Macca

That is a distinct possibility but you'd have to wonder how the AFL could help them in the short term if the players cop reasonably lengthy bans ... medium to long term they could get help with free agents and draft picks. Adding 12 journeymen or 12 x B-, C or D graders won't convert to wins in my opinion. Perhaps I should have started my comment with "All things being equal ... " I don't rate their list anyway ... they've got a few decent players but a number of their decent players are part of the 12 awaiting judgement. Also, the court of public opinion is shifting - their own supporters have gone awfully quiet and other supporters of other clubs that I know are slowly shifting their stance with regards to their guilt. It's subtle but it's there. I'm not sure the players will get a lot of sympathy if the verdict is guilty with a transparent explanation that is damning (which apparently CAS are apt to do with their findings) But we'll have to wait and see on all of the above ... again, none of us know anything for sure.

And so many at Essendon bought in too ... they could have said no. They had a choice. Some did of course but those who went along with it only have themselves to blame ... the decision was in their hands and they said yes. It's my bet that many of those involved knew full well what was going down and were willing participants. I've never bought into this 'innocent victims" rot. Those at Essendon could have ended all this very early on but by not doing so, they've done much more damage to their club ... even a not guilty verdict won't undo the damage that has been caused. The 12 that are left at Essendon who are awaiting the decision by the CAS are mostly starting 22 and they went 6 & 16 last season and then sacked their coach ... so if the 12 cop lengthy bans it's hard to see them winning any more than 3-4 games this season. That's apart from various other players wanting "out" (including some of the "12") Recovering to be a threat again will take quite some time. They are not exactly a destination club either. I see a bleak period ahead for them - at least 5 years in the bottom half of the ladder.

Carolina Pittsburgh New England

A safe Christmas & New Year to all at 'land Finals in 2016

Your game against the Giants has been flexed to SNF but if Washington defeat Philadelphia (@ the Eagles) on Saturday night the Giants will be out of the playoffs already (think that's right) MNF is Cinci @ Denver whilst the the early game on Monday (our time) on 7mate is the Patriots @ Jets followed by the late game of Packers @ Arizona ... not a bad line-up of TV games all up ... week 16 games At least we'll be able to watch the games next Monday (save for anyone who has to work) Edit: Odell Beckham Jr. suspended for a week but he's sure to appeal ... could be reduced to a heavy fine if his appeal is successful.

Yep JV7, 2 points to the top 5 in the comp this week Leaderboard (notables only) 10 - Gorgoroth 9 - cowboy_from_ hell, JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 7 - Macca Some observations ... The Jets just won't go away and we might have an 11-5 team miss out on the playoffs in the AFC (or at least a 10-6 team) The Colts might miss out completely Arizona are a good team and could win it all The jockeying for seedings in the NFC is on - certain match-ups aren't ideal for certain teams. The loser of next weeks Cinci & Denver game could well end up with some unwanted pressure The Giants will be kicking themselves if they miss out - so many winnable games that they've lost. The Panthers are still on track for a perfect season The Vikes win easily and that week 17 game at Lambeau will almost certainly be "live" for both teams .. the Seahawks can only get a wild card now (which is theirs for the taking) As JV7 mentioned, the Falcons can still make it Washington's destiny is in their own hands and they can't be counted out from at least winning 1 playoff game (their 1st playoff game would be at their home field) KC & the Steelers keep winning and winning well (the wild-card weekend could see both wild-card teams win in the AFC)

Keep safe Gorgo

Don't forget there's a game on tomorrow at 12.30pm (Jets @ Dallas) ... unfortunately only on cable but the game holds great interest because of the wild-card race in the AFC. I wasn't prepared to tip the Jets but they can win and if they do they might start getting talked about as a genuine playoff contender.

KC Packers Panthers

The following track by Black Sabbath featured as the intro to the final episode of Fargo (season 2) ... from their 'Paranoid' album of 1970 ...

