Amazon exiles discussion

Roll up! Roll up! The 2019 AFL season starts on Thursday March 21 and hopefully we will all be back for our eighth year of tipping and raising some money for various charities.

Our 2018 participants (with their teams and charities) were:

Val - Essendon (The Bombers) - Beyond the Orphanage - http://www.beyondtheorphanage.org/
Anita (Sydney Swans) - The Mirabel Foundation - http://www.mirabelfoundation.org.au/
Lez - St Kilda (The Saints)- Dementia Australia - https://www.dementia.org.au/
The Foe - Melbourne (The Demons) - Launch Housing - http://www.launchhousing.org.au/
David - Brisbane (The Lions) - The Song Room - http://www.songroom.org.au/
Philip - Richmond (The Tigers) - Canteen - http://www.canteen.org.au/
SJ Brooke- North Melbourne (The Kangaroos) - Backpack Bed For Homeless - https://backpackbed.org/au/
Tech Sergeant - Collingwood (The Magpies) - Oscar’s Law - http://www.oscarslaw.org/
Blastro - Footscray (The Western Bulldogs) - Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation - http://www.zaidee.org/
RedJohn - Carlton (The Blues) - Fr Bob Maguire Foundation - https://www.fatherbobs.com/
SussexWelsh - West Coast (The Eagles) - Save The Bilby Fund - http://savethebilbyfund.com/
Deano - Adelaide (The Crows) - Sacred Heart Mission - http://www.sacredheartmission.org/
Suzy - Gold Coast (The Suns) - Friends With Dignity - http://www.friendswithdignity.org.au/
The Duke – Greater Western Sydney (The Giants) – Insight - http://www.insightvision.org.au/
Grizzlygrump - Port Adelaide (The Power) - Red Nose
https://rednose.com.au

Please note some of them have changed their name or their website but they are still the same charities. I will assume you are all up for the same teams and charities but if you want to change, just let me know.

Last year, M.C. was absent. Hope all is going well with him healthwise. I have an old email address for him, also Deano, but if anyone else has a more recent contact, could they please get in touch with the two gents concerned to see if they want/are able to participate this year. I will email Blastro.

If M.C. and Deano are in, we still have Fremantle (The Dockers) and Hawthorn (The Hawks) available for adoption.

We would love to see Sussex’s old school chum join us. And, of course, the same goes for anyone else who fancies a bit of fun with minimal effort. As I have said many times, knowledge of the game is not required and gives little advantage.

Will be back with more info soon.

Hi Val :)

You missed me off the list - I had Port Adelaide (The Power) with https://rednose.com.au as my chosen charity and would like the same again this year, please :)

i'm comfortable continuing with the team nobody else wants.

I will be rethinking my chosen Charity this year if you don't mind, Val?

I'll have a little think over the next couple of days and then I'll get back to you ;o>

I've just messaged Dean, Val, and sent him a Link to this new Thread as well - so hopefully he will be along soon to let you know whether he does want to have another go this year ;o>

Grizzlygrump wrote: "Hi Val :)

You missed me off the list - I had Port Adelaide (The Power) with https://rednose.com.au as my chosen charity and would like the same again this year, please :)"

Awww, how could we ever forget you? ;oO

It simply wouldn't be the same ever again now! ;o>

Grizzlygrump wrote: "Hi Val :)

You missed me off the list - I had Port Adelaide (The Power) with https://rednose.com.au as my chosen charity and would like the same again this year, please :)"

Apologies Grizzly. That's what happens when you use two computers and do the footy tipping comp on the one you're not currently using. I have edited my post accordingly. Very shamefaced!!!

suzysunshine7 wrote: "I've just messaged Dean, Val, and sent him a Link to this new Thread as well - so hopefully he will be along soon to let you know whether he does want to have another go this year ;o>"

Thanks Suzy and feel free to change your charity as you wish.

Thanks Val, didn't think it was deliberate :)

I'm in :-)

Thanks for the nudge Suzy

Tech wrote: "i'm comfortable continuing with the team nobody else wants."

Word has it Tech...the 'pies could be the team to watch this year. After their loss to the Tigers last season..they're even more determined to bag that championship!

Anyhoo...all present and correct, reporting for another 6 months of fun! I'm happy to stick with my team & charity again.

May i suggest we ask if Mad Mac would like to join in? He seems to like the games we do in this group.

Dean wrote: "I'm in :-)

Thanks for the nudge Suzy"

YAYYY!!! ;o>

Dean wrote: "I'm in :-)

Thanks for the nudge Suzy"

Welcome back Dean!!!

theDuke wrote: "Tech wrote: "May i suggest we ask if Mad Mac would like to join in? He seems to like the games we do in this group...."

If he fancies it, he's more than welcome.

I'm in and happy to stay with the same team and charity - thanks Val

Mad Mac? Is he gonna arrive in the V8 Interceptor? Hope so; just don't let Wez anywhere near it this time. Cool looking motor, shame to wreck it again.

WTF's he going on about? Surely I'm not the only fan of those films??

Anyways, I'm err... I'm in...

