Round 17 – Sal’s Preview: (The Rest) – Reckon it was Goodbye?

Greetings All,

 

Looks like Buddy Franklin has graced the G for the final time.  Apart from a couple of “gimmes” the great man did not have too much influence last night but what an entertainer he has been.  Hope we do get a few more highlights before the curtain closes in few weeks.

 

 

 

Loungeroom Lizards (29%) vs Go Go Goey (71%)

 

The Bulldogs return to the Loungeroom for their fifth game in a row at the venue and host the Pies who are making their second appearance in the pristine conditions.  The Dogs will have some confidence going into this game with a strong win over the Pies in their last encounter here, the issue is Collingwood have only lost three home and away games since then.  The loss of Mihocek will have some effect on Collingwood’s forward structure but more than made for with the return of De Goey.  The Dog’s backline is suspect, so they must dominate the in the middle to get enough forward entries to kick a winning score.  They did that very well last week overrunning the Dockers, but this is a couple of levels higher.  Reckon the Pies can at least match them in the middle and come away with four more points.

 

 

KOTJ (99.98%) vs The Guv Returns (0.02%)

 

West Coast put in their best effort for many weeks and get two of their key players back in Jeremy McGovern and Tim Kelly, they will be roused by the fact their percentage went up last week!  Not sure it will this week as they head to the Gabba to face Brisbane coming off a big win in the battle of the big cats last week.

 

 

Dee-stroyers (97%) vs A Touch of Frost (3%)

 

Efficiency is key, Melbourne beat the Giants in almost every statistic except the most telling one in accuracy in front of goal.  They have now won 4 of their last 5 and threatening a place in the eight.  They take on Hawthorn who were ineffectual in the first half against the Blues last week.  They really need Sicily back to control the defence, the likes of Frost, Blanck and Weddle need his leadership.

 

 

ZZ Top Up (20%) vs A Tale of Woe (80%)

 

A top four spot beckons in the Loungeroom on Saturday night between the Saints and Demons.  St Kilda have brought in Zaine Cordy and Zak Jones (plus Jack Billings) but lose Hill, Higgins and Battle each of them key players in the Lyon set up this year.  Melbourne woes continue though losing Bayley Fritsch and learning of a longer stint on the sidelines for Clayton Oliver.  Not so woeful is the debut of Taj Woewodin.  They have a settled defence which should match up well with the Saints, at the other end their woes are compounded without their leading goal kicker.  Which one can make up from the carnage of last week?  Melbourne has the talent to still score enough, however I doubt Ross will make it easy and expect a tough contest that the Saints might just scrape home in.

 

 

Whistling Dixie (96%) vs Touk his Time (4%)

 

Quite fortuitous that Charlie Dixon plays his 200^th against the club for which he kicked their first goal in the competition.  It is a sign of how hard the league has made it for the Suns to be able hold onto key talent.  One of the keys keeping their current talent together is Touk Miller who comes back this week after a lengthy lay off.  Reckon the scrutiny on Dew this week has been unfair, losing to the best in the competition should not engender that.  Port won’t be any easier but the remainder of the season will be a much better guide.  Port win this.

 

 

Luck of the Draw (99%) vs Roodness (1%)

 

The Cats got all the luck they needed last week to split the points with Sydney who blew their chances to put the game away.  The get to host North who are now on a 13 game losing streak – about to be 14.

 

 

You’re Nicked (53%) vs Butt Out (47%)

 

In the nick of time Essendon will bring in up to three of them in Bryan, Hind and Cox in the third loungeroom blockbuster for the weekend.  They host Adelaide who have lost Jordan Butts to injury, it is the Crows first and only game under the roof for 2023.  The victor could find themselves in fifth spot dependent on results, however the vanquished is likely to drop out of the eight.  Essendon were terrific against Port just falling short a repeat of that performance probably has them winning.  The issue is consistency of form.  The Crows form also fluctuates but it is also more predicable – playing at home they win and away they don’t.  They are away – Essendon to win.

 

 

Pearced Off (53%) vs The Other Charlie (47%)

 

The elimination finals continue with the Blues heading west to face Fremantle.  We will hear that often, however in reality there are several weeks left in the season and much to play out for all teams.  It is a game of celebration for two players who endured a tough run to 100 games, Alex Pearce and Charlie Curnow.  In all likelihood they will face off against each other this week.  However, it is the face off in the middle that probably decides this game.  Silvagni and Young were terrific in the ruck against the Hawks last week, Darcy and Jackson are a different prospect.  If they can be competitive then the Carlton midfield can get to work and control the game.  TDK has been named but remains doubtful and suspect the Freo pair will be too good.  On the milestones, Nic Newman has also had his challenges and reaches three figures.  The best of the Blues wins but suspect Freo at home will have enough answers.

 

 

Friar Time

 

While the Friars went three from four last week it was the seniors that missed out against Old Yarra Cobras.  The women had a solid win over Latrobe Uni and the threes were challenged but managed to remain undefeated against Box Hill North.  This week the senior  Friars head to Ted Ajani Reserve to face Bullen-Templestowe, the Women are off to Oakleigh and the thirds host Elsternwick.

 

Go Blues, Go Friars,

 

Cheers, Sal

 

 

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