Gee we're going through them in ' 23 :o  :

David Crosby of the Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash (and Young) has passed away at 81.
Rock/Pop star is a dangerous profession.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj8FlXGPcOQ

Channel 9 must have thought they’d done well by winning rights to the Australian Open after losing the rights to the cricket. The Australian Cricket Team had lost a lot of its shine, seen as arrogant and embroiled in scandals and division. Channel 7 was trying to terminate its rights deal.

But now Channel 7 has renewed its association with the ACB and love is everywhere. Meanwhile, the Australian Open was outrated by Home & Away and BBL on the opening night: the 5-city metropolitan average dropped from 635,000 in 2022 to 357,000 in 2023 for the first night session of the Australian Open, a 44% drop.

Nick Kyrgios & Ash Barty, stars of the last AO, were absent. They continued with last year’s playbook of broadcasting Australian players rather than going with the best matches available. That worked last year because Kyrgios and Barty also guaranteed quality matches, but Kubler and Hijikata aren’t equivalent standard bearers.

Then there was the 3 hour suspension of play for heat immediately followed by rain delays.

It also seems the AO has been hit hard by underdogs getting up. Maybe there’s also a changing of the guards problem. I followed tennis a bit more closely a few years ago and the big names are dropping off alarmingly. Fed has gone and Nadal seems to be cooked too. In their stead are a lot of what I regard as no-name players. I was shocked to discover that Casper Ruud is world number 2 now. Apparently he’s more of a clay court player. If someone had asked me who he is, I would have said a soccer player. The top 20 includes players who I don’t really know although I’m aware that they are top players, such as Tiafoe, Sinner, Fritz and Auger-Alliasime. Channel 9 must be hoping that Tsitsipas, Murray/Kokkinakis, Djokovic, and Medvedev stick around. Love them or hate them, they have distinctive personalities and styles that will be easier to sell to viewers.

We are curious about how active our little community is. We want to know how active you, and everyone is.
Are we overrun by bots? Or do we have a hidden fanbase we don't know about.

We'd love to hear from you.

Saddened to just hear that the Aussie Queen of Soul, Renee Geyer has passed away after surgery.

I had the pleasure to interview Renee back in '76 when a young DJ at my first commercial radio gig in SA. Left an indelible impression on me. Just a wonderful, immensely talented, irreverent performer gifted with an amazing voice. Rest in Peace, Renee.

What can you say?

One of the greatest guitarists ever and far too young at 78.

RIP Jeff Beck ?

A new "member", kniggit, is spamming us and the mods don't have the authority/ability to delete the account.

A delete request has been sent up the line but, until kniggit is no more, don't open its posts and definitely don't click on any links.

I hope everyone out there has a special Christmas and a New Year to cherish.

Carlton came out with 3 list changes today, none of which are that surprising:
[1] Poppy Schaap - 3 games in 2 seasons for 3 goals
[2] Charlotte Hammans - 5 games in 3 seasons.
[3] Jessica Jones - 0 games

Of those, we traded for Hammans, so her results are disappointing. Schaap was a supplementary pick.

Been very quiet of late on this topic. Wonder if its because the packers fans who litter this site have nothing to crow about this year?  >

Just a reminder, i'm a Vikings fan and just like Carlton, this team is trying to kill me with all these nailbiter games. Thankfully, thus far, we are coming out on top.....in every one.

Not sure how many people watched the Vikings vs Bills game a few weeks ago, but as a neutral supporter you would've loved it. More twists and turns than a Sydney street. Overtime win.

If that wasn't enough, Vikings vs Colts game on Saturday (Sunday morning here) tested the heart again.
After going in at half time down 33-0, playing at home no less, it appeared that the bubble had very much burst. The commentators when they were doing the 'around the grounds at half time' were mocking eachother about how poor the game was.

*Nek minnut*

Scores tied 36-36 and into overtime. Field goal at the death of overtime and its the greatest comeback in NFL history....by any team....ever.  :o

So now Vikings are 10-0 in 1 score games this season (8 points or less).....and my heart is still hanging in there.....just.
11-3 overall and NFC North champs.
Just for sh!ts and giggles, the 1 game we won, which was NOT a 1 score game was week 1 against the Packers.  ;D

We know how these things end. :
Thank you for your service Daniel.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/125823...bFhby-e5YQ