Last Week 6/9 Season Total 132/189
Like many people on Saturday, I sat down
and watched the Matilda’s pulsating penalty shootout to reach the Semi Finals
before I settled in to watch the Carlton v Melbourne match. What a conundrum this put the AFL in. Great as it was for them to put it on the big
screen at the MCG, to then cut that coverage during a cut-throat and tense
Extra Time with a penalty shootout looming left many sports fans in general a
bit miffed. The AFL was torn between
showing an historic event that all of Australia were getting behind and
showcasing a rival sport that they would happily stab in the kidneys and steal
their wallet if they could. For the
World Cup Soccer, it was scintillating viewing.
I was literally on the edge of my seat and even slipped off the couch at
one stage. But, if there is a better way
to resolve a stalemate than a penalty shootout, they should probably look into
it. It seems a bit tough to run around
for 120 minutes and then basically flip a coin.
I write this earlier in the week and submit it on Wednesday so at the
time of writing, I don’t know if Australia are through to the final but at the
time of reading, you will know. If Australia do
get through, luckily the match will not clash with any AFL matches so any
embarrassing transmission cuts can be avoided.
There’s even been some talk about declaring
a public holiday if the Matilda’s win.
Albanese channeling a bit of Bob Hawke there in an attempt to win some
status points. Given we didn’t actually
have one for the Americas Cup, I’m pretty sure we won’t have one for the
Matilda’s. Where would it end? Having a public holiday for any team that
achieves something they haven’t for a while.
Public Holiday when Saint Kilda wins a
flag perhaps? Apparently, it is a state
decision though, which may be reserved for an exceptional circumstance
only. It’s my understanding that Western Australia
intends to declare a public holiday should West Coast finish 17th. But maybe a public holiday isn’t such a bad
idea. Maybe we’re not getting
enough? Australia are way down the list
when it comes to the number of public holidays we have (10 – 13 depending on
state). Nepal has the most at 35 public
holidays, so it seems they have fully embraced the 4-day work week. Even Japan, often referred to for its
workaholic culture, has more public holidays than Australia, although everyone
chooses to work on those days. More to
the point is that one of Japan’s
public holidays is “Sports Day.” This is
what I propose we do in Australia. Take a day to think about and remember all
the great sporting achievements past and present, from retaining the Ashes to
little Sally’s first Auskick goal. I
propose that this be a personal holiday, in which you can take it any time
during the year on a day when you’re feeling a little too hungover to be
productive. Keystrokes will not be
logged on that day. Geez, add this to the
six stadiums in Alice Springs and my political
platform is growing!
With all this talk of the World Cup though,
lets spare a thought for the greatest game in the world, Australian Rules
Football. It’s the greatest sport
because it’s the only sport (that I know of) that is played on an oval shaped
field where teams scoring zones are at opposite ends. What this means is that if you want to get
the ball out of defence, you get to move it from the narrow to the widest part
of the ground where there is plenty of space so going from defence to the
neutral area is easy. Then, when you
want to go into attack, the ground narrows and there’s very little space to
work in which makes this a very hard thing to do. How deliciously dastardly!
What about this week’s matches?
Collingwood vs Brisbane Marvel Stadium Friday Night
The Pies finish the season with three
Friday night blockbusters, and this is the second of those. A return to form last week saw them overcome
the Cats, overcome a lack of Moore, overcome only having half of the required
number of Daicii, and overcoming umpires not understanding what a boundary line
is. In the meantime, Brisbane
had their second “just snuck it in” by defeating Adelaide at the Gabba by a single goal. Looking at the last 3 to 4 weeks of both of
these teams and you would be unconvinced that any of these teams could win
this. A win here for Collingwood secures
top spot and an obscure trophy for the cabinet (or is it a plaque on a
wall?). A win for Brisbane though and they might be able to
etch their name instead. But what is
first worth compared to second? Nothing,
as we established last week. So, while
it seems like an important match, it is not, aside from finding/maintaining
form. If the game was at the MCG, you
would use a pen to write Collingwood, but this is at Marvel which the two teams
have only played three times at. The
last time was a 1-point thriller in favour of Brisbane.
But for Collingwood, Brisbane
is one of only two teams they are on the wrong side of the Win Loss record in
total (the other is West Coast). Can
they cover the loss of Moore and Daicos two weeks in a row? I think so.
Collingwood by 10 points.
Richmond vs North Melbourne MCG Saturday
Afternoon
For some teams the season was still alive
last week, albeit just. Richmond was one of those and this week they
are done. This means that they go into
this weekend with some freedom from mounting pressure, and they have two games
to try and give Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt a winning send off. It can be sad when club champions retire but
I think Jack may have been spending the last couple of years auditioning on
various TV programs for a media gig. North Melbourne themselves sent off Ben Cunnington last
week so will understand the scenario ahead of the Tigers. While North have been more competitive in
recent weeks, you just can’t tip them. Richmond
by 27 points.
Gold Coast vs Carlton Carrara Saturday Afternoon
The Suns looked like world beaters when
they took down Brisbane
a couple of weeks ago. Now, after a
couple of poor showings they look like a typical 15th spot on the
ladder team. What can I say about Carlton? Last week I said that if they won this week
then I would stop prattling on about how the fixture is making them look
good. They were outstanding against Melbourne. This was a match that had a real finals vibe
with immense pressure and herculean efforts required. The finish was almost as exciting as the
penalty shootout. Had the goal umpire
made the correct soft call then I’d be piling on Carlton, but they are certainties to be
playing finals now so, “All Aboard the Finals Express, direct to the Grand
Final.” I’ve got my ticket and my seat
and am waiting for the conductor to punch it.
