craigiemack

That was just an incredible watch. The intensity and physicality of the game was unreal. Can't help but feel that was a big missed opportunity for NZ, all 3 Aussie tries were avoidable. I can't believe Hughes grubbered on the 2nd tackle, Australia weren't set and they had the chance to at the minimum get a repeat set, i'm sure if he had his time again he would've done anything but kick it.

That was a great game between Fiji and NZ, lots of training session games this WC as expected so was great to watch a real competitive game. As I posted earlier I was at the Fiji-Australia game and thought the Fijis more than matched them in parts. Tonight they probably should've knocked NZ out, some soft tries conceded and they really should of went for a drop goal at 18-12 to make NZ score twice in the last 15. Samoa/Tonga tomorrow and the two semi finals sould be great watches.

Beating Own Goal Cumbernauld in whatever laughable form they call themselves will never be boring. Inject Si Ferrys tears right into my veins.

Quite a lot of replies so ill try work through them. The main point is the pyramid is flawed and it will never work unless there is a mass resructuring, which in turn would never be voted through. At the end of the day the inbalance between north and south will never create a fluid pyramid. If there is going to be no change in relegation from SPFL2 then i'd like the LL to be either 14/16 teams with 3 going down. It would still mean a lot fo the league are playing for nothing but would surely open up more teams to the prospect of relegation. As shown in the table this season with the tightness of the mid table teams. 3 Champion Clubs going up. Preferably though the SofS goes to Tier 7 and the 2nd place in the East and West play off for the 3rd promotion spot. Again though this will never happen because clubs won't vote for more relegation. My radical change for the pyramid would be for the HL and LL to be replaced by 4 leagues of 12 at Tier 5. A HL, Midlands and Fife, East and West. 2 relegation spots from SPFL2 with a playoff winner from HL/Fife and East/West going up. Perhaps if SPFL2 was increased to 12 then you could have a play off place playing the 2 losers. That way its more localised, particularly in the Highland 'area' and if there was ever a disparity in teams the Falkirk/Stirling/West Lothian/South Fife teams could easily move about leagues to solve this. But nothing will ever change. The SPFL clubs are never going to vote for increased relegation and neither are the LL clubs. The extra hundred fans teams get at Colts games will be enough for them to keep voting them in and eventually when one of them wins the league I would not be surprised if for an extra 5k the rules are changed to grant them the right to promotion. I'm seriously at the point where i wouldn't mind getting relegated this season to just get out the LL, its an absolute stain on fitbaw in Scotland - I'm sure Berwick and Cowden fans will eventually begin leaning the same way.

Every team in the league from Spartans in 4th to Hearts in 16th have nothing to play for and its only October, they won't win the league and won't be relegated. If Shire win a couple games in the next month then we'll be safe (although we're 99% safe already) We've also been knocked out the Scottish and South Challenge Cup so we won't play a game that really matters until the LL Cup in April. How can clubs attract fans when there is literally nothing riding on games?

It genuinely baffles me that people want bigger leagues. The LL is an absolutely abysmal league to be apart of. The Shires attendances are dwindling and its because we are literally playing for absolutely no reason. In the SPFL 6/10 league positions have a positive/negative result meaning that almost every team will still have something to play for until well into April and the middle of the table teams can often be playing for playoffs at both ends at the same time. That attracts people to games and makes a much better spectatcle. If the LL was a 10 team league it would be one of the most exciting in Scotland.

