Round 14 Preview

 Last Week           4/8           Season Total      75/114

These Byes just seem to be going on and on.  And I just noticed that there are three more weeks of them.  I know we have to get used to them when Tasmania enters the competition, but dragging these ones out just seems like some kind of cruel punishment.  Especially when the games are so tight.  With 6 of the 8 matches last week decided by less than 9 points for some, depending on which side if the ledger your tips were on, was the difference between getting 3 or 8!?  Obviously, the AFL sent out a memo to make the games closer, but I guess they spelled Fremantle incorrectly in the email addresses.  Wharfie Time not required there.

Anyway, I can bang on about footy some more or I could talk about Negative gearing and CGT?  It’s certainly a hot-button topic.  My accountant is encouraging me to move my assets to a different country that is more tax friendly and she wants me to ask my boss if I can open an office in Jersey where corporate tax is 0% and personal tax is capped at 20%.  Of course, if I do that, I’d need to make sure I can get the footy on TV there.  Maybe I’m better off raising enough money to buy Kayo and then turning it into a useful and desired App that might make some money.

Ok.  Let’s look at this week’s matches.

Footscray vs Adelaide   Marvel Stadium               Thursday Night

Both these teams had great, close-fought wins last week over teams that are expected to be contenders at the end of the season.  Walker will miss this match after pushing a player into the contest in what American law enforcement would call a textbook pit maneuver.  While it was good to see Adelaide put up a fight, Footscray are experts at playing the Marvel Stadium surface and I doubt they will be denied another win here.  Footscray by 21 points.

Geelong vs Gold Coast  Kardinia Park     Friday Night

Unlike the previous match, these two teams are coming off a loss.  Geelong looked like Premiership favourites a couple of weeks ago and have since lost close ones to two lower-ranked teams and been made to look a bit mediocre.  Gold Coast might get a leave pass as that’s the kind of thing that happens when you come off a bye.  This game is at Kardinia Park though.  No one plays that sausage better than The Cats.  Geelong by 31 points.

Melbourne vs Essendon               MCG      Saturday Afternoon

It seems a bit unfair to schedule Melbourne on a Saturday after playing on a Monday.  Luckily this counts as a bye.  Melbourne by 35 points.

North Melbourne vs West Coast              Perth Stadium                   Saturday Afternoon

Last year the double trip west was fruitful for North Melbourne.  They looked second rate last week against a Fremantle outfit that wanted to enjoy their time in the South West, surfing, going to wineries and breweries and avoiding sharks.  West Coast put up a good fight, but it wasn’t enough.  The loss of Ginbey for what looks like the rest of the season will be depressing as he has been a solid wall of immense shoulders down there for them this year.  North will want a serious form reversal and West Coast’s midfield has been on fire of late.  Can the brigade of first rounders in North keep up?  Toss the coin on this one.  North Melbourne by 7 points.

Port Adelaide vs Sydney              Adelaide Oval   Saturday Night

Sydney house prices are starting to turn now that the government has changed the rules (incidentally I especially like the way they made house prices tank just after getting all the people on lower incomes to get in on < 5% deposit mortgages).  It’s playing out just like a game of Monopoly, except the Government is like your older brother who is in charge of the bank and understands economics at a higher level than your 5-year old self.  I have so many scars.  I digress…I bring up Monopoly because the Community Chest has exactly two Get Out of Jail Free cards and Sydney have now used them both…Geez that was a long setup for that!  They wouldn’t want to be in the same position against Port Adelaide, who are zipping back from Perth for this one.  They’ve only beaten Port Adelaide once at this ground since 2015, but it was the most recent one.  I think Sydney is gettable but then have you seen my tipping lately?  Sydney by 22 points.

Richmond vs Brisbane   Bellerive (Ninja Stadium)            Sunday Afternoon

Brisbane were subjected to a draw down here in Hobart last year as they were attacked at Ninja by a barrage of Shuriken and Kusarigama.  They will want to tread carefully.  They got a much-needed win last week which might just snap them back into action and will be looking for a soft kill against a bye-returning Richmond.  The Tigers will be dropping Makibishi and Metsubushi to try and get out of this one.  Brisbane by 26 points.

St Kilda vs GWS                                Marvel Stadium               Sunday Afternoon

How did the Saints let that one slip last week?  It was a shame to lose it in the last seconds.  GWS will be coming off the bye and might be vulnerable.  Another toss of the coin, but I like the Saints.  Saint Kilda by 14 points.

It’s Bye time.  These teams don’t have to worry about another loss this week.  Except Fremantle, I think the rest of the competition are happy they are taking a break.

Byes: Collingwood, Carlton, Hawthorn, Fremantle