Greetings All,
No doubt Toby’s sly forearm deserved the week’s suspension, but it raises questions over some of the non-suspensions for incidents in the weeks prior. Harley Reid’s kick and Darcy Moore’s knee – both incidents were as offensive as Toby’s act and warranted equivalent sanctions. If anyone but Toby dropped that forearm would there even be a sanction? A similar discussion might be had for Steven May – if it were Harrison Petty or Max Gawn ran through Frank Evans would they be suspended?
FTBB (82%) vs Leek Plugged (18%)
The Dogs ran to form with a big win over the Bombers last week, they face a genuine test up against a contender in the Giants. They are 1-9 against the top nine sides, but note the one is the Giants. The intense rivalry between these two kicked off back in the 2016 Preliminary Final, importantly they have won 8 of their last 9 encounters. They get up for these encounters, are playing in the Loungeroom – if the midfield can dominate, they can win. It will come down to that dominance and if they don’t, it will expose that very shaky defence. Not sure they have the personnel to stop Hogan, Stringer and Cadman. The loss of Buckley has been more than made up for with Leek Aleer coming in. He is the defender with the best physical and athletic capabilities to take on Sam Darcy. We finally get a ripping game on a Thursday Night just think the Dogs defence will be overexposed again.
SA Champs (81%) vs Three More Heads (19%)
And we get a Friday Night beauty as well with Crows taking on Hawthorn. The Adelaide three-headed monster has been much discussed; the Hawks match it well with Dear-Mitchell-Gunston and a spare in Chol. They also have personnel at the other end that match up with Sicily-Battle-Barrass. Will that be enough to halt Adelaide? The Crows have been brutal in the last few weeks especially at home, have only lost one of their games against a top nine team. Hawthorn is 3-5 against the best but importantly 1-4 away from home. Suspect they will make it a tough encounter but expect Adelaide to match it and win on their dung hill.
Deesappointment (99%) vs Duggan Deep (1%)
The Dees made so many errors late last week but should also be somewhat positive about the effort for the first three quarters. That kind of effort should be good enough to put away the Eagles.
QLD Champs (99.7%) vs Hot On Taj (0.3%)
The Tigers look to have unveiled another beauty with Taj Hotton – might not have the wins but they have had a great season. Unlikely to get a win this week against the Suns at the Mansion who were sensational against the Lions last week.
Would do Anything (99%) vs Wrapped up in a Ridley (1%)
Errol Gulden celebrates game 100 as his Swans take on the Bombers. The maths still gives Sydney a chance but likely to be snuffed out by the Suns. They should take the points against Esssendon who had Jordan Ridley added to the injury list!
On the Fly (69%) vs Sunburnt (31%)
The Hat Trick is completed on Saturday Night with another beauty in Collingwood hosting Brisbane at the G. The Pies did the job over Richmond with Nick Daicos standing out again and they get his partner in crime back in Scott Pendlebury. Do the Lions get a mulligan for last week where the Suns torched them? How they respond will have a massive effect on this game. Collingwood have a recent edge in these encounters winning the last four including the 2023 Grand Final. Brisbane needs the run to stop, if not their chance of a top four finish diminishes. Expect them to be very competitive but have concerns about their tall forwards providing enough of a contest. Just think the Pies might be too good.
Lyonised (93%) vs Mauled (7%)
St Kilda’s last quarter has been all the rage this week, and justifiably so. Their fans should be asking why they have not seen that all year? Will Ross release the brakes over the next few weeks to see how good his team can be? It might get ugly if he does this week against North who were mauled by the Cats last week.
Eleven! (99.5%) vs Carr Crash (0.5%)
It got out of hand for Port last week as Adelaide smashed them late, it all looks like they have stopped in Kenny’s final games. Geelong and Jeremy turned it on and suspect they might again on their home deck. The chase for 100 goals for Cameron could be on!
A Good Reid (97%) vs King Charles (3%)
Another young Reid has been doing great things out west – Murphy Reid has been one of the best first year players this year. Clean with the ball and an excellent decision maker. His team have become a contender and should have enough to deal with the Blues. Charlie Curnow plays game 150 and has beaten Freo here in recent years but were in much better form.
Go Blues,
Cheers, Sal
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The guy allegedly kicked someone in the genitalia as well and got off. He has form, he shirtfronted umpire Stevic, something everyone dreams of doing, like throwing a cream pie in one’s bosses’ face…
The constraints of polite society and just being an adult would indicate that such an action should remain a fantasy only, in spite of the excesses of Stevic and his colleagues.
But it is interesting that earlier rogues like “Elbows” Johnston, Alistair Lynch and Barry Hall have received light sanctions for their activities. Could it be coincidental that they all, like Greene, played for the Cardinals’ pet teams…