Macca

Yep, everything changes now in terms of our expectations ... if the thinking was that we are able to eke out 10 or 12 wins, then we're much more a chance of playing finals And forget the jargon of the wildcard weekend and what we might call the 2 extra games, the thinking will quickly gravitate to 2 extra finals being played

Yes and the teams that finish 5th & 6th can now have a competitive advantage in terms of resting players for a week after an arduous season (5th & 6th get the bye where as 7th to 10th need to keep going) The top 4 remains the same in terms of attaining the double chance And a lot of those end of season matches that we might ordinarily not have much interest in will now have greater importance

Yes and the bottom line is that robust competition can be good for business I'm a keen punter and I admire what V'Landys has done for NSW racing and the NRL. He's a true visionary The AFL are in a dogfight for eyes on their sport but both codes have hundreds of 1000's of rusted on types It's those who can swing either way is where the battle lies It's like Coke vs Pepsi or Trump vs whoever. Either side wants to win Ch7 won't want to be beaten in the FTA stakes to Ch9 & League So there can't be a footy free weekend Why they ever brought in a free weekend in the first place was a baffling decision

Fair enough B.A My biggest beef is how the sport is played these days with the numerous stoppages and congestion As a result, I switch over to the Rugby league when it suits. Not all the time, but from time to time Years ago it was never

I highly doubt that the wildcard weekend has been primarily brought in so 2 more teams have a chance of winning the flag It's more of a business decision in terms of maintaining interest in the home and away comp and as a competitive move against the NRL For anyone out there reading this, have you found yourself watching the NRL instead when we had the bye weekend? Let's say it's 15% to 20% of AFL fans having a gander? ... would the AFL be pleased with that outcome? No

The game isn't being destroyed just because a wildcard weekend has been brought in. C'Mon man! I well remember the opposition to the centre square (Diamond), the size of the ground at Waverley, the final 5, the final 6, the final 8 etc etc People just don't like change In 2 to 4 years time, hardly a soul will be in opposition to the wildcard round. It'll be accepted Slightly more than half the teams playing finals is about right Mind you, I'd like to see the goal umpires wearing the big white coats again along with the wide-brimmed hats 😃

We live in differeny worlds ... most people I know have at least a reasonable interest in the NRL and quite a few are keen fans of rugby league It's all about the money too and in a keenly completive market place, you don't give your biggest competitor a chance to garner support

Another reason why the wildcard weekend has been brought in is that the AFL were giving their biggest competitor (the NRL) a free hit on the bye weekend And with the NRL now ahead in the ratings battle, ground needs to be made up. This is as much a business decision as it is to maintain interest The AFL is already starting the season earlier to match the NRL Personally, I quite like the wildcard weekend as it gives a number of teams hope where as beforehand, the season might have sizzled out prematurely for too many clubs The AFL ladder often resembles the standings in European soccer except of course we don't have cup competitions or relegation I can see the NRL matching the wildcard weekend once the Perth Bears enter the competition Those against this sort of change will probably change their minds after a time

Deleted ... wrong thread

Bills Lions Rams

@Gorgoroth , tips? Broncos win ugly again but winning is winning! KC are now relying on Denver & the Chargers dropping games (as well as winning themselves) The Chiefs have got the talent but have they got the drive?

It isn't amazing when factoring in that the AFL and most supporters are totally obsessed with crowd numbers For instance, the minute that the Demons draw a crowd of less than 20k against an interstate team, there's hell to pay Paranoia on a mass scale

A win to the Broncos tomorrow will see them land 3 wins ahead of the Chiefs I'm not sure that KC can win their division now as the Chargers can create a gap to KC as well (Chargers at home vs the Steelers SNF) KC on the road in the playoffs? (that's if they make it)

Highlights Champions League All 18 games (approx 2 mins per game) A little cumbersome but once one game is finished, the next game is lined up and may play automatically (or click on) So 4 of the preliminary games have been completed with 4 to go Of the 36 teams in the competition, the top 8 receive a bye with teams placed 9th to 24th play off to qualify for the final 16 Champions League Table

