Macca

The part of the OP that jumps out is that premiership teams are built on the back of having enough good/top players on a list ... the above team has a number of top players but many of them played in completely different era's ... when we had enough of those good players playing together, we played finals. We've never had quite enough of those good players to snag a flag though. Fast forward to today and I believe we're bringing in enough talent so as to play finals again - maybe even this season if our youngsters can take a extra step or 3. We've got about 10 players (Viney, Hogan, Jones, Tyson, Lewis, Gawn, Vince, T-Mac, Watts & Jetta) who could be classed as being good to excellent but we're going to need much more than that if we're going to win a flag in the foreseeable future. We need to continue to recruit well - every year. We can't afford to have an off year. Ever.

I didn't forget about Gerard Healy but should have put him on the list of emergencies ... him leaving for the Swans went against him. Same for Spalding although he was included in the list of my emergencies. Jakovich didn't play a lot of games but he's in - it's all a bit subjective with these things. Tingay missing was an oversight on my part though ... injuries cruelled what could have been a stellar career. I've gone back and included him on the list of emergencies (as well as Gerard Healy) Your idea of Tingay for Grinter has merit but Grinter was a pure backman and also added a fair bit of mongrel.

You put a team like this out there and there is bound to be disagreement - that stands to reason RTG I had a real dilemma putting Laurie Fowler on the bench though - he gave the club great service and won 3 B & F's. The other tough ask was coming up with enough decent backmen. Especially tall backmen. But for Hardeman (who was a champ), I might have had to put Neitz at CHB.

Here's mine ... B: Alan Johnson Sean Wight Steven Febey HB: Brett Lovett Gary Hardeman Rod Grinter C: Stan Alves Greg Wells Rob Flower HF: Brian Wilson David Schwartz Garry Lyon F: Allen Jakovich David Neitz Jeff Farmer R: Jim Stynes Todd Viney Nathan Jones IN: Travis Johnstone Laurie Fowler Adem Yze Jeff White Emer: Stephen Tingay, Russell Robertson, Matthew Febey, Danny Hughes, Ray Biffin, Greg Parke, Gerard Healy, David Williams, Graham Yeats, Steven Stretch, Brad Green, Cameron Bruce, Earl Spalding Not many from more recent times but what is interesting is that 8 of the above came to the club during RDB's time and another 6 players came to the club from the end of 1985 through to 1987. So in the space of only 6 or 7 years during the 80's the club recruited 14 decent footballers. Let's hope that history can repeat itself in the current era ... that will mean that we'll need to recruit well in the next 2/3 years and our last 3 or 4 years worth of recruiting will need to bear fruit as well. Another interesting point is that only 1 player from our 1980 list managed to last until the 1987 season ... I stand corrected on that point but regardless, it does highlight that Barassi turned over our list to a level not seen previously. Roos did something very similar within his 3 year tenure. The parallels between both coaching stints by both men are quite profound. Those who saw our run of premierships during the Norm Smith era would no doubt have a vastly different team.

And you're in line for a 3peat with the post-season comp If we get enough starters we may as well have a go at it ... traditionally we've posted up likely scorelines as well. The playoffs kinda starts with SNF in week 17 ... it could well be a high-scoring shootout. If your blokes win (and you should win) you're then guaranteed the 2 seed - nice position to be in.

KC Dallas Seattle

All to play for in the tipping comp ... 3 points on offer this week so up to 4 people can still win (joint winners are applicable) Anyway, good luck to all and thanks for your participation. Tipping Comp Leaderboard 9 - Gorgoroth 8 - cowboy_from_hell 7 - Clintosaurus 6 - JV7 4 - DeeSpencer, Macca Bill Simmons & Sal Ianoco 'guess the lines' podcast

Came across an interesting top 100 list of movies from the 'Film Noir' genre ... The 100 Best Noir Films of all Time. Some of the movies listed are from the more recent past such as 'A Simple Plan', 'Croupier', 'The Grifters', 'The Usual Suspects', 'Dark City', Se7en', 'Memento', 'Body Double' & a number others including of course many films from the classic Film Noir movie period - the early 1940's to the late 1950's (?) Many on the list might best be described as 'Neo Noir' but the list contains a number of outstanding films nonetheless. And the write-ups on each movie are exceptionally well done. The intro is well written too. While I'm here I'll post up another "Out of Copyright" classic 'B' grade horror movie ... however, these types of horror movies are often cult-classics/underrated/unexpectedly good. 'The Carnival of Souls' (IMDb) The movie can be viewed in HD whilst using the full-screen mode ...

That's unlucky for the Raiders re Carr. Oakland may still get a bye although KC might be favoured to snare the 2 seed now. Pittsburgh & Houston clinch their divisions & Miami clinch a playoff spot. Broncos, Titans & Ravens out. Seattle fall to the 4 seed (for now) & the Giants snag a playoff spot. All to play for next week for the Lions & Packers* although Detroit can secure a playoff spot if they win tomorrow against Dallas. The big question is whether Romo will get some game time tomorrow with Dallas having nothing to play for. *Packers & Lions is next week's SNF match-up.

Hear, hear. All the best to all ... stay safe.

Tennessee Chargers Tampa

I point on offer for week 16 but 3 points to play for in week 17 ... here's the points tally again ... Tipping Comp Leaderboard 9 - Gorgoroth 8 - cowboy_from_hell 7 - Clintosaurus 6 - JV7 4 - DeeSpencer, Macca And the week 16 games ...