Or punch me…I’d rather be unconscious!
To this game though and it won’t be a walk over victory for Carlton. Gold Coast have shown that their best is
pretty good and while Carlton
have been full of contested stats, so too have Gold Coast. A sunny day at Carrara will allow for nice twilight footy
and perhaps a bit of greasy dew in the twilight of the last quarter and it’s a
ground that they have a favourable record against the Blues on. Time for Gold Coast to show Hardwick what he
has to work with, but nothing can stop the Carlton Train now…not even a
lawn-eating Batman and squirrel-gripping Robin.
Carlton
by 15 points.
Greater Western
Sydney vs Essendon GIANTS
Stadium Saturday Twilight
Essendon are fast slipping out of
contention for a finals spot, although they do sit just above GWS. A classic purgatory match with the loser
likely to finish 9th which is the worst of all spots. Essendon have had two wins the last two weeks
but shaky wins they were, just scraping past the bottom two sides. GWS were beating all-comers until all-comers
were suddenly pretty good. At home for
the Giants against an Essendon who look a bit underdone…GWS by 33 points.
Saint Kilda vs Geelong Marvel
Stadium Saturday Night
This is going to be a tough match to pick. Saint Kilda have performed better in recent
weeks although this has been against lesser opponents. Geelong
has a bit of desperation about them as the season looks like its slipping
away. Jeremy Cameron returned to form,
kicking 5 great goals from within the field of play, one goal from the Haydn
Bunton Sports Bar and one goal from the 11th green at Albert Park
Golf Course. If Geelong
lose this one, they can kiss finals goodbye but with their final game at Kardinia Park they would fancy a win here to see
them safely into the lower part of the eight when last measurements are
taken. Saint Kilda also probably need to
secure a win from their last two starts and with their last match being against
Brisbane at the
Gabba, this is one they need to win.
Have a punt each way perhaps? Geelong
by 22 points.
Adelaide vs Sydney Adelaide
Oval Saturday Night
Hands down Adelaide is the best team not currently in
the eight. In fact, my statistical
leviathan has them as the 4th best team overall. If only they could win away from home. Sydney
have improved immensely as the season has worn on and can lock away a top 4
spot with a win here…maybe…I don’t know.
The ladder predictor has been working overtime. As strange as it sounds, when you look at the
ladder there’s 5 rungs between these teams but at home, you can’t go past Adelaide. This match will only serve to heighten the
tension that Round 24 will bring. Adelaide
by 28 points.
Footscray vs West Coast Marvel Stadium Sunday Afternoon
Statistically the Western Bulldogs are the
6th best side in the competition.
But alphabetically, they are the lowest ranked team so that’s a bit of a
mystery. It’s music to West Coast’s ears
as at least they can say they are ranked higher than someone in something! Last week was a bit of a disaster for both of
these sides. Footscray let slip a match
that, for a while at least, they seemed to be in control of. Was this West Coast’s lowest ebb? Do they have any lower they can fall? Nic Nat doesn’t have another pre-season in
him, and he will bow out with the incredible distinction of being the only
player ever suspended for being bigger and heavier than his opponent. At least he keeps the one-retirement-per-week
average up. A 100-point drubbing at the
hands of the mortal enemy will not sit well with supporters and powermongers
alike. Those heads not already rolling
will roll as soon as the press conference is done after round 24. Can West Coast take past momentum at Marvel
into a match against the Mutts? There
will be some fight after last week’s insipid display, but maybe not enough to
overcome a team clinging to the eight. Footscray
by 20 points. Tim English to
never take a kick-in again.
Melbourne vs
Hawthorn MCG Sunday Afternoon
I listened with a bit of gob-smackedness to
the post-match interviews when Caleb Marchbank may have indicated that he
didn’t really touch it. And so, with one
soft call by a goal umpire, Melbourne
may be travelling in the first week of finals.
One thing is for sure, you wouldn’t want Marchbank testifying in a court
of law. Hawthorn strung a second win on
top of their last to get a Giant-Killer reputation in the latter stages of the
season. A real danger game for Melbourne, but if they
are serious about this finals stuff, they’ll dispatch the Hawks. Melbourne
by 27 points.
Fremantle vs Port Adelaide Perth
Stadium Sunday Twilight
When you beat your cross-town rivals twice
in a year, you have a lot of reasons to smile.
Obviously, I’m not talking about Port Adelaide there. Fremantle had a huge win which included a
14-consecutive-goal run while dodging some yellow and blue witches’ hats. That impromptu training session has them in
cherry ripe condition for Port Adelaide.
The Power found some of that previous form that seemed to desert them in
recent weeks, but we can always be skeptical when it’s at home. The big news at Alberton Oval is that Kochie
has put the knives away and confirmed Hinkley for a few more years. He’ll be steering the ship while first
officer Josh Carr learns the ropes until Ken can take a back seat while Josh
drives. It’s not a succession
though. Another tricky one to pick but
we’ll go with Port Adelaide
by 18 points.
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