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Well, I'm ambling along on 17/24, which is hardly awe-inspiring, but could certainly have been a lot worse...
FRIDAY APRIL 16 AEST
Carlton (10) vs Essendon
MCG 7:40 PM AEST
SATURDAY APRIL 17 AEST
Melbourne vs Port Adelaide (24)
MCG 2:10 PM AEST
West Coast Eagles (21)vs Brisbane Lions
Subiaco Oval 2:10 PM AWST
Geelong vs Richmond (4)
Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
Adelaide (17) vs St Kilda
AAMI Stadium 7:10 PM ACST
SUNDAY APRIL 18 AEST
Kangaroos (12) vs Sydney Swans
Manuka Oval 1:10 PM AEST
Collingwood (30) vs Fremantle
Telstra Dome 2:10 PM AEST
Hawthorn (18) vs Western Bulldogs
MCG 2:10 PM AEST
I pick Hawthorn with the barest minimum of confidence, and the Bulldogs would well fancy their chances here. The Hawks were disgraceful last week and, despite remaining winless, the Hounds have been strongly competitive every week. That being said, Hawthorn still has the stronger side, and can belie abysmal form by going off like a sparkler unexpectedly.
The same is true of Richmond, and I suspect that Geelong will draw a lot of support in the betting going into this game. I'm still suitably respectful of the Richmond midfield, however, and at its best this side will outgun anything the Cats can throw at them.
Melbourne vs Port will be an intiguing contest, given that the Demons comfortably accounted for the Power at this venue last year. I'm willing to punt that the result was a fluke, and if there's one side you can confidently back away from home during the season proper, its Port.
I'm expecting Carlton to roll the Bombers, with the latter being indifferent at best this season. Essendon was lucky to strike the Eagles in such a generous mood, and were outplayed for much of the match, despite getting the points. Carlton are workmanlike, but they're better than many expected, and always seem to trouble the Bombers, regardless of respective ladder positions. The Blues are more than a match for the overrated Bombers across the paddock and should be able to do enough here.
Tipping against Brisbane is always fraught with danger, but they were well beaten by the Eagles in both encounters last season. The Eagles have played some good football, but can ill-afford to give any side 5-8 goal head starts, especially Brisbane. I expect them to start stronger this time around, and they have the cattle to test Brisbane, particularly at home.
St Kilda have been unsettled this week due to tribunal decisions and marked media attention, which leaves them vulnerable to a desperate Adelaide side seeking its first win for the year. And Collingwood should be able to rebound over Fremantle, although this will depend largely on the latter side's capacity for getting its forward structure firing.
In the final game, I expect the Kangaroos to exploit their intimate knowledge of Manuka Oval and keep their unblemished beginning to the season intact. The Swans are a solid side, but they can tend to look a bit ho-hum, and will find this a very tough assignment. One thing's for sure, even if they do lose the game, the Swans will clearly win when it comes to supporter turnout on the day.
CyberKev
FRIDAY APRIL 16 AEST
Carlton (10) vs Essendon
MCG 7:40 PM AEST
SATURDAY APRIL 17 AEST
Melbourne vs Port Adelaide (24)
MCG 2:10 PM AEST
West Coast Eagles (21)vs Brisbane Lions
Subiaco Oval 2:10 PM AWST
Geelong vs Richmond (4)
Telstra Dome 7:10 PM AEST
Adelaide (17) vs St Kilda
AAMI Stadium 7:10 PM ACST
SUNDAY APRIL 18 AEST
Kangaroos (12) vs Sydney Swans
Manuka Oval 1:10 PM AEST
Collingwood (30) vs Fremantle
Telstra Dome 2:10 PM AEST
Hawthorn (18) vs Western Bulldogs
MCG 2:10 PM AEST
I pick Hawthorn with the barest minimum of confidence, and the Bulldogs would well fancy their chances here. The Hawks were disgraceful last week and, despite remaining winless, the Hounds have been strongly competitive every week. That being said, Hawthorn still has the stronger side, and can belie abysmal form by going off like a sparkler unexpectedly.
The same is true of Richmond, and I suspect that Geelong will draw a lot of support in the betting going into this game. I'm still suitably respectful of the Richmond midfield, however, and at its best this side will outgun anything the Cats can throw at them.
Melbourne vs Port will be an intiguing contest, given that the Demons comfortably accounted for the Power at this venue last year. I'm willing to punt that the result was a fluke, and if there's one side you can confidently back away from home during the season proper, its Port.
I'm expecting Carlton to roll the Bombers, with the latter being indifferent at best this season. Essendon was lucky to strike the Eagles in such a generous mood, and were outplayed for much of the match, despite getting the points. Carlton are workmanlike, but they're better than many expected, and always seem to trouble the Bombers, regardless of respective ladder positions. The Blues are more than a match for the overrated Bombers across the paddock and should be able to do enough here.
Tipping against Brisbane is always fraught with danger, but they were well beaten by the Eagles in both encounters last season. The Eagles have played some good football, but can ill-afford to give any side 5-8 goal head starts, especially Brisbane. I expect them to start stronger this time around, and they have the cattle to test Brisbane, particularly at home.
St Kilda have been unsettled this week due to tribunal decisions and marked media attention, which leaves them vulnerable to a desperate Adelaide side seeking its first win for the year. And Collingwood should be able to rebound over Fremantle, although this will depend largely on the latter side's capacity for getting its forward structure firing.
In the final game, I expect the Kangaroos to exploit their intimate knowledge of Manuka Oval and keep their unblemished beginning to the season intact. The Swans are a solid side, but they can tend to look a bit ho-hum, and will find this a very tough assignment. One thing's for sure, even if they do lose the game, the Swans will clearly win when it comes to supporter turnout on the day.
CyberKev