Round 16 – Sal’s Preview: No, it’s not Fine!

 

Greetings All,

 

That Patrick Dangerfield’s appeal was successful came as little surprise given the almost unanimous support from the media mates.  Not sure whether the suspension was warranted but the outcome certainly has confusion reigning.  Overall though the process worked, and Paddy was successful.

 

The process not working though is the ‘punishment’ being afforded to Zac Butters for his off the ball, non-football transgressions.  For the 4^th time this year he has offended and has just been offered a bigger fine, it is small change for a player of his calibre and fines have clearly not been a deterrent.  The only way to change his recidivism is through suspension.  Surely after being such a frequent flyer, he has earned a week’s holiday.

 

Some ridiculous consternation over the three weeks of byes and the inability to make sense of the ladder.  The state of the ladder only matters at the end of the year and to get a real position of where a team is during the three weeks of inconvenience is to look at the number of losses rather than the number of wins.  But they are all over now and there are several games this week that might have serious connotations for the ladder.

 

 

Ladders (97%) vs Snakes (3%)

 

Are the Lions and Demons about to cross paths on the ladder as well as at the Gabba.  Brisbane’s forwards are delivering to their potential and have them on a trajectory to repeat the exploits of the Blues and Giants last year.  The addition of Will Ashcroft to the mix only makes them stronger.  A win over the Demons here could see them reach 5th position on the ladder.  Melbourne scraped past the Roos last week and need a solid performance here to silence some of the doubters.  The return of Lever should assist their defence, once the envy of the competition but has become porous in recent times.  They will need to be back to their stingiest to stop these Lions.  If they do the upset would bounce as high as 5th but doubt that will happen at the Gabba.

 

 

Box Office (2%) vs Play it Again Sam (98%)

 

Clarko’s return to the coach’s box seems to be working for the Roos with a win and two tight losses in the last three games, they would have beaten the Dee’s but for a lapse in concentration and application during the third quarter last week.  To have any chance this week they can ill afford any lapses against the rampant Bulldogs.  The Dogs reform the three headed monster with the return of Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton, then a handy fourth banana in the Bont named up forward.   Bevo’s boys can put in the odd shocker, but they are in great form should be too good here and possibly jump up to 6th place.

 

 

Catch us if you can? (94%) vs Pearce Off (6%)

 

Can anyone catch the Swans who lead the pack by 3 games now, they can start to think about resting the jets.  None of the chasing pack can afford to given the tightness of the competition.  They host Freo who have an added challenge with the injury to captain Alex Pearce needing to cover the trinity of Amartey, McDonald and McLean.  Expect the Swans to be too good at home, with Freo a slim chance to drop out of the eight.

 

 

Coasting Home (47%) vs Go Go Goey (53%)

 

The Suns will be striving to keep their home record intact as they host the Pies in the twilight zone.  The return of Ben King provides a focal point and their home record makes them a great chance.  But they are up against the Premiers who get a few key players back in Pendlebury, De Goey and Mihocek plus have a great record on the road.  The road to the Glod Coast in particular where they have saluted in the last 5 encounters.   A loss will make finals difficult for the Suns and with their home record should be competitive, but Collingwood just get it done and should do so again as they reach toward the top end of the table.

 

 

Walker Right In (45%) vs Seen it Cumming (55%)

 

Taylor Walker steps back into the Adelaide team who host the Giants in a game of huge ramifications for both clubs.  The Crows season is run and done but they need to salvage something from the wreck a loss would be the fifth on the trot.  Ramifications for the Giants is probably greater, they have a precarious hold on sixth position a loss here could see them tumble down as low as 12^th.  They get a couple of handy ones back in Coniglio, Cumming and Perryman and they did finish well against Sydney.  The Crows best can win this but he Giants best is better, there might be some clever coaching to help but this one will really come down to attitude and effort.  Reckon the two weeks stewing over their last performance might have the Crows up for this one.

