It't been an unctuous time for the Horseboy and the lack of optus's ability to penetrate my little stable has only added to my woes. What is a Horseboy to do when he can't access the latest in video entertainment, let alone not update his little patch of net-turf. And all the while those dodgy dodgy Port supporters keep digging it in like they were in line for their 2nd flag instead of labouring near the bottom of the table with nothing to look forward to in 2011 except beating the Gold Coast. Keep it up ladies.
Round 22 was one that just didn't mean shizer to most clubs, and the results probably suggested that... The Cats put in a very average effort before engaging brains and running away from the Beagles, while the Hawkers just got over the line against the Pies. Clarkson can sit there and take comfort all he likes but the reality is the Pies clearly didn't care and yet they still only just beat them. The fact they played Josh Fraser says it all. Over and out but 200 games. He'll be at the Coast next year but only if they are incredibly desperate.
In a tight low scoring affair at Insurance Stadium the Crows rested 1600 games of experience so they could make it around the ground after the game and still got home against the Sinners. Tippet's goal kicking was definitely special as he sprayed em from 6 metres in front but then kicked em from freak angles. It's so good to have our very own Rocca. While it was a good effort, just like the Pies, there's no doubt the Sinners put their A-Game away in the last quarter. That said, I'm not sure the Sinners A-Game is that great at the moment. Ditto the Doggies who played the worst team in the Comp - the Bombers - and only just got home (which against them means under 10 goals). Matty Knights has nothing to work with and I'm not talking about the team, I'm talking his brain. Why a club takes on a coach with proven experience at nothing but LOSING I'll never know. Let's have a look...
- as a player for Richmond he played in a crap team and made the finals twice for no cigar
- as the coach of the soon to be defunct Port Magpies he couldn't get em into the finals
- as the coach of Bendigo he made the finals and then led them to 12th (from 13 teams)
- as the coach of Essendon he ... well... we all know what he has achieved
As Dave would say... BWUDDY RUBBISH! My tip? No one else would wanna take over the list Knights has spent 3 years decimating...
On friday night the Blues went over to the West and took on Freo. A lotta jibba jabba during the week with big ears taking pot shots at Harvey's decision to rest 34 players the previous week against the Hawks. 6 points. Imagine if he hadn't rested them!!! GENIUS!!!!
And in the only other game that mattered, the Swans needed to beat the Lions to get a home final. Well, it's a home final in name cos it's at ANZ. But you know what i mean. The Swans started slow but got enough going to get em home. Too easy.
The Tippers
YES INDEED THE FINALS ARE INCLUDED INCLUDING THE GRANNY!
Of course the Beagles finished bottom so if you slotted them in you can give yerself another 3 points. If you have a team that finished in the opposite half then you take off 2 points per stupid pick. Ie you picked the Crows... whoops. And the random B Hall pick is still out there. If you picked him for the finals or for not at all then yer obviously still in with a show.
At the time of writing, the D Master was out to an 8 point lead. i would suggest that makes him fairly safe. But all the others are well and truly up for grabs so keep yer tipping going for the finals!
The Finals
Friday, September 3
Second Qualifying Final, Geelong Cats v St Kilda at the MCG, 7.45pm
Saturday, September 4
Second Elimination Final, Fremantle v Hawthorn at Subiaco, 1.20pm
First Qualifying Final, Collingwood v Western Bulldogs at the MCG, 7.20pm
Sunday, September 5
First Elimination Final, Sydney Swans v Carlton at ANZ Stadium, 2.40pm
We all know the theory - you can't win it from outside the top 4. But I disagree. This year it's top two. The Sinners are well off the boil and have been for a month. The Doggies have been very average all year. How can I say that when they have finished 4th? Well that is the great vagary of the current system. They haven't beaten a decent team all year!!! Seriously... have a look here...
NOW you believe me? Since Round 11, the only 2 top 8 teams they have beaten are Freo (in Melbourne during their big slump) and Carlton who were also slumping at the time.
So for mine you can wrap it up now - the Pies v Cats Granny.
There are still four finals to play though and in the First - the Cats v Sinners on friday night, I expect the Cats to comfortably account for the Sinners. Riewoldt will continue his excellent kicking form (made Tippett look only average), Koshitsme will continue to do nothing against quality opposition, Goddard will put in a blinder but still be incredibly ugly, and Del Santo will be besieged by the best midfield in the comp possibly ever. Remember Brissy's midfield a while back? That's got nuthin on the Cats. Cats by 30 points.
In a 50/50, the Dockers play the Hawks at Subi on Saturday arvo. Big game to see who will get kicked out the following week. Home ground advantage swings it to the Dockers but have a look at the injury list before signing up.
The Pies will bounce back and smash the Dogs by 80 points before heading home. They are GONE. Simple. And i hate the Pies.
Finally the Swans n Carlton... tis a toughie actually... but the Swans should have too much. The young players are coming thru ok while Carlton is just such an average team the AFL should be embarrassed that they made the Finals. I am considering a new rule - if you can't win moer than half your games for the season but still finish in the top half, do the honourable thing and bugger off anyway.
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