Yes the Top 8 is now officially defined. The blues and bombers - both premiership faves earlier this year - are now GONE for the year after they both played disgracefully for the second half of the year. While the Blues were always likely to struggle against the Suns - 17th on the ladder and missing ten of their regular players - for some stupid reason I thought the Bombers would show SOMEthing against the Tiggers. SOMEthing. ANYthing. The only thing they showed was a lack of skill, desire, and general ability. It was like watching dave on the Snooker table. And that was just in the coaching box. And the Sinners, who played middle of the road footy for much of the year, were finally outted of any mathematical chances despite thrashing the Giants by a lazy 21 goals.
Is Jack Watts the worst number one draft pick EVER? Cameron Mooney's comments on Izzy Follau could have just as easily been applied to Mr Watts who wanders the field third and fourth to most contests.
Indeed lets look at that draft list...
Draft
|
Player | Selected by |
| 1986 | Leslie, Martin | Brisbane Bears |
| 1987 | Lounder, Richard | Richmond |
| 1988 | McDonald, Alex | Hawthorn |
| 1989 | Banik, Anthony | Richmond |
| 1990 | Hooper, Stephen | Geelong |
| 1991 | Hutton, John | Brisbane Bears |
| 1992 | Banfield, Drew | West Coast Eagles |
| 1993 | Gaspar, Darren | Sydney |
| 1994 | White, Jeff | Fremantle |
| 1995 | Waterhouse, Clive | Fremantle |
| 1996 | Gardiner, Michael | West Coast Eagles |
| 1997 | Johnstone, Travis | Melbourne |
| 1998 | Headland, Des | Brisbane Lions |
| 1999 | Fraser, Josh | Collingwood |
| 2000 | Riewoldt, Nick | St Kilda |
| 2001 | Hodge, Luke | Hawthorn |
| 2002 | Goddard, Brendon | St Kilda |
| 2003 | Cooney, Adam | Western Bulldogs |
| 2004 | Deledio, Brett | Richmond |
| 2005 | Murphy, Marc | Carlton |
| 2006 | Gibbs, Bryce | Carlton |
| 2007 | Kreuzer, Matthew | Carlton |
| 2008 | Watts, Jack | Melbourne |
| 2009 | Scully, Tom | Melbourne |
| 2010 | Swallow, David | Gold Coast |
| 2011 | Patton, Jonathon | Greater Western Sydney |
Admittedly there are a few hits n misses on that list but since 2000 you could say that there haven't been too many duds... Jack Watts is definitely DUD #1. How disapponiting to tank and then get him as yer pick. Those recruiters have a lot to answer for.
Anyway in Brad Greens last game for the Dees the Crows did their best to make it a contest for the first quarter. I was a little worried that Gutterguard was once again in attendance, but once they knew he was sitting at home drinking a cuppa tea the boys got bored eventually and decided to slot 10 goals in the third quarter before leaving the field and not returning in the last. Tippett looked reasonable (please stay...) while a few players rested in the forward line or back on the couch in Radelaide with Gutterguard.
There were three finals previews on the weekend and the Beagles started to look like they could be a chance again after smashing the Pies. They had looked a bit tired in recent weeks but were way too good for the Pies. At golf on sunday all I heard from the three Pies supporters was whinging about umpires, about the draw, about how unfair it all was. Heads up guys... YOU LOST BY 49 POINTS... and you lost to the Blues. Twice. Who lost to the Suns and Port. The Dockers pulled off the surprise of the round for mine with an easy win over the inform Roos (you mean you didn't put $20 on the Suns?). Scott said the Roos had nothing to play for. Maybe he thinks they are better off playing the Pies than the Cats or Dockers in the elimination final? He may be right. Well... he IS right.
In the last finals preview the Swans n Hawks had an epic battle with the Swans getting out to a 38 point lead in the first quarter before dropping the bundle. Sounds familiar. The Hawks came back hard in the second, and then it was a tight tough contest in the second half. I thought the Swans were home until Burgers kicked the winning goal with a minute left. Great game. The Swans REALLY need to play their finals at the SCG...
In the other games the Paps continued their formline - crap - and lost to giant killers Brissy - while in the domestic pets battle the Cats sleepwalked through their game against the Dogs.
Tippers
That was a tough round for tippers - not helped if you stupidly thought the Bombers would show something. Whoops. And yet 2 people tipped 8 from 9 - Judge Dredd & Pavsthaman. Very handy with Pavstha now jumping into 5th spot. Still leading is IH8Crows who managed a 7 and is now 2 clear of The Nips.
Round 23
Yes it is the final round of the minor round and while the teams in the 8 are sorted, their position isn't, so there ARE some big games.
And there are some not so big games. The ones that have top 8 teams in them include Adelaide v Suns... NO ONE who deserves a place in the top 10 would lose to the Suns. The Roos travel to Sydney to play the Giants. This could be the only time in the Giants history that they will have more supporters at a game than the opposition. The Roos will win in front of a crowd that would make an NRL team quite happy but will still be a record low. And the Dockers will smash the Dees.
The really who cares cups are between the Blues n Sinners - Blues should win but is Ratts still gonna be their coach? - Tiggers v Port (Tiggers easily), and Brissy v Doggies (Brissy by 10 goals).
To the games that DO matter...
The Hawks n Eagles. Massive game. The Hawks should start favorites cos it's at home but don't write off the Beagles. They'll be happy to have another week in Kennedy's legs. I'll pick the Hawks which means... yes... they finish top cos the Cats will have too much for the Swans down at UnSkilled Stadium. If it was anywhere else I'd back the Swans but the Cats are starting to look good. To be any chance Goodesy needs to click into gear and I think he is still a couple of games away.
And finally the Bombers and Pies play on Saturday night... The Pies need to win to give themselves a chance at finishing 4th (assuming the Hawks win) and you would think the Pies by plenty. I wouldn't put money on them though.
Go You Crows!
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