Lest We Forget

The ANZAC round for 2012 featured a number of fizzers for mine, but there were still 9 winners to be found somewhere.

It all kicked off on ANZAC Day with the filth defeating the scum by 1 point in an instant ANZAC Day classic. To be truthful, the Pies should have had this game wrapped up halfway through the third on the back of one of the great individual games by the Great Dane. In the end they fell over the line to thankfully put the Bombers quest for the perfect season to rest.

Friday night saw the mighty Blues become the first team to win away in Perth this year when they hold on to beat the Dockers. I don't think there will be many more foreign victories on WA soil this year either. Still - the purple haze again showed their mental fragility wasting a number of gilt edged changes in front of goal. Saturday saw two of the AFL's worst teams (GWS and the Dogs) playoff in the nation's worst capital city. The Dog's got the win in a forgettable encounter. North then showed they are still the mid-table mediocrity they always are by trailing the Suns at half time in Melbourne. They ran to win by 30 odd points but didn't impress anyone.

Saturday night saw the Dees put up a tremendous fight against the Saints, but just fall short. Think that says more about the Saints to be honest. Think they will be lucky to play finals this year. And in the big wet in Brisbane the Cats were far too good for the Lions in Simon Black's 300th. Can't believe people were talking up the Lions in this one....PLEASE!

ANZAC Sunday dawned with a complete second half capitulation from one-time premiership favorites Hawthorn against Sydney in Tassie. It was so good it had to be fattening! Gordos reckons the Hawks have been challenging for the flag for three years - I assume those years are in the mid 80s. The Swans were mighty impressive though and I may have to give them more credit then I did previously. The Tiges gave the Eagles a mighty big fright at Etihad but all they got was another honorable loss as the 4 points flew west. Finally the round ended with the Showdown - which allowed the Crows to become the worst side to sit in the top 4 after 5 rounds in AFL/VFL history. They defeated the Power - and added to the Falcon's bank balance in the process.

To the tipping - and the Swans win in the battle of the birds meant no one got the perfect 9 - there were a boatload of 8s though. One of those was Kermit The Frog who now joins the horseboy at the top of the tree on 37. It will be a close race to see who crumbles from their lofty heights first - horseboy or his beloved Crows. In the Streak comp, Owen Bailey increased his active streak to 15, and now leads that comp by 2.

It looks like most of the comp will be tipping in 9 in Round 6 so to save time here are the winners - Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong, Fremantle, Sydney, Hawthorn, Carlton, Richmond, West Coast. Best chance of upsets are the Power at home over the Tiges, and the Lions surprising a flat Bombers outfit. Would love to see the Suns beat the Shockers too!

Reality Check

While a champion was being crowned out at Randwick on Saturday, a few teams faced a stern reality check in Round 4 as the 2012 premiership race looks to be the most open for many years.

Despite The Falcon telling you the Dockers would be the Saints on Friday night, he changed his tip midweek after looking at the Shockers recent record against the Sinners. Greg Broughton's late goal to seal the win for the purple haze was a dagger through the heart.

That dagger turned into the AFL equivalent of a suicide bomb for Carlton fans on Saturday arvo at the G, as the Bombers pulled the old wolf in sheeps clothing trick with an unbelievable 5 goal win, while the Blues looked to still have the hangover from last week's win over the Pies. The scum should have won by more. Still, I'd back the Blues to beat them if they happen to meet in September. Over at Etihad it was the black and white stripe Derby, and the filth from Melbourne defeated the filth from South Australia in a less than impressive display. They are still a long way from their best form. The twilight game saw the Crows recorded the lowest ever victory recorded against GWS. Warning signs must certainly be flashing over at Football Park.

Saturday night saw the Lions easily win the Q-clash, but the win was diminished by a late knee injury to Gary Ablett Jnr who will now miss 2-3 weeks. You would have to expect some 100 point beltings for the Suns over that period. Meanwhile in the west, we witnessed one of weirdest games of football you will ever see. Hawthorn and West Coast managed a collective 10.37 between them in a match that must have brought back memories of windy winters at the Western Oval. Despite going goalless (yes goalless!!!) in the first half, the Eagles held off a late Hawthorn charge to win a thriller and firm towards premiership favoritism.

Sunday was a day of ho-hum matches. A below strength Geelong scraped past Richmond down at Sleepy Hollow in a game the Tiges could have won had they taken their chances. North copped a massive reality check when they were humbled by the Swans at the SCG. People are now talking up the Swans as genuine top 4 contenders - puleasee!!! The loss says more about North than it does the Swans. Still mid-table battlers. The Swans are honest as the day is long but are still a few goals off the top outfits for mine. Jim Stynes was remembered in the Sunday twilight fixture with a match up between two teams already in the grave this season (too soon?). The Dogs won a slogfest but football was the loser on the day.