Bleacher Report Power Rankings (Detailed Analysis) Top 14 Rams Eagles Bills Colts Bucs Seahawks Broncos Pats Lions Chiefs Packers Chargers Steelers 49ers

I'm not sure that Dallas are as bad as the Packers right now haha We've got a QB who keeps making horrendous errors and we've just lost our best player (Kraft) to an ACL On a brighter note, thanks to your Jags*, I landed a 4 figure multi!! *Or should I be thanking the Raiders for missing a 2 point conversion?!! I couldn't watch or listen, too nerve wracking!

@Gorgoroth @Clintosaurus @Go the Biff @Dr. Gonzo @titan_uranus @ElDiablo14 @BDA @layzie @Dee Zephyr Leaderboard Tipping Comp 22 - Clintosaurus 21 - layzie 20 - Macca 19 - BDA, Go the Biff 18 - Dee Zephyr 16 - ElDiablo 15 - Gorgoroth 13 - titan_uranus 12 - Dr.Gonzo

A number of the primetime games have been very ordinary match-ups Looking ahead, it's a bit of a mixed bag

The problem is that most are latched on to 18 a side (nearly all the supporters as well) Your post is a good one but may not attract many 'likes'. People just don't like change and would see reducing the numbers on the field as an assault on the sport It's a bridge too far for most and doesn't even get talked about. But 18 a side is the root cause of all the problems with the sport It's a game of keepings off anyway so why not have a game that's not messy or overcrowded? (and a lot easier to umpire?) All the cosmetic changes solves nothing. It ends up being a crowded sport again

