Round 11 – Sal’s Preview: Dim the lights

 

Greetings All,

 

Three premierships and the longest coaching tenure in the club’s history will have Damien Hardwick revered for the Tigers in similar fashion to Tom Hafey.  His tenure hung by thread in 2016 but for some very strong leadership at the club and a model that others are trying to follow.  Richmond were able to ignore all the external noise and focus inside and achieved mighty results.  That Dimma has decided to give it away also takes a fair bit of courage and does the right thing by the club, if the fire doesn’t burn then you are in the wrong job.  As a Blue I grudgingly have to say “Well Played” to both Hardwick and the Tigers.

 

 

Feeling Horse ($2.06) vs Jacked Off ($1.92)

 

This looked to be a great fixture when the AFL conjured up its schedule, now we have two of the most disappointing sides of the year facing off in prime time.  Sydney’s drop can mostly be put down to loss of personnel and lack of tall defenders will be a challenge against Curnow and McKay.  Carlton’s fall has mostly to do with loss of confidence and courage with the footy with the defenders being shakiest of all.  While they don’t have the physical match up concerns Papley, Franklin and Heeney have created havoc for the Blues on a regular basis.  Jack Silvagni has paid the price for being an undersized ruckman and the right decision structurally, however he is also a heart and soul player and reckon there are a few still in the team that don’t display much of either.  This could be a trainwreck for either side but the Blues have lost to well performing sides this year and not sure the Swans are – so suspect Harry and Charlie should get enough supply to helped their team to a winning score.  To turn the tide Carlton need to be competitive against those good sides and Sydney just need to get a few back in the team.

 

 

Giant Slayers ($1.27) vs Wing Clippers ($4.50)

 

The Saints did it the hard way but were able to get over GWS, while their opponents Hawthorn did more than clip the Eagles wings.  Suspect most teams will do that now and St Kilda will be a sterner test that they will not be able to overcome.

 

 

Powered Down ($1.42) vs Jacko’s Back ($3.30)

 

The Demon’s fell to another good side in Port last week, some have questioned how genuine they are with their wins over lesser rated opponents.  Not sure there is enough data to say that however there does seem to be an issue travelling.  Losing in Adelaide twice, the Gabba and only just getting home at the Mansion.  They are back at the G this week as is their premiership ruckman in opposition colours.  The Darcy-Jackson vs Gawn-Grundy duel is worth the admission alone.  I think we may find that even the Melbourne fans can boo!  The Dees lose Oliver and Hunter which will hurt against a resurgent Freo.  However this one will come down to location and the Ds at the G is a pretty handy pairing.

 

 

Talking Irish ($1.11) vs It’s Not Easy ($9.20)

 

The Cats lose another to injury in Holmes but do get to introduce another Irishman in Oisin Mullin to AFL while also getting SDK back.  They host the Giants who have reason to celebrate with Toby Greene playing his 200th game, unfortunately  they lose a couple of handy once in Himmelberg, Kelly and Haynes.  They did beat the Cats here a couple of years ago, but suspect they need to have their best team in and not sure they have the personnel to contain Cameron and Hawkins.

 

 

Dew Drop ($2.80) vs Climate Change ($1.55)

 

The Bulldogs move from the chill of Ballarat last week to the tropical climes of Darwin for the game against the Suns.  Both teams go in with abundance of talls but conditions are likely to be very slippery as the dew drops with the humidity.  At home I would have rated Gold Coast a chance, however expect the Bulldogs to adapt to the change with climate and take this one.

 

 

Why Bother? ($9.20) vs Like a Dream ($1.11)

 

After a dream end to their last game the Bombers get to travel west for a picnic in Perth.  West Coast get a few back in Hurn, Barrass and Yeo which might make them more competitive, but that will be all as the Bombers get to go on the positive side of the ledger.

 

 

Nightmare ($2.08) vs Chillin’ with Dylan ($1.89)

 

Dreamtime turned into a nightmare for the Tiges as they surrendered their dominance over Essendon.  Then followed up by Dimma’s departure it is hardly a good time to be hosting the rampaging Port Power.  Great to see Friar Dylan Williams becoming a fixture Kenny’s defense.  Port were superbly coached and organized against the Demons last week, suspect Richmond might be slightly less predictable under the new regime.  On form it is hard to go against Port, however suspect the Tigers will be primed for their first encounter without Hardwick at the helm and will deliver a victory.

 

 

Pure Steele ($1.07) vs Robbed ($13.50)

 

A bit of a shame the Pies host this in the Loungeroom with Steele Sidebottom playing his 300th game – plenty will say they have enough games at the MCG but more should be able to celebrate this very special player.  He was a steal for the Pies at pick 11 in the draft after kicking 10 goals in the TAC Cup Grand Final – and has delivered ever since.  A couple of other milestones in this game with the Mason Cox journey reaching 100 games along with ex-Pie Jaidyn Stephenson also reaching that mark.  Not sure what the right penalty is for breaching the interchange cap – but the freekick and 50 metre penalty seems too harsh.  Would have thought it would be more appropriate for the stewards just not to allow the 76th change – perhaps even the introduction of a boom gate on the sidelines.  Nevertheless Collingwood are the benchmark and North will only be able to measure how far away they are from it.

 

 

Dogbite ($2.14) vs Payneless ($1.84)

 

The Crows will be happy to be home after being mauled by the Dogs in Ballarat, they do have a real test against Brisbane who have their challenge losing the reliable Jackson Payne from defense.  Adelaide look much stronger with the likely inclusion of Thilthorpe, Walker and Doedee while the return of Daniel Rich is a plus for Brisbane.  The Lions have won their last four over the Crows although noting they were at opposite ends of the ladder in that time, this years version of the Crows is a different proposition.  Just think the Lions midfield has the coverage needed to stop Dawson, Laird, Keays plus the others rotating through and at least one of their forwards can get off the chain and get them home.

 

 

Friar Time

 

Another loss at home for the Friars to the Unicorns making the encounter at Old Parade a critical one.  To add some spice to the clash Daisy Thomas will be donning the Green and Purple in what should be a big day at Bundoora.  The ressies also went down to the Unicorns, the Women and Thirds both had wins over Parkside and Wattle Park respectively.  The Women and 3s are at home this week.  The girls playing the Krushers from Oakleigh with the 3s taking on UHS-VU.

 

Go Blues, Go Friars,

 

Cheers, Sal

 

 

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Comments

  1. Was reading about the malfeasance of PWC under the leadership of then CEO Luke Sayers (now Carlton President). https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/former-pwc-boss-luke-sayers-has-questions-to-answer-on-tax-scandal-20230525-p5dbe9.html
    Luke’s PWC was not so much Chinese walls as Chinese chequers from the grateful high wealth clients receiving advanced warning of pending tax changes that PWC were advising Treasury about. Sort of give with one hand and collect with both.
    Had me wondering if Luke’s Carlton was being hit by the Karma bus more harshly than PWC by the Federal plods. Perhaps the change Carlton needs is not so much getting rid of coach Voss as the assembled stench of pokies, Mathieson, Pratt and the big end of town that has cursed the Blues since the socialist AFLimplemented salary caps and equalisation. Much harder to grow flags than buy them.

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