Round 21 – Sal’s Preview: Another week, another lockdown!

Greetings All,

 

Another week another lockdown – never appreciated the Olympic Games so much!  A fantastic effort in the pool, in the bigger pool of Track and Field reckon the Australian team has been as impressive without the medals to show.  So many brave tactics and runs that have seen so many personal bests achieved competing with the very best in the world.  Peter Bol’s effort this pick for mine.  Went out had crack and won’t die wondering what could have been.  Roll on Paris!  Footy has robbed a couple headlines away but none worth attention apart from this week’s contests.

 

Zac Touhy ($1.33) vs Ryan Angwin ($8.20)

 

Could been a tough game for the Cats but the Giants have been decimated with injuries, might have even conceded on this one by resting Mumford.  Not really the Friday Night blockbuster we want, the Cats at home win this.

 

Luke Brown ($8.00) vs Todd Marshall ($1.13)

 

Adelaide are limping into the end of the season but a showdown will always get the adrenalin moving.  Port have consolidated into the top four and a couple of big wins against lower ranked opposition might even have them looking at a week one home final.  Robbie Gray back in has them pretty much at full strength and think they might get the first of their big wins.

 

Tom de Koning ($1.31) vs Noah Anderson ($4.20)

 

The Blues surprised everyone by turning up on a Friday Night and incredibly remaining a mathematical chance to play a final.  Praise can’t be high enough for Jack Silvagni for his efforts to assist in the ruck.  Their opponents the Suns have had problems in the ruck all season now going with Zac Smith.  They will be smarting from their poor showing last week and will be sure to be aggressive early as the Blues were following their embarrassment the week before.  Suspect they will expect such and should be able to stay in the mathematics.

 

Jason Castagna ($1.45) vs Shaun Atley ($3.20)

 

The Tigers got their game going but could not get over the line, on paper they have three “winnable” games to get themselves into the eight but it is not going to script.  This week they face the Roos at the G who will be better for the return of Taryn Thomas.  The Tiges will be excited with the debut of Maurice Rioli Jnr – in fact we all should be.  McIntosh and Vlastuin are handy also.  The Roos will be feisty but suspect the Tigers will have enough fire power to get the first of the treble.

 

Jack Lonie ($3.10) vs Isaac Heeney ($1.45)

 

Reckon the effort will be there for the Saints this week, problem is that Paddy isn’t.  They take on the Swans who are not only in great form they are in great order – with only Sam Naismith on the injury list.  Comfortable to go against the Saints without Ryder.

 

Andrew Brayshaw ($2.70) vs Hugh McCluggage ($1.57)

 

This scribe has been blinded by the shiny lights at Freo, meanwhile the likes of Brayshaw, Serong and Cerra have blossomed.  Andy Brayshaw with a pair of match saving clearances last week.  They host the Lions this week who have dropped off significantly since the loss of Hipwood and Adams, structurally those two are important but their effort levels have just not been up to scratch.  Freo will be tough to crack and look to have the better structure, just think that Fagan will his team primed for a game they just have to win.

 

Daniel Howe ($2.42) vs Darcy Cameron ($1.69)

 

A battle of coaches coming to the end of their tenure.  Another masterclass reminder for the Jeff from Clarkson last week, is the fire in the belly for another one this week.  Rob Harvey raised some questions about his caretaker role with a demolition of the Eagles, in reality under Harvey the Pies have been a much more daring team.  Could just be because there is nothing to lose.  Breust out hurts the Hawks up front and just that has the coin falling on the Magpies side.

 

Adam Treloar ($1.28) vs Aaron Francis ($4.40)

 

The Dogs are in scintillating form and exciting to watch, the Bombers match them on the watchability but not the execution.  Expect the Bombers will be feisty but the Bullies will be relentless and ultimately run over the top.

 

Zac Langdon ($3.00) vs Christian Salem ($1.48)

 

The most critical match of the round awaits us on Monday Night.  West Coast’s effort was inexcusable last week and their motivation has justifiably been questioned.  Melbourne were being questioned and the Suns were the victims of the answer.  Or were they?  Smashing low end teams is like eating chocolate – tastes good but low on nourishment.  A win over West Coast in Perth will be more steak and three veg!  The problem is that West Coast get up for their adoring fans and the Dees have lost their last four at the venue kicked off by the horror of the 2018 preliminary final.  Reckon history will repeat.

 

Friar Time

 

Or we wish as lock down puts local footy off again.  Last week the Friars were challenged by the third place Kew but came away with a 10 point win, the reserve had it a bit easier and made short work of the opposition.  The women played the all-conquering Old Scotch who did just that.  They have been eating chocolate all season.  The thirds were not quite up to the organisation and the conditions against AJAX.

 

Go Vaccinate, Go Blues

 

Cheers, Sal

 

 

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