Macca

I know about as much as the next bloke Dappa - which ain't much Although I've done ok of late. We've got a thread still going in Other Sports - read more here ... Spring Carnival Caulfield There's up to 5 or 6 of us over there who chew-the-fat from time to time. I'm more into the feature races and Group races and focus in on that only. The Autumn carnival is just around the corner so come and join us. I was in my element yesterday at the Magic Millions. Some great racing. As for the trading of future picks and draft-day trading, I'm all for it. Anything that can speed up the improvement of teams I'm in favour of. I can remember evaluating our list in 2013 thinking that we were a million miles away from having a list that could truly contend - and the road back was going to take an age. It shouldn't have to take that long when we have a draft, free agency & a salary cap. But it does when you completely bottom out like we did. As you well know, in the NFL it's way different. Teams can come from nowhere in a very short space of time. 20 different teams have made the playoffs in the last 2 post-seasons alone.

Not much is ever going to change in the AFL Dappa. It's my guess that in 5 - 10 years time the season and finals format will be the same ... although, they might bring in a wild-card weekend in the weekend that is currently devoid of footy - 7th vs 10th & 8th vs 9th. As for the game itself with all the congestion coupled with puzzling rule interpretations (mainly holding the ball/incorrect disposal) I don't expect anything to change. The formula works despite my misgivings - the TV money keeps rolling in and the game is still wildly popular. I tend to just watch and attend Demon games these days. I'm more of a fan of overseas sports & test cricket. And the horses

As much as I like Rodgers and what he does I'm all about the team. Individuals come and go but winning titles is what it is all about. Rodgers will want more than one SB ring and he's about to embark on the tail-end of his career (5 more years of top QB play - hopefully) The reality is that in 10 years at the helm Rodgers has only reached one SB. Brady is probably going to be playing in his 8th SB this year. Rodgers and McCarthy have to find a way of getting to the 1 seed ... winning the division is the first task but home field advantage at Lambeau is of even more importance. Your Eagles have that advantage - without it, you'd probably be out of the playoffs already (because of the loss of Wentz) And you've earned that right too. A 13 & 3 season has its own rewards.

Yep Wadda, I reckon keeping up a bit of an interest between the Carnivals helps when the Carnivals come around. We develop an eye for the good horses so when they pop up again it makes distinguishing the form easier. There will be a few horses coming over from the Ascot carnival and the same goes for those that ran at the Gold Coast yesterday. Those 4 horses that won the feature races yesterday are all worth following up on. All won well and all ran sizzling times. 'Care to Think' was just off running the track record (it ran 1:20.72 for the 1400m) yet had to come from the outside barrier and was 3-wide all the way. Viddora carried 59kg and could be anything. Sunlight is a real speedster whilst Pierata looks a gun 3yo.

It's almost like Belichick uses Brady as if he's a 2nd string QB but lets him off the leash when it suits. And over time Brady has realised that Belichick is right. Maybe Tom realised it early on when the SB rings kept coming. I can't imagine Rodgers being used in that fashion - these gun QB's are the Alpha-Dogs and they have colossal ego's. They have an inner urge to do the spectacular. With Brady, he's often an unspectacular superstar. But the Belichick way works much like Ferguson had it all figured out at Man Utd - or Popovich at the Spurs. Winning is winning.

Louis Riddick is probably my favourite pundit on all things NFL ... after the game on 'Sportscenter' he was talking about how Brady is more often than not used for those short throws down the middle and then letting the receiver gain the extra yards. He then went on to say how he doesn't understand why other teams don't just simply copy what the Pats do. I've got a mate who follows the Pats and we've both been saying the exact same thing for years. Brady is only ever called upon to do his "stuff" when it's absolutely needed or as a surprise move ... and Belichick knows he can and does deliver when called upon. Foles is asked to do more at the Eagles yet he is not in Brady's league. Drive for show, putt for dough. So there is a way to use Foles effectively even though he is not a deep ball thrower nor is he good with his legs. Foles went 23/30 and threw for 246 yards. No TD's but he wasn't too shabby. Should have been intercepted at least once but again, only on deep throws. Foles should throw long when the odds are in his favour or if it's a sideline throw. Play the percentages.

