Macca

Well, they bounced back well - TD to the Pats

Cost 'em at least 3 points ... might come back to haunt them at the end of the game. Only saw the hit on Brady once but it may well have been helmet to helmet ... if that penalty was called, they would have been very close to the end zone. The refs might be letting things go today

Panic throw from Brady?

Too good was Novak ... a worthy champion. That's 5 Aussie opens and 8 grand slam tournaments overall. He's made 2 of the last 3 French finals so he might be able to get at least one of those in the future (Nadal is going for his 10th this year - that's just too many )

Yep, he just fell in a hole ... beware the (supposed) injured athlete hey?

It's a very hard match to predict. Maybe whoever wins this set wins the match ... but who knows?

Well, that was some 2nd set ... we could be here for quite some time.

I've tipped Seattle for a few reasons I stated a few posts back but I'd also like them to win so as to reinforce to the Packers as to what they've missed out on ... in a way that might help Green Bay to be doubly determined for next season. I know a lot of people don't like Seattle's "in your face" style but that stuff doesn't bother me. I like the way their defense often acts as another form of offense.

Yep, it is. And the way the QB's are protected now, they'll have even better numbers to stake their claim. Not saying that Aaron wasn't a worthy winner though - he was almost certainly the best of the QB's. Romo had a very good year - probably his best year in fact. Sharing the accolades around ... there's a lot of categories now. How about the most disappointed fan award? Or worst coach? I'd have a couple of candidates for those 2 would be awards

Yeah, well done ... Rodgers got the MVP but JJ Watt can count himself very unlucky. I think if the Texans had have made the playoffs, he might have got it. Big honour for Bridgewater though.

and here it is ...

are grinners

A top strike too ... it might open up at the back now (or in the last half of the 2nd half)

The back of his elbow was hit was it not? It was an unusual knock and I'm not sure about the length of time for recovery. If it's like a corky, he should be fine. Apparently he didn't train yesterday because of an unrelated back injury but who knows? They'll need him, that's for sure.

I'm on call Monday but I'm hoping not to get that call I've been invited to a couple of functions but can't commit unfortunately. Every year is different ... for a long time I had every Monday off and that situation may eventuate again in the future. If I'm off I'll probably be posting here ... otherwise, trying to avoid the scores might prove a little tricky.

Well we're going to get at least 4 sets but I'm tipping it goes 5. Could be a classic. 1 set all but the 2nd set to Wawrinka was perhaps more impressive.

Everyone's on the Pats it seems ... I just reckon the Seahawks will take advantage of an opportunity that they may have thought had slipped away from them (until the Packers gifted them a berth) I'm also thinking that this whole furore about 'deflategate' has got to have had an effect on the Patriots. And, ... if there's any truth to the controversy, then playing with fully inflated footballs might be a disadvantage for New England. They rarely fumble the football and I can just imagine the thinking if they fumble one early Defense often wins out in these sort of games and if the Seahawks bring it, they'll win.

Seattle 23 Patriots 21

Yeah, Japan going out the way they did was the shock of the tournament ... their coach may be removed as a consequence. Golden opportunity for the Aussies - I reckon we'll go on and win it now. In other news ... from the 'Mirror' ... Chelsea 2-4 Bradford: Blues crash out of FA Cup as Bantams run riot at Stamford Bridge ... highlights Manchester City 0-2 Middlesbrough match report: FA Cup shock as Premier League champions dumped out ... highlights Spurs also crashed out whilst Liverpool could only draw.

Such is the nature of this sport that the Adelaide side have failed miserably at the worst possible time. I believe both finalists in the big bash qualify for the riches of the champions league so they've missed out big time. Meanwhile, the sixers just got a nice healthy bonus to the coffers.

My reckoning is the 'Occam's razor' theory ... someone simply got access to the footballs at some time and stuck a pin in 11 of them for about 3-5 seconds each. 2 minutes in total and it's done. I'm thinking the footballs were probably unattended at some stage ... either that or the footballs weren't checked properly (initially) and were all set 2lbs lighter (except for one of them) Or they were somehow switched. The answer will almost certainly be a perfectly logical one but someone probably has to 'talk' for that to happen. Regardless, they'll get done for governance issues you'd reckon. For us here in oz, if a footy is ever over inflated, it doesn't take long to get enough air out so it's just right ... just a few seconds will do it. This incident is going to be very difficult to explain away ... here's the full Tom Brady press conference ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD7i5hQYHZs

In light of the new information re the Pats, I reckon it's perfectly understandable to be able to review your tips and re-do them if either of you want to. If anyone has any objections please say so. Remembering that 3pts are awarded if you pick the winner of the SB. Playoff tipping comp leaderboard 8 - JV7, Go the Biff 7 - pantaloons, Macca 6 - Georgiou R.R. Martin 4 - Gorgoroth

I'd put him at or close to the top ... big occasion player as well. ESPN FC Press Pass featured the 2 goals on their show tonight ... 1st goal & 2nd goal

He's brilliant

Assuming they're guilty I reckon the penalties might take a fair bit of time to eventuate. Anything from what you've indicated to maybe a bit worse. I'm leaning more towards Brady being behind it all but I can't see how Belichick wouldn't know to some degree. Ordinarily I'd reckon fines and loss of draft picks only but they've got some history with spygate and what not. They are repeat offenders. Too much is being connected to the scoreline against the Colts but I reckon that's irrelevant. Cheating is cheating and having the balls deflated to the extent that they were is a significant advantage (in my opinion) The other question is how long have they been doing it - they barely got over the line against the Ravens. We're all brought up kicking a footy in oz and you always know when the footy is even a little bit flat. Brady had to have known and he and Belichick are as thick as thieves. Some over there are saying that Belichick might get a year based on the treatment of Sean Payton by the NFL. If that happens and Brady gets off then Tom would count himself very lucky. That's if they're guilty of course ... there's still a lot to play out. It's certainly added a bit of spice to the Super Bowl