Macca

Same - copious quantities of coffee ain't helping either .

Yep, was nearly going to post the same but there's only so much left field stuff I will go with, Rob We don't trust them at all do we? They are often self righteous and that sort of attitude can sometimes spill over to transparency!

Yep, the Ravens came to play. Thought Denver were going to pull away from them but not to be. I had the Broncos fairly strong favourites so just goes to show hey? Our game is another high scoring one. Will the shoot-out continue?

Yep, you're probably right Spork Short odds that there will be a fair bit of 'Schmaltz' involved

The bottom line is that we now seem to have a stronger case because of all the 'silly' stuff in the report. And there will probably be more silly stuff to surface. Whoever is feeding the media seems to be doing it on a drip feed. We can only hope that any more information that is 'fed' to the media continues to strengthen our case. The tide is definitely turning.

Yes Doc, I was really just trying to offer up an explanation on why the report/draft contains so many 'wild and wacky' accusations. But my scenario is a possibility. A QC can be quite intimidating and the 'Fink' is not a stranger to the AFL . He did re-write the AFL's rules back in the 90's (?)

Here's a scenario Finklestein knows about all the lines of questioning (including the fumbling bit etc) . He therefore has a fair idea what should be on the report. He then demands/asks for the report to be left intact with nothing left out . The AFL abliged . He doesn't necessarily need to see the report to demand that everything be left in the report.

I didn't say that Finklestein or anyone at the club had seen the report/draft beforehand . I was suggesting that we wanted to see the report/draft in it's entirety .

I reckon Finklestein demanded that everything be left in the report. He may have argued context. Just a gut feeling. Anyway, the good news is that the 'weird' and 'obtuse' stuff is in the report. The how or why is now somewhat irrelevant. Thank goodness it wasn't left out !

Did the ball hit the ground then bobble? The ground can't aid the catch . Could be overturned

Well who knows, really. It's a total farce anyway. It could also be that the AFL are so tunnel visioned that they genuinely believe everything about the report is spot on . We are talking about the AFL here If that stuff wasn't in the report we could argue that the report isn't fair. That certain information was excluded to deliberately strengthen the AFL's argument. We know that often the AFL are a law unto themselves but I believe the presence of Finklestein is the reason the report is probably intact. Don't worry, a few days ago I was almost convinced that the AFL had left this 'weird' stuff in the report to deliberately throw in a red herring . Not so sure now. You and I are on the same page, sue - I'm just offering up a possible explanation

Not altogether sure Sue . Imagine if the investigators had gone hard on these things and then were satisfied that the answers they were given were not satisfactory. Finklestein or the club could argue that that stuff had to be left in the report . Remember, it's a report, not a charge. They may not be able to selectively 'leave stuff out' just because it weakens their own argument. In other words, they are forced to leave everything about the report intact. Otherwise context and other things are effected. That's my only logical explanation . Otherwise, you leave that stuff in knowing that it could weaken your own argument.

Maybe they had to leave such things as the ludicrous fumbling accusation, 'tanking win' and now the non playing of a schoolkid in the report. Haddad and Clothier had possibly asked so many questions about these supposed indiscretions to so many different people that this stuff had to be included in the report. The autonomy these 2 were given could end up being the AFL's achilles heal .

Ha ! I like the website name of that link . Ravens force a punt - great punt by the Broncos . Baltimore need to be the next team to score if they're gonna be a show . Denver often score TD's down the stretch

Now Flacco fumbles - that could be costly for the Ravens .

Really good game so far . 21 - 21 . Flacco is having a reasonably good game. Denver have come home well all year though (even in their losses) . 1st touchdown scored in the 2nd half could be the key here.

For years there were those French newspapers that had him in the gun. Looks like they were correct all along. Of course, the French media have always been about integrity and the truth and could teach the Hun and the Rage a thing or 2 about getting things right! Actually Cards, I have no clue about the French media, I just wanted another opportunity to hop into our media Hope Oprah asks all the right questions and I hope Armstrong doesn't try and justify his actions .

