Another week of action starts tonight with Collingwood and St Kilda at Telstra Dome and from there it only gets better.
We’re most looking forward to … eight games of footy!
If you are not heading along to the Dome on Friday night then put on your favourite pair of trackies, curl up on the couch and strap yourself in for one of those “season-defining” games that coaches and players love to talk about. Well, this one is big.
If the Pies lose then they’re staring down the barrel a tad, while the Nick Riewoldt-less Saints will also be a little shaky should they not get the points.
After a week off last week, it’s just great to have eight games of footy again, isn’t it?
This weekend will go a way to telling us … whether the Swans’ punt has paid off
French surgeon J.P. Labouro is becoming somewhat of a household name for his revolutionary surgery on Sydney Swan Nick Malceski. The star defender returns to footy on Sunday when the Swannies ‘scooby-doos’ play Tuggeranong in a curtain-raiser at ANZ Stadium.
How Mal’s knee holds up will provide much interest not only for all who follow the red and white, but the interested medical teams from rival AFL clubs. At least one-time Tuggeranong boy Aaron Hamill has moved on and Malceski won’t have to worry about him when out on the ANZ Stadium turf on Sunday. Good luck Mal, we’re all hoping you get through.
The shootout … from teammates to foes
A week ago they were working in tandem to help their state to a rousing win over the Dream Team, but on Saturday night they’ll be trying to spearhead their clubs to victory.
Carlton’s hopes of a victory will largely rest with Allen Aylett medallist Brendan Fevola on Saturday night when the Blues host Brisbane at Telstra Dome.
The Lions also boast plenty of firepower up forward, with Victorian skipper Jonathan Brown leading the charge.
However while Brown looms large, full forward Daniel Bradshaw has proved more potent this season. In perfect conditions it could be a goal blitz at the Dome.
Who’s due to fire?
Hmmm, where do you start with 16 clubs and hundreds of players? Saying Fremantle for four quarters would be too easy.
We might go out on a limb here and say Geelong. That’s right, the team undefeated and on top of the ladder. Everyone knows how “patchy” the Cats have been this season, not really hammering a side since they did the Bombers by 99 points in round two.
They have been searching for a four-quarter effort since then and, with several players feeling more rested, the Tigers could feel the brunt of a well-oiled Geelong machine on Saturday.
The roughie with a show is … Port Adelaide
The $3.10 (with TAB Sportsbet) on offer for the Power against the Hawks down in Tassie looks quite scrumptious.
Admittedly, Hawthorn is flying at the minute but Port Adelaide is playing confident footy itself and won’t be intimidated by heading to Aurora Stadium. In fact, the Power boys will have fond memories of the ground.
Port Adelaide beat Hawthorn in round 20 last season after Brett Ebert’s last-minute heroics. The nuggety forward flew high to mark and banged it through from close range to seal a memorable win – a win that the Hawks players will no doubt be keen to avenge.
Chad Cornes, missing this weekend, was prolific that day however.
It’s an eight-pointer
Ross Lyon has said so … so has Shane O’Bree.
Don’t be fooled into thinking Friday night’s St Kilda-Collingwood clash at Telstra Dome is merely worth four premiership points. Oh no, according to both men apparently it’s that big a game it’s worth eight points. Okay, we all know it’s not really, but the consequences for the loser – especially for the Pies should they lose and go 3-5 with the Cats to come next week – could be disastrous.
Both teams have injuries to key players which will play a part in the outcome. But that can’t be helped and in terms of round eight matches, they don’t come much bigger.
Fremantle players, get the black markers out
You know how you occasionally see players with letters written on their arms or hands (no, not tatts)? Little messages they’ve scrolled themselves to remind them of something during a game.
Well, after being driven over by Geelong and Melbourne in their past two matches after earlier leading by big margins, we suggest the Freo side sits down with the permanent marker before every game for the rest of the year and writes something simple to remind themselves that the game isn’t over ’til the final siren. Maybe a simple ‘DBO’ … which could stand for ‘Don’t Back Off’.
Or if frustrated Freo fans get to help with the messages, perhaps they’ll read ‘DBOFFS’. Not sure what those last three letters stand for.
Backlash up North?
Let’s hope Gold Coast footy fans show their support for Australian Football, North Melbourne and the proposed GC17 by getting along to Saturday night’s clash between North Melbourne and West Coast.
The Kangaroos might be bracing themselves for a backlash after the club rejected the AFL’s offer to relocate to the sandy strip in favour of staying in Melbourne.
While the round eight clash is an important one for both clubs, just as many eyes will be on the other side of the fence come the first bounce as we see just what the locals think of the Roos’ decision.
Potential banner of the week
A win does wonders for morale at any club, also for supporters. There have been reports of a traffic jam on the Western Highway this week as Melbourne supporters make the long trek to AAMI Stadium for Sunday’s clash with Adelaide.
Among the convoy is the Melbourne cheer squad – we believe armed with one of the biggest banners seen in AFL history – which gives a special mention to round seven NAB AFL Rising Star nomination Austin Wonaeamirri.
Look out Crows cos we’re on a roll
The Demons are gonna give you hell
Robbo, White, Bruce and Davey,
And that guy whose last name we can’t spell
Our Dream Team special … Jimmy ‘The Mudlark’ Bartel
They’re tipping rain at the MCG on Saturday when Geelong takes on Richmond.
Some down at the Cattery say Bartel always packs three things when it’s wet – his long-studded boots, his mouthguard and his flippers.
The reigning Brownlow medallist is a proven ‘mudder’, revelling in the heavy going on numerous previous outings. His sure ball skills and hardness around the packs are invaluable in such conditions, and if you coaches out there have him in any of your sides he might be a good one to make skipper this week.
