AFL SEASON 2007
PREVIEW ROUND 5
by John Loffler
(Last week 4 from 8. 17 / 32 =53.1%)
An abysmal tipping effort last week tipsters where 4 was a good score. Based on the way the preview was written I guess my predictions were poetic justice.
A very short break for tipping and previews as the Anzac day game between Collingwood and Essendon gets under way tomorrow and most tipping comps will require you to have your tips in by either late tonight or by lunch time tomorrow. Those tipping comp organisers who know their stuff can work a bit of computer magic (or follow the instructions) and isolate the game tomorrow allowing for us tipsters to get a bit more knowledge about team selections and club news that may make us tip one way or the other. It will be interesting to see whether the saying that too much information is sometimes bad for you carries any validity as you enter your selections “blind” and come away on Sunday night with a good score.
Anyway, must get this preview to my adoring (?) reading public. By the way Ben Cousins is enjoying a speedy recovery and may return to play for the Eagles in about a month. Hmmm, I guess ‘speedy’ was an unfortunate word selection.
Essendon V Collingwood MCG Anzac Day
Both teams will be going into this game with a 3 day break so it’s fitting that the winner will be the team with the most fighting spirit. However, one team played under the lovely conditions of a roof enclosed Telstra Dome and the other team slogged it out in the Melbourne rain at the MCG. Doh, I wonder which team has an advantage? I heard a couple of good jokes this week: What does a Collingwood supporter use as a contraceptive? His personality. Hmmm. What does an Essendon supporter use as protection during sex? A bus shelter. The other joke? Collingwood will win the Anzac day game.
Essendon by 29
Port Adelaide V St Kilda AAMI Stadium Friday Night
This is easy. St Kilda played well against the Demons in round one. They played pitifully against the Lions in round two. They played wonderfully well against the Bulldogs in round three. They were inexcusably poor against the Bombers last week. Go figure this week.
St Kilda by 15
Richmond V West Coast Eagles at MCG Saturday
The West Coast machine is just bulldozing along quite nicely and there is no doubt in my mind that they will lose a game or two this season but….this won’t be one of them.
West Coast by 49
Carlton V Brisbane at Telstra Dome Saturday
Here we have a couple of teams that have a mixture of young and inexperienced but talented lads alongside some great players. The loss of Stevens for the Blues is a big one. Lucky they didn’t lose the Fev on Sunday after his little elbow push on Stenglein in the game against the Eagles because that would have been a bitter blow seeing Carlton have nobody else to kick their goals. The Brisbane Lions let us all down last week with their loss to the Kangaroos on the Gold Coast and I’m not prepared to forgive them this week.
Carlton by 19
Sydney V Melbourne at the SCG Saturday night
I wish they were all as easy as this.
Sydney by 44
Hawthorn V Western Bulldogs At MCG Sunday
The Hawks are becoming the tipster’s nightmare team this season. Give me a break they are in the 8 with a 3 – 1 win loss record. But dear tipsters, remember they were pretty much the same last year and look at what happened. I’m not saying that the big run of uninterrupted losses will start this weekend but it’s a consideration. Tip the Hawks against the Doggies and you’ll be sorry.
Western Bulldogs by 51
Geelong V Kangaroos at Skilled Stadium Sunday
After the last couple of weeks you tipsters, like me, will be scratching your heads over this selection. The game is at Skilled and that should be enough to put things back to right for the Cats and have the Roos hopping. There is a major problem looming for the Kangaroos and that will be the name change when they move to the Gold Coast where they can’t really be called the Kangaroos surely? How about the Gold Coast Jelly fish, or the Queensland Sharks or Laidley’s Boardies or even the Carey BeachBums?
Geelong by 42
Fremantle V Adelaide at Subiaco on Sunday
Well the Dockers certainly gave the Demons a fair going over last week but even though this game is at Subiaco you would have to give Adelaide real consideration. They don’t mind travelling to Western Australia unless they play the Eagles. Does the one win for the Dorks constitute a winning streak or at least the start of one? They will have to play well and I will give them the benefit of the doubt. If they win this game then they will finish top four again but a loss will be devastating. Freo heave ho.
Fremantle by 17
Article last changed on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 3:56 PM EDT
