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I've never heard a conversation about footy or cricket that I haven't wanted to join in immediately. If you disagree with me, you'll be made to work very hard to change my mind!
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The Melbourne Cup holds a special place in Australian folklore, particularly for those of us who are born and bred in Victoria. It is…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, a celebration of an industry that is central to our DNA as Australians. The Cup itself will have…
It feels like yesterday we were talking about last year's thrilling instalment of the race that stops the nation. The 2024 iteration of the…
The Victoria Derby is always a bit of an unknown, with three-year-olds stepping up to the tough slog of 2500m for the first time.
The Golden Eagle, while not as celebrated as the Everest, has quickly become one of Australia’s best races, and certainly sits comfortably inside the…
We seem to say it every year, but what a mouth-watering contest this Cox Plate promises to be. Every year there’s an angle, something…
The Everest has quickly become one of Australia’s biggest races, and has singlehandedly ensured that the “big four” of this country’s races had needed…
The Caulfield Cup, one of the traditional “big four” of Australian racing alongside the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper, has been run…
Some footy people will tell you that your best six players are what win big games, the stars who can take control in the…
It’s entirely possible that GWS was the best team in the finals race this season, yet they’ll tell their story walking after the most…
It’s hard to know where to focus after the first week of finals, with a treasure trove of storylines coming out of it. Port…
Every year there is talk about how even the AFL competition is, but the 2024 home and away season has proven to be the…
The Bombers' fall from grace in the back third of the season has been swift and brutal.
The possessions declined but the impact increased, and his ability to deliver in the big moments became unparalleled.
Last week we looked at the Collingwood “dynasty” that couldn’t get off the ground this season, after winning the 2023 premiership. Today, we tackle…
Every new premier is viewed through the prism of a dynasty. The fawning media wants to find the next big thing. Supporters are convinced…
A few weeks ago we took a look at the top half of the ladder as the AFL season entered the bye period, and…
The lead-up to Dustin Martin’s 300th game has begged the question: where does he sit in the pantheon of modern AFL greats? Below are…
We hit the first round of byes (if we forget the horrendous fixturing of earlier this season), with all clubs having played 11 of…
It’s the easiest thing in the game to bash North Melbourne but there has got to be some things to like.
Well, he showed me who was boss! 😂 Unbelievable, what a sport, gotta love it.
2024 Melbourne Cup form guide: Pros, cons and realistic chances for every runner for the race that stops the nation
Yeah, think Warp Speed will give backers a good shout at his odds.
Zardozi will either run it out and be a threat, or fail to stay and finish 15th. We’ll know in less than 24 hours!
2024 Melbourne Cup form guide: Pros, cons and realistic chances for every runner for the race that stops the nation
I can easily see a scenario where Buckaroo’s class just runs away with it, and it appears obvious after the race. That’s what I’m banking on anyway, but need a positive ride from Moreira. Want him sitting 10-15, but not in the back third.
Good point on Vauban. So many horses untried at the distance, including some of the classier ones. Definitely adds an element of intrigue.
2024 Melbourne Cup form guide: Pros, cons and realistic chances for every runner for the race that stops the nation
All good points. I’m happy to stick with the class given the lack of apparent depth. Zardozi a very interesting runner, but happy to take Buckaroo and Land Legend ahead of her from the CC.
2024 Melbourne Cup form guide: Pros, cons and realistic chances for every runner for the race that stops the nation
I feel like Kah doesn’t lack for opportunities, whereas King can run a bit hot and cold I reckon. There was a time there where she used to go too fast when on a front-runner, but not sure if that’s still the case. The good female jockeys generally get good rides in the big handicaps at this time of year, given how light they can traditionally ride.
2024 Cox Plate tips and preview: Pride of Jenni will set Moonee Valley alight, but can she keep out Mr Brightside and Via Sistina?
It’s a good question Sheek. I’d put it this way – the gap in talent between McDonald and Shinn, Lane, Williams, Zahra, Kah, Nash et al, is not as big as the disparity in the amount of hot favourites and gun horses they get to ride.
Then you think of these a goliath stable like Waller (good horseflesh everywhere but partial to high priced imports/older horses) where McDonald gets first pick, as he does with Cummings/Godolphin (always have a host of superb/competitive 2-3yo’s), plus Maher is using him more and more as well, as his mega-operation expands ever further into Sydney.
In summary, McDonald is very good, but he is over-represented. That said, because he is on so many short horses in the best races, his failures are more public too.
2024 Cox Plate tips and preview: Pride of Jenni will set Moonee Valley alight, but can she keep out Mr Brightside and Via Sistina?
Celestial Legend needs to turn things around too much for mine, but we’ve seen similar before.
