C
CyberKev
Guest
A dismal fortnight sees the once accurate one slump to a rather average tally of 33.5 out of 48, but I'm nonetheless confident that I can turn it around...
<table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td align=left bgcolor=#f7f0de colspan=2><span>FRIDAY MAY 9</span></td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>Hawthornvs Kangaroos </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> Telstra Dome<span>7:40 PM AEST</span> <span>I'm thinking that the Kangaroos are painfully close to unravelling for season 2003 and that this game is only likely to hurry along this seemingly inevitable process. Laidley is overseeing an eclectic mix of youth and experience that is capable enough, but lacking for quality key position strength and talent. Hawthorn has been no better than average, but is rapidly returning to full strength (for the first time in some time) and should have too much height and pace for the Kangaroos. The Roos will have to hope that the Hawk forward structure again fails to impress or this one really could blow out. Hawks by 28 pts</span></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>
</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left bgcolor=#f7f0de colspan=2><span>SATURDAY MAY 10</span></td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>Richmondvs Essendon </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> Melbourne Cricket Ground<span>2:10 PM AEST</span> <span>Richmond has been tormented by Essendon for years and it is difficult to see the Tigers' fortunes changing this weekend. Richmond can consider itself unfortunate, as it is missing several key players and Essendon would normally be vulnerable, coming off a visit to the West. Its difficult to see where the Tigers will get their goals from, although they should maintain competitiveness in other areas of the ground. Expect Essendon to grind the Tigers down before bolting away late in the game. Bombers by 46 pts</span></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>
</td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>West Coastvs Geelong </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> Subiaco<span>3:40 PM AEST</span> <span>The Cats were good against Brisbane last week, but it would take a far braver tipster than I to give them the nod in the wild, wild, west! A lot of better sides than Geelong will return from Fortress Subi empty-handed and West Coast will be seeping with confidence having broken through for a rare win in Melbourne last week. I like the look of the Eagles who have appeal as certain finalists this year. They are solid in all areas and have a good mix of youth and experience, plus a liberal sprinkling of quick legs. I don't think they're as tough as they could (or should) be, but with Worsfold at the helm it will surely come. Geelong are tryers, but they have the weakest list in the competition and will lose a lot more than they win this year. Eagles by 67 pts</span></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>
</td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>St Kildavs Carlton </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> Telstra Dome<span>7:10 PM AEST</span> <span>Hmmm. Carlton were brave last week, but I think its time I took a punt on the Saints. When they weren't throwing punches they were doing a good job of out muscling the hapless Hounds and they seem to be developing confidence and hunger with every week. Carlton can do okay in bursts, but if Hawthorn's forwards had been on song it could have turned ugly last week. Aside from the inconsistent Fevola the Blues do not appear to have any real scoring options and this should give the fragile St Kilda defence a real boost. Cornflakes Thomas is still in the coaching box, which will ensure that the Blues are always a chance, but I think St Kilda can prevail here. Saints by 18 pts</span></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>
</td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>Adelaidevs Collingwood </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> AAMI Stadium<span>7:40 PM AEST</span> <span>Collingwood's full-on summer of self love is now well and truly over and the harsh reality of a tougher than anticipated season is beginning to bite. The team is leaving too much to too few and with players down on form and overall workrate dropping, it looks decidedly subpar. The Pies depend overtly on Buckley & O'Bree in the middle and Tarrant & Rocca up forward. The latter duo are shockingly inconsistent and unreliable, but without them the Pies would be 0-6 now. Adelaide looks solid if unspectacular, and will be out to avenge its preliminary final loss of last year. Collingwood made much of that win, but it need be noted that Adelaide was playing its fourth consecutive match on the road. Adelaide will win out of the middle and have enough forward power to taunt the spluttering Collingwood defence. Crows by 33 pts</span></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>
</td></tr> <tr> <td align=left bgcolor=#f7f0de colspan=2><span>SUNDAY MAY 11</span></td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>Sydneyvs Brisbane Lions </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> Sydney Cricket Ground<span>1:10 PM AEST</span> <span>Sydney have shown the better form of late and will be relishing the prospect of meeting a rather flat looking Lions outfit on their home track. Sydney have been getting plenty from a resurgent Adam Goodes and would have been thrilled to have O'Loughlin back in touch last week. The Swans surprisingly made Collingwood look slow and will have a pace edge on the Lions. Despite this, I still feel that Brisbane will have enough character to grind out another ugly win. I expect it will be a close affair, however. Lions by 20 pts</span></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>