Week 15 games (2 points) As an added bonus we've got a couple of Saturday night games (this week and next week) ... Jets @ Dallas this week. As usual, finding 3 road winners will be tricky but this time of year there's sure to be a banker or 2 (maybe ) note; scroll up a couple for the leaderboard.

"The Weapon" certainly should know (or should have known) ... it's my belief that many knew, including the players. The naïve card that was played is just plain rubbish. But this is where our media fails us ... I often believe that not only is our sporting media incompetent, but that they also simply don't care. Most of our sporting media remind me of "supporters" - that's how they write. My gut feeling says that it all just didn't start at Essendon ... it's long been my belief that PED use has been in our sport for quite some time. More so individuals but who's to say a number couldn't have been at the same club? I don't expect anything to come of it though - no one is going to talk even if they were motivated to talk. Even with the Bombers I reckon they'll be found guilty but the penalties won't be harsh. I believe the penalties should be harsh if they're guilty but I'm looking at this from a practical viewpoint. You may be right with your lengthy bans evaluation though - we'll find out soon enough.

I am quite surprised at how so few have even wanted to talk about it ... it jumps out at me but again, I can now understand those just not wanting to know. How would we feel about the sport if we knew that a multiple premiership winner had some "help"? I prefer to get these things out in the open even if it's just to clear the air. I see your point about the AFL but it's the general public which is turning the blind eye. We don't ask enough questions. And the investigative journalistic skills with regards to sport in this country is virtually non existent. At least, that's how I see it.

Well, that's my assumption because I can't think of another rational reason ... we're talking about people who ordinarily would want Essendon and their players to be found guilty yet they keep coming up with reasons not to find them guilty. A lot of people love their footy Chris. I'm with you though - the greater good is at stake here. The other 'not talked' about story is how Dank, Charter & Robinson were all involved in some way at Geelong during their great run. It's hardly ever mentioned in fact. Dank was "apparently" only used as a consultant but that may or may not be relevant when considering the revelations at Essendon.

Well, in my case I see the delusion in some and in others, I haven't seen it. Most Essendon fans I know have gone very quiet - there's the "tell" But again, why would we believe they would see things clearly? It's just fandom stuff that is just part of sport ... all of us are capable of going into denial or shifting the blame. Again, it has nothing to do with their fans anyway - their supporters were powerless to stop the whole thing when it started (like most others, they didn't even know about it) and they're again powerless with regards to whatever outcome might be reached. Collateral damage on a large scale is how I see it. I can understand your angst & frustration with their supporters BB but I got what I expected to a large degree. Even those in the media - Essendon supporters or not. The brand has been protected from the word go. I know quite a few who dislike everything about Essendon who have also taken their side during this whole saga - their love of the sport wins out. That surprised me a bit early doors but I can now see the reasoning behind that attitude too.

Actually, the people I feel for are the Essendon supporters - they're feeling the brunt yet these "acts" have nothing whatsoever to do with them. Of course, a fair percentage of their fans are going to be delusional because that's how fans act. However, if their players cop hefty penalties it's their fans who will feel it the most. The perpetrators and participants can in a lot of ways just walk away. It's like anyone who is actually involved at a club - they may or may not be emotionally involved so when their tenure is up ... it's bye bye.

A number of us picked up a point in the tipping comp this week and we have a new outright leader ... remembering that next week (week 15) is our 2nd last bonus point week (2 points) Week 16 is for 1 point and week 17 is for 3 points. Leaderboard in the comp 8 - Gorgoroth 7 - cowboy_from_ hell, JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 5 - Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - The rest

Well, I'm still expecting any sort of outcome but if they are found guilty (comfortably satisfied guilt) then I hope they receive hefty penalties - I see that sort of outcome to be an excellent one for Australian sport. The scourge of PED use in world sport is out of control in my opinion and I believe we as a country can lead the way in the fight against PED use ... if it happens, a guilty verdict with hefty penalties can serve as a huge wake up call for all concerned. I doubt it will happen but I'd like to see weekly or fortnightly blood tests for all Australian athletes in all sports going forward - ramp things up to drive out PED use. That sort of thing happens for Olympic athletes (in this country) so it's do-able ... there's enough money in the sports to make it happen too. Otherwise, the problem will only get worse ... for years we've been reminded that we don't want to see sport become a battle of the chemists and in some sports around the world that's already happening. We saw it in cycling and the residual effects from that out of control situation still lingers strongly - same for the Olympics to a certain degree. And what about all those baseball records driven by steroid use? A stain has been put on that sport which won't go away easily. There are a number of sports that fly under the radar because of soft or negligible agreements with WADA - or in fact, non-agreements with WADA. To give up the fight is weak and I hope lessons are learned and then acted upon.