To the tips, and not surprisingly given the Blues no show on Saturday there were no perfect rounds this week. Four tipsters managed to grab 8 from 9 though. One of those was pavstheman who moved into equal first over all on 30, tied with the Horseboy who continues to perform well despite an overseas absence. In the streak competition Owen Bailey has joined Driza Bone with a 12 game run, however Owen's streak is still active after Adelaide's close victory over GWS so he holds prime position in that competition.

Finally to the ANZAC round with the ANZAC game now looking a complete lottery. I'll continue to back the Pies in - the Bombers have not been the most consistent side in recent seasons. Friday night see the Blues try to bounce back against the Dockers in Perth. Another coin flip for mine, but I just lean towards Freo in Perth. The Dogs will make it two wins in a row when they beat GWS in Canberra, while North Melbourne will bounce back when their piss-easy draw sees them face Gold Coast at Etihad. Saturday night sees an absolute snoozer at the G where the Saints should account for the Demons. Geelong face what may be a tough challenge against the Lions at the GABBA, but I still think there is the core of a champion team in there somewhere. Cats for mine. Sydney's claims for a top 4 spot will be blown apart by the Hawks on Sunday in Tassie. West Coast should be far too good for the Tiges even though they meet in Melbourne while the round concludes with the Showdown over in Adelaide. I'm sure the rest of Australia would rather storm the Gallipolli beaches then watch the two bogan SA sides go at it.

The Curse From Afar

Yes... I had just picked Carazzo in my SuperCoach team - now for murphy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Define Yourself

Round 3 proved to be season defining for a number of teams as premiership credentials were put on the line in a cracking round of football.

It all started on Friday night with the Blues showing they were a serious threat for the flag as they absolutely slaughtered an insipid Magpie outfit. The performance was so dominant there were a few panicked text phone calls being made to the Malthouse home at 3-quarter time. The Blues smashed the filth in the midfield and in truth the 10 goal victory could have been closer to 15 had they not wasted some decent chances. If they can keep all their big man on the park they look like they have the ability to go deep in September. In contrast the Magpies looked a rabble and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back. Too early to write off their top 4 hopes though...for now.

It took a half on Saturday but the Tigers managed to get their first win on the board in 2012 with a 10 goal flogging of the Demons. It was a game the Tiges had to win and they did as Melbourne's hellish season rolls on. Port Adelaide gave Sydney a run for their money over at AAMI but in the end the Swans had too much for the Power. Some people are talking up the undefeated Swans as top four material. They are kidding themselves. The Swans have the professionalism to beat the poor sides but lack the class to beat the real contenders. In a dour struggle at Subi, the Dockers and Lions couldn't manage 100 points between them as Fremantle eked out a 5 goal win in one of the worst games of football you are ever likely to see.

Saturday night proved that the Dogs are G O N E as they were destroyed by a Saints outfit that in truth looks only a mid-table side. The Dogs will be lucky to avoid finishing bottom 4 the way things are looking. Up at the Gold Coast, Gary Ablett produced one of the greatest games ever seen - for the third week in a row!!! Still, it wasn't enough to get the Suns over the line as they gave up a 3/4 time lead in a 3 goal lost to the Bombers. The scum are also undefeated and their feral supporters only have them firm as flag favourites each week.

AFL premiership footy debuted at Blacktown and despite being up by close to 10 goals at 1/4 time, the $1.01 Eagles failed to cover the 99.5 point line against the GWS. They were victorious by a measly 89 points - but gee the look ominous. If they can win enough games to finish top 2 it is hard to see them not getting to the last Saturday in September. The more telling result on Sunday was Hawthorn's complete demolition of a hapless Adelaide at the MCG. The Crows perfect start under Brenton Sanderson came to a crashing end as they met a real contender for the first time when it mattered and were absolutely battered. They may make the 8 due to their easy draw but they won't be troubling any of the top sides in September. The round ended with (for me) a massive upset as the Kangaroos easily accounted for Geelong. Before this match I would have rated the Kangas as borderline finals material but a win like that (so rare for them in recent years) suggests they may have turned a corner and could challenge for the lower positions in the 8.

