A couple of years ago, I decided to inject £50 into a betting account. I got that £50 to about £120 before losing it all. I was betting on the AFL and I happened to pick a weekend where all the favourites I picked were beaten and the upsets I picked didn't materialise. So much for my footy-betting prowess. I wasn't trying to make money - it was just to see how far I would go.. I think it lasted something like 5 rounds.

Last season, I was going to try again, but lost interest. This year, I figured I would try again, but this time to try and make money. Once my £50 is done, it is done. But, this time I was going to come up with a propert strategy. I am not going to write software and betfair it; don't have time for it. My idea is if I can make 15% return each week compounded, then after 23 weeks (from round 4, includes finals), it will return my c. £1,240. While I can definitely lose it all, and probably will, it is not a bad risk adjusted return on investment.

My strategy is simple. The team I pick has to return at least 15% on the bet, and I have to be aroun 98% certain they will win. I don't rely on knowing the teams intimately.. I waited until round 4 so I could see how the respective teams performed. I then simply track who is out injured and who is back. I don't bet evertthing every week - in fact this last round, I only bet on one team. If the odds are close enough, I may go for a lower probabilty (say 70% chance) and hedge the other way.. The minimum odds have to retyurn 40% for me to do this, otherwise, it is not worth it. I don't listen to the so called experts and I don't spend hours puring over the papers and TV looking at the form.

Round 8 just finished. There was niot one game in that round that gave me more than 95% confidence of a win - not even the saints over the roos,  And ayway, the return was 3% - a return hardly worth the risk..

A couple of times, my spidey senses went with the upset.. Geelong against Brisbane at the Gabba.. that return me 150%, and the first truly speculative bet this season; a whole £9.35 of the hawks to beat the dogs at at 250% return.. and they came home (I was going to bet more, but decided to play it safe).

After 5 rounds, I am not quite up the trajectory I want to be as I don't bet everything.. But I am 166% up and given the last round was a waste in terms of placing bets, that is not a bad return.

This round is also hard to pick.. I will wait for the teams to be announced and see what happens.. What I loke about muy system is one doesn't need to know the sport.. it is about observing the overall form of the teams and being informed of the ins and outs that week.. It ouwldn;t work with something like baseball where they play over 100 games a season, or soccer over here. because the lists are not consistent enough. But anything else, it should work.. And yo can bet on virtually any sport these days.

They have a good strong team and legendary coach Wayne Bennett behind them. After winning 2 of 2, Wayne Bennett is almost smiling. The corners of his mouth are bending ever so slightly upward, which is about as frivolous as he ever gets. It's not only a good coach at play; they've put a lot of effort into recruiting for the new team. Rugby League legend Arthur Beetson would be smiling down on his old club.

 A lady on the ABC radio said the Dolphins have the highest membership of all the clubs in the NRL at over 20,000, but on checking the official figures, that's fake news.

In addition to his 2024 earnings of $35.6m, this year he took home a sum of $56.4m which included a $40m bonus.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton disqualified following after race checks. Leclerc's car was 1kg under the 800kg car weight limit and Hamilton's plank underneath the car had excessive wear by half a millimetre.

Australian swimming legend Leisel Jones has claimed people in Papua New Guinea don't actually want an NRL team and the $600 million deal would actually be seen by locals as "an embarrassment to the country". Jones - who won nine Olympic medals across her illustrious swimming career - recently spent three days in PNG, where she gathered local insights. And she said the general consensus is the country doesn't want an NRL team.

"I just returned from Port Moresby yesterday, I had a three-day trip to PNG, and I've been hearing a lot about the NRL team that they're setting up," she said on Triple M’s 'The Rush Hour with Leisel Jones, Liam & Dobbo' on Tuesday. "From what I heard on the ground and speaking to a lot of people in PNG, I don't think they want an NRL team there.

"I was of the opinion that it would be a great way for us to build a relationship with PNG and that it was going to be a great result. I don't think that's the case... I've been hearing a lot that it's lip service, that it was a lot of the Australian government just very quickly, just off the cuff deciding that they want to have this team for safety reasons for Australia, but really didn't think it through.

"There's a lot of stats in PNG that, 80 per cent unemployment rates [in rural areas], that's the big issue. Children are going through to school and ending at year six, that is their education level ... an NRL team might be an embarrassment to the country. The Australian Government is funding $600 million, putting into PNG. Yes, it buys us safety, sure. But the people of PNG, I don't think they want this NRL team because I don't think they're going to be proud of the result."

Australian government's $600 million deal for NRL team in PNG

Her comments come as the NRL continues to work towards its bold plans to reach 20 teams in the competition in the next decade, with Papua New Guinea the first license they wish to grant. Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V'landys has previously voiced his desire to have a PNG team in the NRL for the 2028 season.

The proposal is backed by a $600 million federal government deal, with the funds intended to help the PNG franchise get off the ground and support them financially for a decade. This initiative is also seen as a way to strengthen international relations with Australia's neighbour, while also countering China's increasing influence in the Pacific.

