Greetings All,
With a Test match going on plus West Ham winning a European final – there is not much time to ponder so we head straight into the previews! This weekend’s fare is mouthwatering!
The Greatest? ($1.60) vs Lyon Eyes ($2.64)
There is much to celebrate with Lance Franklin reaching the 350 game milestone; while his form has tapered off with age he still represents a challenge for every defence to take care of. He will be viewed as one of the greatest ever – suspect if his hands were more reliable we could easily add another 100 goals to his tally. He might not be the GOAT – but he is the greatest athlete I have seen play the game – just would have loved to see him striding around the track for Australia in the 400m. His Swans host the Saints in a critical game for both. Have the Saints been worked out? After a flying start they have lost 4 of the last 7 – does the similarity to 2022 ring a bell? Both teams get handy players back none more so then Rampe for Sydney, which will allow Nick Blakey even further freedom to run off the backline. Ross will certainly have a plan to curtail that. How Sydney react to the loss of Parker will be interesting – so often the one that sets the tone in the middle. The baton is ready to be handed over to Warner, Rowbottom and Gulden. Owens back for St Kilda provides more versatility up forward. The questions remain for both – was the St Kilda loss to Hawthorn that bad? Was the Sydney victory over the Blues that good? Tough call but just swaying with the Swans at home.
Licked ($2.06) vs Kenny’s Crusade ($1.91)
Much to the chagrin of their despised crosstown foe this will be Port Adelaide’s fourth game in Melbourne this season – the Crows are yet to have one. After this week Power have two more (MCG, Loungeroom) while the Crows get three (Loungeroom 1, MCG 2) They face the Dogs but will have no fear of the venue, winning their last eight encounters, astonishingly only one of those against the Dogs. Strangely the previous time these teams met in the Loungeroom was in 2015. The Dogs got licked by the Cats last week in one of the better games of the season as this one promises to be. Port could get Dixon and Boak back while Richards out for Dogs takes away some dash. Should be a beauty and just going with Port to extend both streaks.
Lion Tamers ($4.50) vs In Payne ($1.26)
Hawthorn got the reality check in the first half last week but showed plenty to win the second half, this week they host the Lions who have been a bit of a bunny for them winning the last three encounters. Brisbane should have Jack Payne back and will be keen to atone for last week’s loss and put the Hawthorn Hoodoo to bed. Suspect they will.
Don’tdee ($1.06) vs Nic Natted ($16.50)
Tough news for both the Crows and Eagles with season ending injuries to Doedee and Natanui respectively. West Coast are almost out of personnel and will lose accordingly.
Son Up ($1.52) vs Couldn’t Pickett ($2.90)
It was the Tigers’ turn last week with Marlion Pickett getting them home in the last minute – another tough test on the road to Perth, facing the resurgent Dockers. They will be glad to get Sonny Walters back but need to compensate for the loss of Sean Darcy. How Jackson fares against Nankervis will be critical. Based on recent history don’t expect much on the scoreboard here with their last three encounters producing only 39 goals between them and a highest score of just 56 points. Do think the home ground will swing this to the Dockers.
Bellerive ($2.80) vs All the Kingsley’s Men ($1.54)
North get to take the Giants to Hobart in what could be an interesting affair. The Roos got so much right last until just going under to the Bombers while a similar fate was afforded to GWS. North have introduced a couple of beauties this year with George Wardlaw looking a great prospect. Losing Greenwood and Simpkin though takes some experience out of that midfield which I suspect will make the difference in this one.
Reality Bitten ($2.04) vs Buzzer Beater ($1.94)
The Blues again established a losing margin early and maintained it for the remainder of the game with a score line that ultimately flattered them. Was pleasing to hear Voss indicate that the team is not very good, the shame is that it has taken so long to admit it. As this piece has frequently said – the worst thing a club can do is overrate its playing list. The only way is up against Essendon who have scraped home in their last couple in Melbourne – that develops enormous belief in each other and the group which holds them in good stead for this contest. Selections will be all important but ultimately it comes down to the cohesion and trust players have with each other. On recent evidence the Bombers have more of that and look more likely to win.
More Please ($2.08) vs de Gone ($1.89)
The Demons likely to get Oliver back and with de Goey out for the Pies, this swings the balance Melbourne’s way. Does it swing far enough? What we do know about the Dees is that they need to prove themselves against the best. No better test. We know the Pies are very good – now we find how much Jordy means to them. No one else has his power and pace out of stoppages, plenty of noise about the Daicos boys and Pendles but reckon de Goey has been the real differentiator. Grundy’s return game against the Pies another sideline to an intriguing contest. If the margin flattered the Blues last week it was also because the Demons battles up forward. Just the Collingwood defence will have their measure and the Melbourne’s defence is miserly the Pies have many avenues to goal.
Friar Time
Back on the winners list for the Friars with wins over Aquinas in both the seniors and reserves. The Threes carried on their success with a win over Canterbury while the Women proved to be no match for the top team Glen Eira. It’s the opening of the ski season so the Ammos get the week off.
Come on You Irons!
Go Blues,
Cheers, Sal
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