 

 

The Tom Toms are Drumming (38%) vs Hep, Hep, Hooray (62%)

 

What do the Cats do about their Toms?  Was sad to see Tom Hawkins limp from the field last week, glad the prognosis has him able to play again this year but will that be best for the team?  Then there is Tom Stewart, sure to be tagged again and while not terrible being tagged his influence is significantly curtailed.  They are up against the Bombers why not just put him back to what he was recruited as – a very good defender – play him on Stringer of Langford and make Brad Scott think about what to do with the designated tagger?  The other challenge for Geelong is in the ruck.  Sam De Koning worked hard last week and probably gets the job again, what can he do to get the better of Draper and Goldstein.  For Essendon they celebrate the 250^th for a stalwart in Dyson Heppell and look to have a more settled line up than the Cats.  The Bombers have not got closer than 28 points against the Cats in their last six but reckon they win this but a bold showing from Geelong would not shock

 

 

Men of Steele (56%) vs They’re Killing Kenny (44%)

 

Jack Steele and the Saints showed last game that despite having all the joy coached out of them by Ross they do have the capability to run and score despite going down to the Lions.  Will they put that on show against Port or will the brakes be reapplied.  The return of Wnaganeen-Milera to line up along with Hill, Henry, Sinclair and Wilson certainly gives them the attacking capability.  However, the big story here will be how Port respond to last week’s embarrassment and the treatment of Ken Hinkley.  Maybe Ken has been at the helm for long enough, but they are delusional if they think changing the coach would solve the deficiencies they have.  They have recruited B and C grade defenders to cover A grade forwards while up forward they have been chips in with Charlie Dixon and while Georgiades and Marshall have put in good cameos they just don’t have physique or presence to be consistent week in week out.   As good as the midfield looks going forward do they work hard enough the other way.  Nevertheless, Port have been a very good “backs to the wall” team and suspect they might take this one.

 

 

Lynched (1%) vs Que Cerra Cerra (99%)

 

Did Tom come back prematurely just to be at the Dusty party?  It would appear so as he takes another stint on the sidelines as his Tigers take on the Blues.  They do get Hopper back to strengthen the midfield and expect a better effort after what was a poor performance at the Dusty party.  The Blues get Gerra back and will be interesting to see if they also play Pittonet and De Koning up against Nankervis.  It’s a game the Blues could cough up in the past, but they seem to be focussed and firing at the moment and should be too strong.

 

 

Reiding the Room (28%) vs Oh Dear (72%)

 

An intriguing game to finish the round with West Coast getting back two critical midfielders with what looks like the best team they have fielded for quite a while, while the Hawks have been in great form just challenging teams to kick more goals than them.  Much has been made of their small forwards but the contribution and contest in the air from Dear, Chol and Gunston has been as critical.  Their recent record in Perth has been poor losing the last four but only one of those against the Eagles.  Hawk friends are convinced of my set against them and will be delighted to find the Eagles are the selection based on the home ground advantage and strength of the team selected.  A Hawk win would not shock and put more shockwaves through the competition and putting them right into finals contention.

 

 

Friar Time

 

A scare last week as Bulleen Templestowe clawed back a 5 goal deficit only for the Friars to clinch back the lead after the final siren.  The reserves had no such issues as they pummelled the hapless Bullants by 49 goals.  The Women played a tight tussle on a tight ground at Trinity with scoring difficult in the conditions eventually prevailing by 4 points while the thirds had a day out winning by 68 points over UHSVU.  This week the Seniors and Reserves head to Glen Iris to take on St Marys Salesian, while there is a gap on the ladder SMS have put in some good performances and have a healthy percentage so cannot be taken lightly.  There is no gap in the reserves where this will be an important encounter with the winner taking 3^rd spot.  The Women host Richmond Central as they continue the fight to get into a finals berth.  While the thirds head to Old Ivanhoe in a game to keep in touch with the top four.

 

While there might be a couple of updates from the continent or the Olympics this will be the last edition of this diatribe before the finals.

 

Until then,

 

Go Blues, Go Friars, Go the Green and Gold,

 

Cheers, Sal

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE