Greetings All,
State of Origin
I write this from skies returning from a trip to see the State of Origin decider. Many thanks to Murdoch Webster and Westcon-Comstor for providing the opportunity to partake in the cultural phenomenon that is State of Origin. It was my third Origin game, the first many years ago at Suncorp where Queensland dominated and I got to experience Caxton St – but don’t remember much. The next at the MCG where a dour struggle ensued won by the Blues, maybe it was more of the theatre crowd or perhaps the venue is just not right for Rugby League but did not inspire. Last night was different afforded seats close enough to see the action clearly, it was great experience well assisted by the camaraderie of our group and the supply of refreshments.
Some observations of an AFL fan and Melbournian. The crowd sings the national anthem – you can hear them above the performer. Is it the acoustics or do the northern states partake in the anthem more than we do? I think the latter and I like it! The noise – have been critical of the assault on the ears we get at the MCG and the Loungeroom during the quarter breaks. That is no more! Any stoppage in play was met with music in the decibel range of a commercial aircraft, I can even cop Charlie Cameron’s Country Road after that onslaught By the way it got a run too.
As for the game – I am no afficionado of the caper but enjoyed the contest of the first half. From a non afficionado’s perspective NSW did not do much wrong in the first half but every mistake they made was fully punished. While they were generally tidy with their sets there was a predictability in their kicking that gave them good field position but did not threaten the Queensland defense. Kudos must go to Billy Slater, dropping a great in Daly Cherry-Evans after game one and replacing him with Tom Dearden was probably the series defining move. The second half was really a formality and chance to enjoy more refreshments and banter.
State of Game
Suspect the idea of a mid-season tournament was just a bone to throw at the masses to distract from the real agenda. The split in the teams this year is an unusual occurrence and should be viewed as such. While it will have an impact on the interest in many of the remaining games there is no need to panic. As a supporter of one of the battling clubs the remainder of the season is still important. How it can see out the season and make the most of a bad lot and learn about the lesser lights on the list and see what their potential is. As for the contenders this is a great race for barrier positions and this week a complete contrast to last week with only one game between a contender and an also ran.
While the tournament was just a bone there does need to be work on the fixturing. How much of the current imbalance is due to top teams playing bottoms teams twice and blowing out the differential? Collingwood vs Carlton, Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda as examples? Surely the baseline must be all teams play each other once in the first 17 rounds! The idea of conferences should be on the table. 3 x 6 team conferences work perfectly for 22 games – play all teams once and conference members twice. Tasmania’s entry will complicate that – but perhaps the 20th team coming works.
Acreage (6%) vs O My (94%)
While the evidence has been there for a while the Blues have formally put the queue in the rack with Nic Newman aborting the endeavour to get back on the ground before the end of the season. Suspect a few others might follow as the club looks to 2026 and beyond. Selectors have rotated the same players in and out of the team through the year, this week there seems to be a bit more integrity with Blake Acres being dropped. His output has fallen away significantly, but he not the lone ranger. It does not bode well for the Blues up against the Premiers who are getting themselves primed for the defense and get the services of Oscar McInerney back. Wondering whether he might become the new “Lawn Mower” they wheel out for September? They just have too many weapons for the Blues and should win easily.
Here’s Humphrey (42%) vs Thanks for the Membrey (58%)
The biggest game ever to be played at The Mansion, suspect hordes of Pie fans making the school holiday trek and will almost make it a home game. Also, the biggest test for the Suns – after doubts on the credentials early they have proved themselves against good opposition more recently. This week it is the complete audit. They have the midfield to compete with Collingwood – does Touk Miller take the job on Nick Daicos? Bailey Humphrey is developing into a new version of Jordan de Goey. The challenge though will be getting through Pie’s defense – they are not collectively tall but teams who kick the ball in high are swallowed by the likes of Moore, Howe and Quaynor. Hardwick’s Tigers played chaos footy to break down such a defense and suspect that will be the strategy this week. Just not sure it will be good enough – this time.