Yep, it's disappointing for the Falcons but the Chargers, Saints, Giants, Bears & Detroit have all got decent QB's and they may all miss out on the playoffs ... then there's Kaepernick at the 49ers who isn't even playing at all. Ryan is probably another QB who needs a very good team around him ... the Packers passing game which was previously a real strength is just average now - Rodgers can't find open receivers so we've had to concentrate on our running game and defense (which can't be relied upon, by the way) We'll need everything to go right to really contend and even that may not be enough considering how well the Panthers, Seattle and Arizona are playing.

Liverpool, Spurs & Man Utd all dropped points to help your blokes (I'm assuming the Gunners are your team) ... what's the bet we see a draw in tomorrow's game? (Leicester vs Chelsea) I reckon Chelsea won't park the bus because of where they're situated on the table ... therefore, we'll hopefully see some goals ... Leicester 2 Chelsea 2 (although, I can also see a Leicester win)

... and away at Villa promises nothing for Arsenal later tonight ... then again, the Gunners might win 4 nil. The best part of the season is the unpredictability of the games ... there's been a spate of injuries with the more notable teams but the other less notable teams seem to be bridging the gap with greater spending power and astute signings. Soft tissue injuries seems to be at an all time high but oddly enough, that's good for the league (in some ways)

Well, sort of ... I don't fancy the Pats, Detroit, Saints or the Colts and I do rate Pittsburgh & the Giants (at least for this week anyway) Whether that all converts to me picking up a precious point is another thing though

Seattle Giants Pittsburgh

An example of a proper infrastructure is our Sheffield Shield system compared to the first class systems in the West Indies, Zimbabwe & Bangladesh. Our first class system is heavily subsidised (probably to the tune of about 6-8 million) but what about the West Indies, Zimbabwe & Bangladesh? ... first class cricketers need the security of a decent base salary ... and airfares, accommodation, match payments, stadium availability and upkeep, doctors, physio's et al can all cost a great deal of money. As a comparison, look at how much money & resources have been thrown in the direction of the GCS & GWS by the AFL. The West Indies problems are many and it doesn't help that their domestic season coincides with the IPL ... but so does England's and they aren't losing their best test players to t20 (centralised contracts is a big factor for the England cricketers and that's what the West Indies cricketers will ultimately need - in my opinion) The ICC needs to step in and fix things - that will take time, expertise and lots of money.

Punishing West Indies cricket is not the answer ... I understand the angst but it's counter-productive. World cricket needs all the test nations to be strong ... including any newcomers. There's loads of money in the sport so to make it largely bullet-proof is do-able. What we're watching isn't ideal but I see it as an infrastructure & development issue ... Bangladesh should be a strong test nation by now but many people just want to get rid of them because of their short-sighted views. There are others who just want to blame t20 but again, that's a short-sighted answer ... I've said all along that t20 can help test cricket. Without t20 many young cricketers might choose other sports ... and the other sports are aggressive in the pursuit of young talent - look no further than the AFL for proof positive. That Mallett article was mostly just an angry rant but he does mention the ICC stepping in - but more so in a way of reading the riot act - again, the young talent in the West Indies is there - but is that young talent being identified & harnessed properly? The West Indies board are not cash-rich either so there's now a disincentive for young sportsmen to choose cricket in those Island nations. Other test nations would previously pay top money for the West Indies to tour their country ... that money has dried up too to a certain degree. Therefore, we end up with a system breakdown.