Macca

Related to SIM card We are creatures of habit 🍺🙂

We are largely on the same page anyway, DS What really matters is looking ahead and yesterday didn't answer too many questions nor was it ever going to. Saints didn't offer much As Jaded said in a post above, the Tigers clash will tell us more but really, the answer lies in the season proper We aren't going to declare our hand until then and rightly so Still, it's nice to win by 10 goals in the 4 periods allotted to the Seniors. We've got a good list so we'll be contending if augers well My one concern is our forward line functionality and our delivery into the forward line (as stated earlier, there are more than a few areas pertaining to that functionality)

Yeah ok but what about 2021? I'm counting that year in as well as last year. It seems you're only talking about last year Appraise both years so with regards to most of 2021 and a reasonable amount of 2022 and you'll find that we have attacked hard from half back and through the corridor If it's recency bias, then you make good points. But you have to count the sum of all parts (both years) So why is 2021 important to this discussion? Because if we don't attack hard from half back and through the corridor as we did in 2021, then I don't hold out much hope of saluting again. If we counted 2020 as well, then our movement was often stagnant that year (missed finals with a decent list) So 2022 is important as well in terms of what not to do ... to counter a crowded forward line we can't allow teams to have the time to flood back. And bomb it in as a counter measure? Doesn't work So move the ball quickly and directly with precision as a default move (as we did in 2021) By contrast, the Pies weren't moving the ball with speed, precision and directness in 2021 But we did win 16 games last year so there many times when we did move the ball quite well. But not enough of that sort of ball movement when it counted and our ball movement from the midfield often consisted of the long bomb It's a bit like the long ball in soccer ... often obsolete for the good teams and now largely the domain of the strugglers

And we attack from half back and through the corridor as well whenever applicable. So that part of it is identical apart from when we attack through Langdon's wing. The pies attack through their wings on occasions as well. We do what they do (or vice-versa) And sometimes we'll prefer to attack in a more careful way through our defensive wing. But the Pies do that as well when they are forced to do so However, I will say that the other teams flood our forward line as a default move so to overcome that is not easy So I don't see much of a difference between the 2 teams apart from the midfield area onwards So if we periodically fall down is from the midfield onwards, that is the fault of our midfield coach, the overall coaching, the midfielders themselves and the forward line coaching as well as the forwards not presenting well enough So it's all of that, all at once Again, the above is not pertaining to yesterday per se. It's more an observation from 2021 & 2022 And we need to get better with our inside 50 forays if we are to win big again. And that has been a talking point from about midway through last season (by many here) At our best (2021) we attacked furiously from half back and through the midfield. Last year less so, but we often had to deal with our forward line being crowded so it became diificult to pin-point targets up forward. Thus, the bombing it in whilst hoping to create scoring opportunities from those long bombs (?)

Well I was more referencing last year as opposed to yesterday but the point remains regardless And in 2021 the tactic often worked ... but the other teams have done their homework and also, the game and gameplans evolve As previously stated, to the eye at least, the Pies are very efficient when they enter their forward 50

The following is not necessarily particular to yesterday's game (but some instances pertaining did occur) Bombing it deep when we're outnumbered deep often leads to uncontested marks to the opposition. And when our forwards get to the contest from those long bombs we rarely take marks anyway. As a percentage play, it doesn't work consistently enough Far more thinking is required with our forward 50 entries. And all our forwards need to be on the move too in order to create multiple options. Playing in front and/or creating separation is a must It's really not all that complicated ... lowering the eyes should be a prerequisite for our midfielders Hate to say it but we could learn a bit by how the Pies go about it So we get the first bit right ... a midfield that gets an abundance of the ball thus creating lots of forward 50 entries If we want to win another flag we need to be far more efficient heading into the forward line

Gator's 2/3 parlay is worth passing on this week Sandown R5 #2 Pericles 3.30 Sandown R7 #12 Steel City 5.50 Sandown R8 #1 I'm Thunderstruck 3.70 Close on 70-1 for the treble

And the U.S Army had the MCG as their home away from home during the 2nd World War! haha Interlopers!!!

