Round 21 Preview

 Last Week           6/9           Season Total      112/162

There’s been so much sport on of late that the Commonwealth Games completely went under the radar for me.  However, the term “game” indicates a fair and friendly contest between parties.  When Australia has won practically every medal on offer it doesn’t seem fair at all.  The Men’s Open has come and gone in the golf and this weekend is the Women’s Open.  Hopefully Minjee Lee does a bit better than last weeks Scottish Open where she was so bad on day one she pulled out from embarrassment (actually I think she was sick).  Tadej Pogačar won Le Tour again, making him one of greatest of all time.  I don’t want to make accusations, but Le Tour is one of those sports where you have to wait several years to ratify any greatness as testing catches up to doping.

Anyway, there is footy happening…

Collingwood vs Geelong              MCG      Thursday Night

Did anyone tip Collingwood last week?  I had the fortune of forgetting to put my tips in and got the away team for that match.  Everyone else was super happy for me and rejoiced in my good fortune…

The Pies are on a roll, but both of these teams are a bit beaten up at the moment with lengthening injury lists of key players.  I understand that both teams aren’t coming onto the playing surface until right before bouncedown to minimize any chance of additional injuries.  The casual observer will be watching Oisin Mullin play on Nick Daicos as he has a knack for tagging the untaggable.  Geelong is a bogey side for Collingwood, having beaten them 7 out of the last 9 attempts.  Collingwood doesn’t seem to have an answer.  Geelong by 15 points.

Fremantle vs Footscray                 Perth Stadium   Friday Night

Do Fremantle even need to turn up anymore?  They’re just about guaranteed to finish top of the ladder regardless so maybe put their players in cotton wool until then?  Of course there is the old adage of not messing with form, but I put that against not messing with hamstrings, ankles, knees and any manner of facet joints.  Footscray could pinch a win here, but only if Fremantle lose interest.  Fremantle by 25 points.

Saint Kilda vs Sydney     Marvel Stadium               Saturday Afternoon

Much said about Max King, and it doesn’t seem to matter what St Kilda do, they are getting blamed for mismanaging him.  Maybe it’s Max’s fault?  Not literally he’s doing something wrong, it could be genetic.  I know if I run more than 30m I will tear my calf.  Now I just manage that myself by waiting for the next bus.  As much as St Kilda might think they’re a shot, Sydney is now prepping for a finals campaign.  Sydney by 31 points.

Hawthorn vs North Melbourne York Park             Saturday Afternoon

Is there anything I could write here that would give North Melbourne some hope?  They haven’t beaten Hawthorn for 4 years and the average margin has been 9 goals.  This will be much the same.  Hawthorn by 55 points.

Port Adelaide vs GWS                   Adelaide Oval   Saturday Night

I don’t know what to do with GWS tips.  This is a side who beat the far and away best side in the league and lost to the far and away worst side in the league.  I’m just going to stick with the home side.  Port Adelaide by 18 points.

Carlton vs Brisbane                         Marvel Stadium               Saturday Night

The Blues returned to the winners list and need to make a good showing for whoever the new coach will be next season?  Will they make the Wildcard spots?  It’s a tough run home but they have Fraser.  This week they come up against Brisbane who have winners everywhere.  They’ll miss Ty Gallop after his act of thuggery, but that won’t change the outcome.  Brisbane by 37 points.

Richmond vs West Coast              MCG      Sunday Afternoon

Here in WA, there are a lot of news articles about whether the umpires act differently around Harley Reid.  Personally, I think The West Australian newspaper is just trying to get more free kicks, but I can understand how the umpires might.  In my youth, I once got close to a Victoria Secrets model, and I acted a lot differently.  When you meet someone of such fame, you can’t help but act differently.  Both teams will be looking at this match as an opportunity for another win this year, but for West Coast a win would breach that magical 5-wins barrier.  I don’t want to mention the “T” word but would like West Coast supporters to know that the M1A2 Abrams is a likable object as is the 23,650L Round Corrugated Rainwater Storage System.  Food for thought.  West Coast by 1 point.

Gold Coast vs Melbourne            Carrara Sunday Afternoon

The season is over for Gold Coast.  They have nought to play for but pride.  Melbourne is still trying to maintain a spot in the top 6 and avoid the Wildcard zone.  I don’t know where this one will lead to?  Is pride a more powerful force than desperation?  This will be the ultimate test.  Gold Coast by 9 points.

Essendon vs Adelaide   Marvel Stadium               Sunday Afternoon

Hird has a lot of work to do.  They got their win against the inconsistent GWS but returned to the quagmire last week against the Hawks.  Adelaide will be stinging from the loss to the Pies and looking to rebound hard.  Luckily Essendon is a soft, pliable trampoline-like surface, providing excellent rebound qualities.  Adelaide by 48 points.

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