Macca

Absolutely unconditional . There's always a flicker of a bright light . We will come good (we can't get any worse can we? Tell me we can't get any worse!) Life is all about perseverance and following your sporting team is no different . You just never give up . However , it pays to have other sporting interests and other sporting teams . Be wise and pick the good ones Edit : 99.9% unconditional . Would have to be an extraordinary circumstance . Like if the club turned out to be a 'Sleeper cell' for some terrorist group This 'Clandestine' type operation would surely test my allegiance .

This weeks games and a podcast preview with Colin Murray ... http://www.bbc.co.uk...sts/series/5lfd No big match-ups this week but Chelsea , Manchester City , Liverpool and Tottenham all have tricky away fixtures . Everton vs Newcastle on Tuesday morning could bring a few goals ... Saturday, September 15, 2012 21:45 EST Norwich City v West Ham United 00:00 EST Arsenal v Southampton 00:00 EST Aston Villa v Swansea City 00:00 EST Fulham v West Bromwich Albion 00:00 EST Manchester United v Wigan Athletic 00:00 EST Queens Park Rangers v Chelsea 00:00 EST Stoke City v Manchester City 02:30 EST Sunderland v Liverpool Sunday, September 16, 2012 01:00 EST Reading v Tottenham Hotspur Tuesday, September 18,2012 05:00 EST Evertonv Newcastle United

Yeah , it's interesting with rivalry's . Many Demon fans hate Collingwood but do they hate us the same way ? 'They' tend to hate everything that isn't Collingwood ! As much as I like the Packers , I really like the sport itself . Can watch just about any match-up with a great deal of interest (save end of season games that have no bearing on things) I don't mind the Vikings at all . I didn't even seem to mind when Favre played 2 seasons there . Of course , that might all change in the future - esp if you pip us for a playoff spot This thread (started by Dappa Dan) has been largely angst free . We don't wanna turn it into a bar room brawl . We all follow different teams but we're also all Melbourne fans . Nothing wrong with healthy debate and spirited conversation though ! I was pretty happy with the Packers yesterday but they're not perfect by any means . They were challenged after last weeks loss to the 49ers . The media and the general public were asking some serious questions and they answered in emphatic style IMO . I can understand some just wanting to point the finger at the Bears . In that situation it's probably just better to agree to disagree .

Your form line is way too recent . We're not on the same page and I doubt we'll get there either . Are you totally new to 'land ? Or have you you been here before under another guise ?

And you follow the Rams yeah ? You're hardly in a position of strength . Your team won 2 games last season - 2 . Bit like a GWS fan having a go at a Sydney fan . Your 'lot' need to just have a winning season . That would be a good start . What the hell have the Falcons and Cowboys done lately to impress you so much ? Some real data to back up your comments please . You know , playoff wins etc etc .

Well , we recruited 6 defenders with our first 6 draft picks in the off season . So we're being proactive and recognize that it's a definite weakness . Stung into action after last week as well . Woodson and Matthews have always been decent players but last years defensive stats were damning . Today was a big step in the right direction . Just always good to win over Chicago . Big rival . Obviously , your blokes are a divisional rival as well but Peterson is a great player to watch . About the only teams I have a dislike for are the Cowboys and the Jets . Though , strangely enough , both those teams are very interesting to watch in action (for different reasons) . I also find Rex Ryan entertaining and Sanchez and Romo can both play . Dallas' Rob Ryan seems to get more of the camera than their head coach (Garrett) Anyway , the Pack were terrific today and we're taking it one week at a time

Packers = Defence . Who'da thunk it ! 7 sacks and 4 interceptions . Maybe that secondary has a bit of fire-power . We beat those Bears at their own game . Cutler 11/27 . Who knew ! And Cedric Benson ran the ball for 81 yards . With Starks still to return , Green Bay might just have a decent running game . Great win . We're not goin' away ! Good work 'Cs' ps ... Just need Collingwood to lose now ....C'mon Eagles !

