REB's Rubbish: Round 18

[Rik E Boy]

Tipping is starting to get a little easier now with some sides copping a few injuries and others getting the staggers, although not too many were on the Lions to not only defeat the Magpies but to flog them as they did last week. Perhaps another 'out of the Blue' result may be on the cards but there again appears to be a few no-brainers in this lot. A couple of teams might just be cashing in their chips this weekend.

St Kilda have enjoyed a good run over the Bulldogs who are playing their 4th consecutive game on the unforgiving Dome surface. The desperate Dogs welcome back Cross, West and Grant in a bid to shore up their faltering unit. The retirement announcement of Darcy is well timed but despite almost faltering against Carlton, the Saints look the superior unit. With Koschitzke back in harness, the Sainters have too many weapons and will deliver a fatal blow to the Bulldogs with a 35 point victory at the Dome.

Collingwood simply can't afford to drop this week's clash against Carlton just as Carlton can't afford to win ha ha. Brett Ratten doesn't seem like a tanker to me though and the Blues showed plenty of cheek against the Pies last time out but should run out of gas like they did last time around. Clement comes back in to the Pie lineup but young gun Scott Pendlebury will be out of action with a foot injury. I think that Carlton can get another honourable loss as Collingwood scrape home by 15 points. My faith in the Pies has been shaken!

Geelong will win their match against Richmond perhaps in spite of going in with three talls instead of because of it. Richmond are not a physical side so perhaps this is the reasoning behind the selection of King to go along with Ottens and Blake. Remember that Richmond actually won at Cat park last year so the 11.00 on offer might tempt some but good Geelong sides don't lose to Richmond at Cat Park. Neither will this good Geelong side who will win by 58 points, making it almost a hundred point improvement for the gallant Tiges.

Kangaroos will go one step closer to earning the respect they somehow haven't earnt from the football world by ending Brisbane's four game winning streak at the Gabba on Saturday night. The Lions have been simply sensational during the last month but the Kangaroos have been sensational all year. My only reservations about the Roos is they've been hopping all over the country of late but they just keep on keeping on and like the paint have been keeping a lid on it. Kangaroos to notch up another one by winning by 11 points.

Port Adelaide will take great delight in ending Adelaide's season in Showdown MCLLMXIXIVIXCCII and all the while Mark Williams will be holding Fry's seven leaf clover that he must have found earlier in the year as Adelaide will again go in without Rutten, Bassett and Ruccuito. This lack of body pressure will delight the Power who have numerous small fowards who will feast on a goalkicking bag against what is left of the Blackbirds. Port by 41 points. Stone the Crows.

Sydney will continue on it's incredibly tough road to the finals with a regulation win over what is currently the worst side in the comp in Melbourne. The Canberra fans will be out in force to cheer for the Swannies, having never warmed to the Roos during their stay. If you've ever been to Canberra you'll know it's bloody tough to warm to anything but the Swannies have somehow managed this. Sydney to triumph in what will be a forgettable game by 44 points.

Hawthorn can defy their recent staggers by toppling Essendon at the G on Sunday. The Hawks get back Boyle, Mitchell, Franklin and Ellis and these inclusions will prove decisive against the Bombers who will welcome back inspector Gadget, although how fit Fletcher is remains to be seen. With superior midfield power and a good forward line against a suspect Bomber backline, the Hawks will triumph in a hard fought match by 13 points.

West Coast as the top team in the west will bowl over the Dockers in the derby in a game that the rest of the country quite rightly couldn't give a stuff about. In this match the police will ring the ground to protect the crowd from the players and not the other way around. Much of the sting from this match will be missing already as Fremantle are dead set pathetic and Des Hedland had to pull out of the match with a heart injury. West Coast will win Freo's grand final by 23 points.

Unfortunately, Port, West Coast, Collingwood and the Roos will all win although I hope they all lose. Jeez it's tough at the top!

Here's lookin at ya.

REB

[Booney]

All but Essendon the same.

Hawks gaaaaaawn!

[Dutchy]

good work REB -

Saints - In the battle of the weary legs with Bullies playing last 4 on the DOOM and Saints 4 of the last 5, expect a tired error riddled game tonight with Saints to come out on top but with no confidence...this could be a draw!

Collingwood - Will come out fighting after last week and beat Carlton but not by a huge margin, they havent won by over 33 points all season. Carlton took advantage of the DOOM theory to reduce the Margin agains tthe Saints but were still ordinary

Geelong - Yep

Brisbane - On fire at the moment but is there is one team that will take advantage of teams getting ahead f themselves its the Roos, tough game to tip with Roos at full strength (minus Thomo), could go either way but going to tip the Lions given the Roos have been Melb>Perth>Melb>Tassie>Melb>Brisbane in the last 20 days. Brisbane will want revenge after being embarresed on the Goldy earlier in the year...hope Im wrong here though

Adelaide - Heres my upset, Port are getting ahead of themselves big time, they have played 1 team in the top 7 in their last 7 games and had easy kills of late...very similar to when they fell apart to Sydney earlier in the year coincidently coming off big wins over Melbourne and Richmond, looking at that maybe their position in the 8 is higher than it should be considering they have had the luxury of playing Melbourne and Richmond twice this season already. They havent had a hard tough game for a while and I think the Crows will guarantee that tomorrow night in front of their home crowd with their season on the line, Adelaide do worry me a bit with the 6 day backup coming off the DOOM however Im pleased they arent playing injured players like they have...Crows to suprise

