REB's Rubbish: Round 14

[Rik E Boy]

Greetings viewers. VERY tough round this week, with perhaps only the Weagles a walk up start against the artist formerly known as Brisbane. Possibly a good round to keep away from a punting point of view..which is sound advice at the best of times. Seven winners last week giving me just the slightest hint of respectability but expect that to be blown away by the following tips....

Geelong face Lloydless Essendon on Friday night but tipping the Bombers might not be a bad idea here as the Cats are coming off two games in the slop and with one day less to prepare (I'm expecting Dutchy to select the Bombers here). However, I think that the productive Essendon forward line is about to meet the Cats' defence at their stingiest - expect Lefty Lucas to have plenty of company tonight. Geelong's record at the Dome is good and Hawkins will be flying after spending a few months struggling away in the magoos. I get the feeling Tommy will never have that big reserves game and that his best will always be in the ones. Cats by 34 points.

St Kilda are gradually getting their game together and this week play against a pumped up Magpies unit that has unearthed a bevy of talented younsters this season. However, I think that the defence still looks light on and the longer this situation goes on for Collingwood, the tougher it will be for them to cover. With G Train, St Nick and now Kosi back in action for the Saints, they should have the firepower to overcome a committed Collingwood. St Kilda by 27 points.

Western Bulldogs will need to be at their best early to prevent Port from jumping out of the blocks and going into 'frontrunner' mode. Brisbane allowed this last week and the Power sprinted away in what proved a telling scenario for the Portonians. If the Bullies stay with the Power early, I predict that they will finish over the top of the Power and record an important victory. I don't feel confident about the Power at the Dome so I'm selecting the Bulldogs to win by 26 points in this match.

Hawthorn look far too settled to drop this game against Adelaide, who have really struggled at home this season largely due to a high injury toll. There are a lot of question marks hanging over several blackbird players and Hawthorn are an emerging side that you need to be at or near full strength to beat them, regardless of the venue. The Hawks will own the midfield and forwards Roughead and Franklin will cause the Bassettless defence a few headaches. Too many holes for the Professor to cover. Hawthorn by 11 points.

West Coast will welcome back the ice queen Benny Cousins for this match (or so says 'the mail' in the footy world) but maybe Judd will miss another. Seriously, would you risk Juddy against this mob? The Lions are hibernating like the Fitzroy and Bears of old, with a young side that doing the hard yards earning their stripes. West Coast may have been played into form by the Crows last week (thank you very much!) and will abolutely pound the Lions at home. West Coast by 76 points.

Sydney will live to fight another day by disposing of roadkill Fremantle at home on Sunday. With Jeff Farmer back Freo has the spark but times are getting desperate for the Swannies and they showed enough in the second half against the Cats to demonstrate that the ability is still there. Freo are just about at full strength at the moment but I just can't pick the dopey buggers on the road. I've been burnt too many times! Sydney by 20 points.

Carlton will record their fifth win of the year in a game that you would set fire to if it was played on paper. Both teams are strugglers this year and both are not at full strength. Carlton look the more settled despite the fact that Fevola is out. Whitnall is also out but this could prove to be a blessing as he is appearing less effective with every match he plays. Melbourne will suffer a massive let down after the emotional departure of the Reverand and gone with him this week are Neitz, Johnstone, Bell and Green. It's the Blues here by 8 points after leading by a fair way at half time.

Kangaroos need to win this game if they are to gain the respect they crave so much. Everyone's been writing them off but few would be prepared to tip the Tigers here. A loss in this match would set the Kangas back a long way despite the recent improvment in the Tigers. Petrie was a revelation last week but I don't think you can count on seven goals from him every week but ditto Matty Richardson I suppose. Nathan Brown has given the Tiges a boost since his return but a fit Kangaroos outfit has too much to lose and will hand out another 'honourable' loss to the Tigers. Kangaroos by 17 points.

regards,

REB

[Dutchy]

Same except I like Melbourne (but that was the hardest to pick of the round)...hope you get 7 REB!!!

Best bets - Shootout tonight, Bullies, Saints and Hawks = $$$$

[Hondo]

Geelong
Collingwood
Bulldogs
Adelaide
West Coast
Sydney
Melbourne
Kangaroos

[Thiele]

Cats
Bulldogs
Magpies
Hawks
Eagles
Swans
Demons
Roos

[spell_check]

Some very tough matches to pick this week:

Geelong
Collingwood
W.Bulldogs
Adelaide
W.Coast
Sydney
Melbourne
N.Melbourne

[sydney-dog]

Geelong
St Kilda
Bulldogs
Adelaide
West Coast
Sydney
Carlton
Richmond

[Booney]

Did have the Cats
Collingwood
Port
Hawks
Sydney
Eagles
Roos
Richmond.

[Rik E Boy]

That was a good call on the Cats game Dutchy. Essendon would have kept scoring if they didn't lose players during the match. Essendon kicked the highest score against Geelong in this winning streak and they finished without Davey and Hird and also suffered injuries to Fletcher, Hislop and Ryder. I thought Essendon played really well.

For the Cats a positive that no one has spoken of yet is that Mark Thompson actually pulled a move to prevent a Sheedy masterstroke from hurting us on the scoreboard. Welsh was causing us problems up forward early, when he was on Scarlo we lost Scarlos run out of defence because Welsh was making him accountable (an accountable defender? Fancy that!). Then for some unknown reason Bomber put probably our worst player in Kane Tenace on him and he looked lost defensivley in the goal square. Eventually he chose Harley for Welsh and that was all she wrote on that one.

regards,

REB

[spell_check]

Couldn't ask for much more than 7 out of 8 seeing West Coast lost.

[NFC]

Couldn't ask for much more than 7 out of 8 seeing West Coast lost.

Ditto!

[Hondo]

Couldn't ask for much more than 7 out of 8 seeing West Coast lost.

Ditto!

Ditto x 2!

[NFC]

How good are we?

[Thiele]

6/8

[Dutchy]

nice work lads, I was happy to eek out 5 after a disastorous Saturday...although only tip Im real dirty on is the Hawks

[saintal]

6/8. why did i pick Carlton?