Well. All I can say is that it has been an interesting round for footy. So much was the build up especially with a couple of games and some didn't disappoint and some did.
Friday night's game on paper matched up pretty good. Both teams came off really good wins. But Collingwood came out and did to Essendon what they did to Carlton the week before, running away to win by 35 points.
To Saturday. And the build up to a game between the two teams Melbourne and West Coast, two teams that are down the lower half of the ladder had been huge, ever since Jim Stynes announced that he was battling cancer on Tuesday. It was a hard fought game by the two sides, Melbourne getting in front and even there was a challenge by West Coast but Melbourne held them off to win by 20 points. Saying that they needed this game was an understatement, but the most important thing was doing it for Jim Stynes. That will mean more I reckon than the win itself. I was so pleased for the Melbourne Football Club even though I don't support them.
To the other games. At AAMI Stadium, and this saw Port Adelaide host Brisbane. For about two and a half quarters it was close and at three quarter time there was not much in it. But then in the last quarter Port kicked away to win by 48 points.
To Saturday night and Richmond hosted Adelaide up at Gold Coast Stadium. Adelaide lead all the way but not before a fightback from the Tigers to win by 17 points.
At Etihad Stadium Western Bulldogs hosted Hawthorn. After a blitz by the Dogs in the first half, not allowing the Hawks to score a goal, they ran way to win by 88 points. It was an unbelievable performance by the Dogs and I reckon it would make the AFL world stand up and take notice that they could be a serious premiership contender.
To Sunday. Sydney hosted North Melbourne at the SCG. This game proved to be a tough game and for a moment there you thought that North could cause an upset. But Sydney's home ground advantage helped them and the Swans held on to win by 15 points. To me I believe that North Melbourne are close to win the way they are playing under their caretaker coach Darren Crocker.
Sunday afternoon saw the battle that the footy public had been looking forward to, and it did not disappoint. The build up to this game was massive, Grand Final like. A sell out game that saw the AFL shift the game time to suit the television network 7 due to their schedule. When and has that ever happened? The great thing is that the game was live into Melbourne. To the game and the start built up big and St Kilda came out firing and applied the pressure to lead in the first quarter by 31 points and to be honest I thought they were going to run away with it. But to Geelong's credit, they came back and were right in it at quarter time. The rest of the game was an arm wrestle, the Cats getting even at one stage. But St Kilda proved that they are the real deal holding on to win by 6 points after a shot at goal from Michael Gardiner with not long left in the game. Well all I can say is that thank goodness it wasn't a blowout and it did live up to the expectations of the build up. St Kilda do look good and proved it against Geelong. My question is "Can they win on the big stage of the MCG come September?" maybe, maybe not, but that will be the true test and will ask the question of how good they are. Someone did say to me that whoever loses this game will win the Grand Final, I sure hope that's true!
To the last game of the round. Fremantle hosted Carlton at Subiaco. In the start Fremantle started well and I thought that maybe this was going to be a badly needed win. Then Carlton came back and applied the pressure going on to win by 15 points. The first time the Blues won there since 2001. Carlton played in an all yellow number for Cancer research, good one!
Well that's another round of footy gone. Can you believe that we will be up to round 15 next week. Who would have thought?
Catch ya!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Preview for Round 14
Ok people's here is my round 14 preview. This round as I've mentioned before has some doozies of games and it has been hard to tip this round. Well here they are:
Collingwood vs Essendon (MCG) Friday Night.
One of the games of the round in my book. Both teams have come off really good wins and regardless of where these two teams are on the ladder, they bring out the best in eachother. Collingwood are definately the in form team at the moment, despite there being two undefeated teams (until the end of the weekend) and their form screams top 4 material. On the otherhand Essendon have been pulling out some decent performances and are currently sitting 7th. Pulling this game apart, then putting it back together etc, I believe that Collingwood will win by 19 points.
Melbourne vs West Coast (MCG) Saturday.
Another tough game. Melbourne haven't won a game in a while and their form over the last month and over hasn't been the best. They have been canned in the media, especially some of their young players like Jack Watts (must be ill this week because of the media comments). However on the otherhand, West Coast have found some much needed form which saw them beat last years premiers Hawthorn (sob sob). Being in Melbourne, the prospect of this game promotes to be close after all Melbourne only lost to West Coast by 8 points earlier this year at Subiaco. Having said all of this, I am going to tip Melbourne by 11 points for Jim Stynes!
Port Adelaide vs Brisbane (AAMI) Saturday.
This shapes up to be another exciting match. Brisbane are another in form and Port Adelaide...well are not. Being at AAMI Stadium, this does give Port a bit of an advantage. And judging by Brisbane being in form and Port needing a win this is going to be another good game. I am in this case going to tip Port Adelaide by 31 points.
Richmond vs Adelaide (GCS) Saturday Night.
You can never be sure of how this game's going to go. On paper this game should go the way of Adelaide. But judging aside of the hidding at the hands of St Kilda, they did show something, and it will depend which Richmond side play. The one that played Fremantle could beat Adelaide. On nuetral ground, there is no favourtism with the ground setting. In this case I am going to tip Adelaide to win by 27 points.
Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn (Etihad) Saturday night.
Yet again this shapes up to be another good match. The Bulldogs are in excellent form. Hawthorn are in a patch where they need to win after struggling of late. This game's at Etihad Stadium and that would suit the Bulldogs and Hawthorn don't have the best record there (well compared to other clubs). With the fact that Hawthorn need to win otherwise their chances of making the eight have gone bysky, and the dogs having a good run, it shapes up to be a good game. In this case I would tip Western Bulldogs by 8 points.
Sydney vs North Melbourne (SCG) Sunday.
At the SCG, Sydney have a really good record. With the controversy surrounding Barry Hall, the two week suspension and the question of whether or not he should play on next year has been hanging around the Swans. With a new coach, North Melbourne played well last week only going down to the Bulldogs by 22 points. IF they apply this sort of pressure again, then they could very well cause an upset. In this case, I am going to tip Sydney by 32 points.
St Kilda vs Geelong (Etihad) Sunday.
Well well well, it's finally arrived! The game that the whole footy world has been talking about has arrived! It has been a massive build up hasn't it? On paper these two teams are equal. When you look at St Kilda, their attack and midfield are their strenghs . With Geelong it's their defense and midfield. Overall there are good match ups and both teams play well at Etihad, so it will be hard to pick. The key is going to be in the midfield, who will win the clearances? Put it this way, it will be a fiery game, it has been publicised that these teams don't like eachother! To break the gridlock, I would tip Geelong 14 points.
Fremantle vs Carlton (Subiaco) Sunday.
Yet another game that has a delicious (thanks Bruce) prospect. Fremantle at home you never know and Carlton away you never know. Both teams coming off a thumping so that indicates to me that this game can go either way. Which side will come out and play no frills footy? That will be the team that takes this game out. In this case though I think that Fremantle will win by 17 points.
Well that's my tips for this week. I will see how I go.
Catch ya!
Collingwood vs Essendon (MCG) Friday Night.
One of the games of the round in my book. Both teams have come off really good wins and regardless of where these two teams are on the ladder, they bring out the best in eachother. Collingwood are definately the in form team at the moment, despite there being two undefeated teams (until the end of the weekend) and their form screams top 4 material. On the otherhand Essendon have been pulling out some decent performances and are currently sitting 7th. Pulling this game apart, then putting it back together etc, I believe that Collingwood will win by 19 points.
Melbourne vs West Coast (MCG) Saturday.
Another tough game. Melbourne haven't won a game in a while and their form over the last month and over hasn't been the best. They have been canned in the media, especially some of their young players like Jack Watts (must be ill this week because of the media comments). However on the otherhand, West Coast have found some much needed form which saw them beat last years premiers Hawthorn (sob sob). Being in Melbourne, the prospect of this game promotes to be close after all Melbourne only lost to West Coast by 8 points earlier this year at Subiaco. Having said all of this, I am going to tip Melbourne by 11 points for Jim Stynes!
Port Adelaide vs Brisbane (AAMI) Saturday.
This shapes up to be another exciting match. Brisbane are another in form and Port Adelaide...well are not. Being at AAMI Stadium, this does give Port a bit of an advantage. And judging by Brisbane being in form and Port needing a win this is going to be another good game. I am in this case going to tip Port Adelaide by 31 points.
Richmond vs Adelaide (GCS) Saturday Night.
You can never be sure of how this game's going to go. On paper this game should go the way of Adelaide. But judging aside of the hidding at the hands of St Kilda, they did show something, and it will depend which Richmond side play. The one that played Fremantle could beat Adelaide. On nuetral ground, there is no favourtism with the ground setting. In this case I am going to tip Adelaide to win by 27 points.
Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn (Etihad) Saturday night.
Yet again this shapes up to be another good match. The Bulldogs are in excellent form. Hawthorn are in a patch where they need to win after struggling of late. This game's at Etihad Stadium and that would suit the Bulldogs and Hawthorn don't have the best record there (well compared to other clubs). With the fact that Hawthorn need to win otherwise their chances of making the eight have gone bysky, and the dogs having a good run, it shapes up to be a good game. In this case I would tip Western Bulldogs by 8 points.
Sydney vs North Melbourne (SCG) Sunday.
At the SCG, Sydney have a really good record. With the controversy surrounding Barry Hall, the two week suspension and the question of whether or not he should play on next year has been hanging around the Swans. With a new coach, North Melbourne played well last week only going down to the Bulldogs by 22 points. IF they apply this sort of pressure again, then they could very well cause an upset. In this case, I am going to tip Sydney by 32 points.
St Kilda vs Geelong (Etihad) Sunday.
Well well well, it's finally arrived! The game that the whole footy world has been talking about has arrived! It has been a massive build up hasn't it? On paper these two teams are equal. When you look at St Kilda, their attack and midfield are their strenghs . With Geelong it's their defense and midfield. Overall there are good match ups and both teams play well at Etihad, so it will be hard to pick. The key is going to be in the midfield, who will win the clearances? Put it this way, it will be a fiery game, it has been publicised that these teams don't like eachother! To break the gridlock, I would tip Geelong 14 points.
