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Round 11
I was reading the article by Mick Malthouse that he wrote about Gary Ablett who had a record-equalling 53 possessions in the game against Collingwood last week but regardless of his possessions the team still lost by almost 100 points. I agree with Mick's opinion on this. In my own experience both as a player and coach that if you have a person in your team that is head and shoulders above the rest of the players he tends to become a go to player in all circumstances. You will see this in basketball games more so than in football games where there are a lot more players but I can understand the mindset of the young Suns players who may not have the confidence in their own ability and will, in almost every instance, look for Gary hoping that he can create something from their possession. It's an interesting point that Malthouse has made and one that Gary Ablett and the Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna might have to consider.
Carlton versus Geelong at Etihad Friday night
Neither team is performing well while at least Geelong is winning games unlike Carlton who have not had a memorable month. The loss by the Blues to Port Adelaide last week would have done nothing for their confidence going into this game against the Cats. I keep tipping the Blues to win and they keep costing me points. I suppose as soon as I stop tipping them they will win.
Geelong by 17
Richmond versus Fremantle at the MCG Saturday
Even when the Tigers were not playing so well they were still able to beat Fremantle. Considering the form of these 2 teams (after last week should we ever care about form again?), it will be hard to find a winning case for the Dockers. Originally it was thought that the recruiting of Lyons as the Fremantle coach was a great move but there seems to be a little undercurrent of unrest about the way the Dockers are playing their games. They are also having limited success and this Western Australian team is desperate for success.
Richmond by 29
Gold Coast Suns versus St Kilda at Metricon Saturday
This is the 2nd time these teams have met this season with St Kilda handing the Suns a 92 point thrashing. While I think the Suns play a little bit better at home they would have to play out of their skins to beat the Saints who lost narrowly to Richmond last week. It could be a winless season looming for Gold Coast. The Saints need to keep winning games like this.
St Kilda by 42
Essendon versus Sydney at Etihad stadium Saturday
This is certainly the game of the round with both teams sitting high on the ladder after good starts to the season. One of the upsets last week was the loss to Melbourne by Essendon and it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back from that disappointing loss to beat Sydney who annihilated the Western Bulldogs last week. This should be a close game but we've said that before.
Sydney by 10
Port Adelaide versus Hawthorn at AAMI stadium Sunday
The Port Adelaide team that we thought was a basket case about a month ago is now sitting just 2 games out of the 8! The Power has strung together 3 wins in a row. Although the Hawks don't have a great record at AAMI they should be chock-full of confidence after their belting of North Melbourne last week. Some tipsters may consider this to be a danger game for Hawthorn but I say pshaw!
Hawthorn by 39
Melbourne versus Collingwood at the MCG Monday
The Demons cracked their first win last week unexpectedly against Essendon and they have always been a team that has troubled the Pies, more so in 2010 than last year, but, with a little bit of confidence gained from last week they will test Collingwood if the Magpies take the game too easily. Pendlebury was added to the Collingwood injury list last week but Dane Swan is due to return.
Collingwood by 40
Article last changed on Thursday, June 07, 2012 - 7:18 PM EDT