Good points on the Waller up/down, and exactly what I’m fearful of with Joliestar. The market seems to expect an “up” performance, given how well respected she is.
The Everest 2024: tips, best bets, preview - I Wish I Win is one to beat, Growing Empire has superstar potential
Not convinved Warmonger is good enough, especially from where he’ll be. But he’ll get the sting out with plenty of rain in Melbourne today, and wide on the track no spoil by then. But the rain hurts Deny Knowledge.
With Pride of Jenni in the King Charles, and those good ones chasing them, I think the 90 minutes or so with the Everest and Caulfield Cup is the best 90 minutes we’ll see all year.
2024 Caulfield Cup tips and preview: Deny Knowledge to set pace and threaten but Buckaroo deserves to be favourite
Will either be a gem of a ride (think Nick Hall on Jameka) or a huge win if he gets up.
2024 Caulfield Cup tips and preview: Deny Knowledge to set pace and threaten but Buckaroo deserves to be favourite
Never finished higher than 6th on the ladder in 10 years at North. No other coach in history has had that luxury.
Another pathetic year from Essendon is further proof that Brad Scott simply can't coach
Lol.
'More likely to miss the finals than win one': Collingwood are no dynasty team, and reality has caught up with them
All of that is a reasonable position, and no-one is saying fans shouldn’t care how they won. But I do think they were the proven best team over the course of the season too, not lucky. Albeit they did get the luck in the run of close results at the key times – that sort of thing is always unsustainable.
'More likely to miss the finals than win one': Collingwood are no dynasty team, and reality has caught up with them
They’re a good club, so you’d expect them to bounce back quickly, and the wheel in AFL can often surprise by how sharply decline can turn around.
'More likely to miss the finals than win one': Collingwood are no dynasty team, and reality has caught up with them
You’re absolutely right Don, I tipped Fremantle last week and was wrong by about 11 goals. Egg on my face. Thanks for calling it out.
'Flat-track bully' Bulldogs, 'surging' Hawks, 'alarming' Saints: How bottom nine sides are tracking at halfway mark
Usually when there’s one standout team, there is an exceptional challenger and some depth in the top four. I can’t recall a time where we have had an entire competition’s worth of ordinary teams chasing one club.
People talk up Collingwood, but their main talent is lucky escapes, Carlton has most of the tools but get scored against too easily, Essendon, Geelong, Port, Fremantle, laughable and give me a break, while I don’t know what’s happened to GWS.
I keep hearing how dangerous the Dogs are, but will be 10th or 11th after the byes. The less said about Melbourne the better.
'Flat-track bully' Bulldogs, 'surging' Hawks, 'alarming' Saints: How bottom nine sides are tracking at halfway mark
Any point of fact you’d like to challenge Wolzal?
'Flat-track bully' Bulldogs, 'surging' Hawks, 'alarming' Saints: How bottom nine sides are tracking at halfway mark
When I did the first nine teams a few weeks ago, Melbourne were in the eight at the time, so already done.
'Flat-track bully' Bulldogs, 'surging' Hawks, 'alarming' Saints: How bottom nine sides are tracking at halfway mark
The Dogs are about two years older on average than the Suns, correct? And half a season into Hardwick’s coaching tenure, while Beveridge has been there 10 years.
Compare the pair.
'Flat-track bully' Bulldogs, 'surging' Hawks, 'alarming' Saints: How bottom nine sides are tracking at halfway mark
But there is no other list, it’s just a list I’ve put together from those that made their debut in 2000 or beyond because it seems like a nice timeframe. Nothing sinister.
We could make 1999 the starting year, then someone would ask for it to be 1998 to include Simon Black, etc.
The top ten AFL players since 2000: Where does Dustin Martin sit on the eve of his 300th game?
This is great commentary, especially that last line.
The top ten AFL players since 2000: Where does Dustin Martin sit on the eve of his 300th game?
Gave him some though briefly, and hard to crack this list. Top three half-backs in that time, then absolutely.
The top ten AFL players since 2000: Where does Dustin Martin sit on the eve of his 300th game?
I used debuted in 2000 or later, otherwise Goodes would have been in for sure.
The top ten AFL players since 2000: Where does Dustin Martin sit on the eve of his 300th game?
Or could say five of the top six played outside Victoria too? 😊
Always happy to hear who you’d have out and who you’d have in.
The top ten AFL players since 2000: Where does Dustin Martin sit on the eve of his 300th game?
Danger is on the list, and big game performances do elevate the standing. Can certainly make a strong case to swap out Hodge and Selwood for a handful of others.
The top ten AFL players since 2000: Where does Dustin Martin sit on the eve of his 300th game?
Classic. 😂
2024 Melbourne Cup form guide: Pros, cons and realistic chances for every runner for the race that stops the nation