Macca

Newton throws it hard ... and in these sort of games, catching those hard throws can be more difficult (as we've seen)

Panthers just can't get their game going ... but that's because the Broncos have been all over them. A TD for the Broncos here could be telling

Agreed but any lesser QB might have been destroyed by now

Newton keeping the Panthers in the game ... however, Denver should be further ahead.

Peyton gets picked off ... Denver should have been leading by 2 scores. Costly.

Excellent return from Norwood - the Broncos are right in this. 13-7

Talib does 2 silly acts ... Newton and his offense take advantage. Game on!

That Denver D is on ... and Peyton managing things well. Not sure too many were predicting a 10-0 early lead to Denver

Excellent drive by the Broncos but only 3 points ... Peyton looked quite good.

Both games are on next Sunday night 'GV' with the Arsenal vs Leicester game on at the fan-friendly time of 11pm (at least for night owls like me!) First of all, Arsenal need to get past Bournemouth tonight - and that's not a sure thing either. Watched Leicester and Man City last night and 'The Foxes' are not a team that wants or needs a lot of possession ... they are well coached and well drilled and their counter-attacking style is really dangerous. There's no reason they can't go on and win the whole thing (and wouldn't that be great for the EPL?) They're almost assured of a champions league spot which is a colossal achievement in itself (unless they have a meltdown - which I can't see happening) If Chelsea win tonight Leicester will be 13 points clear of 5th spot.

A fabulous talent ... lead singer and lead guitar (many of their songs had great and unique riffs) Rolling Stone magazine has him high up in their all-time categories in both areas. The bit I find quite intriguing is that the band emanated from San Francisco. But then again, a lot of music has a lot of it's influence from the South - esp jazz, rock, country music, blues etc. Not all of course, but a large chunk. Here's one of my favourites from the band ... and I really like this particular youtube clip as well ...

I don't deny that the games don't have some benefit and we're always going to have them ... it's just that too many take the games too seriously (supporters) and will make absolute judgements based on the results of the games (or how we fare) In other words, the clubs are using the games for specific purposes but an element of supporters are looking at the games in a completely different way (the winning bit is ultra important for many) Then there is the huge injury risk - the clubs generally won't risk their best assets so it ends up being B team vs B team. Every year, more & more of the best players play less & less. Most of us remember how buoyant we felt after beating the Pies in the 2012 pre-season ... in fact, the following thread highlights that buoyant attitude - The Lean & Hungry Look ... Some of the over-the-top reactions to that win are hard to fathom considering how poor a season we had that year - me included (let's just say I learnt my final lesson!) In the end, are these games worth it? Sure, they are going to somewhat satisfy a footy public's insatiable appetite for some footy but those same fans will complain bitterly if one of their prized assets goes down with a major injury. As for game plan practice, I believe that can be practised at training (a club can really only gauge how a gameplan works in the real stuff - in my opinion) As I said earlier, it's hard to play footy in a soft manner - other sports tend to have unwritten rules with their practice games ... for instance, soccer practice games and "friendlies" are often virtually tackle free. What do we play? 3 games? From a practical viewpoint I'd rather see 2 games only (and I wouldn't risk Hogan, Salem, Vince, Jones, Tyson, Brayshaw, Viney, T-Mac and one or 2 others) I've got my fingers crossed that we come through these games unscathed ... and that's the crux of my argument - I want to see our best 12-15 players all available for the 1st round of the season proper.

Huge game coming up tonight (11.45pm) ... Man City vs Leicester. I reckon we'll see a number of goals as both teams should be going all out for the win ... 3-2 either way (how's that for sitting on the fence!) Those without cable can listen to the game here

Swamp rock? I suppose CCR's music falls into that genre ... read recently that the band was from San Francisco. As what can happen, there was a major falling out within the band that still remains ... a brilliant group, all the same. And thanks to JJ for the tip on how to post up youtube clips ... ... On the youtube page there's a share button and an embed option. If you copy that code, then in the demonland post click source and paste it. After clicking source again it should appear.

