Macca

Carson Palmer was obviously missed ... another major factor. Peterson is still capable of dominant games - I knew the result before watching the highlights package but before doing that, I looked at the stats. And the first thing that stood out were Peterson's numbers. I should have been clearer ... the difference maker can often be the star not performing up to expectations. I see it with Green Bay from time to time - when Rodgers doesn't dominate his opposite number, we invariably lose. Not that that is his fault - we obviously ask the bloke to do too much.

The expectations for a high return from Peterson were far greater than Seattle's running game (often led by Wilson the QB) Peterson's 21 carries for 29 yards is a massive fail for Arizona when considering that Stanton is average at best. Peterson is averaging 85 yards per game and he needed to have a big game in order for Arizona to win. Relying on Stanton is like relying on Hundley. Wilson was always going to win that duel. So Seattle shutting down Peterson proved to be the difference. Seattle's defence isn't what it was but as you said, they smashed Arizona's O-line which effectively curtailed any influence that Peterson could have had.

We had the better of the first half but the opposition are not very good at all ... Honduras are rated 69 in the world for a reason. Juric should have scored but the pitch is not a good one. Ball bobbling quite a bit. Aaron Mooy has been great. Need to run out the game and hopefully score a goal or 2 ... and keep them goalless. The conditions are in the home team's favour though. You'd take a 0 - 0 scoreline, all things considered.

Late mail ... Darley Classic: Ben Smith wants group 1 accolade for 'In Her Time'

Some more Southern rock from a ways back ...

No love for the Jets, Gorgo? Seattle were morals today but such is the nature of tipping comps, I didn't pick them and was hoping they'd lose. Hope lost. And what was going on with that Wilson concussion protocol? Just totally disregarded and it was on with the show. Peterson being totally stifled looked to be the difference maker but I didn't watch all of the game.

Here's a decent preview of tomorrow's game from foxsports ... Ange Postecoglou has never played a game missing Leckie, Milligan, Kruse and Cahill (the link to the article contains a 52 minute podcast featuring various pundits)

I'll have a go at the feature races tomorrow (races 7 & 8) ... the races were formally known as the Victoria Racing Club Stakes & the LKS McKinnon Stakes (I'm old school) Can't go past the speedy Redzel in race 7 ... there are a number of other chances but I don't mind Vega Magic either. Missrock may run on. And I'll give Tosen Stardom another chance in race 8 ... the other 2 Weir horses could feature (Gailo Chop & Cliff's Edge) As always, it's the trifecta & first 4 for me. Just missed on Oaks day so am looking for a win.

New England Pittsburgh Saints

New page so here are the games again ...

1 point only on offer this week ... Pittsburgh & New England are the standouts whilst Seattle, New Orleans & Minnesota are all favoured as well. Leaderboard in the comp 8 - Clintosaurus 6 - Go the Biff 5 - Dappa Dan 3 - JV7 1 - Gorgoroth, Macca 0 - The usual suspects Guess the Lines Week 10 with Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal

Here's a couple of recent podcasts from the BBC that are worth a listen... The Inside Story of the 2013-14 Ashes Whitewash ... Officially ranked as their worst ever tour to Australia - why did it go so horribly wrong? (various players from both teams relive the moments from that series) England Don't Need to Announce Vice-Captain - Michael Vaughan .... Mark Butcher & Glenn McGrath join Michael Vaughan & Eleanor Oldroyd to preview the Ashes. .

A number of us have got some catching up to do but we're running out of weeks - however, there is a total of 13 points still available. Leaderboard in the comp 8 - Clintosaurus 6 - Go the Biff 5 - Dappa Dan 3 - JV7 1 - Gorgoroth, Macca 0 - The usual suspects

An example of what I'm talking about is the Eagles going after a RB in Ajayi ... they are obviously trying to get stronger in other areas apart from QB, WR & defence. A really smart move by Philadelphia - the payoff could be huge.

I could have told you that years ago Clint.

You should be thanking McCarthy. Detroit were never tested.

Moscow & St Petersburg are 7 hours behind (AEST) but there are a number of games played where the city involved is up to 5 hours behind AEST. And that's the maximum time difference if the games listed on Wiki are accurate. In a nutshell, the games will be kicking off predominately between 10pm & 4am AEST. I'll be watching the evening games and then watching the early morning games on delay. All the round of 16, quarter finals & semi finals will be played at midnight or 4.00am ... the final will be played at 1.00am (Monday morning) All times are AEST. There's a chance I might be an hour out with those times but I'm working on what the time zone differences will be in June/July of 2018. 2018 FIFA World Cup Group Stage .

