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?

Round 1.2 - The Real Stuff Begins

OK we had that one game on Saturday night but we all knew the result before a ball was bounced.  THIS week is where it all starts ladyfolk.  So lets get into it!

[By the way, it all starts on THURSDAY so get your tips in early!]

Round 1
Date	Home vs. Away	Venue	AEDT	Local	TV
Sat, Mar 24	GWS Giants vs. Sydney Swans	ANZ Stadium	7.20pm	7.20pm	SEVEN
Thur, Mar 29	Richmond vs. Carlton	MCG	7.40pm	7.40pm	SEVEN
Fri, Mar 30	Hawthorn vs. Collingwood	MCG	7.50pm	7.50pm	SEVEN
Sat, Mar 31	Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions	MCG	1.40pm	1.40pm	FOX
Sat, Mar 31	Gold Coast Suns vs. Adelaide Crows	Metricon Stadium	4.40pm	3.40pm	FOX
Sat, Mar 31	Fremantle Dockers vs. Geelong Cats	Patersons Stadium	7.40pm	4.40pm	SEVEN
Sat, Mar 31	North Melbourne vs. Essendon	Etihad Stadium	7.40pm	7.40pm	FOX
			AEST
Sun, April 1	Western Bulldogs vs. West Coast Eagles	Etihad Stadium	1.10pm	1.10pm	FOX
Sun, April 1	Port Adelaide vs. St Kilda	AAMI Stadium	4.40pm	4.10pm	FOX

First off is what is normally the annual kick the Tiggers in the ribs game.  They take on the Blues and if you all put yer picks in a few weeks ago, you tipped the Blues, didn't you! I know you did.  So did I.  But does NAB cup form matter?  Cos if it does... then you may want to reconsider.  The odds have come in from being $3.75 at one stage to now being $2.60!  Of course when they lose it doesn't really matter what the odds were eh?  But on their side, the Blues have a few injuries, with Walker, Warnock, Jamison, Duigan and Laidler out of their supposedly best 22.  Must say, they may be in their best 22, but not sure any of them are in their top 5. The Tiggers are pretty much at full strength.  And Jake King is playing for them.  Those two things feel incongruous.  He is still crap - I don't care how many push-ups he can do.  I'll stick with the Blues and will enjoy hearing how the Tiggs are rubbish by friday.

Massive game on the friday night - nice to see the AFL finally schedule something good early in the year cos last year's draw was pretty average.  The Hawks v the Pies eh?  What a stoush.  At full strength toss a coin.  This will be a pearler.  Both big bodied teams that will finish near the top of the table.  Both without a decent ruckman.  The Hawks have Buddy, the Pies have the midfield.  The Hawks have a system while the Pies are tweaking theirs.  I'll tip the Hawks.

The Dees n Lions.  Yeah yeah whatever.  Sorry Jimmy.  Just the facts.  Both teams are destined for the bottom rungs of the table, and the Lions without Browny are like pepper steak without the steak.  And pepper.  Early up in the season so home ground advantage will sway on this one - back the Dees to do it for Jimmy.  Meanwhile up at Metricon the Suns host the Mighty Mighty's.  I wish the Suns well, but the Crows will de-pants them.  Unless Daaaave picks em by over 91 points.  In which case we'll win by 90.

If you are looking for an upset then the Dockers could be your game against the Cats.  New coach, homeground advantage, not a lot of injuries (although not sure where Sandilands is at).  Yep... nothing against the Cats, they'll still be up top come the end, but the Dockers get my vote for this game.

The only thing upsetting about watching the Roos v the Bombouts is having to watch the game at all.  I guess it is one of those night where you can flick between watching the Dockers getting the upset, flicking over and checking on which Bomber is about to cry, and then flicking over to watch Rockwiz.  And then forgetting the games were even on.  Still, as boring as it will be, its a 50/50 game and there's no homeground advantage... I think the Bombers will just have this one.  But then again Petrie...

April Fools!  Yep sunday is April 1st, and the Paps will fool you all to somehow beat a boring boring ageing St Kilda.  Oh how they'll laugh.  Equally amusing will be the Doggies showing how poorly the Eagles travel and getting on the board... well... maybe not... APRIL FOOL!!!!

1st - Hawthorn

I can't help but think I've been sold a dummy with this one.  WHY are the Hawks finishing first on my table?  Clearly too much listening to Ando waffle on about how bluddy good Buddy is, how unlucky they have been with injuries, how nasty those umpires have been to them, oh woe is bluddy me.  The only thing I've heard more is "oh my, how far did I hit that ball?  I just can't control how BIG I hit the ball...".

P-uh-lease.

Let's have a looksie... Buddy.  Tick.  Cyril gets half a tick cos he plays well in half the games.  Sammy Mitchell is still performing well.  Hodge. Tick.  Roughy gets a third of a tick cos he will be injured or recovering from for most of the season.  Sewell has become very solid.  Hale could be handy in the Petrie sense of the word.  Suckling is good.  Solid second tier.  The Hawks should be well and truly amongst it at the pointy end.

2nd - Catters

Oh my - what can't they do with cats these days eh?  Those cheeky lil buggers!  There's no surprises in having them in the Top 4, and there's no reason why they won't finish top 2.  They've ditched that ugly b'stard Lingy.  No loss.  They've lost Ottens.  That's a loss.  Last year people said they were too old.  They weren't.  And they aren't again this year.