My listings has a college game scheduled . 'NFL Network' are covering the Packers/Bears match . From memory we don't always get those NFL network games . Might change at the last moment but I'm not holding my breath . Obviously us Packer fans are annoyed but I reckon most fans of the NFL would have been looking forward to seeing that match-up .

With about 20 games to go its looking like Washington , Cincinnati and San Francisco should get through in the National League . There are still 7 or 8 wild-card chances in the NL though , including last years World Series winner , St Louis . Philadelphia are also making a late run . Other teams with chances of advancing are Atlanta , Pittsburgh , Milwaukee , the LA Dodgers , Arizona and San Diego . Over in the American League it's a lottery . There are still 8 teams with realistic chances to advance . The Yankees and Baltimore are having a great battle with Tampa Bay close behind . The White Sox have a narrow lead over Detroit and Texas are locked in a tussle with Oakland and the LA Angels are not far off . Remembering there are an extra 2 wild-card spots this season . Both wild-card teams in each league will play a 'One off' elimination game . The date for both these elimination games is Fri, Oct 5 (Sat, Oct 6 AEST) . Here are the standings ... http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings

This weeks games and here's the weekly podcast from Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal (their tips and prognostications!) http://espn.go.com/e...play?id=8366836 FRI, SEP 14 10.20 AM Chicago 10 at Green Bay 23 MON, SEP 17 3.00 AM Kansas City at Buffalo 3.00 AM Cleveland at Cincinnati 3.00 AM Minnesota at Indianapolis 3.00 AM New Orleans at Carolina 3.00 AM Houston at Jacksonville 3.00 AM Oakland at Miami 3.00 AM Arizona at New England Fox 3 3.00 AM Tampa Bay at NY Giants 3.00 AM Baltimore at Philadelphia OneHD 6.05 AM Washington at St. Louis 6.05 AM Dallas at Seattle 6.25 AM NY Jets at Pittsburgh OneHD 6.25 AM Tennessee at San Diego 10.20 AM Detroit at San Francisco ESPN & OneHD TUES, SEP 18 10.30 AM Denver at Atlanta ESPN

Highlights of the round for me were the following ... RG3's debut in New Orleans . To go into the Superdome and get a win was a mighty achievement . The Redskins could create some havoc in that division . Manning and Denver's win over Pittsburgh . Peyton just looked like the Peyton of old . They'll be hard to beat if he stays healthy . San Francisco's win at Green Bay . The score flattered the Packers in all reality . The all round strength of the 49ers is what makes them such a good team . Well coached as well . The Ravens were excellent , coached by the other Harbaugh . Flacco continues to get better and better . Baltimore could not have started the season more impressively . How 'bout those Cowboys ? A good win in NY . Houston and New England did it easy and the Jets were very good , racking up 48 points against the Bills . Tebow took a backseat for now but I wonder what Rex has got in store for us with Tim !? Sanchez was terrific . The Eagles got up in a close one . They ran the ball 30 times and Vick threw it 56 times - phew ! I think I tipped 'em to get to the Championship game (along with Green Bay) . Both teams need to get better (esp the Packers) . Like to be able to revise that tip and include San Francisco right now !! Those Rams had a real chance but Detroit were too good . Atlanta and Chicago had good wins and KC need to get some players back from injury . Really good 1st week .

He might have a few more chances as well now . Roger is getting on , Rafa has some injury issues and Novak might be coming back to the field a bit . He could go 2 ways now , win 1 or 2 more slams or use this win as a spur to win as many as he can . Great win today by Andy .

