Round 13 of the AFL starts tonight at the Telstra Dome with the St Kilda Saints hosting the Freo Dockers. The Saints have taken the sword to a couple of players who did not follow team rules and will play without a couple of proven match winners in Dal Santo and Milne. The Dockers have hit some form in recent weeks but have failed to deliver this year after promising so much. They still find it hard to make the trip over the Melbourne and I think it might be just too much for them. Saints by 5.
On Saturday, league leaders Hawthorn take on North Melbourne in a blockbuster at the G. The Hawks escaped last week with a scrappy win in Adelaide but what was impressive was that they did it without 'superstar' Franklin who was wayward. 'Buddy' can also think himself lucky not to be given a suspension, if he were in black and white it would have been 7. North have had an up and down year and were given a pasting in the west last week. It is hard to see them doing any better this week, resorting to picking Jones and Thompson who were rested last week. Hawks will be too good, 43 point winners.
Also on Saturday afternoon, the Power will host a Richmond team high on confidence. The Port boys have struggled this year, playing good footy in patches but giving up good leads in crucial games has hurt them. Richmond have also been a little patchy, but took the win on last week on the back of big Richo. As one Tigers fan pointed out this week, they could have beaten anybody in the second quarter. Their problem is, they have to do it for 4 quarters. I can't not pick the Tigers here in Inverell, so I will by one point.
At the start of the season, West Coast fans would have underlined this game as one to get to Subi to watch, hosting the reigning premiers Geelong. But the Eagles have fallen away this year and Geelong are going from strength to strength and should win this easily. The only doubt about the results will be if Geelong get complacent, but I think they are back on track and will win this by 39.
Saturday night at the Gabba will be close to the match of the round. Both these teams are coming off bad losses but the Lions and Crows are both in good form this year and traditionally have good battles. The Lions travelled to Melbourne to get touched up by the Doggies last week, and will be keen to avenge that loss this week. The Crows welcome back a couple of key players, while the Brsibane do the opposite, losing some young runners with injury. The only saving grace for them is that the Gabba makes them a 4 goal better team. I think the Lions will win but by less than a goal.
Hes a good question for you; Your team is struggling, you can't get 20,000 to come and watch a match, can't win a game and in debt, what do you do? Why not take tour team to play in front of 10,000 Canberrians on a small ground that playes right into the hands of your opposition??? I think the management at Melbourne needs to take a good look at themselves with this fixture. The Swans don't lose at Manuka and they won't lose this. Maybe 60, 70, 80 or so points. Who cares!?!
Two big rivals meet at the G on Sunday arvo. Carlton are flying high after knocking over the mighty Pies last week, but have been seriously hit in the hip pocket having to pay off the umpires last week. Fev was dangerous, but kicked like a girl, and Judd finally came good for one quarter of footy. The poor old Dons are shot ducks this year. If they are injured with a hamstring, they are over 35. They did beat the Eagles last week but is that anything to get excited about? I think not. Blues by 21.
The last game of the round is the best one. The mighty Pies take on their bogey side the Dogs. The Dogs are firing and are rightly being touted as flag contenders, where as the Pies have come crashing back to earth after being beaten by a 25 man Carlton outfit. Added to this, just because he was wearing a black and white jumper, Travis Cloke was suspended! It makes this real hard for the Pies, as Rocca will also miss. This all points towards the obvious tip, Collingwood by 150. (If you don't like it, get your own website)
Until next week, this is Willie Pickett signing off.
Last Modified on 20/06/2008 10:06