Macca

I put the Neeld era in with the Bailey era along with the era from the late 60's through to 1980 as largely forgettable. There are no real fond memories apart from the individual brilliance of a number of players. The Barassi era through to the end of Daniher's time gave us real hope for the team even though we only seriously challenged a few times. RDB coached us well but we were bereft of talent and then Northey, Balme & Danners all took the team to the finals. Full circle to Roos and now Goodwin and we're back to a point where we can challenge again. So there's no point looking back unless you want to learn from the past (on how not to do it) Last night's interview serves as a reminder of how to go about things the wrong way. No one individual is at fault either - collectively we can fail or prosper. You've just got to choose the right path (as a club) We're now on the right path so away we go.

That's a shame DZ ... was looking forward to Santos running. The fields are good ... not quite as good as last week but nonetheless, at least 7 or 8 good stakes races with nearly all of them being good betting races. Nature Strip is auditioning for the 'Everest' (again) whilst Trapeze Artist, The Autumn Sun & Champagne Cuddles resume. And Bonneval is back after a long lay-off. And we've hit the 100th page for the thread ... well done to all ! Now for the double-century!

How do you even know that Jack? Ha ha My interest is virtually at zero levels with these sorts of things though. Way more interested in whether we are good enough to win. The umps will make their usual array of errors but I refuse to believe that it is anything personal.

Don Blew, Neville Nash & Scott McLaren

Just found out that John Millman is an Aussie ... I'm not up with tennis like I used to be. Good on him anyway and he's now into the last 8 in a Grand Slam tournament. John Millman produces the biggest win of his tennis career

Boxing 5 in trifecta's is going to my go for the feature events throughout the Spring DZ ... and with that sort of bet in the big races one doesn't have to think about it all too much - I just cross fingers that the right configuration salutes. I do like Santos' chances of getting into the finish. Long Leaf has fabulous closing speed as well ... 10-1 is slightly overs in my book. A good betting race, that's for sure. One less class runner to worry about Wadda, you're right. Sunlight will be back soon enough but I reckon she might need it a bit longer now. The Golden Rose over 1400m & The Thousand Guineas over 1600m may well be her target races. A favourite of mine obviously. My Racenet.com Blackbook is getting awfully full right now ... I do like Pounamu's chances at Flemington in the right race (1800m+) but Material Man might be the one to shine. Ran a very slick 1400m time at Belmont 3 starts back in a Stakes race so the mile races for the horse could be the go (at odds) Exotics definitely.

8 participants so far with a few to come ... I might put all the tips together in one post so people can compare tips whilst also making it easier for me to tally them all up on a Tuesday or Wednesday. You won't see your avatar name on the leaderboard until you get off the mark although those on zero points will be lumped together as 'The Usual Suspects' or suchlike Anyway, thanks for the response and good luck to all.

Well what we can guess at DZ is that it couldn't have been a first-timer. And perhaps the punter has never been burnt before with these sort of bets? Not sure you'd 'go-again' in a hurry though ... the quintessential 'Once bitten, twice shy' hey! Oops!

Rams Steelers Dallas

The WA 'raiders' are on their way East ... In other news ... it's very unfortunate but Sunlight is out of 'The Run to the Rose' with an elevated temperature - latest odds ...

1.10 or even 1.08 you'd maybe understand but 1.02? That's what I call skinny odds. And here we are trying to win $700 with a fiver! ?

A bad bet ... a real bad bet! You often wonder about the situation of those who place these sorts of bets ... do they do it all the time? Unlimited collateral? Seems like a hiding to nothing bet DZ.

Interesting that the Tigers are behind in the free kick ratio I believe? Yet they win a lot. I don't watch a lot of footy apart from our games (often twice) but I'm not sure we are doing it. The Sheedy tactic of deliberately getting his team to give away 15 metre penalties was a tactic that was not reeled in immediately. So if Ruchmond are doing it then it's along the same lines. Flooding back becomes an easier exercise and then they back tbemselves to create a turnover across half back. Geelong did the same for years but didn't need to give away a free kick as the game was more positional 10 years ago.

