AFL PREVIEW
ROUND 15 2008 SEASON
Preview Tipping to date: 81 from 112 = 73%
It is with great pride that I can tell you that the Magpies saved the tipping score from ignominy by winning that game against the Swans (as expected) and we salvaged a 5. Apart from the stretch of faith in picking Fremantle again (will I never learn??!!) who amongst you picked the Demons to beat the Lions by a solitary point? And how hard is it to pick the Jekyll / Hyde team North Melbourne who can be thrashed one week by Fremantle, beat the Hawks the following week then go down to the lower ranked Saints the week after? The question I pose here is: “Were the Kangaroos more consistent than North Melbourne?” Those of you that actually picked the Demons I hope you enjoy your weekends in the garden or on picnics because you sure ain’t watching football.
Barry Hall is in trouble again, Bell has retired from Fremantle as has some of their other players who are still playing and Braun has called it quits with the Eagles who, as a team, called it quits a month or so ago. I do like both of these guys as players and they will be sorely missed.
For real news, and just off the press as I write, Michael Voss joins the Eagles as an assistant coach?? What a coup for West Coast. I loved Vossy as a player and one hopes that he will make a difference at the Eagles. If nothing else a guy like Voss will attract or retain players to that team. Here’s the prediction of the 2008 season – the Eagles will be in the 8 in 2009. Folks, you heard it here first!!
Tipsters, we are at the pointy end of the season, the last third, and it’s time to take one or two risks in the tipping, assuming you are not leading of course. This will, of course, lead to you either dropping right away and not caring anymore, filling the tipping leaders with great confidence as you take those risks, or you will make a serious challenge for the big money at season’s end. Hope you make the right decision. Good luck.
Carlton V St Kilda at MCG Friday Night
Judd is back for the Blues but I wonder whether that will make a difference. And what about Fevola? He would be keen to kick a bag full of goals so that he can impress teams like Sydney who might want to pay him $3million for 66 games of football. Would the Pies consider him as a replacement for Rocca? Same origins, same last letter in their surname and mothers with the same accent. Fevola in black and white? A nightmare. The Saints also don’t want to relinquish their place in the 8 as tenuous as that position may be. Expect a close game as both teams have a lot to play for. Scores are level or almost at the start of the last quarter but you would have to say the Saints can hang on.
St Kilda by 11 points
Collingwood V Adelaide at the MCG Saturday arvo
Let’s look at momentum. Adelaide have lost 3 in an row while the Pies bounced back from losses to the Bulldogs and...choke....choke....Car.....rrllton. The teams sit 5th and 6th on the ladder, equal on points so don’t expect Adelaide to roll over for Collingwood. Lots at stake as both teams need wins to make the top 4 or at least position themselves to break into the top four. Although Rocca is out the return of Cloke was important for the Pies and I feel they have just a bit more goalkicking power and as I understand the game the team with the highest score wins the game. Should be another good match.
Collingwood by 20
Geelong V Fremantle at Skilled Stadium Somewhere in Geelong
I know the last time these two teams met we were quick to write the Dorks off and as history shows it was one hell of a scare for the Cats and another unfortunate, close loss for Freo. This game is at the cattery and while I am reluctant to say that Freo will be looking like kitty litter at the end of the game I have serious doubts that it will be as close as last time. Trust me it won’t.
Geelong by 45
Essendon V Brisbane Lions at Telstra Dome
Statistics show that the Bombers have won their last 3 games and you might wonder why until you look at who they beat in those games. I doubt any of those teams they defeated will figure in the finals. Then again Brisbane hasn’t filled its fans with confidence after a loss to Melbourne by a point last week, or the week before actually. Brown and Bradshaw in front of the Brisbane goals will give the Essendon backs a bit of a headache but the Bomber forwards have been okay against teams at this level. With the match at Telstra Dome I am almost tempted to pick the Dons but tradition and stats stand in the way so I will tip Brisbane. Expect a close game again but with no chance of wet weather football I’m thinking the Lions will prevail.
Brisbane by 17
Port Adelaide V North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium
The Power is simply woeful but they come up against North Melbourne who are totally unpredictable. Under usual conditions I would probably be tempted to pick Port Adelaide simply because it is a home game for them but looking at the record they don’t seem to have won many home games this season. North appear an easier prospect – lost last week so it’s a win this week. Why change the script?
North Melbourne by 6
Hawthorn V Sydney at MCG Sunday Afternoon
Considering the positions of these two teams it certainly is the game of the weekend and one hopes that chores are completed on the Saturday so that one can sit down and watch a couple of the would-be premiership contenders have a go at each other. Can Hawthorn shut the Swans down as did the Pies last week? Can the Swans shut Buddy down? The Hawks have a few of their better players coming back into the team while the Swans will play in empty Halls!! Should be a great game and I would be able to comfortably pick either team for a win so don’t crucify me for an error of judgement here.
Hawthorn by 12
Western Bulldogs V Melbourne at Telstra Dome Sunday
Let’s look at this critically. Western Bulldogs are second on the ladder just two premiership points away from Geelong. Melbourne battled hard last week to beat the Lions by a point and is still sitting last on the ladder. The only thing we need to sort out about this game is the margin. Somewhere between 7 goals and 15 goals would be my estimate. Let’s take the average.
Western Bulldogs by 66 points
West Coast V Richmond at Subiaco
You know how a team who appoints a new coach usually wins the next game? Just letting you Eagles supporters know that Michael Voss is scheduled to start in 2009, not 2008, 2009 folks! However the Eagles’ opposition this week is Richmond so even though Voss isn’t the assistant coach until next year just the smell of him approaching, or his scent left behind after the interview with West Coast might be enough to get the Eagles over the line. Braun retires, Whoosha still unable to answer a question with a straight answer, Kerr maybe not playing and a problem with Melbourne public transport. Could be that the Tigers might feel like they have been hit by a tram after this one!!
West Coast by 20
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