Surely the whole season won't be broadcast like that. They'd lose a few hundred thousand viewers and a lot of future sponsorship if that's the case. Hopefully they're just having a few teething problems.

In a rare occurrence these days, I switched on the TV and on the first channel was the Matildas v. France. It was the 70th minute and nil-all. I thought I would watch it and see what happens... and wow! what a game. It finished maybe 1.5 hours later as it went into extra time and then penalties. It took no less than 10 penalties each (according to the commentator - I lost count) to decide the game - in the Matilda's favour.

As the game wore on and into extra time, the Matildas seem to tire ahead of France, the passes were a little off, the chases longer, and at times a little panic seemed to settle in. The ball remained in their half (France's attacking half), and they were resilient and resolute in defence. There was an own goal by the Matildas that was disallowed as they defender who was going to make contact, with the ball was dragged off it by a French forward,

What I really loved about the game was that it represented much that the men’s game doesn't. Yeah - it was a little slower and what few shots they managed to put on goal (due to excellent defence of both teams) were not quite as powerful as the men’s  but wow, they game was hard fought, full of great skills, excellent tactics (although the Matildas have to learn to go wider in attack to open the centre up a bit), the women didn't easily go to ground and when they did, for the most part they got straight back up -  the times they did stay fallen looked like they got some decent knocks.

As the Matildas tired, the French seemed the classier side, but the Matildas just kept at it - mental and physical perseverance. No doubt, the home ground advantage played its part, as well. No goal was scored during the normal game; and the penalty shootout could not have been filled with more suspense. It really could have gone any way.  France opened the penalty shoot-outs by opening door to the Aussies - the French had their very first shot saved. It looked like it was going to be all over after the first five penalties, but for some reason, the Aussie goal keeper was selected to kick the fifth and managed to find the right hand post.

After each teams' first five penalties, each team takes a penalty - one at a time (France took the first). They went toe to toe; France missed one; maybe two, but Australia duly missed the follow up that could have won them the game. Then, on France's 10th penalty, a commentator remarked that they were quite a way down the order and the players stepping up are not meant to take penalties. A young French woman - 19 years of age, ran up and sold the Matilda's keeper a dummy - sending the keeper diving the opposite direction of where she slotted the ball. Sadly, for her, and France, she dragged it ever-so slightly wide and hit the left upright dead-on. Even as an Aussie, my heart sank for her.

The Australian player - a player for Sydney United FC lined up and kicked the penalty of the night to finally take an opportunity France availed to the Matildas. No one could script as dramatic a penalty shoot-out as the one that unfolded that evening. In fact, I was settling down in preparation for this battle to last a few more hours.

What I really loved about the game was how genuine the game was; no attempting to manipulate situations outside the rules to gain the advantage; no diving or theatrics at the most minor contact; just sportspeople having a good, honest crack at the game, battling it out and then just then you thought they were spent, somehow finding reserves in their tanks to push through. I haven't watched a game of soccer for a long time, but this was a joy to watch - somewhat inspirational even to an old fella like me. I would pay good money to watch a game live - but would still not bother with the men’s shenanigans, which is more like a slapstick comedy in my humble opinion.

So congrats to the Matildas, and heartfelt commiserations to the French team - if there was ever an honourable loss, that was one of them.

I was also surprised to be informed that many, if not most of our Matildas play for top European and British teams - way to go!

For the French - sadly it is on the way home (I do hope they try some of our non-exported wines before they go). For the Matildas - England or Colombia

The schedule has been released for next year’s Bledisloe Cup

At 6pm players will enter the field and line up either side of halfway.There will be a Welcome to Country and then they will take a knee for 1 minute.

After that there will be a minute’s silence for everybody who has died.

They will then sing the National Anthems .

They will then go to the middle of the ground where the All Blacks will perform the haka . After that players will go into their religious groups to sing and pay homage to their friends in the sky.

Atheists will go into their own group to talk about what they have done to combat climate change.

Both teams will then come together in the middle of the field and hold hands while putting rainbow tape on each others’ arms.

The Wallabies will be wearing their new strip designed by Lisa Wilkinson. It will have aboriginal artwork along with black , blue , white , red , pink and brown ribbons printed on the front of the jumper. The jumper will have a large Z on the front for the team’s new sponsor, clean energy billionaire Zali Steggall.

The Wallabies will be captained by Bill Smith as Joe Bloggs is still serving a 10 game suspension after it was discovered his great uncle made a feminist remark to a barmaid in 1965.

The game will also have 2 minute time-outs after a try is scored so mental coaches can enter the field and talk to the players who have just been scored against, to discuss their emotions.

Purple cards will also be used in the match for players to be sent from the field for 15 minutes if they say anything mean. The game should finish around 11.45pm.

As the stadium is powered by 2 windmills and rooftop solar panels if there is no wind or sun in the 2 days prior to the game, it will be moved to an afternoon game starting at 12.30pm.
 