We can practice all you've mentioned at training I understand that the bottom team's supporters look at these games differently to how supporters of other teams do and ... then there's how the actual teams view these games. Most clubs treat the games with a good deal of contempt. I look at it as if I was actually at the club ... so, simulated practice and other training methods are enough. There are some obvious benefits to having practice games but the risk of injury is a major factor also. Our sport is hard to play in a soft manner ... unless both teams agree to that concept - even if that happened, what would be the point? Of course, a player can get injured at practice but the risk of injury is much higher in match conditions. Weighing it all up, I don't see a need. However, the games will still be played regardless of my view. The bit of your post that I've highlighted is interesting ... supporters of the Hawks would probably have a list of 20+ players that they wouldn't like to risk in these games. Of course, I'm still going to watch our games but my main focus will be that none of our players sustain injuries. Many will view the games in the same way (when it comes to the crunch)

Practice well and no injuries thanks ... the 2nd bit is a big ask though. Are we at that stage where we do away with actual matches and just do intra-club stuff? In other sports, the best players get very limited game time or don't play at all ... the way our sport is played means the players are highly susceptible to injuries even when there's absolutely nothing to play for. I wouldn't play Hogan* at all in these games ... and there are a number of others who can just step up to the plate with just a good amount of normal training. I understand that injuries can and do happen in the real stuff but let it happen in the real stuff. The sport has been fully professional for over a generation now and whilst some of the old ways are best, these practice games are often quite irrelevant. Training methods and simulations have largely replaced the need for full-on practice games. *Hogan missed a whole year after sustaining a back injury in a pre-season game.

I've got work but have 5 - 6 hours off in-between a couple of decent shifts (I'm hoping to watch all the game live) I'll probably post here if I can ... I'd like to see Peyton get another win despite picking the Panthers ... keep imagining the first possession ending up in a pick 6 - wouldn't that liven things up?

Think it's 10.30 Cards and good luck. I've picked the Panthers but can also make a sound case for Denver winning (esp if your D reigns supreme)

I can't go past the Panthers either. Carolina 27 Broncos 19

The pro bowl still got a 5+ rating which will probably mean they'll keep it going (at least for the next couple of years) I took no interest in it at all and can offer no real way of finding a way to resurrect interest in it ... the real problem is that it's now been almost completely reduced to touch football.

The AFL would spin it in a way where the EFC would somehow get rewarded I just don't believe they've destroyed the records ... just in case they might need them to advantage themselves at a later date - what if the players have a strong inkling that the club has kept the records? And it can be proven that they knew what they were given? Way too much has been assumed.

He's probably worth a few bob so he might take off o/s ... the yanks might be interested in his expertise The anti-aging clinics would be welcoming too - that's probably already happening.

If the players knew exactly what they were being injected with then isn't it in the best interest of the EFC to not destroy the records? (if they exist) After all, the records (if authentic) would offer proof of what the players were given ... and if the players knew and signed off on it, then don't the records become an ally for the EFC? Remembering that even if the the records mysteriously appear, it's not like the EFC would be in strife again. There's no more punishment heading their way. The AFL have made that abundantly clear.

5. Records were kept at Essendon and not destroyed (and are safely tucked away elsewhere) By the way, Dank has got the records in my opinion ... but we'll probably never see them for all sorts of reasons - one reason being is that the records are not really being pursued. It's doubtful that anyone in our media could be bothered to try and uncover them. The AFL - forget it. ASADA/WADA - they got their win. Who's looking? It wouldn't surprise me if Hird has a copy either ... if they knew where to put them in safe keeping and denied that there were any records then why destroy them?

And maybe he wants to have low credibility ... I've thought that from the start. His gain? He can't be taken seriously so he ends up being left alone. I reckon he has protected himself well ... what he knows all the others know, They can't call him out for fear of him calling them out. He made sure they all knew (even the players) And the players haven't uttered a word about him either ... unless I've missed something. I understand what you're saying mc but I somehow reckon he'll end up landing on his feet.