As it turns out we're playing Honduras on Saturday morning (9.00am) AEDT. The return leg in Australia will be played on Wednesday 15th Nov (8.00pm) An ideal outcome would see us score multiple goals and win in Honduras. Easier said than done though. Cahill traveled to Honduras but they're saying that he is a doubtful starter ... I reckon he'll start on the bench otherwise why take him all the way over there? Jedinak has made himself available so that's good news. The other 2-leg knockout games in Europe played next weekend offer up some interesting encounters ... Italy should progress but they face a dangerous Sweden. The other match-ups could go either way ... Croatia/Greece, Northern Ireland/Switzerland & Denmark/Ireland.

If it's spy/espionage/drama (mini-series) that is to your liking, here are some recent releases that are of good quality. From the UK ... The Night Manager & The Game. From the US ... The Assets & Rubicon In series form, Spooks (UK) & Berlin Station (US) are also very good although Spooks finished up in 2011.

Just more archaic thinking isn't it? Anyway, I've narrowed it down to 5 horses Wadda ... Humidor, Marmelo, Johannes Vermeer, Almandin & Amelie's Star (for a bit of value) All 5 into a trifecta & first 4 of some sort of configuration. Happy to take a small percentage and hope for a big dividend.

Seattle's next 4 will paint a clearer picture ... @ Arizona, vs Atlanta, @ 49ers and then vs the Eagles. If they win 3 of those 4 they'll be sitting on a record of 8 & 4. Washington aren't a bad team either but they'll probably need to get to 10 wins just to have a chance at a wild-card. At this stage I can see the 2 wild-cards coming out of the South, East & West ... probably not the North unless Detroit get their act together. 10 wins normally gets a spot but not always ... the Pats went 11 & 5 once and missed out completely. It's happened a few times like that I believe. Haven't really looked at the AFC closely but it's probably the same sort of story.

As well as Clinto's Jags. As for the Packers & Falcons, we won't be seeing a repeat of last year's NFC Championship match-up (unless a minor miracle occurs) But as you said JV, the Rams & Eagles are the standouts in the NFC ... the Saints & Vikes are both 6 & 2 as well and will take some pegging back. The Panthers, Seattle & Dallas are thereabouts but that loss by the Seahawks today could be costly. NFL Playoff Picture: Looking ahead after Week 9

Previously I've backed a few horse to win the cup and sometimes up to 5 horses with a view to tripling my total outlay. But lately I've done a trifecta and/or a first 4 with the field going for me for 3rd (trifecta) or 4th (first 4) I see Lloyd Williams has 6 runners and both Darren Weir and Irish trainer Willie Mullins have 3 runners each. The field with their barrier number's ... MELBOURNE CUP FIELD 1. Hartnell - D Lane 12 2. Almandin - F Dettori 14 3. Humidor - B ShinN 13 4. Tiberian - O Peslier 23 5. Marmelo - H Bowman 16 6. Red Cardinal - K McEvoy 24 7. Johannes Vermeer - B Melham 3 8. Bondi Beach - M Walker 1 9. Max Dynamite - Z Purton 2 10. Ventura Storm - G Boss 6 11. Who Shot Thebarman - T Berry 20 12. Wicklow Brave - S Baster 8 13. Big Duke - B Avdulla 5 14. US Army Ranger - J Spencer 22 15. Boom Time - C Parish 9 16. Gallante - M Dee 18 17. Libran - D Dunn 7 18. Nakeeta - G Schofield 19 19. Single Gaze- K O’Hara 11 20. Wall Of Fire - C Williams 15 21. Thomas Hobson - J Moreira 21 22. Rekindling - C Brown 4 23. Amelie’s Star - D Yendall 10 24. Cismontane - B Mertens 17

I was a little down on the day but got a couple of late collects ... Ace High in a trifecta & Rich Charm in the last got me out of jail. As per usual, I was close to winning tens of thousands. ha ha That was a terrific feel-good story with Rich Charm's trainer Udyta Clarke. So, it's on the Cup, The Oaks & Emirates Stakes day.

Yeah both the 1st and 2nd horses were caught out in awkward positions. Be interesting to see what they do with Ace High now ... it looks a real stayer.