling very well. Good start.

Like the 3 choices for the multi this week Wadda ... I often end up using BM's choice in an exotic bet. Really looking forward to the Winx Stakes too. There are any number of the runners in the race that can get into the finish so the Tri and/or F4 could pay well I'll post up some replays of the Group 1's from the York carnival (UK) later on. 'Enable' won again of course and is now set for a crack at a 3rd Arc de Triomphe.

The broadcast rights money ($2.518 Billion) is the biggie. But one could argue that the clubs generate that income whilst the AFL manages the money. Save for the 2 new clubs and maybe Brisbane, all the other clubs should be able to post profits given the money that is generated. Huge membership numbers, tens of millions from pokies, Tassie, NT et al, lots of sponsorship money etc etc. Money wise, the sport has never been in better shape. Even our club was able to pay top dollar for a coach (Roos) ... and it was our generated money that paid Roos' salary too. Posted profits in all of Paul's 3 years at the club as well.

Not going to happen DJ. The big clubs wouldn't stand for it. Their double-up blockbusters add a lot to their bottom lines'. In a general sense there is too much revenue at stake to ever see a 17 game season. Meanwhile, the gap between the small clubs and the big clubs gets wider every year. We as a club need to work the draft, salary cap and coaching to our advantage. I have always thought that a club like ours needs to at least have one of the best coaches in the system. But for the most part we continually appoint rookie coaches. And that is not a knock on Goodwin, it's just that a club like ours needs to find an advantage or 2. We are, by default, behind the 8 ball in so many areas. Other clubs tick the boxes as a matter of course. That won't be changing in a hurry either.

Yeah but the extra revenue in the dividend has factors such as when clubs like us are at a disadvantage with regards to the general draw, blockbuster games, free-to-air games etc We get shafted and then they give us some extra dollars to shut us up. Been that way for years. The smaller clubs are kept at arms length and then made out to be on drip feed. For instance ... the smaller clubs get lumbered with having to play extra home games against low drawing interstate teams. Year after year after year. Meanwhile, the big clubs get to play each other on a regular basis. Year after year after year. Revenue gets effected because of the above - free-to-air exposure, sponsorship, visibility, membership etc etc. And the gullible footy public buy into it like it is somehow connected to a competitive edge. Then some of our own supporters who are angry towards our current on field plight buy-in as well. There are a lot of lies in footy DJ - you should know that.