</td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>Melbournevs Port Adelaide </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> Melbourne Cricket Ground<span>2:10 PM AEST</span> <span>Melbourne have looked bottom four material in recent weeks and will most likely struggle to make the eight this year. Their forward line revolves around one player, their midfield has lost considerable zest, and their defence is close to the weakest in the competition. All of this is bad news when you have to meet a surging Port Adelaide side that has shown itself capable of winning anywhere. I think the Power is settling in for a long winning streak and will have too much depth, skill and pace for the struggling Demons. Power by 40 pts</span></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>
</td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>Western Bulldogsvs Fremantle </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> Telstra Dome<span>2:10 PM AEST</span> <span>I think it was only a fortnight or so ago that I said I would never tip Fremantle to win away from home again for the remainder of the season. I'm sorely tempted to run with them here against the struggling Bulldogs, but the Hounds will be both savage and desperate and you'd think they'll never win again if they can't win this one. Nevertheless, logic says that the Dockers have to win one away eventually and they appear to have the Hounds covered everywhere bar the ruck. The Bulldogs will certainly finish in the bottom four this year, while if Freo have serious claims to a finals spot they will have to win games like these. Dockers by 10 pts</span></td></tr></tbody></table>
The Gripes of Kev... Well, this ridiculous 'making contact with an umpire' rule certainly reached a new low this week! If anyone with a plausible comprehension of spatial dynamics and a working understanding of the laws of motion can explain to me how Melbourne's Jeff White could possibly have avoided contact with the martian (save for making like a tree and rooting... himself to the spot) in this instance; then I'll go home to gravox! Unbelievable! There were more bodies in there thanfat boysat a donut king outlet, the umpire was making a fab fist of sheparding the opposing ruckman as he backed across and into encoming traffic after a somewhat dubious bounce, and in doing so he was all but forcing White to get to the ball via the next door carpark!!! I hear that the powers that be have called for a summit (of sorts) on this rule alone and one can but hope that some commonsense prevails or clubs will have to be resigned to losing players every week. It looks as if Andrew Demitriou will be replacing Wayne Jackson as CEO in the not-too-distant future. Heaven help the clubs if his views on 'runners' are indicative of his general thinking about the game! Apparently he wants to get rid of runners from the game altogether, as they are unnecessary, overused and a blight on the game. Presumably the sights and sounds of assistant coaches relaying orders to players from the sidelines (via loud hailers) would be a marked improvement in this regard?!!!! CyberKev
<table cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" border=0> <tbody> <tr> <td align=left bgcolor=#f7f0de colspan=2><span>FRIDAY MAY 9</span></td></tr> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td align=left><span>Hawthornvs Kangaroos </span></td> <tr bgcolor=#f7f0de> <td colspan=2> Telstra Dome<span>7:40 PM AEST</span> <span>I'm thinking that the Kangaroos are painfully close to unravelling for season 2003 and that this game is only likely to hurry along this seemingly inevitable process. Laidley is overseeing an eclectic mix of youth and experience that is capable enough, but lacking for quality key position strength and talent. Hawthorn has been no better than average, but is rapidly returning to full strength (for the first time in some time) and should have too much height and pace for the Kangaroos. The Roos will have to hope that the Hawk forward structure again fails to impress or this one really could blow out. Hawks by 28 pts</span></td></tr> <tr> <td colspan=2>
The Gripes of Kev... Well, this ridiculous 'making contact with an umpire' rule certainly reached a new low this week! If anyone with a plausible comprehension of spatial dynamics and a working understanding of the laws of motion can explain to me how Melbourne's Jeff White could possibly have avoided contact with the martian (save for making like a tree and rooting... himself to the spot) in this instance; then I'll go home to gravox! Unbelievable! There were more bodies in there thanfat boysat a donut king outlet, the umpire was making a fab fist of sheparding the opposing ruckman as he backed across and into encoming traffic after a somewhat dubious bounce, and in doing so he was all but forcing White to get to the ball via the next door carpark!!! I hear that the powers that be have called for a summit (of sorts) on this rule alone and one can but hope that some commonsense prevails or clubs will have to be resigned to losing players every week. It looks as if Andrew Demitriou will be replacing Wayne Jackson as CEO in the not-too-distant future. Heaven help the clubs if his views on 'runners' are indicative of his general thinking about the game! Apparently he wants to get rid of runners from the game altogether, as they are unnecessary, overused and a blight on the game. Presumably the sights and sounds of assistant coaches relaying orders to players from the sidelines (via loud hailers) would be a marked improvement in this regard?!!!! CyberKev