Sydney - They have found some firepower of late and added some big scoring to their play which gives them a different dimension, they play well in Canberra and expect them to belt the Demons

Hawks - Got some key players back and will have the motivation here to fight back on the G where they are 4-2 this season against Essendons 1-4 at the G. Essendon will be flat after last week and while they have won 5 of the last 9 all those wins have been under 2 goals. 4 of their last 5 games ahve been on the DOOM also...Expect the Hawks to find their form here

West Coast - Travelling beautifully and come off a 9 day break coming into this game, Freo are a mess and cant beat interstate teams at home this season, WCE easily

[Blue Boy]

Reb I agree with your tips

[RustyCage]

Adelaide - Heres my upset, Port are getting ahead of themselves big time, they have played 1 team in the top 7 in their last 7 games and had easy kills of late...very similar to when they fell apart to Sydney earlier in the year coincidently coming off big wins over Melbourne and Richmond

Are Port getting ahead of themselves or is it the media? Also, there is a huge difference between our wins against Roch and Melb this time over last time. Last time we limped over the line in both games, played like crap, and kept playing like crap for the next 6 or so weeks. This time, we absolutely belted both teams, and despite only playing 1 top 8 team recently, our skill level is very high. Its not just who you beat, but how you beat them.

[Dirko]

I'm with REB,
except BNE to win.

Cheers

[Benchwarmer]

An eight this week will bring up an even "ton" ... but with a Showdown, a Derby and some rivalry matches I might have to wait until next week!

St Kilda b Footscray by 33
Colliwobbles b Carlton by 28
Geelong b Richmond by 57
Brisbane b North Melb by 8
Adelaide b Port Adelaide by 4
Sydney b Melbourne by 67
Hawthorn b Essendon by 11
West Coast b Fremantle by 31

[NFC]

St.Kilda (20)
Collingwood
Geelong
Brisbane
Port
Sydney
Hawthorn
West Coast

[Dutchy]

Adelaide - Heres my upset, Port are getting ahead of themselves big time, they have played 1 team in the top 7 in their last 7 games and had easy kills of late...very similar to when they fell apart to Sydney earlier in the year coincidently coming off big wins over Melbourne and Richmond

Are Port getting ahead of themselves or is it the media? Also, there is a huge difference between our wins against Roch and Melb this time over last time. Last time we limped over the line in both games, played like crap, and kept playing like crap for the next 6 or so weeks. This time, we absolutely belted both teams, and despite only playing 1 top 8 team recently, our skill level is very high. Its not just who you beat, but how you beat them.

we will know more in just over 24 hours, but I ask you who has the motivation here? You beat Richmond by 40 points last time when they were still playing for their season!

You have to agree the draw has looked after the Power nicely...

[Thiele]

Saints
Cats
Maggpies
Kangaroos
Powder
Bombers
Swans
Eagles

[Hondo]

St Kilda
Collingwood
Geelong
Brisbane
Port Adelaide
Sydney
Hawthorn
West Coast

[hearts on fire]

St. Kilda
Collingwood
Geelong
Port Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Hawthorn
West Coast

[Rik E Boy]

Adelaide - Heres my upset, Port are getting ahead of themselves big time, they have played 1 team in the top 7 in their last 7 games and had easy kills of late...very similar to when they fell apart to Sydney earlier in the year coincidently coming off big wins over Melbourne and Richmond

Are Port getting ahead of themselves or is it the media? Also, there is a huge difference between our wins against Roch and Melb this time over last time. Last time we limped over the line in both games, played like crap, and kept playing like crap for the next 6 or so weeks. This time, we absolutely belted both teams, and despite only playing 1 top 8 team recently, our skill level is very high. Its not just who you beat, but how you beat them.

Good point. Which is why I've elevated Port in my predictions.

regards,

REB

[mighty_tiger_79]

St kilda to win comfortably 40+
Port Adelaide by 30pts
geelong could be by anything
brisbane 20 pts
sydney - with the new firepower this could be 60+
west coast will smash fraudmantle 40+
collingwood to win but carlton to get to 25 pts first
hawks in a close game 10pts

[NFC]

I'm actually thinking about tipping the Blues.

Got a feeling.

[Benchwarmer]

I thought so too - It's the sort of game where the Blues might really fire up ... then again, last time I said that we got done by 12 goals by them

[Dutchy]

everyone on Brissy again?

[spell_check]

Up at the Gabba, Brisbane on fire, and Kangaroos due to lose one I think. Not that last reason means anything, but such is the fickle nature of the AFL and upsets.

Bulldogs
Collingwood
Geelong
Brisbane
P.Adelaide
Sydney
Essendon
W.Coast

[Wedgie]

Yep, Im on Brissy.

My picks:

St Kilda
Collingwood
Geelong
Port
Brisbane
Sydney
Essendon
West Coast

[Psyber]

Head says Port, heart says Crows, rest - don't care.