9 Melbourne Cup 2025 Field3200m Race at Flemington racecourseRace Time: 3:00 pmNovember 4, 2025 1. Al Riffa (19) J: Mark Zahra W: 59kg $7.00 Bet Now COMMENT: The win prior, the form stinks, but last start, the subsequent form has been quite strong. 59kg in a Melbourne Cup…gee it’s going to be an ask. But, Mark Zahra is a gun rider in big races, and Joseph O’Brien is a gun trainer when it comes to travelling horses overseas. He is a definite contender. 2. Buckaroo (12) J: Craig Williams W: 57kg $10 Bet Now COMMENT: The Cox Plate run was full of merit and it took a gun mare in Via Sistina to beat him. The Cox Plate is usually gold for the Melbourne Cup…I just question whether he runs 3200m. I think he does, on the proviso he draws soft. If he can draw inside and bludge in the run, gee I think he’ll run well. 3. Arapaho (15) J: Rachel King W: 56.5kg $34 Bet Now COMMENT: Thought he was cast prior to Bendigo…he might still be cast, but he was the sneaky good run in the race and we saw that sneaky good run at Bendigo win the race last year. Could I back him to win? No. But I can see him sneaking into the top ten. 4. Vauban (2) J: Blake Shinn W: 56.5kg $23 Bet Now COMMENT: Thought he was right on track after an excellent return in the Chelmsford. Luckless in The Metropolitan but the Caulfield Cup run worries me. He has won at 3382m previously but for mine, I don’t think he stay at the top level, and has failed twice previously in the race. Not for me. 5. Chevalier Rose (5) J: Damian Lane W: 55.5kg $41 Bet Now COMMENT: D Lane has a great record with the stable/connections in big races, both locally and overseas. It is clear that this horse that needs a rock hard track. With the Melbourne weather, no idea. If he gets conditions to suit, he’s the best each way gamble in the race. If there is rain and we get a wet track, I say he’ll struggle. 6. Presage Nocturne (9) J: Stéphane Pasquier W: 55.5kg $8.50 Bet Now COMMENT: I think he’s the one from the Caulfield Cup. He wasn’t ready from a mounting yard perspective, trip short of his best and on a dry-ish track. He’s okay on a dry track, but on wet ground, he’ll absolutely thrive and run all day. If the rain comes, I’ll be keen to back each way. 7. Middle Earth (13) J: Ethan Brown W: 54.5kg $41 Bet Now COMMENT: Blinkers went on at Moonee Valley and he ran okay, but that race was terrible. I actually think he’s a 1600m/2000m max in time. He looks like he has a lethal turn of foot in slowly run races but when the distances increase, he lacks stamina to my eye. Goes through to the keeper. 8. Meydaan (22) J: James McDonald W: 54kg $21 Bet Now COMMENT: I am fairly certain J Mac will ride a better race on this guy vs Atzeni. He brings very strong form lines from the UK and does give the impression of being fine at 3200m. How much did the Caulfield Cup take out of him? Not sure, but I am not dismissing him. 9. Absurde (4) J: Kerrin McEvoy W: 53.5kg $19 Bet Now COMMENT: Normally I pen horses who have previously failed in the race. Would a win shock with this guy? No, and he will be included in all exotic plays because he will stay all day and handles wet ground. I think he is the best each way chance in the race. 10. Flatten The Curve (17) J: Thore-Hammer Hansen W: 53kg $20 Bet Now COMMENT: Hard to knock his numerical form in 2025. He has really come on the last 6-12 months. But I just don’t think there is enough substance in his form to say he’s going to threaten. If he wins, too good, but he goes through to the keeper for me. 11. Land Legend (16) J: Joao Moreira W: 53.5kg $61 Bet Now COMMENT: Start of the prep, I thought he was a serious contender for the Melbourne Cup. But he did nothing in the Turnbull and was worse in the Caulfield Cup. Waller will need to weave some all time magic to get this horse to bounce back. 12. Smokin’ Romans (11) J: Ben Melham W: 53.5kg $61 Bet Now COMMENT: Was kept safe in betting in this race in 2022 and was okay. He hasn’t really captured that sort of form since and his efforts this time in suggest he’s nowhere near the level required to figure in the finish. He is one I am more than happy to pen. 13. Changingoftheguard (24) J: Tim Clark W: 53kg $71 Bet Now COMMENT: Rough outside top ten chance at his best and while he was luckless in The Metropolitan, he was poor at Geelong and while he’ll be on speed, he won’t be beating many home. 14. Half Yours (8) J: Jamie Melham W: 53kg $7.50 Bet Now COMMENT: I want to pen him because he has been in work forever and I reckon there was just a couple of signs at Caulfield that perhaps he might want the paddock. But when the horse is racing as well as he is, connections have to give the horse his chance. Great narrative if he wins, and of course he can win. But I won’t be backing him to win. He will go in exotics. 15. More Felons (23) J: Tommy Berry W: 53kg $41 Bet Now COMMENT: I think two miles will suit him ideally and rain won’t hurt his cause. I don’t think he’s good enough to win but I can see him running top ten because his run in The Metropolitan was a beauty. 16. Onesmoothoperator (6) J: Harry Coffey W: 53kg $31 Bet Now COMMENT: Prince Of Arran 2.0 this guy. Just a fair horse in the UK but when in Australia, he is just a different/better horse. The Moonee Valley Gold Cup win was brilliant and on a dry track, he’d be a clear top pick for me. But with the rain forecast, I think you have to pen him because he just doesn’t go a yard on wet ground, and that’s not just me, that is connections saying that as well. 17. Furthur (7) J: Michael Dee W: 52kg $26 Bet Now COMMENT: He’s a nice horse I think, for the future. Not sure he is good enough to take out the big one here though and from what I’ve seen in replays, he looks a horse that needs more time to fill out his frame. Not for me here. 18. Parchment Party (3) J: John Velazquez W: 52kg $61 Bet Now COMMENT: As I said, great narrative that he’s here being an American horse. He will chip away and stay…but if he’s winning the Melbourne Cup, the race is in big trouble. Got no chance IMO. 19. Athabascan (1) J: Declan Bates W: 51.5kg $71 Bet Now COMMENT: I think he does race best on wet ground and did show signs of life at Moonee Valley last start. But I think overall, he’s not going well enough to threaten. 20. Goodie Two Shoes (20) J: Wayne Lordan W: 51.5kg $41 Bet Now COMMENT: Needs a dry track to be any sort of chance, even then I’d have her at top ten. But if the rain comes, I say she is going to struggle, though I will say, that even on wet ground, she won’t know herself with 51.5kg on her back. 21. River Of Stars (14) J: Beau Mertens W: 51.5kg $16 Bet Now COMMENT: Does one run cancel the rest of the prep, which was pretty poor. Yes, very good in the Caulfield Cup, down in the weights, think 3200m is okay for her…just can’t see her winning. Another that is a top ten contender, a rough place chance. 22. Royal Supremacy (21) J: Robbie Dolan W: 51kg $26 Bet Now COMMENT: If you knew he was going to relax in the run, you’d back him with confidence. I think he has got the ability to win the race but unless you’re a freak, you can’t pull over 3200m and expect to win. 23. Torranzino (18) J: Celine Gaudray W: 51kg $31 Bet Now COMMENT: I think a wet track is what he needs because he lacks the brilliance of others, but even on a dry track, I think he’ll measure up. Incredible effort in the Bart Cummings and I think was arrogant in the Geelong Cup. Right down in the weights, he’ll be strong late, he likes Flemington…I think he’ll run an absolute beauty. 24. Valiant King (10) J: Jye McNeil W: 51kg $9.00 Bet Now COMMENT: Prior to the Bart Cummings

