AFL PREVIEW ROUND 20
Last Week 2 from 8 = 112 / 152 =73.7%
Well tipsters, to say that last week was a disaster is an understatement. Probably being a bit too smug with all the 7’s we scored and threw caution to the wind. Thank heavens for the Dockers, and that’s not a statement lightly said. The Melbourne and Richmond picks last week were just plain stupid. The saving grace of it all was that not many competing tipsters scored a lot better and there was much wringing of hands, shaking of heads and gnashing of teeth. It’s a weekend of results like that which wants me to give up tipping altogether so I can enjoy the footy. There are three rounds to go and I have retained the lead in two competitions and dropped to second in the other. Three rounds to get back to healthy 5’s and 6’s at least to ensure the dollars come my way at season’s end.
As usual there are a few matches that will have you scratching your head about possibilities, none harder than the opening round on Friday night between the Hawks and the Crows.
What did I say a couple of weeks ago about the Collingwood coaching solution which might be a trailblazer in the future? Well the Sydney Swans have taken a leaf from the Collingwood book and done the same thing with Paul Roos and John Longmire. Who woulda thought?
Coaching positions remain hot news with Richmond and North Melbourne yet to make decisions. There is an interesting battle between The Western Bulldogs, Adelaide, Brisbane and Carlton for places 4 to 7 on the ladder and two of these sides have tough games this weekend. For tipsters this is a crucial part of the season as some teams will be a bit less motivated than others. The West Coast Eagles have won two games in a row (I got both wrong) and there is already talk in Perth that they are a mathematical chance of making the 8 and so will probably play off in the grand final!!
Good luck.
Hawthorn V Adelaide MCG Friday Night
The loss of Roughead for the Hawks could not have come at a worse time for their last tilt at making the finals this year. The Birdman of Adelaide is also out injured. Those bits of info do not help us a bit and you can expect a close, tough game. Adelaide has lost two in a row so they really need to win this game to guarantee a place in the finals. Up forward Hawthorn look a bit one dimensional now with just Buddy as a focal point while the Crows have multiple options. The game is at the G though so a bit of home ground advantage may come into play. Gonna have to go for consistency and Adelaide has shown a tad more of that than the Hawks. A bit more motivation as well.
Adelaide by 11
Richmond V Collingwood at MCG Saturday
The game will attract thousands, most of them Collingwood supporters, to watch their team consolidate its position in the top 4. On form, at the moment, a St Kilda Collingwood grand final is not out of the calculation. Richmond is not in the same class but as usual will put up a good fight for some of the game.
Collingwood by 39
West Coast V North Melbourne Subiaco Saturday
There is a distinct possibility that I will get three incorrect Eagles picks in a row. Oh well.
West Coast by 17
Brisbane Lions V Western Bulldogs Gabba Saturday Night
This is a pretty important game for both teams due to a real glitch in the Bulldog program for the season with that loss against the hopeless Eagles last week! Only 2 points separate the teams on the ladder and there are not many experts who would have put Brisbane up so high on the ladder at this stage of the season. Even though the game is being played at the Gabba it will still be a difficult one for the Lions to win. The Bullies have been a pretty good team most of the season and to keep on track they really need to win this game…..badly. It should be enough motivation for them to do it. Just. Brisbane would take the draw again I think.
Western Bulldogs by 7
Sydney V Geelong ANZ Stadium Saturday Night
The Swans pulverized the Tigers last week and it certainly made me shake my head as I stood in the bar of the Broad Arrow hotel reading the graffiti and glancing at the footy on the TV screen. Dodging a few Gypsy Jokers bikies amongst the tourists was as exciting as my tipping score with a certain Richmond loss keeping me to a paltry 1 correct to date! Geelong had done us all no favours by lying on its back like a pussycat looking for a tummy rub as the Blues waltzed all over them. If the Cats don’t find a bit of form they will carry these defeats into the finals and won’t make the big one as expected in September. If ever they needed to extend their claws then this is the game. Sydney is flying a late but strong flag at the end of the season and they still can make the finals would you believe? Will sanity prevail in the tipping? Please.
Geelong by 22
Melbourne V Fremantle at MCG Sunday
Just friends and relatives have booked in to watch this game to be played between the 15th and 16th placed teams. I tipped Melbourne last week because I thought they had shown some reasonable signs of improvement and would give North a real run for their money but I was wrong – again. I bet they find a bit of form against the Dockers who may, just may, win two games in a row for the first time since….um….since…er….. since the last time they did it. We might get the third draw of the season here, a fitting end to the aspirations of both teams. I reckon the Dockers will want to emulate the feats of their cross town rivals the Eagles and win two in a row. They were one of just two teams to help me last week so I’m gonna stick with the purple haze.
Fremantle by 5
Port Adelaide V Carlton at AAMI Sunday
Based on past results a Port Adelaide win is a monty. They always back up a big loss with a good win. Carlton at home and that home town crowd should be enough to get them over the line. Carlton may still be a bit dazed after that win against Geelong last week, I know we tipsters are, so there’s a chance that the Power might set up for a first quarter blitzkrieg and give them enough of a lead to win the game with the same margin. Port is still fighting for September finals but then so is Carlton so it will be another closely fought battle. My tip goes to the home team.
Port Adelaide by 15
Essendon V St Kilda at Telstra Dome Sunday
Essendon were pathetic against the Eagles, good against the Lions and will be hopeful against the Saints. If ever you though the Saints had a chance of losing a game then last week was that time when they rested all those first line players. I will not even entertain the thought of them losing this one.
St Kilda by 44
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