REB's Rubbish: Round 17

[Dutchy]

Time to continue with this iconic thread....

Alright, a tougher week this week but lets have a crack -

WCE - Bullies played last 3 on concrete of the TD, WCE dont play there often and in their earlier game this year they lost to the Bombers but had 64 Inside 50's, just couldnt convert, Bullies have only played in 2 games decided by less than 2 goals this year and I fear the Eagles will gain some momentum from this game, WCE easily and cover the line (TD system bet)
Saints - Saints have played last 2 on concrete and this will slow them up a bit facing hopefully a team that will be breathing fire, Ratten has put it to his players that careers are on the line so I reckon there will be some fire out there tomorrow, still have to pick the Saints but by under 40 points is my tip (TD System bet)
Geelong - Scarlet back makes a huge difference and will cover Pav, Harvey to gets 2nd game blues coming off an away trip, Geelong too good....again NO BET
Collingwood - just win - NO BET
Sydney - Just win - NO BET
Kangas - Tipping an upset here in game of the round, analysing the Hawks form it hasnt been overly flash of late, take out their recent wins over Richmond and Carlton and they are averaging 21 scoring shots and 46 Inside 50's per game in their last 10 games, both well below AFL average.....feel some of their young legs are struggling with the long season and might drop away, They are also 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games, might have a small bet on the Roos here at the line, they keep on winning and will relish the challenge of another interstate trip which does not bother them one bit.
Port - Melbourne have been terrible on the road this year losing by 49, 77 & 44 points in their 3 road trips this year....Port easily, if weather fine Port at the line
Essendon - Only for the fact I havent tipped the Crows game correct for 5 weeks, I liked Adelaide here but going with Essendon as every instinct Ive had lately about the Crows has been wrong!!!

[Rik E Boy]

Thought I'd get in before Dutchy trumped me, just as he has done in the tipping for most of this year. Six weeks to go and I can't think of another year when there was 13 teams still in the hunt for the finals at this stage of the season. It will be interesting to see how the coaching departures/announcements effect teams' form in the run in to September.

West Coast on paper look to be back to their best but you couldn't say the same about the Bulldogs who are well down on troops at the moment. I reckon the Bullies couldn't win this match if they started now. West Coast by 45 points.

St Kilda will continue on their winning way against the Blues. The Saints have won the last eight against Carlton and have taken great delight in smashing the team that crushed them during the dark decades of the previous century. Now that the boot is on the other foot it will take more than a new face in the coaches box to turn this mob around. Carlton will be better but the Saints are generating some genuine momentum and surely won't drop this one. St Kilda by 74 points.

Geelong will provide the Dockers with a sour homecoming after the Fremantle players provided everyone with much merriment over it's totally over the top celebration for defeating an injury riddled Crows side. Freo will be strengthend by the inclusion of Drinker and Sandilands but Geelong's advantage over Freo is in the middle of the ground. The revamped Freo fowardline won't see enough ball to kick a winning score against the Cats. Geelong by 21 points.

Collingwood will be too professional and will secure an important win over the improving Brisbane Lions at the G on Saturday. Collingwood are an even combination that do all the important things well and will represent a far tougher challenge than has been presented to the Lions (at home) by such lightweight opposition as Melbourne and Carlton. Brisbane will make a good account of itself with Black returning but Collingwood will be standing tall in the end. Collingwood by 18 points.

Sydney will be the latest team to toy with the tepid Tigers when Richmond venture north to the Basketball court in Sydney. With Hall and Kennelly to return the Swans look close to being at full strength and this spells trouble for Richmond. Sydney easily here you would think by 61 points.

Hawthorn can and really must make a statement here at its Tassie 'fortress' against top four rival the Kangaroos on Sunday. The wheels on the Hawker bandwagon appear to be wobbling a little and the Hawks are starting to get a few injuries along the way such as Osbourne, Boyle and now Ellis. The Roos continue to be underrated and I feel almost guilty tipping against them but jeez the Hawks love Tassie. The home ground advantage should be enough to get them over the line in what will be the match of the round. Hawthorn by 4 points.

Essendon can keep the finals flame flickering for another week and start off the 'farewell tour' on a winning note at the Telstra Dome on Sunday. The Crows are again hampered by injury and to me this unit appears to be running out of steam as a result. With Bassett and Rutten gone the match ups on Lloyd and Lucas represent an enormous challenge for the Professor. Adelaide's forwards can expect to score a few more goals but Adelaide's increased scoring capacity on the day won't keep up with the output of Essendon's marking forwards. Essendon by 19 points.

Port will push on towards an improbable top four spot by eating another Marshmellow at home in the form of Melbourne in the Sunday twighlight game. Melbourne look to be playing for next year already but 'Bomber' Riley has already said enough is enough by omitting Carroll and Bizzell from the backline. Problem is, that leaves Dutchy (no relation) Holland to come in and Port have been the most prolific scoring team of the last few rounds. Power in a canter by 79 points.

regards,

REB

[smac]

It appears you were both typing at the same time - I have merged the two threads together.

[hearts on fire]

my tip:

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

[Booney]

WCE
St's
Freo
Coll
Syd
Roos
Ess
Port

[Thiele]

West Coast
Saints
Geelong
Collingwood
Swans
Roos
Port
Essendon

[Hondo]

West Coast
St Kilda
Geelong
Collingwood
Sydney
Hawthorn
Essendon (just can't see the Crows holding Lloyd & Lucan when Rutten & Bassett are out)
Port Adelaide

I think Freo, Kangas & Bulldogs are good chances for an upset

[saintal]

WCE
StK
Syd
Coll
Haw
PA
Gee
Adel (Why, i dont know)

[spell_check]

I have gone with Rik E Boys tips again this week.

[redwhiteandblueblooded]

west coast
st kilda
sydney
essendon
fremantle
collingwood
hawthorn
port

[NFC]

West Coast (15)
St.Kilda
Geelong
Collingwood
Sydney
Hawthorn
Essendon
Port

[Dirko]

WCE by 32
St K by 35
Freo by 12
Pies by 26
Syd by 84
Roos by 19
Ess by 17
PAPs by 89

[saintal]

Good to see the Blues have a crack today, but even better to see the saints beat them for the 9th straight time

We could be in the 8 at the end of the round.

[Dutchy]

7

[Thiele]

7 this week bloody Colingwood

[Hondo]

6 for me

Missed Collingwood and the 2nd best FORM TEAM of the comp!

[Dirko]

6...I gotta stop picking against Geelong...

[Rik E Boy]

6...I gotta stop picking against Geelong...

No, by all means....continue!

regards,

REB