Volta vinte e um ( Round 21 )
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:19 amAnother weekend where the only thing riding on the outcome of several contests is position in the upcoming draft. As such, I won’t dwell on them for long, unless I think of something very, very funny and it’s unlikely after all this time that I’ll come up with anything like that.
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood –
The Dogs got over the Roos last week despite their chronic injury list, might have given themselves a chance to host an early final under the roof. The Pies simply can’t be trusted and the bastards killed my weekend multi before last weekend even started.
The Dogs with far too much to play for, the Pies with nothing to play for. Dogs by 39.
Brisbane v Carlton –
Carlton by 12.
Hawthorn v North Melbourne –
The smallest of chinks in the armour last weekend, the Hawks missed Frawley down back and the loss of Stratton early (a much under rated player and one very important to the Hawks back half) left the back half in a shambles. The Demons moved the ball quickly from defence and caught the Hawks back off guard.
Just when people go to write them off they bring Frawley, Puopolo, Shiels, Hartung and Burton ( on debut ) into the side. Stratton missing for a month with a torn pectoral, Siciliy out with a MRP issue and three dropped. Just getting some important players back at the right time, Poppy especially.
The Kangas had righted the ship with wins over Collingwood and St Kilda, but once again fell to a fellow top a contender last weekend. The under manned Bulldogs keeping the Roos to just 7 goals under the roof and making sure they sit in 8th place and will most likely stay there.
The first trip to the MCG for the Roos in 2016, the 8th for the Hawks. Good ins for the Hawks, will be too strong and haven’t lost two in a row since early 14 and haven’t lost two in a row at the G since 2010. Hawks by 14 points.
GWS v West Coast –
Another battle of two 2016 finalists but it doesn’t shape up as thriller with the Eagles having to get on a plane, which is always a concern. The Giants are still in touch with the top 4 and the possibility of a home final in week one is well and truly alive, might be just what the “club” needs to make a real mark in the western Sydney market place. Looking pretty settled especially down back where Davis has got a string of matches together, he’s a leader they’ll need in September with Shaw also very important.
The Eagles, well, they’re pretty lame away from home and heading off to Spotless I expect that to continue. Numbers suggest the Giants will beat the Eagles up in contested ball situations and get more I50’s because of it. Can’t see the Eagles stopping the Giants who had a good hit out over the Suns last weekend.
The Giants love Spotless, the Eagles won’t. Giants by 35 points.
St Kilda v Sydney –
Last chance saloon for the Sainters here, cuttla games behind the Roos ( and %age ) and a loss here will be it, thus, this will be it. The Swans warmed up for September by thrashing the listless Port Adelaide in Sydney last week and on top of their big win over the Dockers the week before look to be gaining momentum at the right time.
The Swans here, in a rare visit to the Dome, where they have won their last 9. Sydney by 25 points.
Port v Melbourne –
Very, very average last week. Some big names did next to nothing, some others did less. Gray and Ebert will have the spotlight on them this week, as too will Lobbe who comes back into the side and young Jesse Palmer ( who I rate highly ) will make his debut. Even though Port have been down on numbers this year the coaching staff have made him earn his call up. Ports skills have been shit house all year and turning the ball over to this Melbourne midfield will add to the misery of those of us who have invested financially and more importantly emotionally in this club this year. Melbourne will kill us if we hand it to them in the middle.
A real sign of improvement for the Demons taking the scalp of the top side, Gawn is now the best big man in the competition in my view, he’s taken over from Goldstein who has slowed with a knee complaint. Gawn wins lots of ball with 14 touches, 4 marks and a goal per game to go with 4 tackles and 42 hitouts, makes him the games #1 ruckman. He dominated Lobbe in NAB 2 at Elizabeth Oval and it was a sign of things to come for both big men.
Melbourne will be ferocious at the body and ball, I don’t know what Port will bring. Melbourne by 16 points and the betting is giving you $2.60 on Melbourne. $1.50 for Port. That’s wrong.
Essendon v Gold Coast –
Gold Coast by 40 points.
Richmond v Geelong –
Geelong by 48 points.
Fremantle v Adelaide –
Won’t be pretty this one. Fremantle shut up shop a month ago and Adelaide are smashing anyone who isn’t up to scratch. Certainly hasn’t hurt Adelaide getting 18th, 17th and 16th on the ladder in the last 3 weeks. Tough draw indeed.