Chelsea have now won 11 games in a row with games vs Bournemouth & vs Stoke coming up ... after that they'll get tested @ Tottenham, @ Leicester then @ Liverpool as part of a run of 4 games. Regardless, they'll be hard to catch if they can maintain their form. They've only conceded 2 goals in that stretch of 11 wins as well. No games until late Monday/early Tuesday morning but the other big leagues are all having 2 weeks off whilst the Bundesliga has a whole month off from Thursday. My Hammers are finally getting some points on the board but we've been largely unimpressive in the process. You'd take any sort of win in this league though.

We all picked up 2 points this week in the tipping comp ... only the 1 point on offer for week 16 but week 17 carries 3 points and the comp will be decided in that week. 4 participants can still win it in an outright sense. Anyway, 6 of the 8 divisions are still yet to be decided (the Pats & Seattle have won their respective divisions) & week 17 will almost certainly be another playoff type week for many of the teams. Most of the week 16 games (12 of 16 games) will be played on Christmas day AEDT whilst all of the week 17 games will be played on Jan 2 AEDT (which is a nationwide public holiday) So we're in for a treat with so many games having so much riding on them. Washington needs to win tomorrow to stay in a strong position with regards to a wild-card spot - they should win at home but it may not be easy. Tipping Comp Leaderboard 9 - Gorgoroth 8 - cowboy_from_hell 7 - Clintosaurus 6 - JV7 4 - DeeSpencer, Macca

Pittsburgh New England Oakland

Here's my outcome ... (I've got both Green Bay & Denver missing out) AFC New England - #1 seed Kansas City - # 2 seed Wild Card Week: Miami #6 seed @ Pittsburgh #3 seed Oakland #5 seed @ Houston #4 seed NFC Dallas - #1 seed Seattle - #2 seed Wild Card Week: Washington #6 seed @ Atlanta #3 seed NY Giants #5 seed @ Detroit #4 seed There are a lot of variables though ... if any of Tampa, Green Bay, Baltimore, Denver or Tennessee can snag 1 more win against my projections, then any of those teams can make the play-offs. The Panthers can have a big say in things in the NFC West as they play both Atlanta & Tampa. One thing that is almost guaranteed is that week 17 will decide a lot of outcomes.

We definitely need the Giants to beat Detroit this week ... that's apart from both of our teams needing to win this week as well. We're running out of games otherwise. I reckon all 3 games involving the 3 contenders will be close anyway.

There's still a total of 6 points up for grabs in the tipping comp including 2 points this week ... another tough week to find 3 clear-cut road wins though. Still, the comp was never designed to be easy ha ha Leaderboard 7 - Gorgoroth 6 - cowboy_from_hell 5 - Clintosaurus 4 - JV7 2 - DeeSpencer, Macca 2016 NFL Playoff Machine Bill Simmons & Sal Iacono 'guess the lines' podcast

A 'cuban' is called for as well Gorgo. As well as all that you've hit the outright lead in the tipping comp

Romo being talked about again ... no surprise really, it was only going to take 1 loss like the one Dallas had yesterday. On top of that, Romo is being paid a hell of a lot of money to sit on the sidelines 100% of the time. If Prescott starts having another off day in their next 3 games, I can see Romo at least being given some phases during any of those games. And that may be enough for the switch-back to happen. Dallas' next 3 - vs Tampa, vs Detroit then @ Philadelphia. Jerry will probably find an opportunity for Romo in that string of games. Some other observations ... Miami, Tennessee & Houston are making claims in the AFC and any of those 3 teams are genuine chances to advance The Broncos might be in trouble - next 3 ... vs Pats, @ KC, vs Oakland Pittsburgh are starting to hit their straps - the Ravens can't afford to slip back too far (they play against one another in 2 weeks) The Vikes & Packers stay alive but both teams will need help if either are to advance ... the teams meet each other in week 16. The Giants defence is A1 and they're a real smoky especially if Eli can find his best form Washington & Tampa continue to win games - both teams are realistic wild-card chances ... the Falcons should now win the NFC West with their run home. Atlanta might even snare the 2 seed. Detroit's next 2 will tell us how good they might be - @ Giants, @ Dallas. They can wrap up the NFC North if they win both. Regardless of today's result, Seattle should still be able to secure the 2 seed - next 3 ... vs Rams, vs Arizona then @ 49ers. They just had a bad day today and ran into a hot Green Bay.

It's that time of year again ... 2016 NFL Playoff Machine

Pittsburgh Denver Atlanta

4 weeks to go and the race to the finishing line is on (in the tipping comp) ... every point is vital including the 1 point on offer in week 14. There are a few decent chances this week so not picking up a point could be costly. Leaderboard 6 - cowboy_from_hell, Gorgoroth 5 - Clintosaurus 4 - JV7 2 - DeeSpencer, Macca Bill Simmons & Sal Iacono Podcast

We all picked up a point in week 12 so it's on to week 13 where 2 points are up for grabs ... tough week for tipping coming up though - Dallas & Denver look somewhat likely, but there are no guarantees. Vegas doesn't like the Giants or Detroit either. Good luck. Leaderboard 6 - cowboy_from_hell 4 - Gorgoroth, JV7 3 - Clintosaurus 2 - DeeSpencer, Macca Bill Simmons & Sal Iacono podcast (week 13 forecast) Tips ... Denver Colts Giants

We have a new outright leader in the tipping comp ... cfh has skipped away and is eyeing off another overall win. Only the 1 point on offer this week but a total of 10 points are up for grabs in the remaining weeks (week 12 - 1 point, week 13 - 2 points, week 14 - 1 point, week 15 - 2 points, week 16 - 1 point & week 17 - 3 points) Leaderboard 5 - cowboy_from_hell 3 - Gorgoroth, JV7 2 - Clintosaurus 1 - DeeSpencer, Macca Here's this week's bs report with Bill Simmons (Bill and Sal Lacono try and guess the week's lines) Tips ... Steelers Giants Patriots