Australian Football Association of North America

by John Loffler

PREVIEW ROUND 14

(Last week 5 from 8 total 60 from 104 =57.8%)

Tipsters, this will be a very short but hopefully confidence – inspiring preview this week. Due to commitments other than football, and I apologise profusely for allowing to be distracted by something as insignificant as WORK, and the fact that it is already after 11.00pm in Perth, my addled brain is not functioning cohesively enough to regale you with tall tales but true from the legendary past or with footy news that I am sure you have all read and personally interpreted in your own quaint way. This week we have the Heritage round for the AFL but all I have inherited thus far this season is a poor tipping score. The return of Judd has been overshadowed by the return of Ramanauskas for Essendon and that comeback may align itself with a miraculous return of biblical proportions of the Eagles prodigal son Ben Cousins, both inclusions giving a stronger essence to the term “Going for the Doctor”!! Other news is that Riley will be taking charge of the Demons for the first time since the departure of Daniher and as luck has it Melbourne comes up against Carlton making that selection easy. Thanks to my mate Rog who pointed out that Didak was retained by the Pies for last week’s game because he was a sharpshooter? Geez it’s hard being a footballer today!! As usual this season there are a few tough games from which to make selections so good luck!

Essendon V Geelong at Telstra Dome Friday Night

The suspension of Lloyd does not help Essendon’s chances which were zip before that tribunal decision so this selection is a gimme.

Geelong by 42

Collingwood V St Kilda at MCG Saturday

The Pies and the Hawks put on a great exhibition of Aussie Rules last week at a sold out Telstra Dome and one hopes that Collingwood didn’t use all their gas in that game because they will need some acceleration to put paid to the Saints’ finals hopes. And they will.

Collingwood by 28

Western Bulldogs V Port Adelaide At Telstra Dome Saturday

The Power beating our beloved Bullies? Never!!

Western Bulldogs by 33

Adelaide V Hawthorn at AAMI Saturday Night

Alright, I admit I haven’t tipped the Hawks often enough this year and they are proving to be a (Haw)thorn in my side. So, why change things for this game? Adelaide will be a mite miffed about last week’s effort against an injury depleted Eagles side and they have that deadening effect to shut down the Hawthorn style of play – as did Sydney.

Adelaide by 18

West Coast Eagles V Brisbane at Subiaco Saturday Night

Braun’s 200th game, Judd’s return, no wins for the Lions against the Eagles for 6 years at Subiaco!! Say no more.

West Coast by 60

Sydney V Fremantle at SCG Sunday

As much as I’d love to see Freo win this game against the Swans I’m finding it difficult to make a strong case for them. They kicked the sweep against the hapless Blues (who wore white) last week while the Swans fell to the Cats at Sleepy Hollow. Both teams were up there at the end last year but talk of another Swans Eagles grand final seems a long way off looking at their win loss ratio this season. Tarrant returns to the Docker forward line after his one week suspension for punching a pollie in Darwin an act for which he should have received high praise and he will be competing with the other bad boy in the forward line, Jeff Farmer, for goals against a very tight Sydney back line. Could be chaos. A Freo loss would provide Connolly with a smooth transition to the Melbourne coaching job and the Dorks never let their coaches get too comfortable.

Sydney by 11

Carlton V Melbourne at MCG Sunday

If someone had said to Mark Riley when he started his coaching career that his first outing would be against Carlton he would have orgasmed with delight. Enjoy Mark.

Melbourne by 31

Richmond V Kangaroos at Telstra Dome Sunday

The Tigers have improved to the degree that you might think twice about picking them against mediocre opposition. Are the Kangaroos on a downer after the Archer 300 last week? Maybe, but that will still be too good for the Tigers.

Kangaroos by 29