REB's Rubbish: Round 8
Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 9:45 pmYes it's that time of week folks when I talk trash. Four winners last week and still kicking myself for selecting the Bluebaggers. The Crows surprised many last week and speaking of surprises not too many would have picked the Power to top the ladder after seven rounds. A total of 34 for the year has seen me return to my earlier 'form'. Now for Round eight..'redemption round'....but for who??
Adelaide should pack far too many guns for the Friday night specialists Richmond (LOL). Last year FTA TV foisted the Bumbling Bombers on us and this year it is Richmond that has football fans reaching for their remotes rather than watch the crud that is being served up. Richmond look a little better on paper this week but with no ruckman again they won't get close to the Crows on their home turf. Adelaide has served up some soft home performances this year but surely they'll salute against the Tigers. Adelaide by 31 points.
Brisbane enjoyed a great run against the Bombers until the absence of Johnno Brown helped to pave the way for a Bomber victory in Round 17 at this venue last season. This time around though, Jonathon Brown is back and while Lloyd returns for the Bombers I am liking the hulking Gorilla to continue his good run against the Bombers. The Essendon midfield is fairly ordinary at the moment and I can see Power and Black racking up the stats here. Brisbane to win by 22 points with Essendon starting to fall into the chipping game again.
Geelong will need to respect Fremantle in its match against the Dockers on Saturday or once again the Cat Park natives will become restless. The Cats looked solid against the West Coast last week but that won't count for much should the Dockers get up. Sandilands will prove to be a sizeable obstacle for the inform Geelong rucks but with Bartel and Ling in top form and with the Cat defence primed, I can't see Freo winning here. Geelong by 19 points in the wet.
St Kilda have a solid record against the Hawks in recent times and I expect this to continue this weekend in another game that will be played in wet conditions. The Saints weren't much chop on the wet against Port but will fare bettter against the Hawks who will be coming back from a six day break and a trip from Perth. The defence of both sides appears to be undermanned but I think St Kilda's more potent forward line will deliver the four points. St Kilda to win comfortably by 31 points.
Kangaroos will add another scalp to its growing collection when they defeat the Blues up at Carrara on Saturday night. The Blues are having a crack but as I have said before, they run out of midfield running power in the second half and fall away quite badly. Carlton's over reliance on The Fev is unhealthy and the overall team effort that is routinely provided by the Kangas should see them win their 5th game in a row. Kangaroos by 37 points.
Sydney will break plenty of punters' hearts as they follow Dutchy's 'DOOM' system. The Swannies have been ordinary and Port have been fantastic to say the least but I believe the inclusion of Tagdh Kennelly will swing this game Sydney's way. Kennelly provides a lot of run for the Swans and he will be ready to fire (he also missed those two DOOM games). There is another theory that I believe could go against the successful DOOM theory: Usually when teams cop an absolute bucketing in the media they come out snarling. This Sydney group has copped that this week and will be out to prove that they are still a contender for top honours. Port have been up for a while and could do a 'West Coast' this week and lose an away match against a desperate opponent. Sydney by 14 points.
Collingwood got a nasty shock last year when the Dogs sprung a surprise and bounced them out of the finals but at the moment the Dogs don't appear to have the same amount of spark about them. They did well to finish ahead of Melbourne last week but I think the Pies can repeat last year's early season victory and players such as Didak, Shaw, and Swann will prove to be a handful for the Bullies. In what could be a bit of a shootout, the Pies will finish 10 points ahead of the Bullies in one of the tougher matches to pick this weekend.