Adelaide will belt them, Fremantle are very ordinary in defence at the moment. Adelaide by 55 points at best, for Fremantle.
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood –
The Dogs got over the Roos last week despite their chronic injury list, might have given themselves a chance to host an early final under the roof. The Pies simply can’t be trusted and the bastards killed my weekend multi before last weekend even started.
The Dogs with far too much to play for, the Pies with nothing to play for. Dogs by 39.
Brisbane v Carlton –
Carlton by 12.
Hawthorn v North Melbourne –
The smallest of chinks in the armour last weekend, the Hawks missed Frawley down back and the loss of Stratton early (a much under rated player and one very important to the Hawks back half) left the back half in a shambles. The Demons moved the ball quickly from defence and caught the Hawks back off guard.
Just when people go to write them off they bring Frawley, Puopolo, Shiels, Hartung and Burton ( on debut ) into the side. Stratton missing for a month with a torn pectoral, Siciliy out with a MRP issue and three dropped. Just getting some important players back at the right time, Poppy especially.
The Kangas had righted the ship with wins over Collingwood and St Kilda, but once again fell to a fellow top a contender last weekend. The under manned Bulldogs keeping the Roos to just 7 goals under the roof and making sure they sit in 8th place and will most likely stay there.
The first trip to the MCG for the Roos in 2016, the 8th for the Hawks. Good ins for the Hawks, will be too strong and haven’t lost two in a row since early 14 and haven’t lost two in a row at the G since 2010. Hawks by 14 points.
GWS v West Coast –
Another battle of two 2016 finalists but it doesn’t shape up as thriller with the Eagles having to get on a plane, which is always a concern. The Giants are still in touch with the top 4 and the possibility of a home final in week one is well and truly alive, might be just what the “club” needs to make a real mark in the western Sydney market place. Looking pretty settled especially down back where Davis has got a string of matches together, he’s a leader they’ll need in September with Shaw also very important.
The Eagles, well, they’re pretty lame away from home and heading off to Spotless I expect that to continue. Numbers suggest the Giants will beat the Eagles up in contested ball situations and get more I50’s because of it. Can’t see the Eagles stopping the Giants who had a good hit out over the Suns last weekend.
The Giants love Spotless, the Eagles won’t. Giants by 35 points.
St Kilda v Sydney –
Last chance saloon for the Sainters here, cuttla games behind the Roos ( and %age ) and a loss here will be it, thus, this will be it. The Swans warmed up for September by thrashing the listless Port Adelaide in Sydney last week and on top of their big win over the Dockers the week before look to be gaining momentum at the right time.
The Swans here, in a rare visit to the Dome, where they have won their last 9. Sydney by 25 points.
Port v Melbourne –
Very, very average last week. Some big names did next to nothing, some others did less. Gray and Ebert will have the spotlight on them this week, as too will Lobbe who comes back into the side and young Jesse Palmer ( who I rate highly ) will make his debut. Even though Port have been down on numbers this year the coaching staff have made him earn his call up. Ports skills have been shit house all year and turning the ball over to this Melbourne midfield will add to the misery of those of us who have invested financially and more importantly emotionally in this club this year. Melbourne will kill us if we hand it to them in the middle.
A real sign of improvement for the Demons taking the scalp of the top side, Gawn is now the best big man in the competition in my view, he’s taken over from Goldstein who has slowed with a knee complaint. Gawn wins lots of ball with 14 touches, 4 marks and a goal per game to go with 4 tackles and 42 hitouts, makes him the games #1 ruckman. He dominated Lobbe in NAB 2 at Elizabeth Oval and it was a sign of things to come for both big men.
Melbourne will be ferocious at the body and ball, I don’t know what Port will bring. Melbourne by 16 points and the betting is giving you $2.60 on Melbourne. $1.50 for Port. That’s wrong.
Essendon v Gold Coast –
Gold Coast by 40 points.
Richmond v Geelong –
Geelong by 48 points.
Fremantle v Adelaide –
Won’t be pretty this one. Fremantle shut up shop a month ago and Adelaide are smashing anyone who isn’t up to scratch. Certainly hasn’t hurt Adelaide getting 18th, 17th and 16th on the ladder in the last 3 weeks. Tough draw indeed.
Adelaide will belt them, Fremantle are very ordinary in defence at the moment. Adelaide by 55 points at best, for Fremantle.