Greetings All,
So they have listened and doing away with the floating fixture. Well sort of – the broadcasters get their way after Round 15 – anyone want to see their teams interstate at the business end will have to wait and book after they have been scheduled. Not sure it’s ideal, but got to be better than this year!
Two ($1.97) vs One ($2.02)
Of the things wrong with fixturing this is the one. One vs Two on Thursday Night at a venue with reduced capacity! Nevertheless it is a mouthwatering match up with both teams coming off strong performances. Melbourne have the defence that can match up on the Cats big guns, the x-factor though has been Tyson Stengle, whoever gets that task will have his hands full. Bowey and Salem are both attacking defenders, whoever gets Tyson will need to defend first. At the other end the Cats have them covered for personnel despite no Tom Stewart, but that does not mean much if the midfield gets involved. Which is where the Dees have an extra advantage with both rucks back in against the Cats makeshift arrangement. Despite the home ground advantage reckon the Demons can open up a two game break.
Bombed Out ($1.63) vs Speaking English ($2.52)
Sydney were blitzed by the Bombers last week leaving a few questions about them. One thing we do know is they are proud and hit back hard from a loss like that. So watch out Bulldogs who get English back, he is extremely important to them but does he have physicality to match it with Hickey. They will be keen to bounce back, also so expect it to be tough early, they are challenged at either end of the ground so their midfield will need to fire. Just think Sydney at home will be too tough.
Rising Daics ($1.05) vs Culling Time ($17.00)
So if the big one should not be played at the Cattery, this one could be moved to Victoria Park. When is someone going to tag Nick Daicos? What a player he will be. No matter where, the Pies win easily.
Dew Influence ($1.93) vs The Lynch Mob ($2.06)
Great that Stewy Dew has been extended at the Suns, he has them looking like a footy club instead of a franchise. They just didn’t know how to hang on against the Pies and will have similar challenges against the experience of the Tigers. Richmond add Dusty to the injury list and Vlastuin to suspension so they will be challenged. Lynch looms large in any game but especially against the Suns, Sam Collins will be pleased if the supply can be limited. The Mansion gives the Suns a great chance but just think the Tiger’s system is going too well at the moment.
Thanks for the Membreys ($1.95) vs Justin Time ($2.02)
Awesome effort from the Saints capped off with the efforts of Tim Membrey. Will they bring that effort level two weeks in a row? They take on Freo who fluffed their lines on their last visit to the Loungeroom. The Freo defence should match up well on the Saints, but last encounter Max King got on top and buried them. On his game with decent supply he is impossible to match up. At the other end Dougal will be missing, however the Freo threat is more at ground level with the likes of Walters, Frederick and Schultz. A great contest and tough to call but just going with St Kilda in the Loungeroom.
Say Amon ($1.40) vs Speaking Irish ($3.30)
Port will need plenty of prayers to be answered to get to the finals and the first one being to beat the Giants at home. A couple of stray shots from Gray and Marshall cost them a chance last week. Four goals from the Irishman Callum Brown helped get the Giants home in the slush. Port have battled well without a recognised ruckman, their game picks when they insert Dixon late in games. Perhaps using him early could help set their game up. At home Port should be able to stay in the hunt.
Sorry Ump ($1.22) vs Redemption ($5.30)
Eric got off now they face the dangerous Bombers who are playing better footy in the last few weeks. They will have particularly chuffed beating the Swans who embarrassed them a few weeks earlier. Brisbane at the Gabba is still a simple selection.
A Pain in the Neck ($1.55) vs A Pain in the Nicks ($2.68)
The Hawks have their plan and are probably on track despite the lack of results, they host the Crows this week who are on a similar path so the match has some bragging rights attached. Gunston, Worpel and Wingard out hurts, but having the skipper Ben McEvoy back doesn’t. Adelaide have battled on the road this year which gives Hawthorn the nod here.
The Kelly Gang ($3.40) vs Weiter In ($1.40)
Tim Kelly was superb last week against the Tigers, reckon he would have loved having Nic Nat around. An incredible return from the big man who will be excited back playing in Perth. They host the Blues who get one pillar back in Jacob Weitering which should allow better match-ups in defence. They have been bullied by West Coast in recent years with their last win in 2014. If the Blues are genuine they win this, but there are plenty of questions if they don’t.
Ammos off, Go Blues,
Cheers, Sal
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