Greetings All,
The question was posed as to whether the AFL should have a position on “The Voice”? One sharp succinct response was “No!” Taking personal views on matter out of it, it is not that simple. We have a round of footy dedicated to First Nations people, we have clubs changing their names temporarily to reflect the lands from which they originate from and one match called the The Dreamtime Game. Every club has multiple indigenous players on their list and the game’s popularity amongst the indigenous communities is enormous. Clearly there is a significant link
The AFL has had to lead the community on key issues in particular racism. With still plenty of work to do there. So while we just want the league to run the competition – and run it better – there are important issues that it must take a position on. We don’t need to follow or agree on that position but at least respect it is one they need to take. One would think the NRL will be in a very similar position.
Buttered Up ($2.34) vs Salem’s Lot ($1.73)
While Horne-Francis and Rozee get plenty of attention Zac Butters is quietly just racking them up, they have it tough this week facing the Melbourne midfield but playing at home helps Port has brought Scott Lycett back to combat the Gawn-Grundy combination, however they are missing Big Charlie. Dixon provides a strong second ruck option and always consumes a good defender. While Port have won their last six this will be a real test, Melbourne have lost a couple in Petty and Sparrow – Salem and McDonald are more than handy replacements. While Port at home is tough to go against, just think Melbourne will have the ruck dominance and edge in defence to bring the Port string to an end.
George IV ($6.40) vs Grist for the Mills ($1.17)
While Clarko takes his absence the Roos introduce another debutant in George Wardlaw the Number 4 pick in last year’s draft. Somewhat forced as the North injury list continues to extend – their opponents this week have similar issues. Sydney have been poleaxed and lose McDonald and Mills for lengthy spells. They should be too good for North, however very wary about how far the Swans have dropped off despite the injury concerns.
A Work of Arty ($1.57) vs Keays to the City ($2.66)
Arty Jones might not get much of the footy, he certainly makes his presence felt and adds to the Dogs up forward. They are in good form and host another in form team in the Crows in Ballarat. The Crows will be celebrating the 100th game for Ben Keays whose career has flourished since making the move to Adelaide. They go in without two big forwards in Walker and Thilthorpe – strange to be resting Tex with Riley out. Form says the Dogs with four in a row but none of the vanquished in the top eight, the Crows have lost a couple recently but against Geelong and Collingwood. Expecting this to be a tight contest but the Dogs are starting to build a fortress in Ballarat so going with them.
Redocked ($2.32) vs Tamed? ($1.74)
Nat Fyfe is back in the Dockers 22 hosting the Cats who looked a shadow of themselves last week against the Tigers. The Dockers are healthy and looking for three on the trot but will be well tested with Geelong bringing back premiership players in Close, Henry and Stengle. If Freo play at their best they can win, but expect Geelong to play much better than last week and be too good.
Six of the Best ($1.28) vs The Best Coast ($4.40)
Big Joe hit the Bombers for six last week, his Lions get to play host to their local rivals in the Suns this week. The Suns proved they were the best of the Coasts last week Brisbane are a different proposition. The Lions have won the last eight of these contests for a 17-6 overall record. While the Suns will be feisty and pretty good around the contest just think they look top heavy up forward with Day, King and Casboult. Lions to extend their run to seven on the trot.
Ridley me This ($2.40) vs Shainess ($1.70)
Not sure Jordan Ridley could put the brakes on Joe last week but his inclusion will help the Bombers defense against the Tigers. Richmond not only have dreamtime to celebrate but three milestone games with Shai Bolton (100), Nick Vlastuin (200) and Jack Ross (50). Most importantly they also get Toby Nankervis back to be the lynchpin in the ruck, by the same token they will be delighted with the efforts of Samson Ryan in his absence. Samson’s presence up forward might swing this the Tiger’s way as the Bombers defense works hard but lacks height, beating the Cats is also good form so just think Richmond win this.
Launceston ($1.32) vs Worst Coast ($3.95)
Is Harley Reed the prize for the loser between the Hawks and Eagles in Tassie? Not sure why but going with West Coast to show something and take the four points.
Voss ($2.82) vs McRae ($1.52)
It’s timely for this clash of rivals and also to compare their trajectories in the last couple of years. The clubs were in similar positions at the beginning of both coaches reign, they appear to be on divergent paths. The Pies are daring and fearless in their style with little regard for consequences of failure – in reality we don’t know how much they can handle failure as that has been a rarity. The Blues are almost diametrically opposed playing with the fear of failure and lack of trust in their teammates. Whether that difference is due to coaching, the playing group of the overall club mentality it is something Carlton needs to address. Contrary to Bruce Mathieson off the field the Blues have plenty of things going right, the biggest problems lie on the field and needs to be addressed. The Blues have two of the competitions best tall forwards despite their kicking woes – they are rarely if ever out marked. Small forwards should be able to dine out on the morsels they provide or at least do everything they can to stop the ball being waltzed out of the backline. Last week Owies, Motlop and Durdin laid three tackles for the entire game compared to five each for the Bulldogs small forwards in Jones and Weightman. In a comparison with the Pies, Beau McCreery has built his game around pressure and has now become an offensive weapon. They have plenty more who struggled early in their career but just did the basics and are now part of a very exciting time for the club. Murphy, Noble, Cox, Mihocek just to name a few. The one thing in the Blues favour is a return to the MCG where it is harder for defenses to clog up, but it is probably the only thing and the Pies still defend it pretty well. So while my heart has hope the head says the Pies.
In Like Flynn ($2.28) vs Return of the King ($1.75)
Max is back for the Saints as they head to Sydney to face the Giants who also have their talisman back in Toby Greene. Both teams were on the end of big defeats last week so will be keen to rebound. The Flynn-Marshall contest should going a long way to determine the victor. Matt Flynn could not match Mason Cox last week – Rowan Marshall will not be any easier he needs to ensure he splits that contest and especially negate Marshall’s marking around the ground. Reckon he might be up for it and the Giants might be also to win back on their home turf.
Friar Time
Back to earth with a thud as South Melbourne Districts were too well organized and prepared for the Friars last week. Signs were on early with the reserves suffering a similar fate while the women were beaten by AJAX as their competition evens out. The 3s were the only team to salute with a come from behind victory over Elsternwick. It’s another home game this week hosting the Unicorns from Melbourne High, the thirds kick off the dew against the Animals from Wattle Park while for girls head to Parkside looking to get back in the winner’s stalls.
Go Blues, Go Friars,
Cheers, Sal
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I’ll take notice of the sanctimonious crap the AFL talks on social issues when they say no to gambling revenue and saturation ads. Easy to be righteous when it doesn’t affect you.
How could the AFL oppose the referendum when they have their hands into the same government for a quarter of a billion dollars for Hobart? No double standard?
As a club that has only once gone into a game (Rd 12, 1995) without an Indigenous player – and then only due to the coincidental illness or injury of five regular players – and had more Indigenous players playing more games for us than any other club – it would be nauseatingly hypocritical of us not to support the Yes case in the coming referendum.
I hear what you say, Peter, but you’re conflating two quite different issues. I agree that the AFL’s position on gambling is both sanctimonious and venal, but being silent on the referendum would only make their lack of engagement on both issues even more reprehensible.