Macca

It wasn't that long ago that we were inviting teams to bomb it into our forward line ... with May, Petty & Lever taking mark after mark or spoiling to good effect (along with players like Salem, Bowey & Rivers taking possession & rebounding on the counter) Of course, we kept bombing it in often just looking for a forward line stoppage when it was obvious that that tactic was becoming obsolete It's a tough gig being a key forward these days as all the teams plan their defensive strategies* for the long kick forward. And progressing the ball forward with efficiency has always been an option which the Pies enacted to good effect in 2023 Right now, the list is still a bit top heavy with regards to tall forwards (due to contracts?) *A good example being GWS in round 1 of 2025. We went in too top heavy up forward and GWS just waltzed the ball out of their backline. Lost that game at the selection table

We've got too many tall forwards on the list ... a couple/few are surplus to needs and will spend most, if not all of their time at Casey The game has changed dramatically and the long bomb is fast becoming a thing of the past ... so what is needed are small/medium type forwards who can create space and mids who can hit the scoreboard (see Brisbane) So drafting 2 non talls forwards was the right move Mihocek & JVR will be our mainstays and there won't be a 3rd. In fact, if we play a 2nd ruck, JVR could miss out and we go with medium/smalls (predominantly)

Latrelle is 182cm not 170cm as has been widely reported If he improves his marking capabilities, he could become a medium sized forward along with terrific ground skills Much like his cousin, quite versatile. The quintessential project player We live in hope

A rugged customer with good skills & awareness, rebounding from defence What's not to like!!

IIRC, Kozzie was a real bolter and right up until draft day, wasn't rated in the top 25. Many here and in the media called the pick a reach. Got it horribly wrong But with Latrelle, whilst starting out as a pick in the mid to late 20's, he ended up being touted as a top 15 pick Anyway, Taylor knows more than most so if we're ever going to trust anyone, it's JT By the way, I wouldn't be calling Kolt or Laurie a bust just yet. Laurie has been starved of opportunities whilst Kolt was drafted as a mid/forward and is yet to receive quality minutes in the midfield All our new additions need time to develop (3-4 years, not some tiny sample size)

So Scotland are through to the WC after an absence of 28 years! Wales & Ireland through to playoffs

@Gorgoroth @Clintosaurus @Go the Biff @Dr. Gonzo @titan_uranus @ElDiablo14 @BDA @layzie @Dee Zephyr Leaderboard Tipping Comp 24 - Clintosaurus, layzie, Macca 23 - Go the Biff 22 - BDA 19 - Dee Zephyr, Gorgoroth 17 - ElDiablo14, titan_uranus 13 - Dr. Gonzo

Leaderboard Tipping Comp 24 - Clintosaurus, layzie, Macca 23 - Go the Biff 22 - BDA 19 - Dee Zephyr, Gorgoroth 17 - ElDiablo14, titan_uranus 13 - Dr. Gonzo

According to the stats, Australia holds every highest wicket partnership in Tests vs England (1st through to 10th) Meanwhile, with Hazlewood & Cummins both out of the 1st test, the Aussies are going to have to bat well to keep England at bay And if Weatherald doesn't get the nod to open, here's how our batting order might look ... Khawaja Labuschagne Green Smith Head Webster Carey Starc Lyon Boland Doggett If Weatherald plays, Webster might miss out with Green to bat at no.6 I favour the latter combination but Webster hasn't done a lot wrong

Ravens, 49ers, Texans

@Gorgoroth @Clintosaurus @Dr. Gonzo tips, gentlemen!

More WC highlights ... World Cup Qualifiers - Highlights (Europe) 10 Matches played overnight World Cup Standings (Europe)

As a follow on to the excellent Ch10 doco on the 2006 Socceroos, here's a short doco on the 1974 Socceroos (The Pioneers)

World Cup Qualifiers (Saturday Morning) - All the Goals (6 Matches) In action tomorrow morning and in contention for a WC berth - Spain, Scotland, Denmark, Switzerland, Turkey, Belgium, Wales, Austria, Bosnia, Romania

NFL Week 11 Previews (15 Videos Approx 8 Minutes each)

EPL - 8th, 9th & 10th November (10 Games - All the Goals) World Cup Qualifiers (Europe) All the Goals - 8 Thursday Night Games

Yeah the AFL has a top 10 but the CL has a top 24!

There's some huge match-ups this week with a lot riding on the results of those matches Headline acts ... Tampa @ Buffalo Seattle @ Rams Chiefs @ Denver Lions @ Eagles Chargers @ Jags And then there's vital games for Chicago, the Packers, Steelers, 49ers, Ravens and the Pats On paper at least, the best week of games we've seen this season

At least the weekends won't be ruined early! (One only Thurssay or Friday prime time game)

Wow! That's ruthless!

Sure, but the percentage of members who attend is still quite small I reckon most members are happy to plough their money into clubs but attending? That's the point of difference

Another AFL decree ... You, the people, must observe this match as a blockbuster. No more questions. Attend! "But it's 13th vs 14th?" Remember the 10. The Top 10

Pro sports brings it's own issues ... once the money rolls in, everything is for sale. It's inevitable As previously stated, my issue is with the crowded nature of the sport with all the congestion & stoppages. The AFL are trying to fix it but there's is a band-aid approach I vote with my feet and my eyes and I know plenty who are the same. The AFL needs the neutrals to watch the games live or on TV & devices. Without the neutrals watching, the sport is in trouble So it's not the die-hards or the rusted on types, it's those who can swing any which way Another example are the high membership numbers and the very low percentage of members who attend games. If you do the maths, up to 70% to 80% are often stay-aways. For most, if not all the clubs It's a weird question, but how do we get the majority of members to attend games?