To the tipping - and a massive effort from ruby2shoes who managed to find the Kangaroos for a perfect 9 and a bonus point. That sees him move within one of three joint leaders. Horseboy, did his best impression of Port Adelaide and choked as soon as he hit the front (I'm guessing he tipped Adelaide to beat the Hawks!). He has been joined at the top by Tom Rosewall and Chooka. In the streak comp Richard Banks didn't manage a standout and was overtaken by a host of players. Drizabone now has the lead on 12 - but his streak was ended by the Cats capitulation on Sunday. There are three tipsters with active streaks on 11 - Owen Bailey, wildjohny, and ruby2shoes who selected 8 of his 9 winners this week in his run - fair effort.

Finally to this weeks matches. The round kicks off with St Kilda v Fremantle in Lyongate. I still like the Dockers but this is the one chance I will give the perennial chokers of winning in Melbourne this year. Saturday sees an absolute blockbuster at the MCG as Carlton takes on Essendon. On exposed form you'd have to like the Blues. Collingwood should be able to bounce back with a win over Power while Adelaide's piss easy draw will again be in evidence when they smash the Giants. Saturday night sees an absolute cracker at Subi as the Eagles take on the Hawks. Think you would have to go with Eagles over in WA. In a less enticing match up, Brisbane and the Gold Coast meet in the Q-Clash. Ablett could potentially get the Suns over the line but I will back the Lions in. The round ends on Sunday with Geelong taking on Richmond at Kardinia Park. The Cats will s**t it in. In a battle of two of the most irrelevant sides in the league the Swans play the Kangaroos up in Sydney. The Swans haven't been that impressive so far this year but these are the type of games they win. The twilight game is absolute puss - Melbourne v Western Bulldogs. I'll tip the Dogs but will be watching the races from Hong Kong.

Crucified

The AFL celebrated its Easter round by sending more lambs to the slaughter than the Romans fed Christians to the lions.

It all started on Easter Thursday with the Lions cast as the prey rather than the predator. Brisbane managed to prove all those who thought beating Melbourne was top quality form wrong, as they were completely annihilated by the Old Dark Navy's in a 14 goal flogging. The skillful Blues were as effective as a Roman executioner in nailing the Lions to the cross.

Easter Saturday saw the Bombers fall over the line against the Power in Melbourne (hmmmm), while Fremantle added to their portfolio as the worst franchise in sporting history by backing up a win against the reigning premiers with a loss to the mind-numbingly boring Swans. The Dockers put on a bit of a show to get within 2 goals in the second half but they were no where to be seen (as usual) when the game was there to be won in the first half. Over in Perth the Eagles 100+ point thumped the soulless Demons, while the Crows continued their unbeaten season with a workmanlike victory over the Dogs. The Pies and Tigers tired to bash the living crap out of each other (as did their players on the field), and the end result was an underwhelming win to the Carringbush.

Eastern Sunday dawned, and had the bearded man known what was to be delivered on this holiest of days he would have surely rolled the rock back across the entrance to his cave and dynamited any escape close. The Kangaroos set a record for inside 50s (83 of them!) in recording a 21 goal thumping of GWS while despite 40 possies and 2 goals from Gary Ablett the all-offense Suns capitulated to the Saints who didn't need the good Lord on their side in a 41 point win.

The endless round finally found some substance on Easter Monday, as the Hawks once again proved they were the biggest chokers under pressure in the league, in giving up a 3-goal 3-quarter time lead in yet another loss to the cats.

On to the tipping, and with only 2 50-50 games last week if you got less than 7 you should probably give the game away. Seven tipsters managed the perfect 9 and got the bonus point - one of which was Horseboy who now leads the competition alone by 2. The result was some Easter mircale from Lukey who somehow managed the perfect round despite declaring the Lions certain winners in his blog last week. Need I mention as competition orgainser he has the ability to edit his tips after the results are out? RIGGED!!!!!! Richard Banks grabbed the lead in the streak competition and now has an unbeaten run of 8 going, all from this round.

A tepid Round 2 will be forgotten when a cracking Round 3 kicks off this Friday night as the greatest rivalry in football resumes as the Blues take on the Pies. The bookies have opened Carlton favorite but they have only beaten rabble so far and I am leaning towards the proven Pies. Richmond should easily account for Melbourne in the battle of the basket cases. While Sydney's toughness will be too much for the teal wearing Power. Fremantle should bounce back at home to the Lions, while a grand total of 2 AFL/VFL premirships in close to 200 years come together as St Kilda clash with the Dogs. Saints for mine. Bomber fans have already penciled in their 17th flag after wins over North and Port, and will be close to premiership favorites after they flog the Gold Cost. People are already talking up the chance of a record score at Blacktown on Sunday where the West Coast will find plenty of dealers in supply as they flog the Giants. Hawthorn should bounce back to deliver the Crows the first (of many) loss of the season while the round should end with the Kangaroos again copping a flogging from a top 4 side as they lose to the Cats.

