Round 8 – Sal’s Preview: The Race Begins

July 23, 2020 by Sal Ciardulli Leave a Comment

Greetings All,

It all starts tonight with 42 games in the next 25 days in a race to see the end of 2020! Hear hear I say – we’d all love to end 2020, will be a hectic time at the keyboard.

Something’s Rank ($2.46) v Out Hunted ($1.68)

Gold Coast get back home after a getting one result on their journeys interstate – they host the Bulldogs who got back on track with a resounding win over Essendon. Izak Rankine has looked terrific for the Suns in his two outings covering the disappointment of losing Rowell – will be formidable when they are on the same team. The Dogs lose Hunter as he takes some time away. A couple of players seeking leave – it can’t be all beer and skittles for them away from home for so long. Really tough game to pick the Bulldogs have the edge on experience but just think if the Suns can get Day and King on top they might be able take this one.

Need a Zac ($1.77) v Performing Aarts ($2.44)

It’s the mismatch rematch and unless the Giants can find a way to move the footy it might just be the same again. While they floundered in the big one, they were a good team to watch moving the ball with pace and skill. That have come to grinding halt this year. They miss the dash of Zac Williams and Lachie Whitfield is not providing the link that he did last year. On the other hand Richmond have been able to establish their “brand” of footy despite missing a few, in the process finding a couple in Eggmolesse-Smith and Aarta. Mind you the vanquished in the last couple are sitting 16th and 17th on the ladder. The Giants aren’t playing much better than 16th or 17th so reckon the Tiges might get this one.

Ben ($2.72) v Harry ($1.55)

The McKay twins go at it as the Roos get to take on their bunnies as they look to extend the streak to 6 over Carlton. It will take a pretty solid turnaround in form – they came off a bad patch to thump Carlton by 58 points last year. This year they are challenge with personnel with a couple of their barometers in Ziebell, Cunnington on the side lines. The Blues love a close one and just gave Port one too many chances last week, they are good to watch and having a crack but still a few too many errors. Reckon Harry’s mob should have the goods to win here, however the satchel swingers have this all wrong and if I was not emotionally involved then Ben’s mob might have a couple of shekels riding on them.

Reid This ($2.30) v Veteran Affairs ($1.74)

The Swans get a small break with Sam Reid coming back, though plenty of their fans will be wondering for how long. They take on the spluttering Hawks whose elder statesmen have had the acid put on them by the coach who got a touch of acid from the president. Both teams are battling to hit the scoreboard however with personnel available I would expect that Hawthorn will be in slightly better shape to win this one.

Graytness ($1.41) v Battle Grounded ($3.30)

Port continued their roll thanks to a perfect finish from Robbie Gray – how many times has he delivered when it matters most? They get back home to host the Saints who finally broke their Adelaide Oval duck last week but lost Josh Battle to a nasty facial injury in the process. They were good against the Crows but still too shaky for mine so expect Kenny’s mob to be too good.

Read the second half of Sal’s preview HERE

Go Blues,

Cheers, Sal

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