And we haven't always had the MCG as our home ground as pointed out by @No. 31 We played our home games at a ground called 'The Metropolitan Ground' situated between the MCG & Wellington Rd (between the years 1865 to 1885) To be more precise, Yarra Park which probably included Yarra Park No.1 Oval. Ironically, an area previously discussed as a new home base From 1885 to 1890 we played our home games at what is now known as the Lexus centre (on & off) Carlton played their home games at the MCG between 1885 & 1890. Who knew? Blueseum has more details if interested Obviously Richmond became a 'Co-Tenant' in the early 1960's so they were 2nd (actually 3rd if we count Carlton as the first tenant from the olden days) But the MCG is probably seen as our ground by most (aside from Tiger supporters and now, Pie supporters) Essendon play at the MCG a lot as well so they could even lay claim But these days the MCG is often dubbed the people's ground and that's probably a more apt description Personally, I call it our home ground and all the rest are just interlopers!!

I reckon we're shell-shocked and India will be going all-out to crush our team So it won't matter what team we put forward, the 2 pitches in the final 2 tests will be raging turners and we've got no chance on skill alone anyway We can only do well if India rest on their laurels ... and that, I can't see. They are out to prove to the World that they are the Kings of cricket There's probably 50 spinners in India who would love to take the place of Ashwin, Jadeja or Axar. So expect those 3 to go for the jugular I'll be surprised if it isn't a 4-nil shellacking

Agree wholeheartedly I didn't mind playing Agar as left arm orthodox bowling is lethal in India ... even Stephen O'Keefe took 11 wickets in a Test match in India and he bowls nude-nuts! Michael Clarke took wickets in India with his pie-floaters But the Agar selection/non selection is small-potatoes compared to the big picture And I reckon CA has misread the room. Real cricket fans care passionately about all test series but playing India and the winning or losing against them is huge To get thrashed is unacceptable and there will be repercussions with regards to the make-up of the team. Leadership has to be questioned too ... Cummins & McDonald will come under fire unless we stop losing in the way we are losing right now We can't even beat Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka anymore (lost or drawn the last 2 series played there) As previously stated, we're a B grade outfit these days and the Poms will be well prepared for the Ashes contest

I remember the days when we would play 2, 3 or even 4 warm-up games before the Tests began. All first-class and all 3 day games Now it's virtually nothing. So to say the least, we were ill-prepared. Player preperation was playing big-bash cricket on roads (seriously??) It's unprofessional and that's on CA ... the Test series' against India rivals the Ashes Tests these days. It's a big-ticket affair So we can blame the players (as I have) but what about the governing body, grazman?

In Secret, Giga Kick* & Coolangatta will offer fierce opposition in the Newmarket, GtB, but I Wish I Win's finish on Saturday (in the Lightning) was spectacular Private Eye & Buenos Noches will be powering home as well you'd imagine So it will be another fabulous rendition of the time-honoured classic (March 11th) The All-Star Mile is on March 18th so could 'I Wish I Win' back up so soon a week later up to the mile? It's got the 3rd most votes so far so it's assured of a start *Giga Kick might only run in Sydney this Autumn (Challenge Stakes, TJ Smith Stakes and maybe then Royal Ascot?) Footnote: There's talk that 'I Wish I Win' might be entered for Royal Ascot as well

Poor cricket by the Aussies. A lack of fight and we batted like millionaires The trophy has gone already (that's 4 winning series in a row to India) We just can't play spin well and part of the reason for that is due to the fact that our batsmen are brought up playing on flat-track roads in Australia We don't bat well on seaming decks either as evidence with not winning an Ashes series in England for 20+ years The reality is that we are just a B grade team these days and it's been that way for close on 20 years At home on flat decks we play well but that's the end of it ... as soon as the conditions become tough, we fold Unless India take their foot off the gas, we'll be losing this series 4-nil and what chances the Ashes? As for the World Test Championship, if we make the final it will be by default, not by playing good cricket

Hindsight tells us that Coolangatta was the one in the Lightning. Only carried 53.5 kgs which was probably the difference in a driving finish. Newmarket & TJ Smith next up you'd imagine but they also need to prepare for Royal Ascot Buenos Nachos just needed it a bit further but one to watch. I was on Osipenko in the Hobartville as well so a decent day

Excellent tough, brave win to Scallopini!! Superbly rated by Damian Lane It's a more than decent horse that was better than the 7-1 win odds on offer (early doors)

Coolangatta wins the Lightning! Superbly ridden by Jamie Kah I Wish I Win flew home for 2nd. Ideal prep for the All-Star Mile But all credit to the former Magic Millions winner. Royal Ascot well on the agenda this year, according to the trainer

