Macca

The difference between winning and losing by a small margin is quite stark in our sport No greater example is joeboy's player analysis ... a narrow loss and often only 4 or 5 get a rap but if we win, the majority often end up playing well Yet one straight kick is the difference ... correcting, even a wobbly Barry Breen type kick can be the difference As one poster described tonight's game ... the agony and the exctasy Lose and we're on shaky ground but win and that QF looms large (for us)

They are in a league of their own. True filth and a law unto themselves Brisbane's supporters are mild in comparison. In fact, there's no comparison I was in amongst a lot of Lions supporters tonight and there was no hint of any trouble all night. None

No, now you're putting words into my mouth I said nothing about copying Collingwood but we have to find a find a way to attack through the corridor, our way. Using our strengths to good effect We play like we did in the 2nd & 3rd quarters and we'll be out in straight sets again We should have met fire with fire (our way) but chose to be indecisive and go sideways We had no dare, no dash and let Brisbane dominate We got the win but there's work to be done looking ahead

I've been standing in the outer or AFL members all my life and we've never had that many supporters in that area A large majority of our supporters have always congregated in the MCC area and the Northern Stand It's just the way it is. For me, I don't care that I'm outnumbered in the Southern Stand as it's my choice to be there 10 years at the top and you'll see change

Too much waffle It's a mindset ... either attack through the middle or we don't (or won't) Go back and watch the 2nd quarter for a great example as to how we wanted to avoid moving the ball through the corridor Continuously moving the ball slowly around the boundary line through the Southern stand wing and half forward flank ... and the Lions lapped it up So in the last 15 minutes we took risks through the middle and hey presto, we win It really is that simple but you continue to overcomplicate and over-explain

Are you serious? We got a good run from the umpires tonight I'm convinced you and a number of others here just need something to whinge about. Forever complaining when there's no need to Umpires against us? What a load of garbage.

You have to wonder why we don't use the corridor more. If the fear is that we might turn it over, haven't we got a stellar defence to repel counter-attacks? But credit to the Lions in the 2nd & 3rd quarters ... they showed us up with great skill and breakneck speed whilst using the corridor. They played some terrific footy before coming unstuck in the last quarter We, on the other hand couldn't seem to get the ball past the centre wing in those two quarters. And in the 2nd quarter we continually moved the ball slowly through the Southern Stand wing and half forward flank ... played into the Lions hands who won the ball back and then attacked through the middle Both teams were guilty of trying to protect a lead but of course we came out on top

The ones around me were impeccibly well behaved. All things considered, they'd be gutted so they took it well Compared to a number of other supporter groups, they are angels (esp the filth, scum, ferals and carltank)

I was surprised when the siren rang ... only 27 minutes where as one quarter went for 34 minutes and another went 32 minutes Only 5 goals scored in the last quarter explains the difference but the mind was thinking 30+ minutes With the last moment involving a disputed mark to add to the high drama

That's a freak win! Absolute stunned disbelief from the Lions supporters around me (outer) Equally, we never looked like winning and then we did win Our first quarter was excellent and then they ran all over us and looked like winners ... except we won! Just goes to show that it's never over until it's over Gawn & Viney were immense and Petracca was fantastic. Brayshaw & Hunter were solid We didn't miss Grundy but there's a KFP spot up for grabs But we did miss Oliver and need him back ASAP We played the game right out to the end where as they tried to slow things down on the members wing in the last quarter ... they lost their dare and we took advantage That's one for the ages and the win will go a long way to helping to secure the double chance Demons!!!

Well I'll be watching from the creature comforts of the stands with the dining facilities, bars & cafes close by! So if we're not beamed on the big screen, binoculars it is, DJ But of course we're no guarantee to be at Caulfield and it should be remembered that we won a flag training out of the outpost known as Casey!

We"d probably keep Casey as an option (training) and any building requirements could be situated where the course has some stables (remembering that horses can't be trained at Caulfield any more so there is an excess of stables) The Neerim Rd end of the course especially There's a massive amount of area that can be utilised In theory, non AFLM's games could be played there (practice, reserves or AFLW)

I believe an inner track has been completed with the do-over at Caulfield but the stands are iconic and give excellent overall viewing if an oval (or 2?) is established inside the inner track (maybe need some old-fashioned binoculars!) But the scope is quite big for the club if we become a viable partner (of sorts) with the MRC I reckon 2 full sized ovals could fit neatly inside the racing tracks (remembering that the straight is about 370 metres long and the other 2 sides are around 400 - 500 metres long ... even with the newly established inner track, there's still loads of space And there will probably be lots of space available at the Neerim Rd end of the racecourse Not forgetting all the function rooms, dining facilities, office space, corporate areas and the like that are already established at the course (as well as the add-ons) Makes you wonder about Flemington & Moonee Valley ... footy & racing have always gone together

