Greetings All,
It’s been a tough few rounds for tipsters and not getting easier with the round spread out over five days. Again though it is the adjudicators in the news for all the wrong reasons. Not sure Steve Coniglio was far out of line asking about that free kick, then again I am not sure Harry McKay would have been either if he asked the same question. Such is the game it is all a matter of interpretation, often the umpires choose the option of no decision. It must be the hardest game in the world to officiate decisions with multiple possible outcomes must be made in a split second, then add in the cultural aspect of lack of respect to authority and we have the situation where there are just not enough people willing to take on the job. So while the penalty was harsh on Cogs, it has amplified the need to respect and support umpires at all levels of the game.
Lights Out ($2.08) vs Crisp and Clean ($1.90)
The now traditional lead in to Easter looks a beauty. The Pies have shown themselves as the form team of the competition but with some personnel issues head to the Gabba where the Lions don their Superman capes and play so well. The loss of Cox and Cameron for Collingwood undoubtedly present their biggest challenges, they will not be fazed by another off-field controversy, it is de rigueur for the Pies. This will give the Big O free reign in the middle, the Lions midfield might be spluttering a little but we saw how they dominated against the Demons when Gawn left the game. To balance that no midfield goes deeper than the Pies and they have the quality to play against a losing ruck division. The intriguing side note for the game is the return of Dan McStay to the Gabba. He has provided the Pies with solid and consistent contest up forward, exactly what the Lions have lacked in their defeats. Gunston might appear a straight swap but is not the player to provide that solid contest up the line. Hipwood and Daniher need to step up and deliver that for the Lions and ensure the opposition do not get easy rebound forward entries. The Gabba does suit the Lions better and while the Pies will make it difficult, the McInerney advantage and the home deck has Brisbane evening the ledger.
Boys and the Hood ($4.90) vs Call the Doch ($1.24)
The Roos may have lost Logue to suspension but they should get three massive ins this week with their two prime movers in Davies, Uniacke and Symkin, but their most important being that president Sonia Hood has been given the all clear from her battle with cancer and able to be at the game. The Blues had that good news last year with Sam Docherty’s return, now adding flexibility to the team rotating into the midfield when the stocks get low. This is a should win game for the Blues with the Roos low on big defenders up against Charlie and Harry. Those two need to improve their work together but ultimately should deliver a winning score. The worry is undefeated after three the Blues are known to get ahead of themselves and no one can exploit that better than Clarkson who will have some dastardly plan to make life difficult. The edge in tall forwards should prevail.
A preview of the other six matches plus a look at Randwick on Saturday yet to come,
Go Blues,
Cheers, Sal
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