Round 23 – Sal’s Preview: Not so super Saturday

Greetings All,

 

As we head into the final round well considered leaks are appearing in the battle for broadcasting rights.  One that irks is for Foxtel to own Saturday Footy and all matches to only be accessible to subscribers.  Whether it’s the local or the big league Saturday is Footy day and everybody should have access to at least one game.  This weekend the Saturday ain’t super but there are plenty of other treats.

 

It’s Rayning Cam ($1.85) vs Couldn’t Pickett ($2.14)

 

The Lions and Dees are playing for a spot in the top four.  Melbourne has dominated their last three meetings and raised plenty of questions about Brisbane’s credential in the 64 point thumping at the G a few weeks ago.  How much they missed Bailey and Zorko is a matter of conjecture, this week they will be without Adams and Ah Chee.  Those three games were all away from the Gabba!  The perceived weaknesses in both these teams face each other head on, the Brisbane defense has conceded plenty while the Melbourne forward line is reliant on the resting ruckman to be the key targets.  At the other the Lions have plenty of paths to goal but need a few to bob up against the miserly Dees lead by May, Petty and Lever.  The Big O has a massive task against Gawn and Jackson and if he can’t split that contest it will be advantage Demons.  Lachie Neale was tagged last time by James Harmes who has been named in the team this week – how will the Lions respond and counter.  It’s a mighty contest and tough to call, in such situations with a team dominant at home it’s the Lions as the pick.

 

Rejected ($3.00) vs Dorothy ($1.48)

 

There is no place like home for Freo and while this week they play in Canberra they will get at least one home final win, lose or draw this week.  They hosted by the Giants who were rejected by everybody’s wannabe coach in Clarko.  They will be keen to go out of the season on a high, but that usually peters out late and the finals bound sides win out.  Expect that with Freo.

 

The Kitchenware? ($3.60) vs Hard to Swallow ($1.37)

 

A game buried against the local contests.  Do the Roos commit and try and lose the spoon or is number one draft too enticing?  Not sure after last year.  They take on the Suns who have fallen away after falling short in the finals aspirations.  Reckon they might fire up for this and commit the Roos to first pick.

 

The Top Seeds ($1.03) vs Simpson’s Donkeys ($23.00)

 

Apart from maintaining momentum and celebrating Danger’s 300^th there is not much in this for Cats who are locked in to top spot.  Should be enough to prevail over the Eagles who will be glad to see the end of 2022.

 

Hurley Burley ($3.50) vs The Lynch Mob ($1.36)

 

Plenty of hurley burley at the Bombers and they farewell of their keys in Michael Hurley.  A fit and strong Michael Hurley might have made a difference to them this year, in reality it is great for him to get a send off game after such debilitating injury and illness.  That he as getting a send off game indicates where the Bombers are.  A tumultuous week might have them firing, but think the Tiges will do enough.

 

Gray Day ($1.42) vs Arrogant and Entitled ($3.10)

 

Not that close to the Adelaide noise but Ollie Wines calling the Crows arrogant and entitled is surely just fodder to fuel a dead rubber.  His team though will be keen to win the final game of Robbie Gray and reckon they will.

 

Big Boy Bye ($3.20) vs The Stalkers ($1.44)

 

The Bulldogs have flirted just outside the eight and get their chance to storm in.  Job number one is to beat the Hawks.  Playing in Tassie is a challenge and a bit of emotion as Ben McEvoy signs off might the Hawks some impetus.  In reality though their cue was in the rack a few weeks and the Dogs will complete job number one.

 

Que Cerra Cerra ($1.89) vs Goey, Goey,…. ($2.06)

 

What a match up for the penultimate game of the season.  The Blues need to win to play finals, the Pies win and lock in a top four spot.  They stumbled in Sydney last week but did not play badly.  The Blues fluffed their lines in the last two minutes to put their position in peril.  The Swans tactics against Collingwood were superb.  How will they react to those?  Can Voss repeat them or does he need to tweak them.  The middle was blocked but was that also a factor of the size of the SCG?  At this stage both sides are risking players coming off injuries and expect ducks and drakes all weekend.  The VFL curtain raiser will answer the questions there.  Suspect the Blues will take the two ruckmen in to counter Cox and Cameron.  Reckon the Blues can win if Hewitt, Williams and Cerra can all play to full capacity.  Not sure they can and while they will give it a crack just think Collingwood will respond as they have all year and win another close one.  But gee I hope they don’t and we could be back here in two weeks!

 

Dan ($3.55) vs The Challenger ($1.38)

 

The Saints are in review mode already so a few might be playing for their careers, Dan Hannebery isn’t as he gets a send off against his old team where he starred but was battered, bruised and ultimately ineffective as a player at the Saints.  They are also questioning another recruit from that time in Brad Hill.  An interesting summer awaits.  Meanwhile Sydney have got Sam Reid up and going and they appear to have a structure that could see them playing deep into September.  The Saints can be dangerous in the Loungeroom but suspect Sydney will lock second spot.

 

If I am right the eight looks like this

 

Geelong

Sydney

Brisbane

Collingwood

Fremantle

Melbourne

Richmond

Western

 

If I get one wrong make it be the Pies,

 

Go Blues, Go Friars

 

Cheers, Sal

 

 

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