Off a-running...

Yes I am off to Boston to do ze marathon and then doing some travelling around but hopefully The Nipster and The Falcon will keep you up to date and entertained in my absence.

Those Lions didn't really do so well eh?  And now no Black... who chose them for bottom?  And Melbourne...?  You know, some clubs would be galvanised by the goings on from the last few weeks... but they will get absolutely pummelled by the Beagles.

Go you CROWS!

STREAK!

I noticed 39 out of 52 entered the streaks comp... so where are the rest of you?  It's not hard. If yer unsure what is involved then drop me a line.  In the meantime the current leader is ruby2shoes who got greedy, picking 5 'certainties' of which the first 4 came home before the Saints lost.  You seriously picked Freo and the Bombers as certainties?????

Smash the (S)ucker!

Ahhh Scarlett.  As written and spoken 100 times by various folk over the last two days, is there anyone that blames you for taking a shot at serial ####er Haydos Ballantyne.  And that clearly extends to the Match Review Panel who have managed to keep his punishment back to just 3 games!  How good is that?

I am wondering if I can get them on my side when I next run into someone that I think is worthy of a quick roundhouse to the chops.  And as I watch 360 on Fox, I think Robbo fits that bill... my GOD how ANNOYING is he?  Absolute. Clown.  Seriously.  How do they get these roles? I think Bomber Thompson just tried to take a swipe at him.

Hmmm anyway, the Dockers beat the Cats as predicted by the mighty horseboy. I know I know... What a genius!  But no amount of genius was gonna know just how bad the Dees would play.  What a bunch of chumps.  Those mighty Lions without Browny made them look 3rd rate.  Only the Umps and Magner made them look any more than pure poop.  Actually they didn't manage to do that.  They looked rubbish.  Also pure rubbish were those ageing Saints against the Paps.  Or are the Paps gonna have a better year than most thought?  No.  The Sinners are just on the way DOWN folks...  I'm making the call now.  They're gone for 2012!  Yep on the back of a 4 point loss against the hapless hopeless Paaaaa in the first round of a long season, you can kiss it goodbye.  Hmmm have I been watching Mike Sheahan for too long?

Speaking of which... No doubt right now Mr Sheahan is writing epitaphs for the Tigers.  See?  Pure Genius = horseboy.  But hang on... you can't say that the Blues are premiership contenders on one hand and write off the tiggers on the other when they played each other... Fact = Blues ok, Tiggers = bottom 4.

On the other hand the Eagles are looking VERY good and you could have done worse than pick them for the Grand Final.  No, the Bulldogs won't win the flag but they're not crap... and the Eagles made em look silly despite missing two big forwards.   They'll be up there with the Hawks n Pies, and of course the Mighty Mighty's who overcame one of the best defensive units in the team to finish ten goals up.  Go you good thing.

Round 2
		VENUE	AEST	Local	TV
Thur, April 5	Brisbane Lions vs. Carlton	Gabba	7.40pm	7.40pm	SEVEN
Sat, April 7	Essendon vs. Port Adelaide	Etihad Stadium	1.45pm	1.45pm	SEVEN
Sat, April 7	Sydney Swans vs. Fremantle Dockers	SCG	2.10pm	2.10pm	FOX
Sat, April 7	West Coast Eagles vs. Melbourne	Patersons Stadium	4.40pm	2.40pm	FOX
Sat, April 7	Collingwood vs. Richmond	MCG	7.40pm	7.40pm	SEVEN
Sat, April 7	Adelaide Crows vs. Western Bulldogs	AAMI Stadium	7.40pm	7.10pm	FOX
Sun, April 8	North Melbourne vs. GWS Giants	Blundstone Arena	1.10pm	1.10pm	FOX
Sun, April 8	St Kilda vs. Gold Coast Suns	Etihad Stadium	4.40pm	4.40pm	FOX
Mon, April 9	Geelong Catsvs. Hawthorn	MCG	3.10pm	3.10pm	SEVEN

And into Round 2 we go.  All of a sudden the Lions and Carlton ain't so easy eh?  It's up at the Gabba... and when in doubt go the home team.  Just like I did with Melbourne last week... hmm.  No, the Lions will win.

Over at Etihad on Saturday I can't see the Paps beating the Bombers but wouldn't it be nice?  The Swans will have too much for the Dockers as they restart their season again, and the Beagles n Pies will smash the Dees n Tiggers.  Obviously the Crows will spit out the Doggies,  and the Bedigos and Sinners will easily beat the Tinies and Suns respectively, but who will win out of the Cats n Hawks?  Now THAT is tough... the Cats do have the wood over them though don't they?