..but the light's are off! : )

Bless ya Suze, thanks for the shout.

Thanks. For running this again Val ,I am very busy at the moment ,lots of little beasties,but hopefully will be able to keep up.Come on the Swans.

Blastronaut Mk2 wrote: "Mad Mac? Is he gonna arrive in the V8 Interceptor? Hope so; just don't let Wez anywhere near it this time. Cool looking motor, shame to wreck it again.

WTF's he going on about? Surely I'm not the ..."

It's a scottish joke i think Blastro..he's from the Isle of Islay, not the isle of down under!! :-D

Tried to PM him, but he's got his account set no private messaging. I'll ask on the Themes thread instead.

Welcome back Blastro and Anita. Looking forward to another big season! Starting with Round 1 where the pair of you face off against each other. May the best man or woman win!

The AFL usually starts the season with some sort of promotional video. In recent years they've been along the lines of "never say never". The 2019 one features Collingwood tall, Mason Cox, recruited from college basketball in the States. It may only be of interest to tech but he (Cox) seems like a nice bloke and it's interesting to hear the Aussie intonations/expressions he has picked up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQNvX...

For your information, the 2019 fixture:

http://www.afl.com.au/fixture

or in .pdf format

https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%2...

Week One fixture:

Thursday, March 21
Carlton Blues (RedJohn) v Richmond Tigers (Philip) (in Melbourne)

Friday, March 22
Collingwood Magpies (tech) v Geelong Cats (?) (in Melbourne)

Saturday, March 23
Melbourne Demons (TheFoe) v Port Power (Grizzly) (in Melbourne)
Adelaide Crows (Dean) v Hawthorn Hawks (?) (in Adelaide)
Western Bulldogs (Blastro) v Sydney Swans (Anita) (in Melbourne)
Brisbane Lions (David) v West Coast Eagles (Sussex) in Brisbane

Sunday, March 24
St Kilda Saints (Lez) v Gold Coast Suns (Suzy) (in Melbourne)
GWS Giants (Duke) v Essendon Bombers (Val) (Sydney - at the Showgrounds, new venue while ANZ Stadium is being revamped)
Fremantle Dockers v North Melbourne Kangaroos (in Perth)

If punters could lodge their tips by midnight WEDNESDAY March 20 (your time) it would be a great help, although I can accept them up until 8.15am THURSDAY March 21 (your time) if absolutely necessary.

For any new tipsters:

There are usually 9 games in each round.

You just have to nominate which nine teams you think will win. PLUS, for the first game in each round, you have to nominate how many points you think your selection will win by - this could be anything from 1 to 60 or more. There is a donation made on behalf of the punter who gets closest to the mark each week.

So you've got about 8 days to get tipping!

Some of you may like to watch this 2 minute video on "The games to look forward to in 2019" - featuring players who have changed clubs and will be fronting up against their old side, the home-town derbies and, of course, the Grand Final rematch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ-jy...

theDuke wrote: "Blastronaut Mk2 wrote: "Mad Mac? Is he gonna arrive in the V8 Interceptor? Hope so; just don't let Wez anywhere near it this time. Cool looking motor, shame to wreck it again.

WTF's he going on ab..."

Ok Duke, I got it. Well Mad Mac is more than welcome even if he's not bringing a souped-up Ford.

Val - Did those CDs arrive yet? Posted em a while ago.

Val wrote: "suzysunshine7 wrote: "Thanks Suzy and feel free to change your charity as you wish"

Thanks, Val, as our Australian expert on these things could you please find me a Domestic Abuse/Violence Charity - one that supports both Women and Men please? ;o>

Blastronaut Mk2 wrote: "Val - Did those CDs arrive yet? Posted em a while ago."

It just took 3 whole Weeks for 3 jars of Sandwich Spread to get there, Blastro - LOL!!! ;o>

I think they must have hitched a ride on a Tortoise?!!

Thanks Val for running this once again. I will be supporting the Tigers and happy to continue with Canteen.

I shall be brave and start before I have the babies distracting me.
Tigers by 21
Cats
Power
Hawks
SWANS
Eagles
Saints
Giants
Roos
Thankyou for running this again Val...Come on ThE Swans

Okey then, here we go...in a jubiliant mood, hot off from cheering Wales winning the Grand Slam, after trouncing the Irish 25-7, in extremely soggy conditions at the Principality Stadium!

So...let's see how my first tips of the new AFL season fares:

Tigers - 35
Magpies
Demons
Crows
Bulldogs
Eagles
Saints
Bombers
Dockers

Expecting to see a few surprises and upsets on ladder position, this season.

Good lucks folks!

suzysunshine7 wrote: "Blastronaut Mk2 wrote: "Val - Did those CDs arrive yet? Posted em a while ago."

It just took 3 whole Weeks for 3 jars of Sandwich Spread to get there, Blastro - LOL!!! ;o>

I think they must have ..."

No doubt the discs are sharing the same shell as the jars then Suze! : ) They said at the PO that it'd take about five days but I wasn't gonna hold me breath.

