Greetings All for 2026!
A sad day for footy fans with the news of Dennis Cometti’s passing. His commentary was “centimetre perfect” in describing the action but with the ability to interject with comedic lines that will live forever in footy vernacular. While I loved the “Misty Optically” line there were so many more. Heath Shaw’s encroachment on Nick Reiwoldt where “he came up behind him like a librarian” a classic, but then his “look out!” as Reiwoldt ran headlong into a pack for his famous mark was more out of fear than any hilarity. Just too many to include here.
Dennis was much more than a football caller, he called the Olympics and Cricket with aplomb, his call of the 4x100m freestyle relay in 2000 a classic.
RIP Dennis
Now it is onto the ridiculously named Opening Round, but it does have some interesting match ups.
Charles in Charge (90%) vs Jaggad Edge (10%)
Typically cynical fixturing from the AFL but can’t argue about whether it’s box office or not! Charlie heads to Sydney as part of their formula for attracting high profile forwards. It has been successful in the past and there is no reason why it won’t be again. There is more to the Swans than Charlie, McDonald is virtually a new recruit and Gulden has a full pre-season under his belt. The Blues have even more changes and would argue Charlie’s loss will be of benefit to both clubs. Along with recruits Ainsworth, Florent, Hayward, Chesser and Reidy they have debutantes in Jagga Smith and Harry Dean and effectively two other new players in Kemp and Elijah Hollands. No doubt the loss of TDK and Charlie will be challenges but overall they have added much needed pace. While the skill level appears to be addressed also that will only be answered under the pressure of four points on the line. There are still a couple holes in the Blues line up that the Swans should be able to exploit and playing at the SCG should get them the opening points.
What’s Cooking? (68%) vs Well Armed (32%)
The Suns will unleash their season with Christian Petracca added to their fare who will provide Dimma with yet another midfield weapon. Unfortunately they will be missing one of last year’s keys in Matt Rowell. It would appear their other big recruit in Ugle-Hagan will not be part of the opener. They take on the Cats who will get Jeremy Cameron back after recovering from the broken arm suffered in the Grand Final. Bailey Smith also comes in fresh and James Worpel adds a bit more depth to the midfield. A key question on this match will be the weather with the tail of a couple tropical storms expected to hit. Both teams look well equipped to handle a heavy track but just think the advantage will again be with the home team.
Please Sir…(24%) vs In the Gun (76%)
Can the Giants get more out of Clayton Oliver? He joins their midfield, fortunately too after losing Tom Green for the year and Josh Kelly for an extended time. They take on the Hawks whose midfield also has its share of questions with Will Day absent and the loss of James Worpel. They will be looking for a few others to step up and fill the gap. They do get a significant advantage with a couple of key defenders out of the Giants line-up in Taylor and Aleer, how will they handle the likes of Gunston, Lewis and Chol. The Giants have a number of injuries to important players and while they have a home ground advantage, suspect that the Hawks will have the answers and can take this one.
The Other Oscar (80%) vs Lobbed In (20%)
While Piastri will be revving in Melbourne, Oscar Allen will make his first appearance for the Lions. He comes in as the replacement for Joe Daniher but 12 months later; in the meantime they won another premiership! What hope does the competition have? He might find himself up against one of the most enduring players in the game in Rory Lobb. Written off by both his previous clubs and even by his current club before reinventing himself in defense. He plays game 200 this week. Not sure it will be a great one for him with the anticipated conditions and his Dogs struggle out of the pristine confines of the Loungeroom. Suspect the Lions will be too good at the Gabba.
Chips In (53%) vs On the Fly (47%)
This match is more than appropriate after this pre-season. We usually hear very little from the Saints while the Pies get the headlines. Are we over the Saints yet? They have been unabashed to get success and quickly. Overall they have brought in players that complement their existing list and they should see improvement from many of their young group. Collingwood have largely been out of the news apart from distractions about their coach. That all disappears at match time. Will father time catch up? It’s been predicted for the last four years so not sure it will this year, it helps when Nick Daicos keeps everyone young. Concerned about their defense without Moore and Howe and reckon that will help the Saints get over the line, but true judgement will come later in the year.
Track Time
Racing has also lost a couple of legends in the last week. The news filtered through on Saturday of the passing of Makybe Diva, how apt that they were racing at headquarters. Maybe it’s the hip pocket talking but the greatest in my opinion, winning three consecutive Melbourne Cups under handicap conditions. Her win in the Cox Plate was simply arrogant.
We also learnt of the death of another Melbourne Cup hero in Pat Hyland. He rode What a Nuisance to victory in the great race, in fact he had the Grand Slam also winning the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper. His name continues in racing with his sons Sam, Chris and Matthew all working in the industry.
We go back to Flemington this week for Super Saturday with the Newmarket for the sprinters and the All Star Mile finding a better spot in the calendar.
Flemington
Legacy Bound (R1, #1) chased home a couple of stars in the Coolmore – while there was a gap he still beat the rest and looks well placed here. She’s an Artist (R2, #3) had become a costly conveyance but turned that around last start, her best wins. She might be too short for a few so the chief on an each way basis might be the way to go. Wiggum (R2, #4) has a win down the straight on the CV. No opinion on race three with a number of first starters. The Shaftesbury Avenue is a ripping race with plenty of chances.
Would be with Welcometotheshow (R4, #7) but concerned that he might get locked on the fence, Persian Spirit (R4, #3) will have plenty of room and has a booming finish. Not much between the top two in the Kewney both Salty Pearl (R5, #1) and Sass Appeal (R5, #2) they clearly have the best form. Favouring the former but probably only on the price. The babies stretch out to 1400m in the Sires Produce Stakes. Zambales (R6, #1) coming off 4th in the Diamond is good form, but seen too many odds-on two year olds get beaten. Prefer to take Leopard Shark (R6, #7) on an each way basis coming off a win over 1300m.
Race 7 – All Star Mile (G1, 1600m, WFA)
Pride of Jenni (8) is up against a pretty hot field but reckon if she is going to beat them it will be here. While not at Group One she has saluted first up in her last two campaigns. She will need to hold out Buckaroo (2) who should be closing hard and gets Zahra on board, Tom Kitten (1) is a consistent performer and well up to this. The one at longer odds and new on the scene is Sabbaj (7) it’s a step up but Price/Kent do place them pretty well. Plenty of other hopes and wide in the quaddie!
Selections – 8-2-1-7
The Matron Stakes has a costly conveyance as favourite in Damask Rose (R8, #5), reckon this is a pretty open affair and stumpinig up for another money muncher in Ahha Ahha (R8, #11).
Race 9 – Newmarket HCP (G1, 1200m, HCP)
Can Tentyris (2) to go on his winning ways or has the handicapper got him. Reckon he can do it. Biggest challenge will be to get past the filly My Gladiola (13) who gets a 5kg weight swing? Benedetta (7) ran well in the Lightning and can complete the same trifecta from that race and respect for Caballus (6) who was outstanding down the straight in spring.
Selections – 2-13-7-6
We close out the program with Ciaran Maher bringing a European horse for his first start in Australia. We have seen this script before so will be with Augustus (R10, #1)
Quaddie
Could almost take the field in the opener but limiting it to half a dozen. Just keeping the Newmarket skinny with the top two.
Leg 1 – 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 10
Leg 2 – 1, 5, 8, 11
Leg 3 – 2, 13
Leg 4 – 1, 2, 4
144 Combinations, a $30 investment will return 20.83% of the dividend
Go Blues, Go Jenni!
Cheers, Sal
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – click HERE.
Leave a Comment