we lost 6-0 have a word with yourself hahahaha

It’s actually impressive how difficult we made batting on this pitch look. No boundary in over 10 overs is absolutely abysmal stuff

johnathan davies is insufferable isn't he

I was at the Australia v Fiji game on Saturday night, almost 14000 there which was a decent turnout considering England were playing earlier in the day. I'm a big league fan but this was my first ever time at a game live. It's certainly an easier game to follow on the TV with the close ups of the rucks etc but you really don't appreciate how hard the hits are and how quick the game is on TV. The crowd was certainly on Fijis side and the scenes when they opened the scoring was something to behold. The cold and the rain didn't help the quality but Fiji were in it until just after half time, they blew a great opportunity knocking the ball on in goal at 12-4 which would of kept things interesting. Josh Addo Carr is a freak, his long range try and the speed he was going at was quite unreal. The Aussies quality and fitness showed but it was a decent game to watch. The main thing I will take away from it is what a class act the players were. At the end of the game pretty much every player walked round shaking hands, signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans. A few of the big names didn't but DCE, Tedesco, Val Holmes etc all went round every stand. And special shout out to Cam Munster who was still on the pitch at the back of 10 chatting and having a laugh with the fans. I'm sure after playing 80mins in freezing conditions for them the last thing they would've wanted to do was walk around taking hundreds of selfies but the 20 seconds they spent with each fan are memories that last a lifetime and inspire the next generation.

Nico Hynes of the Cronulla Sharks wins the Dally M, he’s also eligible for Scotland and would be some coup if we could get him for the World Cup. Hoping Campbell Graham is also in the squad but wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in the Aussie squad.

Another craigiemack essay is on its way, don't you worry!

‘Ambition’ is just a byword for we are getting bankrolled by some dodgy individual

Sacre Bleu not another one

What are Formartine like nowadays? Losing 1-0 to Keith is surely a bit of a shocker? We play them in the scottish in a few weeks, wondering if we have a chance haha.

Our ability to draw games is truly breathtaking. Only another 8 draws required to probably guarantee safety. Should have that wrapped up by Christmas. No replays in the Scottish means we'll make at least the quarter finals by shithousing 90 minutes and extending on our current 4 penalty shootout win streak.

I’ve genuinely wiped the existence of B teams from my mind haha but think they’ll finish 1st outright anyway. When the international breaks come Celtic and Rangers will drop points when they play their under 15s. Can’t see any of the real clubs getting near EK either unless they bottle it massively

I feel we're more comfortable against better teams. It's a decent squad just no cutting edge so we struggle to break down the poorer teams. Easier to look a better team when we're just chasing and pressing rather than having to create chances. Suppose a decent point for both teams, you'll probably be cautious but can't see anything but an EK title win.

He's not been at his imperious best this season but still solid. Connolly's the best goalie in this league and its not even close. Expected to get skudded tonight so I thank you for giving us a point towards our relegation battle.

Welcome to life in the worlds most boring fitbaw league. I’m actually glad we’re doing so shite that I can get buzzing to go to Dalbeattie for a relegation 6 pointer

TV Game surely BSC Cumbernauld against B'Jesus Brora Rangers?

Formartine away for the third time in 10 years. I want to cry

Not much in the teams tbh. Aaron Darge a stand out for them in what was a largely meh Hearts squad. Only difference was the finishing, two very well taken goals for Hearts, Shire had numerous chances but we could've played all night and not scored. There is something in this Shire team, we just don't have a goalscorer and until we find one we're going to be stuck at the foot of the table.

I only ever post on the Facebook forum when I'm pished, anything negative just gets shot down by the happy clappers. The Shires DNA is accepting mediocrity, always someone elses fault for our own wrongdoings. Our insistence on appointing managers with a Shire connection just adds to this problem imo. We need someone from the outside to come in and completely change the clubs mentality.

Another big game tonight in our impending relegation battle. We played some decent stuff on tuesday night, but our centre mids and defence are an absolute calamity. The Kay/Fotheringham midfield combination in a disaster and really can't continue. Kyle Ewing, our CB, looks at sea in defence but his long range passing is very good, I'd move him into midfield to add some physicality. If we lose tonight we are in some right trouble with the fixtures coming up. Connor Smith(?) came on for hearts last night so don't expect him to play. They are very Jekyll and Hyde so hoping we catch them on one of their off nights.