Just finished watching SNF . Peyton is back ! A great performance against that Steelers defence . Denver could be a real chance after that win . Elway would be well pleased . Luck had a reasonable debut against the Bears so the Vikes will want to be on their game again . The Colts don't appear to have much of a running game though . Doesn't get any easier for my Packers - we've got Chicago on Friday (our time) . Double header tomorrow with the Ravens at Cinci followed by the Chargers at Oakland . Couple of fierce divisional rivals there . Looks like we're getting at least 6 televised games a week (all up) . The only downer is that Foxtel haven't got a 'Late' game again next week . That will hopefully change going forward .

Nice O/T win to your blokes 'cfh' . Peterson had a good game with 2 TD's . Whilst he's firing you've always got a chance . Saw the Gabbert TD throw with 27 seconds remaining but the Vikings must have done well to draw level with a field goal .(in regulation) . At Indianapolis next for the Vikings . Chance to go 2 and 0 .

Packers go down as well . Those 49ers came to play . Great defence , too good . Some interesting results this morning - not the least being Washington's win over the Saints . Haven't seen any highlights but RG3 looks like he had an impressive debut .

Bill Simmons writes a weekly sports column for ESPN in the 'Grantland' pages . Here's this weeks column with his predictions further down the page in this link ... http://www.grantland...terbacks-league Here are some of his quotes ...

'Volbeat' are a Danish band from Copenhagen . This is their latest single ... Macca 10.1 [media=]

Well , I've been wondering why I've been seeing ads for the following ... Transcendental meditation , astral traveling , crystals , tarot cards , essential oils , yoga , mind reading , tai chi . hypnosis , books on 'fingers crossed' and 'The worth of the rabbits foot' It all makes sense now

Well , obviously not , but we do need about 6 of 'em . Sign 'em up , Chook

The EPL takes a break this weekend . World cup qualifiers and International friendlies are taking place . Here's the EPL standings ... http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html

Great song JJ ...like it ... Found about 10 nu-jazz tracks that are worth posting . I'll kick off my selection with a track from a German band called 'Micatone' . Lisa Bassenge is on lead vocals . Macca's nu-jazz 4.4

He might have been poached by 'Roy Morgan research' Come back Rangey , we need more polls !

I think most of us understand that it just didn't work out . That's life , move on . Many of us wanted accountable footy so there was always going to be casualties . The 'casualty' list might be quite high though

Well it all kicks off tomorrow . You can click on any team for further news , information and fixtures . Apart from tomorrow's game , other good match-ups are the 49ers @ Green Bay and Pittsburgh @ Denver . The Colts @ Chicago and Washington @ New Orleans will have great interest as well with Luck and RG3 unveiled . Bring it on ! Week one ... THURS, SEPT 6 10.30 AM Dallas 28 at NY Giants 21 (OneHD and ESPN) MON, SEPT 10 3.00 AM Indianapolis 21 at Chicago 41 (OneHD) 3.00 AM Philadelphia 17 at Cleveland 16 3.00 AM New England 34 at Tennessee 13 3.00 AM Atlanta 40 at Kansas City 24 3.00 AM Jacksonville 23 at Minnesota 26 3.00 AM Washington 40 at New Orleans 32 (Fox 2) 3.00 AM Buffalo 28 at NY Jets 48 3.00 AM St. Louis 23 at Detroit 27 3.00 AM Miami 10 at Houston 30 6.25 AM San Francisco 30 at Green Bay 22 (OneHD) 6.25 AM Seattle 16 at Arizona 20 6.25 AM Carolina 10 at Tampa Bay 16 10.20 AM Pittsburgh 19 at Denver 31 (OneHD and ESPN) TUES, SEPT 11 9.00 AM Cincinnati 13 at Baltimore 44 (ESPN) 12.15 PM San Diego 22 at Oakland 14 (ESPN)

Ha ! I think you're safe It's certainly hard yakka being a Demons fan . My beef this year is our style of play . Losing is bearable if there's a few standout players or some great passages of play . Our slow , stagnant , stifling , boring around the boundary style is virtually unwatchable . I'm assured by many on this site that all the good attacking stuff will be 'unveiled' later . We wait in anticipation , Willo !