Fremantle vs Carlton (Subiaco) Sunday.
Yet another game that has a delicious (thanks Bruce) prospect. Fremantle at home you never know and Carlton away you never know. Both teams coming off a thumping so that indicates to me that this game can go either way. Which side will come out and play no frills footy? That will be the team that takes this game out. In this case though I think that Fremantle will win by 17 points.
Well that's my tips for this week. I will see how I go.
Catch ya!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
What's the build up for?
There is one game that people have been focusing on for quite some time and well it has shaped up to be a great anticipation with regards to how this game's going to go. I'm talking about the St Kilda and Geelong clash this Sunday.
Personally there are seven other games on for the round, I know I'm excited about those as well even though I am a Geelong Supporter. I know what your saying, "It's your own side you should be excited." Yes I am to be honest 1 vs 2 on the ladder is always built up to the game of the round but you know I can pick another 2 or so games that have as much anticipation around them. To be honest I wouldn't know which way I am going to go in terms of tipping with this game and others this round, it does lead up to be an exciting round. But people are going to solely focus on the St Kilda/Geelong clash that they are going to forget about the others in the round. It's only one game in the round after all?
I remember the build up last year to the Geelong/Hawthorn clash round 17 last year. Because they haven't played up until then, this game this weekend has the same sort of build up, basically because those two teams haven't played until now. The game was a good one all round. Is the same thing going to happen this weekend? Or will it be a blowout by one of the teams?
Basically I would say that there are some other games that I reckon would match in intensity. Take Friday night for example. The Collingwood and Essendon games have always brought out a big crowd and the games are always entertaining no matter where they are on the ladder. Do we remember ANZAC Day? What a game! Over 80,000 people I reckon would again pack in the MCG this Friday night.
And what about other games? One to look out for is the Fremantle/Carlton game is going to be a good one. Fremantle over at Subiaco has always had Carlton's measure, but they are coming off a bad loss and so is Fremantle. We should be in a treat for this one. What about Melbourne and West Coast at the G? West Coast coming off a win but Melbourne needing one, hmm? Then there is Port Adelaide and Brisbane. This is at AAMI Stadium and the home ground will suit Port but Brisbane has hit some form, this one should be a goodie. And what about Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn Saturday night at Etihad. Hawthorn need a win and Western Bulldogs are in form.
So when you look at it there are five other games at least that should have as much build up. I'm looking forward to the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn game, the Fremantle/Carlton and Collingwood/Essendon game. There should be as much build up in these games as there is for the St Kilda/Geelong clash. I mean don't get me wrong, the prospect of watching a game live on Chanell 7 is exciting for me as well as seeing the top two teams go at it to take the number one spot is another lure to the game. I just believe that there are other games that should have as much build up as this game.
I will have my tips for round 14 later on in the week. I haven't been doing well but hey I enjoy the challenge of tipping.
Until then catch ya!
Personally there are seven other games on for the round, I know I'm excited about those as well even though I am a Geelong Supporter. I know what your saying, "It's your own side you should be excited." Yes I am to be honest 1 vs 2 on the ladder is always built up to the game of the round but you know I can pick another 2 or so games that have as much anticipation around them. To be honest I wouldn't know which way I am going to go in terms of tipping with this game and others this round, it does lead up to be an exciting round. But people are going to solely focus on the St Kilda/Geelong clash that they are going to forget about the others in the round. It's only one game in the round after all?
I remember the build up last year to the Geelong/Hawthorn clash round 17 last year. Because they haven't played up until then, this game this weekend has the same sort of build up, basically because those two teams haven't played until now. The game was a good one all round. Is the same thing going to happen this weekend? Or will it be a blowout by one of the teams?
Basically I would say that there are some other games that I reckon would match in intensity. Take Friday night for example. The Collingwood and Essendon games have always brought out a big crowd and the games are always entertaining no matter where they are on the ladder. Do we remember ANZAC Day? What a game! Over 80,000 people I reckon would again pack in the MCG this Friday night.
And what about other games? One to look out for is the Fremantle/Carlton game is going to be a good one. Fremantle over at Subiaco has always had Carlton's measure, but they are coming off a bad loss and so is Fremantle. We should be in a treat for this one. What about Melbourne and West Coast at the G? West Coast coming off a win but Melbourne needing one, hmm? Then there is Port Adelaide and Brisbane. This is at AAMI Stadium and the home ground will suit Port but Brisbane has hit some form, this one should be a goodie. And what about Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn Saturday night at Etihad. Hawthorn need a win and Western Bulldogs are in form.
So when you look at it there are five other games at least that should have as much build up. I'm looking forward to the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn game, the Fremantle/Carlton and Collingwood/Essendon game. There should be as much build up in these games as there is for the St Kilda/Geelong clash. I mean don't get me wrong, the prospect of watching a game live on Chanell 7 is exciting for me as well as seeing the top two teams go at it to take the number one spot is another lure to the game. I just believe that there are other games that should have as much build up as this game.
I will have my tips for round 14 later on in the week. I haven't been doing well but hey I enjoy the challenge of tipping.
Until then catch ya!
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