The Pats would probably beat the Jags comfortably but if the Jags can somehow beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh then they'd have to be some sort of show. But I reckon the Steelers will probably win against Jacksonville anyway ... and then the Steelers would need to come out of the blocks against a team who have dominated them in the recent past. Pats win. They are just too professional - the best in all sports if we're being honest. Over in the the NFC the Championship is up for grabs - I've picked the Vikes to win tomorrow but not with any great confidence. The Saints could win in equal measure and then we get a knock 'em down affair regardless of who matches up against a rejuvenated Eagles. The 'line' next week will almost certainly be around the 2 to 3 mark (either way) By the way, Foles is ok when he doesn't have to throw more than 15 yards - when he does throw long it's hold-your-breath time. There is a way to use Foles well but for that answer they might have to put in a call to Chip Kelly

That final drive by Atlanta was great - they fell short but gave themselves every chance. I thought they were going to get in for a TD at the end there and that's how close the game was. If the game was played in idyllic conditions Atlanta probably would have won - but the regular season record counts in this sport. Home field can make a big difference. If Philadelphia gives up freezing and windy conditions again next week then it's another line-ball game no matter who the Eagles are up against. Meanwhile the Pats just continue on in relentless fashion. Who is going to stop them Dappa?

Agree with that Col ... I also believe that recruiting older players (who have been very good players previously) could become a trend. With a view to playing those types in specific games or a set amount of games. We could do it with Vince and/or Lewis. 18 teams was always going to mean that the talent levels were going to be spread thin ... there isn't necessarily a greater amount of good players just because more players are getting greater opportunities. The choice of squeezing out another year or 2 out of a veteran B+ or A grade player might appeal more than persevering with any amount of C grade players who have plateaued out long ago. Or 4th round draft picks. Either/or rather than one way or the other. You don't want to overdo it but the sport doesn't have room for too many young, immature, inexperienced players these days ... the congested style we now see often requires bigger, mature bodies. But those bigger, mature bodies can't be low on skill.

Superb catch by Davis and the Titans score the first TD - we might have a game on our hands here.

And wouldn't it be a nice problem to have if Weideman can advance his game? The good news is that T-Mac & Hogan can play in a variety of positions. Back a few years ago a few people here made mention that Hogan could even hold down CHB ... with his reading of the play, marking strength, creativity and his ability to bring others into the play, who would rule it out? In today's footy all things are possible - I see Hogan as a general utility who can float about and play just about anywhere. He had a horrid run of luck last year and just needs a good run at it.

As for this next game, the Titans have to make sure they don't concede a TD or 2 in the 1st quarter. New England could blow this game out early as that is how they normally go about it. The Titans probably have to score the first TD to have any chance.

The slip by Jones before the 2nd attempt was the major factor - but the game was played in freezing conditions with 30km/h winds and the surface is real turf. I'm not blaming Jones but more so highlighting the conditions of play ... there were mis-throws and dropped catches all game.

Atlanta couldn't quite get it done with that last drive .... great effort though. Jones initially slipping on that last play might have been the difference. Hard luck @JV7 but your team did their best. Eagles just a bit too strong. So Philadelphia get it done in a game largely dominated by the defenses. At home against another dome team next week - could be a tight low-scoring game regardless of who their opponent is.

Apart from being played at below freezing temperature, the wind is a major factor in this game - a 30km/h wind throughout has made the long passing game quite redundant (for both sides) And that is suiting the Eagles. Luck could decide this game though. Score currently Eagles 12 Falcons 10 with 10 minutes left. Eagles in redzone territory.

Another turnover from a punt ... it's becoming a regular thing for the Falcons. A TD results. Excellent scrambling on the TD play by Ryan all the same.