In normal world cups, I love it when England are playing, as the streets and shops are literally dead while everyone packs into pubs to watch the game. A sparse number of us use the time to enjoy driving to the shops to buy the bigger items without the pain of congestion and crowding. But in this one,  there wasn't any such reprieve. The pubs had smatterings of people in comparison to days gone by. Even my son, an avid "footy" fan just gets the scores at the end of the game.. 

It looks like you can't always dress up a pig.

Many conversations start, I guess along the same lines as Brits engaging their German compatriots, in thinking "don't mention the war", but substitute war for "ashes".

It is crazy how in a semi-global sport, the ultimate prize can only ever be fought between two countries.. But, it does bring out the best.. and the worst.. of them. .

This series has a little bit of the bodyline series about it. But to me, in sport, despite being an AFL fan, there is nothing better than hearing the leather snick the willow on the way through to the keeper to dismiss another English batsman; followed of course, by the cries of "Howzat??" and then "Off ya go!".

Ironically, my offspring are stalwart Brits/English despite being dual citizens. Joss Butler went to their secondary school... I feel for the bloke in the last game - some great catches, but some really poor drops.. It seems when he has time to think about it, he over thinks it.

Apart from him, there isn't too much on offer in the English team at the moment..

While it is always satisfying to see England succumb.. I do wish it was more of a contest.

Today he received an email from Tennis Australia. There will be no linespersons at any tournament this season. Line judging will be done electronically. He can be a toilet escort, escorting players if they need to take a break during a match. Not happy, Jan.

On another matter, they were planning a hub in Melbourne during December for international players to quarantine before the Oz Open, just like football teams have done this year. Dickhead Dan hs decreed no international players will be admitted to Victoria. Unless the Oz Open is transferred, looks like an all-Australian tournament. I think the Indian cricket team will be allowed in though.

I have to admit, I am all for equality, but it makes me uncomfortable that a TG male --> female would play in a high-contact woman's sport - and not for the reasons one would think.

Presumably she lives TG full time, so thinks act and except for some physical characteristics, is a woman. I have no problem getting my head around that. So, even if she is "gay" (i.e. likes other women), then the sexual predator/jolly argument is unlikely at most and probably non-existent. And let's face it, AFLW has already had its homosexuals come out of the closet - and given at the professional level anyway, they will be professional in their conduct.

But I can't help there are a few issues on the matter including:

• The stage of the TG process - are they simply dressing, taking hormones, has the chop, etc? Why would this be important? Well, in truth, I can only conjecture, but if I were a bona fide woman playing the code and some brute who simply puts on a dress gets the go-ahead, I am thinking to myself, "seriously - are the woman enough, yet?"
   
  
• Regardless of the stage of progression, having come from the make gender generally (and I stress, generally), would give them a size and strength advantage no matter how much oestrogen they took. I accept, within the same gender, it is the same issue (at 1.65m, I had no chance of an AFL career no matter how good I may have been; even Sam Mitchell is 1.8m - and he is short by AFL standards), but that is the idea of elite sports; getting the elite to play. If I have a women's comp and am admitting TGs originally male, does this not give them an unfair advantage or knock out otherwise qualifying women? Especially what looks like larger built TGs?
   
  
• While the focus of the news has been from Hannah's perspective, has anyone asked what the women players want or how they would feel? I am not sure- haven't seen anything on it but probably if they were asked they may decline to be entirely truthful for fear of breaching political correctness standards.
   
  

I feel for TG people - they live in a conundrum where they want equality - but in reality - can they ever achieve it without making others unequal? Areas like employment, marriage and similar are (or shold be) pretty easy. But professional sports? Shard changing rooms (assuming only part way through a full transition),. etc? Tough call.

Bribery has been revealed in their bidding process for a nation to hold the games.

They seem to be in the same category as the catholic church, by that I mean that they consider themselves above the law and the lawmakers allow them to be so.

Now the IOC declares that the Japan Olympics will go ahead. The Japanese people seem to be dead set against it, while the japanese government goes along with the IOC

With the current state of the covid virus I cannot see that it will be safe to hold the games. That applies not only to Japan, but also to any nation that sends athletes there.

Can you imagine how the athletes are going to behave if they have to go into quarantine on their return home? Especially if the whole thing turns into a fiasco, which it probably will do.

Here is the list.

Motor racing
Sir Henry Segrave (1929, Knight Bachelor, 1896–1930)
Sir Malcolm Campbell (1931, Knight Bachelor, 1885–1948)
Sir Jack Brabham (1978, Knight Bachelor, 1926–2014)
Sir Frank Williams (1999, Knight Bachelor, born 1942)
Sir Stirling Moss (2000, Knight Bachelor, 1929–2020)
Sir Jackie Stewart (2001, Knight Bachelor, born 1939)
Sir Patrick Head (2015, Knight Bachelor, born 1946)
Sir Lewis Hamilton (2020, Knight Bachelor, born 1985)

Half time score. NSW 10, Queensland (banana benders) 4.

2nd half may be different though.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1315067303546040320

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-09/australias-lost-speedway-tracks-and-the-families-who-made-them/11928022

RIP