[AFL-Preview] Round 11

2008 FOOTY TIPPING

AFL PREVIEW – ROUND 11

 

Preview tipping: 60 from 80 = 75.0%

 

Things are back to normal tipsters with a steady 7 correct last week although I have been informed there were some technical problems getting the distribution of the preview out to you readers in a timely manner. It was worth the wait.

A very slow week in footy news and not a lot of feedback either. A few players rubbed out or fined for playing a bit too rough for the likes of the AFL Tribunal or dishing out head high tackles when “going for the ball”. The win by the Bulldogs was more than meritorious considering the tough game and close result from the week before against North Melbourne. Collingwood really smashed the Eagles who beat the Crows by almost 10 goals the previous week while Geelong got back on track, Freo stayed on their track with another statistical record breaking loss, Brisbane showed they really are going to make the finals, Terry Wallace kissed his coaching job goodbye as the Tigers posted 1 goal in a half of footy, the Saints shook off their soft tag for a week and Adelaide barely fell over the line against the lowly Bombers. Add to that another mid season retirement and also another season ending injury with Melbourne’s high flying Robbo popping an achilles, an injury, dear reader that at the moment of occurring shocks more than pains. I know. This round sees a long weekend in Melbourne (we had ours in Perth last weekend and I wish the states would collaborate on these a bit better) so the Collingwood versus Demons clash will bring 50,000 Magpie supporters to the ‘G’ and a handful of Melbourne supporters who must be getting tired of these weekly floggings. Never mind, only 6 weeks before the Dees play the Dorks again so there is a bit of hope on the horizon.

Yes, there are a few good games this weekend tipsters so pay attention. I might have won the $50M Powerball tonight so this might be my last write up. (Hooray they shouted!) Good luck.

North Melbourne V Geelong at Telstra Friday Night

As much as Laidley will have his boys pumped up for this game against the Cats it will have to be a brave tipster who picks them. Not me.

 

Geelong by 41

 

Richmond V Adelaide at MCG Saturday arvo

 

Even though Richmond really copped a flogging last week in Sydney the Crows would not want to take this as a gimme the way they are playing. As a matter of fact I don’t have to try hard to find a case for the Tigers who surely will want to forget last week’s game and give their beloved supporters something to cheer about at home. Hopefully those Tiger supporters who took the train trip to Sydney last week at least visited The Rocks for a meal and drove across the Bridge to lighten up the weekend. The game is at the MCG, the Crows are playing badly, as did the Tigers last week, but I smell a Wallace rout and a Richo / Brown bag of 6 pointers.

 

Richmond by 21

 

West Coast Eagles V Sydney at Subiaco Saturday late arvo

 

Thank goodness the game is at Subiaco as this will avoid another embarrassing defeat for Whoosha’s boys. Mind you, I reckon the Eagles will come out fighting but let’s face it, can they beat the Swans at any venue? Nope. Shame Barry Hall isn’t back for this game it would have been interesting to see him negotiating the walk onto and off the ground.

 

Sydney by 39

Essendon V Hawthorn at the Telstra Dome Saturday night

Can Buddy avoid squirting his water bottle in Fletcher’s face? Can he resist mouthing the ‘f’ word when he misses a goal? Can the Bombers give the Hawks a bit of a scare like they did against the Crows? Can the Hawks put last week’s poor effort against the Doggies in Tasmania behind them and flog Essendon like they should? To all bar the third question the answer is – YES.

Hawthorn by 55

Brisbane Lions V Fremantle at Gabba Sunday

There is one aspect of this game that will be a bit different to the last 5 games the Dockers have played. They won’t be ahead at the start of the last quarter. You can bet on it. Pavlich might have to play on the back line, like old times, to help try and curb the brilliant Brown and Bradshaw because I can assure you that nobody else in that Freo team will be able to do it. Dockers, this will be a long road trip and a sad journey home.

Brisbane by 60

St Kilda V Western Bulldogs at Telstra Sunday

Of all the games this weekend, this could be one of the better ones as St Kilda, on the back of a confidence boosting thrashing of Melbourne last week, get to meet one of this year’s flag contenders in what should be an entertaining contest. I went against the Bulldogs last week as a sign of my lack of confidence in them but with the game at Telstra dome I’m not brave enough to tip against them this week. I don’t think they will find the Saints easy but they should prevail.

Western Bulldogs by 18

Port Adelaide V Carlton at AAMI Stadium Sunday

If the game was in Melbourne I would have given the Blues a bit of hope but it’s not so I won’t.

Port Adelaide by 38

Melbourne V Collingwood at MCG Monday Arvo

I worked last Monday, a public holiday in Perth, so this Monday I will stay at home and watch the Pies thrash their second team in a row. Go Pies.

Collingwood by 71