Greetings All,
Eight weeks ago Sam Darcy went down with what looked like a season-ending injury. He returns this week. Ridiculously it is against the same team they played eight weeks ago. The Bulldogs are yet to play the following teams – Adelaide, Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney and West Coast. Meanwhile the Blues travel to Perth to play West Coast after playing them in Gather Round, they are yet to play – Brisbane, Fremantle, Gold Coast, Melbourne and Port Adelaide. For completeness the Saints are still to play – Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, North Melbourne and Sydney; the Eagles – Collingwood, Port Adelaide, Sydney, Western Bulldogs.
Are we now programmed just to accept that this “commercial” fixture is what we are stuck with? Accepting some commercial considerations just can’t see why there cannot be one basic rule for the fixture. Every side plays each other once before the double ups begin. There are a few asking why not just play 17 rounds and start the finals. While it sounds fairer – is it? Who gets the 8 home games and who gets the nine?
Sinkers (9%) vs Drinks (91%)
The Saints celebrate Jack Sinclair’s 200th game and come into this off a terrific win in Alice Springs and will be keen to atone for their previous effort against the Dogs. The Bullies have their own celebrations with Beverage committing for another couple of years and the return of Sam Darcy. They fell to lofty opponent again last week, something they will need to address to seriously be part of the contender discussion. However, they are good at disposing of the lesser lights. Lyon is sure to have a plan to curb them this time, not sure it will be good enough and expect the Bulldogs to win this one.
Smart Arsery (52%) vs Air Jordan (48%)
The Hawks responded last week to get back on the winner’s list. Jack Ginnivan’s smart arsery as he kicked the sealer might not please everyone, but it does give us something to talk about and the opposition fans something to remember. They host the Crows in Launceston who came off an amazing win against the premiers. Jordan Dawson proving what a valuable player he is with superb quarter of footy to get them home. Much talk about the Lions dominance and the Crows luck, reckon it was a bit more than that and the Adelaide defence was superb. They might even be good enough here, however Hawthorn have developed a fortress in Launceston and are hard to go against here.
Fagan’s Lot (88%) vs In like Finn (12%)
Publicly the coach said the Lions should have won, privately I reckon he knows the decision making and execution in the final quarter was not up to scratch. They host the Giants who again fluffed their lines in Canberra. They should get Callaghan back and hope that Greene recovers from a nasty cork. Not having Briggs to ruck is somewhat offset by the continued absence of The Big O, although Fort is holding up well. Expect the Giants will be feisty after the loss, but the Lions feistier after theirs and back at the Gabba helps.
Brad (4%) vs Chris (96%)
The Scott twins face off with Brad yet to register a win over Chris at Essendon. While Essendon came back to scare the Blues, Geelong are a much better outfit and should handle any challenge presented.
Charitable (3%) vs In the Purple (97%)
North survived the Eagles butchery to win last week, this week they provide for the Dockers giving them an away game at their home. The Dockers have their season back on track and should be well set up for the remainder of the season after claiming another scalp on the road. The will be another away scalp just not quite on the road.
They Were Jack (58%) vs Deespair (42%)
Port did manage to slay the Giants and now face the Demons. They were unlucky not to take the points against the Pies. Just beaten by their own execution as much as anything. As for the May–Gawn exchange, might not have looked great but both wear their heart on the sleeve and care greatly. Reckon it can spur them on to win this one.
Bunbury Butchers (6%) vs Que Cerra Cerra (94%)
Interesting commentary from some that Adam Cerra was at some fault in the case of Durham’s bump, not sure how you are doing something wrong putting your head over the ball. Fortunately, the only damage was the suspension and Cerra heads back to Perth to take on the Eagles. While the Eagles were inaccurate last week, the Blues have been profligate with the ball all over the ground this year. They should still have enough to get over the Eagles for the second time this year.
Go Blues,
Cheers, Sal
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