Probably 1 or 2 others made a similar suggestion but you called it. Kudos Mind you, they were never going to drop the captain so JVR for Grundy was the move

Certainly a surprise move to drop Grundy but I suppose they've decided to bite the bullet with something that just wasn't working More of a surprise is the goal of the MC for Grundy to learn some forward craft at Casey? Strikes me as being a bit late in the season to do that sort of thing On one hand I find the whole thing a bit baffling but nevertheless, quite bold Bottom line is if the change works (structurally) and we win, we'll take the win It's a big game for us with a fair bit riding on the result

6 months severance money only according to the new CBA arrived at during the Covid times PA a lot stronger than the CA so not only were the AFL coaches tenure's not guaranteed but the FD spend was slashed as well (assistant coaches & line coaches were dispensed with) A hangover from those times but into line with how coaches tenure's are cut short in overseas sports (notably soccer & the NFL) So if Dew was on $800k he'll still gets paid until Chtistmas ($400k?) ... and walk into a well paid assistants role for 2024 (remembering that Neeld spent close on 4 years at the Bombers as an assistant coach from late 2014) Good luck to the bloke, I say

That 6-8 W/L record for teams sacking their coaches would include the game after Neeld was sacked but wouldn't include the game after Bailey was sacked (186) Interesting that the media are latching on to how Dew was hung out to dry for a week but we hung Neeld out to dry for 2 weeks. At least Bailey only had to wait 24 hours Actually, Neeld was a corpse being fed on by those that come after the vultures Mind you, the $1.4Million payout for Neeld would cover a few utility bills Nice work If you can get it. Lotto money So we've done it twice in the recent past and if the supporters had got their way, we would have dispensed with Goodwin in late September 2020