The race to race place multi can often deliver a decent dividend. I will sometimes do the 2/3 parlay place whilst including 3 value runners (for the odds) As for the tip, it's just something that I reckon can run well. I bet for the win but my focus can be on place multi's ... a bit the same for short priced winners (multi's)

@JV7@Dee Zephyr@Gorgoroth@Go the Biff @Wadda We Sing @Redleg@Mr Steve Lightning Stakes tomorrow and Gator has nominated Buenos Noches (15-1) to knock off the champ, Nature Strip Certainly might be worth putting Buenos in a place multi as it can get into the finish if it gets a good run from the outside barrier (Grandstand side the best going?) Some great racing though, in both Melbourne & Sydney with 10 Stakes races all-up So looking for some value elsewhere, here's my value tip Flemington R8 No.3 Scallopini 8.00/2.40

The Beast!! Or Beastmode! Do you remember Strafford saying that he played as well? And I'm up Croydon way with work on occasions and sometimes see the Rangers practising (of sorts) ... haven't seen them with all the gear on though

When any of us are picking a margin of 1-6 then we could just as easily pick one team or the other And with a small margin being the likely outcome, the team that had the ball last (aside from 8 seconds) was likely to win with a late score. But which team? Fine lines when 2 teams are evenly matched The fumble return which gave KC 7 points was a big moment but the Eagles did score the next 10 points after that. Reality is that KC were scoring at will in the 2nd half (24 points) and to me, that was the difference. The Eagles couldn't stop them scoring yet Philadelphia had the renowned defence (including 1st overall in the regular season for passing yards allowed)

Regular Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Silver Bronze 2022 DeeSpencer Go the Biff layzie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2021 Go the Biff Clintosaurus DemonDave JV7 layzie Gorgoroth -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020 titan_uranus Gorgoroth Go the Biff Clintosaurus -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2019 JV7 Go the Biff Gorgoroth Macca Dee Zephyr Clintosaurus --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018 DeeSpencer Clintosaurus Gorgoroth Dappa Dan Dee Zephyr Macca --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 Clintosaurus Go the Biff Dappa Dan --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 Gorgoroth cowboy_from_hell Clintosaurus DeeSpencer --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 Gorgoroth cowboy_from_hell Macca JV7 DeeSpencer --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 Dappa Dan DeeSpencer Gorgoroth --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2013 cowboy_from_hell pantaloons Gorgoroth Strafford Macca --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Silver Bronze 2022 Go the Biff layzie JV7 Clintosaurus DeeSpencer Dee Zephyr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2021 DemonDave Gorgoroth Clintosaurus Macca -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020 Go the Biff Dee Zephyr Macca -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2019 DemonDave Go the Biff Macca Dee Zephyr Gorgoroth JV7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018 Gorgoroth Go the Biff DeeSpencer --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 Macca Clintosaurus Go the Biff JV7 Gorgoroth --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 Gorgoroth JV7 Clintosaurus Macca --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 JV7 cowboy_from_hell Gorgoroth Macca DeeSpencer --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 JV7 pantaloons Gorgoroth Go the Biff Macca --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2013 titan_uranus DemonDave cowboy_from_hell Macca --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall Medal Tally Gold Silver Bronze Go the Biff 4 5 2 Gorgoroth 4 3 7 JV7 4 3 2 ---------------------------------------------------- Macca 4 2 6 Clintosaurus 3 3 4 DeeSpencer 2 2 4 DemonDave 2 1 1 titan_uranus 2 0 0 cowboy_from_hell 1 3 1 Dee Zephyr 1 1 3  Dappa Dan 1 1 1 Strafford 1 0 0 pantaloons 0 2 0 layzie 0 1 2

Golf only for me these days (and I'm not all that keen either!) I work out a bit but only to stay fit and healthy. I'm a runner so I do sprint training (the best exercise in my view)

Cricket ... I was a suburban quick!! 30+ years! Fair bit of coaching too (mainly cricket but a bit with footy) Played footy from under 10's until aged 25 and a bit of soccer & baseball for a few years each as well (younger days) As for American football, never had the inclination. Actually, by the time I got really interested in the NFL, I would have been too old anyway

From memory Gorg also played a bit and one of the early posters here 'Stafford' also played