THE PRE WRAP – ROUND XXII

FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL MARNGROOK FAN

What a week it’s been in Footy Eddie.  As the drama out t the John Pascoe Faulkner Reserve descends to farce, the basket weaving classes continue under The Caretaker, who assures all that Ian & David are right behind him.  (He’d do better with Matthew, Mark, Luke & John  – Ed)  The Gillards have been struck down by injuries and the loss of several key seats players leaves them vulnerable over September.  Benny Cousins launches his new career in drug rehabilitation counselling as he announces his retirement from the Elite Level.

Speaking of Essendon (and who isn’t? – Ed) they’re holding their GF Comedy Debate again this season featuring some of Australia’s best known comedians.  That would be their football team wouldn’t it?

The Vales mount.  We say farewell to yet another Adelaide Premiership Hero.  This time it’s Dual Norm Smith Medallist Andrew McLeod. Without doubt one of the most courageous & decorated players ever to pull on a boot, his gongs include five All Australian Blazers, three Malcolm Blight Medals, A Leigh Matthews Trophy, a Jimmy Stynes Medal, a Showdown Medal, a Michael Tuck Medal, Indigenous Team of the Century ruck-rover and four All Stars Blazers.  Over 16 seasons he played 340 games before his body gave way.  Andrew McLeod, a Legend of The Game, we salute you.

Another farewell is that of Ben Cousins.  Equally courageous in his own way, he gave us drama off the field as enthralling as the football he gave us on the field was exciting.  Flawed Genius, Brownlow Medallist and Premiership Player, Benny entertained us over his 15 year career.  Winning the hearts of The Mothers of Melbourne with his good looks and fair style of play, he leaves The Game an enigma of sorts, and a Favourite Son at Tigerland.  Ben Cousins, for everything you gave us of yourself – and it was plenty – we salute you.

Let’s not forget Paul Haselby.  Crikey, it only seems like yesterday he won the Rising Star Award.  He put in 207 games with Freo and carried them through some of their darkest & flakiest hours and came back after a double knee re-construction.  As a Loyal Servant & Favourite Son, we salute you.

But enough of my gabbin.  We’re sweeping into the home turn for the run down the straight six and into September.  Let’s see who we’re going to remember.

The Dangerous Dockers v The Miseries over in The West for Friday Night Football.  Both these outfits have been a disappointment this season.  Both expected to do much better, they meet to decide who gets a home final.  As suggested by Freo’s decision not to take half their starting XXII to Tassie last weekend, the travelling teams are weary at this end of the season.  Based on that, we’re going for The Anchormen.

The Sleepy Hollow Millionaires v The West Coast Eagles at Cat Central on Saturday afternoon.  See above and add Wooden Spoon.  The Pivotonians to kick The Sweep.  Mortgage the kids – even at $1.02 it’s easy money.

The Squawkers v The Woodsmen at The G of course.  The Hawks play The Maggies well, and tomorrow will be no exception.  But we feel Adelaide gave them their wake-up call last weekend.  With the Collywobbles vaccine boosting Carringbush’s immune system and Golly Josh playing his 200th game, we feel the undermanned Mustard Pots – no Spiritual Leader, no Backline Leader – will be no match for the Equal Premiership Favourites in this one.  The Maggies, and Eddie, thanks for the Bandwagon Tix.  Although I heard you had a few cancellations after the Adelaide match.

The Chardonnays v The Feeling Faints at Crow Park tomorrow evening.  Schneider will be missed from The Saints’ line-up, but you’d like to think they’d have too much for The Crows.  A McLeod led Adelaide may have made a difference – remember they gave Tyson Edwards a great send off – but they’re not plying Fremantle this weekend.  The Seagulls had to work hard to earn the points against The Tigers last weekend, but they’ve been building some form and we’re going with them.  And they don’t look half jice at $1.47.

The Kennel Coughs v The Marshmallows at Ethelred Stadium on Saturday Night.  The Doggies have been in freefall over the last fortnight.  The Dive Bombers have been in free fall for most of the season, although they did manage put everything together to beat North & St Kilda in successive weeks.  For those at Bomberland relying on shame as a driving force, and Footscray’s loss of Cooney, Morris & Johnson, consider the absence of the Essendon Captain and Adam McVeigh.  Even without Gillard in the goalsquare, the Sons of The West should be able to beat The Gliders.

The Brisbane Lions v The Sydney Swans at The Lions’ Den on Saturday night.  The Lion Kings have come the full cycle and are back to their Brisbane Bears shambolic best.  True, they’ve cobbled a couple of wins over the last three rounds but both against fellow Cellar Dwellers WCE & The Basket Weavers.  The Swans are running hot and have themselves set for at least a couple of finals to send Roosy off in style.  Steak & Kidney for us here at The Wrap.

Richmond v Port Adelaide on the Shifting Sands on Sunday.  The Power are responding to their new coach and go into this one with a huge chance.  However, we feel The Tigers, after a slump, want to finish the season well and send Benny off with a Victory.  And to make sure Jumping Jack gets enough opportunities to clinch his richly deserved Coleman.  The Tiges, kicking it long to Jack to win this one.

The Fuchsias v The Shinboners on The Paddock That Grew on Sunday evening.  Both sides are close to full strength and both will want to set a launching pad for season 2011.  Jimmy’s Redlegs have dropped off a bit over the last fortnight and Boomer Harvey is in Brownlow form.  But there’ll be a few at Melbourne who will want to send off James McDonald and Bradley Green – both Loyal Servants & Favourite Sons – with that winning feeling.  With that in mind, and the all round improvement The Demons have made this season has them as The Wrap Roughie of The Round.

Good tipping and even better punting.

And remember, if you read it in the Wrap you’ll know it’s not crap.

About John Mosig

I'm an Aussie Rules tragic who can remember, as a four year old, shaking the hand of Captain Blood in the rooms just before he ran out onto the ground after half time, as my Old Man slipped him a packet of under-the-counter Craven A cork tipped. Now it's my turn to take my grandson Ben through the ritual of character building that is the journey through PUNT ROAD to the outside world.

Leave a Comment

*