Yeah, I'm a huge Bombers fan and I'm probably looking forward to that match more than the Essendon vs Collingwood game on Friday night. Both should be awesome, but the Saints vs Cats should just be class. Hoping the Cats win in a tight one.

Are you going to the game?

No, I don't have any plans to go see it, although that would be nice. Probably way too packed for my liking anyway. Are you down in Melbourne at the moment? Aren't you from NSW?

For some unknown, utterly bizarre reason, Mikey chose to spend his holiday with yours truly and somehow managed to get us both tickets to the game... And as a fanatical Cats fan, I'm hoping his prediction is wrong

Yeah, but I'm going to spend the weekend in Melbourne with immortalshadow666. Should be a fun time.

Got me some tickets to the D.C. vs Real Madrid game. Decent seats too. Anyone else going?

Also I haven't posted here until just recently again. But I remember getting a compliment or to for playing Rugby. Well I read 'em (awhile back), so thanks. Actually as it's turning out right now I'm in line to be Captain next year (season ended about a month ago). I'm not the best but I have great personality apparently as well as leadership skills. Most of the team wants me as Captain (the old Captain is graduating). So that is a great honour for me. Well we'll see how that goes.

Damn, the D-Backs suck. Really suck. I think they've closed on the Nats for worst record right now. They've only managed to get worse since that no-name manager was given a contract through 2012 to manage. Time to start selling off some players and maybe they'll land a top pick next year.

Hazem "El Magic" El Masri will be retiring at the end of this season. I can't even begin to imagine how the Bulldogs will replace him. His goalkicking throughout his career is phenomenal. With 85% accuracy, I think he's the most accurate goalkicker in the history of the game.

Not to mention that he's done nothing but good off-field, too. He deserves to go out with a premiership (unless they meet the Dragons, of course).

Well hey it's time to talk some NFL. I hate the football drought this time of year, but I'm watching NFL live, and they talking like the Broncos about to lose Brandon Marshall. I say, fuck the Broncos, I hope they get trade requests from all their good players, so maybe the Chiefs can beat them. Also, Chris Carter predicted LeSean McCoy as the top rookie this year. Anyone disagree? I am hoping Tyson Jackson does something special, and Josh Freeman may end up accomplishing a lot with the Bucs this year.

I do hate that guy... but only because he's so good. In this modern age of rugby players fucking up all the time, he's a good role model. His kicks, even from the sideline in howling winds that split the middle of the goals, never cease to amaze me.

As for replacing him, it said in the paper this morning that Canterbury might be poaching Steve Turner, who may be forced out of the Storm due to salary cap constraints

Shit. What if the Bears got Cutler and Marshall? Broncos are pretty much fucked if they lose their recievers. I guess they've got plenty of running backs stockpiled though. Bad defense, rookie RB, new coach, new and inconsistent QB, and then they lose their star reciever. Talk about a blow up. They were on the way back up, too.

Anyways, I like Giants again this year They won just fine last year without Burress most of the season and they've got some guys who can come in and step up in Smith and Hixon and the new rookie from UNC. Osi is back on the defense, Brandon Jacobs rules and they didn't really lose anything. Should be a great year for them.

Yeah the Giants are definately in good shape but I think it's the Eagles' time to shine in that division. They will probably both make the playoffs. It's interesting you brought up Hakeem Nicks though, you think he can fill Burress' shoes? Or is it gonna be more of a committee of receivers?

I'm definitely thinking committee but all of them have the potential to step up big.

Anyone else playing fantasy this year? Who do you guys think are the best "sleepers?" Going back to the Giants, I think Ahmad Bradshaw is up for a big year. They traded Ward and Jacobs is bound to miss a game or two. I also like Jeremy Maclin for the Eagles--he's taller than DeSean Jackson just as fast and doesn't have much competition on that roster.

So the Chicago Blackhawks sign Hossa for a long term contract, Bolland for five years, and lose both Khabi and Havlat. Sorry, but we are completely fucking retarded here. Huet is alright, but he has the same problem Khabi did, which was that he is inconsistent. I feel safer with Khabi, but I don't mind Huet, but resigning Bolland while bailing on Havlat? Are you brain dead?! I was upset enough when we didn't pick up Bouwmeester since our D is in need of some serious help, but Campbell and Hossa are sucking up FAR too much money here. What happens when Toews's and Kane's contracts expire and they want big league paychecks? We don't have the money to support a dead weight like Campbell, so I think we are doomed for the upcoming year. Any other hockey fans have thoughts on the offseason thus far?

Oh damn, I didn't know about this. I'd love to see Ronaldo.

Oh wait, checked Ticketmaster and damn. $75 each for the upper level, and it's an exhibition! I'll stick to TV.

I'm sure you've heard at least some whine about the new quarterback the Lions drafted. A rookie with no field experience that gets signed for up to $70 million? I've seen clips of him, but I still cannot believe he is as good as the money they paid for him.

72 hours to go until the greatest home-and-away clash in competition history!!!

