AFL Preview Round 17 2012

AFL Preview

Round 17

The main AFL news item seemed to centre around Chris Judd and his 4 week suspension for his ‘chicken wing’ tackle on Adams, a North Melbourne player,  last week. Do you want fries with that Chris? Funnily enough I was talking to a teaching mate here who hails from Ohio in the USA and he actually watched the game with his mate from Sweden which enabled me to discuss AFL in a small Chinese restaurant for the first time in my life. Typical bloody yank, all he could say was that he enjoyed any vision of Chris Judd during the game because the cameras would pan in on his wife, Rebecca Twigley, whom he, and the guy from Sweden, thought was the most beautiful woman they had ever seen. I couldn’t resist it…….I said I knew Rebecca personally when I lived in Perth!! oh my!!

 Geelong V Essendon at Etihad Friday night

After the Cats’ loss last week to the Magpies there are a number of teams snapping at their heels to take over their ladder position. If ever Geelong needed a win to rally and make sure of an appearance in the finals then this is that game. For a tipster it’s a nightmare selection as you would not expect a big winning margin. If you are well down in the tipping then pick a draw if the value of that draw is 3 points. A draw is possible.

Geelong by 6 points 

Collingwood V Hawthorn at the MCG Saturday

This match is possibly the game of the round and the Pies need to reverse the result of the last game just in case these two teams meet in the GF. Another Hawthorn win over Collingwood sets them up as psychological winners just like Geelong was last year over the Pies and we know the result of that in the Grand Final. Winning form is good form and both sides have it. Collingwood has got some players back, not sure whether Buddy is playing though for Hawthorn. Expect a cracker of a game.

Collingwood by 10 

Adelaide V West Coast at AAMI Saturday

Here’s another great contest as both these teams have been hovering in the top 4 all season so far. Despite injuries to key players it seems the Eagles have found the depth to remain an elite team in the competition. Adelaide, so far, has seemed a little suspect against the top teams like West Coast and Collingwood so it will be interesting to see how they manage this game. The home ground is a huge advantage to the Crows in SA and to West Coast in WA and this round the game is at AAMI.

Adelaide by 12 

Gold Coast V Brisbane at Metricon Saturday

Tipsters will have to give the Suns a bit of a chance in this match against the Lions but I doubt whether defacing opposition player posters and niggling each other behind the scenes pre-match will make a lot of difference. Gold Coast cracked the champagne last week against Richmond and it would be nice to see them put 2 consecutive wins together. You’re dreaming. If the Lions haven’t put last week’s disappointing loss to St Kilda behind them then they will lose.

Brisbane by 16 

Western Bulldogs V Carlton at Etihad Saturday

We might see some chicken feathers fly in this game. The Blues have had their wings clipped even further with the loss of Judd after a 4 week suspension by the tribunal. Dual Brownlow winner – pinged for unsportsmanlike conduct?? Really? Cooney, the Bulldogs’ Brownlow winner and Judd, are both missing for this game. As depleted as Carlton is at the moment they should still be able to beat the poor Doggies who are having a terrible season. I think Carlton can win.

Carlton by 22 

Melbourne V Port Adelaide in Darwin Saturday

Apart from pride and giving the players some experience there is not a lot more hanging on this game. Neither team will make the finals and both teams are having poor seasons as they try to rebuild. Tipsters will like the Power’s chances a bit better than those of the Demons who are struggling to put together a full game. I’m inclined to agree.

Port Adelaide by 16 

Sydney V St Kilda at the SCG Sunday

This is certainly an important match for the Saints who have scratched and scraped enough wins now to see them nestled in the 8, not safe, but there. And what about Sydney? Did many experts predict they would be on top of the ladder so late in the season and be considered as a serious premiership contender? They upset the Eagles last week and it’s hard to see them allow a much lesser team like the Saints burst that bubble. Who was the last team to beat Sydney at the SCG this season? Look it up.

St Kilda by 11

 Richmond V North Melbourne at the MCG Sunday

We watch our football every week, make judgements, predictions about some teams and see the Tigers poised to make the 8 then they go and get beaten by Gold Coast in the last kick of the day! Heartbreaking for the fans as well as the players and as a result Richmond must win at least 5 of its next 7 games to be genuine finals contenders – a big ask. North is playing good footy with some strong wins against more favoured opposition. They won’t let go a golden opportunity to play finals and in this game they will kill all Tiger hopes.

North Melbourne by 22 

Fremantle V GWS Giants at Paterson Sunday

The Giants are interpreting their name to mean “getting beaten by giant margins” rather than being giant killers. Losing margins of over 100 points in the last two games is not a good sign for them as a team but a darn good one for tipsters who can confidently mark down a point for a Fremantle win and a welcome percentage boost.

Fremantle by 75