Footy pundits will tell you that Hawthorn has the home ground advantage for this Sunday’s clash at Aurora Stadium in Tasmania. But does it really? Because Brisbane Lion Justin Sherman, aka the Shermanator, aka the new Errol Flynn, is actually from Tasmania and today he’ll be telling afl.com.au what a boon it will be to play in front of his friends and family. So shove that in your pipes and smoke it, footy pundits!
Teams, tips and previews
Today at afl.com.au we will be serving an appetizer of team previews, featuring scrumptiously relevant info about all of this weekend’s clashes. Following that will be our entree of tips, lightly dusted with margins. And for mains, all the full team lists will be placed on a platter for your delectation.
The tropics
While we here in the southern states shiver through winter’s first icy touch, Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade will be sunning himself in the sunny Northern Territory sun in preparation for the big clash against Port Adelaide. Rocket will slap on the SPF30+ and let us know how the Dogs are acclimatising.
Mr 300
300 was a graphic novel by Frank Miller that fictionalised the Battle of Thermopylae. North’s Adam Simpson has not quite been around that long, but the King Roo will notch up his 300th game against Adelaide on Sunday and today he will let afl.com.au readers into his feelings about the milestone. Oh, and should Frank want to embark on another graphic novel called 300 – this one about the career of Simmo – we can assure him that no fictionalising will be necessary.
Nasty Neil
Of course every story needs a villain and should the life and times of Adam Simpson in fact turn into the stuff of a comic book for grown-ups, you need look no further than Crows coach Neil Craig. The Adelaide mentor will outline his plans to bring Simpson and the Kangaroos crashing down on Sunday at AAMI Stadium . . . the devilish fiend!
Doin’ the splits
A week off to re-charge and re-focus is to an AFL footballer what a yellowy metallic nugget is to a grizzled 18th century prospector: gold! Freo skipper Matthew Pavlich tells us just how important the innovation of the AFL’s split round has become to players and clubs.
AFL Today
Miranda Skerman is in the hot seat for today’s edition of the show that tells you all you need to know about the game you love in less time than it takes for Bruce Banner to become the Incredible Hulk. So log on to afl.com.au from 2pm or else Miranda will get angry . . . and you wouldn’t like her when she’s angry.
A dirty dozen?
After notching up a club-record 11 wins straight, the Saints are shooting for the even dozen in tomorrow night’s blockbuster at Docklands. Can the Blues stain St Kilda’s unblemished record this season or will Ross Lyon keep his team pristine? We’ll hear from the Saints coach later today.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
