Round 8 – Sal’s Preview: Is 4 going into 3?

 

Greetings All,

 

Plenty of announcements this week and platitudes for the outgoing CEO, who by and large has done a fair job for the top level of the game.  The same can’t be said for his imprint on footy at the lower levels, the impact of a 290 game VAFA veteran will be interesting to watch.  The other area of the game that requires work is umpiring – the toughest job in the game and made harder by attitudes to them.  The stamp down on dissent is long overdue but reckon it is being softened with more demonstrative disagreements being tolerated.  However the other question is to assess how the four umpire system is working.

 

One observation is that are making decision by committee – or more to the point not making decisions.  The Nathan Murphy incident last week could not have been missed by all four umpires – did they all miss it or waiting on consensus before making a call.  Reckon I have seen a few blatant frees missed that probably would have been called with a single umpire in control.  However also think they are outliers, umpires have been making errors ever since the captains were doing the jobs at the game’s inception.  None of them are deliberate it is the toughest game in the world to officiate with so much being left to judgement and a split second to make the call.  Another benefit is hopefully getting greater longevity with the umpires, while we might need more it would be expected that the running load might be reduced and we see the good decision makers and controllers in the game for longer.

 

Overall, there room for improvement around communication but overall as with any umpiring it does not have much affect on the end result.

 

 

Play it Again Sam ($1.84) vs Look Sharp ($2.16)

 

It’s been quite the journey for Sam Docherty to reach 150 games and quite appropriately against he club where he began.  The Lions lose a couple of vets in Zorko and Rich bringing in Harry Sharp and one more once they pick their sub.  The Blues finally put a team away last week, while not a great game to watch an important result for a team that only ever just wins.  Can they come back from that ready for the contest that the Lions are sure to bring?  A bit has been made of the Blues poor recent record against Brisbane (lost 9 from the last 11), it is worth noting though that the record is 2-2 at this venue.  Voss will be pleased there is not a trip to Brisbane in the regular season.  Overall these look pretty well matched and think the Blues can improve that record.

 

 

Sunburnt ($1.11) vs The Simpsons ($9.40)

 

After a pretty good effort against Melbourne the Tigers got burnt by the Suns.  Despite their poor position Dimma is channeling George Costanza insistent that he has a list to challenge – “it’s not a lie if you believe it”.  On his side there are two missing pillars in Nankervis and Lynch.  They should get back on the winners list against the Eagles, however more entertainment to be had flicking over to the Simpsons reruns.

 

 

Purring ($1.22) vs Outpointed ($5.22)

 

Adelaide could not keep the Pies out at home, they head to Kardinia Park to face the Cats where they have not won for 20 years.  Reckon it’ll be 21.

 

 

Outwitted ($3.40) vs Culling Time ($1.40)

 

Another journey to 150 celebration as Jarrod Witts hits the milestone, has had injuries to get through but is a real barometer for the Suns who walk taller with him in the team.  Might not much of a celebration on the ground as he faces Max Gawn and the rampaging Demons who destroyed the Roos last week.  Gold Coast are a formidable opponent at home, however Melbourne are in very good form and seem to have their measure.

 

 

Going Greene ($2.66) vs Libbarated ($1.58)

 

One of the modern rivalries, the Giants – Bulldogs games night not be played in the big venues but they have a real edge to them.  This one is in the nation’s capital where it will be chilly and the prospect of rain during the game.  Perfect for the Dogs to get Libba back, to balance that Callum Ward returns and is no slouch in the heavy going.  The conditions may find the Bulldog forward line a little top heavy, however Beverage has the smarts to rearrange as required.  At the other end how they react to the agent provocateur in Toby Greene will be critical – he does tend get into the Dogs heads more than others.  Overall though the Giants record at their second home is a factor – they have lost the last eight at Manuka.  Reckon this might be one more.

 

 

Super Sub ($1.33) vs Meek ‘n Mild ($3.50)

 

Lloyd Meek comes back for the Hawks to take on his former club, his team is competing well but not getting the results.  Will be tough against Freo who need to put their stamp on a game and get some help with Nat Fyfe returning as the sub for this game.  Freo at home should be to good.

 

 

Tough as Teakle ($1.55) vs Hang the Curtains ($2.72)

 

Port have a depleted ruck line up against the formidable Bomber double act of Draper and Phillips.  While a challenge the Port combination of Teakle-Findlayson-Dixon has got the job done with the help of a very good midfield.  Not sure the Bombers can quite match the depth in there and are still a work in progress.  Not sure Port are the finished article either but they are playing at home so should come out on top.

 

 

The Final Act ($1.47) vs Horsing Around ($2.96)

 

The Magpies pull off another final quarter Houdini act to down the Crows, while Longmire and the Swans suffer a similar fate at the hands of the Giants and Toby.  We know what Collingwood will bring to the game, can Sydney match it?  Sydney’s last foray at the MCG saw a heavy defeat to the Demons, the reality is they were not that bad and within 8 points into the 3^rd quarter before being broken after missing a couple of simple set shots.  The lack of height down back is not as big an issue against Collingwood, however having a functional forward line is.  Too much ball still going through Buddy and would expect Moore will have his measure.  Swans have won the last two against the Pies tagging Nick Daicos, Clarke will have the job again – is he taggable this year?  Expect Sydney to have real crack but just think Collingwood are going to well.

 

 

Dee-molished ($7.40) vs Powered Down ($1.14)

 

The Kangas copped it from Melbourne last week and face the Saints who will be keen to atone for the loss to Port last week.  Expect a strong response from North and assisted with the inclusion of LDU, however can’t really see them troubling the Saints too much.

 

 

Friar Time

 

The season has opened well with only one loss for the club in the opening game for the reserves.  The Senior Men’s team survived a scare last week from the Yarra Cobras – with the Cobras storming home to get within a goal before the siren.  While the reserves had a comfortable win.  The Women continued their winning ways with a sound win over De La Salle while the threes were too strong for Canterbury.  This week it’s a triple header at Friar Park with St Mary’s Salesian visiting for boys and a top of the table clash with Glen Eira for the girls.  The thirds head to Glen Waverley to face Mazenod.

 

Go Blues, Go Friars,

 

Cheers, Sal

 

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