3rd - Pies

To be honest I am pretty sure that is the old Port Adelaide Magpies logo.  The Pies have had a cuppla good years, winning a Premiership and then finishing up losing to the Cats in the one that matters - the one for TWO IN A ROW.  I've always said that unless you win two in a row, yer rubbish.  The last team to do that was of course the Lions - they set a standard that the Cats can only dream about.  And hang on... who was it before that...?  Oh of course... THE MIGHTY MIGHTY'S!  Ah the golden years.  They'll be back.

But I digress.  The Pies.  New coach in Bucks.  To me their big weakness is Jolly.  Sorry big man but I really think your time was up at the end of last year.  You were a champion for 2 clubs and also played for the Pies, but me thinks you are one year beyond.  Still, it's hard to go past a team that currently boasts (literally) Penders, Swan, and dare I say Thomas... and ever Cloke on his day?  There's not 3 braincells between em but it's hard to deny they can play.  So why 3rd?  Well as I said... the ruck looks a bit weak... the loss of all-Australian Neon Leon will be hard to cover (cept for in a grand final), and I think there are a cuppla other teams that will step it up a bit as the Pies drop back...  but they'll definitely be around the mark, and once yer there, they will give it a shake.

4th - Carlton

You may well remember this wonderful membership drive put out by Carlton in 2010.  From memory they cooked up 7th - some would say they were a little premature.  Last year they stepped it up to 5th, and when I first went through the season a few weeks back, I foolishly had the Bluebaggers finishing 4th.  After all, they have managed to scab Juddy back from the West under circumstances not overly dissimilar to those involving Scully (Visy pay him a fortune for "advertising"), they have stolen a player who should be with the Crows (Gibbs should have been with the Mighty's under the father-son law but we wos wobbed!), Murphy has probably superseded Judd in terms of effectiveness, Walker was finally living up to his first game promise, they have a few smalls through the forward line, and they finally seem to have a defensive unit.

However after a NAB Cup drought - 0 wins from the series - people are having their doubts.  Me included.  Most of their defenders are injured, Juddy had a poor pre-season... I have to soldier on though... I have picked em 4th based on the original premise, and it would be surprising to see em finish outside the 8.  Smells like they're cooking straight sets losses in the finals then eh?

Grand Final/Spooner Picks Updated

Still a few need to send me their picks, and maybe start contemplating paying me - $30.  Email me at work and I'll send you my details.  I'll put up a list towards the end of the week when I get a chance.

Round 1.1 Sydney Squared

I made my way out to the first game for the GWS on Saturday night and have to say there's a lotta love in Sydney for the Giants - and most of it by Swans supporters.  That said, there was a bit of orange around the ground, and they're off to a good start.  And in good news for the Tinies, they were actually missing a few of the senior players that should be back on board in 2 weeks time.  Although James McDonald won't be one of them.  So what about Izzy?  Safe to say he probably wouldn't be playing in two weeks time if he was any other player... He jogged around the ground lookin like a lost lamb (big bluddy lamb) for most of the game.  He's got a long way to go...  So are the Tinies gonna win a game...? Hmmm... lets just say most of your Wooden Spooner tips are looking pretty safe.

The Swans looked ok.  Josh Kennedy had a massive game.  Sam Reid took a cuppla strong grabs.  Teddy Richards was solid across half back.  But will they have enough to take on the top teams... we'll see.

5th - Mighty Mighty's

My Hero!  Damn what a handsome dude - it's like looking in a mirror although his hair isn't the jet black that covers my bonnet.

They say NAB Cup form means nothing coming into the real season but that is just a line trotted out by teams that lose.  Winning form is good form.  The Mighty Mighty's have had 2 seasons in the crapper, not helped by injuries to  some key players and not enough mullets.  But this year the Crows are chockas full of the good stuff.  Walker has switched to the heavy beers, Vince has bought some fully reversible shorts,  Porps has has some extra rubber bands attached to his shoulder, and we've brought back another ex-Sturt player to lead the club in Sando.  What can go wrong?

But thats not all.  The Crows play GWS twice.  They play the Suns twice.  And they play Port twice.  Not only that but the Mighty's play the Suns in round 1, then 3 of the next 4 at home.  Yes.... for once the Mighty's have a decent draw.  Not as good as the Pies seem to get every year but reasonable nonetheless...

In short - you can pencil the Crows in for a top 8 and knocking on the door of the 4... GO YOU GOOD THING!

Round One Part One

It's back!  We've all missed it eh?  And we're starting with the Tinies v the Swans.  Yep, it's going to be a pantsing.  The only question is how much will they win by.  Oh and can Izzy score a goal?  Oh and will the Swans escape without injury?  Swans to win by at least ten goals, Izzy to kick 3 behinds, and Goodesy to escape the curse of Horseboy's SuperCoach team..

Of course the other 8 games are next week... bring it on!

6th - Beagles

Ahhh those were the days eh?  Back in the mid-2000's the Beagles were Premiers, they had Juddy, Kerry and Cousins in the midfield being expertly fed by big Cox.  Then Juddy got jack of the drug taking ways of half the team and went to Carlton for big $$, Cousins went off the rails before starring in his own show, Kerr got injured and reported every second week, and finally what was supposed to be the start of an era ended abruptly to the point where in 2010 the West Tokin Beagles finished Wooden Spooners.

But then last year they were back!  NicNat & Big Cox made a great pairing, Kerr found some form, Glass was good, and basically the whole team performed like the days of old.  The big question this year is will they stay up near the top or drop straight back out?  I'm tipping well and truly up amongst it - top 4 is probably out of the equation as they don't have the easiest of draws, but they'll certainly be top 8 and if they can somehow sneak a home final, watch it.

The Drugs are Back.