Rest easy Blastro, the CDs arrived Friday - mail between our two countries seems to take forever these days. I'm sure it's only in the last couple of years that things have got so bad. I now allow double time for birthday/Christmas cards etc. I sent you an email Sat morning (my time). Thank you very much for all your hard work putting them together. I've lent them to my son for his opinion and enjoyment but I will get them back from him.

suzysunshine7 wrote: "Thanks, Val, as our Australian expert on these things could you please find me a Domestic Abuse/Violence Charity - one that supports both Women and Men please? ;o>"

Take a look at this one Suzy and tell me what you think:

http://www.friendswithdignity.org.au/

Many of the charities that exist to support victims of domestic violence concentrate on women and their children. The above one does say : "Friends with Dignity recognizes that domestic violence does not discriminate. It affects men, women and children irrespective of race, ethnicity or socio-economic standing and our programs are available, on referral, to any individual or family seeking assistance."

BTW, I've heard from MC and while he's not going to tip this season, he and T are in very good health. The reason he's not tipping is to do with his busy schedule which includes the upcoming bowls season. So that's good news and I know I'm safe in passing on our collective good wishes for their continued enjoyment of the many good things life has to offer.

Thanks, Val. Good to hear they’re in great shape.

Val wrote: "suzysunshine7 wrote: "Take a look at this one Suzy and tell me what you think:

http://www.friendswithdignity.org.au/"

Fantastic, Val, thank you! ... x ;o>

I did have a little Google around and saw 'Friends With Dignity' amongst a few others and noticed too that it had also won a National Charity Award so I feel sure that it must be a good 'un - but using Google searches isn't quite the same thing as consulting an Aussie expert for advice.

On a very personal level, 'Friends With Dignity' also has a very appropriate name to it as well - and so 'Friends With Dignity' it is ;o>

Tigers 43

Pies
Power
Crows
Dogs
Lions
Saints
Bombers
Freo

Couldn’t find last season’s final ladder anywhere so this is entirely by memory and instinct!

Thanks Val

aye, well, basing things on a ninja-like punting technique, and ritually employing the sacred numbers of the goddess - hail eris!

tigers by 23

PIES
demons
crows
swans
eagles
saints
giants
dockers

now sit back and eat my dust!

cheers val

My apologies Val, I'm always forgetting to check my email regularly. Happens all the time. Gonna have to be a case of a 'Check Email' tat on me forehead or summat.
Anyhow,no worries, wasn't any hassle. Our posties and sorting office can fudge things at times and we get stuff that's supposed to be delivered to places nothing like our address, not to mention some things not arriving full stop. Was just wondering if they'd managed to bugger this one up is all. Even printed your address in as large a capitals as I could muster, so it was a tad hard to misread. Seems it worked!
Even if the track selection isn't to either of your tastes I hope the mixing sounds ok. Very few things I've ever excelled at but throwing dance tracks together is certainly one of em.
Just one thing to note, one of the sets - Summer 14 - starts a tad abruptly; it's simply because the original was ninety-odd mins long so I had to chop either the first or last couple of tracks to fit it on to a disc. Seeing as the end is better than the start, the latter got the chop. Nowt to do with any incompetence... honest! : )

Right, my first punt...

Richmond 27
Collingwood
Port
Hawthorn
BULLDAWGS
WCE
St Kilda
Essendon
Fremantle

Cheers m'dear

.
.
Let the fun begin ......

Tigers by 33
Magpies
Demons
Hawks
Swans
Eagles
Saints
Bombers
Kangaroos

Val wrote: "BTW, I've heard from MC and while he's not going to tip this season, he and T are in very good health. The reason he's not tipping is to do with his busy schedule which includes the upcoming bowls ..."

Saw them both in London last month and yes they both looked like they were in good spirits and health

Here's my first go of the season;

Tigers 27
Cats
Demons
Crows
Swans
Lions
Saints
Bombers
Roos

Good luck to everyone - let battle commence

Does RedJohn know that this Season is about to kick off, Val? ;o>

Right, here goes nothing :)

Tigers by 5
Cats
Power
Crows
Bulldogs
Lions
Suns
Giants
Dockers

Good luck everyone :)

suzysunshine7 wrote: "Does RedJohn know that this Season is about to kick off, Val? ;o>"

I’ll message him now ;-)

Blues - 7
Cats
Demons
Hawks
Bulldogs
Lions
SUNS
Giants
Roos

Game on! - and Good Luck Everyone! ;o>

I've messaged TheFoe as I've not seen him around much recently.

Thank you Lez. My mind has been on other things lately.

Tigers x 19
Pies
Demons
Crows
Swans
Eagles
Saints
Giants
Dockers

Good luck all and thank you Val.

First of all, thanks Suzy for the heads up much appreciated! :-)

Really sorry Val for not posting sooner, like RedJohn I have a lot on my mind at the moment, and having a 'tomorrow will do' attitude really doesn't help.

Tigers x11
Cats
DEMONS
Crows
Swans
Eagles
Saints
Giants
Roos

Good luck everyone, COYD!