Round 2 Preview

 Last Week           6/9           Season Total      9/14

The world just isn’t improving.  It turns out that being an Australian doesn’t mean you help out a mate in their time of need.  Instead, being Australian means, you become a selfish fuel hoarding panic merchant.  Where did we go so wrong?  Preaching Over.

It was good to see all the teams playing this weekend.  The controversy over Opening Round continues.  The additional imbalance in the game that no-one wants and no-one needs.  The fact they scheduled a match in Melbourne really topped it.  That’s the nail in the coffin really.  That’s the point where you question the goals of the board.  They’re not isolating the Northern States anymore to promote and grow.  They’re grabbing cash.  I don’t blame them.  Securing your bonus early is always a good career move.

Lots happening already.  Brisbane is in trouble…but they were the same last year.  The new coaches had mixed results, and Scott Pendlebury has been given a week for the first time since 2006.  He’ll be trying the “good bloke” defense, and the conspiracy nuts are taking the view that the decision will be made based on when the AFL/Collingwood want to orchestrate the match which he breaks the all-time games record.  The REAL conspiracy theorists are saying they’ll up the penalty to 8 weeks so he can break the record against Gold Coast to give those Nepo Babies a record crowd.  Anyway, let’s get into it.

Hawthorn vs Sydney      MCG                      Thursday Night

Sydney had a good win over Brisbane, but it came at a cost.  Errol Gulden and Isaac Heeney look set for a stint on the sidelines nursing some nasty injuries.  Hawthorn brushed Essendon aside after they started well.  Sydney looked good in the first two matches but a lot of that has rested on the now busted shoulders of Gulden.  Can they really be that bad if you a) take away that one person and b) take them away from the SCG?  My heart says Sydney, but my brain says Hawthorn.  But I’ve long considered my brain is not to be trusted.  My heart makes good decisions always (or at least my brain picks up the pieces and justifies my heart’s decisions afterwards) – Deep stuff.  The heart wants what the heart wants.  Sydney by 13 points.

Adelaide vs Footscray   Adelaide Oval                   Friday Night

Friday Night and match of the round.  Adelaide burst away from Collingwood to beat them for the first time in around 10 years.  They get Rankine back and are brimming with confidence.  Footscray spanked GWS and now with a couple of big scalps will be aiming to claiming last years minor premier to position themselves as flag favourites.  Both midfields were dominant last week, and I expect this to be a fast, free-flowing and rather defenseless match.  Can Thilthorpe, Fogarty and Walker fire again?  Or will their supply be limited as the ball pings off in the other direction.  I like the cut of Footscray’s jib.  Footscray by 24 points.

Richmond vs Gold Coast               MCG      Saturday Afternoon

West Coast last week and this week they get Richmond.  Looks like the AFL have plotted a nice path all the way to the cup for their little Nepo.  Richmond was solid and nearly turned the heat up on Voss to level 11.  If not for poor kicking boots Richmond would have had more goals and won.  But there’s a lot of if’s that you should never revisit in life.  Gold Coast will follow the yellow brick road all the way to the MCH in September at this rate…just don’t stray off that pristine path.  Gold Coast by 35 points.

GWS vs St. Kilda              Showground      Saturday Afternoon

St. Kilda need a lifeline.  All that money they spent last year and for what?  Nuthin! Bupkis! Not a solitary sausage!  GWS, despite their injuries are not the kind of team to just roll over either.  St. Kilda need a miracle.  GWS by 8 points.

Fremantle vs Melbourne             Perth Stadium   Saturday Night

Everything was against Freo and particularly, if you ask Longmuir, the scheduling.  Opening Round was unfair and so was travelling to Kardinia Park as they ran out of steam in the end.  He should keep quiet otherwise next year, he might have to do what West Coast had to do.  Melbourne was a stand out performer and brushed off the loss of Petracca and Oliver to show their fans that getting rid of their ex’s was really good for them.  Freo in Perth is a different challenge and now that the Women’s Asian Cup is done with, Perth Stadium is available.  Fremantle by 22 points.

Port Adelaide vs Essendon          Adelaide Oval   Sunday Afternoon

While Melbourne was the standout performer, Port Adelaide were the disappointment.  It was a match that Josh Carr would have penciled in but alas, he has to go back to the drawing board.  At least he should be the current crop of Baby Bombers.  Port Adelaide by 27 points.

West Coast vs North Melbourne              Perth Stadium   Sunday Twilight

Honestly, what were the AFL thinking.  Scheduling has not been their strong point in their quest for the almighty dollar and West Coast paid the penalty last week but put in a solid second half to buck the predictions of a 100+ point drubbing.  North Melbourne had a great performance against the aforementioned Port Adelaide to not only bugger up my tips but make people pay attention.  West Coast may have seen this as getable before last week, but now I’m not so sure.  North Melbourne by 15 points.

Byes: Brisbane, Collingwood, Carlton and Geelong

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