2023 NFL season: 10 fascinating storylines to follow at mandatory minicamps We say it every year: There is no offseason in the NFL. This offseason, though, felt particularly breathless. Understandable when one of the biggest stars in the game joins a new team and another one of the biggest stars in the game ends a two-year contract staredown by making himself the highest-paid player in the league -- with both developments occurring just before the 2023 NFL Draft. The NFL, we promise, really does quiet down soon. For about a month -- from mid-June to mid-July -- players scatter, coaches leave the facility, even the league office briefly eases off the gas. Before everybody takes a much-needed breather, though, there is the matter of mandatory minicamps. It's an opportunity to get an early look at how teams are coming together -- just enough to whet our appetites for training camp and the season to come. Here are 10 things we can't wait to see during minicamps. 1) Aaron's acclimation. The biggest question for the New York Jets: How fast can Aaron Rodgers, the offense and new faces get on the same page? Rodgers, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb have the advantage of familiarity with one another, but there are still questions about other facets of the offense. How will Hackett, who did not call plays for Rodgers in Green Bay, bounce back from a rough one-year head-coaching stint in Denver? What iteration of the offensive line will the Jets use? And, most critically, how is Rodgers' rapport with Garrett Wilson, the Jets' No. 1 receiver? 2) Green Bay redux. Finally, we will get an extended view of what the Packers saw in Jordan Love to convince them to move on from Rodgers. Love looked promising in limited 2022 regular-season action, but this is the first time he will get all the starter's reps, the first time the offense will be tailored to him, the first time Rodgers' long shadow is not cast on him. And, also, the first time Matt LaFleur is calling plays for someone who is not already a first-ballot Hall of Famer. 3) The return of Sean Payton. Payton has had his fingerprints all over virtually every part of the Broncos operation since taking the head job in January, but what everyone wants to know is what his offense will look like and how a noticeably slimmed-down Russell Wilson will fit in. Payton has been unsparing in his critique of the Broncos' offense last season, and his early moves -- shoring up the offensive line and signing running back Samaje Perine and fullback Michael Burton -- point to Payton's desire to run the ball to ease some of the pressure on Wilson. There won't be any sacred cows with Payton, so the early returns on this relationship will be fascinating. 4) The Ravens' new look. The Ravens have gone all in on surrounding Lamar Jackson with the best wide receiving group he's had in the NFL. Let's see how Odell Beckham Jr. looks now that he appears to be fully recovered from his second knee surgery. Let's see what first-round draft pick Zay Flowers does. And Nelson Agholor. And let's see what new offensive coordinator Todd Monken has in mind for this offense, which was 28th in passing last season. During OTAs, Jackson said he was loving Monken's offense. This is expected to be one of the most extreme makeovers in the NFL -- and, given the contract investment in Jackson, one that has some of the highest expectations attached to it. 5) The Anthony Richardson timeline. After the Colts made Richardson the fourth overall draft pick, team owner Jim Irsay made it clear he believes a raw talent like Richardson, who started just 13 games and attempted only 393 passes in college, needs to play to develop. Irsay also said head coach Shane Steichen will develop an offense that Richardson can operate while he learns. We'll at least get hints on what that offense looks like -- and how quickly Richardson can improve -- in minicamp. 6) The Dolphins' defense. The Dolphins finished 24th in scoring defense and 27th in passing D last season. Enter revered defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey. At Fangio's introductory press conference, he said he spent 2022 -- his year off from coaching -- studying other defenses, and he now has a few new tactics he wants to try. One thing to watch: How much will the Dolphins, who have been one of the most frequent blitzing teams in recent years, dial down the blitz with Fangio, who has not typically leaned on it? And in what positions will Fangio put Ramsey, who is coming off a down season but is now paired with Xavien Howard to form one of the league's elite cornerback duos. How Fangio deploys players who were not originally drafted to fit his scheme will tell us plenty about how quickly this defense can come together for a team that should contend in the AFC. 7) The Bengals' offensive line and secondary. It's been a multi-year project to improve the line, and how this group comes together will play a big part in the Bengals' championship hopes. Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was one of the most significant free-agent signings of the offseason. And though Jonah Williams wanted a trade after he was moved to right tackle, the Bengals have held onto him and -- assuming he reports for the mandatory minicamp -- Williams will be on the right side. In the secondary, the Bengals lost both starting safeties (Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell) in free agency. How defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo fills those spots with currently unproven commodities is worth watching for one of the league's stingiest defenses (No. 6 in scoring D in 2022) and a very real Super Bowl contender. 8) The Cowboys' offense. Yes, the Cowboys got speedster Brandin Cooks, but the intrigue this offseason is how much different the offense will look with Mike McCarthy taking over play-calling duties and Brian Schottenheimer functioning as the offensive coordinator. McCarthy insists he wants to run more, and Schottenheimer says he wants the Cowboys to play fast, while adding that the unit isn't broken. That's true: The Cowboys were the fourth-best scoring offense in the NFL in 2022. But how much better the unit can get, and how much further Dallas can push into the playoffs, will be, as always, season-long obsessions. 9) The Lions' new reality. Suddenly the darlings of the league -- they will play the Chiefs in the NFL Kickoff Game -- the Lions made one of the most intriguing selections of the 2023 NFL Draft, taking running back Jahmyr Gibbs 12th overall to join David Montgomery, who signed a three-year deal in free agency. Those two backfield additions should fit quite nicely with one of the best offensive lines in the league. Minicamp offers a first look at the reshaped Lions offense and how Gibbs will also be used as a receiver. 10) Life after Brady in Tampa. There is still talent on the Buccaneers' roster, and the NFC South remains a winnable division, so whether Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask appear to be up for the starting QB job has huge implications. Mayfield breathed new life into his career during his brief stint with the Rams, and Bruce Arians has always liked him. But minicamp should tell us plenty about whether the former No. 1 overall pick has a solid hold on the job. Can the Bucs reach the playoffs with either quarterback? Or could they be in the trade market for a signal-caller if they believe the rest of the roster is still good enough to be a postseason participant?

Less than a month before the preseason starts 7Mate will continue to cover 2 games on a Monday

Yes, England too good and have we seen their best? That question was posed to me by a couple of mates Murphy to make way for another all-rounder (Green) ... that would mean Carey bats at no.8 Harris or Renshaw to replace Warner Hazlewood for Boland

Ahead of the ball is often bereft of players with all the flooding & congestion ... and with so many players around the ball Years ago TV missed so much of what might be going on downfield but not so much these days. In fact, years ago the sport was strictly 'At-The-Game' for a proper appreciation I still prefer to be at the games and I don't watch a lot of neutral footy these days so you're probably right, mono

We're going to need a bit of luck and an early wicket or 2 Joe Root & Stokes are the key wickets of course. Play looks like it will start on time but it's overcast so might help our bowlers I gave yesterday's session to England 10-8 (overall Eng 63 Aust 61) and they are favoured to win (Bookies have England at $1.30 with Australia at $3.75)

Well if we put him up the ground in say, a lead up role (high half forward) with a few periodic stints in the midfield, he'll be getting his hands on the ball by default I remember when we did it with Hogan (out of the blue) ... it's a way of warming up a player rather than watching him go cold And if you're not getting your hands on it, confidence can dissipate To me it looks like he's wondering where his next possession is coming from

At the ground is way better in terms of picking up the levels of hunger for the victory. Hard to define but it's a thing But I don't reckon we miss much at all watching on the box ... we know the players run up and down the ground all game and we know about all the rotations I reckon what can be missed are the 1 on 1's and the tagging roles. But even at the ground it's difficult to pick up run-with roles or tagging roles Forward line pressure is easily seen too (on the telly) ... or whether a forward is playing in front