Freijah Show (71%) vs The Rankine File (29%)
Slotted away in the graveyard slot is one of the key games of the season with the Dogs hosting the Crows as they battle for a top four finish. For Bevo’s team even more critical, while one of the best teams to watch as they plundered through the also-rans, this is against another contender, and they need make their mark. No different for the Crows who have also beaten up on the nobodies, in fact the only team in the top echelon both sides have beaten is the Giants. The Crows go to the Loungeroom for the first time this season which should give the Dogs some advantage. On the other hand, they have a powerful set of big forwards which could present an issue for the undersized Bulldog defence. The difference could come down to the midfields where Izak Rankine celebrates his 100th game and with skipper Jordan Dawson will challenge Libba, the big and little Bont, Richards and Co. Then who can handle the Darcy-Naughton combination? This should be a great game and deserving a much better timeslot! Just giving it to the Dogs at home.
Lach Him In (38%) vs Not at Holmes (62%)
After a bout of concussion Lachie Whitfield is ready to take the field for the 250th time in another clash between finals aspirants. His Giants host Geelong in another mouthwatering clash, this will only be the fifth time the Cats have been to the Cattleyard and the first in 5 years so records there are inconclusive. What we do know is the Giants are uncannily accurate at home while their opponents have challenges. The injury cloud over Buckley is a concern for the Giants with Taylor out, how can they keep Neale and Cameron quiet? At the other end can the Geelong defense keep the likes of Brown, Greene, Hogan and Stringer in check, a purple patch from Toby or Jake can swing the game. The Atkins-Green match up in the middle will be worth the ticket. Does Bedford go to Smith or Holmes? Just think Geelong have been more consistent are the more likely winner but nothing would shock.
In Good Nick (16%) vs It’ll be All Wright (84%)
Richmond have kept a core of experienced players to guide the cubs through their formative stages, none more important than Nick Vlastuin who notches up game 250 in what has been an outstanding career. The Tigers and Bombers are rattled with injuries, neither have any prospect for 2025. For the record Essendon take this as both clubs look to learn more about their lists.
Gone Amiss? (54%) vs Wizardry (46%)
Over in the west though we do have a prime time special! Fremantle sit in the precarious ninth position while the Hawks have an eye on clinching a top four berth. Plenty of noise about Freo losing last week or more so about the overall performance but this is back on home soil. The big concern for them though is the dependence on Serong and Brayshaw, this does need to be addressed. Shai Bolton and Jordan Clark can step up and give them extra spark in the middle. The Hawks have a dilemma though with Chol and Gunston firing, while Lewis and Dear are both performing strongly at the lower level. Not a bad one to have! Another tough call but suspect Freo to bounce back and take this one at home.
Gawne (93%) vs Xerri (7%)
Are Melbourne the most disappointing team of the bottom nine? While they had a very disruptive pre-season, for the most part they have not been torn apart by injury and have the best ruckman in the competition. They were OK against the Suns and host North this week, they might think they have the best ruckman in the competition. The Roos tore the Dees apart last time they met. Will this be another red letter day for them, the midfield is more than capable but suspect they might have some goal scoring challenge with Larkey under an injury cloud. Reckon the Dees will be keen to atone and bring last week’s effort and take this one out.
Beserk Warrior (29%) vs Is the Party Over? (71%)
Alix is just a viking
He is very handy in the air
He loves nothing better
than to cut a swathe right through a forward
What a revelation and delight Alix Tauru is for the game, echoes of Barker, Van Der Haar, Knights sound as he takes to the skies. Will he unlock the Saints from the Lyon stranglehold? Could just be the player to do it. They will put the headlock on the Swans this week in what might be a dour struggle in the Loungeroom. Sydney got the band back together and results have followed but a couple of key members are out in Papley and Amartey (for the season) who are so important in getting a score on the board. Suspect though the supply they can get from Warner, Gulden and Heeney they will still be good enough to scrape the required score together and win.
Going the Extra Miles (98%) vs In Like Flynn (2%)
Miles Bergman plays his 100th after extending his commitment to Alberton and they seem the only team outside the top nine with a fluker’s chance to qualify for September so motivation should be high. However, they lost a couple of key players to injury last week, including their heart and soul in Powell-Pepper. Hosting West Coast who have Matt Flynn playing game 50 this week. Port should keep that fluker’s chance alive.
Go Blues,
Cheers, Sal
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