B
Celtics dropping game 1 at home is really nothing new. Ho hum, I thought, especially when they missed a thousand shots.
But dropping that game... wow. A choke job of the highest order. This was going to be Tatum's year but he's just gone cold at the worst possible time.
They are still $1.90 to win the series (Knicks $1.86) and I think that's probably good value. If they take game 3 I still think they have enough to win the series, but that's a bigger and bigger IF as every day passes.
Yeah I think the rejig would be to swap Sydney and Carlton maybe?
I go back to what I said a few weeks ago, the Blues were never that bad. Just needed a few things to click and it would start rolling for them. They aren't contenders yet but the top 8 is now back on the table.
I wouldn't read too much into Geelong, playing a well rested team while they were on a short turnaround. Played poorly but still hung in well. It's a bit like GWS, I still think they are classy.
@barbarian said in AFL 2025:
Here are my categorisations of the teams from what I've seen.
Classy premiership contenders: Hawthorn, GWS, Brisbane
Could be there if they get it together: Collingwood, Sydney, Geelong
At their best, top 8: Adelaide, Bulldogs, Gold Coast, Port Adelaide
Could make the 8, could blow up completely: Carlton, Melbourne
On their day they can beat anyone but won't make the 8: North, St Kilda, Essendon, Fremantle, Richmond
Not great but better: West Coast
Updated:
Premiership contenders: Hawthorn, GWS, Brisbane, Geelong, Collingwood
At their best, top 8: Adelaide, Bulldogs, Gold Coast, Port Adelaide, Sydney
Could make the 8, could blow up completely: Carlton, Melbourne
On their day they can beat anyone but won't make the 8: St Kilda, Essendon, Fremantle
Volatile compounds, but won't threaten: Richmond, North
Still pretty shit: West Coast
Not only that MR but they aren't producing any new talent. Joaquin Niemann is the bloke they are always boosting, but he gets to the majors and doesn't fire a shot. I want them to throw up new names, it would make it a lot more fun, but they don't and it's not hard to know why - the bank balance is healthy, you aren't losing your card, it's a closed shop with no consequences for bad play!
@KiwiPie said in The Masters!:
@barbarian said in The Masters!:
It was simultaneously an almighty choke and an amazing triumph. He was dead three times in that round but somehow kept coming back.
I think it helped that only Rose made any sort of run and Bryson fell away early. If Bryson had been serenely knocking in birdies, Rory may well have combusted
I don't actually know about that. Sometimes I think Rory is better chasing it than trying to hold a three shot lead. Look at what he did on 13- if he's one back there's no way he's laying up there.
What a round by Rose by the way. A Sunday 66 to almost steal it well into his 40s. He's had an outstanding career, still punching in majors while his contemporaries (Stenson, Westwood, Kaymer etc) languish down the bottom of LIV leaderboards.
Happy to stay with Stan. They put the effort in and the quality of the broadcast is way higher that it ever was with Fox/Kayo.
No FTA is a blow. I can understand why they made the trade-off, but it's annoying they had to make it. Stan Sport is pretty niche and not especially cheap, so you're losing a lot of casual eyeballs. Now they will still be there for the Wallabies so maybe it's no big loss.
@taniwharugby said in The Masters!:
@nzzp maybe that was his Jail menu?
Pretty sure it's exactly the same as what he served in 2023, with one exception - the addition of ravioli, which is what he was cooking when he hurt his hand earlier in the year. Bit of an in joke, I think.
There are so many variables though. New coach is one thing but a lot of player turnover too, as has been said.
I don't think this is a stacked team at all. Our depth is thin in key spots, and we don't have any locks. It's a good side on paper, sure, but missing finals won't be the end of the world considering.
@frugby said in Moana Pasifika v Waratahs:
There is no Waratahs thread on here, but at what point do people start to question if maybe Dan McKellar isn't actually as good a coach as is always claimed?
I think Tahs fans are pretty realistic about our chances this year. A lot of turnover on our list, and that's going to take time to come together. Finals this year would be fantastic considering we won the wooden spoon last year, but not the end of the world if we miss out.
The second half meltdown was concerning though. Went out in a Rolls Royce and came home in an ambulance. The talent is there, just need to put together a full 80 minutes.
That plan might maybe sometimes work if you have two key forwards at the top of their game (as it did in the first half of last season). At the moment they have one on mental health leave and one still clearly unfit.
Ultimately you'd still rather be Melbourne because they won a flag and that lasts forever. But I said it before the season and I will say it again, that team has got blow up written all over it.
@mariner4life said in AFL 2025:
It definitely looks like Carlton and Melbourne are set up to win the last war
I think I'd still rather be Carlton than Melbourne. Here's the (strained) case for optimism as a Blues fan.
We've been in every game against decent teams. Dees have been pumped by GC at home, then by Geelong. Next five games are West Coast, North, Geelong, Adelaide, St Kilda.
Fingers crossed but we're maybe 4-5 or 3-6 and at least set up for a run at the eight. There's no volatile Petracca/Oliver types in the camp (though about a dozen who are mentally fragile).
Things are obviously bleak but I'm not putting the pen through them yet as far as finals are concerned. They sure ain't winning the comp though.
They need to start playing 2025 football but it feels like a long way to go.
I think the general view from Australia is the Bledisloe has gotten a bit stale. And before you start shouting, yes that's entirely because our team isn't very good. Nobody denies that.
So RA are looking to give it a fresh coat of paint. Putting it on Anzac Day would be a way of doing that - different time, different feel, putting the game in a slightly different emotional and seasonal context.
I don't feel strongly either way on it, I don't think anyone really does here. Might be nice to try but we've all got more important things to be focussed on (namely the Tahs march to the Super title).