Yep stingrays, a number of us have mentioned that we may have to prove humour (from 'flippant' comments attributed to Chris Connolly) . Of course that's virtually impossible isn't it ? Do the 15 people in the room have to devulge whether they laughed at CC's comments? What about a suppressed smirk - does that count? Did someone get the uncontrollable giggles? Were there sarcastic looks given to Chris? Was he heckled? Uproarious laughter or was it a 'tough crowd'. More and more 'weird' stuff is surfacing. These investigators are looking more and more like rank amateurs as each day passes. The 'fumbles' bit is just so ridiculous. There would hardly be a footy follower that would give the fumbling aspect any credence. Unless there was bias involved.

Another poor piece from Jon Pieric (with a typically large amount of embellishment) Obviously biased with the main aim of discrediting our club. This Pieric bloke should be ashamed of himself - he must know that Watts wasn't ready. Cleverly puts the onus on our club to explain why Watts didn't play more. Pieric could have easily discredited the latest accusation - but conveniently chose not to. He's made more references to the 'Infamous Vault' in a typical sinister way. 'Selection changes' are highlighted by Pieric in a way where the reader is possibly fooled into thinking that these 'selection changes' were made in order to lose games. He writes rot and has little or no credibility. So now it's about a schoolboy who was obviously not ready for League footy, more references to a game we actually won and even the African Zulu's have cracked a mention. Perhaps Jon? How perhaps? "The Zulus will come and get you" could never be a serious comment unless we've suddenly been transplanted back to 19th century Southern Africa. That's assuming that 'The Zulus will come and get you' bit was ever actually said. Who would know with so much bs flying around.

Good post, apart from one slight correction I've made TU Being a staunch Aussie, my heart is with the Packers at lunchtime today. Those green and gold colours are just irresistible ! Good luck, and may the better team win .

Ha ha ha ! You've gotta wonder about some people . I've got a mate who is a Pats fan and he's pretty good about things (he's a staunch Demon as well and I must get him on to 'land at some stage) Different conference helps doesn't it - they're not really a rival in most respects. Same goes with a mate who's a Steelers fan. Hard not to talk about Tebow or even use him as a reference. He's famous for um ........being Tim Tebow . Go figure ! I see the Jags have ruled a line through him . Hope he gets a gig somewhere. In breaking news - 'old dee' has promised me he's coming over to this thread . A Bears fan for us, 'cfh' . And if 'dc' becomes a contributor here it could liven the thread up a bit !

Lance Armstrong set for a possible 'Tell all' on 'Oprah' next Thursday (9pm on the East Coast of the US, which would make it 1pm Friday our time) Can't say I'm a fan of the Oprah show as a general rule, but this could be compelling viewing . Edit - The Oprah interview is on the 'Discovery' channel on Friday at 1pm (our time)

Just highlight the address when the song is playing on youtube . Right click - copy . Over to 'land, open the reply box and then right click - paste . If the link comes up as a single line after you've pressed 'post', click on 'edit' then 'save changes' and it should open the link up . Good luck !

Now I know what's wrong with the Laker! You've educated me on those injuries pantaloons - wasn't sure of the extent apart from Nash being unavailable for the 1st part of the season. Nash, and the position he plays, would have been the major factor in L.A's non productive season (so far) My question was in some ways related to Kobe possibly not being part of the playoffs - you just expect him and the Lakers to be always being a part of the post-season. Think it might be 8 years since L.A have missed the playoffs. Just had a look at Sportscenter earlier and 'Magic' was saying it's over. Tend to follow the fortunes of the 'big time' teams and like to see all of them make it past the regular season. Used to have a leaning towards Phoenix because of Nash but don't really have a team now. Am I allowed to follow the Knicks? Just for this season? If so, I reserve the right to jump right off them - anytime

Here's one of my favourite Ronny Jordan tracks . Warms up after at about 1.30 and Ronny's guitar solo from 2.45 to 4.15 is just simply magnificent. This song grows on you like not many others can. Hope you enjoy ... Macca's jazz 5.7 Ronny Jordan & DJ Spinna - Mackin'