[AFL-Preview] Round 9

AFL Preview Round 9

 

RIP Bobby Davis!!

Was it that many years ago that I used to watch the Footy Show on channel 7 with Bob Davis, Lou Richards and Jack Dyer? Only Lou 'the lip' left now of that trio who were all controlled, sort of, by Ron Casey. For us young footy followers it was a must watch show and of course the Sunday footy show with the handball and the accurate kicking competitions, the scores, the ladder and the basket full of pies (Four 'n' Twenty of course)and sausage smallgoods (was that Watsonia? Can't remember) hamper for the players that came on to be interviewed. Bobby was a real character that's for sure as, of course, was Jack and Lou. Lovable larrikins. Most of us played footy on Saturday at the same time the VFL games were being played so it was our chance to catch up with the latest football news especially if we had missed the Sporting Globe late Saturday edition.

There are still a few footy talk shows on the box but they have lost some impact because games are now played over a number of days and the show cannot give a complete summary of the round. Then of course there is channel 9's Footy Show. As bad as that program is I have to admit it's a lot better than anything I have seen on TV in China unless you're into dating shows. Admittedly there is a language barrier to overcome but methinks that there will be little to capture my interest after I master Mandarin.

Last week 6/8 = 45/61 (73.8%) However I am tempted to take the extra point for the disallowed Collingwood goal kicked by Pendlebury which would have made my tip correct to say nothing of making a few thousand Pies supporters happy. The inconclusive form being shown by some teams is causing concern when placing your tips and it is no better this week. Some of these games can go either way and it's a matter of pure luck and nil science or logic when making some of these selections. Good luck.

 

Carlton V Geelong at Etihad Friday night

This is shaping to be a very interesting game with the Cats coming off a high as a result of pipping the Pies last week and the Blues coming off a bye which seems to be having an adverse affect on teams according to stats. Could there be an upset here or will Geelong do it for Bobby Davis? There is still some doubt about Carlton's position in the top 4 but they have won a couple of games that have mattered. Winning this one will certainly make that top 4 dream a closer reality. However, Geelong will be a hard nut for the Blues to crack. If they put in four good quarters Carlton will come close.

Geelong by 20

 

St Kilda V Melbourne At Etihad Saturday

Tipping the winner of this game is best solved by flipping a coin. Impossible to pick a winner on form so I am opting to simply pick the better team overall and it came up tails. If you follow either team don't get disillusioned if one is behind by 5 or 6 goals at the end of the first quarter. Do be afraid, very afraid, if one is winning by that margin at the end of the first quarter. This is also another bad habit they have and a position from which they are likely to lose the game. It's hard to figure the Saints as being premiership runners up last year and to have fallen to this low level so quickly. If they want to get started this season they might as well do it to Melbourne this week.

St Kilda by 21

 

Port Adelaide V Fremantle at AAMI Saturday

The Power might steal this one even considering their abysmal form. This statement is made due to the amazing run of injuries being suffered by Freo who say they have only 25 fit players to pick from. An upset for the home team here is a distinct possibility. I am tipping Port purely on gut feeling so all logic is out the window on this one.

Port Adelaide by 11

 

Brisbane V North Melbourne at the Gabba Saturday night

The game sees the return of Brown for the Lions which will help give them a presence in the forward area but might not necessarily win them the game. North has not got a good record at this venue and a generally poor record playing away this season so far. The Lions have been close so many times that they might just give their fans a bit of joy for the first time this season. A Kangaroo win will put them just outside the 8 and a win to Brisbane will get them onto the road to some sort of recovery. Should be a tight game.

Brisbane by 17

 

Richmond V Essendon at the MCG

These two teams are amongst the big improvers this season and guarantee a good game for the supporters. The Bombers are in the top 4 and the Tigers are knocking on the door of the 8 although last week they let a quarter slip by that eventually lost them the match.  Is it time for Essendon to lose a game? Watson and Hocking out for the Bombers tends to even the balance a little. The Richmond midfield of Cotchin and Martin are doing better than okay and the team is showing less dependence on Reiwoldt up forward although he is still kicking goals and currently still leads the goal kicking. Let's hope the Tigers don't let the Bombers get the jump on them.

Richmond by 12

 

Collingwood V Adelaide at Etihad Sunday

The Collingwood bubble burst last week and if it was not quite a bang it was certainly a pop! They come up against the Crows who are struggling with consistency and field a relatively inexperienced side. If Malthouse can get back to coaching rather than waffling on at press conferences about bread rolls and ears and toes the Pies should win the game. The fact that the AFL came out today and stated that the umpire got it wrong last week in that Pendlebury goal incident won't help Mick's blood pressure either. The Collingwood players will be a bit dirty after that loss to the Cats so they might be a bit more ruthless against Adelaide. If the Crows wilt a bit it will be a massacre.

Collingwood by 42

 

Sydney V Hawthorn at the SCG Sunday

An injury plagued Hawthorn still gave the Saints a decent touch up last week as did the Swans to Port in the second half. This is a difficult away game for Hawthorn who does not have a good record at this venue. Bolton and Goodes are on fire for the Swans so Hawthorn might have to look at nullifying the impact these two have on the contest. The mean backline of Sydney will not make it easy for Buddy to kick many goals. When you add in the possibility that the Hawks might have to blood a couple of new players the equation starts equalling Sydney for the pick.

Sydney by 19

 

West Coast V Western Bulldogs at Subiaco Sunday

The Eagles have improved as much as the Bulldogs have gone backwards this season and the fact that the Bullies are travelling to Perth again after a hard game against the Tigers last week means they might struggle to win this match. The bookies have the Eagles as favourites – maybe they know something. The heat has come off Eagles coach Worsfold as a result of a much more competitive and successful West Coast team so far this season. Cox is back to his best and Priddis is showing that he might make it as an elite centreman after winning the derby medal last week. Still, it was a good win by the Bulldogs last week even when they dozed off for half of the third quarter allowing the Tigers a sniff. Another difficult game to pick but I favour the home team.

West Coast by 8

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