I've never been this excited for a H&A AFL match (and years since I felt the same excitement for a Melbourne Storm game). Never have two teams gone 13-nil this far into a season... I'm truly grateful to be going.

Fantasy football, that's my shit right there! Ima probably try my winning strategy from 2 years ago- pick as many fucking Patriots players as I can! With Brady back they gonna be rollin motherfuckers. As far as sleepers, I'm not sure Maclin is a sleeper, he's gonna go early. I bet you can get a guy like Wes Welker late, and Chad Johnson should be around later in the draft thanks to his team sucking so bad lately. For a sleeper QB don't overlook Orton with the weapons he has in Denver (though I will never pick a Broncos player).

@ Therealthing: Stafford will pay for himself in about 3 years. Just watch. He will be really good.

You should be.

Nah, it'll be awesome, dude. I don't think this feat will be reached again ever, in particular two different teams. It'll be a great day. I just hope the tickets aren't fake (seriously, that's been on my mind).

Maclin hasn't gone very early in any of the drafts I've seen. Never really worth it to draft a rookie early anyways. Orton certainly could put up some big numbers if he gets his shit right and is 100% healthy. He's got all the tools to succeed there in Denver assuming they don't lose Marshall. Definitely like Welker and I'm not sure about Chad Ochocinco/Johnson. Cinci picked up Levanawhatever Coles and Ochocinco is an idiot so we'll see.


edit: to the NBA. Pistons just picked up Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. That should certainly make them better.

Also, the Clippers decided to fuck themselves up somehow once again by trading Zach Randolph for Quentin Richardson who is a back-up player.

I guess it doesn't matter anyways. The Lions are so far down the shitter that it doesn't matter what they do haha.

And yeah, I hope the Patriots come back. 2004 Patriots are my favorite team. It'd be great if they could restore themselves to that level of greatness. Too bad they don't have Ty Law anymore.

Montreal Canadians have changed completely... Gomez, Cammalari, Gionta, Al Gill and Spacek signed; Koivu, Tanguay, Kovalev, Komisarek gone

jesse lumsden injured again in the first quarter of the first game

dude is made of glass.

And it was the shoulder that was operated on. It's too bad really. The guy is fun to watch when he is healthy and if he stayed healthy then he could have given Edmonton the running game that they have needed for a couple of years.

I have no clue what the Pistons' front office has planned, that is assuming they have a plan. I like Ben Gordon, but letting Chauncey go was the dumbest fucking thing I've seen in a while. Now 'Sheed is gone too, and I bet Rip Hamilton will be gone after next season. Why do NBA teams think they have to turn over the entire roster when they get bounced in the playoffs? Sometimes things don't require that much fixing.

So Steve McNair is dead

Agreed. The Pistons are going to Hell. It's just like the Arizona Diamondbacks a few years ago. New management came in and got rid of almost all the good players.

Cito Gaston should be AL manager of the year. Keeping this team in the hunt even with injuries and having that dead weight that is Vernon Wells.

Are the Cincinnati Reds usually this bad? 10 runs in the 1st innings is mindblowing.

The Phillies are just that good today is all. The Reds rolled out Cueto to the mound and usually he is solid but a bad start on a Monday.

Yea I get that feeling after seeing them win 22-1

Barry Hall retires from AFL. About bloody time, really. His short temper and constant suspensions were killing the Swans, and now they can look forward to not having a livewire on their team.

It's probably too late to save the Swans' season, but the retirement of Hall is a step in the right direction for 2010.

I turned it off at 16-1 to start watching Raw only to realize I missed a Werth grand slam. That sucked.

I saw it...it was a great hit...normally I hate baseball, but after last year's world series win and seeing them start off 10-0 was something great to see.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4310284

Almost got Ariza, what a team that would have been. But money always wins out, why not ruin your career by going to Houston?

There has to be more to it than that. If LeBron was honest about what he said, it would be a no-brainer to go to the Cavs and win a handful of titles.

Don't be getting too excited about the Cavaliers, with Rasheed Wallace the Celtics will bounce them if they do meet in the playoffs. Unless another east team makes a major move or two, I think the Celtics (on paper) right now are the clear-cut favorites for the title next season.

It's not out of the question that they could make a run but I wouldn't pick them as a clear cut. Great defense but they're getting old and they might be shopping Rondo and I think Pierce could be traded. I think Vegas would put down the Lakers, Magic and Cleveland before them to win it all.

I dunno about the Sheed trade, he is 34 and does have an attitude problem. Also with the potential loss of Big Baby they might be taking a step back with this move.

Damn, I must be on a good watching streak, another baseball game where there is heavy scoring in 1st innings. 3 run homer by the Cardinals

80,000 people showing up for the Ronaldofest, I find that impressive. Wish I could have been there.

The Blue Jays announced they will listen to offers for Roy Halladay. I hinted that they would finally come out and admit that he really wasn't as untouchable as they said. This shouldn't come as a surprise. They're not actively shopping him but they will listen to serious offers. Those offers would have to start with a top prospect and a first round draft choice.