Hogan doesn't have to kick a lot of goals to be a very effective player '56 ... even so, over the course of the season he'd get his fair share of chances within his range anyway (if he played predominantly at CHF) The way footy is played these days the roles of the FF & CHF has changed a lot - and both positions aren't static. Coaches often rotate their big forwards within their forward lines. Hogan is a very creative player and has excellent hands in close - plus, he can occasionally play on the ball as can T-Mac (as a back-up ruckman) Both players are quite versatile and we need to utilise the strengths of both players - T-Mac at CHF & Hogan at FF can still happen from time to time but the other way around has more appeal. Bringing in Lever allows the team to have 2 versatile goal-kicking forwards. And if Weideman comes on strong ...

I agree rjay ... should have said 'To add to Oliver' However, most can probably see that he is only going to get better & better. Trading up to pick 3 (later to become pick 4) to acquire Oliver has got to go down as one of the best recruiting coups in living memory. Certainly for our club. The best bit is that we beat out the Dons who were reportedly going to draft him with one of their top-end picks (Essendon had picks 5 & 6 - directly after our pick)

We need a few of our good players to become stars of the game - A grade no less. Petracca seems the most likely to me, Hogan is another. But a breakout year in the forward line for the entire season? T-Mac. 50-60+ goals will do it and he's capable of achieving that. One of his strengths is an innate ability to find time and room for himself. And in the forward line, that's invaluable. And he is a very accurate kick for goal. Play him deep forward and get Hogan at CHF and up the ground.

Well well, the good horses won today at the Magic Millions and the quaddie was all there for the taking (not that it paid much!) Not for me though, money back on the 9th but no other collects. Sunlight wins the 2yo Classic and looks to have a terrific future and is now being set for the 'Slipper' Care to Think won the cup race after drawing badly and being 3 wide for the race Pierata won the Guineas in very impressive fashion - another 3yo with a bright future. Viddora can really sprint (the horse is being set for 'The Everest')

I'm probably viewing bottoming out a bit differently Col ... where the Blues & North are right now is dangerous for those clubs (especially North) The Lions & Suns the same although the AFL can always step in to help both of those clubs (and the AFL almost certainly will) We bottomed out, went down and stayed down ... and it's been a long haul just to get back to mid table. We've got back to mid table with sound, sensible recruiting. Good admin, good coaching, good development and making sure you've got at least 10-12 good players on your list is of paramount importance. Sounds simple but clubs lose their way.

Good point Wyl I was thinking in terms of a club bringing in 3 or 4 decent free agents in one hit ... much like what often happens in overseas sports. Right now, it's difficult to imagine teams being in a position to do such a thing but North did it in the 70's (10 year rule) And the Blues, Hawks & Dons cleaned up on all the interstate talent in the 80's. Thus, the premierships flowed.

In terms of actual results re top-end picks you're right DJ ... however, I reckon we've seen enough in Hogan, Viney (both virtual top end picks) & Petracca to forecast a decent return on investment. And the investment in top-end picks is often much larger than elsewhere. Salem (pick 9) & Brayshaw both need a good run at it whilst the jury is out on Weideman. From an overall perspective our recruiting has been very good in the recent past. We've traded well of late but we're yet to travel the free agency path. It's nice knowing that free agency is always an option. Good, well run clubs should never bottom out.

One could argue that (of late) Clarkson has helped set up his past champs (Mitchell, Lewis & Hodge) at other clubs Col. They exit their veterans well now (or, at least as well as is possible) As for Gary jr ... a lot of these A graders tend to have a decent year or 2 when the end is looming. They've recruited him for the 'right-now' and that's ok if the player in question is at least B+. Barring injury, he might just do alright. Free agency is still in it's infancy ... sooner or later we're going see a club or 2 make a big play in that area. But the 'big-play' might be a couple/few years in the making. As stated earlier, clubs already know the dangers of bottoming out so falling away to mid-table is as far as they'd want to go.

By the way @rjay, I hope you are right. I'm entirely sick & tired of seeing the Hawks & Cats pushing for success.