REB's Rubbish: Round 20
Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 1:43 pmInto the home stretch now boyos and somehow there are still 13 teams left in the hunt for the flag although Coach Bitterman, I mean Sheedy appears to have conceeded on the Bombers. The Catters have wrapped up top spot but there's plenty of top four and top eight interest as the contenders slug it out. Even the bottom three have shown a desire to ruffle a few feathers to end disappointing seasons.
Melbourne will complete a rare double over the Magpies by winning the Friday night fixture. The Pies rucks will be led by the underwhelming Guy Richards so expect Jeff White to get about 400 hitouts. Another strong selling point is the 300th league appearance by David Neitz, the first Demon to achieve the feat, cripes they might even draw a crowd this time. The Demons will be fired up for this one and the Pies look mighty flat at the moment. Melbourne by 30 points.
Carlton have been knocking on the door in recent weeks and on Saturday that door will open as the Blues will knock off the Bombers for the second time this season at the MCG. The Bombers get exposed for pace at the G and Carlton's new-found attention to defensive football will mean they'll need to kick less goals to repeat the earlier victory. Nope, I'm not touching the Bombers at the G with one less day's preparation and coming back from Perth. Carlton by 7 points.
St Kilda don't appear to have too many friends in its match against Fremantle but the Dockers don't like the Dome and have been truly awful away from home this season. I expect the Sainters to end Freo's season here and be in the eight by the end of the round. Freo hasn't beaten St Kilda in Melbourne since 1995 and that's food for thought even though a lot of games between these two sides have been played in Tassie in recent years. This time Freo and the umpires will hear the siren and for the Dockers this time the Bell will toll for thee. St Kilda by 23 points.
Sydney has the wood on the Lions and will continue their run of success against the great Northern rival. The Lions may just have peaked and looked a bit lost against the Hawks for the majority of the match at the MCG. I can't see the rest of the foward line contributing enough on the scoreboard to assist Jonathon Brown against the frugal Sydney defence who once again have a sniff of finals. Swans by 19 points.
West Coast are limping their way to the finals and won't have things their own way against the Tigers who will find that winning is a great tonic. Richmond will give a good account of itself here I believe but in th end the weight of class will win out. Dean Cox will be the main difference between the two sides and the Eagles will record a comfortable 23 point victory.
Hawthorn will rack up another win in Tassie against Port who also have a good record at this venue having cleaned up the Saints a few times there. Hawthorn have the fowardline to hurt the Power who look a bit suspect defensively to me. Port won't be disgraced though as Brogan and Tredrea have returned and they are close to full strength. This is match of the round for mine and it will be the match where the Hawks wrap up a top four spot as they record an eight point victory.
Geelong will champing at the bit to have another crack at the Roos at a venue that suits their style of play right down to the ground. The Cats will go in very tall in this match and will attempt to really stretch the Roos. The Roos also have plenty of tall timber so it will be like an episode of 'Land of the Giants'. Still, it will be the input or lack of for players such as Simpson, Harvey, Grant, Bartel, Ablett and Corey who will ultimately decide this game. I expect the Cats to get ruthless here - Geelong by 45 points.
Adelaide will put the bite on the Western Bulldogs and send them scampering back into their kennels as far as the 2007 season goes with the Blackbirds to fight on for another day. With Welsh and McGregor back in the side the Cows look to be better served up forward but this will be offset to a degree by the return of Brad Johnson. I can't see the Bullies doing enough here and Adelaide appear to have their measure. Crows by 28 points.
regards,
REB
Melbourne will complete a rare double over the Magpies by winning the Friday night fixture. The Pies rucks will be led by the underwhelming Guy Richards so expect Jeff White to get about 400 hitouts. Another strong selling point is the 300th league appearance by David Neitz, the first Demon to achieve the feat, cripes they might even draw a crowd this time. The Demons will be fired up for this one and the Pies look mighty flat at the moment. Melbourne by 30 points.
Carlton have been knocking on the door in recent weeks and on Saturday that door will open as the Blues will knock off the Bombers for the second time this season at the MCG. The Bombers get exposed for pace at the G and Carlton's new-found attention to defensive football will mean they'll need to kick less goals to repeat the earlier victory. Nope, I'm not touching the Bombers at the G with one less day's preparation and coming back from Perth. Carlton by 7 points.
St Kilda don't appear to have too many friends in its match against Fremantle but the Dockers don't like the Dome and have been truly awful away from home this season. I expect the Sainters to end Freo's season here and be in the eight by the end of the round. Freo hasn't beaten St Kilda in Melbourne since 1995 and that's food for thought even though a lot of games between these two sides have been played in Tassie in recent years. This time Freo and the umpires will hear the siren and for the Dockers this time the Bell will toll for thee. St Kilda by 23 points.
Sydney has the wood on the Lions and will continue their run of success against the great Northern rival. The Lions may just have peaked and looked a bit lost against the Hawks for the majority of the match at the MCG. I can't see the rest of the foward line contributing enough on the scoreboard to assist Jonathon Brown against the frugal Sydney defence who once again have a sniff of finals. Swans by 19 points.
West Coast are limping their way to the finals and won't have things their own way against the Tigers who will find that winning is a great tonic. Richmond will give a good account of itself here I believe but in th end the weight of class will win out. Dean Cox will be the main difference between the two sides and the Eagles will record a comfortable 23 point victory.
Hawthorn will rack up another win in Tassie against Port who also have a good record at this venue having cleaned up the Saints a few times there. Hawthorn have the fowardline to hurt the Power who look a bit suspect defensively to me. Port won't be disgraced though as Brogan and Tredrea have returned and they are close to full strength. This is match of the round for mine and it will be the match where the Hawks wrap up a top four spot as they record an eight point victory.
Geelong will champing at the bit to have another crack at the Roos at a venue that suits their style of play right down to the ground. The Cats will go in very tall in this match and will attempt to really stretch the Roos. The Roos also have plenty of tall timber so it will be like an episode of 'Land of the Giants'. Still, it will be the input or lack of for players such as Simpson, Harvey, Grant, Bartel, Ablett and Corey who will ultimately decide this game. I expect the Cats to get ruthless here - Geelong by 45 points.
Adelaide will put the bite on the Western Bulldogs and send them scampering back into their kennels as far as the 2007 season goes with the Blackbirds to fight on for another day. With Welsh and McGregor back in the side the Cows look to be better served up forward but this will be offset to a degree by the return of Brad Johnson. I can't see the Bullies doing enough here and Adelaide appear to have their measure. Crows by 28 points.
regards,
REB
