AFL 2008 SEASON
FINALS
Some might take this preview as a bonus others might take it as an interruption but allow me to make a few predictions for the first round of finals this year. If St Kilda can make a reasonable showing we might have a first round of finals that show every indication of providing close games. Amidst the end of the season celebrations (mad Mondays) by those teams that didn’t quite make the grade and the retirements of old players, appointment of new coaches, resignation of old coaches or unwanted coaches (and I am including all the assistants and fitness gurus), the start of a new Gold Coast team in a couple of years and the possibility of a final 9 in the future it will be good to sit down and watch some desperate finals football, especially by those teams that have the one chance only. The games are nicely spaced over the weekend and after this round of finals I think we all get our Sundays free so there is no excuse for football fanatics to miss a kick! If your competition boasts a finals leg for tipping then read on and good luck in your selections. One thing is for sure and that is you KNOW each team has come out to play for keeps. All the Victorians have perked up as they are represented by 6 teams this year – a record for a number of years I think. I’m sure somebody can tell me by return mail just how many years. Thanks
Hawthorn V Western Bulldogs at the MCG Friday night
Both teams have been head and shoulders above the other 13 below them and we are ready to see a great game. Unfortunately neither team have repeated the consistency of their early season form over the past few weeks but it’s certainly time to get serious. A win here places that team in a strong position to play in the Grand Final. Buddy has his 100 goals for the season so no unnecessary pressure there but Franklin’s ability, or potential scoring ability, could play a major part in the end result of this game. Standing beside him is a not so rough forward in Roughead. The last time these two teams met in a final was 1985 when I assume 90% of the current crop of players weren’t even born so there is no recent historic statistic that can swing you either way. Earlier this year the Bulldogs easily accounted for the Hawks in a bit of a surprise to us tipsters but do they have the same impetus to take them to another win? Should be a great game and I am inclined to select Hawthorn in what should be a close match with the Hawks just pipping the Bullies in the end.
Hawthorn by 12
Adelaide V Collingwood at AAMI Stadium Saturday arvo
Okay I have to try and build a case for the Pies to win this one. They have returned from a long trip west where they were easily beaten by the Dockers and watching that game put me to sleep by half time. It was woeful footy and in retrospect not getting a ticket to the game was a godsend I suppose. I’m still trying to work out how we couldn’t get a ticket for a game that was supposedly sold out but still had 10,000 vacant seats!! Anyway, to those that didn’t bother to turn up after having purchased a ticket – well done! Collingwood cannot go any further in this series without Shaw and Didak and the stupidity of that decision by the Magpie committee is one that the fans will have to put up with and no Collingwood supporter is happy watching a South Australian side beat them. Adelaide won a tough encounter in wet weather beating the Western Bulldogs last week so this game could be a last man standing affair and both teams possess a load of guts. Thomas comes back in for the Pies but Burns didn’t make it. Buckley offered to strip but his hamstring still bothers him. Collingwood doesn’t like to last just a week into a final’s campaign but with a long injury list, mind you, that’s similar to the Crows, I’m afraid I will have to watch them probably go down the gurgler in this game. Eternal hope shines for an incorrect tip here.
Adelaide by 13
Sydney v North Melbourne at the ANZ stadium
Well the last time these teams met it was a low scoring draw. It must be frustrating for North supporters to see their team, who has really swept all before them to get to 4th spot, in a sudden death play-off with a opposition that is a bit down but is still good enough to beat them on their day. Goodes makes a welcome return and Barry Hall probably wants to make amends for his poor grand final showing up forward in 2006 and kick a few goals. Well here we are writing North off again even when they should, on form, win. I know everybody is going to go the Swans. The game is at their home ground, so to speak, their form is average and they shouldn’t really be progressing any further into this final series but they have a hell of a lot of finals experience. Surely North can make amends for that performance against Geelong last year? They played a draw earlier in the year against Sydney and it’s likely they’ll play a draw in this game and we will have to play extra time. I’m picking North Melbourne to come back after that dismal performance against the powerless Power last week and win the game in extra time.
North Melbourne by 11
Geelong V St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday
Wouldn’t we all love to see the Saints, just for Harvs, give this a real crack and pip the Cats on the post? Yeah, that’s what I reckon – no hope - and fairy tales don’t always end happily.
Geelong by 33
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