Ned Kelly 41

The fourth place was vital for Lidsey's visa needs, he can go all the way to a European career if he maintains progress. He was in the UK a couple of seasons ago for a look-see. Jordan Stewart may need another year to reach the standard required to cut it overseas. Sedgmen is already OK for a 2018 visa and Branford (who has retired from overseas racing anyway) doesn't need one.

First two signings are true-blue Aussies, hope you make Jye your third man.

Another Aussie should always be welcome. Spud has an average of a whisker under 8, if he'd been at Scunthorpe last year he'd be their No 1. At Berwick, Workington or Redcar his average would have had him as No 2. It was only at Glasgow, with their sky-high ambitions and top-heavy team that supporters were disappointed in his scoring. He was third in averages, and after Riss the best-scoring No 3 in the whole league. Go on, Bandits, fill your boots. He'll not let you down.

The all-important State Titles (in terms of the riders finishing in the top four of each State's event gaining a UK visa for 2018, if they need one) will all be held next month. NSW (at Kurri) SA (Gillman) and WA (Pinjar) are all on the same night -- being Saturday, Dec 2nd. The Queensland title will be on Dec 9 and Victoria's "last chance saloon"-- at Albury -- is Dec 16th.

Too true. In this year's Aussie series about nine months ago David Watt out-rode and out-scored Batchelor, Morris, Fricke, Kurtz, Tungate and Holder over four meetings on four different tracks. Just because he dropped off the European scene this summer doesn't mean he didn't qualify to the Etihad.

That's a funny post -- against you now, Mr Baldy.......

After sticking to the promise of their Australian Championship winner and runners-up getting to the Etihad as wild card and reserves, MA (presumably, or maybe BSI/IMG) have disregarded Troy Batchelor and Nick Morris (the next finishers in the 2017 Title series) to pick 7th placed Brady Kurtz as second reserve for the GP.

The topic is: What Would I change in speedway next season? The answer is: The Chairman. End of.

Until the AGM sorts out the structure of the speedway (to totally suit what Saturday's programme called the soft southern underbelly of the sport) for next year, no point in even speculating about team make-up.

My friend the rider assures me the semi is at Wolves on 20th, Rebels have 2nd leg on 22nd. Good enough for me!

Not a chance of that, mate!

The M5 seems to keep itself clearish on other days than Friday. So I'm looking forward to a fairly brisk run down from Bristol tonight, and again for the television match on Monday.

I think you'll find his mentor is the great Steve Lawson, mate!

Garry May certainly got the best out of the little fella one night on TV last season!

Rebels are a refreshment for this tired old league. They could have a trump in Lewis Bridger at Number 2, and might just do what they did at Belle Vue on the last Bank Holiday.

Wasn't this all thrashed out weeks ago over Robbie Branford, and the rule clarified? At the time there was some sort of unofficial deal going on, and Rye House had a tug-o-war about his availability? Didn't a statement come out then that the rules would be followed in future, no gentlemans' agreements being allowed to over-ride them?

Supp regs from FIM for event say practice isn't compulsory -- but if riders are serious about progressing careers as Aussies are, practice would be helpful.

Surely Worrall is a Belle Vue asset? He would always be racing for the Aces ahead of Newcastle, wouldn't he?

Great result for the Rebel Aussies! Go on Rohan, ya little beaut!

You can get DVDs of the major Australian meetings from Micks Speedway DVD at mick.44@bigpond.com

Rohan will come good. Rebels to beat the Redtits.

Rebels win by eight -- maybe Leicester should get some whinging Aussies in after all.

Rebels to win. Leicester deserve all they get, following last-minute dumping of two signed-up riders who no loger have a British berth. C'mon Aussies, c'mon!

Hey guys, instead of girning on about stupid stuff, why not use this thread to discuss the coming season, highlighting the Rebels being in the top grade of UK speedway and getting behind Josh, Rohan, Jake and the rest of your squad?

Doesn't need to. Playing the "British grannie" card.