[AFL-Preview] Round 5

2008 FOOTY TIPPING
AFL PREVIEW – ROUND 5

Preview tipping: 23 from 32 = 71.9%

I was going to completely ignore the Barry Hall punch in this week's column. A sort of AFL Preview media black out as a sign that we were suffering from over exposure. Then, I thought, if Big Bad Bazza finds out I purposely didn't write anything about the whole thing then he might get a bit antsy and punch p**s and pick handles out of me next time he sees me, which, by the way, would be the first time he sees me as well. But one can't be too careful these days. You must admit there have been a lot of newspaper articles, commentary, opinion and discussion on THAT punch. Funnily enough there were no internet jokes that we usually see the likes of when something of this monumental importance happens. As true tipsters we found it more annoying that Carlton had beaten Collingwood, Richmond had beaten the Dorks and Brisbane had kicked almost 100 points in the last quarter for an unlikely win against the Power(less to stop it) to reduce our tipping score by another lousy point. Staker's jaw will get better and his headaches will disappear but we will never get back those lost tipping points. Now I have had a bit to say about the telecasts and I know I am flogging a dead horse but when we have three channels offering AFL games how come we couldn't get one of them to telecast the Collingwood Carlton game? Even though as a Pies supporter I would have turned the darn thing off half way through the third quarter it would have been nice to at least have the choice. Spare me folks but the 1961 movie of the Absent Minded Professor took precedence over a live AFL telecast!!! Who is actually in the studios pushing these buttons? Let Barry Hall loose in those scheduling meetings over a weekend to sort out some of these mindless, idiotic buffoons puhlease!! Alright, a snap of reality last week tipsters as we saw a few upsets that left nobody picking 8 correct. 5 was average, 6 was great and anything over that was diabolical. Results like those we had last weekend now play an important part in how we assess our selections this week because teams we thought couldn't win have won. Roll the dice and good luck!


St Kilda V Essendon at the Telstra Dome Friday Night

The Bombers looked good last week for a quarter and for a moment there I thought they might even beat the Doggies but all was well with the world as they capitulated, as previewed, and went down by a surprising margin of 30 points. The Saints tried their best against the reigning premiers but really, Geelong was too good all over the field. No matter who's in and who's out, even the addition of Lloyd to the Essendon attack won't be enough to stop the Saints from getting back on track against a weaker team. Rumour has it that the exclusion of Gehrig is part of a Saints master plan?? Sheesh! The only master plan the Saints need is to win enough games to make the finals. This result should help.

St Kilda by 39


Geelong V Sydney at Skilled Stadium Saturday arvo

The Swans had a training run against the Eagles last week – not a good preparation for a game against the Cats in their own litter tray at Skilled. The Sydney style of game will work well against Geelong but the evenness of the Cats all over the field presents great concern for all teams this year. I might have been tempted to go for the Swans at another venue but at the Cattery – nope.

Geelong by 18


Adelaide V Fremantle at AAMI Stadium Saturday arvo

For reasons known only to my psychiatrist I picked the Dorks to make the finals this year and I am having serious doubts about that selection. This Fremantle team is looking quite dysfunctional at times, but then what's new? Pavlich is now starting to think seriously about his decision to stay at Freo on the basis that they will win a flag. Then again they are playing the Crows whose shortcomings were highlighted by a hungrier and far more talented Hawthorn team last week. But folks, are we looking at giving you upset material with this one. No.

Adelaide by 22


Brisbane V Hawthorn at the Gabba Saturday night

Certainly the win by Brisbane last week in that unbelievable final quarter will have Lions fans salivating at the thought of a home ground win against a serious premiership contender in Hawthorn. And the young Lions look a treat with Matthews having worked in a mix of youth and experience that will probably see Brisbane give the final 8 a shake this year when most pundits thought it would be another year of rebuilding. With a Lappin in the middle along with Black Power and Brown and Bradshaw lurking in your forward line it's enough to send a shiver up the spine of any visiting team. I see this as the game of the round actually and if the weather is dry allowing a full show of skills don't be surprised at an upset. Surely the game will be close. Franklin, Williams, Crawford, Roughhead, Mitchell, Bateman will all need to be at their best and if they can hold Buddy at full forward the Lions may enjoy a victory. Hawthorn look hungry this year and are genuine flag contenders so they will not want to drop a game against a team they consider good, but not that good.

Hawthorn by 5


Collingwood V North Melbourne at MCG Saturday night

Here's a game in which I have no idea who will win. Both teams have a couple of wins and a couple of losses. The loss by the Pies against that Blues rabble makes me choke to think about it while North gave the Demons the expected beating. I am used to selecting against the Woods and hoping to get the tip wrong but I actually think they are good enough to win this game and come back from that poor showing against Carlton. When North are good they are damn good, when they are bad they are miserable. Here's hoping they have a crappy day and give some consideration to providing my youngest with a wedding present.

Collingwood by 29


Melbourne V Carlton at the MCG Sunday

The Demons have put a stop to losing by 100 points while the Blues have put a stop to losing. That's a good mix to make a selection difficult. Will Carlton be happy that they have broken the drought and give another hopeless team a chance to break their duck as well? I am sitting here cogitating over a game that will have no bearing on anything other than my tipping score – important enough I guess. I'm kind of thinking Melbourne might win this. Well, more hoping really. Have to stick with that winning feeling though and Carlton have it. Two in a row?? Hmmm.

Carlton by 33


Western Bulldogs V Richmond Telstra Sunday

Tipsters, you are going to see the highest scoring footy game since the grand final between Carlton and Richmond some 20 something years ago. Both teams move the football with amazing speed from one end of the ground to the other and with the game at Telstra it should be a high scoring affair anyway. Can the Doggies retain that unbeaten record? Can Terry's Tigers put two wins in a row together to give their fans a feeling they haven't had for years? Should be a good game and with family commitments from the Saturday wedding over and done with it might be the match to watch assuming those scheduling buffoons don't opt for a 1952 Red Skelton movie and shove this game to an 11.30pm replay slot!!

Western Bulldogs by 20


West Coast Eagles V Port Adelaide at Subiaco Sunday Arvo

If I get an offer of going out for a Sunday late lunch it could be a better choice than sitting watching this affair between a team that has won one game and been thrashed in all others and a team that has not won any games and shies away from even winning when in a commanding position. Tipsters, when making your selection here it's not which team is the most talented but which team is the angriest. Port Adelaide for lying down in the wet spot or the Eagles who prefer to be on the bottom??!! Yep, I reckon this game is 'R' rated. R you game to pick the home team? R you siding with Chocko's comments of disgust enough to think the Power can find something extra. Good grief. Port were runners up last year in the Grand final!! Mind you, they were far from impressive. You know, somebody told me that psychologically that loss to Geelong in the 2007 Grand Final which they lost by umptyhundred points would damage Port Power more than you think and I reckon there's something in that. Enough to make me think the Eagles will win this by default.

West Coast by 11