Leaderboard Tipping Comp 22 - Clintosaurus 21 - layzie 20 - Macca 19 - BDA, Go the Biff 18 - Dee Zephyr 15 - Gorgoroth 13 - titan_uranus 12 - Dr.Gonzo, ElDiablo* *ElDiablo will progress to 16 points if Arizona are successful tomorrow

Yes, injuries are another variable with drafting. It's often a crapshoot at the best of times However, just like in the USA where all their sports have attached drafts, there are often certain recruiters that get on streaks (either way) We are blessed that we have Taylor who is as good as Wells was at Geelong (in my view) By the way, we are catching up with the States with regards to accepting drafting for what it is (not for what it is seemingly supposed to be) Except in Australia, we draft underdeveloped teenages where as in the States, most of the draftees are College students aged 20-23 (sometimes, an NBA or Baseball prospect is drafted at 18 or 19)

And the reason why we remember the 2024 draft is because it was so recent But try going back 10, 15 or 20 years ... no one would have a clue And that's my point. I'm not interested in what happens in hindsight, that's all for everyone to see It's the predicting is what matters (to me) Get it right, all the time, and you've got my attention

It's still way too early to evaluate the 2024 correctly. Lot's of promise of course, but I'd say by the end of 2028 is when we can make a decent appraisal And if the draft is anywhere close to being a known science, then there would be a lot of out of work recruiters (sacked) They all missed on Fyfe (including Freo who picked Morabito #4 ... played 26 games) Do they ever get sacked for being so incompetent? haha ... the reality is that those within the industry know full well how difficult a task it is (drafting) I'm a cynic for good reason, but I do trust Taylor. We're in good hands as he punches way above his weight

The main thing that never seems to get remembered are those drafts that were supposed to be chock full of talent or the ones that are supposed to be shallow (not the aftermath comments by those using hindsight, the pre draft comments ... the consensus) Because it takes a good 5 years to properly evaluate a draft, no one seems to know what was said before the drafts And in every draft, there are any number of good players picked past the first round There's a lot of luck involved but there again, there are those recruiters that have the midas touch (like Taylor with non talls) It's always fascinating to re-evaluate any draft as the order is generally completely different years down the track Happy to acknowledge that the industry is a lot better at drafting these days but a few unknown areas still exist ... like coachability and whether a player is a self-starter A manic desire to succeed is another area that is hard to evaluate. Or players who relish physical contact (copping it, rather than dishing it out) We need to remember that the draftees are still teenagers and certainly not the finished product