Taking things a step sideways ... Are Richmond (when it suits) deliberately giving away free kicks to slow the progression of the teams they play? And as an add-on are they also aware that any free kick they might get in tbeir favour might slow their own progress towards goal. The above is coming from a couple of Tiger supporters that I know who prefer to view the sport in a tactical way

Good field DZ ... at least 6 winning chances and even without the odds available, a good betting race. Sunlight's trainer Tony McEvoy was saying that the horse might be looking for a bit further in it's 3YO year. Hasn't shown the same brilliant speed in it's 2 runs so 1400m or even 1600m might suit going forward. Graff might start favourite though ... and Sunlight, Long Leaf, Santos, Lean Mean Machine, Zousain, Sandbar & Performer all have claims. One for the exotics you'd reckon.

Network 10 have secured the rights to the Melbourne Cup Carnival (the 4 meetings) ... $100Million over 5 years (2019 - 2023) Racing.com retains the rights to broadcast the races on the 4 days on FTA 68 & 78 as well as on the app. I'd forgotten that Network 10 had previously had the rights from 1978 through to 2001. The 7Network will still provide coverage for the other major race days by the looks of it.

Had the goals but wrong winners ... however, Liverpool, Man City, Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona & Bayern Munich all won with all their games providing +2.5 goals (Barcelona won 8-2 in their game) So the method is there but the trust has to probably be with the really big clubs and then be satisfied with the lesser dividend. Just like the horses, it's better to be let down by the class runner/team.

Spurs just have to win those types of games to challenge GV ... in fact, to be the best means that the best team has to be great as a minimum. City gained 100 points last season and if that's the benchmark, 'Elite-Great' might be required. Watford are flying at the moment - 4 from 4 and can they keep it up? There always seems to be at least 1 minnow team that is thereabouts. Last year it was Burnley and of course we all know the achievement of Leicester from just 3 years ago. The biggest underdog win I've seen in terms of how long they had to maintain winning form. City can be knocked off but the better teams will all need to take points off them - win against them if we're being honest. Man City could be expected to just about gain maximum points against the rest. As for Friday, win or lose we all just want to see maximum commitment. And there's no reason why we can't do that as that's what we've done for the most part all season. And if we win, the sky is the limit.

Here's my projected outcomes for the divisions ... The Pats & Steelers could get the 1 & 2 seeds again in the AFC whilst the NFC could go any which way. The Rams & Eagles are going to have their divisional rivals coming at them hard whilst Green Bay will be in a dog-fight in the North as well. The South is between 3 teams but Atlanta could prevail. As for the projected playoff results, who knows? But who would pick against the Patriots getting to the big dance again? And as is often the case, I'll no doubt miss on at least 4 or 5 of the teams listed below ? AFC East New England AFC West Chiefs AFC South Jacksonville AFC North Pittsburgh Wildcard NY Jets Wildcard Broncos NFC East Philadelphia NFC West LA Rams NFC South Atlanta NFC North Green Bay Wildcard Vikings Wildcard 49ers

10 participants would be a good number but even if was 12-15 it's not that hard to manage Dappa. We'll probably get 8+ so no biggie. Had a read of that Sports Illustrated NFL Preview mag (see link above) and the quick 1 page overview of every team is easential reading for those who need a brush-up or who are new to the sport. Half way through the mag is where to look just after the Rams write-up and the article on the QB's

How so?

And here is Sports Illustrated's NFL Preview Edition - the free edition is a bit slow to download but follow the links and you will get it. Read with Adobe Acrobat Reader or similar/equivalent. The Rams & Falcons feature

Thanks I like Bill's column as well ... usually appears on the Ringer around Thursday/Friday but I prefer to read it late Sunday. The BS Report 'Pick the Lines' podcast on the other hand is often better listened to early in the week right after the previous week's games are completed. Peter King's column is very good too ... a more serious approach obviously but good reading. But there's a stack of stuff available online.

I will keep an eye out ... it will probably apoear somewhere in the next day or so.