West Coast won't be gracious hosts when they take on winless Melbourne at Putriaco this weekend. I thought that Melbourne were fairly close to having a win in the last couple of weeks and MacLean is an important inclusion for the Demons but it's hard to make a case for the Dees in Perth as Big Cox is back for the Eagles as well as Chad Fletcher. The Demons will be ok for about half the game until the Juddernaught put their foot down and power away. I'd also be very surprised if Daniel Kerr puts in three quiet ones in a row but Godfrey will be the man who gets the chance to make that happen. West Coast by 45 points.
regards,
REB
Adelaide should pack far too many guns for the Friday night specialists Richmond (LOL). Last year FTA TV foisted the Bumbling Bombers on us and this year it is Richmond that has football fans reaching for their remotes rather than watch the crud that is being served up. Richmond look a little better on paper this week but with no ruckman again they won't get close to the Crows on their home turf. Adelaide has served up some soft home performances this year but surely they'll salute against the Tigers. Adelaide by 31 points.
Brisbane enjoyed a great run against the Bombers until the absence of Johnno Brown helped to pave the way for a Bomber victory in Round 17 at this venue last season. This time around though, Jonathon Brown is back and while Lloyd returns for the Bombers I am liking the hulking Gorilla to continue his good run against the Bombers. The Essendon midfield is fairly ordinary at the moment and I can see Power and Black racking up the stats here. Brisbane to win by 22 points with Essendon starting to fall into the chipping game again.
Geelong will need to respect Fremantle in its match against the Dockers on Saturday or once again the Cat Park natives will become restless. The Cats looked solid against the West Coast last week but that won't count for much should the Dockers get up. Sandilands will prove to be a sizeable obstacle for the inform Geelong rucks but with Bartel and Ling in top form and with the Cat defence primed, I can't see Freo winning here. Geelong by 19 points in the wet.
St Kilda have a solid record against the Hawks in recent times and I expect this to continue this weekend in another game that will be played in wet conditions. The Saints weren't much chop on the wet against Port but will fare bettter against the Hawks who will be coming back from a six day break and a trip from Perth. The defence of both sides appears to be undermanned but I think St Kilda's more potent forward line will deliver the four points. St Kilda to win comfortably by 31 points.
Kangaroos will add another scalp to its growing collection when they defeat the Blues up at Carrara on Saturday night. The Blues are having a crack but as I have said before, they run out of midfield running power in the second half and fall away quite badly. Carlton's over reliance on The Fev is unhealthy and the overall team effort that is routinely provided by the Kangas should see them win their 5th game in a row. Kangaroos by 37 points.
Sydney will break plenty of punters' hearts as they follow Dutchy's 'DOOM' system. The Swannies have been ordinary and Port have been fantastic to say the least but I believe the inclusion of Tagdh Kennelly will swing this game Sydney's way. Kennelly provides a lot of run for the Swans and he will be ready to fire (he also missed those two DOOM games). There is another theory that I believe could go against the successful DOOM theory: Usually when teams cop an absolute bucketing in the media they come out snarling. This Sydney group has copped that this week and will be out to prove that they are still a contender for top honours. Port have been up for a while and could do a 'West Coast' this week and lose an away match against a desperate opponent. Sydney by 14 points.
Collingwood got a nasty shock last year when the Dogs sprung a surprise and bounced them out of the finals but at the moment the Dogs don't appear to have the same amount of spark about them. They did well to finish ahead of Melbourne last week but I think the Pies can repeat last year's early season victory and players such as Didak, Shaw, and Swann will prove to be a handful for the Bullies. In what could be a bit of a shootout, the Pies will finish 10 points ahead of the Bullies in one of the tougher matches to pick this weekend.
West Coast won't be gracious hosts when they take on winless Melbourne at Putriaco this weekend. I thought that Melbourne were fairly close to having a win in the last couple of weeks and MacLean is an important inclusion for the Demons but it's hard to make a case for the Dees in Perth as Big Cox is back for the Eagles as well as Chad Fletcher. The Demons will be ok for about half the game until the Juddernaught put their foot down and power away. I'd also be very surprised if Daniel Kerr puts in three quiet ones in a row but Godfrey will be the man who gets the chance to make that happen. West Coast by 45 points.
regards,
REB
